NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS OF BLOOD

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1958 · Am. J. Roentgenol. Radium Therapy Nuclear Med.

OSTI ID:4318358

Spencer, R P; Mitchell, T G; King, E R

The application of neutron activation analysis to quantitation of anions and cations in blood is discussed utilizing a flux of 2.5 x 10/sup 8/ neutrons/cm/ sup 2/sec. This flux can be obtained by the use of radium-beryllium sources, Van de Graaff-beryllium systems, and nuclear reactors. The time of irradiation is only one hour, and the technique is nondestructive to the specimen. Thirteen isotopes are theoretically produced to the exent of 30 dpm or greater following the exposure of 10 ml plasma to this flux for one hour. These isotopes represent six cations (sodium, magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc, calcium) and four unions (chlorine, iode, bromine phosphorus). Hence, if complete delineation were possible, ten electrolytes in blood could be estimated by neutron activation analysis at this low flux. In addition, isotopes of cobalt and manganese may be at the limit of detection. Each of the isotopes produced to the extent of 30 dpm or greater, with the exception of P/sup 32/ and Zn/s, gives off gamma rays during its disintegration. All of the radionuclides produced to this exent except Brs/p emit beta rays. The applicability of gamma ray and beta ray spectroscopy, in distinguishing between these isotopes, is discussed. In addition, differences in half-life may enable certain of the isotopes to be detected after more short- lived components have been dissipated. Emissions from Na/sup 24/ and Cl/sup 38/ tend to dominate the gamma ray spectrum of neutron irradiated blood. Hence, sodium and chlorine may be estimated directly by activation analysis. Techniques of separating other radioisotopes present in the sample, to eliminate sodium and chlorine, are discussed. Neutron activation analysis may be directly applicable to the determination of red blood cell comPosition, since these cells have a low content of sodium and chiorine, and can be obtained relatively free from plasma. Applications to tissue analysis are also pointed out. (auth)

• Research Organization: United States Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Md.
• NSA Number: NSA-12-009024
• OSTI ID: 4318358
• Journal Information: Am. J. Roentgenol. Radium Therapy Nuclear Med., Journal Name: Am. J. Roentgenol. Radium Therapy Nuclear Med. Vol. Vol: 79
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACTIVATION ANALYSIS-- ANIONS-- BERYLLIUM-- BLOOD-- BLOOD PLASMA-- CATIONS-- COPPER-- ISOTOPES-- MAGNESIUM-- NEUTRON FLUX-- NEUTRON SOURCES-- NEUTRONS-- POTASSIUM-- QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS-- QUANTITY RATIO-- RADIATION DOSES-- RADIUM-- SODIUM-- VAN DE GRAAFF ACCELERATORS
BETA DECAY-- BROMINE-- BROMINE 80-- CALCIUM-- CHLORINE-- COBALT-- DETECTION-- ELECTROLYTES-- EMISSION-- GAMMA SOURCES-- HALF-LIFE-- IODINE-- MANGANESE-- PHOSPHORUS-- PHOSPHORUS 32-- SODIUM 24-- SPECTROSCOPY-- USES-- ZINC-- ZINC 68
BLOOD CELLS-- CHLORINE 38-- RADIOISOTOPES-- SEPARATION PROCESSES-- TISSUES
CHEMISTRY