Production of yttrium aluminum silicate microspheres by gelation of an aqueous solution containing yttrium and aluminum ions in silicone oil

Radioactive yttrium glass microspheres are used for liver cancer treatment. These yttrium aluminum silicate microspheres are synthesized from yttrium, aluminum and silicone oxides by melting. There are two known processes used to transform irregular shaped glass particles into microspheres, these 'spheroidization by flame' and 'spheroidization by gravitational fall in a tubular furnace'. Yttrium aluminum silicate microspheres with the approximate size of 20-50 microm were obtained when an aqueous solution of YCl3 and AlCl3 was added to tetraethyl orthosilicate [TEOS] and pumped in to silicone oil and stirred constantly the temperature of 80°C. The resulting spherical shapes were then investigated for crystallization, chemical bonds, composition and distribution of elements by scanning electron microscopy [SEM], X-ray diffraction [XRD], Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy [FTIR], carbon/sulfur analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy [XPS] and SEM/EDS analysis. The particles produced by the above-mentioned method were regular and nearly spherical in shape. The results of topographical analysis of a cross-section showed that form of the microspheres had formed a 'boiled egg' structure. This method has an advantage over other methods in that the process does not require high temperatures. This paper reports on a novel method to produce yttrium glass microspheres. The resulting microspheres were formed with a silicon crust so the proposed method is expected to be suitable for application in the production of radioactive seed sources for implantation in tumors and cancer tissue

Effects of different carriers for adsorption of [125]I on brachytherapy sources

One of the key techniques for the preparation of 125I seeds is adsorption of 125I onto silver bits coated by palladium [pd]. Carriers played an important role in the adsorption of 125I on palladium. KI is used as a carrier for fixing of 125I onto silver wire bits coated with palladium. Three procedures KI, KOH, NH4OH were investigated for adsorption of 125I activity by different carriers. Adsorptions percentage of [125]I on treated silver beads showed about 85% by using KI as a carrier, the KOH showed 74% and 65% for NH[4]OH. The results indicated that, the use of KI as a carrier was suitable for adsorption of 125I on treated silver seeds with Pd than KOH and NH[4]OH

[Severe active ulcerative colitis and resistance to intravenous hydrocortisone therapy: successful treatment with methylprednisolone pulse therapy]

Ulcerative colitis is a mucosal-inflammatory disease that usually involves the rectum and extends proximally to involve all or part of the colon. Medications for treatment include anti-inflammatory agents such as 5-ASA compounds, systemic and topical corticosteroids and immunomodulators. A 33 year-old female and 52 year-old male both diagnosed with severe active ulcerative colitis who were resistant to intravenous hydrocortisone therapy [400 mg/day] were admitted to our clinic. Respectively, the patients were treated with pulsed steroid therapy at doses of 500 and 1000 mg/day methylprednisolone intravenously, for three consecutive days. After the treatment, the patients potentially achieved complete clinical remission. In conclusion, pulsed steroid therapy may induce complete clinical remission in patients with severe, active ulcerative colitis who have resistance to intravenous conventional steroid therapy