Radium Bromide Research Articles

Maud L. Menten: Pioneering Physician and Biochemist.

Dr. Maud Leanora Menten, an esteemed Canadian physician, biochemist, and organic chemist, conducted a wide range of valuable biochemistry research for over 40 years, making groundbreaking discoveries about cancer treatments, enzyme kinematics, anesthesia medicine, bacterial toxins, vitamin deficiencies, hematology, and histochemistry. Menten demonstrated intense perseverance and tenacity in her education, defying societal norms to not only become one of the first Canadian women to earn a research-intensive Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, but to also be one of the first to earn a PhD. Although she was restricted in her work in Canada, she moved to the U.S. and published an estimated 100 research studies over her career. She is most well known for her work with Dr. Leonor Michaelis, with whom she created the Michaelis-Menten equation for the relationship between reaction rate and enzyme-substrate concentration. However, she conducted many other noteworthy research projects, such as using radium bromide for cancer treatment in rats and using electrophoretic mobility to study human hemoglobin, which allowed for a more advanced protein analysis. Her research in hemoglobinpreceded the findings of Linus Pauling by several years, however, he is often the only one credited for this work. After her death, the extent and depth of her work was better understood and appreciated by many, and she was recognized byher alma mater, the University of Toronto, and her former workplace, the University of Pittsburgh. She was also posthumously inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.

The Challenge of Non-Reproducibility of Old Homoeopathic Drugs and the Need for their Standardisation and Re-Proving

Abstract Introduction The system of homoeopathic medicine calls for continued development and upgrading. Many drugs used in homoeopathy have limited information about their original composition and collection method, making their exact reproducibility practically impossible or challenging. To improve the quality, reliability, ethics, legality, purity and science, there is an urgent need to review, revise, revolutionise, re-develop, remove and revamp many drugs in the Materia Medica in the current light of technology and modern medical knowledge. Method A rigorous literature review of homoeopathy Materia Medica, pharmacopeia and manufacturing units was done. Based on the literature review, we have identified some challenges and suggested ways to overcome them. Observation and Discussion The common observation is that most homoeopathy drugs prepared and sold in the market are prepared by simply stepping up the ‘back-potencies.’ Many drugs could be made afresh without depending on the old stocks of back-potencies. Although few pharmacies have started this practice in the UK, Brazil, the United States and India, many pharmacies prefer the back-potency route probably due to the reasons such as difficulty in procuring identical raw materials (e.g. Lachesis, Tarentula, Spongia, X-ray), expensive raw materials (e.g. Aurum metallicum, Argentum nitricum, Platina) and lack of facility to process the raw material (e.g. Phosphorus, Radium bromide, Diptherinum, Carcinosin).Well-defined mechanisms are required for drug standardisation, authenticity and quality of source material, standardised potentisation method, quantifiable force parameter, complete tracking record of back potency (traceability).

Homoeopathic Management of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Case Report

Abstract Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a hereditary disorder having a significant socioeconomic burden. Primary abnormality may be in muscle membrane, due to the alterations of dystrophin protein. The patient usually has trouble in muscular activities like running, climbing staircases, jumping, getting up from the ground, suffers from frequent falls and gait abnormality. Owing to the limited therapeutic modality for DMD in conventional medicine, an alternative approach is warranted. Case Report An 8-year-old male child presented with unsteady gait, frequent falls, polymyalgia and weakness of limbs. Based on the clinical presentation and laboratory investigations, we diagnosed the case as DMD. On laboratory investigation, the serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level was significantly raised. After a thorough clinical evaluation, he was treated with Radium bromide, Veratrum viride and Calcarea phosphorica at different time points. Clinically, the improvement was marked in regard to symptomatology and reduced serum CPK level. Conclusion This is the first case demonstrating a favourable therapeutic course of homoeopathic treatment in DMD. For any further conclusion regarding the causal attribution, an individualistic n-of-1 trial may be warranted.

Determination of 222Rn emanation fraction and diffusion coefficient in concrete using accumulation chambers and the influence of humidity and radium distribution

In this paper we present a laboratory method for the determination of diffusion coefficient, D, as well as the 222Rn emanation fraction, f, in concrete core samples. It is based either on the analyses of the growth curves of the radon in the air volume surrounding a sample enclosed in an accumulation chamber (Lucas cell or RADIM device) or using the charcoal adsorption method. Samples used have a special geometry allowing the assumption of a one-dimensional diffusion of radon in material. Radium was enhanced in the concrete samples by adding radium bromide solution or uranium ore. A strong dependence of the emanation fraction on the enhancing method was observed. For the sample enhanced with uranium ore the specific exhalation rate was about ten times smaller. A marked dependence of radon exhalation on the water content was also observed.

Safe encapsulation period for sealed medical radium sources.

