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Question 1
Incorrect
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When the heart rate is increased (to pathological levels) which of the following is correct when comparing the duration of diastole to systole?
Your Answer: It is lengthened to a greater degree
Correct Answer: It is shortened to a greater degree
Explanation:The duration of systole is more fixed than the duration of diastole. When the heart rate increases the timing of the systole remains more or less the same however diastole decreases.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 2
Incorrect
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The layers of the neocortex from the 1st to the 6th are arranged as follows:
Your Answer: None of the above
Correct Answer: Molecular, external granular, external pyramidal, internal granular, internal pyramidal, multiform
Explanation:The layers of neocortex from outermost to innermost include: the molecular, external granular layer, external pyramidal, internal granular, internal pyramidal and multiform layer.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Neurology
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Question 3
Incorrect
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A 25-year-old woman presented to the ED with carbon monoxide poisoning. High-flow oxygen was administered immediately. She had a GCS of 15 and her vitals were stable. Which one of the following is not an indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy in this scenario?
Your Answer: Extrapyramidal features
Correct Answer: A carboxyhaemoglobin concentration of 16%
Explanation:Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, considered as the great imitator of other diseases, as the patients present with a myriad of symptoms. The carbon monoxide diffuses rapidly across the pulmonary capillary membrane binding to the haem molecule with a very high affinity (240 times that of oxygen) forming carboxy-haemoglobin (COHb). Non-smokers have a baseline COHb of ,3% while smokers have a baseline COHb of 10-15%.Use of Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for treatment of mild to moderate CO poisoning is not routine.The selection criteria for HBOT in cases of CO poisoning include:• COHb levels > 20-25%• COHb levels > 20% in pregnant patient • Loss of consciousness• Severe metabolic acidosis (pH <7.1)• Evidence of end-organ ischemia (e.g., ECG changes, chest pain, or altered mental status)Principle of HBOT:Exposing patients to 100 percent oxygen under supra-atmospheric conditions results in a decrease in the half-life (t1/2) of COHb, from , 90 min in atmospheric air to , 30 minutes. The amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood also rises from , 0.3 to 6 mL/dL, increasing the delivery of non-haemoglobin-bound oxygen to the tissues.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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Question 4
Incorrect
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Which of the following makes up the thick filaments in muscle fibers?
Your Answer: Actin
Correct Answer: Myosin
Explanation:The thick filaments are made up of myosin and the thin filaments are made up of actin. The thick filaments are twice the size of the thin filaments and are aligned to form the A band. The thin filaments extending out from the A band form the less dense I bands.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 5
Correct
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Where does protein digestion begin?
Your Answer: Stomach
Explanation:Digestion typically begins in the stomach when pepsinogen is converted to pepsin by the action of hydrochloric acid, and continued by trypsin and chymotrypsin in the small intestine.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 6
Correct
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Where does the pituitary gland lie?
Your Answer: In a pocket of the sphenoid bone at the base of the brain
Explanation:The pituitary lies in a small depression in the sphenoid bone, known as the sella turcica or Turkish saddle.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 7
Incorrect
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A 64 year old woman who is of Asian descent and is diabetic (controlled by diet) presents with generalized body aches and difficulty rising from sitting for the last few months. Her blood glucose levels are in the normal range. Lab examination reveals normal blood cell count, low serum phosphate, calcium at the lower range, and raised alkaline phosphatase levels. Radiological examination shows which of the following?
Your Answer: Increased bone density
Correct Answer: Linear areas of low density
Explanation:Osteomalacia is a condition due to defective mineralization of osteoid. Occurs as a result of Vitamin D deficiency secondary to poor dietary intake and sun exposure, malabsorption e.g., inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal bypass surgery. Radiological findings include reduced bone mineral density (a non specific finding), inability to radiologically distinguish vertebral body trabeculae (the film appears poor quality), looser pseudo fractures, fissures, or narrow radiolucent lines (these are the characteristic findings). Osteolytic or punched out lesions may be seen with multiple myeloma and bony metastases. Areas of sclerosis may be observed with conditions like osteosclerosis and Paget disease. A Brodie abscess is a subacute osteomyelitis, which may persist for years before progressing to a chronic, frank osteomyelitis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Connective Tissue
- Medicine
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Question 8
Correct
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When during the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?
