Category: N
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Negative risk factor
A desirable risk factor that reduces one’s risk for cardiovascular disease.
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New World
Pertaining to the Western Hemisphere, particularly the Americas, as in a plant native to that region. The Western hemisphere. Used in the biological sciences to designate plants, animals, and infections that live or thrive primarily in North, South, and Central America.
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Naturalized
Thoroughly established in a particular geographic region, but originally coming from another geographic area. Having adapted to an environment other than the native environment. An introduced plant that has run thoroughly wild, and perfects its seed. Describes plants from another region that have established themselves with the native flora. Behaving like a native plant of…
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Neurons
Nerve cell that transmits messages throughout the body. Active cells of the nervous system that transmit and receive messages. A cell in the nervous system which transmits nerve impulses. A nerve cell consisting of a central cell body, plus tentacle-like structures which carry messages either towards the central body or away towards another neuron. A…
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Neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Also called wet age-related macular degeneration; it is the more serious form of the disease that causes a loss of central vision.
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Nystatin
Macrolide antifungal antibiotic complex produced by Streptomyces noursei, S. aureus, and other Streptomyces species. The biologically active components of the complex are nystatin A1, A2, and A3. An anti-microbial drug used in the treatment of fungal infections, especially thrush. Antifungal and antibiotic, available as a topical cream, as a suppository, in eyedrops, and for oral…
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Nursing staff
Personnel who provide nursing service to patients in an organized facility, institution, or agency. Those persons employed by a nursing service (nursing department). The nursing staff may include not only registered nurses (RNs), practical nurses, and nurses’ aides, but also clerical and other support persons.
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Nucleus
A body of specialized protoplasm found in nearly all cells and containing the chromosomes. The usually spherical body with each living cell that contains its hereditary biological material (e.g., DNA, genes, chromosomes, etc.) and controls the cell’s life functions (e.g., metabolism, growth, and reproduction). The nucleus is a highly differentiated, relatively large organelle lying in…
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Nucleic acid probes
Nucleic acid which complements a specific mRNA or DNA molecule, or fragment thereof; used for hybridization studies in order to identify microorganisms and for genetic studies. A labelled single strand of DNA used to detect complementary DNA in a laboratory specimen.
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Nucleic acid hybridization
The process whereby two single-stranded polynucleotides form a double-stranded molecule, with hydrogen bonding between the complementary bases in the two strains.