Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Medicine & Health

Introduction to Viruses

Viruses are acellular organisms that exist at a level of organization below the cell. To live and multiply, they must parasitize a host cell. They present two distinct phases: the extracellular and the intracellular phase.

Extracellular and Intracellular Phases

In the extracellular phase, viruses are in a latent state and are known as virions. They consist of a nucleic acid enveloped by a protein structure. In the intracellular phase, the virus exists solely as nucleic acid. Animal viruses can contain either DNA or RNA, whereas plant viruses typically carry RNA. Viruses that infect bacteria, known as bacteriophages, can contain either DNA or RNA.

Viral Morphology and Structure

Viruses are classified by the shape of their... Continue reading "Viral Biology: Structure, Classification, and Life Cycles" »

Phonemes and Distinctive Phonological Features

Phonemes: abstract units in the sound system of a language. A phoneme is the mental image that speakers have; each time a phoneme is realized in speech it may have a different physical sound but changes in phonemes can alter the meaning of a word. Phonemes are typically represented between slashes, e.g., /p/ or /a/.

Sound (phonetic realization): the practical articulation of a phoneme — the actual acoustic and articulatory realization in speech.

Phonetics: the physical science that studies the linguistic articulation of each human speech sound and its acoustic characteristics.

Letter: visual symbols through which phonemes are expressed in written form.

Diphthongs: the union of two vowel phonemes within... Continue reading "Phonemes, Vowels, Consonants and Distinctive Features" »

Breast Cancer Screening Programs

Screening typically involves mammography, often starting around age 50, with the goal of detecting emerging cancer (Ca).

• Sensitivity: > 85%
• Specificity: > 90%

Early Detection Recommendations

Monthly breast self-examination (BSE) is generally not recommended due to potential issues:

• Causes anxiety.
• High rate of false positives (FP+).
• May lead to unnecessary biopsies and expense.

Recommendations by Age Group

• Women 35–40 years: Annual clinical breast examination and bilateral mammography (only if clinically indicated).
• Women over 40 years: Annual clinical breast examination and mammography every 1–2 years.

Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis

Clinical diagnosis typically follows two pathways:

1. Asymptomatic Women: Suspicious

Child Nutrition: Ages 3-12 Years

During the ages of 3 to 12 years, children experience progressive development and continued stabilization. They possess a great capacity for learning, making this an ideal time for nutrition education. Growth serves as a more reliable indicator of health during this period. Food should be varied to establish healthy habits and foster the pleasure of eating.

Essential Nutritional Requirements

Meeting nutritional requirements is crucial for healthy and optimal growth and development in children.

Energy Needs

• Energy: Approximately 1200 kcal + (100 kcal x year of age).

Key Minerals

• Calcium: Accumulation is high during these years, making it important to prevent osteoporosis later in life.
• Iron: Essential for forming red

Forensic Medicine and Toxicology: Key Concepts

1. Diagnosis of Non-Life Signs

   • Saponification
   • Mummification
   • Corification
   • Adipocere

2. Temperature Incompatible with Life

   Examples: 20 ºC, 34 ºC, 36 ºC

3. Nysten's Sign

   Premature, low intensity, and short duration rigor mortis.

4. Definition of Suspicious Death and Homicide

   Referenced in: Criminal Code, Law of Criminal Procedure (LEC), Civil Code, etc.

5. Judicial Autopsies in Catalonia (One Third)

   Causes include: accidental, natural, suicide, homicide.

6. Number of Femicides in 2007

   8.72 (specific data point)

7. Sexual Asphyxia

   Considered an accident.

8. Death Mechanisms

   Examples: anoxic anoxia, reflex inhibition.

9. Incised Wound Before Death

   Indicated by: coagulation, etc.

10. Umbilical Cord After Birth

    Timeframes: 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days,

Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding

• 1. Maintain a written policy for all healthcare personnel.
• 2. Train healthcare personnel to put this policy into practice.
• 3. Inform pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
• 4. Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within half an hour of birth.
• 5. Show mothers how to suckle and maintain lactation even if they are separated from their infants.
• 6. Provide infants with exclusive breastfeeding only.
• 7. Practice rooming-in by allowing mothers and infants to remain together.
• 8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
• 9. Do not use artificial teats or pacifiers.
• 10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups.

Nutritional Guidelines for the Elderly

The elderly often face a deficit in folic... Continue reading "Nutritional Strategies for Lifelong Health and Wellness" »

Essential English Phrasal Verbs and Meanings

This reference list provides definitions and translations for common English phrasal verbs, structured alphabetically by the main verb.

A: Ask

• ASK FOR: Request

B: Break, Bring

• BREAK AWAY: Separate
• BREAK DOWN: To malfunction / avariar-se/espatllar
• BREAK IN / BREAK INTO: To intrude / introduir-se/ficar-se
• BREAK OFF: To separate from (something)
• BREAK OUT: To burst (e.g., war)
• BREAK UP: To separate / To end a relationship
• BRING UP: To educate / To raise (a child)

C: Call, Care, Carry, Catch, Check, Clean, Come, Count, Cut

• CALL OFF: Cancel / Suspend
• CALL ON: See switch to
• CALL UP: Call
• CARE ABOUT: Worrying
• CARRY ON: Continue
• CATCH ON: Getting fashion / Catch up on success / Set up
• CHECK IN: Check luggage
• CHECK OUT: Pay

4. The Patient's Evolving Role in the Health System

The patient is the ultimate goal of health care and has acquired a prominence it never had before. Health care no longer focuses solely on healing the sick but has incorporated other crucial aspects of the doctor-patient relationship, including:

• Humanization of care
• Adequate information
• Handling claims
• Hospital and medical choice
• Privacy
• Informed consent
• Palliative care

The patient's role is continually modified, granting them greater access to information (about the disease and its symptoms), a greater ability to pursue claims, and increased decision-making power regarding their illness. Regulation has formalized this relationship, notably through the Patient Autonomy Act (Law 41/2002), which governs... Continue reading "Patient Autonomy and Spain's Economic Policy: Crisis and Employment History" »

External Review in Poisoning Autopsies

Cadaverous Phenomena

• Lividity: Carbon monoxide (CO) presents redder than normal; asphyxia results in dark red; methemoglobin-forming poisons appear brownish.
• Rigidity: Carbon monoxide rigidity is higher than normal, often giving the deceased the appearance of a boxer. Strychnine poisoning causes early and lasting rigidity.

Color of Skin and Mucous Membranes

• Carbon Monoxide and Cyanide Poisoning: These present a more rosy appearance than the usual appearance of life.
• Phosphorus Poisoning: Results in a yellowish skin tone.
• Methemoglobin-forming Poisoning: Results in a cyanotic or brownish appearance.

Traces of Vomit and Feces

Examination may reveal bloody vomiting (hematemesis) or bleeding of the upper or lower digestive... Continue reading "Forensic Autopsy Findings in Poisoning Cases" »

Parkinson's Disease: Causes and Risk Factors

Research suggests a link between dopamine levels influenced by smoking and a decreased risk of contracting Parkinson's disease, although the exact mechanisms of such relationships remain uncertain. Furthermore, researchers at Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam suggest that there is a growing relationship between the intake of vitamin B6 from diet and supplements and a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease.

Common Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

The symptoms of Parkinson's disease can vary, but they often include:

• Muscular stiffness and tremors of different intensities.
• Difficulty walking and poor stability.
• Difficulty starting or ending a movement (freezing of gait).
• Lack of facial expression and slowness of