Clinical Chemistry Blog Note 01

HAI: Let's prevent it!

2010-09-19T22:48:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about HAI? It stands for Healthcare-associated infections. From the term itself, you can have an idea on where and how these infections come from. These infections are contracted in a health care setting. It commonly occurs in hospitals where lots of health workers and patients interact and the frequency of transmitting these infections is high.

These infections are usually caused by bacteria and viruses such as, Methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus, M. tuberculosis, Hepatitis A, B and C viruses, Influenza virus and other pathogens. These microorganisms are usually transmitted through inhalation of aerosols or close contact with an infected person, ingestion, or through needle stick injury or entry in an open wound.

But these infections can be easily prevented by practicing safety guidelines to minimize if not to eradicate these infections. The most effective way to do is by hand washing. Hand washing minimizes infectious agents that are transmitted through hand contact. A good hand washing technique is the use of adequate amount of soap to kill microorganisms present, rubbing of hands to thoroughly clean the area and rinsing it under running water is a good technique. Here is an illustration by the Department of Health: HANDWASHING

Among health care personnel, these infections can be prevented by always wearing PPE or personal protective equipment. This usually includes gowns, face masks and sometimes goggles, depending on the hazard of the site where these persons work. Following the universal precaution is another way to prevent pathogens that are present in body fluids especially blood. Needle stick injury is one of the common causes of transmission of blood borne pathogens. Observing proper collection and handling of blood and other body fluids can greatly minimize transmission of these infectious agents.

Another way to prevent the spread of infection is disinfection of working areas, instruments, machines, tools, parts, or other equipment that are frequently used. Microorganisms can easily manifest in these kinds of inanimate objects. Frequent disinfection of these apparatuses can minimize transmission of these harmful agents.

Patients in hospitals are also susceptible to these infections mainly because their immune system is at its weakest point. Surgery site infections are acquired when the proper handling, patient preparation, proper surgical techniques are not observed. Infections can be exogenous or endogenous in nature. Improper surgical team hand preparation, contamination or unsterilized surgical equipments, and contamination by the normal flora of the skin are some of the causes of SSI. Proper aseptic techniques and surgical procedures must be observed to prevent these infections.

To know more about HAI... visit: http://haiwatchnews.com/

References:

http://haiwatchnews.com/
http://www.doh.gov.ph/
http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/articles/2002/04/fighting-surgical-site-infections.aspx
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/healthDis.html

Almost Gone

2009-10-19T06:45:00.000-07:00

It's been a month since typhoon ondoy devastated our homelands.Many cities we're affected and many are struggling just to rise again.

Here are some images of Amang Rodriguez Medical Center at Marikina City. We helped here to clean up the mess the typhoon left. We also packed our things for our departure back to Pampanga because we can no longer practice our intership program at the hospital because of the destroyed facilities.

I pray that the people in the affected areas to have their normal life back and unite to preserve and protect our nature to prevent this devastation.

DRUGS. DRUGS. DRUGS.

2009-09-01T08:13:00.000-07:00

Drug testing requirement for school admissions.

I think it’s a good program to be done in school admissions, especially in the college level. No parent wants their child to be in a school with drug users. Of course, they want a good environment for their child to develop them into a good, competent and professional when they finished their studies. If there are any drug users in a college/university, many things can happen. They can inflict harm to other students, faculties, school personnel and can influence normal students to use prohibited drugs.

Drug abuse is bad not only to oneself, but also to the people that surrounds him/her. So it's better to screen them before entering school, to ensure the safety not only of the people in the school, but also a step to bring back the normal life of the one who is taking prohibited drugs.

Let’s make this country a drug free environment by starting with young generations.

Answers for "SPECIFY"

2009-09-01T06:24:00.000-07:00

1. Corticotropin-releasing hormone

2. Dopamine

3. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone

4. Growth hormone-releasing hormone

5. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone

6. Somatostatin

7. Thyrotropin

8. Specificity

9. anterior pituitary

10. Luteotropic hormone

In the growth of humans, the major role of our hypothalamus is the secretion of a specific hormone to stimulate the anterior pituitary gland to secrete growth hormone that is responsible for our growth. And the specific hormone that inhibits the anterior pituitary gland is somatostatin.

