Isotopic Tracers in Biology

Isotopic Tracers in Biology: An Introduction to Tracer Methodology, Third Edition focuses on stable isotopes, structures, composition, and reactions of nitrogen and oxygen, and radioactive tracers.
The book first takes a look at atomic nuclei, radioactivity, and the production of radioactive isotopes and radiation characteristics of tracer atoms. Topics include nuclear reactions, general properties of nuclei, radioactivity, target techniques and radiochemistry, and beta and gamma radiations. The text also discusses isotopic assay, radiation hazards, procedures related with sample preparation for radioactive assay, and combustion of labeled materials.
The manuscript examines the biochemical, physiological, and medical aspects of tracer methodology, as well as biochemical applications, value of tracer methods for biology, intermediary metabolism, and applications to clinical research. The text also ponders on the isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. Concerns include assay of deuterium and tritium, short-lived and heavy stable carbon, and oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus isotopes.
The publication is a dependable reference for readers interested in isotopic tracers.

Contenu

Contents
Preface to Third Edition
I. Atomic Nuclei, Radioactivity, and the Production of Radioactive Isotopes

1. Introductory Remarks
2. General Properties of Nuclei
   A. Nuclear Structure
   B. Mass Number and Atomic Number
   C. Isotopes
   D. Nuclear Mass
   E. Other Fundamental Nuclear Properties
3. Systematics of Nuclei
   A. Introduction
   B. Isotope Classification and Nuclear Forces
   C. Isotope Ratios
   D. Specific Activity and Atomic Per Cent Excess
4. Radioactivity
   A. Types of Radioactive Decay
   B. Fundamental Decay Law
   C. Half-Life and Mean Life
   D. Radioactive Chains
   E. Branch Disintegrations
   F. Radioactivity Units
5. Nuclear Reactions
6. Neutron-Induced Transmutations
   A. General Remarks
   B. Neutron Sources
   C. Neutron Reactions
7. Deuteron-Induced Transmutations
   A. General Remarks
   B. Deuteron Reactions
8. Target Techniques and Radiochemistry
   A. Target Chemistry
   B. Separation of Isotopes by the Szilard-Chalmers Process
   C. Survey of Radiochemistry
   General References
   II. Radiation Characteristics of Tracer Atoms
9. Introduction
10. Beta Radiations
    A. The Nature of Beta Radiations
    B. The Absorption of Beta Particles
    C. Remarks on Scattering of Beta Particles
11. Gamma Radiations
    A. Nature of Gamma Radiation
    B. Interaction of Gamma Radiation with Matter
    General References
    III. Isotopic Assay
12. Introduction
13. Assay of Radioactivity
    A. Basic Phenomena
    B. Basic Instruments
    C. Assay in Liquid and Solid Media-Scintillation Counters
    D. Auxiliary Instrumentation
    E. Corrections in Radioactive Assay
    F. Statistical Aspects of Radioactive Assay
    G. Standards in Radioactive Assay and Determination of Tracer Intensity
    H. Radioautography
14. Assay of Stable Isotopes
    A. Introduction
    B. Density Methods
    C. Assay by Electromagnetic Methods
    General References
    IV. Radiation Hazards
15. General Remarks
16. Health Physics Instrumentation
17. Dosage Calculations
18. Shielding
    General References
    V. Practical Interlude
19. General Remarks
20. Some Procedures Associated with Sample Preparation for Radioactivity Assay
21. Gas Counting
22. Some Remarks on Vacuum Technique
23. Combustion of Labeled Materials
24. Assay Apparatus for Gas Counting
    General References
    VI. Survey of Tracer Methodology: Biochemical Aspects, Part I
25. The Significance of Tracer Methods for Biology
26. Biochemical Applications
    A. General Tracer Requirements
    B. Basic Limitations
    C. The Dynamic State of Cell Constituents and the Concept of the "Metabolic Pool"
