IgA Monoclonal Gammopathy with Pseudohyperphosphatemia.

Monoclonal gammopathies (MGs) reflect conditions in which abnormal amounts of immunoglobulins are produced by a clone that developed from a single pro-B germ cell. They range from asymptomatic, benign disorders such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance to malignant plasma cell and lymphoid disorders, including multiple myeloma and Waldenstorm macroglobulinemia. The identification of the particular subtype of immunoglobulin molecule is done by serum immunofixation by use of specific antisera directed against different subtypes of immunoglobulin classes. However depending upon the characteristic position taken up by migrating M band on protein electrophoresis due to its molecular weight and charge, serum protein electrophoresis can itself reveal the nature of the immunoglobulin without the need to do serum immunofixation. IgA mostly migrates to beta globulin region and may often be missed out for lack of a sharp, discrete M band in gamma globulin region. Systemic manifestations of MG can be attributed to the physicochemical properties of the monoclonal immunoglobulin, to its antibody activity or to other mechanisms. We describe a case of IgA MG with pseudohyperphosphatemia.

Adsorption of nickel (II) ions from wastewater using glutaraldehyde cross-linked magnetic chitosan beads: isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamics.

Magnetic chitosan beads (MCSB), prepared from solution by using an external magnet, and the adsorption of Ni(II) ions from wastewater by MCSB and its cross-linked derivative with glutaraldehyde (GLU-MCSB) was investigated in an adsorption system. The GLU-MCSB sorbents are insoluble in aqueous acidic solution and improve adsorption capacity. The adsorption process was carried out by considering various parameters, viz. adsorbent dose, contact time, pH and temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis of beads shows that degradation takes place in two stages. Fourier transform infra-red spectra of magnetic beads exhibit an absorption band at 606 cm-1 for Fe-O. The elemental analysis (energy dispersive X-ray analysis) and scanning electron microscopy were used to analyze the structure and characteristics of MCSB and GLU-MCSB. The Ni(II) removal efficiency attains a highest value of 95.12% with cross-linked GLU-MCSB in comparison to 79.5% with MCSB. Adsorption processes follow the pseudo-second-order rate kinetics model, which suggested that the rate-limiting step may be the chemical adsorption rather than the mass transport. The experimental data of adsorption fitted well with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms with a high correlation coefficient (R2 > 0.9), showing that monolayer adsorption took place on the surface of GLU-MCSB absorbents. The negative values of entropy change, -175.64 and -163.30 J/(mol·K), and enthalpy change, -54.75 and -49.58 kJ/mol, for MCSB and GLU-MCSB suggest that the process is spontaneous and exothermic in nature.

Posttreatment Persistence of Monoclonal Protein on Immunofixation Electrophoresis but Absence on Serum Protein Electrophoresis in a Case of Solitary Bone Plasmacytoma.

Laboratory investigations for any suspected case of solitary plasmacytoma of bone include routine biochemical and hematological investigations along with ß2-microglobulin, electrophoresis of serum protein and/or 24-hour urine protein, serum protein immunofixation (IFE), and nephelometric quantification of total immunoglobulin isotype and serum free light chain levels. Bone marrow aspirate and trephine biopsy are mandatory to confirm the absence of clonal plasma cells (for solitary plasmacytoma) or the presence of less than 10% clonal cells (solitary plasmacytoma with minimal bone marrow involvement). Imaging studies such as X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography/CT should be used to complement laboratory tests in diagnosis, staging, and defining the local extent of the plasmacytoma. However, guidelines regarding choice of technique for the detection of M band when monitoring a follow-up case of operated plasmacytoma are still not clear. Through this case study, we try to highlight the role of IFE in a follow-up case of operated solitary plasmacytoma of the bone.

Microwave based synthesis of polymethyl methacrylate grafted sodium alginate: its application as flocculant.

Polymethyl methacrylate grafted sodium alginate (SAG-g-PMMA) was synthesized by microwave assisted method. The grafting of the PMMA chains on the polysaccharide backbone was confirmed through intrinsic viscosity study, FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis (C, H, N, O and Na), SEM and TGA study. The intrinsic viscosity of sodium alginate appreciably improved on grafting of PMMA chains, thus resulting grafted product with potential application as superior viscosifier. Further, flocculation efficacy of the graft copolymer was studied in coal fine suspension through jar test procedure, toward possible application as flocculant.

Microwave assisted synthesis of polyacrylamide grafted gum ghatti and its application as flocculant.

Polyacrylamide chains (PAM) were grafted onto the backbone of gum ghatti by microwave assisted method. The grafting of the PAM chains on the polysaccharide backbone was confirmed through intrinsic viscosity study, FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis (C, H & N) and SEM morphology study. The intrinsic viscosity of gum ghatti appreciably improved on grafting of PAM chains, thus resulting grafted product with potential application as superior viscosifier. Further, flocculation efficacy of the graft copolymer was studied initially in kaolin suspension and then in municipal wastewater through 'Jar test' procedure, toward possible application as flocculant for wastewater treatment.

Microwave initiated synthesis of polyacrylamide grafted Psyllium and its application as a flocculant.

This paper reports a novel microwave initiated method for synthesis of polyacrylamide grafted Psyllium (Psy-g-PAM). Psyllium was modified through grafting of polyacrylamide (PAM) chains on it using microwave radiations only, in absence of any other free radical initiator. The grafting was confirmed by intrinsic viscosity study and characterization techniques like FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis (C, H, N, O and S) and SEM morphology study. Further, the flocculation efficacy of the synthesized graft copolymers was studied in kaolin and coal fine suspension through standard 'Jar test' procedure.