Do You Notes is a pun for “Do you know?” — a mini-series from Doc Krizza-Almond and TheCheckPoint Online that highlights high-yield, must-understand, but often overlooked (or minsang kinatatamarang aralin, hehe) MedTech concepts.
Today’s topic: Natural Killer (NK) Cells and the Missing Self concept
NK cells don’t just attack at random. They are trained to recognize what’s missing. When a cell loses its MHC Class I “self-ID tag,” that’s a red flag 🚩 for Natural Killer cells. This is called “Missing Self” recognition, a built-in defense that helps your body detect and remove abnormal cells.
Here’s the play-by-play:
Healthy cells show MHC I → NK cells stay calm.
Sick or cancerous cells lose MHC I → inhibitory signals stop.
NK cells go, “Aha! Missing self detected,” then release perforins and granzymes to eliminate the threat.
✨ #MgaWalangKwentangMnemonic: Remember: No MHC, no mercy! 😎
Explanation: Natural Killer (NK) cells attack when a target cell has little or no MHC Class I on its surface. In healthy cells, MHC I binds to NK cells’ inhibitory receptors, keeping them from attacking. But when that “self-ID” is missing (as in viral infection or tumor cells), the inhibition is gone — kaya no MHC, no mercy.
Faith Reflection: God designed even our immune system with wisdom, knowing when to act and when to stay still. In the same way, may we learn to discern with grace and purpose in our own lives.
Perfectionism can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout, making it harder to stay motivated. Instead of striving for perfection, focus on consistent progress and celebrating small wins. This approach helps maintain a healthy balance and achieve your goals effectively. Practical tips include setting realistic daily study goals, practicing questions, learning from mistakes, celebrating progress, honoring your well-being, and trusting in God’s guidance. I struggled with perfectionism too, and it’s God’s guidance that helped me overcome. I hope these insights benefit you on your journey.
It’s easy to fall into the perfectionist trap, especially when preparing for something as important as the MedTech board exam. While aiming for perfection might push you to achieve remarkable things, remember that it’s more important to stay balanced and healthy. Perfectionism can be overwhelming and counterproductive. It can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout, making it harder to retain information and stay motivated. So, instead of striving for flawless performance, focus on making consistent progress. Recognize that each step forward is a step closer to becoming #HappyReadyRMTniLORD in His perfect time!
𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐏? 🌀
It is when you try too hard to make everything perfect. This can make you worry too much, take too long to finish things, and feel very tired. 😟⌛😴
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓’𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓’𝐒 𝐖𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓?
🔥You may aim to achieve 100% on every practice test, but when you fall short, you feel disappointed and unprepared. This makes you constantly review the same topics, trying to master every tiny detail before moving on.
🔥You may spend too much time making sure your study notes are perfect or trying to remember every little detail. This can lead to burnout, inefficiency, and missed opportunities to learn other important topics.
🔥You might spend excessive time looking for the “perfect” study resources, doubting the quality of the materials you already have. This can delay your actual study time and increase stress.
🔥You may avoid new topics or study sessions because you’re worried about not doing them perfectly. This leads to procrastination and last-minute cramming.
🔥You may avoid taking breaks because you think it’s a waste of time and that you should be studying every minute. This can lead to mental fatigue and decreased productivity.
🔥You might stay up late or wake up extremely early to squeeze in more study time, believing more hours will lead to perfection. This can negatively impact your sleep and overall health.
🔥You may constantly compare your progress to that of your peers, feeling inadequate if you don’t measure up to their standards. This can cause unnecessary stress and a negative mindset.
🔥You may withdraw from social activities, friends, and family because you feel the need to dedicate all your time to studying perfectly. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and decreased emotional support.
🔥You may regularly feel that your efforts are NEVER GOOD ENOUGH, even when you achieve good results. This harms your ability to use your God-given skills and talents to their fullest potential and diminishes your joy.
🔥You may find it hard to celebrate your achievements because you always think you could have done better. This diminishes your sense of accomplishment and enjoyment.
𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐃?🌟
To avoid falling into the perfectionist trap, aim for progress over perfection by celebrating small wins and embracing mistakes as learning opportunities. This approach helps you maintain a healthier, more balanced study routine and achieve your goals more effectively.
