B cell

B cell A type of white blood cell that has an important role in producing antibodies for the immune system. B cells are lymphocytes that mature in the bone marrow (as opposed to T cells, lymphocytes that mature in the thymus). Many B cells go on to become plasma cells and produce antibodies (immunoglobulins); some…

AZT

AZT Azidothymidine, now renamed zidovudine, but still best known by the abbreviation AZT. This antiviral drug is prescribed, usually in combination with protease inhibitors and other drugs, to treat HIV infection in patients with AIDS.

azotemia

azotemia A higher-than-normal blood level of urea or other nitrogen-containing compounds. The hallmark test for azotemia is the serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level. Azotemia is usually caused by the inability of the kidneys to excrete these compounds.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda India’s traditional, natural system of medicine that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years. Ayurveda provides an integrated approach to preventing and treating illness through lifestyle interventions and natural therapies. Ayurvedic theory states that all disease begins with an imbalance or stress in the individual’s consciousness. Lifestyle intervention is a major ayurvedic preventive…

axon

axon A long fiber of a nerve cell (neuron) that acts somewhat like a fiber-optic cable to carry outgoing messages. The neuron sends electrical impulses from its cell body through the axon to target cells. Each nerve cell has one axon. An axon can be over a foot in length. See also dendrite; neuron.