@dresmerelda

ID/Micro Academic Doctor & Smiley-faced lover of purple

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Category: Healthy Living

Recovery

Time (or in reality ‘Me’) Management

November 27, 2017November 27, 2017Leave a comment

I'm pleased to say that I've managed to achieve a fair bit so far in my career while being utterly useless at time. How? Read on...

Rejection and the ‘Science’ of Recovery

August 1, 2017August 1, 2017Leave a comment

Thinking positively isn't always that easy. Here I discuss how I learnt self confidence and coping strategies for a healthier mind.

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Literature review tips I’m (re-)learning so far 👇 • 1️⃣ Use a good reference management system- personally I love Paperpile 🥰 • 2️⃣ Read a LOT. I find that listening to rain sounds send me into a very helpful trance- this is particularly important for me by day as I focus WAY better at night. (Apparently that makes me “artistic” PAH!) 💧 • 3️⃣ Write a plan using Word’s ‘contents page’ function- then you just need to fill in your blanks... 🤪 • 4️⃣ Find a technique that helps you write. I use the Pomodoro technique but if I’m focusing well I don’t stop. This involves timing yourself for 25mins of focussed work and then having a 5min break. I hear Einstein used to hold a pencil in his hand and when he started to fall asleep the pencil would drop and he’d wake up and feel refreshed. I prefer 8 hours but I’m also not a genius so 🤷🏻‍♀️ • So yeah- I’m currently buried (metaphorically) in papers as I read through lots of literature to write an article summarising science in my field. It’s both interesting and taxing. It also means I’m slightly absent on here but bear with me! 🐻 • Anyone else got writing tips? (PS not sponsored by Apple, Paperpile or Microsoft, even if Bill is technically paying my wage at the mo 😂 Other hardware/software is available) 👇 • #phd #phdlife #phdlifestyle #researchlife #academia #instascience #science #infectiousdiseases #microbiologist #dresmerelda #studygram #studytips #writingtips #doctorslife #eatsleeprepeat #learnsomethingnew #mondaymotivation #mondayvibes #laptoplifestyle #womeninstem

BUTTERFLY RASH: ever heard of it? 🦋 • Typically it occurs in patients with SLE (lupus). As with many things in lupus, unfortunately we understand little about it beyond that it’s due to the immune system attacking its own body. The rash is seen in about 50% of patients with SLE and covers the cheeks and the bridge of the nose, sparing the nostrils (swipe for pic). There’s some evidence that patients with this rash with SLE have disorders in the structure of some of their DNA that codes for their T-cells: a part of their immune system (see comments for article). Interestingly, the rash can also (rarely) be seen in patients with Lyme disease- in those patients though, it’s more likely about the inflammation in the skin over the face (also seen in SLE) than anything on a DNA level. 🔬 • A similar rash, sparing the bridge of the nose, can be seen in patients with a narrowed heart valve, mitral stenosis (MS). Years ago in the UK and US, the cause of MS was commonly due to Rheumatic Fever, another autoimmune condition that was kicked off after infection with a particular bug. Nowadays that’s rarely the cause of MS. 🙌 • Anyone know what bug causes Rheumatic Fever? 👇 • Picture credit for rash: Doktorinternet, Wikipedia https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lupusfoto.jpg#mw-jump-to-license 👀 • #butterfly #cardiology #research #phdlife #science #infectiousdisease #infection #microbiology #microbiologist #dresmerelda #vintagestyle #studygram #globalhealth #fashion #medicine #medstudent #nurse #palife #instascience

