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Topic Review
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Schizotypal personality disorder (STPD), also known as schizotypal disorder, is a mental and behavioural disorder. DSM classification describes the disorder specifically as a personality disorder characterized by thought disorder, paranoia, a characteristic form of social anxiety, derealization, transient psychosis, and unconventional beliefs. People with this disorder feel pronounced discomfort in forming and maintaining social connections with other people, primarily due to the belief that other people harbour negative thoughts and views about them. Peculiar speech mannerisms and socially unexpected modes of dress are also characteristic. Schizotypal people may react oddly in conversations, not respond, or talk to themselves. They frequently interpret situations as being strange or having unusual meaning for them; paranormal and superstitious beliefs are common. Schizotypal people usually disagree with the suggestion their thoughts and behaviour are a 'disorder', and seek medical attention for depression or anxiety instead. Schizotypal personality disorder occurs in approximately 3% of the general population and is more common in males. The term "schizotype" was first coined by Sandor Rado in 1956 as an abbreviation of "schizophrenic phenotype". STPD is classified as a cluster A personality disorder, also known as the "odd or eccentric" cluster.
  • 1.9K
  • 07 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Problem Gambling
Problem gambling is an urge to gamble continuously despite negative consequences or a desire to stop. Problem gambling is often defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others, rather than by the gambler's behaviour. Severe problem gambling may be diagnosed as clinical pathological gambling if the gambler meets certain criteria. Pathological gambling is a common disorder that is associated with both social and family costs. The DSM-5 has re-classified the condition as an addictive disorder, with sufferers exhibiting many similarities to those who have substance addictions. The term gambling addiction has long been used in the recovery movement. Pathological gambling was long considered by the American Psychiatric Association to be an impulse control disorder rather than an addiction. However, data suggest a closer relationship between pathological gambling and substance use disorders than exists between PG and obsessive-compulsive disorder, largely because the behaviors in problem gambling and most primary substance use disorders (i.e. those not resulting from a desire to "self-medicate" for another condition such as depression) seek to activate the brain's reward mechanisms while the behaviors characterizing obsessive-compulsive disorder are prompted by overactive and misplaced signals from the brain's fear mechanisms. Problem gambling is an addictive behavior with a high comorbidity with alcohol problems. A common feature shared by people who suffer from gambling addiction is impulsivity.
  • 1.9K
  • 25 Nov 2022
Topic Review
FDA
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and is responsible for regulating food, dietary supplements, drugs, biological medical products, blood products, medical devices, radiation-emitting devices, veterinary products, and cosmetics in the United States.
  • 1.9K
  • 17 Oct 2022
Topic Review
The Banyan
The Banyan is a non-governmental organization based in Chennai, India was founded in 1993 by Vandana Gopikumar and Vaishnavi Jayakumar to cater to the mentally ill and homeless women in the city. This includes emergency care and critical time interventions offered across 2 hospital based settings, and one shelter for homeless persons with psychosocial disabilities, operated in collaboration with the Corporation of Chennai, reaching out to 162 individuals in distress at any given point of time. Over 3400 individuals have accessed these services since 1993. The Banyan's NALAM programme offers well-being oriented outpatient clinics and community based mental health care in both urban and rural areas. These clinics provide free of charge and mental health and social care services, address distress, common mental disorders and severe mental disorders. They are offered across 15 service access points, reaching out to a population of approximately 7 lakhs. NALAM has reached out to over 10,000 individuals and has a current active registry of 2000 individuals. For those who experience high support needs, The Banyan offers a range of inclusive living options, over 200 individuals with moderate to severe mental health issues, today live in communities & homelike environments with supportive services across 6 districts in 3 States (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra). The Banyan's sister organisation was founded in 2007. BALM uses capacity building, education programmes (diploma, masters’, and PhD programmes) in collaboration with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), research, collaborative work (with civil society organisations, local governments, disability movements, mental health user-caregiver groups, and Central and State Government) and construction of think tanks, as strategies to influence progressive policies and plans.
  • 1.9K
  • 18 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Transgender Hormone Therapy (Female-to-Male)
Transgender hormone therapy of the masculinizing type, also known as transmasculine hormone therapy, or female-to-male (or FTM) hormone therapy, is a form of hormone therapy and gender affirming therapy which is used to change the secondary sexual characteristics of transgender people from feminine or androgynous to masculine. It is a type of transgender hormone therapy (another being male-to-female), and is predominantly used to treat transgender men and other transmasculine individuals. Some intersex people also receive this form of therapy, either starting in childhood to confirm the assigned sex or later if the assignment proves to be incorrect. The purpose of this form of therapy is to cause the development of the secondary sex characteristics of the desired sex, such as voice deepening and a masculine pattern of hair, fat, and muscle distribution. It cannot undo many of the changes produced by naturally occurring puberty, which may necessitate surgery and other treatments to reverse. The medications used for FTM therapy include, mainly, androgens (namely testosterone) and GnRH analogues. While the therapy cannot undo the effects of a person's first puberty, developing secondary sex characteristics associated with a different sex can relieve some or all of the distress and discomfort associated with gender dysphoria, and can help the person to "pass" or be seen as the gender they identify with. Introducing exogenous hormones into the body impacts it at every level and many patients report changes in energy levels, mood, appetite, etc. The goal of the therapy, and indeed all somatic treatments, is to provide patients with a more satisfying body that is more congruent with their gender identity.
