| 030-MONTH STAY. (Pharma.) | is the automatic prohibition of FDA action on an ANDA with a Paragraph IV certification if the brand-name company files a patent infringement suit against the generic applicant within 45 days. |
| 180-DAY EXCLUSIVITY (Generic Pharma.) | is the marketing exclusivity granted to the first applicant that files an ANDA with Paragraph IV certification |
| AA AMYLOIDOSIS | AA Amyloidosis is a fatal condition for which there is no effective therapy. This condition is a consequence of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases, and chronic infections such as osteomyelitis and tuberculosis. The hereditary condition known as Familial Mediterranean Fever can also lead to AA Amyloidosis. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are reported to represent the majority - approximately 50 % - of the thousands of patients suffering from AA Amyloidosis. With the impact of shifting demographics to an aging population in the next decade, the number of people with chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis will dramatically increase. Because the amyloid fibrils in AA Amyloidosis mostly deposit in the liver, spleen and kidneys, the most common clinical presentation of this lethal disorder is kidney failure. Gastrointestinal complications are also frequent and are usually manifested as chronic diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain and malabsorption. Enlargement of the liver and the spleen may also occur in some patients. AA Amyloidosis has a poor prognosis with five to 15-year survival rates of 50 % and 25 %, respectively. End-stage renal failure is the cause of death in 40 % to 60 % of cases |
| ABACA | (Manila hemp). The strongest vegetable fiber, obtained from leaves of the tree of the banana family. The fibers are 4-8 ft long, light in wt., soft lustrous, nearly white & so not swell or loose strength when wet. Denier ranges from 300 to 500. |
| ABBREVIATED NEW DRUG APPLICATION | is the process of obtaining approval to market a generic drug. An ANDA contains information demonstrating that the generic drug is bioequivalent to the brand-name product and certification that the generic drug does not infringe on any patent for the brand-name product listed in the Orange Book or certification that the listed patents are invalid |
| ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM | A ballooning or widening of the main artery (the aorta) as it courses down through the abdomen. At the point of the aneurysm, the aneurysm usually measures 3 cm or more in diameter. The aneurysm weakens the wall of the aorta and can end in the aorta rupturing with catastrophic consequences. As the diameter of the aorta increases, the chances of an abdominal aortic aneurysm rupturing rise. A measurement of 5 cm is often used to recommend surgery. Persons with AAA tend to be 60 or over. Men are 5 times more likely than women to have an AAA. |
| ABE FERMENTATION | The microbial fermentation of carbohydrates to acetone, butanol & ethanol |
| ABETALIPOPROTEINEMIA | Genetically inherited metabolic defect in humans that is characterized by the absence of low d. lipoproteins |
| ABHERENT | Any substance that prevents adhesion of material to itself or to another material |
| ABIOGENESIS | 1. The formation of a substance other than by a living organism 2. The doctrine that living organisms can come from nonliving matter; spon taneous generation |
| ABIOSIS | Absence of life |
| ABLATION | - Biochemical: The breakup & wearing of a solid surface by impact with particles or radia tion; the etching of the surface of a biol. tissue by exposure to UV lasers - Chemical: The rapid removal of heat (5000 to 10,000F) from metal substrate by pyroly sis of a material of low thermal conductivity, which is able to absorb or dissi pate heat while being decomposed to gases & porous char. Ablative mate rials applied to the exterior of T-sensitive structures isolate them from hyper thermal effects of the environment. Interaction of a high-energy environment with the exposed ablative material results in a small amount of sacrificial erosion of surface material. The attendant energy-absorption processes control the surface T & greatly restrict the flow of heat into the substrate. Ablative materials are usually composed of ceramic or glass reinforced plastic |
| ABLATIVE PHOTODECOMPOSITION (APD) | photochemical process that occurs when organic material absorbs ultraviolet (193-nm) laser radiation above a threshold power per unit area. The laser radiation breaks chemical bonds and vaporizes material without heating or charring surrounding material. It allows precision cutting or etching of material, including human tissue. |