❤️ 𝑫𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒚 𝑮𝒐𝒂𝒍𝒔 ~ Set realistic daily study goals. For example, aim to cover manageable sections or topics of (your selected board subject) each day instead of trying to master the entire subject in one sitting.
❤️𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 ~ Regularly practice exam questions, even if you don’t get them all right. Each question you answer, whether correctly or incorrectly, helps you learn and improve.
❤️𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑴𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 ~ If you encounter a topic you struggle with, don’t be disheartened. View it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Every mistake is a step towards understanding the material better.
❤️𝑪𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 ~ Acknowledge and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Did you manage to stick to your study schedule for a week? Great job! Did you finally understand a difficult concept? That’s a win! Reward yourself with a small treat or a relaxing break. Rejoice in the small achievements and trust in God’s plan.
❤️𝑯𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒍-𝑩𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 ~ Taking care of your mental and physical health is crucial. Make sure to incorporate breaks, exercise, and restful activities into your study routine to honor God’s gift of your body.
❤️𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝑮𝒐𝒅 ~ Incorporate prayer and trust in God’s plan into your daily routine. This can help reduce stress and improve your focus, allowing you to approach your studies with a calm and clear mind.
I put this post together thinking about my pre-RMT, MD days because I used to struggle with the perfectionist trap too. I still deal with it sometimes, but I now know the not-so-secret secret—God’s guidance and wisdom—so I am able to overcome. I know my past self would have loved to know these tips while working toward becoming RMT, MD ni Lord, so I pray that you, too, will benefit from this. 🙏
Bilirubin terminology may be challenging for some learners. A helpful tip may be to remember English grammar: VOWELS for B1 (indirect, unconjugated, insoluble) CONSONANTS for B2 (direct, conjugated, water-soluble) While some studies reported direct and indirect terminology is outdated, the truth of the matter is that this terminology is still commonly used in the clinical laboratory today.
Bishop, M. L. (2022). Clinical Chemistry: Principles, Techniques, and Correlations (9th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
This course aims to polish you on each board exam subject using a brief in-depth review with Q&A sessions.
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To all the MTLE retakers/refreshers: if you find yourself ready to start again—or just looking for resources to help you move forward at your own pace—this post is for you.
Accepting failure as a part of life is crucial, and as the Bible teaches us in Romans 8:28 (NIV), “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This verse is a beautiful reminder for believers—those who love God and follow His calling—that there is a greater plan at work. Even in moments of failure, their faith can provide comfort, strength, and guidance.
For anyone who hasn’t yet placed their faith in God, know that His love and promises are extended to everyone. No matter where you are in life, His arms are always open to welcome you. Consider the peace and hope that faith in Him can bring, even through life’s most challenging times. You are invited to experience the joy of trusting in His greater plan for you.
Below is a list of my video messages for the retakers, recorded at different times/dates. Please watch at least one, preferably all.
Those who failed to pass the board examination for Medical Technology but had obtained a general rating of at least 70% can register as MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN. See section 21 of RA 5527.
Fill out the application form together with the required documents for pre-evaluation to the Application Division (4th Floor, Annex Bldg.) at the PRC Central Office and the Regional Offices processing counters.
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Fill out the form.
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Once approved, pwede na mag e-oath.
Download the file to see “Guidelines on the Registration of Medical Laboratory Technician”
(BOARD EXAM RESULTS WERE RELEASED ON MARCH 8, 2010)
I was invited to give an inspirational talk at CEU College of Medical Technology Recognition Day today, March 18, 2010.
The program is set to start at 9am but I arrived there at 9.05 am, so I was worried that I would be late. Hahaha. I hurried walking while wearing high heels. Yes, I did. Hahaha. Dalaga na kaya ako. :))
AS USUAL, LAGI AKO NAHAHARANG NG GUARD KASI WALA NGA AKO ALUMNI ID NA MAIPAKITA DAHIL ITO’Y NAWALA.
Hinanda ko na ‘yung C.O.M (Certificate of Matriculation) ko para mapakita agad sa guard at eto ang nangyari.
Guard: Yes Ma’am, saan po sila?