* Infection Question * How might your egg-fried rice act like a terrorist? 🤔 • Fried Rice Syndrome is a form of food poisoning that may come about from eating poorly prepared fried rice. 🤢 To stop fried rice becoming clumpy and soggy, it’s sometimes left at room temp to cool and then fried later at relatively low temperatures (cool and reheat your rice safely folks!!). 🧫 Bacillus cereus (pictured above) is a Gram positive bacterium that likes to live in such rice, with 2 important properties: 🔬 • 1️⃣ It can make toxins, essentially heat-hardy little poison darts, that can make you vomit+++ 1-6 hours after you eat it; 🤮 • 2️⃣ If that doesn’t work, B cereus can also form spores, a tough armour within itself that few things can penetrate and that can cause mischief in your intestine 6-15 hours after you eat it. 💩 These spores are INCREDIBLY resistant to heat, detergents and antibiotics. 😧 Thankfully, Fried Rice Syndrome is often self-limiting, mild and short-lived: people often feel better within 24hours 🥳 • So where’s the terrorist link? Sporulation (the ability to make spores) is a property shared by B cereus’ cousin, Bacillus anthracis a.k.a. ANTHRAX 😱 Which is why it’s such a baddie- some forms of it (specially weaponised forms) are difficult to clean up and tricky to treat. ☠️ • Anyone know any other spore forming bacteria? Anyone know what antibiotics we use to treat Bacillus cereus Infection when needed?👇 • #foodie #science #scicomm #agarart #infection #microbiologist #loveyourmicrobes #microbiologia #microbiology #antibiotics #poison #dresmerelda #inthelab #lablife #lovemyjob #backtowork #colourful #medicallife #sciencejokes #geekgirl #sciencesaturday #infectionquestion

2019 for me is summed up by the word JOURNEY. 💪 • This year has brought many changes, some good some bad, after the horridness of 2018. But there’s been transformation in all of them. I’ve seen friends and loved ones, like the amazing @dee_before_c face what feels insurmountable. I continue to see some face awful circumstances with dignity and even humour. And I’ve battled through my own troubles and learnt a lot about myself. So 2020, you may still be imperfect but you’re a welcome new year. 💖 • So, lessons for life- personal and professional- that 2019 has offered: 🥳 • 1️⃣ TRUST YOURSELF. It’s taken me a loooong time to get here personally, possibly longer than most, despite being confident professionally. If all else fails around you, you are left with yourself forever. Learning to trust yourself is a liberating experience and opens more doors than it closes. 💪 • 2️⃣ ACCEPT NEW CHALLENGES. I’ll let you into a secret: everyone is faking it at some point. You never know what you can do until you give it a go. Learn to say no if you’re doing too much but be brave enough to say yes if an opportunity comes your way. 🤩 • 3️⃣ ENERGY COMES FROM EXERTION. Not a strictly scientific statement but as I’ve started to become healthier again and be more active, I’ve found that my energy levels have started to increase. Turns out, exercise is good for you, who knew? The more you do, the more you can do, providing you look after yourself too. It’s been a good reminder to myself though and one I hope to take into the new year. #timetogetfit 🤪 • As the song says, “the race is long but in the end, it’s only with yourself.” 🎼 Happy New Year everyone! 💫 • (As an aside, I’m hoping to start answering “Infection” and even “Human Body” questions (hopefully relating to infection!) that folks might have. Examples to come in the New Year but if you have anything you can already think of, post below or DM me! )👇 • #my2019challenge #happynewyear #professionalwomen #personalgrowth #journey #travel #microbiologist #infectiousdisease #dresmerelda #instamedicine #instascience #scicomm #phdlife #research #doctorslife #medicallife #getfit #gethealthy #alwaysgrowing

On the 12th day of Christmas ID/micro gave to meeeee: 🎄 • 12 Rashes Raging 🥵 11 Mosi’s Munching 🦟 10 Strong-y-loides 😕 9 Pyrexias Peaking 🌡 8 Mouths a Mumping 🦠 7 Schistos Schwimming 🐛 6 Pox Erupting 💉 5 TICK BIIIIITEEES! 🎯 4 Swollen Joints 🏨 3 Tape Worms 💊 2 Scabies Mites 🔬 And a Penicillium in a petriiiiii 🧫 • Merry Christmas Insta friends 🎄❤️🎄 • #merrychristmas #happyyule #christmas #christmascarols #scicomm #instascience #instamed #infectiousdisease #microbiology #microbiologist #parasitology #virology #doctorsofinstagram #dresmerelda #lovemylife #oncalllife #medicine #agarart