| ABM Paper | Amino Benzyloxy Methylcellulose Paper, used in the study of nucleic acids. When this paper is chemically activated, it binds single-stranded nucleic acid covalently |
| ABORTIVE INFECTION | A viral infection that either does not lead to the formation of viral particles or leads to the formation of noninfectious viral particles |
| ABORTIVE INITIATION | An initiation of transcription that is terminated after only a few nucleotides have been polymerized. |
| ABORTIVE TRANSDUCTION | Bacterial transduction in which the DNA from the donor cell is introduced into the recipient cell, but fails to become integrated into the chromosome of the recipient bacterium |
| ABRASIVE | A finely divided, hard, refractory material ranging from 6 to 10 on the Mohs scale, used to reduce, smooth, clean or polish the surfaces of other less hard substances, such as glass, plastic, stone, wood etc. Natural abrasive materials include diamond dust, garnet, sand (silica), corundum (Al oxide, emery), pumice, rouge (Fe oxide), & feldspar; the more important synthetic types are SiC, B carbide, Ce oxide & fused alumina. Abrasives in powder form are used in several ways: (1) Applied directly to the surface to be treated by mechanical pressure or compressed-air blast, as in cleaning building stone (2) Affixed to a paper or textile backing after the particles have been coated with an adhesive (3) Mixed with a bonding agent such as Na silicate or clay, the particles being compressed into a wheel rotated by a power-driven shaft |
| ABSOLUTE PLATING EFFICIENCY | The percentage of cells that give rise to colonies when a given number of cells are plated on a nutrient medium |
| ABSOLUTE CONFIGURATION | The actual spatial arrangement of the atoms about the asymmetrical C atoms in a molecule |
| ABSOLUTE DEFECTIVE MUTANT | A cell or an organism that exhibits its mutant phenotypic behavior under all conditions |
| ABSORBED ANTISERUM | An antiserum from which Ab have been removed by the addition of soluble antigens |
| ABSORBENT | A substance that absorbs another substance |
| ABSORBER | A material used to absorb radioactive radiation |
| ABSORPTIVE LIPEMIA | The transient increase in the concn. of lipids in the blood that follows the ingestion of fat |
| ACANTHAMOEBA KERATITIS | Acanthamoeba keratitis is an infection of the transparent outer covering of the eye, or the cornea, caused by a microscopic, free-living amoeba. Acanthamoeba is commonly found in water, soil and air. AK infection is uncommon in healthy individuals, but contact lens wearers who improperly store or disinfect their lenses or who wear lenses while showering or swimming are at higher risk of developing an infection. Current treatment regimens can last a year or more and include a combination of prescription eye medications. Severe vision impairment or loss of the eye may occur, even if the condition is diagnosed early and managed appropriately |
| ACANTHOCYTE | A cell that has numerous projecting spines or "thorns" |
| ACANTHOCYTOSIS | (1) A condition characterized by blood that contains spherical erythrocytes that have numerous projecting spines (2) ABETALIPOPROTEINEMIA |
| ACANTHOSOME | A membranous vesicle that appears in fibroblasts, isolated from the skin of hairless mice that have been subjected to chronic UV irradiation |
| ACARICIDE | A type of pesticide effective on mites & ticks (acarides) |
| ACATALASEMIA | See ACATALASIA |
| ACATALASIA | A genetically inherited metabolic defect in humans that is due to a deficiency of the enzyme catalase |
| ACC SYNTHASE (tomato plant) | ACC synthase is the rate limiting enzyme that converts s-adenosylmethionine to 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, the immediate precursor to ethylene |
| ACCELERATION (Biochemistry) | A stage in carcinogenesis in which, according to the Busch theory, an accelerator protein is synthesized which functions in accelerating the production of cancer RNA from cancer DNA |
| ACCELERATOR GLOBULIN | See Proaccelerin |
| ACCELERIN | The activated form of proaccelerin that converts prothrombin to thrombin during blood clotting |
| ACCESSORY PIGMENT | A photosynthetic pigment such as a carotenoid or phycobilin, that functions in conjunction with primary photosynthetic pigment |
| ACCESSORY FACTOR | A protein in blood clotting that, when activated proteolytically, serves to enhance the rate of proteolytic activation of some other blood clotting factor |
| ACCUMULATION THEORY | A theory of aging according to which aging is due to the accumulation of either a deleterious or toxic substance |
| ACELLULAR | Not composed of cells |
| ACETATE HYPOTHESIS | The hypothesis that a multitude of complex substances may be formed naturally as a result of modification of the linear chains formed by repeated head-to-tail condensation of acetic acid residues; typical modification are cyclization, oxidation & alkylation |