SPECIFY!

2009-08-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

Identify the following:

1. What hormone stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete Adenocorticotropic hormone?

2. What hormone inhibits the secretion of prolactin from the anterior pituitary?

3. What hormone stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete leutinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone?

4. What hormone stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete growth hormone?

5. What hormone stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete thyroid stimulating hormone?

6. What hormone inhibits the secretion of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary?

7. What is the other name for thyroid stimulating hormone?

8. What is the property of a particular substance in order to react or stimulate a specific target and not react with other substances?

9. What is the organ that is stimulated/inhibited by the hypothalamus?

10. What is the other name for prolactin?

Site an example that portrays the specificity of hormones secreted by the hypothalamus.

SPECIFICITY

2009-08-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

It is the property of a particular substance to react or stimulate a specific target and not react with other substances.

The hormones that are released by the hypothalamus have very high specificity that they only correspond to their target cells or organs. One of these hormones is somatostatin that inhibits the secretion of human growth hormone by the anterior pituitary gland. These hormones only target the pituitary gland and do not stimulate or inhibit any other parts of the body.

This table shows the hormones released by the hypothalamus and their specific function:

HYPOTHALAMUS HORMONE	TARGET / FUNCTIONS
Corticotropin-releasing hormone	stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete Adenocorticotropic hormone

Dopamine	inhibits the secretion of prolactin from the anterior pituitary

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone	stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete leutinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone

Growth hormone-releasing hormone	stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete growth hormone

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone	stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete thyroid stimulating hormone (Thyrotropin)

Somatostatin	inhibits the secretion of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary

References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothalamus, http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/The-Hypothalamus-and-Pituitary-Glands.topicArticleId-22032,articleId-21959.html

My Picks For The Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009

2009-07-28T08:12:00.000-07:00

Well, how will I start this? Oh, these are my picks for Janette Toral's Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs . I found these great blogs, made by great bloggers even though they are still newbies in this field. I, myself, am a newbie too. But being inspired, moved, and to feel all these emotions evoked by these influential bloggers. I know, they deserve the spot on that top 10 list. And now, I give you my list:

1. Dr. Lorenzo Bernandino of Zorlone - he's a doctor, what's good about it? He's not your ordinary doctor, a doctor who writes great poems, even in an ordinary passing day. Making wonderful poems out of the everyday life that comes in his way. Imagine?

2. Roy Dela Cruz of The Struggling Blogger - anything, and everything under the sun. I learned about him from his "Letters to Mama", for me that is love beyond comprehension. For me, that makes him an influential blogger.

3. Jan Geronimo of Writing to exhale - Straight forward. I can say that because of his posts. He writes what he wants, writes with no worries, but ends up with a great work of art. One of my favorites is his my philosophy in a bottle of ketchup. That reminds me of the stories my grandma told me about how simple life was during her time. Two thumbs up for you, Sir Jan.

4. Angel Cuala of Father Blogger Dot Com - oh, father of all fathers? nah. . . But this man is promising, putting his life experiences into writing, sharing them in this world of blogs and being an angel to everyone's heart. He is an angel for his wife and daughter, because he's sweet in a very different way, and being a great father to his children. You are really an angel in disguise.

5. Irene of Lifelots - Want to learn about life? Bump into her blog, and you'll learn many things about life. Even young people learn, and that is what her blog is all about, life is a learning process.

6. Luke of A walk in the Dark – Talk about cyberspace, this blog is about techies, I ran to one of his post the A Bullet Proof System is Not Enough, that talks about your system protection and backup systems. His blog is very informative, especially about this cyberspace that we’re into.

7. Dee of Tales from the Mom Side – Moms know best right? This blog is made from the experiences of a loving mom. It’s Mother’s Best.

8. Kelvin Servigon of Kelvinonian Ideas 2.0 – Talk about innovations, new technologies, and even cars. Oh yeah, cars. I bumped into one of his posts the I Want a Mazda3 2010 Model, wow! I love that car too! Visit his blog - there are lots of things to discover.

9. Bingkee of I Love/Hate America – This blog is like putting me on the other side of the world, USA. If you want to know about things in that foreign soil, just drop by, there is a lot to know in her blog.