Your Answer: S phase
Explanation:The S phase is known as the synthesis phase. During this phase DNA will begin to replicated, as well as the synthesis of the centrosomes and associated proteins.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
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Question 9
Incorrect
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The nucleus ambiguus:
Your Answer: All of the above
Correct Answer: Regulates swallowing, phonation and parasympathetic supply to the heart via CN IX, X and XI
Explanation:Nucleus Ambiguus is a group of large motor neurons found deep in the medullary reticular formation. It contains cell bodies of nerves that are responsible for the innervation of muscles of speech and swallowing which are located in the soft palate, pharynx and larynx. Additionally, it contains cholinergic preganglionic parasympathetic neurons of the heart via CN X, IX and XI
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Neurology
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Question 10
Correct
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Transport of Ca2+ into the reticulum to initiate cardiac muscle relaxation in via:
Your Answer: Serca (sarcoplasmic or endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase)
Explanation:Phosphorylation of phospholamban, which increases calcium ATPase activity and sequestration of calcium in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. An increased rate of relaxation is explained because cAMP also activates the protein phospholamban, situated on the membrane of the SR, that controls the rate of uptake of calcium into the SR. The latter effect explains enhanced relaxation (lusitropic effect).
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 11
Incorrect
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Nitric oxide triggers vascular smooth muscle contraction through activation of which enzyme?
Your Answer: Protein kinase a
Correct Answer: Guanylyl cyclase
Explanation:Impaired production or excess catabolism of NO impairs this endothelium-dependent vasodilator function and may contribute to excessive vasoconstriction under various pathological situations.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 12
Incorrect
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After eating a meal containing a moderate amount of fat, which percentage of fat is likely to be absorbed from the GIT in an adult?
Your Answer: 75%
Correct Answer: 95%
Explanation:About 95% of dietary fat is absorbed.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 13
Correct
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Cell membrane proteins may act as:
Your Answer: All of the options
Explanation:Membrane proteins perform a variety of functions including:Membrane receptor proteins relay or carry signals between the cell’s internal and external environments.Transport proteins move molecules and ions (ionic channels) across the membrane. Membrane enzymes may have many activities, such as oxidoreductase, transferase or hydrolase andCell adhesion molecules
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 14
Correct
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A 34 year old female presents to the clinic with skin tightness. On examination she has sclerodactyly, thickened skin of the shoulders and bi-basal crepitations. Her HRCT chest shows ground glass changes. Raynaud phenomenon is suspected and she is started on a monthly dose of IV cyclophosphamide (1 gm/month) for 6 months and a daily dose of 10 mg of oral prednisolone. However, she returned over a period of few weeks after developing exertional dyspnoea, pedal oedema and feeling unwell. On examination, JVP is raised, there is marked pedal oedema and bi basal crepitations on chest auscultation. Urine dipstick shows haematuria (++) and proteinuria (++). What in your opinion is the most likely cause of her deteriorating renal function?
Your Answer: Scleroderma renal crisis
Explanation:Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) is a rare but severe complication in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). It is characterized by malignant hypertension, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia with schistocytes and oligo/anuric acute renal failure. SRC occurs in 5% of patients with systemic scleroderma, particularly in the first years of disease evolution and in the diffuse form. Patients may develop symptoms of fluid overload.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Connective Tissue
- Medicine
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Question 15
Correct
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The right border of the heart corresponds to which line on the surface of the chest?
Your Answer: Line drawn from the 3rd right costal cartilage to the 6th right costal cartilage
Explanation:The right border corresponds to a line drawn from the 3rd right costal cartilage to the 6th right costal cartilage; this border is slightly convex to the right.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 16
Incorrect
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In the olfactory pathway: Mitral cells project to five regions of the olfactory cortex. Which one of the following is not one of the five regions?
