Official Step 1 High Yield Concepts Thread

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Transposony

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Let's discuss our doubts/offer clarifications about mechanisms/concepts for Step 1

ASK ANY QUESTIONS here.

To kick start the thread here is something I didn't know:

1. Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) are actually enzymes (transpeptidases & carboxypeptidases) which cross-link peptidoglycan. Penicillins binds to these enzymes and inactivating them thereby preventing cross-linkiing of peptidoglycan.

2. Periplasmic space (Gram -ve) contain proteins which functions in cellular processes (transport, degradation, and motility). One of the enzyme is β-lactamase which degrades penicillins before they get into the cell cytoplasm.
It is also the place where toxins harmful to bacteria e.g. antibiotics are processed, before being pumped out of cells by efflux transporters (mechanism of resistance).

There are three excellent threads which you may find useful:

List of Stereotypes

Complicated Concepts Thread

USMLE images
 
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platelets? or were the platelets the blood cells that do express mhc 1 despite being non nucleated

Just remember that platelets are blebs of megakaryocyte cytoplasm and plasma membrane. Thus anything on the megakaryocyte membrane is likely on the platelet membrane too.

I think the other cell without MHC-1 is the cytotrophoblasts?
 
Neonate presents with seizures found to have low blood levels of uric acid, and high levels of sulphite, xanthine, and uric acid in urine.
Which co-factor deficiency?
 
Phenotypic female with a genotype of 46 XY has external female genitalia but internally has undescended testes. At the age of 12 the patient begins to develop clitoromegaly. What is the enzyme deficiency?

(Hint: In the Dominican they call them "guevedoces")
 
Phenotypic female with a genotype of 46 XY has external female genitalia but internally has undescended testes. At the age of 12 the patient begins to develop clitoromegaly. What is the enzyme deficiency?
5-alpha-reductase. Now what if that patient never developed clitoromegaly but developed female secondary sexual characteristics and amenorrhea?
 
Patient from another country comes into your hospital. Patient appears jaundiced, with increased transaminases, and a decreased PTT. The patients history is pertinent for surgery a week prior. When asked if the patient has had any recent infections, he reports that he has been healthy and has not been ill. Checking your charts you note that he is currently febrile, however.

What is the cause of this patients symptoms?

What would you expect the patients albumin levels to be?
 
A female patient comes in with a classic presentation of chlamydia. What is the MOA for the antibiotic you would choose to use? Major side effect?
 
Patient from another country comes into your hospital. Patient appears jaundiced, with increased transaminases, and a decreased PTT. The patients history is pertinent for surgery a week prior. When asked if the patient has had any recent infections, he reports that he has been healthy and has not been ill. Checking your charts you note that he is currently febrile, however.

What is the cause of this patients symptoms?

What would you expect the patients albumin levels to be?
Halothane hepatitis. Not positive about albumin though, low?
 
what about the proteinuria-decreased oncotic pressure? and also normally the protein within the interstitum, dont they normally suck out water from the alveoli keeping them dry? so if you lose protein you lose those protein, and thus more liquid can get in the alveoli?
 
Peripheral conversion of androstenedione to estrone --> positive feedback for LH secretion. Hyperinsulinemia --> decreased liver production of SHBG --> more free androgens to undergo conversion to estrogens --> increased LH.
also this hyperinsulinemia theory, i think its still a theory at this point. think i read that in FA
 
How does adrenal insufficiency and cushing's both cause anovulation? i figured with loss of neg feedback, but what does increased acth have an effect on Lh, fsh, or gnrh
 
A female patient comes in with a classic presentation of chlamydia. What is the MOA for the antibiotic you would choose to use? Major side effect?
maxrolide or tetracyclines
Tetra- photosensitivity, teratogenic, GI distress, teeth discoloration in kids
macrolide- GI motility issues, arrhythmias from QT prolongation, cholestatic hepatitis, rash, eosinophilia, inhibition of cyp450. most of these are due to erythromycin, so azithro/clarithro are better
 
How does progesterone inhibit endometrial hyperplasia?

Progesterones will cause decidualization of the endometrium and have anti-estrogenic effects. Progesterone has been shown to decrease estrogen receptors on the uterus and leads to vessel constriction, causing thinning of the endometrium. (When administered as progestins for endometrial hyperplasia)
 
Patient with no other important history other than recurrent otitis media has been recently hospitalized due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. The patient had massive hemorrhaging and blood transfusions were given. Shortly after administration of the blood product, the patient begins to develop a rash and wheezing. What is the pathophysiology causing the patients symptoms?
 
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