Medical English - The School of Business & Medical English, Jersey.

A British Medical Journal summary on Mucormycosis/Black Fungus with diagnostic and risk factors and investigations -
Some pronunciations:
mucormycosis ['m-you-k-or-m-I-'k-oh-s-i-s]
fungi ['f-û-n-g-I] û as in up
rhino-orbito-cerebral ['r-I-n-oh 'or-b-i-t-ul 's-e-r-i-b-r-ul]
or [s-e-'r-ee-b-r-ul - sometimes with a schwa sound for the first 'e']
Zygomycetes ['z-I-g-oh-'m-I-s-ee-t-s]
proptosis [p-r-o-p-'t-oh-s-i-s]
https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/921

Mucormycosis - Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | BMJ Best Practice Predominantly a disease of immunocompromised patients. Its incidence has been increasing over the past 20 years. Five types are commonly described: rhino-orbito-cerebral (most common), pulmonary, cutaneous, disseminated, and gastrointestinal (rare). Histopathology of affected tissue is key to obt...

Chagas Disease - WHO calls for comprehensive equitable access to healthcare for every Chagas disease patient (April 2021).
Some pronunciations:
Chagas ['sh-a-g-a-s]
arrythmias [a-'r-i-th-m-i-a-s] with a schwa sound for the second 'a'
cardiomyopathy ['k-ar-d-i-oh-m-I-'o-p-a-th-i] in syllables ['kar-di-oh-mI-'o-pa-thi]
thrombotic [th-r-o-m-'b-o-t-i-k] unvoiced 'th' (θ) (note the sound change from thrombosis [th-r-o-m-'b-oh-s-i-s])
https://www.who.int/news/item/14-04-2021-who-calls-for-comprehensive-equitable-access-to-healthcare-for-every-chagas-disease-patient

WHO calls for comprehensive, equitable access to healthcare for every Chagas disease patient Today on World Chagas Disease Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for comprehensive and equitable access to health care and services to everyone affected by Chagas disease. An estimated 6 to 7 million people worldwide are infected by Trypanosoma cruzi - the parasite that causes the d...

Medical English -
HMS - Placental Protection (5 January 2021)
Three studies examining any transfer of coronavirus and antibodies across the placenta.
Some pronunciations:
placental [p-l-a-'s-e-n-t-ul]
asymptomatic ['ay-s-i-m-p-t-oh-'m-a-t-i-k] in syllables ['ay-simp-toh-'ma-tik] sometimes with a schwa sound for the 'o'
villi ['v-i-l-I]
glycosylation ['g-l-I-k-oh-s-i-'l-ay-shun] (=glycated)
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/placental-protection

Placental Protection Three studies examine coronavirus, antibodies during pregnancy

Epidemiological relationships between obesity, overweight and COVID-19 by the University of North Carolina and World Bank, including an interesting world map showing prevalence of overweight and obesity in the 1990s and 2010s (19 June 2020).
Some pronunciations:
meta-analyses ['m-e-t-a a-'n-a-l-i-s-ee-z] in syllables [a-'nal-i-seez]
pyrogens ['p-I-r-oh-j-e-n-z]
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/obr.13128

Individuals with obesity and COVID‐19: A global perspective on the epidemiology and biological relationships The linkage of individuals with obesity and COVID‐19 is controversial and lacks systematic reviews. After a systematic search of the Chinese and English language literature on COVID‐19, 75 studies we...

Trial of inhaled formulation of interferon beta-1a to help prevent worsening of COVID-19 in most at risk patients moves to Phase III (14 Jan 2021).
Some pronunciations:
inhaled [i-n-'h-ay-ul-d]
interferon beta [i-n-t-er-'f-i-er-o-n 'b-ee-t-a] with a schwa sound for the 'a'
pathogenic [p-a-th-oh-'j-e-n-i-k] or with a schwa sound for the 'o' + unvoiced 'th' (θ)
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2021/01/synairgen-phase-iii-trial.page

Global trials set to open for COVID-19 treatment first trialled in Southampton | University of Southampton Global trials set to open for COVID-19 treatment first trialled in Southampton

Covid-19: Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine approved for use next week in UK

mRNA type vaccine first to be approved in UK for COVID-19.
Some pronunciations:
vaccine ['v-a-k-s-ee-n]
Pfizer ['f-I-z-er]
BioNTech ['b-i-o-n-t-e-k] or [b-i-'o-n-t-e-k] or ['b-I-o-n-t-e-k]
approved [a-'p-r-oo-v-d]
concept ['k-o-n-s-e-p-t]
doses ['d-oh-s-i-z]
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55145696

bbc.co.uk The NHS is ready to use the initial 800,000 doses when they arrive, the health secretary says.

