Category: A

  • Age-adjusted death rate

    The number of deaths in a specific age group for a given calendar year divided by the population of that same age group and multiplied by 1000.  

  • Agaritine

    A member of a series of hydrazine derivatives occurring in mushrooms, including the common edible mushroom Agaricus bisporus.  

  • Aerophagia

    The habit of swallowing air. Swallowing of air, usually followed by belching, flatulence, and discomfort; also called aerophagy. This may be done voluntarily to stimulate belching, accidentally during rapid eating or drinking, or unconsciously as a habit. Voluntary aerophagia is used to permit esophageal speech after surgical removal of the larynx (usually for cancer). Ingesting…

  • Aerobic metabolism

    Metabolic reactions that require oxygen. Processing of nutrients in the presence of oxygen; a metabolic pathway that uses oxygen to convert glucose into cellular energy.  

  • Advanced cardiac life support

    Advanced resuscitation techniques including airway management, arrhythmia detection, drug therapy, and defibrillation. The resuscitation of dying patients; a process that involves management of the airway, reestablishment of breathing, and the restoration of spontaneous heart rhythm, blood pressure, and organ perfusion. ACLS begins with the recognition of cardiac or respiratory emergencies, and includes basic life support…

  • Adsorb

    To attract and retain substances on the surface. For example, dietary fiber can adsorb cholesterol and facilitate its excretion via the feces. Attachment of a substance to the surface of another material.  

  • Adrenocorticotropin hormone

    Hormone released by the anterior pituitary that stimulates the release of the adrenal cortical steroid hormones (cortisol, corticosteroid, hydrocortisone, dehydroepiandrosterone, and aldosterone). Its release, in turn, is stimulated by the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) that is released by the hypothalamus.  

  • Adrenalcortical hormones

    Steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex.  

  • Adipsin

    Also known as complement factor D. It is a protein that is a member of the trypsin family of peptidases. It is a component of the alternative complement pathway best known for its role in the humoral suppression of inflammation by infectious agents. The protein is also a serine protease that is secreted by adipocytes…

  • Adenyl cyclase

    The enzyme responsible for the conversion of ATP to cyclic AMP, an important second messenger for hormones that stimulate catabolic processes. An enzyme that catalyzes the production of cyclic AMP (adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate) from ATP (adenosine triphosphate). It is present on most cell surfaces.