Skin Anatomy

Welcome to the real world of medicine!

TERMS

eponychia

paronychia

lunula

vascular nail bed= gauge of the oxygenation of the blood

nailbed epithelium inferior to it is phalanx bone

distal free edge of the nailplate is the hyponychium, continuous to nailbed proximally and distally to volar skin.

Sebaceous gland

simple branch acinar gland , assoc with sebum holocrine secretion controlled by androgen hormones no innervation

Excessive sebum causes clogging if hair folilcles and provides food for acne causing bacteria

Eccrine Glands

by merocrine secretion functions for thermoregulation

simple coiled tubula gland

two types of secretory cells

Dark cell-broader towards the lumen, ribosomes,secretory granules->protein rich component

Clear cells- broader toward the periphery-> eatery, glycogen

aldosterone-hormone from adrenal gland ->sodium, chloride and water reabsorbed

direct to the surface

cholinergiuc innervation-thermoregulatory sweating in the head and scalp

adrenergic -emotional sweating in the palms and soles

Apocrine Glands

simple coiled tubular glands

confined only to axillae, mons pubis and circumanal produce slightly viscous secretion

open via hair follicle except in the eyelid, axillia and external where the open directly into the surface

act as pheromone in animals sterile and odorless unless acted upon by bacteria

by merocrine secretion adrenergic innervation

function at the onset of puberty potential cause of body odor.

All About Blood: Back to Basics

Blood is red when oxygenated and turns blue when deoxygenated.

The blood smells like metal rust due to the presence of iron (Fe) which sits at the centeal structure of the red blood cells.

Let's start with agglutinogen. What is agglutinogen or antigen? It simply a protein in the blood that has the capacity to agglutinate or clump together which might result to death during blood tranfusion. When red blood cell clump together to form a mass or body, it will obstruct the flow of blood thus resulting to decrease oxygen level in the body resulting to death. There are two types of agglutinogen: Agglutinogen A and Agglutinogen B.

These agglutinogens are inherited in such a manner that some people may have one, may have both simultaneously, or neither of them on their cells.

O-A-B Blood Types

Blood Types are classified into O, A, B, and AB depending on the presence or absence of
the two agglutinogens, the A and B agglutinogens.

Simplifying the Jargon

Let's start with blood type O has genotype or allele of OO, does not contain any agglutinogen but contains agglutinin A and agglutinin B. When we say agglutinin it attacks agglutinogen to form a clump of cells. For example agglutinin A will attack A agglutinogen thus forming a coagulate leading to blood vessel blockage, that's the rule of thumb for other blood types. In simple terms, agglutinin attacks/binds agglutinogen. Blood type A has two genoytypes AO and AA , contains agglutinogen A and agglutinin B. The agglutinin B will attack B agglutinogen forming clumps of cells. Blood type B has BO and BB genotypes, contains B agglutinogen and agglutinin A. Blood type AB has a genotype of AB with A and B agglutinogens, not containing any agglutinin.Please keep this in mind. Please see the table for summary of the discussion.

Why Blood type O is said to be the universal blood donor? The answer is that patients with blood type A or B can receive blood type O ( because BType O does not contain any agglutinogen).

Blood type O patients should receive blood type O only. You cannot give them blood type A or B, blood cells will clump if unattended it would lead to death.

Why blood type AB is called or considered as royal blood? People with this blood type can receive AB blood type ONLY. You cannot give them blood type O since it contains agglutinin A and B. Only about three percent of the population have this blood type. That's why it is called a royal blood.

The Use of O-A-B Blood Type for Paternity and Maternity Test.

Again, each blood has its own genotype:

Type A has AO AA

Type B has BB BO

Type AB has AB

Type O has OO

Questions:

1.

IRRI JOB OPENING-Editor

This is just a temporary post.

IRRI
International Rice Research Institute
Human Resources Services
Communication and Publications Services (CPS) invites applicants for the position:
Assistant - Editorial (2009-R-46)
Basic purpose : The successful candidate will provide editorial and secretarial support in producing science publications, and ensure the timely publication of IRRI serials and monographs, including International Rice Research Notes (IRRN) through Open Journal Systems (OJS)
Major responsibilities:
Provides support in editorial and secretarial areas in producing publications.
· Keyboards corrections for various publications, including the IRRN, proceedings, Discussion Paper Series, Limited Proceedings, Technical Bulletins, news releases, and other materials such as donor reports, concept notes, and project proposals.
· Uses Open Journal Systems (OJS) in managing IRRN submissions and ensuring that the whole editorial process for all submissions is running efficiently until accepted manuscripts are published online using the same open-source technology.
· Formats and ensures completeness of manuscripts before signing off on them for layout (e.g., Discussion Paper Series, Limited Proceedings, and Technical Bulletins).
· Checks reference citations for format and style and for accuracy.
· Does publication layouts (e.g., Discussion Paper Series, Limited Proceedings, and Technical Bulletins) if needed.
· Organizes and maintains databases (either using a simple spreadsheet or other appropriate software) for all incoming editing jobs (e.g., journal articles, papers for technical publications, IRRN submissions, other materials).
· Monitors movements and status of submitted manuscripts (e.g., technical publications, journal articles, IRRN submissions).
· Proofreads manuscripts, reports, and page layouts of publications and other materials for accuracy and adherence to Institute and other relevant publishing guidelines.
· Coordinates procedural tasks of in-house and outsource personnel in layout and design of publications.
· Assists in preparing and coordinating materials (e.g., manuscripts/page or layout proofs in CD format or hard copies) for sending to editors or service providers.
· Performs necessary follow-up or relevant action regarding areas of concern.
Provides secretarial services/administrative support to the Editorial section and administrative support to other CPS sections.
Performs other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.
Qualification requirements:
Minimum education : Bachelor's degree in communication arts, computer science, or related field
Experience required : 2–3 years' experience in communication work or publishing, including multimedia production
Skills and abilities : Excellent written and verbal communication skills, computer application knowledge and skills required (Microsoft Office suite, Adobe suite, InDesign, Content Management Systems software, e.g., Joomla, Open Journal Systems)
Applications : Qualified candidates should submit letter of application, comprehensive résumé, transcript of records, and names and contact details of 3 referees to IRRI Recruitment at the HRS Office, F.F. Hill Building, IRRI Los Baños, Laguna, or email to IRRIRecruitment@cgiar.org. You can also mail application with complete requirements to
Assistant - Editorial (2009-R-46)
Human Resources Services
International Rice Research Institute
DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila
*Screening will start on 17 April 2009 and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

Information Campaign Against MYOPIC EYE

What is myopia?

