The vast majority of glucocorticoid activity in most mammals is from cortisol, also known as hydrocortisone. Corticosterone, the major glucocorticoid in rodents, is another glucocorticoid. Cortisol binds to the glucocorticoid receptor in the cytoplasm and the hormone-receptor complex is then translocated into the nucleus, where it binds to its DNA response element and modulates transcription from a battery of genes, leading to changes in the cell's phenotype. Only about 10% of circulating cortisol is free. The remaining majority circulates bound to plasma proteins, particularly corticosteroid-binding globulin (transcortin). This protein binding likely decreases the metabolic clearance rate of glucocorticoids and, because the bound steroid is not biologically active, tends to act as a buffer and blunt wild fluctuations in cortisol concentration.

This video contains five segments with best practices on how to prevent infection in patients with catheters, fistulas or grafts. It also includes segments on hand hygiene and glove use and dialysis station disinfection. The video is intended to be used by outpatient hemodialysis facilities as an educational tool to help remind their frontline staff, including technicians and nurses, about infection prevention measures. It can be used as an orientation video for new staff and as an annual in-service training tool to remind staff of proper protocols.

See the Spanish captioned version at: http://youtu.be/L5ypnOvOFMQ

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How to Check Cervical Mucus

a disease in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated levels of glucose in the blood and urine.

Usually a sebaceous cyst grows very slowly and doesn't cause pain. However, they can become inflamed or infected, with the overlying skin becoming red, tender, and sore. Sometimes, they occur on a site that is constantly irritated, such as a cyst on your neck that rubs against your collar.

CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, is a treatment that uses mild air pressure to keep the airways open. CPAP typically is used by people who have breathing problems, such as sleep apnea. CPAP also may be used to treat preterm infants whose lungs have not fully developed.

Direct Laryngoscopy: MICU Fellows Airway Course

High Resolution Upper Airway Anatomy

The superior sagittal sinus (also known as the superior longitudinal sinus), within the human head, is an unpaired area along the attached margin of falx cerebri. It allows blood to drain from the lateral aspects of anterior cerebral hemispheres to the confluence of sinuses.

-Korsakoff's syndrome is a common and preventable sequel of Wernicke's encephalopathy. Thiamine, if given during the stage of Wernicke's encephalopathy, can prevent the onset of Korsakoff's psychosis. The administration of glucose prior to thiamine can precipitate Korsakoff's syndrome, as seen in this case. In such patients, brain MRI frequently shows abnormal enhancement of the mammillary bodies & thallamus

Holter monitoring, electrocardiogram or echocardiogram are only recommended if a cardiac cause (e.g., arrhythmias, possible cardiac syncope, myocardial ischemia) is suspected.

Mitral Valve Prolapse and Mitral Regurgitation. Review of mitral valve anatomy and function, including papillary muscle structure and function, with severe mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation due to a flail segment caused by ruptured papillary muscle and chorda tendinae attachment.

Indwelling urinary catheters are commonly used in hospitals and can lead to preventable catheter-associated UTI. How can rates of catheter-associated UTI be reduced in hospitals? New research findings are summarized in a new NEJM Quick Take. Learn more at http://nej.md/1WoeHdF SHOW MORE

Dr. Ebraheim’s educational animated video describing the anatomy and associated injuries of the knee joint.
Disrupted quadriceps
•Patient is unable to actively extend the knee.
The most common cause of ACL ruptures:
•Traumatic force being applied during twisting motion.
•Side stepping or landing from a jump.
Patient complains of:
•Immediate pain
•Knee giving way
•Swelling
Aspiration of the knee
•If aspiration of the knee joint shows evidence of blood within the joint there is 75-80% chance of ACL and meniscal injury.
Lachamn’s test- ACL knee exam
•Knee is flexed at 30 degrees.
•ACL tear of the knee is identified by pulling on the tibia and examining the frontward motion of the lower leg in comparison to the upper leg.
Radiological exam – ACL
•MRI of the knee joint shows bone lesions or bruising associated with tears of the ACL. Injury is found in the typical location; middle of the femoral condyle and posterior part of the tibia laterally.
Posterior cruciate ligament tear (PCL)
•Common cause of injury is a bent knee hitting a dashboard in a car accident.
Tibial Sag Test –PCL knee exam
Quadriceps active test-PCL knee exam
•The examiner stabilizes the leg of the patient and then the patient is asked to actively contract the quadriceps muscle.
•The tibia is seen actively reduced from the posterior subluxed position.
Lachman’s test-PCL knee exam
•Knee is bent 20-30 degrees.
•The posterior drawer test is carried out while the patient is in a supine position and the knee is flexed to 90 degrees.
•The amount of translation of the tibia relative to the femur is observed.
The dial test is performed while the patient is in the supine or prone position and both knees are in 90 and 30 degrees of flexion. More than 10 degrees of external rotation indicates significant injury.
Common meniscal tears
Symptoms include
•Knee pain
•Pain with straightening the knee
•Swelling
•Locking
•Weakness

Aspergillosis is the name given to a wide variety of diseases caused by infection by fungi of the genus Aspergillus. The majority of cases occur in people with underlying illnesses such as tuberculosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but with otherwise healthy immune systems.

This is a brief overview of antifungal agents, their mechanisms of action, and some fungi that they affect.

Encopresis is a problem that children age four or older can develop due to chronic (long-term) constipation. With constipation, children have fewer bowel movements than normal, and the bowel movements they do have can be hard, dry, and difficult to pass. The child may avoid using the bathroom to avoid discomfort.

An antecedent upper respiratory infection is present in 50% of patients. Abdominal pain is a presenting symptom in 1 0-15% of patients. The skin lesions are symmetric, involve dependent parts of the body, and classically progress from an erythematous, macular rash to papular purpura. The joints and kidneys are also commonly involved

-Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis for mothers colonized with group B Streptococcus can prevent early-onset neonatal disease. Adequate prophylaxis consists of ampicillin, penicillin, or cefazolin for ;::4 hours before delivery. Regardless of intrapartum treatment, all high-risk infants must be observed for ;::49 hours. A complete blood count with differential and blood culture are indicated if the infant is preterm <37 weeks or was exposed to prolonged rupture of membranes.>18 hrs.

-Rectocele is a relatively common condition in older women and is characterized by the displacement of the rectum through posterior vaginal wall defect(s). The condition is typically caused by damage to the rectovaginal septum incurred during vaginal childbirth and is exacerbated by periodic increases in intraabdominal pressure (e.g., when laughing or coughing) and the effects of gravity. Women with symptomatic rectoceles who are poor surgical candidates may be treated with pessaries, which are structures designed to support the vaginal wall. Pessaries should only be used in conjunction with vaginal