| ACETATE REPLACING FACTOR | Lipoic Acid |
| ACETATE THIOKINASE | A fatty acid thiokinase that catalyzes the activation of fatty acids having 2 or 3 C atoms to fatty acyl coenzyme A |
| ACETIFICATION | The spoilage of beverages, such as wine & beer, due to aerobic oxidation of EtOH to AcOH by microorganisms |
| ACETOGENIN | One of a large number of compds that are formally equivalent to head-to-tail condensation prodts of AcOH residues. Acetogenins are biosynthesized by means of a multienzyme complex via condensations of acetyl coenzyme A molecules or other deriv. of coenzyme A. Acetogenins are responsible for many of the brilliant colors that occur in nature. Major subgroups include flavonoids, tetracyclines, & macrolide antibiotics. |
| ACETONE POWDER | A prepn of one or more proteins that is produced by removal of acetone by vacuum filtration from an acetone extract of a tissue; used in the course of isolating & purifying an enzyme or other proteins |
| ACETONE CYANOHYDRIN PROCESS | in which the reactants are acetone and hydrogen cyanide--generally by-products from other chemical processes. |
| ACETONEMIA | The presence of excessive amounts of acetone in blood |
| ACETONURIA | The presence of excessive amounts of acetone in urine |
| ACETYL COENZYME A | The acetylated form of coenzyme A; a key intermediate in the citric acid cycle, in fatty acid oxidation, in fatty acid synthesis |
| ACETYL NUMBER | A measure of the number of -OH groups in a fat; equal to the number of milligrams of KOH required to neutralize the AcOH in 1 gram of acetylated fat |
| ACETYL VALUE | The number of milligrams of KOH required for neutralization of AcOH obtained by the saponification of one gram of acetylated fat or oil sample. Acetylation is carried out by boiling the sample with an equal amount of acetic anhydride, washing & drying. Saponification values on the acetylated & on untreated fat are determined. From the results the acetyl value is calculated. It is a measure of the number of free hydroxyl groups in the fat or oil |
| ACETYL-COA CARBOXYLASE | A multienzyme system that catalyzes the ATP-requiring biosynthesis of malonyl-SCoA from acetyl-SCoA & HCO3 anion. The enzyme from E. coli & plants consists of 3 comp.: (a) biotin carboxyl carrier protein (BCCP or BCP); a protein that contains 2 identical subunits, each of which has one mole. of biotin linked covalently to the epsilon-NH2 group of a lysine residue; (b) biotin carboxylase (BC); an enzyme having 2 identical subunits; (c) transcarboxylase (TC or carboxyl transferase); a tetrameric enzyme contg 2 pairs of non-identical subunits |
| ACETYLATION | Acylation reaction in which an MeCO- radical is introduced into organic compd |
| ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE | The enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of acetylcholine to choline & AcOH during the transmission of a nerve impulse |
| ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE | The enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of acetylcholine to choline & AcOH during transmission of nerve impulse |
| ACETYLENE BLACK | The C black resulting from incomplete combustion or thermal decompn of acetylene |
| ACETYLORNITHINE CYCLE | A cyclic set of reactions in bacteria & plants that constitutes a major pathway for the synthesis of ornithine from glutamic acid & N-acetylornithine |
| ACETYLSERINE | The acetylated form of serine believed to function in the initiation of translation in mammalian systems |
| ACETYLTRANSFERASE | An enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl coenzyme A to another compd |
| ACHIRAL | Not chiral |
| Achirotopic | Not chirotopic |
| ACHLOROPHYLLOUS | Lacking chlorophyll |
| ACHROMIC | Devoid of color |
| ACHROMIC POINT | A stage in the hydrolysis of starch at which the addition of iodine fails to produce a blue color |
| ACHROMOTRICHIA FACTOR | p-Aminobenzoic Acid |
| Achromycin | See Tetracyclines |
| ACICULAR | Needle-shaped; used in describing crystals or the particles in powders |
| ACID HEMATIN | A hematin formed from hemoglobin by treat. with acid < pH 3 |
| ACID PLANT | A plant that accumulates organic acids in its leaves; these acids form ammonium salts |
| ACID RAIN | The environmental phenomen in which SO2 & N oxides expelled into the air by industrial combustion, react with rainwater to produce dilute soln of SO4H2 & NO3H. Acid rain leads to acidification of streams & lakes & depletion or loss of their fish life |
| ACID DYE | An azo, triarylmethane or anthraquinone dye with acid groups such as nitro-, carboxy, or sulfonic acid. They are most frequently applied in acid soln to wool or silk, & no doubt combine with the basic groups of the proteins of those animal fibers. Orange II (C.I. 15510), black 10B & acid alizarine blue B are examples |
