Week of March 16th Flashcards
What are characteristic lab features of polycythemia vera (PV) and what is the cause
- Increased RBC mass, increased plasma volume, and low EPO.
- Majority have JAK2 V617F mutation, rendering hematopoietic stem cells more sensitive to growth factors such as EPO and thrombopoietin.
- Sx: thrombotic events (blood hyperviscosity), petic ulceration and pruritis (histmaine release from basophils), gouty arthritis (increased cell turnover). Plethoric, ruddy face and **splenomegaly. **
8559
An autopsy of a 45 y/o man with recent extensive MI and cardiogenic shock shows bilateral wedge-shaped bands of necrosis over cerebral convexity. What causes these findings?
Profound systemic hypotesnion during cardiac arrest or shock universly diminishes blood supply to brain, casuing global cerebral ischemia (i.e. ischemic-hypoxic encephalopathy).
The most vulnerable areas are affected first: pyramidal cells of hippocampus and Purkinje cells of cerebellum. Necrosis of areas supplied by distal-most branches of anterior/middle/posterior arteries can occur (watershed infarction) and appears as bilateral wedge-shaped bands of necrosis over the cerebral convexity, a few centimeters lateral to the interhemispheric fissure.
23
Describe the metabolism of methionine
- Conversion of methionine to S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM) by SAM synthetase. SAM has an activated methyl group that can be transferred to acceptor molecules forming methylated prducts.
- SAM –> S-adenosyl-homocysteine (after transfer of activated methyl group) –> adenosine + homocysteine.
- Alternatively, homocysteine can be converted back to methionine by combining with 5-methyl-THF in a reaction requiring vitamin B12 (cobalamin) –> forms methionine and THF.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency results in accumulation of 5-methyl-THF and decrease in THF. Present with megaloblastic anemia and homocystinemia as methionine re-synthesis is impaired.
- Conversion of homocysteine to cystathionine requires cystathionine synthetase (defect is MCC of homocystinuria - ectopia lenthis, mental retardation, marfanoid habitus, and osteoporosis), Vitamin B6 as cofactor, and serine.
- Cystathionine is then converted to cysteine in rxn catalyzed by cystathionase and vitamin B6
1333
Biochemists identify a mutation affecting trypsinogen that disrupts a critcal site on the protein involved in inhibiting teh active trypsin moiety. Patients with this mutation would most likely suffer from what?
Trypsin can activate all of the proteolytic pancreatic enzymes, including its own zymogenic form, after it has been converted to trypsin by dudoenal enterokinase. Premature activation of trypsinogen before it reaches the duodenal lumen can result in autodigestion of the pancreatic tissue.
Multiple inhibitory mehcanisms exist to reduce premature activation of trypsinogen including serine peptide inhibitor kazal type 1 (SPINK1), which is secreted by pancreatic acinar cells and functions as a trypsin inhibitor, and trypsin can also serve as its own inhibitor. Gene mutations that render trypsin insensitive to cleavage inactivation cause hereditary pancreatitis.
433
Infarcts involving the anterior portion of the medial pons produce which defects and injure which CN?
The trigeminal nerve (V) arises from the lateral aspect of the mid-pons at the level of the cerebellar peduncles.
Infarcts involving the anterior pons affect the CS tract (contralateral hemiparesis and Babinski) and corticobulbar tract (contralateral lower facial palsy and dysarthria). Becuase pontine nuclei and pontocerebellar fibers are located here, infarction also causes contralateral dysmetria and dysdiadochokinesia, resulting in syndrome of ataxic hemiparesis
2125
What is the presentation and characteristic histology seen in polymyositis
Symmetric proximal muscle weakness of arms and legs. Increased CK in serum and anti-Jo-1 antibodies. Associated wtih increased risk of malignancy.
Muscle biopsy reveals inflammation, necrosis, regeneration and fibrosis of muscle fibers.
Preceding damage to myocytes with subsequent over-expression of MHC I proteins on the sarcolemma leads to infiltration with CD8+ T lymphocytes and mycote damage.
