Assessment of Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Process in Patients of Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a disseminated malignancy of monoclonal plasma cells that accounts for 15 % of all hematological cancers. The present study was conducted to evaluate the role of inflammation and oxidant-antioxidant dynamics in the etiology of this disease. The study population comprised of 20 cases of multiple myeloma and 20 healthy controls. The parameters evaluated were serum malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ferritin levels. The serum MDA levels were 1.9 ± 0.96 nmol/ml in cases as compared to 0.98 ± 0.55 nmol/ml in the controls. Similarly, a statistically significant difference was noted in the SOD and ferritin levels between the cases and controls (93.2 ± 23.8 vs. 210.1 ± 190.5 U/ml and 285.8 ± 216.4 vs. 131.8 ± 30.1 ng/ml respectively). Our study highlights the imbalance in the oxidant-anti oxidant mechanism and the role of smoldering inflammation in the etiology of multiple myeloma.     

研究性学习对培养学生篮球裁判能力效果的实验研究

研究性学习是指学生在教师指导下 ,从自己的学习生活和社会生活中选择和确定自己最感兴趣的问题 (专题或课题 ) ,以类似科学研究的方式主动地去获取知识 ,并应用知识解决问题。其着眼点是改变学生被动地接受知识传授的学习方式 ,其目的是在学生进行自主性、探索性的学习活动中 ,最大限度地发掘学生的学习潜能 ,培养学生的创新精神和实践能力。这不仅可以促进学生掌握现代学习方法 ,而且也可以促进教师教学观念和教学行为的改变 ,形成现代教学理念。     

Sensitivity and specificity of isolated antigen fromPlasmodium falciparum culture supernatant

Immunological sensitivity and specificity properties of isolated Plasmodium falciparum (GPL) antigen from culture supernatant have been measured and compared with malarial antigens and non malarial filtered paper blood sera for potency and efficacy. Latex bead coded GPL, Pf and RESA antigens immunoreaction properties of human filter paper blood samples (FPB) were studied by laser light scattering immunoassay (LIA) and Enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. Results of GP. antigen sensitivity study by LIA method showed a very high malaria antibody binding response (MABR) i.e. 6% compared with 78% with RESA and 88% Pf antigens. Malaria detection by ELISA method also found similar results. Specificity study of GPL antigen for different non malarial filter paper blood sera (NMFS) showed no immunoreaction however Pf and RESA antigen showed few positive immunological responses. These results suggest that sensitivity and specificity properties of isolated GPL antigen is better than other antigens.     

Correlation of Serum Nitric Oxide (NO) with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patient: A Study in North India

Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the key players in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. Limited reports are available about the serum level of NO and their correlation with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score in acute (<24 h) ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. A hospital based, cross sectional study was done in North Indian population to find out correlation of serum NO and GCS in AIS patients. 50 patients of AIS and 25 healthy controls were chosen for the study. Serum NO level was measured by ELISA and GCS scores were assessed by a neurologist. Pearson correlation coefficients were analyzed to look for the relationship between NO and GCS. Statistically highly significant elevation in mean serum NO level was observed in cases as compared to controls (p < 0.01). A negative correlation of NO levels with neurological score of GCS r (48) = ?0.144, p > 0.05 was seen. This indicates oxidative stress in acute ischemic stroke may be the result of imbalance in oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis.     

Disciplinary Categories, Majors, and Undergraduate Academic Experiences: Rethinking Bok’s “Underachieving Colleges” Thesis

Using data from the 2008 University of California Undergraduate Experience Survey, we show that study time and academic conscientiousness were lower among students in humanities and social science majors than among students in science and engineering majors. Analytical and critical thinking experiences were no more evident among humanities and social sciences majors than among science and engineering majors. All three academically beneficial experiences were, however, strongly related to participation in class and interaction with instructors, and participation was more common among humanities and social sciences students than among science and engineering students. Bok’s (Our underachieving colleges: A candid look at how much students learn and why they should be learning more. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2006) influential discussion of “underachievement’ in undergraduate education focused on institutional performance. Our findings indicate that future discussions should take into account differences among disciplinary categories and majors as well.     

Reduced glutathione: Importance of specimen collection

Glutathione, the dominant intracellular thiol, plays an important protective role against oxidative stress. The accidental findings of increased reduced glutathione level postprandially as compared to post absorptive level prompted the design of present study. Reduced Glutathione levels were estimated in 50 healthy individuals in post absorptive and postprandial phase by taking whole blood in ACD bulb. Mean postprandial reduced Glutathione (9.60±3.39 μmole/gm of Hb) is significantly increased than mean postabsorptive level (5.53±0.88 μmole/gm of Hb; p<0.001). It also shows positive correlation (r=0.65) between these two GSH levels. So present study suggests that post absorptive specimen collection is preferable over random or postprandial as the former reflects the true basal level of reduced glutathione.