| ACID LINING | Silica brick lining used in steel-making furnaces |
| ACID MIGRATION (Electronics) | Acid migration is a problem associated with photoacid generators used in semiconductor device's positive photoresists; & it arises as an effect of existence of "time delay" between exposure to UV light & baking of the wafer to consummate the reaction between protons & protected ester groups. Photolysis of the onium salt liberates protons within the exposed area, but said "delay" results in slow diffusion through the resin out of that area, eroding the resolution |
| ACID MINE DRAINAGE | Water from both active & inactive coal mines which has become contaminated with SO4H2 as a result of hydrolysis of ferric sulfate, the oxidation prodt of pyrite. This is a factor in water & stream pollution, which can be corrected by use of appropriate ion-exchange resins |
| ACID PHOSPHATASE | An enzyme found in blood serum which catalyzes the liberation of inorganic phosphate from phosphate esters. Optimum pH 5; is less active than alkaline phosphatase |
| ACID VALUE | The number of mg of KOH neutralized by the free acids present in one gr of oil, fat, or wax. The determn. is made by titrating the sample in hot 95% EtOH using phenolphthalein as indicator |
| ACID-BASE BALANCE | The reactions & factors involved in maintaining a constant internal environment in the body with respect to the buffer systems & the pH of the various fluid compartments |
| ACIDAMINURIA | Aminoaciduria |
| ACIDEMIA | Condition characterized by an increase in the H-ion concn of the blood |
| ACIDIMETRY | The determination of the concn. of acid soln. or of the quantity of acid in a sample or mixt. This is usually done by titration with a soln. of base of known strength (standard soln.) & an indicator is used to establish the end point |
| ACIDOPHIL | A cell that stains with an acidic dye |
| ACIDOSIS | A deviation from the normal acid-base balance in the body that is due to a disturbance which, by itself & in the absence of compensatory mechanisms would tend to lower the pH of the blood. The actual change in pH depends on whether & to what extent the disturbance is compensated for. The Disturbances & the compensatory mechanisms are considered primarily with respect to their effect on the bicarbonate/carbonic acid ratio of blood plasma |
| ACIDOSOME | A nonlysosomal vesicle that functions in the acidification of digestive phagocytic vacuoles in "Paramecium" |
| ACIDURIA | A condition characterized by the excretion of an excessively acidic urine |
| ACL (Abbrev.) RUPTURE | ACL ruptureis a common injury of the athletically active population. The ACL is a ligament with mechanical functions to stabilize the knee joint. The most common repair involves a procedure where the patient’s own tissue is used to reconstruct the ACL. Another repair involves use of processed cadaver tissue to reconstruct the ACL. Synthetic material-based ligaments have been developed with limited success due to their permanence and eventual mechanical failures. ReCombinant Spider Silk Suture? |
| ACONITASE | The Fe-contg enzyme that catalyzes the interconversion of citrate & isocitrate in the citric acid cycle. The reaction proceeds via the enzyme-bound intermediate cis-aconitate (a tricarboxylic acid) |
| ACQUIRED ANTIBODY | An Ab produced by an immune reaction as distinct from one occurring naturally |
| ACQUIRED HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA | An autoimmune disease in which individuals form antibodies to their own red blood cells |
| ACQUIRED IMMUNITY | The immunity established in an animal organism during its lifetime |
| ACQUIRED TOLERANCE | The immunological tolerance produced in an animal organism by the injection of antigen into it; acquired tolerance persists only as long as the antigen remains in the organism |
| ACROMEGALY | A condition characterized by overgrowth of skeletal structures due to the excessive production of growth hormone. Acromegaly is a serious, life-shortening disease triggered by over-secretion of growth hormone, most often caused by a pituitary tumor. This excess of growth hormone leads to overproduction of a second hormone, IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor-l), which contributes to the disabling symptoms and the long-term health problems associated with the disorder(1). Patients with acromegaly often suffer from headache, excessive sweating, soft-tissue swelling, joint disorders and, perhaps most striking, a progressive coarsening of facial features and enlargement of the hands, feet and jaw(2). Patients with acromegaly face a mortality rate two to four times higher than the average person, due to such serious long-term complications as heart and respiratory disease, diabetes mellitus and some forms of cancer(3). |
