Diagnosis of multiple myeloma by demonstration of M protein in bone marrow aspirate by agar gel electrophoresis: A case report

A number of laboratory tests are used to confirm the diagnosis of multiple myeloma, including M protein in the serum. Since M protein in the serum originate from tumour cells in the bone marrow before circulating in the serum, demonstration of M protein in bone marrow aspirate can be added to the batteries of diagnostic parameters. Keywords: Multiple myeloma, Bone marrow aspirate, M band, Agar gel electrophoresis.     

Limonoids of Teclea ouabanguiensis

The stem bark of Teclea ouabanguiensis has yielded six triterpenoids, two of which are new. The known compounds were identified spectroscopically as 7-deacetylazadirone (2), 7-deacetylproceranone (3), tecleanin, (4), and lupeol. The novel compounds include the tetranortriterpenoids, 7-deacetoxy-7-oxoazadirone (1), and ouabanginone (5). The biogenetic significance of the presence of these limonoids in T. ouabanguienis is discussed.     

Hepatic senescence,the good and the bad

Gradual alterations of cell’s physiology and functions due to age or exposure to various stresses lead to the conversion of normal cells to senescent cells.Once becoming senescent,the cell stops dividing permanently but remains metabolically active.Cellular senescence does not have a single marker but is characterized mainly by a combination of multiple markers,such as,morphological changes,expression of cell cycle inhibitors,senescence associatedβ-galactosidase activity,and changes in nuclear membrane.When cells in an organ become senescent,the entire organism can be affected.This may occur through the senescence-associated secretory phenotype(SASP).SASP may exert beneficial or harmful effects on the microenvironment of tissues.Research on senescence has become a very exciting field in cell biology since the link between age-related diseases,including cancer,and senescence has been established.The loss of regenerative and homeostatic capacity of the liver over the age is somehow connected to cellular senescence.The major contributors of senescence properties in the liver are hepatocytes and cholangiocytes.Senescent cells in the liver have been implicated in the etiology of chronic liver diseases including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and in the interference of liver regeneration.This review summarizes recently reported findings in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of senescence and its relationship with liver diseases.