Gram Staining

I need tips on taking textbook notes please! I always get bored reading and then I end up just writing down bolded words with no context (which is really bad I know) any tips to help take more efficient textbook notes without having to spend hours (because I have 3 content heavy classes that I need to take notes for)

Hi there! I know this post may feel basic, but I feel like you’re struggling with basic skills like summarising a topic and writing things in your own words, so I tried my best to explain things in a step-by-step action-oriented list so that you can stand on your own ‘feet’ when you’re studying :)

The Basics of Studying From a Textbook

1. The textbook may be boring, but you’ve still got to read it. 

Unfortunately, high school and university isn’t a walk in the park :( I know, some days it’s hard, but you’ve still got to put in at least a modicum of hard work if you want to do well. 

Sometimes, the studyblr community perpetuates the idea that there’s some sort of “secret” to being a straight-As, 4.0GPA, HD WAM student, but there’s only studying techniques to make things easier. You’re still going to need a basic level of motivation, discipline, time management, organisation and study in order to do well. 

So even though the textbook is boring, you’re either going to have to convince yourself that the topic is interesting, or pull up your socks, buckle down, and actually read it. 

2. Reading speed is a limiting factor on how fast you can take notes. 

Try reading the textbook without taking any notes and time how long it takes you. That’s going to be the minimum time it takes, so if doing all the reading for 3 content heavy courses takes at least an hour or two, then reading and taking notes is going to be much more than that (roughly more than double the time), so you can’t speed it up any faster than your base reading speed. 

I recommend trying speed reading techniques, but that would take a whole separate post, so I won’t go into that here. 

3. Learn how to summarise a topic. 

At the moment it seems like you’re struggling and not really understanding how to summarise topics, and just relying on the textbook to tell you what’s important. 

To summarise something, you’ll need to write down the key points (the most important information) from something that you read in the fewest number of words reasonable. I’m sure you already knew that, but you must not be putting it into practice because of what you’re telling me in your ask. 

4. Write things in your own words. 

Again, once you learn how to summarise, writing it in your own words will solidify that information in your brain. Explain the topic in layman’s terms to a family member, which forces you to use your own words. If you live alone, try a stuffed toy or rubber duck. 

5. Start off by annotating your class notes. 

I think initially you should start off with annotating just until you learn what information is important and what’s not. Class notes usually have 80% of the important information in brief points, and the textbook colours in the rest. 

6. Use the “gummy bears” method. 

I know it’s elementary, but you seemed to be having trouble with discipline and boredom, so place gummy bears on every paragraph as a crutch to get yourself to finish reading everything. Once you train yourself to do things that you don’t want to do, then you won’t have to use any cheap tricks, as you’ll be disciplined enough to read pages and pages without needing constant “carrot on a stick” rewards. 

Once you’ve done those, here are my masterposts for content heavy courses:

Studying Content Heavy Courses

Use my Unique Automated Study Planner Printable which uses spaced repetition to make you remember more strategically!

Content Heavy Courses Study Guide - biology used as an example

Self Studying Advice - when you have to study a lot by yourself

Staying Productive No Matter How Much Time You Have

The Blank Paper Method - for rote learning lots of information

Part 11 Adapting to Uni Study - university basically mandates studying a large amount of info in a short period, so you’ll find this post useful for balancing 6 heavy courses!

Part 12 How to Study From Textbooks in Uni

Hope that helps!!

Follow optomstudies for daily original posts and study masterposts! Links: all originals + langblr posts + 15-part college 101 series + web directory!