Let me lead you through a successful professional decade... 💪 • As we come to the end of 2019, it’s easy to just reflect on what has happened for me and friends/family in the last 2 years (that can be NY’s post though!). But 2020 doesn’t just mark the start of a new year- it’s a new decade. 🙌 • 2010 saw me graduate as a medical doctor. In that time I’ve worked all over the country, completed a Post Grad Diploma with distinction, published papers, learnt lab skills, started a PhD, qualified as an ALS teacher and found my Specialty. It’s been tough at times but worth it. Tip 1️⃣ is be prepared to leave your comfort zone- say yes to new opportunities and travel with it. You never know what you’ll learn and it looks good for your CV, especially as an ID doc 👩🏻‍⚕️ • Tip 2️⃣: Play hard when you work hard. Mental health is important and when you first start a new job, it’s easy to just want to work hard. I make a point in medicine to kick out juniors after 5pm when I’m on call for them. It’s amazing how resistant they can be! But downtime makes for a better doctor for your patients- and the same goes for other professions. Thankfully, that’s now being recognised increasingly, particularly medicine. And support those on the lower rungs of your profession 💕 • Tip 3️⃣: check in with yourself regularly but be fair. Where are you on the roadmap of achieving your personal and professional goals? It’s easy to get lost at times- SWOT analyses are your friends! Don’t berate yourself though- most of the time, only a few tweaks and some focus is required to get back on track. 👍 • What are your overarching decade-tips? More specific ones coming from me at the end of the year...! 🤞 • #endofthedecade #careergoals #careergrowth #microbiologist #phdstudent #careerjourney #instamed #medicine #success #successfulwomen #wegotthis #endofanera #microbiology #infectiousdisease #doctorslife #alwayslearning #alwaysgrowing #mentalhealth #selfcare #womeninstem #nursingstudent #pastudent #studygram #studytips #careertips #mondaymotivation #dresmerelda #mydecade #mondayinspiration

Insta-GRAM! Geddit? 😜 • I think the simplest-seeming things in science, medicine and research are the most incredible. The things we take for granted- like that you can stain bacteria and their different walls have different properties that help you identify them 😱 Or the fact that straining water through seven pieces of sari material is almost as good as using UV light to clean it and make it drinkable. People thought of this stuff. And it has huge impacts for others 🙌 • Never dismiss an “obvious” idea without checking if someone else has thought of it first and what it could do. The “simplest” ideas are the hardest to come by... ☺️ • Are there any “simple” things that blow your mind? 🤯 👇 • #sciencesunday #instagood #science #researcher #phdlife #medicine #medicalstudent #instascience #inthelab #microbiology #microbiologist #infectiousdisease #studygram #doctorslife #academiclife #globalhealth #wanderlust #instagram #scienceart #dresmerelda #pretty

Is red wine good for you because it’s good for your gut microbiome? 🍷 • According to a recent study (ref below), yes! There have been a lot of studies over the years that show that red wine, high in micronutrients called polyphenols, are good for your heart. ❤️ It is also reported that having a good variety of good bugs in your gut (‘diversity’) is associated with better health. 💪 So the team set about showing mathematically, across 3 different groups, that the health effects of 🍷 were associated with a higher diversity in the gut microbiome, compared with other alcohol. 🙌 • Now, it’s always good in science, medicine and life in general to question what you’re told. 🤔 The science of the study is interesting and the maths convincing. But my issue comes back to this idea of diversity being a solid ’marker of gut health’ when talking about the gut microbiome. (💩- talk ahead!) A really good comment article by Falony et al pointed out that as the water content of a 💩 goes down, the variety of bacteria goes up but the types change. 💧 In reality then, all studies looking at the gut microbiome should be checking that a person thinks they are having a normal, healthy bowel movement before we can judge how it explains their health… 🤪 • But hey, it’s nearly Christmas. 🎄 And on the assumption that not everyone in the above study could possibly have been constipated (🙈😂), it may just be more evidence that that occasional glass of red is your friend… 😁🍷 • #gutmicrobiome #microbiome #microbelove #redwine #science #loveyourgut #research #academia #workhardplayhard #studygram #microbiologist #microbiologia #medicine #cardiology #dresmerelda #instascience #humpday #winsday #alwayslearning • Le Roy et al. doi.org/10/1053/j.gastro.2019.08.024 Falony et al. doi.org/10.1038/s41564-018-0143-5

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