Casefile 19: Killer fats

(OMG. This is our 21st post! Ah, it's our last graded post! Woot! :D)

Hello! I've been absent for a week. I hope you didn't miss me. :p

Anyway, yeah, every girl or woman is scared of fats!!! It makes you fat and ugly!!! :( But what happens to fats in our body? I'm sure all of you know that lipases digest our scary fats. Ok, let's continue from my previous posts. I've done amylases, I've done proteases, so now... lipases!

So what happens if we have too little lipases?

1. HEART ATTACK
Lipases digest fats. Without lipases, fats cannot be digested and may clog blood vessels! This leads to high blood cholesterol! Anyway, eating too much saturated fats and TRANSFATS can put too much pressure on lipases that they cannot handle! This is equivalent to lipase deficiency! The result? Heart attack!

Woah, why does so many things lead to heart attack? So scary! No wonder people always say that life is fragile and vulnerable! Treasure all that you have! Who knows who will be gone tomorrow! Touch wood! :p

2. DIABETES
Lipases control the permeability of the cell membrane. So, a lack of lipases will cause the membrane to go haywire. It'll become impermeable, so nutrients cannot enter and wastes cannot leave the cell! Argh! Imagine all the wastes clogging up in your cells!! EWWWW! :/

Anyway, the same thing happens to diabetic patients, 'cos their kidneys cannot function and clear wastes properly. So, diabetic people usually have lipase deficiency!

3. MUSCLE SPASM
Do you know that Heather had muscle spasm during OBS? Well, if you didn't, now you know. :p

Anyway, a VERY COMMON symptom of lipase deficiency is muscle spasm! A deficiency of lipase triggers off severe pain in your muscles, causing your muscles to contract, and hence you can neither sit nor stand still, and cannot stop trembling. It's scary. It's just like having fits, and it can be fatal!!! o.O (Heather could have died? TOUCH WOOD.)

Note: If you experience such cases, doctors often advise patients to take muscle relaxant drugs. BUT!! They are toxic!!! So, maybe adding some lipase to your diet may help. :))))

Foods high in lipase are:

1. Fresh avocado

Fresh!

2. Coconut flesh

Milky!

3. Raw animal fats e.g. marinated fish
Whee!

4. Cream
Ahhh! Italian Ice Cream!

5. Butter
Lamb: Maa..a.aaa...

6. Egg yolk
Twins!

Mmmmm... Don't they look delicious?? :D

As lipase is a water-soluble enzyme, these foods high in lipase must retain their water. Hence it'll be best if they're eaten in their original form (haha, then i won't suggest you to eat raw meat, unless you want to. :p).

Love,

Detective CxY.

http://squarehe.com/images/0603/raw-meat.jpg
http://harrygow.com/capaldis/graphics/front_pic2.jpg
http://www.rachelleb.com/images/2004_04_09/lamb_shaped_butter.jpg
http://www.siber-den.net/photos/2004egg/egg.jpg
http://www.onsushi.com/images/avocado.jpg
http://www.deliciousorganics.com/images/coconut.jpg

Case file 18: Marasmus

ESS tests are OVER and done with! OK back to BIO =) (diff font colour!!!!)


Today, lets talk about Marasmus. Marasmus is a form of severe protein-energy malnutrion, something like Kwashiorkor, caused mostly by prolonged calorie deficiency and energy deficiency. BUT, don't go start bingeing yet, because, Marasum occurrence increases prior to age 1 - which i doubt u are, if u are reading this blog. Marasmus, together with Kwashiorkkor and marasmic KW represent a group of pathologic conditions associated with a nutritional and energy deficit occuring mainly in young children from develping countries.


Infants suffering from Marasmus usually have a shrunken wasted appearance - dry skin, loose skin folds hanging over the glutei (simply put, ur BUTT muscles ), axillae (underams haha), etc. Drastic loss of adipose tissue from normal areas of fat deposits like buttocks and thighs. The afflicted are often fretful, irritable, and voraciously hungry. There may be alternate bands of pigmented and depigmented hair (flag sign), or flaky paint appearnace of skin due to peeling. Chronic diarrhea is also a frequent symptom.


Marasmus can also cause the amount of fat in the body to be severely decreased. In fact fat stores can be decreased to as low as 5% of the total body weight. And this remaining fat is usually stored in the liver (insulation??) so not much of it can actually be seen. In serious cases, the protein mass can decrease up to 30% (protein mass is usually found in the muscle and some organs). Organs that are affected primarily first are the - liver, heart, pancreas, and digestive tract.


The loss in weight and muscle mass because of Marasmus will inadvertly result in decrease in energy expenditure - impairing the response of sufferers to changes in the temperature, increasing risks of hypothermia


To diagnose Marasums, doctors may conduct physical examintation and a health histroy that probes eating habits and weight changes and assess the nutritional status. Nutritional status can be derived by comparing heigha nd weight to standardised norms, calculating BMI and measuring skindfold thickness or the circumference of the upper arm. A good nutritional and balanced diet in the long run is the only way to treat and prevent Marasmus. But in severe cases, three stages of treatment may be needed:

1. correcting fluid and electrolyte imbalances, treating infection with anti biotics that don't affect protein synthesis and addressing related medical problems.
2. replenishing essential nutrients slowly to prevent taxing the patient's weakened system by too much food
3. physical therapy may be beneficial to patients whose muscles have deteriorated significantly.


Marasmus is very common in less developed countries because of the poverty. Thus, many people cannot afford proper medical healthcare, or even the food. In all honesty, this has been one of the saddest diseases i have researched on so far. The children do not deserve this, and we should do something to help, even if its only on a monetary basis. (oops, did i go off topic?? sry!! )
marasmus in a 3 mth old baby.

prof. chia

Casefile 17: Azorean Disease

Hi, ready for another one of Dr. Kelly's loooong lectures? Haha, I was looking through this list of diseases and came upon this one with a funny name (actually most diseases have weird names). It's called Azorean disease. Beriberi sounds fruity and this one sounds exotic don't you think so?

