Multiple myeloma is a proliferative disease of plasma cells. The incidence of the disease increases with age. Objectives : To study different biochemical parameters and serum agarose gel electrophoresis patterns of patients consistent with clinical symptoms of multiple myeloma. Subject and Methods : A retrospective study was carried out in Department of Biochemistry, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, from October 2008 to September 2009. Patients consistent with the symptoms of multiple myeloma were selected for the study. Alkaline phosphatase, total calcium, albumin and globulin levels were estimated. Bence Jones Protein, cell counts of bone marrow and x-ray of skull was carried out. Agarose gel electrophoresis was performed at buffer pH 8.6, 5 mili ampere current and the constant voltage of 200 volts was applied. Results : Serum electrophoresis patterns in all the patients showed M-Protein band (M-band) at gamma-region. Serum alkaline phosphatase levels were 216.0 ± 35.7 . Serum total calcium levels were 10.0± 1.5 , serum albumin levels were 4.1 ± 0.5 and serum globulin levels were 3.7 ± 0.9 respectively. Bence Jones Protein was present in urine of the 7 patients out of 14. Plasma cell counts were more than 10% and lytic lesions on skull were present. Conclusion : Patients with multiple myeloma showed consistently increased total calcium, decreased serum albumin and normal alkalline phosphatase levels. Electrophoretic patterns showed M-band in all the patients, giving the confirmation of the diagnosis. Though a conventional technique, electrophoresis remains as the gold standard for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma.

Background: Iodine deficiency remains a significant health problem in developing countries, including Nepal. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the iodine status of school children in two districts Dhankuta and Tehrathum of Eastern Nepal by estimating median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) as a population parameter. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2010 to July 2011 in school children (6-12 years of age) of two hilly districts of Eastern Nepal, Dhankuta and Tehrathum. A total of 154 school age children from the two districts were chosen for the study after obtaining written consent from their guardians and school authority. UIC was estimated in these school children by ammonium persulphate digestion microplate method. Results: Among the school age children selected for the study median inter-quartile range (IQR) of urinary iodine in Dhankuta (n=63) and Tehrathum (n=91) districts were 214.04 (126.44; 323.0) µg/L and 252.34 (161.81; 301.63) µg/L. No significant differences were observed between the median UIC of these two districts (p=0.235). Among the school children in Dhankuta districts 2(3.2%) were severely deficient, 4(6.3%) were moderately deficient and 6(9.5%) were mildly deficient in iodine. In Tehrathum district 2(2.2%) were moderately iodine deficient and 5(5.5%) were mildly iodine deficient. Conclusion: The present study showed improved iodine status with optimal levels of median urinary iodine concentration in the two districts, Dhankuta and Tehrathum of Eastern Nepal. Regular monitoring of population median urinary iodine concentration is recommended for sustainable optimal iodine nutrition.

Introduction: Diabetes is increasing worldwide. Earlier detection and treatment of the diabetes slowed the complications associated with diabetes. Unfortunately, 30-50% of diabetes remains undiagnosed. This study is designed to estimate the prevalence of diabetes and diabetes risk group i.e. person with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in the Patan. Methods: We, therefore, carried out a community based cross-sectional study for the diabetes screening using fasting plasma glucose. Results: The result showed 3.3% screen-detected and overall prevalence of 16% diabetes showing alarming picture of diabetes status in the study population. It showed significant correlation between waist circumference (WC) and WaistHip Ratio (WHR) with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Conclusion: It pointed out the need of health education and promotion to the patients for prevention and progression of the disease.