The Catalyst

 Layers of the cornea: Epithelium (Stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium)  Bowman's membrane - Acellular; does not regenerate Stroma (Thickest layer) - The stroma can scar, but cannot regenerate Dua's layer (Newly discovered, toughest layer) Descemet's membrane- Ends peripherally as Schwalbe's ring; has regenerative potential Endothelium (Most metabolically active layer)- does not regenerate  The hydration level and transparency of the cornea is maintained mainly by the endothelial cells of the cornea. If the cornea becomes overhydrated, it begins to scatter light and gradually begins to lose its transparency Endothelium possesses Na+/K+ ATPase, which keeps the corneal stroma in a relatively dehydrated state. This helps in maintaining the transparency of the cornea. Endothelial cells decrease in number with age. Other factors contributing to the transparency of the cornea are as follows:  Regular arrangement of corneal lamellae ( Maurice theory ) Peculiar...

This is a score to determine the severity of pneumonia. The CURB-65 criteria include five variables(1 point for each variable): C onfusion Blood U rea Nitrogen (BUN) >7 mmol/L  R espiratory rate  ≥30/min B lood pressure, systolic ≤90 mmHg or diastolic  ≤60 mmHg Age ≥ 65 years. Management: 0 point: Treat as an outpatient 1 to 2 points: Admitted to the hospital ≥ 3 points: ICU admission Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia Score-0: The drug of choice is macrolides. Azithromycin 500mg OD or Clarithromycin 500mg BD or Doxycycline 100mg BD. Score 1: Treated with azithromycin 500mg OD+ ceftriaxone 2gm OD Respiratory quinolones (Levofloxacin) are not preferred. Score >2: Azithromycin 500mg OD+ Ceftriaxone 2gm IV OD and specific management. NOTE: In a modified version of the CURB-65, the criteria of blood urea nitrogen has been removed. This elimination removes the need for lab testing.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes glucose (a type of sugar) for energy. It is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack and destroy the insulin-producing cells (beta cells) in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Symptoms of T1DM include: Excessive thirst Frequent urination Hunger Fatigue Blurred vision Slow-healing cuts or sores Unexpected weight loss Diagnosis of T1DM is usually done through a combination of blood tests that measure blood sugar levels, glucose tolerance test and antibodies test. T1DM is treated by daily insulin injections or using an insulin pump. A balanced diet, regular physical activity and blood sugar monitoring are also important components of treatment. Complications of T1DM include: Cardiovascular disease Kidney damage Nerve damage Eye damage Foot damage It's important to note that T1DM cann...

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disorder that affects the motor neurons in the spinal cord , leading to muscle weakness and wasting. It is a progressive disorder that can range from mild to severe, and is caused by a mutation in the SMN1 gene , which provides instructions for making a protein essential for the survival of motor neurons. There are four types of SMA , classified by age of onset and severity: Type 1: Onset in the first 6 months of life, most severe form, and typically leads to death by 2 years of age Type 2: Onset between 7-18 months, moderate severity Type 3: Onset after 18 months, mildest form with individuals having the ability to walk Type 4: Onset in adulthood, least severe form with mild muscle weakness Common symptoms of SMA include: Decreased muscle tone and strength Difficulty with movements such as crawling, walking, head control, and breathing Muscle wasting and atrophy Breathing difficulties Scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine) Ther...

Rett syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that primarily affects girls and leads to severe impairments in language, communication, and motor skills. It is caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene , which provides instructions for making a protein involved in the regulation of brain function. The symptoms of Rett syndrome typically appear after the first 6-18 months of life and include: Regression of acquired skills such as crawling, walking, and hand use Loss of speech and purposeful hand movements Development of repetitive hand movements such as hand-wringing or hand-clapping Breathing irregularities , including apnea (breathing stops for short periods) Abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis) Intellectual disability and impaired social interaction There is currently no cure for Rett syndrome, and treatment is primarily supportive , aimed at managing symptoms and improving quality of life. This may include physical therapy, speech therapy, and medications to m...

Mallampatti classification is a system used to evaluate the visibility of the upper airway during laryngoscopy , which is a procedure used to visualize the vocal cords and upper airway. The classification system is based on the degree of visualization of the soft palate, uvula , and faucial pillars (the structures that support the back of the throat). There are four Mallampatti classes, with class I being the easiest to visualize and class IV being the most difficult . Mallampatti class I: The soft palate, uvula, and faucial pillars are easily visible. This class is considered to have the best airway visibility. Mallampatti class II: The soft palate, uvula, and faucial pillars are partially visible. Mallampatti class III: Only the soft palate is visible. This class is considered to have moderate airway visibility. Mallampatti class IV: The soft palate, uvula, and faucial pillars are not visible. This class is considered to have poor airway visibility. Mallampatti classificatio...