MAY 2006
MT Newsletter
Compiled by
Dr. Rema Valsala 		Thought for the month: The real journey of life is not upward, but inward.
        ...Dennis Wholey
Answers to the previous issue

FAQs

Standards

Questionnaire

     An inability to comprehend the meaning of written or printed words and sentences,
     caused by a cerebral lesion is alexia.

     A woman who is pregnant and has had one term delivery, one set of twins born at 32 weeks,
     and two abortions is described as gravida 5, para 1-1-2-3.

     I will keep you apprised of her progress.

     Neck is supple with some shotty bilateral anterior cervical adenopathy.

     Most normal births involve a combination of vertex presentation with anterior position.

     Extremities: Notable effusion of left knee, which is nontender to palpation.

     Urethral meatus and urethra are within normal limits. 



   Keratosis:        Any lesion on the epidermis (the superficial epithelial portion of the skin) marked by the presence of

                           circumscribed overgrowths of the horny layer of the epidermis. (keratoses-plural)




   Keratitis:          Inflammation of the cornea.




   Radical:         1. In chemistry, a group of elements or atoms usually passing intact from one compound 

                             to another, but usually incapable of prolonged existence in a free state.

                         2. Thorough or extensive  e.g., a radical operation.

                         3. Denoting treatment by extreme, drastic, or innovative, as opposed to conservative, measures.     




   Radicle:           A rootlet or structure resembling one, as the radicle of a vein, a minute veinlet 

                           joining with others to form a vein, or the radicle of a nerve, a nerve fiber that joins others to form a nerve.

                           




   Dysbasia:        1. Difficulty in walking.

                          2. The difficult or distorted walking that occurs in persons with certain mental disorders.       



                                    
   Dysstasia:       Difficulty in standing.  

                       




FAQs

Q. What is the Mini Mental State/Status Examination?

The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a widely used method for assessing cognitive mental status. The most commonly used cognitive screening test is the Folstein Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), developed in 1975.
Cognition is a generic term embracing the mental activities associated with thinking, learning, and memory. This term also denotes any process whereby one acquires knowledge.

Purpose:

The evaluation of cognitive functioning is important in clinical settings because of the recognized high prevalence of cognitive impairment in medical patients. It is one part of a full neurologic examination and includes the examiner's observations about the patient's attitude and cooperativeness as well as the patient's answers to specific questions.

The MMSE has been used as a clinical instrument to detect impairment, follow the course of an illness, and monitor response to treatment. The MMSE has also been used as a research tool to screen for cognitive disorders in epidemiological studies and follow cognitive changes in clinical trials.

The cognitive functions that are measured during the examination include:

The person's sense of time, place, and personal identity

Memory

Speech

General intellectual level

Mathematical ability

Insight or judgment

Reasoning or problem-solving ability.

Complete MMSE is most commonly given to elderly people and to other patients being evaluated for dementia. Dementia is an overall decline in a person's intellectual function including difficulties with language, simple calculations, planning or decision-making, and motor (muscular movement) skills as well as loss of memory. The MMSE is an important part of the differential diagnosis of dementia and other psychiatric symptoms or disorders.

Normal results:

A normal numerical score for the MMSE is between 28 and 30. There is an inverse relationship between MMSE scores and age, ranging from a median of 29 for those 18 to 24 years of age, to 25 for individuals 80 years of age and older. The median MMSE score is 29 for individuals with at least 9 years of schooling, 26 for those with 5 to 8 years of schooling, and 22 for those with 0 to 4 years of schooling.

Abnormal results for a mental status examination include:

Any evidence of organic brain damage. A score below 27 on the MMSE usually indicates an organic brain disorder.

Evidence of thought disorders.

A mood or affect that is clearly inappropriate to its context.

Thoughts of suicide.

Disturbed speech patterns.

Dissociative symptoms.

Delusions or hallucinations.



Q. What is the Pilates exercise?

Pilates is an acronym which stands for Proximal Integrating Latent Agile Toning Exercise System. This exercise was developed in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates and is a method of exercise focused to improve both strength and flexibility.

Pilates is an exercise form emphasising body alignment and correct breathing while focusing on the lower and deeper abdominals on the one hand and the mid-back and part of the shoulder muscles on the other. Focus is on strengthening the core postural muscles that help keep the body balanced and provide support for the spine. These exercises alleviate and prevent back pain. Pilates has been used to train dancers and many professional athletes in flexibility and physical strength.

Through Pilates people are instructed to move according to the body's natural harmony and alignment - moving in a way that the body is designed to move.





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Standards

Some rules of punctuation: Comma


Use commas after introductory clauses, phrases, or words that come before the main clause:

Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while.

Examples:

While I was eating, the doorbell rang several times.

When the snow stops falling, we will shovel the driveway.

If you are ill, you ought to see a doctor.

However, do not put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast).

Examples:

The doorbell rang several times, while I was eating. (incorrect)

We will shovel the driveway, when the snow stops falling. (incorrect)

She was still quite upset, although she had won the award. (correct: extreme contrast)

Common introductory words that should be followed by a comma include yes, however, well.

Examples:

Yes, the letter should arrive tomorrow morning.

However, you may not be able to see the results.

Well, perhaps she meant no harm.

Common introductory phrases that should be followed by a comma include participial and infinitive phrases, absolute phrases, nonessential appositive phrases, and long prepositional phrases (over four words).

Examples:

Shouting angrily, the crowd chased the thief.

Having finished the test, she left the room in a hurry.

To get a seat, you had better come early to the theater.

Walking briskly, she tried to catch up with her friend.

While relaxing on the hammock, Kim saw the dog attack the man.






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Questionnaire

Q. _____________ means to become weaker in strength, value or magnitude.

a. Augment
b. Attenuate
c. Amplify


Q. The idiom, "Wag the Dog" means _____________.

a. The subsidiary part controlling the major part.
b. To be in an advantageous position.
c. Relax and enjoy.


Q. Fill in the blanks with the suitable word given in brackets:

1. The baby has a full ______ of fingers and toes. (complement, compliment)

2. Our efforts have ______ a major change in the company's policy. (affected, effected)

3. ______ who can lift this item off the floor deserves a gift. (Anyone, Any one)

4. The priest quoted the relevant chapter and ______ of the Bible. (verses, versus)

5. The criminal was justly ______ by the Court. (persecuted, prosecuted)


Q. Find the meaning of these homonyms:

   corpulent and crapulent

   lability and liability

   osmosis and osmesis


See the answers in the next month's issue....
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