This name actually originated from the name, Azores, for a group of nine Portugese islands where the disease is more common. It causes impaired brain functioning, vision problems and loss of muscle control. This disease has other names too, like: Machado-Joseph disease, Joseph disease, and spinocerebellar ataxia type III, but I think Azorean is still the best :)

Azorean disease can be classified into 3 types according to the age of onset and also the specific physical syptoms. Type 1: the age of onset is usually before 25 and the person experiences extreme muscle stiffness and rigidity. Type 2: the age of onset is in the mid-30s and the person loses the ability to coordinate muscles, resulting in the inability to walk (aww...wheelchair bound). Type 3: the age of onset is 40 or later and the main symptoms are weakness and the loss of sensation in the legs.

The symptoms of Azorean disease is actually caused by loss of brain cells and the impairment of neurological connections in the brain and spinal cord. All these are believed to be caused by the production of a destructive protein from a mutated gene (haha, reminds me of X-men), aren't all these chim???

Azorean disease is actually inherited from one parent, we can say it's inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Each gene in the human body is made up of units called nucleotides, abbreviated C (cytosine), A, T and C (you had better know the rest:D). Azorean syndrome is caused by a genetic mutation that results in the over-duplication of a CAG trinucleotide sequence. Trinucleotide means a sequence of 3 nucleotides.

Azorean disease is primarily found in people of Portuguese ancestry, particularly people from the Azores islands. The incidences of Azorean disease is 1:4000 people in the Azores islands while in other ethnic groups is 1:6000. These ethnic groups include Japanese, Chinese (oh no, we are in danger) and more.

So how do we detect Azorean disease? The first observable symptoms are difficulty in walking and slurred speech. Mucular symptoms include:

• difficulty in walking, including staggering or stumbling,
• weakness in arms or legs,
• involuntary jerking or spastic motions,
• cramping or twisting of the hands and feet,
• facial tics and grimaces,
• twitching or rippling of the muscles in the face.

People also have double vision, bulging eyes, difficulty in looking upwards or opening the eyes, and a fixed, staring gaze and involuntary eye movements from side to side. All these seem so minor but who would have ever thought...Other symptoms include the loss of feeling in arms or legs, frequent urination, infections of the lungs, even difficulty in sleeping! So scarrrrryyy...

How do we know if we have Azorean disease? Observations of typical symptoms as well the study of one's familial medical history can tell. One can also go for brain imaging or blood tests. Even genetic studies will provide definite confirmation of the diagnosis of Azorean disease. One thing to note, the symptoms of Azorean disease are similar to those of Parkinson Disease (I suppose everyone should have heard this at least once, haha:D), Huntington Disease and multiple sclerosis, so careful diagnosis is required to distinguish Azorean disease.
Above: This is a picture of a cross examination of a brain of a person with Huntington Disease.

As for the treatment, it is based on management of the symptoms. Sadly, there is no treatment that stops or reverses the effects of the disease itself. Medications that specifically treat movement disorders can help in alleviating some of the symptoms though and, experimental drugs and treatments under development for other neurological disorders may also benefit patients with Azorean disease. In addition, since Azorean disease is inherited, genetic counselling is recommended.

OK! Are my lectures still as long as ever??? Yes they are...haha, I must find a way to zip up my mouth. If not dear Detective CxY and Inspector Zhao will start complaining that I talk too much at work. Haha...

Casefile 16: Beriberi

I never knew that there could be such an unfortunate deficiency with such a 'cute' name. Beriberi. haha. It's like Fruity Tooty.

AHEM anyway, Beriberi is caused by the lack of Thiamine a.k.a Vitamin B1

There are two major types of Beriberi,
Wet Beriberi and Dry Beriberi

Wet Beriberi causes a possibly fatal combination of heart failure and the weakening of capillary walls which causes peripheral tissues to become waterlogged. Symptoms include increased heart rate, swelling of lower legs and shortness of breath with activity.

Dry Beriberi damages peripheral nerves and this causes the person to become partially paralysed. Symptoms include difficulty walking, loss of feeling in hands and feet and speech difficulties.

There is a rare condition known as genetic beriberi. People with genetic beriberi lose the ability to absorb thiamine from foods. This can happen slowly over time and symptoms occur when the person is an adult.

Beriberi can also occur in infants when the milk he or she is feeding on, be it breat milk or formula, is lacking in thiamine. Luckily for those babies on formula milk, most formula milk made now has a lot of added vitamins and DHA and other things which contribute to a healthy bouncy baby.


When left untreated, Beriberi can lead to complications like psychosis, comas, congestive heart failure and even death.

So what is the treatment for Beriberi?

It is thiamine hydrochloride, either in tablet form or injection. Patients usually make a rapid recovery after getting treated. It also helps to eat food rich in thiamine, such as meat, vegetables, legumes and unrefined rice or cereal.

Again I stress how important it is to maintain a healthy diet as this is one way to prevent a great number of diseases. I mean you don't want to become like the Beriberi patient in the picture below.

Case file 15: Vitamin K

I'm SO SORRY for being missing for so long. SORRY. haha anyway, I am BACK. So no more Professor Chia deficiency haha. By the way I am ill too! Sore throat. Later I can't talk. (Doesn't really matters actually, seeing how much i talk in class) Ok, so my first task after that long break, : investigating vitamin K deficiency.

ok, vitamin K basically is involved int he carboxylation of certain glutamate residues in proteins to form gamma-carboxyglutamate residues. cheemology. But, what u really need to know, is why this is so important. Gamma-carboxyglutamate is involved in the binding of calcium and is essential for the biological activity of Gla-proteins. These Gla-proteins then play key roles in:
1. blood coagulation
2. bone metabolism
3. vascular biolgy

Vitamin K deficiency may occur by:
1. disturbed intestinal uptake which might occur because of bile duct obstruction
2. therapeutic or accidental intake of vitamin K-antagonists
3. lack of intake of vitamin K (this is however, very rare)
Symptoms of vitamin K deficiency includes: easy bruising, bleeding that may be manifested as nosebleeds, bleeding gums, blood in the urine, blood in the stool, tarry black stools, or extremely heavy menstrual bleeding.