Your Answer: Piriform cortex
Correct Answer: Posterior olfactory nucleus
Explanation:The olfactory system contains peripheral and central divisions which are connected by transduction structures. Peripheral division consists mainly of the nostrils, ethmoid bone, nasal cavity, and the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory neurons are receptor cells in the epithelium that detect odour molecules dissolved in the mucus and transmit information about the odour to the brain in a process called sensory transduction. Olfactory nerves and fibers transmit information about odours from the peripheral olfactory system to the central olfactory system of the brain. The main olfactory bulb transmits pulses to both mitral and tufted cells, which help determine odour concentration. These cells also note differences between highly similar odours and use that data to aid in later recognition. The cells are different with the mitral having low firing-rates and being easily inhibited by neighbouring cells, while tufted have high rates of firing and are more difficult to inhibit. The uncus houses the olfactory cortex which includes the piriform cortex, amygdala, olfactory tubercle, and para-hippocampal gyrus. Entorhinal cortex is an area of middle temporal lobe that has connection with the para-hippocampal gyrus.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Neurology
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Question 17
Incorrect
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Nucleic acids are split into nucleotides in the:
Your Answer: Stomach
Correct Answer: Intestine
Explanation:The pancreas is the major source for all the digestive enzymes including nucleases which split nucleic acids into nucleotides primarily in the small intestine.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Metabolism
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Question 18
Incorrect
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During bone growth-the epiphysis are separated from the diaphysis by actively proliferating cartilage known as:
Your Answer: None of the above
Correct Answer: Epiphysial plate
Explanation:The epiphysial plate, physis, or growth plate, is a hyaline cartilage plate located near the ends of long bones; it consists of growing tissue. It is found in children and teenagers; in adults, it is replaced by an epiphysial line or epiphysial closure. The epiphysial plate is divided into zones: zone of reserve, proliferation, maturation and hypertrophy, calcification, and ossification.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 19
Correct
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Which one of the following will increase an individual’s appetite?
Your Answer: Ghrelin
Explanation:Ghrelin is a hormone which exerts a strong influence on hunger and energy balance. It helps regulate appetite by being secreted when the stomach is empty, to stimulate hunger. When the stomach is filled, its secretion stops.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 20
Correct
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Question 21
Correct
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Vasodilatation in skeletal muscle can be caused by:
Your Answer: Sympathetic cholinergic nerves
Explanation:In skeletal muscles some fibers that cause vasodilation run with the nerves of the sympathetic system but are cholinergic in nature. These nerves are not active during rest but become active during exercise and stress.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 22
Correct
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A 32 year old complains of pain in her hands bilaterally. Which of the following symptoms would point towards an inflammatory joint disease such as rheumatoid arthritis?
Your Answer: Marked stiffness for more than an hour in the mornings
Explanation:In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), clinical symptoms of joint stiffness, pain, and functional disability are commonly most severe in the early morning. These symptoms closely follow the circadian rhythm of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-6. In RA, the increase in nocturnal anti-inflammatory cortisol secretion is insufficient to suppress ongoing inflammation, resulting in the morning symptoms characteristic of RA. Established diagnostic criteria for RA include prolonged morning stiffness that could last up to an hour. Loss of joint mobility, pain, malaise and swelling of finger joints are features that are not specific to rheumatoid arthritis, and are found in many other conditions.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Connective Tissue
- Medicine
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Question 23
Correct
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Choose the correct answer: The cerebrocerebellum…
Your Answer: All options are correct
Explanation:Cerebrocerebellum is comprised of two lateral regions, the cerebellar hemispheres and communicates with the cerebral cortex. It is principally responsible for controlling coordination of movement. Three fiber bundles carry the input and output of the cerebellum. There are three cerebellar peduncles with different connections and functions. The three are mainly, superior, middle and inferior. The superior cerebellar peduncle is also known as the “Brachium conjunctivum”. It predominantly contains efferent fibers from the cerebellar nuclei, as well as some afferents from the spinocerebellar tract. The efferent pathways include cerebellorubral, dentatothalamic, and fastigioreticular fibers. These are tracts projecting from the deep cerebellar nuclei to the thalamus and red nucleus. The middle cerebellar peduncle connects to the pontine nucleus and the dorsal spinocerebellar tracts run through the superior cerebellar peduncle
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Neurology
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Question 24
Correct
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The hepatic portal vein is a large vessel formed by which of the following veins?
Your Answer: All of the above
Explanation:The portal vein is usually formed by the confluence of the superior mesenteric and splenic veins and also receives blood from the inferior mesenteric, gastric, and cystic veins.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Hepatobiliary
- Medicine
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Question 25
Correct
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A 20-year-old male presented to the clinic with a long term history of pins and needles sensation in both hands. He also has prognathism. He also gives a history of recent onset right upper quadrant pain after being started on a new medication for his condition. Which of the following medications acting on his endocrine system can be responsible for this adverse effect?