  • 1.9K
  • 26 Oct 2022
Topic Review
TILs in rabbit mammary carcinomas
Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are key components of the tumor microenvironment that mediate the anti-tumor immune response. In breast cancer of humans, TILs represent prognostic and predictive biomarkers. For their standardized evaluation in routinely (hematoxylin and eosin) stained tissue sections, international guidelines exist. Recently, TILs have also been analyzed in pet rabbit mammary carcinomas according to these international guidelines. Results of the study on rabbit mammary carcinomas showed a statistically significant association between higher TIL numbers in stromal TIL hotspot areas and microscopic parameters indicative of a better tumor differentiation, i.e. decreased mitotic count, lower histological tumor grade and higher percentage of calponin positive tumor cells. These findings suggest that in rabbit mammary carcinomas TIL hotspot areas may exert an influence on the biological behavior of these tumors. The present study contributes to comparative pathology. In addition, it provides the basis for further investigations into the impact of TILs on clinical parameters of pet rabbit mammary carcinomas.
  • 1.8K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Self-Assembling Peptide
Self-assembling peptides are biomedical materials with unique structures that are formed in response to various environmental conditions. Governed by their physicochemical characteristics, the peptides can form a variety of structures with greater reactivity than conventional non-biological materials. The structural divergence of self-assembling peptides allows for various functional possibilities; when assembled, they can be used as scaffolds for cell and tissue regeneration, and vehicles for drug delivery, conferring controlled release, stability, and targeting, and avoiding side effects of drugs. These peptides can also be used as drugs themselves.  We describe the self-assembling peptide sequences and resultant nanostructures used for disease treatments. 
  • 1.8K
  • 30 Jul 2020
Topic Review
Fluoroquinolones-Associated Disability
Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics within the United States. FQs are typically included in the treatment protocols of several illnesses such as urinary tract infections, bacterial bronchitis, bacterial gastroenteritis and other infectious diseases. However, it is clear now that FQs lead to severe, long-lasting side effects that require further investigation to ensure better disease management.
  • 1.8K
  • 21 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Artemisia Extracts and Artemisinin-Based Antimalarials for COVID-19 Management
Artemisia annua (“sweet wormwood”, “qinghao”), a member of the Asteraceae family, has been traditionally used safely over the centuries to treat a variety of fevers, and notably, ‘‘intermittent fevers” and chills-related conditions, including respiratory tract infections. It also exhibit positive effects against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and COVID-19 related symptoms. A. annua is a source of artemisinin, which is active against malaria, and also exhibits potential to fight against the SARS-CoV-2 infection by inhibiting its invasion, and replication, as well as reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, and mitigating lung damage.
  • 1.8K
  • 07 Jul 2022
Topic Review
The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA)
The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA) is an open-access database of medical images for cancer research. The site is funded by the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Imaging Program, and the contract is operated by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Data within the archive is organized into collections which typically share a common cancer type and/or anatomical site. The majority of the data consists of CT, MRI, and nuclear medicine (e.g. PET) images stored in DICOM format, but many other types of supporting data are also provided or linked to, in order to enhance research utility. All data are de-identified in order to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and National Institutes of Health data sharing policies. TCIA resources are intended to support: TCIA is recognized as a recommended repository for Nature Scientific Data, PLOS One, and F1000Research. It is also listed in the Registry of Research Data Repositories.
  • 1.8K
  • 02 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Resistance in Uganda
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a phenomenon where bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses that previously were responsive to medicines evolve to become less or unresponsive to these treatments, increasing the risk of disease spread, treatment failure, severe illness and sometimes death. 
  • 1.8K
  • 29 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a hematopoetic growth factor that is released in response to infection or inflammation to stimulate hematopoetic stem cells to proliferate and generate colonies of differentiated neutrophils. In the therapeutic setting major applications of administration of recombinant G-CSG include: 1) treatment of cyclic and chronic neutropenias; 2) attenuation of the magnitude and duration of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in cancer patients and 3) mobilization of hematopoetic progenitor cells into peripheral blood to be harvested for stem cell transplantation.
  • 1.8K
  • 02 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) refers to the use of a portable device that generates pulsed electrical currents that are delivered across the intact surface of the skin via conducting electrodes to stimulate peripheral nerves. 
  • 1.8K
  • 25 Apr 2021
Topic Review
UCLA-VA Multi-campus PM&R Residency Program
UCLA-VA Multi-campus PM&R Residency Program is an ACGME-accredited residency program in physical medicine and rehabilitation based in Los Angeles , California . With four clinical fellows in pain medicine and 26 PM&R residents enrolled in the program, it is one of the largest PM&R residency programs in the West Coast and one of a handful of PM&R programs in the U.S. to have its own pain medicine fellowship program.