When there is a lack of vitamin K, there is a risk of massive, uncontrolled internal bleeding, cartilage calcifrication and severe malformation of devloping bone, or deposition of insoluble calcium slats in the arterial vessel wall. In infants, vitamin K deficiency may result in life-threatening bleeding within the skull. Cheem name for it: intracranial haemorrhage. An increased risk of fractures of fractures or reduced bone density may occur also.

To prevent the lack of intake of vitamin K, eat lots of leafy green vegetables (YUM =D), such as spinach and lettuce, fruits like kiwifruit and bananas (double YUM =D), meat, cow milk and soy products. (triple, quadruple YUM =D). But it is especially rare to develp vitamin K through lack of intake because the body stores vitamin K. AND, two tablespoons of parsely would already contain 153 % of the recommended daily amound of vitamin K, so no worries =)

p.s. by the way Detective CXY, the 'K' in vitamin K is derived from the GERMAN word 'koagulation' which refers to blood clotting which vitamin K is essential for =)

Casefile 14: Cough cough, I'm ill!

Yo! Hi again! Since no one is posting, I shall post again! Looks like you guys are getting an overdose of Detective CxY and a lack of Professor Chia. Haha, can't help it. Professor Chia is still missing. I wonder if she has been kidnapped and murdered. Oops, sorry, I've got very morbid ideas. :p

Anyway, let's continue!

Everyone seems to be falling ill in school nowadays! What's happening?

Protease Deficiency

Protease digests protein. Examples are rennin, pepsin, trypsin, etc. We've learnt them, didn't we? I'm beginning to feel pro, it's as if I know a lot. HAHA! :)

Our body is made up of protein! Haha, no no no! Protease won't break down our entire body! Enzymes are specific, remember? They'll only break down what they're designed to, e.g. casein, etc.

Since our body is made up of protein, everything that makes us ill is protein, e.g. harmful bacteria, fungi and parasites, or protected by protein, e.g. viruses (HIV!, SARS, H5N1, etc.) and cancer cells. However, there's no need to worry! Our protease is able to digest all proteins in the body, except for our living cells. Hence, the sufficiency of protein in our body is very important! So, i think the "epidemic" episode in school now is possibly due to protease deficiency in us, making us so susceptible to infectious little diseases!

So, what can we do? Haha, researches have not shown that we really very effective rise the amount of protease in our body. So, in the mean time, whack down more vitamin C! It improves your immune system! :)

Love,
Detective CxY.

P.S. Look at this article: http://www.aps.anl.gov/News/APS_News/2006/20060908.htm
Haha, it's very short but it talks about the development of anti-HIV drug!

"Designing an effective anti-HIV drug requires very precise design: the drug must be highly target-specific so that it impacts only the point where the drug can be most effective. Also important are the lock-and-key requirements for drug designers. The design must fit the particular structure of the target molecule, while being flexible enough to accommodate changes in that structure."


Protease breaking down HIV virus! COol!
http://www.aps.anl.gov/News/APS_News/2006/Images/20060908_HIV_Protease.jpg

Casefile 13: Eek! Pus!

Woah. We're on Casefile 13 already! Time apparates, doesn't it? Haha, Inspector Zhao, we'll be promoted to Chief Inspector and Superintendent in two weeks! I'm half-happy and sad, 'cos that means we'll be missing our ever-loyal bio-fans, but we'll be given a big break from research work! Hm, so let's work harder to give our best for the last two weeks, ok? Yayy! :D

Haha, firstly, let's recap. We've done deficiencies of Vitamin A, B, C, D, sugar, certain enzymes (very lazy to spell out the looong names :p), water, sleep, phosphorus, plague, blood, and, last but not least, Professor Chia!!! See, we've learnt a lot, haven't we? :)

HMMM... Certain enzymes... That makes me think of this... Our body produces our own digestive enzymes. So is it possible for us to we have a deficiency of digestive enzymes? How can this happen? What happens if we lack these enzymes?

Ok, I'm so long-winded. Let's start!

Today's topic: Amylase deficiency

There are 4 types of amylase α-Amylase, β-Amylase, γ-Amylase and Acid α-glucosidase. Haha. There're α and β. Looks like math, doesn't it? But don't worry, we'll only be talking about γ-Amylase, the amylase found in our body. :)
Our salivary amylase! Haha, very virtual. :p



(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Salivary_alpha-amylase_1SMD.png)

Functions of amylase:

1. We've learnt this in Bio! Amylase digests carbohydrates into sugars. So, excessive intake of carbo will take up all your amylase, and may lead to amylase deficiency! This is because enzymes can be reused, remember? so the body does not produce it all the time.

2. Amylase breaks down dead white blood cells (pus). Amylase deficiency (maybe caused by excessive carbo?) will lead in inflamed wounds. You've seen pus before, right? It's so digusting! And that's a sign of amylase deficiency!

Also, since excessive carbo can cause amylase deficiency, excessive wounds and pus may take up all the amylase as well, though the chances are slimer. Anyway, if that occurs, you won't have enough amylase to digest your carbo, then you'll have insufficient sugar. Remember the hot debate on hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)? This can lead to hypoglycemia. Ahhh! Why are all diseases linked?

Sigh, so the moral of the story is: Don't fall ill.

