Ala: From 2 Different Sources
A winged-like expansion of cuticular integument of nematodes; an expansion at the oesophageal region called “cervical alae”, e.g. in Toxocara species, or at the posterior end called “caudal alae” and in the larval stages of some nematodes the expansion may extend almost entire lateral aspects of the body, these expansions are called “lateral alae”. In Oxyuridae, e.g. Enterobius vermicularis, the cuticle at the anterior end expands dorso-ventrally into “cephalic alae”.
n. (pl. alae) (in anatomy) a winglike structure; for example, either of the two lateral flared portions of the external nose or the winglike expansion of the ilium.
Alastrim, or variola minor, is a form of SMALLPOX which di?ers from ordinary smallpox in being milder and having a low mortality.... alastrim
(Native American) From a tribal town; from the state of Alabama... alabama
(Arabic / Basque) One who is majestic, of high worth / joy... alaia
(Yoruban) One who is adored... alake
(Hawaiian) Resembling an endangered crow Alalla, Alalah, Alallah... alala
(Hawaiian) Precious as a child... alamea
(Hawaiian) From the orange tree Alanee, Alanie, Alaney, Alannie, Alany, Alaini, Alanea... alani
(Spanish) Feminine form of Alonzo; noble and ready for battle... alanza
(Native American) Resembling the sweet gum tree... alaqua
See “emergency alarm”.... alarm
(Native American) From the great land; from the state of Alaska... alaska
(Hawaiian) The light of dawn... alaula
(Latin) Form of Laura, meaning “crowned with laurel; from the laurel tree” Alauri, Alaurie, Alauree, Alaurea, Alaureah, Alaury, Alaurey, Alaurye... alaura
(French) Resembling a lark... alavda
(Basque) A miracle child... alazne
See “emergency alarm”.... community alarm
A system allowing an older person to be linked for up to 24 hours a day to a central service which can offer help in an emergency.... emergency alarm
n. absence or deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which is essential for the digestion of milk sugar (lactose). All babies have lactase in their intestines, but the enzyme disappears during childhood in about 10% of northern Europeans, 40% of Greeks and Italians, and 80% of Africans and Asians. Alactasia causes symptoms only if the diet regularly includes raw milk, when the undigested lactose causes diarrhoea and abdominal pain.... alactasia
Linn.Cassia absus Linn.
Family: Caesalpiniaceae.
Habitat: Throughout India.
Ayurvedic: Chakshushyaa, Aranya- kulathhikaa, Kataka.
Unani: Chaaksu.
Siddha/Tamil: Muulaipalyirai, Kaattukollu.
Folk: BanKulathi.
Action: Seed—bitter, blood-purifier, astringent, stimulant, diuretic. Used topically for leucoderma, ringworm, venereal ulcers and other skin diseases. Roots—purgative.
Seeds gave sitosterol-beta-D-gluco- side and alkaloids—chaksine and iso- chaksine. Chaksine is found to be antibacterial against Micrococcus pyo- genes var. aureus and Streptococcus haemolyticus. It stimulates contraction of different tissues of plain muscles, like uterus, intestine, bladder, and muscles in blood vessels. It depresses the parasympathetic nerve- endings of certain organs like intestine
Family: Caesalpiniaceae.
Habitat: Native to the West Indies. Found wild almost throughout India.
English: Ringworm Cassia.
Ayurvedic: Dadrughna, Dadrumar- dana.
Siddha: Malanthakerai, Seemai agathi (Tamil).
Folk: Daadmaari.
Action: Leaf—used in skin diseases like herpes, blotch, eczema, mycosis (washerman's itch). Dried leaves— in leprosy. A strong decoction is used for ringworm, eczema and herpes. Leaves are also used as a purgative.
Young pods contain rhein, emodin and aloe-emodin. The antibacterial activity of the leaves is reported to be due to rhein. The roots contain an- thraquinone. Emodin, aloe-emodin and anthraquinone contribute to the purgative activity of the leaves and roots. Crushed leaves or roots are rubbed on to the skin to cure ringworm and to control Tinea imbricata, a skin fungus.... cassia alata
Linn.
Synonym: D. atropurpurea Roxb. D. globosa Roxb. D. purpurea Roxb.
Family: Dioscoreaceae.
Habitat: Native to East Asia; cultivated in Assam, Vadodara, Tamil Nadu, Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
English: Wild Yam, Greater Yam, Asiatic Yam.
Ayurvedic: Kaashthaaluka. Aaluka (var.). Aalukas (yams) of Ayurvedic texts, belong to Dioscorea spp.
Siddha/Tamil: Perumvalli kizhangu.
Folk: Kathaalu.
Action: Even the best among the cultivated yams causes irritation in the throat or a feeling of discomfort when eaten raw. Wild yams—cholagogue, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, diuretic. Also used for painful periods, cramps and muscle tension.
Key application: Dioscorea villosa L., Wild Yam—as spasmolytic, anti-inflammatory. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)The edible tubers of Dioscorea alata are purple-coloured and contain an- thocyanins, cyanidin and peonidin- 3-gentiobioside acylated with sinapic acid. The tubers contain surcose, while leaves contain large quantities of D- fructose, D-glucose and the polyols, 2-deoxyribitol, 6-deoxysorbitol and glycerol.Mouldy yams are reported to contain a compound ipomeanol which is being tested against human lung cancer. (J. Am Med Assoc, 1994,15, 23.)Diosgenin obtained from Dioscorea species was used in the first commercial production of oral contraceptives, topical hormones, systemic corticos- teroids, androgens, estrogens, pro- gestogens and other sex hormones.The chemical transformation of di- osgenin to estrogen, progesterone or any other steroidal compound does not occur in human body. Topically applied Wild Yam does not appear to cause changes in serum FSH, estradi- ol or progesterone. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)Diosgenin, combined with the drug clofibrate, caused a greater decrease in LDL than either substance alone in rats. (Sharon M. Herr.)... dioscorea alata
(arteriohepatic dysplasia) an inherited condition in which the bile ducts, which drain the liver, become progressively smaller, causing increased *jaundice. It is associated with abnormalities of other organs, such as the heart, kidneys, eyes, and spine. [D. Alagille (1925–2005), French physician]... alagille syndrome
n. see amino acid.... alanine
(ALT) an enzyme involved in the transamination of amino acids. Measurement of ALT in the serum is of use in the diagnosis and study of acute liver disease. It was formerly called serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT).... alanine aminotransferase
see radiation protection.... alara principle
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