Coronavirus: Denmark imposes lockdowns amid mink covid fears

In Denmark, coronavirus mutation found in minks and transferring to humans:
Some pronunciations:
mutation [m-you-'t-ay-shun]
imposes [i-m-'p-oh-z-i-z]
culling ['k-û-l-ing] û as in up
strain [st-r-ay-n]
courage ['k-û-r-i-j] û as in up
ineffective [i-n-i-'f-e-k-t-i-v]
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54833459

bbc.co.uk Cases of a mutated strain of Covid-19 have been detected that may undermine future vaccines.

Inflammation link for autism

HMS - Neuroimaging of young men with autism spectrum disorder finds low level of translocator protein suggesting a link to inflammation.
Some pronunciations:
autism ['or-t-i-z-um]
translocator ['t-r-a-n-z-l-oh-'k-ay-t-er]
empathy ['e-m-p-a-th-i] unvoiced 'th' (θ) with a schwa sound for the 'a'
mitochondria ['m-I-t-oh-'k-o-n-d-r-i-a] in syllables ['mI-toh-'kon-dri-a]
https://hms.harvard.edu/magazine/pandemic/inflammation-link-autism?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=hms-facebook-general

hms.harvard.edu Pandemic Discovery Inflammation link for autism A neuroimaging study has shown that the brains of young men with autism spectrum disorder have low levels of translocator protein, a substance that appears to play a role in inflammation and metabolism. This discovery by a team of HMS researchers at Ma...

NEJM - Multiorgan and Renal Tropism of SARS-CoV-2
Some pronunciations:
tropism ['t-r-oh-p-i-z-m]
autopsy ['or-t-o-p-s-i]
angiotensin ['a-n-j-i-oh-'t-e-n-s-i-n]
fetal ['f-ee-t-ul]
microscopy [m-I-'k-r-o-s-k-o-p-i]
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2011400?source=nejmfacebook&medium=organic-social&fbclid=IwAR3_Qn0yDgNpicXWVaSoztNTsW4zUd9P4b5_bXGE-HbTZhtbTMqZnkkd8wo

Why COVID-19 Makes People Lose Their Sense of Smell

A professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Chicago writes about dysgeusia and post viral anosmia post COVID-19. (Phantosmia has now been reported, at least in the UK).
Some pronunciations:
anosmia [a-'n-o-z-m-i-a]
dysgeusia [d-i-s-'g-oo-z-i-a]
phantosmia [f-a-n-'t-o-z-m-i-a]
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-covid-19-makes-people-lose-their-sense-of-smell1/

scientificamerican.com We’re beginning to understand the mechanism behind this relatively common symptom

Coronavirus could leave thousands with lung damage

Consultant Radiologists warn of lung damage post COVID-19 infection. A before and after CT scan is shown in the article.
Some pronunciations:
fibrosis [f-I-'b-r-oh-s-i-s]
pulmonary ['p-u-l-m-o-n-er-i] or ['p-u-l-m-o-n-r-i] sometimes with a schwa sound for the 'o'
alveoli [a-l-v-i-'oh-l-I] or sometimes [a-l-v-i-'oh-l-ee] in syllables [al-vi-'oh-lI]
scarring [s-k-ar-ing]
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-53065340

bbc.com Tens of thousands of people will need to be checked to see if they have permanent damage, doctors say.

COVID-19 in Neonates and Infants: Progression and Recovery : The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal

COVID-19 in neonates and infants: Progression and Recovery - abstract in the Journal of the European Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (July 2020).
Some pronunciations:
neutropenia ['n-you-t-r-oh-'p-ee-n-i-a] or ['n-oo-t-r-oh-'p-ee-n-i-a]
thrombocytosis ['th-r-o-m-b-oh-s-I-'t-oh-s-i-s] unvoiced 'th' (θ)
in syllables ['throm-boh-sI-'toh-sis]
SARS [s-ar-z] one word
https://journals.lww.com/pidj/Fulltext/2020/07000/COVID_19_in_Neonates_and_Infants__Progression_and.31.aspx

journals.lww.com ctrum antibiotics. Only 1/8 (13%) required pediatric intensive care. All patients were eventually discharged home well....