Love,
Detective CxY
Enzymedica Enzymes V-gest! They say this cures amylase deficiency!
(http://www.yearstoyourhealth.com/enzymedica/gifs/carbo_amylase_enzymes.jpg)

Casefile 12: Deficiency of Professor Chia!

ATTENTION!

Casefile 11 : Vitamin D deficiency

Come one come all!!! Forensic Scientist Kelly is back!!! Haha, gosh I haven't been here for a long long time. Bet you all miss my lectures, haha =) Well, I sprained my ankle like really recently and it's like the second time for my left ankle. I won't tell you how many times I've sprained my right one...Haiz. All these sprains made me think if my bones were weak so i decided to do some research.

So, i found out this really interesting but important vitamin...(drum roll)...Vitamin D! You may think it's not important but it is! Vitamin D deficiency can occur:

• when usual intake is below recommended levels.
• when there is limited exposure to sunlight.
• when the kidney cannot convert vitamin D to its active hormone form.
• when someone cannot adequately absorb vitamin D from the digestive tract.

Vitamin D deficiency causes diseases like rickets and osteomalacia. Rickets occurs in children. It is a bone disease characterised by a failure to properly mineralise bone tissue. It results in soft bones and skeletal deformities. Here's an interesting fact : In the late 19th and early 20th century, German physicians noted that consuming 1 to 3 teaspoons (3 teaspoons is equal to 1 tablespoon) of cod liver oil per day could reverse rickets. Isn't that cool?

Prolonged breastfeeding without Vitamin D supplementation can also lead to rickets. In addition, extensive use of sunscreen and increased day-care also lead to Vitamin D deficiency. Why??? Because increased day-care results in children having lesser outdoor activities and sun exposure.

Rickets is more common among immigrants from Asia, Africa, and Middle Eastern countries. Immigrants from these regions are more likely to follow the dress code that limit sun exposure thus leading to Vitamin D deficiency. In addition, darker pigmented skin converts UV rays to vitamin D less efficiently than lighter skin. So forget about getting a tan people! Haha...

X-ray of a child with rickets:

In adults, Vitamin dificiency results in osteomalacia, which causes muscle weakness in addition to weak bones. See that weak spot in that picture below?

Vitamin D dificiency can also lead to osteoporosis. While rickets and osteomalacia are extreme examples of Vitamin D dificiency, osteoporosis is a long-term effect of Vitamin D insufficiency. Adequate storage levels of Vitamin D help keep bones strong and may help prevent osteoporosis in older adults, in non-ambulatory individuals (those who have difficulty walking and exercising), in post-menopausal women, and in individuals on chronic steroid therapy. So you see, it's not only calcium which keeps our bones strong!

However, we must also take care not to take in too much Vitamin D. Vitamin D toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness, and weight loss. It can also raise blood levels of calcium, causing mental status changes such as confusion. Sun exposure is unlikely to result in Vitamin D toxicity. Diet is also an unlikely cause, unless large amounts of cod liver oil are consumed, haha. Vitamin D toxicity is much more likely to occur from high intakes of Vitamin D in supplements.

Wow man, my lectures are still so long. I bet you all are sleeping now. Haha, by the way detective cxy, THAT PICTURE YOU POSTED WAS THE MOST DISGUSTING, GROSS AND REVOLTING PICTURE I HAVE EVER SEEN! It can be compared to that advertisement that asks you to quit smoking! Gosh...

By Forensic Scientist Kelly =)

Casefile 10: Lack of Vitamin C = DEATH

"What can Vitamin C deficiency lead to?"

"SCURVY!"

That's the typical answer we always get. However, that's not all. The lack of Vitamin C is fatal. Hence we need to know the symptoms, prevent and cure the lack of Vitamin C quickly!

Symptoms

1. Delayed healing of wounds.
Vitamin C contains collagen which holds the cells together and thus speeds up the healing of wounds. Without it, wounds will not be able to heal as quickly.

2. Bloody urine
Vitamin C also plays a vital part in all glands and organs in the body e.g. blood vessels. A lack of Vitamin C can cause fragile blood vessels. These blood vessels break easily and thus lead to bleeding. This is why a mild lack of Vitamin C can lead to blood in the urine. Also, linking to the previous point, because wounds cannot heal quickly, prolonged deficiency of Vitamin C can cause a minor injury e.g. an ulcer to aggravate and lead to profuse bleeding!! THIS CAN BE FATAL.

3. Weak immune system
Vitamin C is known as the "antibiotic vitamin". It is vital for us to stay healthy. A person with low level of Vitamin C in the blood or urine is prone to infectious diseases e.g. common colds. Hence this can be treated by a large intake of Vitamin C! As easy as ABC. :)

4. Stress!!!
Hey, Inspector Zhao, stress is not unrelated to deficiency diseases! Lack of Vitamin C causes stress and vice versa!

5. Cancer
Stress causes a depletion of vitamin C. As vitamin C is a vital form of antibody, its deficiency will allow cancer growth in cancer patients Cancer patients especially children with leukemia, show symptoms of bleeding gums, bruising, and profuse bleeding, due to Vitamin C deficiency. Hence vitamin C dosage can prevent cancer growth and in some cases even results in its regression.

6. Deformed babies

7. Ugly smile!
Vitamin C aids in the absorption of iron and thus ensures healthy gums, bones and teeth, and fresh complexion. Without Vitamin C, your smile will look like this:

Scary arh? So start stuffing yourselves with citrus fruits, e.g. guavas, lemones, limes, oranges, papayas and POTATOES (potato chips excluded. :p)!

Love,

Detective CxY

http://72.14.235.104/search?q=cache:LHr0g-l0pgEJ:www.diethealthclub.com/daily-menu/vitamin-c-or-ascorbic-acid.html+Vitamin+C+deficiency+mental+stress&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=sg

Unrelated Casefile : Stress

The Criminal Psychology Department requested this information to be released as soon as possible. It has nothing to do with deficiency diseases but it is of utmost importance that we are all in the know.
