SAFE ENCAPSULATION PERIOD FOR SEALED MEDICAL RADIUM SOURCESEARL VAN ROOSENBEEK, ROBERT J. SHALEK and E. BAILEY MOOREAudio Available | Share

Personnel protection program for industrial use of krypton-85.

Abstract Krypton-85 has recently replaced radium bromide as the residual ionization source in cold cathode gas discharge tubes manufactured by the Western Electric Company. This change was carried out to reduce radiation exposure to personnel during manufacture and use of the tubes. The personnel protection program, which had been in effect for radium bromide, was modified to conform to the special properties of krypton-85. This modified program consists of area monitoring, personnel monitoring, and occupational medical examinations. Some occupational exposure data are given and are compared to similar data for radium bromide. The use of krypton-85 has reduced the radiation exposure of the employees below the previously low levels encountered when radium bromide was used.

Effect of Radiation on Malaria. An Experimental Study in the Chick and Duck.

SummaryP. lophurae are injured by roentgen irradiation in vivo and in vitro as indicated by the development of the parasitemia in the chick. The amount of irradiation necessary to produce a significant effect in vivo is near the lethal dose of radiation for the chick.Radium bromide as used in these experiments has no effect on P. lophurae. Severe degenerative changes occur in the birds given radium bromide.

THE EFFECTS OF X-RAYS AND RADIUM UPON REGENERATION OF BRYOPHYLLUM CALYCINUM

THE EFFECTS OF X-RAYS AND RADIUM UPON REGENERATION OF BRYOPHYLLUM CALYCINUM

Production of Positrons by β-Rays

IN an earlier communication1 it was shown that the passage of β-rays through matter is accompanied by the emission of positrons. Since this is quite inconsistent with present theory, further confirmation was clearly necessary by a more direct method. Investigations were accordingly carried out with a beam of fast β-rays from a radioactive source (3–5 me. of radium bromide) placed outside the expansion chamber at a distance of about 30 cm.

The Radio-Activity of Radium Bromide Solutions for Internal Medication

The administration of radium internally in medicinal form is usually thought of in connection with mineral springs showing radio-activity in combination with different chemical properties. It is, however, a matter of interest both to consider a method of recording the physical activity of solutions of a pure radium salt and also to see whether such solutions might not be of use to clinical medicine. The physical registration of the radio-activity of solutions of radium bromide may be demonstrated by electroscope or other form of ionisation recorder, but photographic recording of the results of such ionisation is more difficult. The solutions which have been used for internal medication vary in strength from 1 in 100,000 to 1 in 1,000,000 or more. It was decided to endeavour to obtain photographic recording of the radiation from such solutions in their higher dilutions. This research was carried out under the Beit Research Committee of the B.H.A. Messrs. Nelson prepared for me a series of solutions by a procedure involving succussion with dilution in careful proportions so that there would be no question as to the quantity and purity of the bromide present. These solutions, termed 6x, 7x, 8x, et seq., were arrived at by breaking a sealed glass tube containing 1 mgm. of radium bromide under 2 c.c. of redistilled sterile water and then making up the solution to 126 c.c. with distilled absolute alcohol giving one mg. per 100,000 mgm. of diluent. This solution was then diluted 1 in 10 with absolute alcohol to form 6x, and diluted a further 1 in 10 to give the 7x, separate Jena glass bottles being used at each stage.

TESTS FOR MESOTHORIUM IN RADIUM FROM LABINE POINT, GREAT BEAR LAKE

A sample containing 50 mgm. of radium bromide, prepared from ore obtained from the Echo Bay deposits in Canada, was tested for mesothorium impurity by the gamma ray absorption method. The material was found to be free from mesothorium within the limits of the experimental error, 0.2% radiation equivalent.As a confirmatory test a number of samples of the ore were analyzed for thorium in the National Research Laboratories, Ottawa. Quantities of thorium up to 0.07% of the uranium content were found, indicating a possible mesothorium impurity in the finished radium of 0.021% radiation equivalent.

Radium, Radon, Radiumtherapy

RADIUM is the chief member of the uranium series of radioactive elements belonging to the alkaline earth group of elements. Its parent is ionium and its disintegration product is radium emanation or radon. Radium occurs in nature in the salts, radium sulphate, radium chloride and radium bromide which are in combination with uranium compounds in the form of pitchblende and carnotite. The radium salts of commerce are white or greyish powders which glow more or less brightly in the dark. Minute amounts can be found in all soils, rocks, oceans, springs, etc. However, there are places where the element is found in comparatively large quantities. The largest deposits are found in the Belgian Congo. The radium supply in this country has been produced from carnotite ore found most plentifully in Colorado and Utah. To obtain one gram of radium it is necessary to treat 500 tons of carefully selected high grade ore, and in the task nearly 1,000 tons of chemicals must be used. The process is a costly one. The present price of radium is $70,000 per gram. Soon after Roentgen discovered x-rays in 1895, Becquerel of Paris found that certain uranium salts produced rays similar to them. About two years later M. and Mme. Curie