Your Answer: Octreotide
Explanation:The patient (known case of acromegaly) seems to have developed cholelithiasis (presenting with right upper quadrant pain) probably due to octreotide.It is a long-acting analogue of somatostatin which is released from D cells of the pancreas and inhibits the release of growth hormone, glucagon, and insulin.Uses- Acute treatment of variceal haemorrhage- Acromegaly- Carcinoid syndrome- Prevent complications following pancreatic surgery- VIPomas- Refractory diarrhoeaAdverse effectsGallstones (secondary to biliary stasis)Other options:- Bromocriptine – a dopamine agonist with side effects arising from its stimulation of the brain vomiting centre.- Desmopressin – predominantly used in patients with diabetes insipidus by increasing the presence of aquaporin channels in the distal collecting duct to increase water reabsorption from the kidneys. The main side effects include headache and facial flushing due to hypertension.- Metformin – mainly reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis in patients with type 2 diabetes, common side effects include diarrhoea, vomiting, and lactic acidosis- Levothyroxine – synthetic thyroxine used in patients with hypothyroidism, common side effects result from incorrect dosing and mimic the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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Question 26
Correct
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In the presence of oxygen , lactate that was produced under anaerobic conditions is converted to:
Your Answer: Pyruvate
Explanation:Lactate can be used in two ways:Oxidation back to pyruvate by well-oxygenated muscle cells, heart cells, and brain cells. Pyruvate is then directly used to fuel the Krebs cycle orConversion to glucose via gluconeogenesis in the liver and release back into circulation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 27
Correct
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A 16 year old previously well male presents with a 4 day history of fever, lethargy and a generalized macular rash. There is no significant previous medical history and the patient has not travelled abroad either. Vitals are as follows: Temp: 38.5BP: 125/75mmHgPulse: 100/min On auscultation the chest was clear and no heart murmur was heard. Examination also reveals a non blanching widespread macular rash over the chest and abdomen. There is swelling of interphalangeal joints of both hands and feet associated with mild tenderness. Lymph nodes are palpable over the supraclavicular, axillary and inguinal areas. Abdominal examination reveals palpable mass on both right and left hypochondrium. Lab results are given below:Haemoglobin (Hb) 13.5 g/dlWhite cell count (WCC) 14.0 × 109/lPlatelets 380 × 109/lSodium 145 mmol/lPotassium 4.8 mmol/lCreatinine 89 μmol/lRheumatoid factor NegativeAntinuclear antibody NegativeAnti-dsDNA NegativeASO titre Not detectedElectrocardiogram (ECG) Sinus rhythmWhat is the most likely underlying diagnosis?
Your Answer: Systemic Still’s disease
Explanation:People with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (also known as Stills disease) can have recurrent fevers, a macular rash, joint pain, joint deformities, an enlarged liver and/or spleen, and can occasionally have polyserositis, lung involvement or pericardial effusions. Rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibodies are usually negative. Treatment is with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the prognosis is better than for adult rheumatoid arthritis.In pauciarticular Still’s disease, antinuclear antibodies are present. Large joints are affected and most patients develop classic features of seronegative spondylarthritis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Connective Tissue
- Medicine
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Question 28
Correct
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A patient has been diagnosed with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and is currently bring treated with rifampicin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide. He is commenced on streptomycin.Which among the following is the most likely neurological side-effect of streptomycin?
Your Answer: Vestibular damage
Explanation:Vestibular damage is a neurological side effect of streptomycin.Streptomycin is an aminoglycoside bactericidal antibiotic. It is used in the treatment of tularaemia and resistant mycobacterial infections.The most common neurological side-effect is vestibular damage leading to vertigo and vomiting. Cochlear damage is less frequent and results in deafness. Other side-effects include rashes, angioneurotic oedema, and nephrotoxicity.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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Question 29
Correct
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The rate of depolarisation of the sinus node membrane potential is modulated by all the following except:
Your Answer: Cardiac output
Explanation:Cardiac output has no effect on the depolarization of the pacemaker potential of the heart.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 30
Correct
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Choose the most correct missing words to complete the statement: A portion of circulating growth hormone is bound to the ____ receptor and activates the ____ pathway that mediates its effect.
Your Answer: Growth hormone receptor (extracellular domain), jak 2stat
Explanation:The growth hormone receptor is a transmembrane protein involved in the STATs, MAPK and PI3-kinase/Akt pathways. The JAK-STAT signalling pathway is activated by different ligands, such as growth hormone, interferon and interleukin. This pathway is involved in the expression of genes associated with oncogenesis, immunity, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Errors in these pathways can produce leukaemia’s and other myeloproliferative disorders.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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