| ACROSOME | A cap-like structure, beneath the cell membrane, at the head of a spermatozoon; it serves to digest the egg coatings to permit fertilization |
| ACROSOME REACTION | The release of the contents of an acrosome by exocytosis upon contact of a sperm with an egg |
| ACTH FAMILY | A group of peptide hormones, including ACTH, lipotropin, & melanotropin, that are derived from a common precursor. The opioids beta-endorphin & gamma-endorphin are also derived from the same precursor which is known as preproopiomelanocortin |
| ACTIN | A major protein comp. of the myofilaments of striated muscle & the principal constituent of the thin filaments of muscle & of the microfilaments of the cytoskeleton |
| ACTINIC KERATOSIS | Actinic keratosis also called solar keratosis or senile keratosis is a premalignant condition of thick, scaly patches of skin. It usually reflects a degree of solar damage, and may progress to basal cell carcinoma |
| ACTINIDE SERIES | The group of radioactive elements starting with actinium (q.v.) & ending with Element 105. All are classed as metals. Those with atomic number > 92 are called transuranic elements. The series includes the following elements: actinium, 89; thorium, 90; protoactinium, 91; uranium, 92; neptunium, 93; plutonium, 94; americium, 95; curium, 96; berkelium, 97; californium, 98; einsteinium, 99; fermium, 100; mendelevium, 101; novelium, 102; lawrencium, 103; rutherfordium, 104; & hahnium, 105. |
| ACTIVATED CHECKPOINT THERAPY | Overview A checkpoint is a cell's natural defense mechanism that ensures genomic integrity. Depressed checkpoint function is a hallmark of cancer cells. In the normal cell cycle, checkpoints allow cells to repair DNA damage or to undergo apoptosis (programmed cell death). Cancer cells, with multiple abnormalities including genetic (DNA) damage, survive and proliferate because key checkpoints and apoptotic pathways are disabled during development of cancer. Conventional chemotherapy seeks to kill cancer cells by creating further damage to DNA. A well-known side effect of this approach is that normal cells are indiscriminately damaged, creating toxicity to patients and limiting the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Furthermore, the depressed checkpoint pathways limit cancer cell killing activity of conventional chemotherapy. Unique approach to cancer therapy is designed to restore or reactivate checkpoint functions that are lost in cancer cells. The Company develops small molecules that activate cell cycle checkpoint functions within cancer cells, allowing them to detect and respond to DNA damage. As a result, cancer cells proceed toward apoptosis. This approach, the Activated Checkpoint Therapy platform, is a key concept in approach to drug development |
| ACTIVATED SLUDGE | See SEWAGE SLUDGE |
| ACTIVATION ANALYSIS | An extremely sensitive technique for identifying & measuring very small amounts of various elements. A sample is exposed to neutron bombardment in a nuclear reactor, for the purpose of prodg radioisotopes from the stable elements. The characteristics of the induced radiations are sufficiently distinct that different elements in the sample can be accurately identified. The technique is particularly useful when concns. of the elements are too small to be measured by ordinary means. Trace elements have thus been determined in drugs, fertilizers, foods, fuels, glass, minerals, dusts, water, toxicants etc |
| ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME | unstable angina and non-Q-wave MI |
| ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA | It is a fatal disease characterized by an accumulation of abnormal white blood cells in the blood & bone marrow, resulting in anemia, infection, & hemorrhage |
| ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION | Heart Attack. caused when a blood clot obstructs a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart. This causes an inadequate flow of oxygenated and nutrient-enriched blood and results in the death of a portion of the heart muscle. Symptoms of a heart attack may include: uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes; pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms; and chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath. As many as 1.1 million Americans suffer heart attacks each year. Of these, about one-third will die, making heart attack the number one killer of men and women in the United States. About 650,000 of these cases are first attacks while 450,000 are recurrent attacks. |
| ACYCLIC DIENE METATHESIS POLYMN. | n CH2=CH-(CH2)m-CH=CH2 = [=CH-(CH2)m-CH=]n+ n Ethylene |