    D. Precursor-Product Researches
    E. Metabolic Cycles and Detection of Intermediates
    F. The Method of Isotopic Competition
    G. Ogston's Hypothesis
    H. Reversibility of Biochemical Equilibria
    I. Mechanism of Enzyme Action
    J. Analysis by Isotope Dilution
    K. Concluding Remarks
    VII. Survey of Tracer Methods: Biochemical Aspects, Part II
27. Special Topics in Intermediary Metabolism
    A. CO2 Fixation in Photosynthesis
    B. Biosynthesis of Cholesterol
    C. Biosynthesis of Porphyrin
    D. Concluding Remarks
28. Some Critical Remarks on Tracer Methodology in Studies of Intermediary Metabolism
    General References (Chapters VI and VII)
    VIII. Survey of Tracer Methodology: Physiological and Medical Aspects
29. Introduction
30. Physiological Applications
    A. Permeability, Absorption, and Distribution Studies
    B. Determination of Intracellular and Extracellular Space by Isotope Dilution Techniques
    C. Metabolic Turnover in Relation to the Intact Organism
    D. Transport Studies
31. Applications to Clinical Research
    A. Determination of Circulation Time: Capillary Transport
    B. Uptake, Retention, and Excretion, Particularly in Relation to Extension of Radiation Therapy and Diagnosis
    C. Applications in Hematology
    D. Immunological Studies
32. Special Topics and Concluding Remarks
    A. Interaction of Vesicants with Protein
    B. Mode of Action and Biosynthesis of Penicillin
    C. Effect of a Metabolic Accelerator
    D. Virus Metabolism and Biosynthesis
    E. Enzymatic Bases for Use of Chemotherapeutic Agents
    F. Concluding Remarks
    General References
    IX. The Isotopes of Hydrogen
33. Introduction
34. Assay of Deuterium
35. Assay of Tritium
36. Deuterium and Tritium as Tracers for Hydrogen
37. Deuterium and Tritium as Auxiliary Tracers for Carbon
38. Use of Hydrogen Isotopes in Clinical Research with Remarks on Incidental Radiation Hazards
    General References
    X. The Isotopes of Carbon
39. Introduction
40. Short-Lived Radioactive Carbon, C¹¹
41. Heavy Stable Carbon, C13
    A. Introduction
    Â. Assay
42. Long-Lived Radioactive Carbon, C14
    A. History
    B. Preparation and Properties
    C. Assay of C14
    D. Synthesis of Organic Intermediates for Tracer Carbon Studies
    E. Biosynthesis of Labeled Carbon Compounds
    F. Degradation Methods
    G. Radiation Hazards
    XI. The Isotopes of Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur
43. The Oxygen Isotopes
    A. Introduction
    B. Preparation and Assay
    C. The Use of O18 as a Tracer in Oxygen Metabolism
44. The Nitrogen Isotopes
    A. Introduction
    B. Preparation and Assay of N15
    C. The Use of N16 as a Tracer for Nitrogen
45. The Phosphorus Isotopes
    A. Production, Preparation, and Assay
    B. The Use of P32 as a Tracer
    C. Radiation Hazards
46. The Sulfur Isotopes
    A. Preparation, Properties, and Assay
    B. Tracer Applications of S36
    C. Distribution and Retention of Sulfur, with Remarks on Radiation Tolerance Dose
    D. Synthesis of S35-Labeled Compounds
    E. Protein Turnover in Vivo and in Vitro
    XII. Various Radioactive Nuclides of Importance in Biology
47. Introduction
48. Alkali Metal and Alkaline Earth Tracers
    A. General Survey of Alkali Metal Tracers
    B. Preparation, Properties, and Assay
    C. The Alkaline Earth Tracers-Magnesium, Calcium, and Strontium
49. Tracer Isotopes of Halogens
    A. Fluorine
    B. Chlorine
    C. Bromine
    D. Iodine
    E. Radiation Hazards
50. Trace Elements
    A. Introduction
    B. Manganese
    C. Iron
    D. Cobalt
    E. Copper
    F. Zinc
    G. Molybdenum, Vanadium, and Tungsten
    H. Arsenic
    I. Selenium, Antimony, and Tellurium
    J. Silver, Gold, and Mercury
    K. Concluding Remarks
    Bibliography
    Appendixes
    …