Myopia is a medical term for shortsightedness. The first sign of the disease is seeing far objects a little bit blurry. The eyeball is too long, or the cornea is too steep, so images are focused in the vitreous inside the eye rather than on the retina at the back of the eye (wikipedia). Most opthalmologists and optometrist would correct the defect by prescribing glasses or contact lenses. It can also be corrected by LASIK, a refractive surgery of the eyes. People with myopic eye have a very high positive refractive power so the lenses prescribed are the negative diopters. Well, diopters is the optical measure of the refractive power of the lens. For more information(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myopia or watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oYkZRBvLiA ).

Illustration

Here is how they correct myopic eye with a concave lens( Thinner at the middle, thicker at the edges or sides). Concave lens diverge light source in order to focus the image directly in the retina.

Degree
Myopic eye has positive diopters which means too high optical power or high refractive power which can be corrected by negative diopters of concave lenses.

Myopic Severity is classified as:

1. Low myopia usually describes myopia of −3.00 diopters or less ( 300grade or less).

2. Medium myopia usually describes myopia between −3.00 and −6.00 diopters( 300-600grade). Patients are positive with pigment dispersion syndrome or pigmentary glaucoma

3. High myopia usually describes myopia of −6.00 or more(> 600 grade). They are likely to have retinal detachments and primary open angle glaucoma. They may experience floaters, shadow-like shapes which appear singly or in clusters in the field of vision. Thirty percent of myopes have high myopia

Epidemiology:
The prevalence of myopia has been reported as high as 70-90% in some Asian countries, 30-40% in Europe and the United States, and 10-20% in Africa( Source wikipedia).
Well this incidence is highly prevalent in Japanese and Korean people. Japanese are known for their electronic work and highly meticulous and detailed art. Well, Koreans are known for their love of computer games and also for their electronics.
Highly educated people have higher cases of myopia than their counterparts.

Causes:
1. genetic - abnormalities in the PAX6 gene
2. environment - extensive near work( excessive reading, computer games).

Remedies:
For officeworkers:
1. Learn to relax your eyes every 30 mins when working in front of the computer or reading by looking at far away objects.
2. Engage in physical activities like sports ex. jogging religiously.
3. Have a good nutrtion for your eyes.

Comment

I have a low level myopia and I intend to rest my eyes every 30 mins when reading or working in front of the computer. I try to relax my eyes by looking at a far away greeny objects like trees or any plant. I am starting to wear a low positive diopter lens to help my eyes while focusing near objects.

Suggestion

For best advise or opinion, consult your doctor.

Read Bates Method suggesting the use of eye exercise.
For more info(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bates_Method)

Growing Concerns Regarding Breast and Cervical Cancer

Breast Cancer



Cancer is a word derived from the crab shaped tumor removed from the women breast using crude surgery about 2000 years ago. Breast cancer is a genetic disease which can be aggravated by the stress in the environment. It can also be attributed to hormonal imbalance particularly estrogen and progesterone. According to medical practice, it is a must to check your breast for a possible occurence of tumor.Tumor or tumour is the name for a swelling or lesion formed by an abnormal growth of cells(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumor). I want to caution everyone that not all tumors should be a cause for alarm. Tumor can be classified as benign or malignant. Benign means it is solitary and does not invade adjacent tissues and organs.The picture below illustrates a benign tumor in the face./ Malignant tumor is the one associated with cancer which is mobile and capable of invading other tissues and organs.

Breast cancer is one of leading cause of death in women today. Therefore, regular breast examination should be done by you or if necessary your trusted medical personnel. If you observed that you have hard lump or small balls in your breast before regular menstruation(reg. menstruation 20-32d of the mo.), consult your doctor. Breast examination can be done quadrant method or by clock method. For the specifics of breast examination, visit the site or watch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po2lGo7LIPM or http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40000260/) .


Cervical cancer

It is a contagious and communicable disease that can be acquired through physical contact even the slightest skin contact (open wound) with infected body fluids. The leading cause of this disease is the human papilloma virus. In the Philippines, high incidences of HPV associated cervical cancer was brought about by the Overseas Filipino Workers from Saudi and Europe.
This disease will not give you early symptoms until the level of fatality is high. For sexually active individuals, please do get your regular Pap smear.

This is a sexually transmitted disease that can enter the female body during coitus or sexual intercourse with a multisexual partner. During repeated tearing and shearing of the vaginal walls, breaks will be an avenue for the entry of HPV. Cancer begins and then the genital warts.

Is it treatable?

Again the old cliche" Prevention of an ounce is better than a pound of cure". Stage III and IV cervical cancer are said to be untreatable.

Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are the treatment available for stage I and II cancer.


For sexual active individuals(10 to 45 y.o.) , marketable vaccines are now available such as Cervarix (http://www.gsk.com.au/products_vaccines_detail.aspx?view=122) and Quardricil.





For more info.Read my recent updates. Or click the links and ads related to the discussion.