Do you feel like this?

Stress is a psychological and physiological response to events that upset our personal balance in some way. Stress is extremely common among students, especially with schedules like what we have!

The largest study ever conducted on acne and stress reveals that teenagers who were under high levels of stress were 23% more likely to have increased acne severity, according to researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and colleagues.


And not only that! Stress affects a person both physically and psychologically. It can cause high blood pressure, digestive problems, headaches, inablity to concentrate, poor judgement, pessimism et cetera.

BUT THE WORST THING IS stressors(the event that triggers the stress) are not only negative things (like a tiring schedule) but also good things (like getting promoted) !

How on earth are we supposed to manage our stress if anything and everything can cause stress?
There is no single solution to stress that would work for everyone, it all depends on your stress levels and stressors.

-You can try getting more rest, it doesn't have to be sleep, stoning is also a form of rest.
-Exercising regularly will also help by releasing endorphins or endomorhpines(more about this coming soon to this blog)
-Watch a stupid movie or TV show that will make you laugh. Laughing releases endomorphines too :D


If you want more information on stress, check out http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm

Casefile 9: Let's play HEART ATTACK

Woah. Heart attack is so scary!!!

Oh, by the way, our topic was deficiency diseases. So what has heart attacks got to do with deficiency diseases?

Let us look back at how a heart attack occurs. According to Inspector Zhao, blood clots block the blood vessels supplying blood to the heart. When the blood is blocked, the amount of blood that is able to pass the blockage and reach the heart is highly reduced. This condition is called ischaemia.

Ischaemia

Ischaemia is the disease that occurs when there is reduced blood supply to the heart. Prolonged untreated ischaemia will lead to a total blockage of blood in the blood vessels as the blood clots build up. No blood is supplied to the heart and a heart attack occurs!!!

After-effects of ischaemia:
Temporary damage and pain, Acute heart failure (Short-term), Chronic heart failure (Long-term), Permanent heart damage (ok, the cartoon has both figurative and literal meanings. :)), Irregular heartbeat (can be fatal), Structural damage of heart e.g. heart valves

Ischaemia can be fatal!! It is the most common cause of death in the western countries!!!

So, take precautions!
- Do not light a cigarette, you're harming everyone!
- Maintain low blood pressure, not low blood sugar! Remember hypoglycemia?
- Exercise regularly, it strengthens your muscles! By the way, your heart is a muscle.
- Monitor your weight, obesity increases body fat stores e.g. abdominal fat. This increases the heart's workload. Don't be so cruel to your heart, it's part of your body!
- Damn those trans-fats. Eat less fast food, remember our trans fat article!
- Monitor and reduce cholesterol
- Three cheers to vitamin C (maintains healthy blood vessels)

Oh, and when you give people a surprise, make sure it's a pleasant one. Don't give them a... Click here.

P.S. Since HEART ATTACK is so dangerous, why do primary school students love to play it so much? :D

LOVE
Detective CxY

http://www.offthemarkcartoons.com/cartoons/1995-09-14.gif

http://www.coxandforkum.com/archives/04.09.09.HeartAttack-X.gif

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ischaemic_heart_disease

Casefile 8 : clogged or UNclogged?

This is SCIENTIFIC Inspector Zhao. See? I am now qualified to dispense the information that Dr Kelly does.

ANYWAY Heart disease is the second biggest killer next to cancer. Heart disease and stroke accounted for 26.3% and 9.2% respectively of all deaths in Singapore in 2001. Approximately 2,000 people have a heart attack every year and the death rate for cardiovascular disease more than tripled between 1957 (7.7% of total deaths) and 2001 (26.3%).

THIS COULD HAPPEN TO YOU





















Your heart beats an average of 100 000 times a day, that's 36 500 000 times a year! It propels about 7 litres of blood through 60 000 miles or 96560.64km of vessels, that's 20 times the distance of the USA from coast to coast! The heart pumps blood so forcefully that when one of your large arteries is cut, a JET of blood can shoot several feet in the air! I guess Kill Bill wasn't an exaggeration

Sorry but I couldn't find any picture of the part in Kill Bill where Uma Thurman slices this Jap guy's neck and the blood spurts out like a fountain.

How do heart attacks occur?
-plaque embedded in artery wall ruptures
-the wall cracks, triggering the formation of a blood clot
-the clot blocks the flow of blood to the heart muscle, which will die from lack of oxygen and nutrients
-your heart stops pumping



You would think that the more clogged your vessels are with plaque, the likely it is for you to get a heart attack but according to the National Geographic, February 2007, heart attacks generally occur in arteries that have minimal or moderate blockage.
Scientists have found that immature, softer plaque rich in cholesterol is more unstable and likely to rupture than hard, calcified (hardened by the deposit of calcium salts), dense plaque which extensively narrows the artery channel. However, scientists are still continuing their research to try to understand this better. SO STICK TO THAT BALANCED DIET FOR NOW.

Is there anything that we can do to help prevent heart attacks?
1. Eat a healthy diet, decreases risk by almost 30%
2. Learn to cope with stress, stress and depression triple the risk
3. Exercise, a lack of it can double or triple the risk
4. Stay trim, abdominal obsesity can double the risk too!

I don't do any of the above, I feel so unhealthy now :(



I'm going to write my will now,
SCIENTIFIC Inspector Zhao


Many Thanks to:
-Getty Images
-The National Geographic Magazine
-The Singapore Heart Foundation
-http://www.taylormade.com.au/billspages/conversion_table.html

Casefile 7: Phosphorus only for plants?

