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Paclitaxel-
A chemical (brand name Taxol) extracted from the Pacific yew
tree that helps fight cancer. The yew tree, which produces
paclitaxel to defend itself, is part of a family of trees
that has survived at least 200 million years.
Palliative- A treatment,
which provides symptomatic relief, but is not a cure.
Panflu - Pandemic influenza.
Pandemic - An epidemic outbreak
of a disease occurring worldwide, or over a very wide area,
crossing international boundaries, and usually affecting a
large number of people.
Parasites- An organism that
grows or feeds on, or is sheltered by another organism. This
relationship harms the host organism that the parasite has
invaded.
Parenteral- Method of administering
medicine or nutrition through a means other than by the mouth.
Intravenous (into the vein), intramuscular (into the muscle),
and intradermal (into the skin) administration are all parenteral.
Particulates- Solids or
liquids from smoke, dust, or other substances that can hang
in the air and remain as separate particles for long periods
of time. These are often the result of burning gas, wood,
and other fuels. The smallest particulates can be inhaled
and cause serious breathing problems, especially for children,
people with asthma, and the elderly.
Patents- Ownership rights
that governments give to inventors so they have the exclusive
right to make, use, and sell products or processes they invent.
Pathogens- Agents, such
as bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi, that cause disease.
Some bacteria pathogens are food-borne, such as salmonella.
Pathogenesis- Natural evolution
of a disease process in the body without intervention (i.e.,
without treatment); description of the development of a particular
disease, especially the events, reactions and mechanisms involved
at the cellular level.
Pathogenicity- The ability
or degree to which something can cause disease. A synonym
is 'virulence'.
Pediatric- Relating to the
medical specialty concerned with the development, care and
treatment of children from birth through adolescence.
Penicillin- A medicine made
from molds and used to kill many kinds of bacteria. Discovered
in 1928, it became the first antibiotic in 1941.
Peptic- Pertaining to pepsin
or to digestion; related to the action of gastric juices.
Peramivir- Antiviral drug
manufactured by BioCryst, is being considered a measure for
the treatment of avian influenza.
Period of communicability-
The time during which an infectious agent may be transferred
directly or indirectly from an infected person to another
person, from an infected animal to humans, or from an infected
person to an animal.
Perioperative- Around the
time of surgery; usually lasts from the time of going into
the hospital or doctor's office for surgery until the time
the patient goes home.
Pesticides- A group of human-made
or natural chemical compounds that are used to kill unwanted
pests and other living things (insects, microbes, fungi, and
weeds). Insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides are all forms
of pesticides.
Phosphorus- A mineral that
is essential for the normal growth and development of plants
and animals.
Photochemical smog- Ozone
air pollution. Ozone is a secondary pollutant because it requires
sunlight ("photo") and a chemical reaction between
primary pollutants, NOx and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs),
such as unburned gasoline or evaporating paint thinner. Also
referred to as smog ozone.
Photosynthesis- A process
in green plants and some other organisms that changes carbon
dioxide and water into carbohydrates using energy from the
sun. The process usually releases oxygen into the atmosphere
as a by-product.
Phytochemicals- Compounds,
such as carotene and flavonoids, that occur naturally in plants
(that we also use for food) and promote human health by strengthening
the human immune system and blood vessels, by fighting tumors,
and through other activities.
Plague- While the word plague
is used for any widespread, highly infectious disease, it
specifically refers to the bubonic plague, a disease carried
by rats and spread by fleas. It killed a third of the people
in medieval Europe. It was nicknamed the Black Death because
its victims developed black sores on their skin. |
Plasma Membrane- A delicate
structure which encloses the cell, separating the contents
of the cell from the surrounding environment.
Plasmids- Any extrachromosomal
replicating unit or hereditary determinant, also called paragene.
Pneumonia- Respiratory disease
characterized by inflammation of the lung parenchyma (excluding
the bronchi) with congestion caused by viruses or bacteria
or irritants.
Polio- A highly contagious
infectious disease caused by a filterable virus and occurring
most commonly in children; in its acute form it involves the
spinal cord causing paralysis.
Pollen- A fine material
made of grains produced by the male organs of seed plants
(anthers on stamens) to fertilize the female organs (stigmas
on pistils). Pollen can also trigger allergies.
Pollination- The transfer
of pollen from a male reproductive structure to a female reproductive
structure. Accomplished by wind, water, insects, birds, bats-or
through human intervention. Cross-pollination is pollination
that occurs between different varieties of plants. Managed
pollination is when farmers enhance pollination to improve
the yield and quality of their crops.
Pollinators- Butterflies,
bees, birds, bats, wind, water, or anything that carries pollen
from the male reproductive structure to the female structure.
In the case of a flower, a butterfly would carry the anther
of a stamen to the stigma of a pistil.
Polyculture- The cultivation
of several species together in a field or fish pond.
Polymerase Chain Reaction-
Test that can detect and/or DNA fragments of viruses or other
organisms in blood or tissue. PCR works by repeatedly copying
genetic material using heat cycling, and enzymes similar to
those used by cells.
Polypeptide- A peptide containing
10 to more than 100 amino acids.
Polyunsaturated fats- A
class of fats generally considered healthy. They are found
in greatest amounts in corn, soybean, and safflower oils-all
of which are liquid at room temperature-and in many types
of nuts.
Prenatal- Occurring or existing
before birth; "the prenatal period"; "antenatal
care".
Primate- Mammals having
large brains, eyes that look forward, and usually opposable
thumbs-thumbs they can bend to help pick up objects. Primates
include humans, apes, and monkeys.
Prophylaxis- Prevention
of or protective treatment for disease.
Prophylactic- A medical
procedure or practice that prevents or protects against a
disease or condition (eg, vaccines, antibiotics, drugs).
Protease- Any enzyme which
acts upon the peptide bonds of proteins and peptides; a protein-splitting
or hydrolyzing enzyme.
Proteins- Molecules that
make cells and carry out cellular functions, including enzymes,
hormones, and antibodies. They are made up of strings of amino
acids. Certain food such as meat, fish, eggs, and beans are
good sources of protein, necessary for the growth and repair
of human tissue.
Protozoans- Single-celled
organisms that, unlike algae, have no chlorophyll and cannot
make their own food. Protozoan is the singular; protozoans
or protozoa is the plural.
Provinces- The parts of
a country that have their own governments under the national
government, similar to the states of the U.S. China and Canada
are two countries divided into provinces.
Provirus- A virus that has
become and integral part of the host cell chromosome and is
transmitted from one cell generation to another.
Psoriasis- A disorder of
the skin. Its symptoms include itchiness and blotchy spots.
It will often reoccur and its cause is not fully understood,
although it is generally considered to be an auto-immune disease.
An auto-immune disease is one where the body has an immune
response against one of its own tissues or types of cells.
Pulmonary- Pertaining to,
or affecting, the lungs or any component of the lungs. |