748
Describe cardiac conduction velocity from fastest to slowest
Mnemonic: “Park At Ventura Avenue”
Fastest –> Slowest = Purkinje –> Atrial Muscle –> Ventricular Muscle –> AV node
Describe perfusion vs. diffusion-limited equilibration of gases
Normal alveolar pO2 is 104mmHg, which lies betwen tracheal (150) and venous blood (40) pO2 concentrations. Likewise, normal alveolar pCO2 is 40mmHG, between its tracheal (0) and venous blood (45) concentration.
The equilibraion of O2 in a normal individual at rest is perfusion-limited. As venous blood flows through pulmonary capillaries, equilibration occurs with the alveolar gas. Under normal resting conditions, diffusion of both O2 and CO2 across alveolar membrane is quick, with venous blood only needing to traverse about 1/3 total capillary length in order to completely equilibrate.
Situations where O2 equilibration can become diffusion-limited include disease states such as emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis, and physiologically in states of very high pulmonary blood flow, such as excercise.
1522
What are the manifestations of systemic mastocytosis?
Characterized by the abnormal proliferation of mast cells and increased histamine secretion. Histamine increases the production of gastric acid by parietal cells causing gastric hypersecretion –> inactivation of pancreatic and intestinal enzymes, causing diarrhea. Other GI Sx include n/v, abdominal cramps, gastric ulcerations. Histamine-mediated Sx include syncope, flushing, hypotesnion, tachycardia, and bronchospasm. Skin manifestions include **pruritus, urticaria, and dermatographism. **
306
Describe the effect of an AV shunt on LV pressure-volume loop
AV fistula = abnormal communication between an artery and vein that bypasses the arterioles, the major source of resistance in the vascular ssytem. AV shunts allow blood under arterial pressure to directly enter venous system. High-volume AV shunts can eventually result in **high-output cardiac failure **
- Increase cardiac preload by increasing the rate and volume of blood flow back to heart, which is reflected by elongation of the diastolic filling segment and a higher end diastolic volume.
- Because AV shunts aallow blood to bypass the arterioles, TPR is reduced, thus decreasing afterload as well
1518
How can you calculate the probability that a child of parents from two different populations with different mutant allele carrier frequencies will inherit and AR disease such as CF?
If either parent is a carrier, the probability that the child will inherit the mutant allele from that parent is 1/2. To inherit the CF disease, the child must independently inherit a mutant allele from both parents.
So if a mother has 1/30 probability of carrying mutant CFTR allele and father has 1/100, the probability that both events will occur to produce child with CF is the product of the probabilities of these independent events: (1/30 * 1/2) * (1/100 * 1/2) = 1/12,000
1791
Under HIPPA, when can physicians disclose patient information to friends and family members?
- When the patietn gives explicit permission or does not object when given a reasonable opportunity.
- In an emergency situation, health care providers can also share medical information when it is in the patient’s best interest based on their professional judgement.
784
Describe the manifestations of CMV disease in immunocompotent and immunocompromised patients
Immunocompetent: rare, but affected individuals have systemic mononuleosis-like syndrome characterized by fever, malaise, myalgia, atypical lymphocytosis, and elevated liver transaminases. In contrast to EBV, heterophil antibodies are not usually present.
Immunocompromised: severe retinitis, pneumonia, esophagitis, colitis, and/or hepatitis.
Patient presents with diffuse pruritic papulopustular rash that demonstrates oxidase-positive gram-negative rods that produce pigment on culture medium. What is the casue and source of patients infection?
“Hot tub folliculitis” is a superficial and self-limited P. aeruginosa infection of the hair follicles. The culture of a pustule will reveal gram-negative, oxidase positive, non-lactose fermenting, motile rods that produce pigment.
NOTE that many infections by P. aeruginosa often begin with exposure to water source or creation of a moist environment (i.e. swimmer’s ear, hot tub, burn wound)
974
What are the symptoms and causes of serotonin syndrome? What AA is the precursor to serotonin?