Antimicrobial Agents - Inhibition of DNA and Protein Synthesis

Bacterial chromosome replication

DNA replication

Bacterial Topoisomerases 

maintain DNA in appropriate state of supercoiling 

cut and reseal DNA

DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II) introduces negative supercoils 

Topoisomerase IV decatenates circular chromosomes 

these are the targets of the quinolone antibacterial agents 

Quinolones

bind to bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV after DNA strand breakage 

prevent resealing of DNA 

disrupt DNA replication and repair 

bactericidal (kill bacteria)

Fluoroquinolone is particularly useful against

Gram +ves: Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci 

Gram -ves: Enterobacteriacea; Pseudomonas aeruginosa 

Anaerobes: e.g. Bacteroides fragilis 

many applications e.g. UTIs, prostatitis, gastroenteritis, STIs 

Adverse effects

Relatively well tolerated

GI upset in ~ 5% of patients 

allergic reactions (rash, photosensitivity) in 1 - 2% of patients 

Inhibition of Bacterial Protein Synthesis 

Macrolides 

in 1952: Erythromycin was isolated as the first macrolide (Streptomyces erythreus) 

Newer macrolides: clarithromycin, azithromycin 

Structurally they consist of a lactone ring (14- to 16-membered) + two attached deoxy sugars 

Mode of action 

bind reversibly to bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit 

causes growing peptide chain to dissociate from ribosome → inhibiting protein synthesis 

bacteriostatic (stops reproduction)

Macrolides’ spectrum of activity

good antistaphylococcal and antistreptococcal activity 

treatment of respiratory & soft tissue infections and sensitive intracellular pathogens • e.g. Chlamydia, Legionella 

Adverse effects

Generally well tolerated

nausea 

vomiting 

diarrhoea 

rash 

Aminoglycosides

large family of antibiotics produced by various species of Streptomyces (“mycin”) and Micromonospora (“micin”) 

include: streptomycin, neomycin, kanamycin, gentamicins, tobramycin 

Structure = linked ring system composed of aminosugars and an aminosubstituted cyclic polyalcohol 

Mode of action of aminoglycosides

Bind irreversibly to 30S ribosomal subunit 

disrupt elongation of nascent peptide chain 

translational inaccuracy → defective proteins 

bactericidal 

Spectrum of activity 

broad spectrum; mainly aerobic G-ve bacilli (e.g. P. aeruginosa) 

used to treat serious nosocomial infections (hospital acquired infections)

First TB antibiotic

Used for cystic fibrosis 

Adverse effects

all aminoglycosides have low Therapeutic Index (only a small amount needed to become toxic)

renal damage, ototoxicity, loss of balance, nausea 

11.19.17

2 more days until break

Music mood: Mili - Miracle Milk

….and that is how viruses go about their non-lives!!

my biology professor at the end of a lecture about viruses, presumably, i wouldn’t know, i wasn’t paying attention, i’m using context clues here (via scienceprofessorquotes)

desmosome a circular, dense body that forms the site of attachment between certain epithelial cells, especially those of stratified epithelium of the epidermis, which consist of local differentiations of the apposing cell membranes.

-Exfoliatin

A staphylococcus toxin - Cleaves the desmosomes in the stratum granulosum - Separates layers of skin. - Example: Scalded skin syndrome (occurs more often in infants)

Medically Important Bacteria: Clasification

Normal Flora

Blood, Spinal Fluid, Urine: sterile

Cutaneous surfaces (urethra, outer ear included): Staph epidermidis, Staph aureus, Corynobacteria (dyphteroids),Streptocci, Candida spp

Nose: Staph aureus, Staph epidermidis, dyphteroids, assorted streptococci

Gingival crevices: anaerobes = Bacterioides/Prevotella, Fusobacterium, Streotococci, Actinomyces

Oropharynx: Viridans group (alpha hemolytic strep), Neisseria (non pathogenic), H. influenzae (non typeable, meaning, w/o capsule), Candida albicans

Stomach: none

Breast-fed babies colon: microaerophilic/anaerobic = Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, streptococci.