Heart help for infants

HMS - A potential expanding prosthetic heart valve for infants as they grow.
Some pronunciations:
defects ['d-ee-f-e-k-t-s]
rheumatic [r-oo-'m-a-t-i-k]
prosthetic [p-r-o-s-'th-e-t-i-k] unvoiced 'th' (θ)
https://hms.harvard.edu/magazine/pandemic/heart-help-infants?fbclid=IwAR1NvRVqQuy-iYDtLOKDCOd-w6EDgfsGLuQS7zC68J9sV5qfntgYmYUn2W8

hms.harvard.edu Pandemic Discovery Heart help for infants More than 330,000 children worldwide are born with a heart-valve defect each year, and millions of others develop rheumatic heart disease requiring early valve replacement. Current prosthetic heart valves are fixed in size, so typically need to be replaced e...

weekly saliva test covid19 whole households | University of Southampton

The University of Southampton is trialling a COVID-19 saliva test to avoid the uncomfortable nasopharyngeal swab.
Some pronunciations:
swab [s-w-o-b] 'o' sound as in hot, not 'a'
saliva [s-a-'l-I-v-a] with a schwa sound for each 'a'
feasibility [f-ee-z-a-'b-i-l-i-t-i] with a schwa sound for the first 'i' and sometimes the third 'i'
invasive [i-n-'v-ay-z-i-v] or [i-n-'v-ay-s-i-v]
evaluation [i-'v-a-l-you-'ay-shun] or [ee-'v-a-l-you-'ay-shun] or [e-'v-a-l-you-'ay-shun]
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2020/06/weekly-saliva-test.page

southampton.ac.uk Southampton Will Take A Leading Role In Evaluating Regular COVID-19 Infection Testing For Whole Households By Assessing A New Weekly Home-testing Approach Using Saliva Samples.

Dexamethasone reduces death in hospitalised patients with severe respiratory complications of COVID-19

Oxford University announce results of a trial to help reduce fatalities from COVID-19 in ICU and ventilated patients using a widely available corticosteroid.
Some pronunciations:
corticosteroid ['k-or-t-i-k-oh-'st-e-r-oy-d] or ['k-or-t-i-k-oh-'st-i-r-oy-d] or ['k-or-t-i-k-oh-'st-i-er-oy-d]
dexamethasone [d-e-k-s-a-'m-e-th-a-z-oh-n] - unvoiced 'th' (θ)
randomised ['r-a-n-d-o-m-I-z-d] sometimes with a schwa sound for the 'o' (US spelling: randomized)
recovery [r-i-'k-û-v-er-i] [û as in up]
low-dose ['l-oh 'd-oh-s]
https://www.research.ox.ac.uk/Article/2020-06-16-dexamethasone-reduces-death

research.ox.ac.uk Oxford study shows low-cost dexamethasone improves survival rate in hospitalised COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory complications.

Gene Vaccine

HMS researchers advancing experimental gene-based COVID-19 vaccine.
Some pronunciations:
experimental [e-k-'sp-e-r-i-'m-e-n-t-ul] sometimes with a schwa sound for the 'i'
protuberances [p-r-o-'t-you-b-er-un-s-i-s] or [p-r-o-'t-oo-b-er-un-s-i-s]
efficacy ['e-f-i-k-a-s-i] with a schwa sound for the 'a'
donors ['d-oh-n-er-z]
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/gene-vaccine?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=hms-facebook-general

hms.harvard.edu HMS researchers advancing experimental gene-based COVID-19 vaccine

UK Government supports COVID-19 detection dogs trial | LSHTM

Bio-detection dogs are being trained in the UK and in America to see if they can sniff out coronavirus in patients even if asymptomatic.
Some pronunciations:
non-invasive [n-o-n i-n-'v-ay-s-i-v]
hygiene ['h-I-j-ee-n]
odour ['oh-d-er] (U.S. spelling odor)
asymptomatic ['ay-s-i-m-(p)-t-oh-'m-a-t-i-k]
https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/news/2020/uk-government-supports-covid-19-detection-dogs-trial

lshtm.ac.uk In the first phase of the trial, world-leading disease control experts from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), in collaboration with Medical Detection Dogs and Durham University, aim to determine whether dogs are able to detect coronavirus in humans from odour samples.

Remdesivir in adults with severe COVID-19: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial

In the Lancet - Remdesivir in adults with severe COVID-19 - a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial.
Some pronunciations:
remdesivir [r-e-m-'d-e-s-i-v-i-er]
placebo [p-l-a-'s-ee-b-oh] with a schwa sound for the 'a'
hypoxaemic [h-I-p-o- k-'s-ee-m-i-k] (U.S. spelling hypoxemic)
epithelial [e-p-i-'th-ee-l-i-ul]
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31022-9/fulltext

thelancet.com In this study of adult patients admitted to hospital for severe COVID-19, remdesivir was not associated with statistically significant clinical benefits. However, the numerical reduction in time to clinical improvement in those treated earlier requires confirmation in larger studies.

