Rare and semileptonic decays and LFNU at LHCb

The couplings of electroweak gauge bosons and the different lepton families are universal in the Standard Model. However, recent measurements have shown deviations from this behavior, which could potentially be due to contribution from new physics. The lepton flavour universality tests done at the LHCb experiment using tree-level and rare B decays, lepton flavour violating decays and decay rate measurements of some rare decays are presented

Stipe anatomical studies on selected pteridophytes of South India

Present study is based on the stipe anatomy of 13 selected species of pteridophytes of South India. Detailed description, key to the taxa based on stipe anatomy, photographs and descriptions are provided

Transplant ineligible multiple myeloma patients presenting as paraplegia/paraparesis a prospective single institution study

Background: Multiple myeloma a plasma cell neoplasm characterized by heterogeneous myriad of presentation with paraparesis or paraplegia in 20% cases due to spinal cord compression by vertebral collapse, compression or fracture.Methods: This is a prospective observational study of thirty transplant ineligible multiple myeloma patients with paraplegia/paraparesis. Pretreatment evaluation done as per standard protocol including MRI whole spine. Involved spine XRT 8Gy single fraction followed by BLD (Bortezomib 1.3mg/m2 weekly once, Lenalidomide 10mg/m2 for 21 days, oral dexamethasone 40 mg weekly once). Neurological parameters, time to neurological and tumor response at 6 months assessed. Patients in very good partial response or complete response were maintained on Lenalidomide and bisphosphonate therapy for a period of two years. The duration of symptoms and time to response were analyzed with Mann Whitney Cox test.Results: 15 patients were grade 0 power and others grade 1 or 2. Median time to any neurological response was 2.97 weeks. 63.3% of patients achieved power of grade 5, 30% grade 4 and 6.7% grade 3 powers. 23.3% patients received complete response while 63.3% patient’s very good partial response.Conclusions: Bedridden myeloma patients had an excellent improvement in quality of life and tumor control with this treatment schedule.