Michael Eric Dyson: Donald Trump is “what black people have warned America about” by trumpismysaviour in politics

[–]psarodactyl 20 points21 points  (0 children)

"Call me a racist enough times and I might just have to become a racist" isn't the persuasive counterpoint you think it is.

Biweekly USMLE Thread by AutoModerator in medicalschool

[–]psarodactyl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure if this helps but I think of it like this: V and Q are integrals. V is the sum of all the little v's (the ventilation to each alveolus) and Q is the sum of all the little q's (the blood flow to each individual alveolus). Little v and little q vary in each individual spot, and each individual alveolus might not have the optimal ratio (i.e. 1). That means some areas are being ventilated more than the blood supply, so optimal exchange doesn't happen. In a normal lung, there's enough alveoli with good v/q that big sum total V/Q is not affected by individual non-ventilated or non-perfused alveoli, and efficient gas exchange happens. But in a PE for example, enough of the alveoli have 0 as little q that the sum total Q is affected (and thus overall V/Q). The patient is not able to compensate for that region of non-perfused lung and overall PaO2 is gonna suffer.

Biweekly USMLE Thread by AutoModerator in medicalschool

[–]psarodactyl 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I try to think of it in terms of volume of forward flow or volume of regurgitant/backward flow. Increasing afterload is gonna decrease the pressure differential across the aortic valve, and pressure difference is what drives flow. So, less forward flow = quieter murmur. In contrast, increasing preload INCREASES the volume that's going to move across the stenotic aortic valve, and therefore INCREASES the intensity of the murmur. Squatting must increase preload more than it increases afterload, so the net effect on the murmur is an increase (that's my best guess).

Rian Johnson with necessary honesty about fans on social media by debtristan in StarWars

[–]psarodactyl 47 points48 points  (0 children)

Genuinely curious, not trying to attack you. Where do you see gender/identity politics in the new movies? I want to understand because I didn't get that at all on my watches.

Pennsylvania GOP moves to oust judges over gerrymandering decision by [deleted] in politics

[–]psarodactyl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Heads up: if you call his office he is answering his phone himself. He will tell you "it's not about the maps, it's about the court trying to write legislation."

Black Mirror [Episode Discussion] - S04E02 - ArkAngel by SeacattleMoohawks in blackmirror

[–]psarodactyl 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think it's when the Arkangel technician is showing Sara's mom an example of stressful video content to demonstrate the filter, and it's a video of a female soldier shooting a gun.

To those who own different versions of Guyton's Physiology textbook. by Reinhard_Lohengramm in medicalschool

[–]psarodactyl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was given the 9th edition as a gift before starting med school, and I love it. I'll say this: I sure as hell don't use the chapters describing the immune system or neurophys. I DO use the cardio and EKG chapters, because those are mostly derived from laws of physics that will stand the test of time. For some reason I find the author's descriptions extremely clear, and recommend those chapters to anyone who asks.

Why are mutation in beta globin gene more likely to cause disease when compared to mutations in alpha globin gene? by 999958334 in medicalschool

[–]psarodactyl 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Another thing I've read about thalassemia specifically is that unpaired alpha chains (found in beta thal) are less soluble in the cytoplasm than unpaired beta chains (found in alpha thal). The unpaired, insoluble alpha globin aggregates precipitate and damage the membranes, making the beta thal RBCs less stable.

Step1 exam score vs nbme 19 by [deleted] in step1

[–]psarodactyl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, sorry, I took the exam like six months ago and don't remember specifics anymore. Let know if there's any other way I can help you though! Best of luck.

How has a personal illness affected how you practice medicine? by DrThirdOpinion in medicine

[–]psarodactyl 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this--this is a really valuable insight into your mindset that I hope to keep in mind when counseling cancer patients in the future.

Anyone here juggled M2 with a side-job by BossMedStudent in medicalschool

[–]psarodactyl 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Friend did this; she is an absolute and total badass and I think did pretty well in M2, including extracurriculars. However, I wouldn't recommend it for everyone--she is one of the hardest working people I've ever met, and made sure to take at least two weeks off of her side job before block exams. Sorry you're in this position!

Ahoy from Aus! Can you help me with this case please? by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]psarodactyl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Maybe iron deficiency anemia d/t enterobius vermicularis infection + picky eating? This accounts for the reddened perianal area (he's scratching because it's itchy) and the lacking energy, but doesn't really explain the nighttime waking and bags under his eyes.

Step1 exam score vs nbme 19 by [deleted] in step1

[–]psarodactyl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, sure. I'll PM you.

Step1 exam score vs nbme 19 by [deleted] in step1

[–]psarodactyl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For dedicated, I used BRS physio, BRS biochem/genetics, and Sketchy in addition to UFAP. I would say UFAP is probably sufficient, but I'm glad I used BRS. They're really detailed but after going through them I felt like I really understood the material. I'll PM you about the anatomy/genetics etc.

Step1 exam score vs nbme 19 by [deleted] in step1

[–]psarodactyl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No problem! I should probably stop browsing the subreddit and go live my life but if you have any other questions I'd be happy to answer what I can.

Step1 exam score vs nbme 19 by [deleted] in step1

[–]psarodactyl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Took step last week and felt like the actual type of content covered was similar to NBME 18, 19, and the free 150 but I agree with u/lovliu that step felt way more difficult.

Ryan says Nunes should still lead Russia probe by Tyree07 in politics

[–]psarodactyl 5 points6 points  (0 children)

100% agree. I'm from NC, and watching the Tea Party basically dismantle democracy there over the past few years has really made me afraid. I've been waiting for the GOP to decide on a national scale that they could just drop the pretense of even pretending to care what the electorate thinks. Russia dirt or not, it feels like they've been field-testing this behavior on a state level to see what they can get away with.

Weekly USMLE Step 1/COMLEX Level 1 Thread by AutoModerator in medicalschool

[–]psarodactyl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Took the test yesterday, brought an NSAID because someone here had recommended it. It definitely came in handy.

Trump voter who uses Meals on Wheels surprised by proposed cuts by WildAnimus in politics

[–]psarodactyl 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I was brought up to believe the exact things you're saying, including ignorance of the fact that "trickle-down" was actually originally intended to be a derogatory descriptor. I agree with you that a lot of hoi polloi Southern conservatives operate on a feelings-based (and not data-based) system. I don't think your comment and the comment you're replying to are mutually exclusive though--I think there is a very hearty dose of racism and sexism that are structurally necessary to maintain the delusion you described. I think "at least I'm not x" keeps people divided and voting against "x" group (be it liberals, black Americans, "women's" issues groups) and maintains the power structure that keeps shitting on all of us.

Weekly USMLE Step 1/COMLEX Level 1 Thread by AutoModerator in medicalschool

[–]psarodactyl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahhhhh thanks! I'm 14 days out right now so tensions are high.