| ADCS (See Abbrev.) | a consortium of clinical investigators and academics chartered by the National Institute on Aging, to conduct and fund clinical trials for promising new AD therapies |
| ADDISON'S DISEASE | Pathology resulting from Adrenal Insufficiency & characterized by general weakness, loss of appetite, GI disturbances & weight loss |
| ADDITION POLYMER | A polymer formed by direct addition of the monomer molecules with one another. An example is the formation of polystyrene by the stepwise combination of styrene monomer |
| ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATE | molecule that is the main energy carrier inside cells. Its terminal (or end) phosphate groups are highly reactive and critical to a number of important cellular processes |
| ADENOVIRUS | A naked, icosahedral virus that contains double-stranded DNA. Adenoviruses infect mammals, often leading to respiratory infections; some are oncogenic |
| ADHESIN (Protein) | To initiate infection bacterial pathogens must first be able to colonize an appropriate target tissue of the host. For many pathogens this tissue is located at a mucosal surface. Colonization begins with the attachment of the bacterium to receptors expressed by cells forming the lining of the mucosa. Attachment is mediated via proteins on the bacterium that bind specifically to cellular receptors. These proteins, or adhesins, are expressed either directly on the surface of the bacterium, or more typically, as components of elongated rod-like protein structures called pili, fimbriae or fibrillae |
| ADHESION | The state in which 2 surfaces are held together by interfacial forces, which may consist of valence forces or interlocking action, or both |
| ADHESIVE | Any substance, inorganic, organic, natural or synthetic, that is capable of bonding other substances together by surface attachment |
| ADIABATIC | A process, condition, or operation during which there is no gain or loss of heat from the environment |
| ADSORBENT | A substance which has the ability to condense or hold molecules of other substances on its surface |
| ADSORPTION INDICATOR | A substance used in analytical chemistry to detect the presence of a slight excess of another substance or ion in soln as the result of a color produced by adsorption of the indicator on a ppcc present in the soln. Thus a ppcc of AgCl will turn red in a soln contg even a minute excess of Ag ion (Ag nitrate soln), if fluorescein is present. In this example fluorescein is the adsorption indicator |
| AERATE | To impregnate or saturate a material (usually a liquid) with air, or some similar gas. This is usually achieved by bubbling the air through the liquid or by spraying the liquid into air |
| AEROGEL | Dispersion of a gas in a solid or liquid. The reverse of an aerosol; flexible & rigid plastic foams are examples |
| AEROSOL | A suspension of liquid or solid particles in a gas |
| AEROZINE | 50:50 mixt. of hydrazine & uns-dimethylhydrazine; one of most used of bipropellant rocket fuels |
| AFFINITY MEDIA | substrate used for the capture of proteins through specific binding interactions |
| AFLATOXIN | A polynuclear substance (C17H10O6) derived from molds; a known carcinogen. Produced by a fungus occurring on many vegetables, especia lly those with high moisture content. It is highly toxic |
| AGE ASSOCIATED MEMORY IMPAIRMENT | AAMI is a recognized syndrome relating to memory changes associated with normal aging. AAMI is a common condition in individuals over 50 years of age. In the United States, it is estimated that approximately 40% of people aged 65 and above, or 16 million, have AAMI. It is characterized by gradual memory impairment (subjective memory decline and objective memory loss) with the absence of dementia. Individuals with AAMI have been shown to have a three-fold greater risk for development of dementia than individuals who do not meet AAMI criteria. |
| AGGLUTINATION | The combination or aggregation of particles of matter under the influence of a specific protein. The term is usually restricted to antigen-Ab reactions characterized by a clumping together of visible cells, such as bacteria or erythrocytes. The antigen is called an agglutinogen & Ab an agglutinin, because of an apparent gluing or sticking action |
| AGLUCONE | The nonsugar-like portion of glucoside molecule |
| AGLUCONE | The nonsugar-like portion of a glucoside molecule. See glycoside |
| AGLYCONE | A nonsugar hydrolytic prodt of a glycoside. See glycoside |
| AIDS KAPOSI SARCOMA | A malignant tumor of blood vessels in persons with AIDS |
