Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Removal by surgery of the appendix, the small worm-like appendage of the colon (the large bowel). An appendectomy is performed because of probable appendicitis, inflammation of the wall of the appendix generally associated with infection. Appendicitis usually is suspected because of the medical history and physical examination. The pain of developing appendicitis is at first diffuse and poorly localized (not confined to one spot)…

A form of cell death in which a programmed sequence of events leads to the elimination of cells without releasing harmful substances into the surrounding area. Apoptosis plays a crucial role in developing and maintaining the health of the body by eliminating old cells, unnecessary cells, and unhealthy cells. The human body replaces perhaps one million cells…

A venerable term for a stroke, a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), often associated with loss of consciousness and paralysis of various parts of the body. The word “apoplexy” comes from the Greek “apoplexia” meaning a seizure, in the sense of being struck down. In Greek “plexe” is “a stroke.” The ancients believed that someone suffering a stroke (or any sudden incapacity) had been struck down by the…

Also called Sever’s condition, this disorder is due to inflammation of the growth plate of the calcaneus, the bone at the back of the heel. The inflammation is at the point where the Achilles tendon attaches. It occurs mainly in older children and adolescents, especially active boys. It can be very painful. It is one…

In psychology, the perception of connections and meaningfulness in unrelated things. Apophenia can be a normal phenomenon or an abnormal one, as in paranoid schizophrenia when the patient sees ominous patterns where there are none.

An enzyme that plays a key role in programmed cell death, or apoptosis. Caspase 3 has been called the “henchman that goes around and executes the cell.” It is a member of the family of asparate-specific cysteinyl proteases and is also known as caspase-3, CPP32, apopain, or YAMA.

In Greek mythology, often considered to be a god of healing. In stories such as The Iliad, Apollo is depicted as the bringer and reliever of plagues.

A type of lipoprotein (a protein connected to a fat). Apolipoprotein E is abbreviated ApoE and the gene that encodes it is known as APOE. APOE is located on chromosome 19 in band 19q13.2. Lipoproteins are responsible for carrying cholesterol and other fats through the bloodstream as little packages and are essential for the normal breakdown of these molecules.…

The major protein component of HDL (high density lipoprotein) and a relatively abundant plasma protein. APOA-I is instrumental in promoting the transfer of cholesterol into the liver where it is metabolized and then excreted via the intestine from the body. The gene locus for APOA-I is on chromosome 11q23. A number of genetic variants of APOA1 are known, including ApoA-I Milano.

A human protein that interferes with the replication of HIV by incorporating itself into virus particles and damaging the genetic material of the virus. The viral protein Vif can halt this process in two ways: (1) by binding to APOBEC3G and preventing it from incorporating into virus particles; and (2) by targeting APOBEC3G for destruction and almost…