Routine production of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose by direct nucleophilic exchange on a quaternary 4-aminopyridinium resin.

Resin-supported [18F]fluoride ion has been prepared and applied to a rapid, convenient synthesis of [18F]FDG. "No-carrier-added" [18F]fluoride ion is collected on a quaternary 4-(N,N-dialkylamino)-pyridinium functionalized polystyrene anion exchange resin directly from a [18O]water target, dried by rinsing with acetonitrile, and then reacted with 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-O-trifluoromethanesulfonyl-beta-D-mann opyrannose. Acidic hydrolysis yields [18F]FDG in a synthesis time of 40 min with overall yields presently averaging above 50%.

Extraction of [18F]fluoride from [18O]water by a fast fibrous anion exchange resin.

[18F]Fluoride for nucleophilic radiofluorination was recovered from target water by trapping on a fibrous anion exchange resin in the hydroxide form and subsequent displacement into wet methanolic K2CO3. Extraction into methanol facilitated rapid evaporation and resolubilization of the [18F]fluoride as an ion pair. The resin was first dried in situ and rehydrated with [18O]H2O to avoid isotopic dilution of the target water.

Blood coagulation tests of gorillas.

In coagulation tests on five lowland gorillas, values within or close to the normal human range were found with the following tests: partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, thrombin time, factor XIII screen, factor II assay, factor V assay, fibrinogen and antithrombin III. Factor XII levels were very high. Factor VIII coagulant activity was moderately elevated but factor VIII antigen was very high in all and ristocetin cofactor activity was low in four of five.

Asthma, IgE and environment in northern Nigeria.

Sixty-four asthmatics and seventy-five control subjects from rural villages and various urban settings have been investigated. Rural asthmatics had a significantly higher IgE level than both urban asthmatics and village controls. Urban asthmatics had similar IgE levels to urban controls. There was no relationship between IgE levels and the results of skin tests for asthma allergens. Stool parasites were found as frequently in asthmatics as in controls. Our findings do not support the theory that parasitic infestation, high IgE levels or rural living protect from asthma.

Cytomegalovirus-induced thrombocytopenia. An unusual case report.

A 21-year-old man had severe thrombocytopenia resistant to corticosteroid therapy. Viral studies of cytomegalovirus were 1:1,024. Although the cytomegalovirus titer returned toward normal (1:16 titer) during a period of three months, thrombocytopenia persisted and continued to remain refractory to corticosteroid therapy. Initial bone marrow morphology, platelet size, and platelet survival and sequestration were not typical of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and it is doubtful that splenectomy would have been helpful. However, when restudied six months later, platelet size was greatly increased, platelet survival was severely shortened (half-time, 2 1/4 hours), and intense splenic trapping was evident. Splenectomy was performed and resulted in normalization of the platelet count. Cytomegalovirus-associated thrombocytopenic purpura is an unusual disease that may take an unpredictable clinical course. Careful study of the mechanism of thrombocytopenia appears worthwhile when early recovery does not occur.