Adult Colon: microaerophilic/anaerobic = Bacteroides/Prevotella, E.coli, Bifidobacterium, Eubacterium, Fusobacterium, Gram- anaerobic rods, Lactobacillus, E.faecalis, streptococci

Vagina: Lactobacillus, streptococci, diphteroids, yeasts, Veillonella, Gram- rods

Antimicrobial Agents - Inhibition of DNA and Protein Synthesis

Bacterial chromosome replication

DNA replication

Bacterial Topoisomerases 

maintain DNA in appropriate state of supercoiling 

cut and reseal DNA

DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II) introduces negative supercoils 

Topoisomerase IV decatenates circular chromosomes 

these are the targets of the quinolone antibacterial agents 

Quinolones

bind to bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV after DNA strand breakage 

prevent resealing of DNA 

disrupt DNA replication and repair 

bactericidal (kill bacteria)

Fluoroquinolone is particularly useful against

Gram +ves: Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci 

Gram -ves: Enterobacteriacea; Pseudomonas aeruginosa 

Anaerobes: e.g. Bacteroides fragilis 

many applications e.g. UTIs, prostatitis, gastroenteritis, STIs 

Adverse effects

Relatively well tolerated

GI upset in ~ 5% of patients 

allergic reactions (rash, photosensitivity) in 1 - 2% of patients 

Inhibition of Bacterial Protein Synthesis 

Macrolides 

in 1952: Erythromycin was isolated as the first macrolide (Streptomyces erythreus) 

Newer macrolides: clarithromycin, azithromycin 

Structurally they consist of a lactone ring (14- to 16-membered) + two attached deoxy sugars 

Mode of action 

bind reversibly to bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit 

causes growing peptide chain to dissociate from ribosome → inhibiting protein synthesis 

bacteriostatic (stops reproduction)

Macrolides’ spectrum of activity

good antistaphylococcal and antistreptococcal activity 

treatment of respiratory & soft tissue infections and sensitive intracellular pathogens • e.g. Chlamydia, Legionella 

Adverse effects

Generally well tolerated

nausea 

vomiting 

diarrhoea 

rash 

Aminoglycosides

large family of antibiotics produced by various species of Streptomyces (“mycin”) and Micromonospora (“micin”) 

include: streptomycin, neomycin, kanamycin, gentamicins, tobramycin 

Structure = linked ring system composed of aminosugars and an aminosubstituted cyclic polyalcohol 

Mode of action of aminoglycosides

Bind irreversibly to 30S ribosomal subunit 

disrupt elongation of nascent peptide chain 

translational inaccuracy → defective proteins 

bactericidal 

Spectrum of activity 

broad spectrum; mainly aerobic G-ve bacilli (e.g. P. aeruginosa) 

used to treat serious nosocomial infections (hospital acquired infections)

First TB antibiotic

Used for cystic fibrosis 

Adverse effects

all aminoglycosides have low Therapeutic Index (only a small amount needed to become toxic)

renal damage, ototoxicity, loss of balance, nausea 

Leukocyes (WBCs) & Defence

A summary

Neutrophils -  non-specific defence against bacteria and fungi

Eosinophils -Defence against parasites; dampen allergic response

Basophils  - Anaphylactic & inflammation response

Monocytes - Mature into macrophages, engulf foreign substances;  remove aged RBCs and other debris

Lymphocyes - Recognise antigens, various roles

Micobacterium tuberculosis DX

Auramine-Rhodamine staining bacilli: fluorescent apple green (sensitive but not specific). If positive, do acid fast.

Acid Fast

Lowenstein-Jensen medium: aerobic, slow growing (2-3weeks)

PPD or Mantoux Test: measure 48-72h after. POSITIVE: >/= 5mm in VIH+ pts, >/=10mm in high risk population (IVDA, poverty, immigrants from high TB area, physicians, nurses), >/=15mm in low risk population

Positive indicates exposure, but not necessarily active disease.

Quantiferon-TB Gold Test: measures IF-gamma

Niacin producers

Catalase negative at 68° and catalase active at body T°

No serodiagnosis