Author: Glossary

One of a class of chemicals that reduce high cholesterol levels. Monacolin K is marketed as an alternative medicine called “red yeast rice extract” and as the proprietary medication lovastatin.  

In American culture, undue dependence on one’s mother, especially in very early life. This was alleged to cause the individual to be immature.  

A corticosteroid, administered as a nasal spray to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis and other chronic nasal inflammatory conditions, including nasal polyps. Its therapeutic classes are corticosteroids and allergy, cold, and cough remedies.  

In physics, the description of a quantity obtained by multiplying the mass of a body by its linear velocity.  

A phylum of animals that includes the bivalves (mussels, oysters, clams), slugs, and snails. Snails are intermediate hosts for many parasitic flukes. Oysters, clams, and mussels, especially if inadequately cooked, may transmit the hepatitis A virus or bacterial pathogens.  

A class of very small bacteria, some of which have cell walls and others of which have no cell walls but are surrounded instead by a cell membrane. It includes several genera that cause human diseases, including Erysipelothrix (a gram-positive rod shaped bacterium that has a cell wall), Mycoplasma, and Ureaplasma.  

A form of meningitis characterized by recurring bouts of headache with fever, cerebrospinal fluid leukocytosis, and signs of meningeal irritation. The cause is unknown although some cases may be caused by herpesviruses.  

Effort to establish any normal function, especially that necessary to establish the menstrual flow.  

Antigenic similarity between molecules found on some disease-causing microorganisms and on specific previously healthy body cells or tissues. Molecular mimicry is one explanation for autoimmune diseases. After infection with a microorganism whose surface contains antigens similar to those found in the body, the immune system may respond inappropriately by trying to damage these cells with…

The study of the functional molecules within tissues, using techniques such as immunocytochemistry or in situ hybridization.