"Drink milk, girl-girl! Get more calcium, or you'll break your bones!" (Credits to my mum)

Right, everyone knows that calcium is important for the development of strong bones. Hence children are haunted by their parents to drink milk every day. However, is calcium the only element needed by our bones?

PHOSPHORUS IS ESSENtIAl FOR STRONG BONES TOO.

No no no! Phosphorus is not just a fertiliser for plants! Phosphorus has more functions than any other mineral in your body!

1. Strong bones

Calcium phosphate helps to keep your bones and teeth strong. Hence without phosphorus, calcium is totally useless to your bones! Long live, phosphorus! :)

2. Formation of connectives

Phosphorus is essential in the production of collagen. Since your bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, skin, and eyes are made up mainly of collagen, your body is unable to produce any of the vital connective tissues or organs without phosphorus. Scary arh!

3. Survival of cells

Phosphorus combines with fatty acids to form phospholipids, which is soluble in water and fats. As water- and fat-soluble nutrients are needed by cells, cell membranes are made up of phospholipids to facilitate the entering and leaving of these nutrients. Without phospholipids, the cell will die. Imagine all your cells dying... *shivers*

4. NO heart diseases

Phospholipids keep blood fat small and thus prevents our arteries from clogging up (reminds me of Shi Jie. Hahaha.). In short, they keep blood smooth. OH.

Tidbit: Lecithin is a phospholipid used in chocolate to keep it smooth. CHOCOLATES!

Phosphorus has so many functions that it's impossible to list them all. They prevent the formation of gallstones (YUCK!), transport fatty acids in your body, maintain the correct pH in the body, help to store carbohydrates, catalyze reaction, to facilitate BRAIN ACTIVITY and to make your muscles move!

Phosphorus Deficiency

Hypophosphatemia (Too difficult? Say, Hypo-Phosphate-Mia! :D)

Hypophosphatemia is caused by:
1. Inadequate intake

This is very rare as many people usually take phosphorus in excess. However, hypophosphatemia might occur in a malnourished patient who is undergoing refeeding. This is because phosphorus is needed to store carbohydrates. Hence the sudden increase in carbohydrate level causes a drastic decrease in phosphorus, which very quickly becomes deplted in the body.

2. Alcohol abuse

Alcohol causes malabsorption and thus decreases the body's ability to absorb phosphorus. This can also lead to other diseases such as osteomalacia (inadequate Calcium and Vitamin D), liver failure, etc.

3. Hereditary (Arrr. So sad!)

Symptoms

Look at the weak thigh bones curving due to a lack of phosphorus, calcium and vitamin D!

Look at the thining bones. :(

Other symptoms of hypophosphatemia include cloudy and unclear urine and, also, irritation at the end of the penis. Hence it is not uncommon to mistake hypophosphatemia for a sexually transmitted disease. LOL.

Caution: Beware when you are consuming fresh foods as they might be covered with arsenic compounds of pesticides. As arsenic and phosphorus are very similar in their molecular structures, it is highly-possible that your body might mistake arsenic for phosphorus and thus include arsenic in its compounds. These compounds do not work. This is especially dangerous when you think about phosphorus's role in the blood and cell membranes.

Hey! This is fun!

Inspector Zhao, let's change jobs and become scientists or doctors!

Love,

Detective CxY

http://waltonfeed.com/self/health/vit-min/phos.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypophosphatemia

http://www.mdtext.com/Parathyroid/parathyroid10/figures10/figure4.jpg

http://www.emedicine.com/radio/images/60376037figure_6.jpg

Casefile 6: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

I'm still young. But does that mean that I don't need sleep?

I slept at 3am this morning, just to complete my History project. It was a horrendous experience. I wonder how many times I knocked my head on the table, because I was dozing off. Now, I have a blue-black on my forehead. It's so painful and ugly! :(

Anyway, nowadays, it is rather common for youths to become nightbirds. They stay up all night, whether to complete assignments, do project work and even just to play computer games. And the reason is very often "It's just one night. I'm still young. I can do without sleep." However, does youth cure fatigue?

This apparently is not the case. Lack of rest and excessive mental stress may lead to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). This is a long-term tiredness that does not go away with sleep or rest and affects your daily life.

Besides feeling tired all the time, patients may have insomnia, sleeping disorders, severe muscle aches and headaches, which can reduce concentration and brain activity.

And the worst thing is: ANYONE CAN GET CFS, although it’s twice as common in women than men. It usually develops in the early twenties to mid forties. Children can also be affected, most commonly around the age of 13 - 15. THAT's US!

In addition, CFS can be aggravated by inbalanced or irregular meals and, also, environmental pollution.

So, sleep well, eat well and save the Earth!


Tired,
Detective CxY.

--

By the way, the Association of Young People with ME (pronounced -aim-) is the largest charity for CFS patients in UK!

http://www.ayme.org.uk/

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=102&sectionId=30283

Case file 5: Dehydration

I am completely shagged today after climbing Bt. Timah Hill Nature Reserve, for Geography Project in case you wondering. And i was completely freaked out by this tombstone-look-a-like-stone which we saw somewhere on the hill:


haha my initials can!!! (Michelle Chia)

Anyway.. back to biology.. i'm soo sorry Kelly i did not understand your post. Btw, I was like completely dehydrated today so I shall do a post on what happens when someone experiences water deficiency, or rather just dehydration. (simple!! won't kill my precious brain cells) =)

Dehydration can be caused by two reasons. (at least). One simple and one complicated. The easy one first: failing to drink enough water on a daily basis. duh. The complicated one: Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) deficiency. (and i thot this would be simple. well at least it is 'unknown'). A deficiency results in dehydration because the EFA actually keeps your cells tightly knit together. Hence, when there is a deficiency, the cells are 'loose' and water and fluids are able to escape. Thus, a person suffering from EFA will still be dehydrated even though sufficient amout of water is consumed. See that adds to another reason why people should not avoid fats so much.

