Funtabulously Frivolous Friday Five 106

Funtabulously Frivolous Friday Five 106

Question 1

Which drug is derived from the saliva of the Gila Monster

Reveal Answer

• Exenatide
• The hormone exendin-4 occurs naturally in the saliva of the Gila monster, a large venomous lizard native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
• Exenatide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist (GLP-1 agonist) medication, belonging to the group of incretin mimetics, approved in April 2005 for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2

Question 2

Who first described the potential therapeutic use of botulinum toxic?

Reveal Answer

• Dr Justinus Kerner in the 17th century
• Dr Kerner, a noted German poet and physician provided an accurate description and theory for botulism. He recognised that the “sausage toxin” has potential clinical application in cases of “muscle hypercontractions, hyperhidrosis and hypersalivation.”
• He started animal experiments and clinical experiments on himself, developed hypotheses on the pathophysiology of the toxin, suggested measures for prevention and treatment of botulism, and, finally, developed visions and ideas about future perspectives regarding the toxin, including its therapeutic use [Reference: The Lancet]

Question 3

A 30 year old chronic migraine sufferer stumbles into emergency following a mechanical fall and facial injury…his wounds ooze what can only be described as ‘green blood’. What is the potential cause of this?

Reveal Answer

• Sulfhaemoglobinaemia
• Sulfhaemoglobinaemia, arises from the (irreversible) incorporation of sulphur into haemoglobin (rendering it useless for oxygen transport).
• First descibed in 2005 when a 42 year old man gave everyone a shock when he bled green blood during an operation. Cases are caused by taking large quantities of sulphur-containing medications. In this case the culprit was thought to be sumatriptan.[Reference: The Lancet]

Question 4

What is this, and where might you find one in the body?

Photo taken at British Museum by Mike Young

Reveal Answer

• The hat is a phrygian cap
• An anatomical variation of the gallbladder can give it a folded tip appearance, resembling the cap. This the most common anatomical variation of the gallblader. It is thought to have no significant clinical implications. [Reference]

Question 5

Dick Ket (1902-1940) was a Dutch painter who is known for his self-portraits. What congenital condition is most commonly depicted?

Reveal Answer

• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Known to suffer from a heart defect, the clubbing, plethora and cyanosis noted in several of his paintings have led to the suggestion that he had the tetralogy of Fallot.

 

…and always remember – home is where the heart is

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