  • 1.8K
  • 03 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1AD or AATD) is a genetic disorder that may result in lung disease or liver disease. Onset of lung problems is typically between 20 and 50 years old. This may result in shortness of breath, wheezing, or an increased risk of lung infections. Complications may include COPD, cirrhosis, neonatal jaundice, or panniculitis. A1AD is due to a mutation in the SERPINA1 gene that results in not enough alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT). Risk factors for lung disease include cigarette smoking and environmental dust. The underlying mechanism involves unblocked neutrophil elastase and build up of abnormal A1AT in the liver. It is autosomal co-dominant, meaning that one defective allele tends to result in milder disease than two defective alleles. The diagnosis is suspected based on symptoms and confirmed by blood tests or genetic tests. Treatment of lung disease may include bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, and when infections occur antibiotics. Intravenous infusions of the A1AT protein or in severe disease lung transplantation may also be recommended. In those with severe liver disease liver transplantation may be an option. Avoiding smoking is recommended. Vaccination for influenza, pneumococcus, and hepatitis is also recommended. Life expectancy among those who smoke is 50 years old while among those who do not smoke it is almost normal. The condition affects about 1 in 2,500 people of Europeans descent. Severe deficiency occurs in about 1 in 5,000. In Asians it is uncommon. About 3% of people with COPD are believed to have the condition. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency was first described in the 1960s.
  • 1.8K
  • 11 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Bioeffects of Piezoelectric Materials and Piezoelectric Nanomaterials
Piezoelectric materials have emerged as promising candidates for medical applications due to their unique piezoelectric properties, which enable stress-induced electric activation and can be triggered by external mechanical sources. Piezoelectric nanomaterials, which can be standalone materials or composites, exhibit unique physical properties such as electric field strength and dielectric constant, biological properties such as targeting and biocompatibility, chemical properties of composition and stability, etc. 
  • 1.8K
  • 16 May 2023
Topic Review
September 5: Rudolf Virchow Died
Rudolf Ludwig Carl Virchow (13 October 1821 – 5 September 1902) was a renowned German physician, pathologist, anthropologist, and statesman, widely celebrated as the "Father of Modern Pathology." Born in Schivelbein, Prussia (now Świdwin, Poland), he revolutionized medicine by establishing that diseases originate at the cellular level, famously declaring that "every cell arises from another existing cell." Beyond his scientific achievements, Virchow was a dedicated public health reformer and politician, advocating for social medicine and significantly improving Berlin's sanitation systems. He passed away in Berlin at the age of 80.
  • 1.8K
  • 05 Sep 2025
Topic Review
Lens (Anatomy)
The lens, or crystalline lens is a transparent biconvex structure in the eye that, along with the cornea, helps to refract light to be focused on the retina. By changing shape, it functions to change the focal length of the eye so that it can focus on objects at various distances, thus allowing a sharp real image of the object of interest to be formed on the retina. This adjustment of the lens is known as accommodation (see also below). Accommodation is similar to the focusing of a photographic camera via movement of its lenses. The lens is flatter on its anterior side than on its posterior side. In humans, the refractive power of the lens in its natural environment is approximately 18 dioptres, roughly one-third of the eye's total power.
  • 1.8K
  • 21 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Obliterative Bronchiolitis
Obliterative bronchiolitis (OB), also known as constrictive bronchiolitis and popcorn lung, is a disease that results in obstruction of the smallest airways of the lungs (bronchioles) due to inflammation. Symptoms include a dry cough, shortness of breath, wheezing and feeling tired. These symptoms generally get worse over weeks to months. It is not related to cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, previously known as bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia. Causes include breathing in toxic fumes, respiratory infections, connective tissue disorder or complications following a bone marrow or heart-lung transplant. Symptoms may not occur until two to eight weeks following toxic exposure or infection. The underlying mechanism involves inflammation that results in scar tissue formation. Diagnosis is by CT scan, pulmonary function tests or lung biopsy. A chest X-ray is often normal. While the disease is not reversible, treatments can slow further worsening. This may include the use of corticosteroids or immunosuppressive medication. A lung transplant may be offered. Outcomes are often poor, with most people dying in months to years. Obliterative bronchiolitis is rare in the general population. It, however, affects about 75% of people by ten years following a lung transplant and up to 10% of people who have received a bone marrow transplant from someone else. The condition was first clearly described in 1981. Prior descriptions occurred as early as 1956, with the term "bronchiolitis obliterans" used first by Reynaud in 1835.
  • 1.8K
  • 03 Nov 2022
Topic Review
C5 Complement Pathway
Complement 5 (C5) protein, the cleavage of which is mediated by the serine proteases C5 convertases to generate two different fragments: C5a, which is a potent chemoattractant and pro-inflammatory modulator, and C5b, which initiates the formation of MAC, mediating cell lysis and triggering inflammation.
  • 1.8K
  • 27 Apr 2021
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