Definition of Apoptosis Apoptosis is: Origin of the word “apoptosis”: Caspases – Central Regulators of Apoptosis Caspases = Cysteine Aspartate Specific Proteases 2 types of caspases: Initiator caspases: Executioner caspases: 3 Pathways of Caspase Activation 1. Activation of Initiator of Extrinsic Pathway Receptor-ligand interaction mediated: Can mediate intrinsic (mitochondrial) pathway…
Videos
Clinical Skills and Approaches 
Pronator Drift (Barre’s sign) : Neurological Examination
Components of pronator drift Progress from distal to proximal: Downward arm drift Forearm pronation Flexion of the wrist and elbow Method of assessment for pronator drift When the patient extends both arms upright in the supinated position and hold them at shoulder height for atleast 10 seconds (Patients should be…
Clinical Skills and Approaches 
Clonus : Clinical Examination and Mechanism
Definition of clonus Clonus is a rhythmic sustained involuntary muscular contraction (generally 5-8 Hz) evoked by sudden passive stretch of the muscle and tendon. Eliciting Clonus Clonus is commonly elicited in gastrocnemius (ankle clonus). Other sites where clonus can be elicited are quadriceps (patellar clonus), finger flexors and jaw. 1….
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Chest Tube Insertion or Tube Thoracostomy
Indications of chest tube insertion Pneumothorax: In any ventilated patient (positive airway pressure will force air into the pleural cavity and produce tension pneumothorax) Tension pneumothorax after initial needle thoracocentesis Persistent or Recurrent pneumothorax after simple aspiration Large secondary spontaneous pneumothorax in patients >50 years Pleural effusion: Malignant pleural effusion…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
NG tube insertion
Indications Gastric decompression Gavage (feeding) Gastric lavage (irrigation or dilution of gastric contents) Sampling of the gastric contents for analysis Sometimes used to instil air into the stomach to detect a gastric perforation on erect CXR Contraindications Basilar skull fractures (Risk of NG reaching brain) Facial fractures (risk of cribiform…