Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Aristolochic acids are a family of carcinogenic, mutagenic, and nephrotoxic compounds commonly found in the Aristolochiaceae family of plants. Aristolochic acid was previously contained in a number of botanical products sold as “traditional medicines” or as dietary supplements or weight-loss remedies. The use of products containing aristolochic acid were found to cause kidney damage, including end-stage kidney failure requiring dialysis or…

A Chinese herb that is injurious to the kidney and is also associated with an increased risk of cancer of the urinary system. Aristolochia can cause kidney failure requiring renal dialysis or a kidney transplant. The tumors reported have included urothelial carcinoma, carcinoma of the ureter, renal pelvis, or both and papillary bladder tumor. Aristolochic acid, the harmful ingredient in Aristolochia fangchi, is also…

Brand name for anastrozole, an oral antiestrogen. Arimidex inhibits the enzyme aromatase in the adrenal glands that produces the estrogens (estradiol and estrone) and thereby lowers their levels. It works by decreasing the amount of estrogen the body makes. This can slow or stop the growth of many types of breast cancer cells that need estrogen to grow. A drug that…

We do not usually give a misspelling but this is a frequent misspelling of arrhythmia (with two r’s), meaning an abnormal heart rhythm. In an arrhythmia the heartbeats may be too slow, too rapid, too irregular, or too early. Rapid arrhythmias (greater than 100 beats per minute) are called tachycardias. Slow arrhythmias (slower than 60 beats per minute) are…

Silver poisoning, resulting in ashen, gray, discolored skin, and damage to other tissues of the body. Caused by long-term use of silver salts or other preparations containing silver.

A common surgical procedure used to treat open-angle glaucoma. The procedure drains fluid from the eye and reduced the pressure within the eye.

A laser with ionized argon as the active medium. Argon lasers are used for photocoagulation in ophthalmology.

An essential amino acid and a key component of protein. Lack of arginine in the diet impairs growth, and in adult males it decreases the sperm count. Arginine is available in turkey, chicken, and other meats, and as L-arginine in supplements. Babies born without the enzyme phosphate synthetase have arginine deficiency syndrome; adding arginine to their diets permits normal growth…

A tumor which secretes large amounts of the hormone serotonin. Argentaffinoma is also called carcinoid tumor. The tumor usually arises in the gastrointestinal tract, anywhere between the stomach and the rectum (the favorite spot is in the appendix) and from there may metastasize (spread) to the liver. In the liver the tumor produces and releases large quantities of serotonin into the systemic…

1. The small darkened area around the nipple of the breast. 2. The colored part of the iris around the pupil of the eye. 3. Any small space in a tissue.