So what really happens when we get dehydrated?? If you have no access to water for.. erm.. bout 1 - 2 days or maybe 3 (somewhere around there), u die. Yes, its more important than food, btw i know most of you know this already. However, before this happens, your brain cells shrink and you unable to think properly. In severe dehydration, you start seeing things as the shrunken brain cells are unable to help you think straight. That's why you must be properly hydrated before a test. And the rule of not being allowed to drink water during lesson is completely stupid, since it helps us think better!!! Out in the open sea, being dehydrated increases the feeling of seasick, or so according to the OBS instructors. Heatstroke is also a likely result. In more scientific terms, rigidity of the connective tissue (vascular system and lungs) and intracellular fluid loss to the extracellular spaces, resulting in dry mucous membranes, shrunken muscle cells in the lips and the tongue, soft eyes, and adverse effects to the central nervous system will occur. Something more superficial and for the girls, dehydration causes your complexion to be dull. So get enough water yeah!

However, in many poor countries, access to potable water or even water itself is difficult. Hence, UNICEF has stageed an enormous program to improve children's health conditions in the develping contries.


A photo of a sufferer of dehydration. This is really sad and we should all be thankful for having enough water to drink everyday.

Special thx to these links =):
http://www.fredacare.com/health.html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1507931&dopt=Abstract

By: Michelle Chia (28) aka Professor Chia (still not comfortable with it!)

Casefile 4: Lipoamide dehydrogenase deficiency

What a debate Inspector Zhao and Dectective CXY had!!! I have to admit they were making a lot of noise...goodness. Talking about hypoglycemia, I just found out that it can be a sign of this disease with a long long name: Lipoamide dehydrogenase deficiency(LAD). Cheem right?

LAD is a rare cause of primary lactic acidosis in children. It has been reported in about 20 patients. Patients are usually free from symptoms in the first few weeks or months of life except for inconstant episodes of HYPOGLYCEMIA (haha...here's where the word appears. See, it's linked!). Oh, by the way, it's a neonatal disease that can occur in all ages, isn't that scary? Brr...

Ok, here comes a sophistically complicatedly complex sentence. LAD is a catalytic subunit shared by three mitochondrial enzymes: pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), branched chain-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKAD) and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (alpha-KGD). Do you understand a word? I'm sure you don't, haha. That's why I, Forensic Scientist Kelly, am here to explain it specially for you.

First, Pyruvate dehydrogenase is an enzyme (E1) in the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). It catalyses the rate-limiting reaction within the PDC. You can get all the information from the net if you don't understand.

Next, branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex is a combination of enzymes responsible for the degradation of the branched chain amino acids. Examples include valine, isoleucine, and leucine (recognise these names? Ahaha...3 of the 20 amino acids we memorised). A deficiency in any of the enzymes of this complex as well as an inhibition of the complex as a whole is responsible for maple syrup urine disease.

Lastly, alphagluterate dehydrogenase is an enzyme complex most commonly known for its role in the citric acid cycle. Much like pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, this enzyme forms a complex composed of three components: E1(EC 1.2.4.2), E2(EC 2.3.1.61) and E3(EC 1.8.1.4), which use thiamine pyrophosphate, lipoic acid and NAD+ as coenzymes, respectively.

Ok, I think all these information is really confusing. Coming back to LAD...Neonatal onset with metabolic lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, lethargy and failure to thrive can occur. Some patients are free of symptoms between acute attacks. Adult patients have also been reported with acute hepatitis, lactic acidosis and myoglobinuria, without any neurological symptoms.

So is there a way to be saved? In a way yes! Prenatal diagnosis, using molecular analyses on chorionic villous samples, is available to families in which the mutations of the genes have been identified.

Phew!!! Ok fine, i give loooooong lectures. I really have to own it to Detective CXY, haha. By the way Inspector Zhao, it is unhealthy to eat doughnuts all the time! Remember the article on trans fats? Yeah...doughnuts are especially rich in trans fats! Be mindful of your health! Haha...

By Forensic Scientist Kelly
Kelly Ng (30)

Casefile 3 : Hypoglycemia

Sugar or no sugar. An Un-scientific debate






Inspector Zhao: G'day Detective, how's your case coming along?

Detective CxY: Oh, not much progress, plus the witness just fainted...

Inspector Zhao: What?! Why?

Detective CxY: I don't know. Her boyfriend claimed that she lacked sugar...

Inspector Zhao: Don't be stupid! There's no such thing as a lack of sugar, just excess. I mean, look at the obesity rates nowadays!

Detective CxY: EXACTLY! That was my perception initially! But Dr Kelly said that the witness was suffering from hypo... hypotonic thing!!

Prof Chia: (shouts across the room) It's hypoglycemia, you poop!!!

Detective CxY: Oops :P

Inspector Zhao: Hypogl..glands? What's that? I only know that excessive sugar causes Diabetes

Detective CxY: It's hypoglyCEMIA!!! Yayy, I got it right this time, didn't I? *heh* Anyway, according to what I understand from Dr Kelly's looooong lecture... it is low blood sugar.

Inspector Zhao: More like high blood sugar, right? Stop pulling my leg. I knew there was a conspiracy against me!

Detective CxY: Oh WOW. Like who wants to conspire against you? Hypogly... glycemia can happen to anyone, of any age, of any race, of any medical record whatsoever. It can happen to a person just after an overnight fast.

Inspector Zhao: Really? But when I'm working very hard I sometimes skip my meals! Am I suffering from hypoo.. hypo.. hypoblahblahblah?

Detective CxY: MAYBE!! (: Sometimes, a person can be suffering hypoglycemia without any symptom because his or her blood sugar just falls below the normal amount for a short period of time, and this blood sugar can be increased just by eating foods rich in carbohydrates! However, prolonged untreatment of hypoglycemia can lead to serious consequences like...