The Biological Action of Secondary Beta Radiation from Buried Needles or Tubes containing Radium

Secondary beta radiation is given off from a platinum tube or needle containing radium, even when the platinum is sufficiently thick to cut off all primary beta radiation. It has been suggested that this secondary beta radiation plays a not unimportant part in therapy when a platinum needle containing radium is placed in a tumour. The following experiments were carried out to see whether this secondary beta radiation could be detected biologically. Two radium applicators were used (a) containing 110·2 mgrs. of radium bromide and (b) 111·2 mgrs. The applicators were square and of 4 sq. cm. and the screen 0·12 mm. of silver. They were further screened with 3 mm. of lead covered with zinc oxide adhesive plaster on the outside. A series of exposures were first carried out to find the lethal dose for Jensen's rat sarcoma in vitro using applicator A. This was found to be in the neighbourhood of 200 minutes. The first experiment was made with an exposure of 109 minutes. The conditions are shown in Fig. 1. The pi...

The Mounting of Thin Glass Windows

RECENTLY (early spring of 1926) it became desirable to produce a source of α-rays free from the disturbing effects of the accompanying emanation. This source was to be used in connexion with a simple α-ray track apparatus designed by the writer (Jour. Optical Society of Amer., vol. 11, No. 2, Aug. 1925; Science, vol. 64, No. 1649, Aug. 6, 1926). The solution came from a suggestion by one of the writer's students, L. P. Garner, a graduate in electrical engineering, University of Illinois, and for the above purpose leaves nothing to be desired. Briefly it is as follows: A cane c (Fig. 1) of solid glass (Pyrex or Monax) is broken off squarely. On the centre of this end is placed a minute film of dilute shellac, which serves to hold a microscopic quantity of radioactive salt (radium bromide was used). Now prepare a film f by blowing it out of the same glass and so thin that it will show Newton's rings. Hold this film with a pair of forceps in front of and distant about 3/4 inch from the tip of the cane bearing the radioactive salt and bring them up to a soft blast b, as shown in Fig. 1, a. Heat carefully, and as soon as the square tip begins to assume a globular form thrust it through the film f. The result is a varnish of glass, as it were, enveloping the front side of the globule as shown in Fig. 1, b, The burr is now brushed off and the emanationless source of -rays is ready for use, providing no mishap was encountered.

The Theory of the Decay of Alpha Ray Luminescence

The Walsh equation for the decay of luminosity in substances which luminesce under $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-ray bombardment, $I={I}_{\ensuremath{\infty}}+{I}_{0}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\lambda}t}$ is modified by introducing the additional assumption that the field of radiation due to the decay of the active centers reacts on the centers in the inactive state and forms new active centers by reversing the decay process. The new equation $\frac{(I\ensuremath{-}{I}_{\ensuremath{\infty}})}{(I+{I}_{1})}=C{e}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\lambda}t}$ fits data obtained by Miss F. Rodman (Phys. Rev. 23, 478, 1924) for the decay of luminosity of c.p. radium bromide, which the Walsh equation does not. It is only approximately correct when the radiation effect is small. The exact equation developed on these assumptions, which is more complicated, is also given. For a mixture of radium bromide and barium bromide the data are well represented by the sum of two time-luminosity curves with equations of the less exact type.

Societies and Academies

Societies and Academies

"Radium" recording devices

Three types of recorder are described, viz.: Radiation Type, in which a capsule containing radium bromide is used instead of a recording pen and produces a photographic record. Luminous Paint Type, in which the capsule contains radium luminous compound. Shadow Type for recording the height of a liquid column, in which the luminous compound causes a shadow of the column to fall on the recording drum. Such recorders are useful under circumstances where the usual methods of recording are not possible. The methods are particularly applicable to recorders running for long periods at slow speed.

On the Average Range of -Rays in Different Metals

Measurements of the range of β-particles in various metals were made in 1910 by Prof. W. H. Bragg. The present Paper relates to a repetition of these measurements, employing 3 grams of radium bromide. The method consists in determining the ionisation in a lead chamber exposed to very penetrating γ-radiation, when various linings are inserted in it. The quantitative results obtained earlier are substantially confirmed by the present investigation.

On Some Pathological Effects of Exposure to the Gamma-Rays of 5 Grm. of Radium Bromide

On Some Pathological Effects of Exposure to the Gamma-Rays of 5 Grm. of Radium Bromide

The Effects of Radium Bromide in Small Doses

The Effects of Radium Bromide in Small Doses