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Naloxone- (Narcan)
is a drug used to counter the effects of overdosing on opiates
such as heroin or morphine.
Nanometer-
Unit of measurement, abbreviated as nm. Statistically, it
is One billionth of a meter. For Eg: The influenza A virus,
in its spherical form, is about 120 nm.
Nasal- A continuant
consonant produced through the nose with the mouth closed.
Natural Flu Remedy-
Term given to the aspirins and other substances provided by
nature to alleviate cold symptoms.
Natural Immunity-
Also called innate-or born with- immunity, it is the ability
of an organism to fight a disease from birth.
Natural Resources-
Nature's gifts; natural materials essential to humans, such
as water, air, land, trees, animals, plants, soil, and minerals.
Some are replaceable; others are not. Trees and fish are renewable
resources and can be replaced. Nonrenewable resources, such
as water and natural gas are not replaceable once they have
been used.
Nausea- A sensation
of unease and discomfort from the stomach, with the sufferer
feeling that he is about to vomit.
Necrosis- Unprogrammed
death of living tissue. There are many causes of necrosis
including injury, infection, cancer, infarction, inflammation
and so on.
Nematodes-
A large category of small, unsegmented worms. The type of
nematode found in soil is a microscopic worm that plays an
important role in the breakdown and recycling of organic matter.
Some beneficial species feed on insect larvae and help control
harmful insects. Other nematodes are parasites, and cause
harm to plant roots and animals.
Netpens- Large nets, also
called net cages, in which farmed fish are raised. They are
usually located on the edge of large bodies of water such
as rivers and oceans.
Neuralgia- Acute spasmodic
pain along the course of one or more nerves.
Neuraminidase- An antigenic
glycoprotein enzyme found on the surface of the Influenza
virus which forms a mushroom-shaped projection. The enzyme
assists in the release of newly-formed virus particles from
the surface of an infected cell. Neuraminidase cleaves terminal
sialic acid residues from carbohydrate moieties on the surfaces
of infected cells. This promotes the release of progeny viruses
from infected cells.
Neurotoxin- A poisonous
chemical that affects the central nervous system. It can destroy,
paralyze, or adversely affect nerves or nerve tissue, producing
psychological or behavioral abnormalities.
New Urbanism- A movement
to promote cities and towns with planned growth that minimizes
damage to the environment.
Niacin- A B vitamin essential
for the normal function of the nervous system and the gastrointestinal
tract.
Nitrofurantoin- an antibacterial
medicine (trade name Macrodantin) effective against a broad
range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria; used to
treat infections of the urinary tract.
Nitrogen- A chemical element
(N) that occurs in nature as a gas and makes up nearly 79%
of the Earth's atmosphere.
Nitrogen Dioxide- A pollutant
that causes smog and acid rain, as well as eye, throat, and
lung irritation. Nitrogen dioxide (chemical symbol NO2) is
mainly produced by burning fossil fuels (e.g., emissions from
burning gasoline in a car).
Nitrogen Excretion- The
removal of excess nitrogen from the cell.
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Nitrogen Fixation- The absorption
of nitrogen from the atmosphere by bacteria in the soil. When
the bacteria die, they release the nitrogen into the soil
rather than back into the atmosphere, and plants can then
use it as a nutrient.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)- Chemical
compounds made up of nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O). These elements
are found in the atmosphere naturally. As a result of burning
fossil fuels, these elements combine into pollutants such
as nitrogen dioxide (one atom of N and two of O) and nitrogen
trioxide (one of N and three of O). Nitrogen oxides are a
major component of acid rain and contributor to global warming.
About 95 percent of the increased levels of nitrogen oxides
found in our atmosphere today come from humans burning fossil
fuels. The rest comes from natural sources such as volcanoes
and the action of bacteria in soil.
Nitrous Oxide- A pollutant
that is a greenhouse gas (chemical symbol N2O). This chemical
compound is mainly produced by burning fossil fuel (e.g.,
emissions from burning gasoline in a car).
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma-
A type of lymphoma, a cancer affecting lymph nodes and the
immune system.
Non-Traditional Health Care Settings-
Settings predetermined for operation prior to an influenza
pandemic and operational only when influenza pandemic is declared
by the World Health Organization.
Non-Traditional Site- A
site (for pandemic influenza planning) that is not a currently
established health care site, or that is a site that usually
offers a different type or level of care. During influenza
pandemic, it is expected that non-traditional sites will be
needed to provide care for influenza patients and will focus
on monitoring, care and support of these patients.
Nosocomial Infections- Infections
acquired during hospital stays.
Novel virus- A new, unusually
virulent strain of virus arising from a mutation, which endows
the virus with the capacity to be easily transmitted from
one person to another.
Nucleocapsids- The core
of a virus, including the protein coat and the genetic material
contained inside.
Nucleotide- One of the compounds
into which nucleic acid splits on hydrolysis, consisting of
a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and a phosphate group.
Nuclear Membrane- an ordered
membrane interface regulating the exchange of material between
the nucleus and cytoplasm of the cell.
Nucleocapsid- A protein-nucleic
acid complex which forms part or all of a virion. It consists
of a capsid plus enclosed nucleic acid. Depending on the virus,
the nucleocapsid may correspond to a naked core or be surrounded
by a membranous envelope.
Nucleic acid- A large molecule
made up of a sequence of phosphorylated nitrogen-containing
bases. The two main types of nucleic acid are DNA (deoxyribonucleic
acid), found mainly in cell nuclei, and RNA (ribonucleic acid),
found mostly in cytoplasm.
Nucleus- The generally oval
protoplasmic body in the center of the cell which contains
the genetic material and is surrounded by a nuclear membrane;
an essential organelle that controls metabolism, growth, and
reproduction.
Nutrients-Vitamins- Minerals,
and other compounds that plants, animals, and humans need
to survive, grow, and stay healthy. Nutrients are found in
food for humans and other animals and in soil and water for
plants.
Nutritional- Refers to food
that provide nutrients, such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins,
minerals, amino acids, and enzymes necessary for the body
to make and repair cells and sustain life. A balance of these
elements is required to maintain optimal health.
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