Inspector Zhao: AH WHAT?! TELL ME!! MY LIFE COULD BE AT RISK! DO YOU REALLY WANT TO DEPRIVE THE WORLD OF ME?!

Detective CxY: Woah, I've never seen a more egoistical person than you! Well, because brain activities depend on the sugar from the blood, when the sugar level falls below the normal level for long periods of time, impairment of action and judgement, and even loss of consciousness. The most serious cases have resulted in ------

Inspector Zhao: Impairment of action and judgement? Sounds like you might be suffering from it too! hahahahaha!

Detective CxY: LOL! Stop interrupting me, you hypoglycemic freak! Fine, I'm not going to tell you the consequences of the most serious cases. Might as well just let you die. XD

Inspector Zhao: Oh fine. I'll keep my mouth shut for now.

Detective CxY: Good girl!

Inspector Zhao: Hrmph. I. Am. Not. Amused.

Detective CxY: Hahaha. Ok, looks like you're suffering from mild impairment of speech already! Gosh, go eat something now before permanent brain damage happens and there's no way to regret!!!

Inspector Zhao: Good thing I stopped by Raffles Cityl to get donnuts just now. *CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP* Okay. Now tell me the serious consequences!

Detective CxY: I just said it. -_-lll

Inspector Zhao: What? No you didn't! Detective! Stop being so irresponsible! I do not appreciate this sort of secrecy!

Detective CxY: WHAT. I'm serious. I JUST SAID IT!

Inspector Zhao: You mean permanent brain damage? OH NO!

Detective CxY: Haha, now then you realise. Looks like you've got impairment of everything, not just speech!

Inspector Zhao: AH HELP MEEEEEE!!
------------------------------------------END------------------------------------------------

Thank you for reading our spastic and nonsensical deabte. We truly appreciate your support.
Did you not realise that "permanent brain damage" was said, or that a number of other consequences were mentioned, just like Inspector Zhao? If yes, take care! Muahahahahaha! X)

Casefile 2 : Hypervitaminosis A

Ariboflavinosis sounds painful. I mean so many of us get sore throats and make it seem as if we're never going to be able to speak again. Since, according to wikipedia, Ariboflavinosis occurs most frequently in populations consuming limited quantities of riboflavin-containing foods such as meats, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, leafy green vegetables and whole grains, HAH, it means that vegetarians may not be spared from Ariboflavinosis! So make sure that you get enough of everything everyday or you might risk getting looking like you're wearing lipstick that will never rub off.

Although you shouldn't diet excessively, you shouldn't eat to much either because there's this thing called Overnutrition, basically eating too much. It can lead to lots of horrible diseases and illnesses. Like Mr Johari said, if you take too many VitC or MutiVit tablets you may suffer from vitamin poisoning or hypervitaminosis. Let's talk about Vitamin A.

Vitamin A is needed for vision, regulation of gene expression, immunity, growth and development of our bodies and even red blood cell production. You would think that this vitamin is needed for so many things that your body probably never gets enough. But do you know that excessive intake of Vitamin A can cause:
-birth defects [I needn't go into details]

-liver abnormalities [It could lead to Ariboflavinosis]

-reduced bone mineral density that may result in osteoporosis

-coarse bone growths

-hair loss [No one wants to bald before 60]

-excessive skin dryness/peeling

Hypervitaminosis A occurs when your liver is unable to store anymore retinoids [a class of chemical compounds that are related chemically to vitamin A] and excess enters the blood stream, causing system toxicity. Though you may suffer from this if you eat too much liver [foie gras anyone?], studies have shown that most Vitamin A toxicity cases were caused by an excessive intake of Vitamin A suplements so put down that box of Chewy MultiVits right now! Symptoms of Hypervitaminosis A include nausea and vomiting, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, and loss of muscular coordination. Not very pleasant. It's worse than how some may have felt after kayaking for hours in the rain during OBS :o

This post was inspected by Inspector Zhao :D

Casefile 1 : Ariboflavinosis

haha. i don't want to be known as Professor Chia -.-'. so OLD.. (reminds me of that guy who came and did the DNA talk last year remember !! )..anw, so i found this nutrition deficiency disease on the internet which has a wierd name (actually, which disease doesn't has a wierd name.) - Ariboflavinosis.
So, Ariboflavinosis is caused by the deficiency of Riboflavin, a type of vitamin B. The disease is also associated with protein energy malnutrition and alcoholism too. This is basically because liver is the main storage organ for riboflavin in mammals and if the liver is impaired, it prevents the proper utiilization of the vitamin =). See how alcohol kills!! Anyway.. if you want to know if you have ariboflavinosis.. which is like impossible, zilch chance, here are the symtomps: cracked and red lips, inflammation of the lining of mouth and tongue, mouth ulcers and a sore throat. Quite common symptoms of OTHER common illnesses.. so don't go around saying you've got Ariboflavinosis if you've been not drinking water and gorging on chocalates - resulting in cracked and red lips and sore throat... Ok.. the other symptom of Ariboflavinosis is decreased red blood cell count with normal cell size and haemoglobin content.
Ariboflavinosis also occurs in animals =) like dogs and monkeys. Their symptoms differ from symptoms in human beings and they include: lack of growth, failure to thrive and eventual death.
Treatment for this disease is usually 6mg of Riboflavin a day. =) doesn't seem so hard to swallow considering meat, egg, milk, cheese, yoghurt, leafy green vegetables and whole grains are all rich in Riboflavin =) who says great tasting food can't be good for your heatlh!! Bt anw.. juz an extra bit of information.. Excess Riboflavin is excreted through the urine, and the bright yellow colour of urine is caused by the bright yellow-orangey colour of Riboflavin.. =)
Michelle Chia (28) haha NOT professor Chia. =)