10. Holly Jahangiri of It’s all a matter of Perspective: Mine – Talks about many things, from food, barbies, books and a lot more. There is so much more to read in her wonderful blog.

These are the supportive sponsors that made this project possible: Absolute Traders, My Brute Cheats, Business Summaries, Fitness Advantage Club, Events and Corporate Video, Events@Work, Dominguez Marketing Communications, Red Mobile, Budget hotel in Makati, Lucio C. Tan Group of Companies, and Blog4Reviews.com.

SOMETHING ABOUT THE HYPOTHALAMUS

2009-07-14T09:41:00.001-07:00

Answers To The Questions

2009-06-30T02:14:00.000-07:00

1. Pituitary gland

2. Homeostasis

3. Neurotransmitters

4. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone

5. Growth hormone-releasing hormone

6. Somatostatin

7. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone

8. Dopamine

9. Corticotrophin-releasing hormone

10. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

11-20. A 12 year old boy physical features resembles to a 10 year old child. His features are diminished lean body mass and poor bone density. He also complains about headaches, vomiting and vision problems.

What disease could be associated to his condition? Pituitary Dwarfism

What could cause the disease? Decrease release of Growth hormone-releasing hormone by the hypothalamus

What treatment can be administered? Human Growth Hormone manufactured by recombinant DNA.

Answer These At The Bottom Of Your Hypothalamus

2009-06-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

1. What endocrine gland does the hypothalamus regulate in the release of TSH,GH or ACTH?

2. What is the state of the body that keeps its functions in balance that is maintained by the hypothalamus?

3. What substances are secreted by the hypothalamus to communicate with pituitary gland?

4. What hormone is secreted by the hypothalamus to stimulate the anterior pituitary gland to produce Thyroid stimulating hormone?

5. What hormone is secreted by the hypothalamus to stimulate the anterior pituitary gland to produce growth hormone?

6. What hormone is secreted by the hypothalamus to inhibit the anterior pituitary gland from producing growth hormone?

7. What hormone is secreted by the hypothalamus to stimulate the anterior pituitary gland to produce Leutinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone?

8. What hormone inhibits the anterior pituitary gland from producing prolactin?

9. What hormone is secreted by the hypothalamus to stimulate the anterior pituitary gland to produce ACTH?

10. What is the complex set of direct influences and feedback interactions among the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and the adrenal glands?

11-20. A 12 year old boy physical features resembles to a 10 year old child. His features are diminished lean body mass and poor bone density. He also complains about headaches, vomiting and vision problems.

What disease could be associated to his condition?

What could cause the disease?

What treatment can be administered?

Anatomy and Physiology of the Hypothalamus

2009-06-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

INTRODUCTION:

It is an important part of our limbic system or emotional-visceral brain. It is the emotional center that controls our emotion, and sexual behavior. It plays a major role in regulating hormones, body temperature, water balance and metabolism.

ANATOMY:

The hypothalamus is a small part of our brain, it literally means “under the thalamus”, and it makes up the floor of the diencephalon. It weighs only 4 grams and is found behind the eyes, directly below the thalamus, and above the pituitary gland. It is made up of several distinct nuclei that are aggregates of nerve cell bodies that connect it to our brain and to virtually all parts of the nervous system. The hypothalamus also receives nerve impulses from our genitalia and nipples, internal organs, and the limbic system.

FUNCTION:

The hypothalamus has a variety of functions. It directs the “fight or flight” mechanism of the nervous system. It monitors the blood glucose levels and also our body’s water content that regulates appetite for food or drink. It also regulates our sleep and sexual behavior.

The hypothalamus also acts an endocrine organ. It is responsible for regulating the hormones released by the pituitary gland. Communication between the hypothalamus occurs through chemicals produced by specialized neurons of the hypothalamus called neurosecretory cells. Examples of these hormones are oxytoxin and anti diuretic hormones.

References:

Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology 5^th Edition by Elaine N. Marieb, R.N., Ph. D.

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761582440/Hypothalamus.html

http://biology.about.com/od/anatomy/a/aa042205a.htm

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/The-Hypothalamus-and-Pituitary-Glands.topicArticleId-22032,articleId-21959.html

https://eapbiofield.wikispaces.com/file/view/glakgar_pit_hypothalamus_cra.jpg