Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

The concentration of osmotically active particles expressed in terms of osmoles of solute per litre of solution. Concentration of dissolved substance per liter of solution (such as plasma). Compare to osmolality, the concentration of dissolved substances per kilogram of solvent (often water). Osmolarity is affected by the volume of the various solutes in the solution…

An amino acid produced in the urea cycle by the splitting off of urea from arginine. An amino acid that occurs as a metabolic intermediate in the synthesis of urea, but not involved in protein synthesis, so of no nutritional importance. An amino acid produced by the liver. Ornithine is a nonessential amino acid synthesized…

Transference of an organ between individuals of the same species or between individuals of different species. A surgical operation to transplant an organ from one person to another.  

A male hospital attendant. A person who does general work in a hospital. A hospital attendant, without professional qualifications, who does heavy or routine work, such as transporting patients. An attendant in a hospital who does general work to assist nurses. Orderlies are responsible for lifting and transporting patients and preparing them for surgery (e.g.,…

The optimal state of the mouth and normal functioning of the organs of the mouth without evidence of disease.  

Reading frames where successive nucleotide triplets can be read as codons specifying amino acids and where the sequence of these triplets is not interrupted by stop codons. Region of a gene (DNA) that contains a series of triplet (bases) coding for amino acids without any termination codons. The sequence is potentially translatable into protein.  …

Mycosis of the nails, possibly due to some extent to humidity. An infection of a nail with a fungus. Fungal disease affecting the nails of the fingers and toes in which the nails thicken and become opaque and brittle. Fungus infection of the nails, usually caused by Epidermophyton or Candida, The nails become white, opaque,…

Chemical, viral, radioactive or other agent that causes cancer; carcinogenic. Anything that may give rise to or cause cancer. Causing tumours to develop. Describing a substance, organism, or environment that is known to be a causal factor in the production of a tumor. Some animal viruses are known to be oncogenic; others are suspected of…

An orally administered broad-spectrum quinolone antibacterial drug active against most gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. A quinolone drug used to treat infections in the urinary, respiratory and reproductive tracts. A quinolone antibiotic is employed for addressing infections of the skin, soft tissues, lower respiratory tract, and urinary tract. Typically administered in tablet form, it treats infections…

A painful condition of the esophagus. A condition in which pain occurs when food is swallowed. Severe burning, squeezing pain on swallowing, due to disorder of the esophagus (e.g., gastro-esophageal reflux, tumor, chemical irritation of the mucous membrane lining, or infection). Discomfort, a burning sensation, or pain felt below the breastbone when food or fluid…