The ANA Screen, IFA (Antinuclear Antibody Screen by Immunofluorescence Assay) is a key diagnostic test for detecting antinuclear antibodies, associated with autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. This sensitive method uses fluorescent dye-tagged antibodies, visible under a microscope, to identify autoimmune activity. Although a positive result indicates autoimmune activity, it's not definitive for any specific disease, necessitating further tests for accurate diagnosis. The ANA Screen, IFA is vital for early detection and management of autoimmune disorders.

The ANA titer is a measure of the amount of ANA in the blood; the higher the titer, the more autoantibodies are present in the sample.

Patient samples are often screened for antinuclear antibodies after being diluted 1:40 and 1:160 in a buffered solution. If staining is observed at both the 1:40 and 1:160 dilutions, then the laboratory continues to dilute the sample until staining can no longer be seen under the microscope. The level to which a patient's sample can be diluted and still produce recognizable staining is known as the ANA "titer." 

This anabolic/catabolic balance – or the balance of ‘growth and healing’ versus ‘wear and tear’ in the body – can be assessed by comparing total 17-hydroxycorticosteroids with total 17-ketosteroids in the urine.

The Anabolic/Catabolic Balance refers to the balance between "growth and healing" (anabolic) and "wear and tear" (catabolic) activity in the body. Both anabolic and catabolic metabolism are essential to health.

The Anabolic/Catabolic Balance refers to the balance between "growth and healing" (anabolic) and "wear and tear" (catabolic) activity in the body. Both anabolic and catabolic metabolism are essential to health.

The Anabolic/Catabolic Ratio is a critical marker that offers insight into the overall balance between anabolic (building and repairing) and catabolic (breaking down) metabolic processes in the body. This ratio is determined by comparing the levels of specific hormones and metabolites that are indicative of anabolism, such as DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) and growth hormone metabolites, against those indicative of catabolism, like cortisol and its metabolites. An optimal balance between anabolic and catabolic processes is crucial for maintaining health, as it influences muscle strength, bone density, recovery from exercise, and overall energy levels.

An imbalance in this ratio, skewed towards catabolism, can signify a state of increased breakdown, often associated with stress, overtraining, poor nutrition, or illness. This state can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, slow recovery from exercise, and poor general health. On the other hand, a shift towards anabolism, although necessary for growth and repair, when excessive, can indicate conditions like insulin resistance or abnormal growth hormone levels.

The ANAchoice Screen is a diagnostic test The ANAchoice Screen is a diagnostic test used to detect the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in the blood. ANAs are a group of antibodies that bind to certain contents of the nucleus of the cell and are often found in patients with certain autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis, among others. (ANA) in the blood. ANAs are a group of antibodies that bind to certain contents of the nucleus of the cell and are often found in patients with certain autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis, among others.

Anaerotruncus colihomonis (pronounced “an-AERO-trunk-us colly-HOM-in-iss”) is a newly described bacterial genus and species isolated from the stool specimens of children. Its clinical significance, however, is unknown.

The species is found only relatively infrequently in the human gut. It comes from the genus Anaerotruncus, which contains just this one species. The genus name comes from the Greek words “an” and “aero”, meaning respectively “without” and “air”, and the Latin word “truncus”, which means “stick”—making the overall name “a stick that lives without air”, since the cells of this bacterial genus are rod-like in shape and live in the absence of oxygen. The species name “colihominis” means “of the gut of man”.

The genus Anaerotruncus includes species Anaerotruncus colihominis and Anaerotruncus massiliensis.

A. colihominis hominis is a butyrate and acetate producer.

Abundance is associated with higher bacterial gene richness in the gut a.

A. colihominis is increased in healthy individuals and presumed to be anti-inflammatory.

There is an inverse correlation with high BMI and elevated serum triglycerides in older Amish adults.

There is an inverse relationship with A. colihominis abundance and cognitive function scores in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Anaerotruncus massiliensis is a newly identified strain similar to A. colihominis. They both ferment amino acids and carbohydrates and are mucin degraders.

The Anaplasma phagocytophilum Antibodies IFA (Indirect Fluorescent Antibody) Titre (IgG) marker is a critical serological assay used in the diagnosis of Anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This test specifically measures the Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in the patient's serum that are directed against A. phagocytophilum. IgG antibodies are a type of antibody that the immune system produces more slowly in response to an infection but which persists long-term, indicating either past exposure or a chronic infection.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA).

Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is a tick-borne infection caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a small bacterium infecting typically neutrophils transmitted by Ixodes ticks. Granulocytic anaplasmosis is the most widespread tick-borne infection in animals in Europe and both its geographic distribution and that of its tick vector, Ixodes ricinus complex (mainly Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes persulcatus in Europe) are increasing in latitude and altitude. Individuals are at greatest risk when ticks are active during the spring through to autumn period.

Despite the increasing prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in animal hosts, human cases are not frequent, though probably they are underestimated due to the nonspecific clinical signs (flu-like symptoms). The USA strains have shown higher morbidity and mortality (< 1%) and until now no fatal case has been reported in humans in Europe.

Anastrozole is a medication that inhibits the enzyme aromatase to suppress testosterone conversion to estrogens.

Anastrozole is used in combination with other treatments for suppressing testosterone conversion to estrogens. It can be used in combination with other treatments, typically men using testosterone therapy to prevent conversion to estrogens; and in breast cancer and prostate cancer patients to inhibit endogenous estrogen production that could stimulate estrogen-sensitive tumor growth. It is most often used for hormone-receptive breast cancer.

It works by binding to the aromatase enzyme and blocking the conversion of androgens to estrogens in peripheral tissues. Off-label it is commonly used to decrease the production of estrogen in men and is also used as part of a treatment plan for women with endometriosis.

ANCA Screen includes evaluation for p-ANCA, c-ANCA and atypical p-ANCA. A positive ANCA screen reflexes to titer and pattern(s), e.g., cytoplasmic pattern (c-ANCA), perinuclear pattern (p-ANCA), or atypical p-ANCA pattern. c-ANCA and p-ANCA are observed in vasculitis, whereas atypical p-ANCA is observed in IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease). Atypical p-ANCA is detected in about 55% to 80% of patients with ulcerative colitis but only 5% to 25% of patients with Crohn's disease.

The distribution of hookworm (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale) is worldwide, with particular prevalence in rural areas of the moist tropics where there is inadequate sanitation and people walk barefoot. The two species produce indistinguishable thin-walled eggs that hatch in soil. Infection is usually acquired by walking barefoot in soil contaminated with human faeces. The larvae undergo several moults before infective larvae are produced.