Sx: neuromuscular excitation (hyperreflexia, clonus, rigidity, tremor), autonomic stimulation (hyperthermia, tachycardia, diaphoresis, vomitting/diarrhea), AMS (agitation, confusion).
Cause: SSRI in excess or in conjunction with other serotonergic agents such as MAOIs or triptans.
Tryptophan is precursor of serotonin, adn metabolism occurs via the enzymes tryptophan hydroxylase and AA decarboxylase
Tx: cyproheptadine (antihistamine with anti-serotonergic properties)
2088
What sunscreens protect you from UVA vs. UVB radiation?
PABA esters: UVB radiation absorbers. UVB is the major cause of burns, histologic skin damage, UVR induced immunosuppresion, skin photo-aging, and photo carcinogenesis.
Avobenzone: absorbs UVAI and UVAII
Zinc Oxide: broad spectrum against UVB, UVAI, UVAII
What types of dose adjustments for other medications need to be considered when taking niacin?
Niacin can potentiate the effects of some anti-hypertensive medications because of its vasodilatory effects (can cause postrual hypotesnion) and thus doses of these meds may need to be reduced.
Niacin also causes insulin resistance and oftentimes necessitates an increase in diabetes medications.
There is an increase in serum uric acid in some patients therefore patients with gout shoudl be cautious.
162
Describe the MOA and AE of protease inhibior class of antiretroviral drugs (e.g. indinavir)
MOA: inhibit viral protease, an enzyme responsbile for the final step of replication of HIV virus within host cells (i.e. inhibit cleavage of polypeptide precursors into matural viral proteins)
AE: lipodystrophy (“buffalo hump” apperance with central obesity and peripheral wasting), hyperglycemia (increased insulin resistance and diabetes), P450 inhibition
819
What medications increase the risk of cholesterol gallstones?
Pharmacotherapy with fibrates, octreotide, or **ceftriaxone. **
Estrogenic influence facilitates the biosynthesis of cholesterol by increasing hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity. Suppresion of cholesterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase activity (by medications such as fibrates) reduces the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids, resulting in excess cholesterol secretion in bile.
67
Sudden upward stretching on teh arm at the shoulder can damage what nerve(s)?
Damage the lower trunk of the brachial plexus. This trunk carries nerve from C8-T1 spinal levels that ultimately form the median and ulnar nerves. These nerve innervate all the intrinsic muscles of the hand –> **hand clumsiness or paralysis **
1829
Which organ system would show a vascular bed where the arterial/arteriolar resistance increases as blood oxygen content decreases?
Pulmonary vascular bed is unique in that hypoxemia causes a vascoconstrictive response. Such hypoxic vasoconstriction occurs in the small muscular pulmonary arteries in order to divert blood away from underventilated regions of lung toward more well-ventilated areas.
1587
Where are most intracranial schwannomas located and what are they associated with?
Most are found at the cerebellopontine angle and are attached to CN VIII. Schwannomas at this location are called acoustic neuromas. Tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing loss are the typical symptoms of an acoustic neuroma. Bilateral acoustic neuromas occur in NF2 which differs from NF-1 in that it causes fewer cutaneous manifestations and presents with CNS involvement.
1305
What does chronic rejection in lung transplant cause?
Affects small aireays, causing bronchiolitis obliterans. Lymphocytic inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis of the bronchiolar wall occur. Ultimately, there is occlusion of the bronchiolar lumen.
535
Why do surgeons need to be careful when removing sublingual mass?
Failure of migration of the thyroid gland can cause a lignual thryoid. Surgeons must be careful when remvoing any mas along the thyroglossal duct’s usual path, as the mass could be the only thyroid tissue present. Clinical features of hypothyroidism in children include lethary, feeding problems, constipation, macroglossia, umbilical hernia, large fontanels, dry skin, hypothermia, and prolonged jaundice.
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