the preexaminus hyperstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system

Another little freak-out induced verse....

Endocrinology, i did study you so recently?
Did I memorize the hormones of the pituitary?
The pre, the pro, and the peptide hormones
Exist in the blood with carrier drones
Hypothalmus - Hypophysial conduits exist
But alas! Woe should the signals persist
For definitely will desensitization occur
If a cyclical release does not occur.

Gastroenterology, you were hard to ingest
With a plentitude of enzymes that were hard to digest
Peptic and duodenal ulcers you gave us
Which would have disappeared if we had cut some vagus
Liver function tests we mulled over
Until jaundiced, we keeled over.
Esophageal varices and bowel resections
Were enough to keep us transfixed to CT sections

Reproduction, you were an uphill battle
Seemingly easy but testing our mettle
Estrogen and testosterone were interesting and relatable
But perineals and episiotomies were definitely uncomfortable
Studying the changes during pregnancy and childbirth
Were probably the best contraceptive of all offered
But most disappointingly, all the sexual overtones
Have been converted to a case of raging hormones!

Urogenital, you seemed to bring some relief
But again the respite was brief
Since osmolality equations are fodder
For an ill-at-ease bladder
We learnt the components of the Juxtaglomerular apparatus
And found joy in the filtration of a glomerulus
But at the end of the day, years of learned urge detention
Isn't overcoming this intense sympathetic stimulation

a joke

Q: What do you call a group of medical students walking around?
A: Shifting dullness

Trick or Treat at KKH

1 November 2008

Twenty seven Duke-NUS GMS students dressed as everything from Count Dracula to chocolate gathered at KK Women's and Children's Hospital today.

The year I and II students were at KKH to bring the fun of Halloween, a popular American holiday that is equal parts spookiness and equal parts spoof, to the patients and staff of the hospital. At 1pm, the students started going around eight wards, led by Caroline Kong, the hospital's volunteer coordinator. They visited patients from bed to bed and also stationed themselves at the play areas of the wards. KKH's patients, who range in age from the newly born to adolescents, were entertained by the various activities organized by Duke-NUS students. The students face-painted, sculpted balloons, played board games and used hand puppets to tell stories. They also distributed treats, in modified "trick or treat" fashion, to the children. The gifts were varied and included different party sets, stationary, hats, games and toys.

Patients were piqued by the costumes worn by Duke-NUS students. Students found themselves asked to pose for pictures with children and their parents. Students' costumes were diverse and interesting; there were two pirates, a samurai warrior, three angels, two fairies, two devils, two karate kids, a kimono lady, a clown, a duck, M&M chocolates, a vampire couple, a gypsy, a clown, Superman, Little Red Riding Hood, Harry Potter and Michael Jackson. The duck mascot, worn by MSI, Nico Oey, was particularly popular among the children.

The event ended at 3pm. Duke-NUS students enjoyed the event tremendously and are currently planning to return to celebrate Christmas with KKH patients later this year.

Halloween celebration at KKH 2008

KKH Halloween Trick or Treat on 1 Nov 2008

Photobucket Album

Faculty Appreciation 2008

Faculty Appreciation Event on 24 Oct 2008

Photobucket Album

Happy International Polar Day!!

photo: Livia Monami

As some of you may know, the Arctic and Antarctic regions occupy a huge space in my happy heart. Find out more about International Polar Day here!: http://www.ipy.org.

Important learning point: the Arctic is more than just polar bears, ice shelves, global warming, and hot hunky Scandinavian men! (e.g. Kimi Raikkonen, who is going to dominate at this weekend's F1 race...) Did you know that there's a special sub-field of research called Arctic Health? Not only are most Arctic populations exposed to the brunt of anthropogenic pollution and UV radiation (resulting in a specific subset of illnesses that have typically been less-researched), a lot of indigenous minorities of the North have their own very basic and effective forms of traditional medicine that we can all learn a lot from. Since I know all of us enthusiastic, motivated, TGMS-loving physician-scientists-to-be are always eager to learn more about medically-related things, here is an online database resource where you can find articles and websites about health and healthcare in the Polar Regions: http://www.arctichealth.org. Just thought I'd put it out there. ;)

Happy Thursday too! xoxo

one more week!!!

the last week of molecules and cells!!! whoopeee!


‘Tis the end of molecules and cells
I will no longer want to pitch myself into a well
To bash my brain and crush my spine
Only to find out that my blood clots fine
Maybe a little CNS nerve damage anyone?
Number of nerves regenerated: None.
Perhaps an AMI or a stroke
Since I kept chugging them cokes.

One weekend of fun and rest we get
Oh wait! A test on Tuesday morning’s set
Ruining the appreciation of the pace
Of Singapore’s first ever night race
But for now, care not of all to come
And let’s get together and have some fun.

why bone cells are better people than us

have you ever wished that human beings were more like osteocytes? osteocytes are incredibly selfless and they really understand the value of working together for the good of everybody.

i mean, how brave do you have to be to volunteer yourself to just get trapped , away from all your osteoblast sisters and brothers, in the advancing bone matrix. it takes a lot of guts to be like, " okay so I will never get married or see any of you again but this bone needs osteocytes and it's gonna be me."

let's not even get into how generous you have to be to the the one of the lucky bone cells that are close to the edge and still have access to nutrients. you could just say " screw everyone , i 'm keeping my nutrients to myself " and let the brothers who are sacrifcing themslevs in the depths of bone matrix just die. But they don't do that; they share their brotherly love via gap junctions. it's touching really...

Nasogastric tubing pics

:)

riddle

Two grandmothers, with their two granddaughters,
Two husbands, with their two wives,
Two fathers, with their two daughters,
Two mothers, with their two sons,
Two maidens, with their two mothers,
Two sisters, with their two brothers,
Yet only six in all lie buried here,
All born legitimate, from incest clear.

Explain how this may be.

awww...i wove this wallpaper...its so cute! i approve