The British Psychological Society outline steps to help protect the psychological wellbeing of healthcare staff during the corona virus pandemic.
Some pronunciations:
psychological [s-I-k-o-'l-o-j-i-k-ul] sometimes with a schwa sound for the first 'o'
psychologist [s-I-'k-o-l-o-j-i-st] note the different word stress
unprecedented [û-n-'p-r-e-s-i-d-e-n-t-id] û as in up [ûn-'pres-i-den-tid]
sometimes with a schwa sound for the second 'e'
to cope [k-oh-p]
peer ['p-i-er]
https://www.bps.org.uk/sites/www.bps.org.uk/files/News/News%20-%20Files/Psychological%20needs%20of%20healthcare%20staff.pdf

Medical English - The School of Business & Medical English, Jersey.

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

International trials of convalescent plasma take place in the US and at Guy's and St Thomas' in London among others to try and find a therapy for severely ill COVID-19 patients.
Some pronunciations:
convalescent ['k-o-n-v-û-'l-e-s-unt] with a schwa sound for the 'a'
plasma ['p-l-a-z-m-û] with a schwa sound for the second 'a'
donations [d-oh-'n-ay-sh-uns]
transfused [t-r-a-n-s-'f-you-z-d]
https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/news-and-events/2020-news/may/20200502-blood-plasma-treatment-trial-opens.aspx

guysandstthomas.nhs.uk Homepage for Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.

Happy International Nurses Day!

Heart Trouble

HMS and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center report on their research on the antimalarial, hydroxychloroquine, in relation to COVID-19.
Some pronunciations:
arrhythmia [a-'r-i-th-m-i-a]
tachycardia [t-a-k-i-'k-ar-d-i-a]
hydroxychloroquine ['h-I-d-r-o-k-s-i-'k-l-or-o-kw-i-n] in syllables ['hI-drok-si-'klor-o-kwin]
azithromycin [a-z-i-th-r-oh-'m-I-s-i-n] U.S. ['ay-z-i-th-r-oh-'m-I-s-i-n]
antimalarial ['a-n-t-i-m-a-'l-air-i-ul]
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/heart-trouble?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=hms-facebook-general

hms.harvard.edu Hydroxychloroquine for treatment of COVID-19 linked to increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias

Coronavirus alert: Rare syndrome seen in children

Children presenting with a multiple system inflammatory state possibly linked to coronavirus.
Some pronunciations:
rare [r-air]
syndrome ['s-i-n-d-r-oh-m]
inflammation ['i-n-f-l-a-'m-ay-shun]
inflammatory [i-n-'f-l-a-m-a-t-or-i] or [i-n-'f-l-a-m-a-t-er-i]
gastrointestinal ['g-a-s-t-r-oh-i-n-'t-e-st-i-n-ul]
paediatric [p-ee-d-i-'a-t-r-i-k] (U.S. spelling pediatric)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52439005

bbc.com Doctors have been told to look out for a rare but dangerous reaction that may be linked to Covid-19.

COVID-19 Context Clues

Harvard Medical School - Social medicine offers insight into pandemic's path.
Some pronunciations:
resilient [r-i-'z-i-l-i-unt]
overwhelmed ['oh-v-er-'w-e-l-m-d]
therapeutic ['th-e-r-û-'p-you-t-i-k] û as in up
contagion [k-o-n-'t-ay-j-un]
pathogen ['p-a-th-oh-j-e-n] or ['p-a-th-û-j-e-n]
viability ['v-I-a-'b-i-l-i-t-i]
malaria [m-a-'l-air-i-a]
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/covid-19-context-clues?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=hms-facebook-general

hms.harvard.edu Social medicine offers insight into pandemic’s path, roadmap to more resilient future

Oxford COVID-19 vaccine programme opens for clinical trial recruitment | University of Oxford

The University of Oxford commences screening people for human trials on one type of COVID-19 vaccine:
Some pronunciations (other vaccine pronunciations in articles below):
adenovirus ['a-d-i-n-oh-'v-I-r-us] ['a-din-oh-'vI-rus]
vector ['v-e-k-t-er]
doses ['d-oh-s-i-z]
diabetes [d-I-a-'b-ee-t-ee-z]
http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2020-03-27-oxford-covid-19-vaccine-programme-opens-clinical-trial-recruitment #

ox.ac.uk University of Oxford researchers working in an unprecedented vaccine development effort to prevent COVID-19 have started screening healthy volunteers (aged 18-55) today for their upcoming ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine trial in the Thames Valley Region. The vaccine based on an adenovirus vaccine vector and...

Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection and pregnancy

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists published guidance for healthcare professionals on coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in pregnancy, updated on 3 April 2020. There is also info in English for pregnant women, ante- and postnatal services, and fetal medicine units. The PDFs can be found here.
Some pronunciations:
gynaecologists ['g-I-n-i-'k-o-l-û-j-i-st] or ['g-I-n-û-'k-o-l-û-j-i-st] û as in up
cough [k-o-f]
trimester [t-r-I-'m-e-st-er]
https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/

rcog.org.uk Guidance for healthcare professionals on Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in pregnancy, published by the RCOG, Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Public Health England and Health Protection Scotland.

Medical English gets boost in Spanish university sector

The Occupational English Test (OET) for medical professionals has now been accepted by Spanish Universities:
https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/medical-english-boost-spain/

occupationalenglishtest.org

Coronavirus update | OET

Occupational English Test (OET) Centres have been closed in April in certain countries. Note that many teachers though can be found teaching online:
https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/coronavirus-update/

occupationalenglishtest.org

UCL, UCLH and Formula One develop life-saving breathing aids for the NHS

UCLH and Formula 1 develop breathing aid to help keep Covid-19 patients out of intensive care.
Some pronunciations:
CPAP ['see-pap]
ventilator ['v-e-n-t-i-l-ay-t-er] or ['v-e-n-t-û-l-ay-t-er] û as in up
invasive [in-'v-ay-s-i-v] or [in-'v-ay-z-i-v]
sedation [s-i-'d-ay-t-id] or [s-û-'d-ay-t-id]
trachea ['t-r-ay-k-i-a] or ['t-r-a-k-i-a]
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2020/mar/ucl-uclh-and-formula-one-develop-life-saving-breathing-aids-nhs

ucl.ac.uk A breathing aid that can help keep Covid-19 patients out of intensive care, adapted by mechanical engineers at UCL and clinicians at UCLH working with Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (Mercedes-AMG HPP), has been approved for use in the NHS.

Harvard Medical School

Harvard Medical School funds available for COVID-19 projects.
Some pronunciations:
COVID-19 [k-oh-v-i-d nineteen]
epidemiology [e-p-i-d-ee-m-i-'o-l-o-j-i]
pathogenesis ['p-a-th-oh-'j-e-n-i-s-i-s]
biopharmaceutical ['b-I-oh-f-ar-m-a-'s-oo-t-i-k-ul]

The consortium will award funding of up to $500,000 for projects on a broad range of areas related to COVID-19—including epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines and clinical management.

Highest number of mumps cases in a decade blamed on 'anti-vax information'

Thousands of cases of mumps/infectious parotitis in the UK:
Some pronunciations:
mumps [m-û-m-p-s] û as in up (Layman's term for infectious parotitis)
infectious parotitis [i-n-'f-e-k-sh-us p-a-r-o-'t-I-t-i-s]
rubella [r-oo-'b-e-l-a] (Lay term is German measles)
contagious [k-o-n-'t-ay-j-us]
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/mumps-rise-data-illness-outbreak-public-health-england-symptoms-glands-swelling-a9335226.html

independent.co.uk ‘The rise in mumps cases is alarming and yet another example of the long-term damage caused by anti-vax information,’ says health secretary

HAN Archive - 00426 | Health Alert Network (HAN)

Novel Corona Virus - Some of my students study pronunciation related to zoonotic diseases. This new, deadly Corona virus in China, currently called '2019-nCoV', has so far spread to Japan, South Korea and Thailand. The WHO are holding an emergency meeting today. This CDC Health Alert is for health professionals:
Some pronunciations:
Corona [k-o-'r-oh-n-a] or [k-û-'r-oh-n-a] û as in up
SARS [s-ar-z] one word
MERS [m-er-z] one word
outbreak ['ow-t-b-r-ay-k]
https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00426.asp

emergency.cdc.gov Health Alert Network (HAN). Provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2019: How cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability

Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine 2019 for how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability - potentially leading to new ways to fight cancer, anaemia and other problems:
Some pronunciations:
hypoxia [h-I-'p-o-k-s-i-a]
erythropoiesis ['e-r-i-th-r-oh-'p-oy-ee-s-i-s]
proteasome [p-r-oh-'t-i-a-z-oh-m]
hydroxylation ['h-I-d-r-o-k-s-i-'l-ay-shun]
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191007095520.htm

sciencedaily.com The 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is being awarded jointly to William G. Kaelin Jr., Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe and Gregg L. Semenza for identifying molecular machinery that regulates the activity of genes in response to varying levels of oxygen.