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MT Newsletter |  |
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| Compiled by Dr. Rema Valsala |
Thought for the month: | Laughter is inner jogging.
...Norman Cousins |
|
MT Newsletter | |
|---|---|---|
| Compiled by Dr. Rema Valsala |
Thought for the month: | Laughter is inner jogging.
...Norman Cousins |
| FAQs
Standards Questionnaire |
Acquiesce means to consent
or comply passively or without protest. The idiom, "Drop a dime" means -- Make a phone call. He uses caffeine quite liberally; drinks six or seven cups a day probably. The patient shows no evidence of facial asymmetry. He is to going to try to lose weight. We will prescribe 40% urea cream to use twice. The patient states that the epigastric area is sore. Access: Noun: 1. A way of entering or leaving |
| Q. What
are decubitii? Decubitii are multiple decubitus ulcers that occur whenever and wherever there is too much pressure on soft tissue. Decubitus ulcer is also known as pressure sore, bed sore, or breakdown. Decubitus ulcers are ulcerated areas of skin over bony areas. When parts of the body are under continuous pressure, blood supply to that area is hindered and a decubitus ulcer may develop. They can develop where there is a small amount of pressure applied for a long time, or a great deal of pressure for a short period of time. Other factors such as poor diet, poor personal hygiene, and incontinence can increase the risk for developing pressure sores. Q. What is PKU? PKU is the abbreviation for phenylketonuria. Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare hereditary condition in which the amino acid phenylalanine is not properly metabolized. Phenylketonuria is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait (both parents must pass on the defective gene for the child to be affected). People with PKU lack an enzyme, phenylalanine hydroxylase, needed to process phenylalanine and therefore this amino acid cannot be used in a normal fashion because of the missing enzyme. This amino acid is necessary for normal growth in infants and children and for normal protein use throughout life. However, if too much of this amino acid builds up, it can damage the brain tissue and can eventually cause mental retardation. PKU is a treatable disease that can be easily detected by a simple blood test. Most states in the U.S.A require a screening test for all newborns, generally done with a heelstick shortly after birth. A normal blood phenylalanine level is about 1 mg/dl. In classic PKU, levels may range from 6 to 80mg/dl, but are usually greater than 30mg/dl. SYMPTOMS: Damage to the brain causes marked mental retardation by the end of the first year of life if the offending proteins are not scrupulously avoided. Older children may develop movement disorders (athetosis) and hyperactivity. Children with phenylketonuria often have lighter complexion than their unaffected siblings because phenylalanine is involved indirectly in the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin and hair color. There is a characteristic "mousy" odor that results from the accumulation of phenylacetic acid. This odor may be detected on the breath, skin, and urine if the condition has not been treated immediately from birth or if foods containing phenylalanine are consumed. Other symptoms include skin rashes (eczema), tremors, seizures, and delayed mental and social skills. SIGNS and TESTS: 1. Enzyme assay to detect the carrier state (parents). 2. Chorionic villus sample to detect fetal PKU (prenatal diagnosis). 3. PKU screening (a heelstick blood sample from the infant to screen for PKU, mandatory in most states in the U.S.A). TREATMENT: Treatment includes a diet that is extremely low in phenylalanine, particularly when the child is growing. Strict compliance to the diet is necessary to prevent or minimize mental retardation. This requires close supervision by a registered dietitian or physician, and cooperation of the parent and child. Adult women who have PKU and who plan to become pregnant should also adhere to a strict low-phenylalanine diet both before becoming pregnant and throughout the pregnancy. Phenylalanine occurs in significant amounts in milk, eggs and other common foods. Nutrasweet (aspartame) also contains phenylalanine, and products containing aspartame should be avoided by children with this disorder. A special infant formula called Lofenalac is made for infants with PKU. It can be used throughout life as a protein source that is extremely low in phenylalanine and balanced for the remaining essential amino acids. PROGNOSIS: The outcome is expected to be very good if dietary treatment is followed closely beginning shortly after the child's birth. If treatment is started after 3 years, or if the disorder remains untreated, brain damage is inevitable. Severe mental retardation occurs if the disorder is untreated. ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) appears to be the most common problem seen in children and adults who do not adhere to a very low-phenylalanine diet. PREVENTION of PKU: Genetic counseling is recommended for prospective parents with a family history of PKU. The carrier state for PKU can be detected by enzyme assays, and PKU can be diagnosed prenatally. It is imperative that a woman with PKU who becomes pregnant adheres closely to the special low-phenylalanine diet, since accumulation of phenylalanine will damage the unborn baby even if the baby has not inherited the abnormality. |
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| Some
rules of punctuation: Comma Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. Coordinate adjectives are adjectives with equal status in describing the noun; neither adjective is subordinate to the other. Therefore, the order of the adjectives could be switched, or the commas separating the adjectives could be changed to 'and' without disrupting the meaning or syntax of the sentence. Examples: We are preparing for a long, arduous game. He was impressed by her true, intuitive observations. She has a large collection of exceptional, exquisite, exotic paintings. Never use a comma in front of the noun or pronoun being modified. Similarly, do not use commas with non-coordinate adjectives. Non-coordinate adjectives are adjectives that have to remain in a certain order to make sense. Switching the order of the adjectives or using 'and' between the adjectives could disrupt the meaning or syntax of the sentence. Examples: The theater complex featured several new movies. I found the book in the attic in an enormous wooden box. She wore a light pink dress to the party. Coordinate and non-coordinate adjectives can occur in the same sentence. In that case, use commas to separate the coordinate adjectives, but do not separate coordinate and non-coordinate adjectives. Examples: She is a thoughtful, loving, considerate elderly woman. Yesterday we had a long, tiresome architectural planning session. Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift. Examples: I got a B on that test, not the A I was hoping for. She drove fast, but with caution. These mistakes are due to carelessness, not ignorance. The patient's wife was nervous, yet hopeful. This project is an opportunity, not a burden. |
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| Q.
_____________ means on or relating to the same side of the body.
a. Contralateral b. Ipsilateral c. Ambilateral Q. The idiom, "The bottom line" means _____________. a. The most essential information. b. Strike the ground. c. The lowest rank. Q. Fill in the blanks with the suitable word given in brackets: 1. The fracture ______ was noted on the x-ray. (site, sight) 2. She was ______ her hands and complaining of pain in her knees. (ringing, wringing) 3. He agreed that he did occasionally indulge in ______ drugs. (elicit, illicit) 4. From what I hear there is no doubt that it is due to ______ of consumed food. (reflux, reflex) 5. On physical examination his upper respiratory ______ was found to be inflamed. (track, tract) Q. Find the meaning of these homonyms: course, coarse, and coerce anuresis and enuresis shear and sheer See the answers in the January 2007 issue.... |
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