A Case of Light Chain Deposition Disease (LCDD) in a Young Patient

Light chain disease is a variant of multiple myeloma in which the malignant population of marrow cells produces free monoclonal light chains but no heavy chain or complete immunoglobulin. The monoclonal light chains are small enough to be freely filtered by the kidneys and become Bence–Jones protein. Light chain disease comprises about 18% of multiple myeloma patients. Here we present a case report of a 38-year-old man who initially presented with complaints of pain in back and low grade fever off and on. He was found to have collapse of D9 and D12 vertebrae along with ascites and right pleural effusion and massive proteinuria. Multiple myeloma was considered as a differential diagnosis based on the investigations but eventually the patient was lost to follow up. This case is reported here as the light chain variant of multiple myeloma leading to deposition disease is less commonly reported and presents considerable difficulties in diagnosis.     

A review of Wolff-Michael Roth’s “In search of meaning and coherence: A life in research”

Wolff-Michael Roth’s In Search of Meaning and Coherence: A Life in Research, presents a selection of his previously published key works layered with current commentary and analysis. In this book review, we explore themes that emerge through the text to trace Roth’s development as a theoretician and as a researcher. We recommend this book for all those who are interested in Wolff-Michael Roth and the trajectory of his career, in particular those who are just beginning their journey towards academic scholarship.

Nanopore Technology: A Simple,Inexpensive, Futuristic Technology for DNA Sequencing

In health care, importance of DNA sequencing has been fully established. Sanger’s Capillary Electrophoresis DNA sequencing methodology is time consuming, cumbersome, hence become more expensive. Lately, because of its versatility DNA sequencing became house hold name, and therefore, there is an urgent need of simple, fast, inexpensive, DNA sequencing technology. In the beginning of this century efforts were made, and Nanopore DNA sequencing technology was developed; still it is infancy, nevertheless, it is the futuristic technology.     

Prediction of vibrations induced by trains on line 8 of Beijing metro

This paper mainly discusses the problem of ground-borne vibrations due to the planned line 8 of Beijing metro which passes under the National Measurement Laboratory. A lot of vibration sensitive equipments are placed in the laboratory. It is therefore necessary to study the impact of vibrations induced by metro trains on sensitive equipments and important to propound a feasible vibration mitigation measure. Based or1 the coupled periodic finite element-boundary element （FE-BE） method, a 3D dynamic track-tunnel-soil interaction model for metro line 8 has been used to predict vibrations in the free field induced by trains running at variable speeds between 30 km/h and 80 km/h. Four types of track structures commonly used on the Beijing metro network have been considered： （1） high resilience direct fixation fasteners, （2） Vanguard fasteners, （3） a floating slab track and （4） a floating ladder track. For each of these track types, the vibration isolation efficiency has been compared. The results of the numerical study can be used to predict vibrations in nearby buildings and to decide upon effective vibration countermeasures.     

Examining the complexities of school-museum partnerships

We examine the research conducted by Kang, Anderson and Wu by discussing it in a larger context of science museum-school partnerships. We review how the disconnect that exists between stakeholders, the historical and cultural contexts in which formal and informal institutions are situated, and ideas of globalization, mediate the success for formal-informal partnerships to be created and sustained.     

Hyperinsulinemia and Hypoadiponectinemia are Associated with Increased Risk for Occurrence of Ovarian Cancer in Non-diabetic Women of North Indian Population

Ovarian cancer has been emerged as a most common and lethal gynecological malignancy in India. High serum insulin and low adiponectin have been associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer. But their role in development of ovarian cancer is conflicting and little evidence is available. We aimed to evaluate blood levels of insulin and adiponectin in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients and their association with the risk to develop EOC. The study included following three groups; Group 1: fifty cases of cytohistopathologically confirmed cases of EOC, Group 2: fifty age matched cases of benign ovarian conditions and Group 3: fifty ages matched healthy controls with no evidence of any benign or malignant ovarian pathology as ruled out by clinical examination and relevant investigations. Cytohistopathologically confirmed and newly diagnosed cases of EOC and benign ovarian cancer were included in this study. The median value of fasting serum insulin was significantly high (15.0 µlU/ml, P = 0.02) and adiponectin were significantly low (5.1 µg/ml, P < 0.001) in ovarian cancer patients compared to benign ovarian tumors and healthy controls group. A significant increase risk of ovarian cancer was found in high tertile (≥ 18.7 µlU/ml) of serum insulin level (OR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.00–6.67, P = 0.04) and lower tertile (≤ 5.45 µg/ml) of adiponectin level (OR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.10–9.71, P = 0.03). High serum insulin level and low adiponectin levels were significantly associated with increased risk for development of ovarian cancer.     

Effect of short term vitamin E supplementation on lipid peroxidation in acute myocardial infarction

In view of sufficient body of evidence to substantiate the role of free radical mediated oxidative injury in myocardial infarction (M.I.), the utility of exogenous supplementation with antioxidant substance, vitamin E was studied. Forty patients of acute myocardial infarction were divided into two equal groups, one who received vitamin E and the other who did not. Plasma MDA levels showed a reduction in patients of M.I. who received vitamin E as well as in those who did not, however, the decrease was significantly more in the vitamin E treated subgroup.     

Effect of radiotherapy on serum sialic acid level in carcinoma cervix

Serum sialic acid levels were determined in 66 patients of carcinoma cervix and 25 control women matched for age. Mean sialic acid level was significantly elevated (p<0.001) in cancer cervix patients as compared to controls. Patients were treated with 50–65 Gy of radiation in 5–6.5 weeks. Post-therapy levels were again determined. Radiotherapy caused decline in serum sialic acid level in all the patients except one. Mean post-therapy level was significantly lower as compared to pretreatment level (p<0.001). It was also observed that fall in sialic acid level was significantly higher (p<0.05) in early stage patients as compared to late stage. No relationship was observed in the dose of radiation and fall in serum sialic acid level. A significantly higher fall in serum sialic acid level was observed in patients having complete clinical response as compared to partial or nonresponders to radiation treatment (p<0.001).     

E-government evaluation: a framework and case study

The importance of measuring the performance of e-government cannot be overemphasized. In this paper, a flexible framework is suggested to choose an appropriate strategy to measure the tangible and intangible benefits of e-government. An Indian case study of NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Corporation) has been taken up for analysis and placement into the framework. The results obtained suggest that to have a proper evaluation of tangible and intangible benefits of e-government, the projects should be in a mature stage with proper information systems in place. All of the e-government projects in India are still in a nascent stage; hence, proper information flow for calculating ‘return on e-government’ considering tangible and intangible benefits cannot be fully ascertained.