Aldolase test, Aldosterone assay, Alemtuzumab, Alexander technique, Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

Aldolase test: 

Aldolase is an enzyme found throughout the body, particularly in muscles. Like all enzymes, it is needed to trigger specific chemical reactions. Aldolase helps muscle turn sugar into energy. Testing for aldolase is done to diagnose and monitor skeletal muscle diseases.

Aldosterone assay:

 This test measures the levels of aldosterone, a hormone produced by the outer part (cortex) of the two adre¬nal glands, organs which sit one on top of each of the kidneys. Aldosterone regulates the amounts of sodium and potassium in the blood. This helps maintain water balance and blood volume, which, in turn, affects blood pressure.

Alemtuzumab: 

Alemtuzumab is sold as Campath in the United States. Alemtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to CD52, a protein found on the surface of normal and malignant B and T cells, that is used to reduce the numbers of circulating malignant cells of patients who have B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL).

Alexander technique

The Alexander technique is a somatic meth¬od for improving physical and mental functioning. Excessive tension, which Frederick Alexander, the originator, recognized as both physical and mental, restricts movement and creates pressure in the joints, the spine, the breathing mechanism, and other organs. The goal of the technique is to restore freedom and expression to the body and clear thinking to the mind.

Alkaline phosphatase test: 

Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme found throughout the body. Like all enzymes, it is needed, in small amounts, to trigger specific chemical reactions. When it is present in large amounts, it may signify bone or liver disease or a tumor.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis:

 Allergic bronchopul¬monary aspergillosis, or ABPA, is one of four major types of infections in humans caused by Aspergillus ftmgi. ABPA is a hypersensitivity reaction that occurs in asthma patients who are allergic to this specific fungus. ABPA is an allergic reaction to a species of Aspergillus called Aspergillus fumigatus. It is sometimes grouped together with other lung disorders charac¬terized by eosinophilia—an abnormal increase of a certain type of white blood cell in the blood—under the heading of eosinophil¬ic pneumonia. These disorders are also called hypersensitivity lung diseases. ABPA appears to be increasing in frequency in the United States, although the reasons for the increase are not clear. The disorder is most likely to occur in adult asthmatics aged 20-40. It affects males and females equally.