Congrats, Gayle on a superb injection
of chemistry and lexicography into the
Histonet Continuum.

You're 100% on the spot as usual. 
-- 
-------------------------
John A. Kiernan
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
The University of Western Ontario
London,   Canada   N6A 5C1
   kiernan@uwo.ca
   http://publish.uwo.ca/~jkiernan/

___________________

Gayle Callis wrote:
> 
> Curium is actually an element, not a chemical.  Microcurie is a rate of
> decay - this can be found on web, but did not refer to a chemical.
> 
> See description of curium, obviously named for Madame Curie and her husband.
> 
> Most compounds of Cm(III) are faintly yellow. If curium enters the body it
> accumulates in the bones, and is
> therefore very toxic as its radiation destroys the red-cell forming
> mechanism. Curium is a radioactive rare earth metal. The most stable
> isotope is 247Cm which has a half-life of 16 million years. Curium is
> probably present in uranium ores. It has a few specialised uses but only a
> few of its compounds are known.
> 
> Were you given choices on what "Microcurium" could be, as a nickname for a
> chemical?  The only chemicals we spend a great deal of time with in
> staining procedures that are radioactive are uranyl nitrate and uranyl
> acetate, salt of uranium. However, curium IS found in uranium ores so it
> was taking a maybe (or not so) educated guess here.  I'll bet John Kiernan
> will know this one.
> 
> Strange question, I have never seen this nickname in over 30+ years in
> histotechnology! Guess I am missing something of historical significance???
> 
> Gayle Callis
> MT,HT,HTL(ASCP)
> Research Histopathology Supervisor
> Veterinary Molecular Biology
> Montana State University - Bozeman
> PO Box 173610
> Bozeman MT 59717-3610
> 406 994-6367 (lab with voice mail)
> 406 994-4303 (FAX)
>

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