Cha: Ay, Kuya, aattend po kasi ako ng Recognition Day ng MedTech, wala po ako Alumni ID, nawala po. Hindi pa po ako nakakapag-apply.
Guard: Meron ka bang ibang ID na magpapakita ng pangalan mo?
Cha: Kuya kasi nawala lahat eh, pero AKO PO YUNG NASA TARPAULIN KUYA. (Mahinahon naman ang pagkakasabi ko at biglaan kong nasabi yun kasi nagmamadali na ako.)
Guard: Alin, yung bagong kabit? Ahh, ikaw ba yun? (Mukha siyang delighted to see me in person. Hahaha, feelingera na naman ako.)
Cha: Opo Kuya, hehehe. 🙂
Guard: Eh di dapat andito ka na din sa bulletin board. (Nagpunta kami sa bulletin board pero hindi updated.)
Cha: Wala pa po ata. Hehe.
Guard: Wow! Congrats ah. Sige pasok ka na. :))
Cha: Abot-tenga ang ngiti.Hahahaha. Hindi ko po intensyong magyabang, tawag lang po ng sitwasyon dahil malelate na ko. :))
At one point during our conversation, while we were celebrating my son’s birthday in a private resort, my father said something that I know I already know, but somehow, since that day, it kept on replaying at the back of my mind.
We rented this beautiful place where every corner you go to makes you feel relaxed. It’s like a sudden escape from the everyday hurly-burly of our lives. We were only allowed to stay there for 22 hours. My father said, “It’s good that we know we have limited time to enjoy this because we will appreciate each moment that passes. If we know we have unlimited time to spend here, I’m sure we’ll take this for granted.”
That was so spontaneous and was said at a perfect time that it left a profound impression in my mind. (I haven’t told my father about this yet and he will know once he reads this.)
I think if there’s anything that 2020 made clearer, it is that we all have a limited time on Earth. Life is too short not to appreciate that God allowed us to breathe normally still today. If you know when you would go, wouldn’t you also make the most out of your time left?
Maybe… Just maybe it’ll help you to process your emotions more appropriately whenever you think of the remaining days before the board exams. Instead of panicking, perhaps you can learn to take the countdown as a reminder that no matter what your circumstances are, you are still alive. Being here and having the opportunity to study/prepare for the exams is still a blessing, and that means you CAN always choose to do something today – no matter how little – to improve yourself.
The number of days you see is the number of days left that you do not have the RMT or ASCPi or MD title/s in your names…And in 2021, you are claiming these titles. 💪 No matter who says what, when the Lord decides, HE WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN. 🙌 Make today count.
P. S.
Let us declare that this is the last Christmas that you will celebrate without the RMT/ASCPi/MD title/s. The next Christmases won’t be the same. 😉 Padayon.
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WHO CONDUCTS THE LECTURES?
Dra. Krizza-Almond S. Aguilar-Salido handles all lectures for the 7 subjects but there will be invited special lecturers for the exam rationalizations and special sessions.
Disclaimer: The notes I’m sharing may not be currently updated (as I’ve used some of them in my past lectures/reviews), so please always refer to textbooks if you encounter conflicting information.
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ALL NOTES MAY BE USED FOR UNDERGRADUATE, LOCAL BOARD EXAM OR INTERNATIONAL EXAMS (i.e., ASCPi/AIMS/CSMLS/HAAD/NZMLS)
— This list will be updated from time-to-time, so check back regularly. Click DOWNLOAD BUTTON to access each file below. —
ERRATUM FOR THIS:For the action of insulin, please change GLYCOGENOLYSIS to GLYCOGENESIS. Insulin lowers glucose and so it should increase conversion of glucose to glycogen (GLYCOGENESIS).
DISCLAIMER: These are shared by different students. I have not checked the contents fo accuracy. Should you find conflicts, please do consult reference materials accordingly.
Bilirubin terminology may be challenging for some learners. A helpful tip may be to remember English grammar:
VOWELS for B1 (indirect, unconjugated, insoluble)
Bishop, M. L. (2022). Clinical Chemistry: Principles, Techniques, and Correlations (9th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Doc Krizza-Almond 