An overview of monoclonal gammapathies

The neoplastic proliferation of single clones of plasma cells causes synthesis of very large amount of monoclonal immunoglobulins consisting of only one type of heavy either the gamma, alpha, mu, delta or epsilon chain or only kappa or lambda light chains. Each monoclonal immunolobulin differs idiotypically from each other. These monoclonal immunoglobulins are also called paraproteins and are frequently associated with a broad heterogeneous group of plasma cell dyscrasias. Occasionally their presence is observed in a few benign conditions and in old age. In the present review a detailed account of different types of monoclonal gammapathies are described.     

Investigation of unusual high serum indices for lipemia in clear serum samples on Siemens analysers Dimension

Introduction:

We present our work of monitoring 202 different patients with markedly elevated serum index for lipemia whereby serum samples were clear. We tried to clarify the cause of occurrence of these indices which were detected in the years 2006–2010 on Siemens Dimension analyzers.

Materials and methods:

In samples with unusual lipemia index we measured the concentration of lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL cholesterol, Lp(a), ApoA1, ApoB), total proteins and checked for possible interferents (rheumatoid factor, immunoglobulins). We performed serum protein and immuno- electrophoresis. We investigated the repeatability of unusual lipemia indices during the day and after different time periods and we compared them on four different analyzers (RXL Max, Vista, Hitachi 911 and former Olympus AU640).

Results:

In 87% of 202 samples we found a monoclonal or biclonal peak in serum protein electrophoresis. Different types of paraproteins were confirmed with immunofixation electrophoresis. In the remaining 13%, polyclonal elevated concentrations of immunoglobulins were measured. Other parameters had no influence on appearing of these indices. The repeatability of indices was good during the first day of measurements (P values > 0.05) and markedly lower in the next days or after 3 and 12 months (P values < 0.05). The indices were elevated only on Dimension analyzers, but not on Hitachi and former Olympus analysers.

Conclusion:

A markedly elevated lipemia index in a clear serum sample measured on Siemens analyzers Dimension indicates a high possibility for the presence of a paraprotein in the sample.     

Spectrum of monoclonal gammapathies in Andhra Pradesh

In the present study, monoclonal gammapathy was identified in a total of 245 patients of plasma cell dyscrasias during period of 1987 to 2000. The monoclonal band was identified in serum by agar gel electrophoresis in all the cases and in urine in a few cases. Characterization of paraprotein (monoclonal immunoglobulin class and light chain type) was carried out by employing immunoelectrophoresis and/or immunofixation electrophoresis using heavy chain specific gamma, alpha, mu, delta and epsilon and light chain specific kappa (K), lambda (λ) antisera. Serum immunoglobulins Ig G, Ig A, and Ig M were estimated by immunoturbidometry. Serum urea, creatinine, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, total proteins, albumin, calcium and phosphorus were estimated by using routine biochemical methods. Among the 245 cases, 73.1% monoclonal gammapathies were of secretory type and 7.3% were non-secretory. Monoclonal gammapathies were associated with 80.4% of multiple myeloma, 8.9% of solitary plasmacytoma, 4.1% of extra-medullary plasmacytoma, 3.3% of lymphoma and 2.9% of plasma cell leukemia. Classification of secretory monoclonal immunoglobulin revealed monoclonal immunoglobulin Ig G in 74%, Ig A 15% and Ig M in 2.9% cases.     

Mucosal immunity and upper respiratory tract infections during a 24-week competitive season in young ice hockey players

The aim of this study was to examine upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and their associations with resting saliva and blood immune and endocrine parameters in ice hockey players. Twenty-seven participants (age 16.5 ± 0.5 years) completed the 24-week study period. The counts/concentrations of immune and endocrine markers were compared between healthy-prone athletes (≤2 episodes of URTI during the study period) and illness-prone athletes (≥3 episodes of URTI) and between the URTI state (when athletes had infections) and the healthy state (the time without URTI). There were no differences in concentration/counts of saliva and blood immune and endocrine parameters between the illness-prone and illness-free athletes. Athletes had significantly lower sIgA, sIgA1 and sIgA2 concentrations (sIgA: 119.88 ± 66.88, 144.10 ± 75.0 µg/ml; sIgA1: 90.2 ± 40.64, 108.44 ± 29.8 U; sIgA2: 67.58 ± 30.1, 80.3 ± 25.61 U, respectively) and significantly higher WBC, neutrophil, monocyte and eosinophil count values and IL-1ra concentration at the time when they had symptoms of URTI than in the period without symptoms of infections. There were no differences in salivary cortisol concentration between the period of URTI symptoms and the period without URTI symptoms. In conclusion, we observed lower concentrations of salivary immunoglobulins and higher levels of blood immune parameters during URTI in athletes, which may confirm the suppression of mucosal immunity and initiation responses to pathogenic infections by innate immunity.     

一次大运动量训练课和400 m跑对女子田径运动员血IgA、IgM、IgG的影响

观察一次大运动量训练课和400 m跑对女子田径运动员免疫球蛋白IgA、IgM、IgG的影响,探讨其可能机理.结果表明:1)大运动量训练后即刻,IgA、IgM显著升高(P＜0.05),IgG非常显著增高(P＜0.01);恢复3 h后,IgM仍然显著高于训练前水平(P＜0.05),IgA、IgG已恢复到训练前水平(P＞0.05).2)400 m跑后即刻,IgA、IgG和IgM均非常显著增高(P＜0.01);恢复3 h后,各指标均基本得到恢复(P＞0.05).3)大运动量训练课和400 m跑后24 h,各指标均基本恢复.     

益气养肺功改善人体机能的生理、生化和医学观察

临床观察练习益气养肺功3个月前后,人体有关系统机能的改善情况,找出一项对防治呼吸系统疾病,增强呼吸系统机能及提高人体免疫能力具有显著作用的办法。