| AIRWAY BYPASS | People with emphysema have air trapped in their lungs and so cannot breathe effectively. As the disease progresses, physical activities become increasingly limited and difficult. The goal of the investigational airway bypass procedure is to create new pathways in the lungs for this trapped air to escape. By decreasing the amount of air trapped in the lungs the treatment could enable an increase in breathing muscle strength, leading to less shortness of breath, and better pulmonary function and quality of life. |
| ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE | An enzyme found in animal & plant tissue which acts upon EtOH & other alc prodg acetaldehyde & other aldehydes |
| ALCOHOLYSIS | Chemical reaction between an alc. & another organic compd, analogous to hydrolysis |
| ALDOLASE | An enzyme present in muscle involved in glycogenolysis & anaerobic glycolysis. It catalyzes production of dihydroxyacetone phosphate & phosphoglyceric aldehyde from fructose 1,6-diphosphate |
| ALDOSE | Any of a group of sugars whose mole. contains an aldehyde group & one or more alc. groups |
| ALGAE | Chlorophyll-bearing organisms occurring in both salt & fresh water; they have no flowers or seeds, but reproduce by unicellular spores. They range in size from single cells to giant kelp over 100 ft long, & include most kinds of seaweed. There are 4 kinds of algae: brown, red, green & blue-green. Their photosynthetic activity accounts for the fact that over 2/3 of the world total of photosynthesis takes place in oceans.Algae are harvested & used as food supplements (see carrageenan & agar), soil conditioners, animal feeds, & as source of iodine; they also contain numerous minerals, vitamins, proteins, lipids, & essential aminoacids. Alginic acid is another important deriv.Blue-green algae are water contaminants & are toxic to fish & other aquatic life.P compds in detergent wastes stimulate the growth of algae to such an extent that overpopulation at the water surface prevents light from reaching many of the plants; these decompose, removing O & releasing CO2, thus making the water unsuitable for fish. Algae are being used in treat. of sewage & plant effluent in a proprietary flocculation process |
| ALGICIDE | Chemical agent added to water to destroy algae |
| ALGIN | A hydrophilic polysaccharide (phycocolloid or hydrocolloid) found in brown algae. It is similar to agar. The seaweed (giant kelp) is sea-harvested, water-extracted & refined |
| ALKALI CELLULOSE | The prodt formed by steeping wood pulp with NaOH, the first step in the mfg of viscose rayon & other cellulose deriv. |
| ALKALOID | A basic nitrogenous organic compd of vegetable origin. Usually derived from the N ring compds.: pyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline, pyrrole; designating by the ending -ine. Though some are liquids, they are usually colorless, crystalline solids, having a bitter taste, which combine with acids without elimination of water. They are soluble in alc., insoluble in water |
| ALKYD RESIN | Poly(Ester) derived from polyols, polybasic acid & modified by drying triglyceride oils |
| ALKYLATE | IS A LIQUID made up of C7 to C9 alkanes such as trimethylpentanes and dimethylhexanes |
| ALLELE | A specific form of a gene; one of several possible mutational forms of a gene |
| ALLERGEN | Any substance that acts in the manner of an antigen on coming into contact with body tissues by inhalation, ingestion or skin adsorption. The allergen causes a specific reagin to be formed in the bloodstream; the ability to produce reagins in response to a given allergen is an inherited characteristic that differentiates an allergic from a non-allergic person. A reagin is actually an Ab. The specificity of the allergen-reagin reaction & its dependence on molecular configuration is similar to the antigen-Ab reaction. The allergen molecule (often a protein such as pollen or wool) may be regarded as a key which precisely fits the corresponding structural shape of the reagin molecule. Allergies in the form of contact dermatitis can result from exposure to a wide range of plant prodts, some metals, & a few organic chemicals. Though they are alike in some ways, antigen-Ab reactions protect the individual, whereas allergen-reagin reactions are harmful |
| ALLERGIC RHINITIS | Inflammation of the Mucous Membrane of the Nose |
| ALLOGRAFT | Transplant from one individual to a genetically dissimilar individual of same species |
| ALLOTROPY | The existence of a substance in > 2 forms, which are different in physical & chemical properties. The difference between the forms involves either (1) crystal structure; (2) the number of atoms in the molecule of a gas or (3) the molecular structure of a liquid. Carbon is a common example of (1), occurring in several crystal forms (diamond, C black, graphite). Diatomic oxygen & O3 are instances of (2) & liquid S & helium of (3). Uranium has 3 crystalline forms, Mn 4 & plutonium no less than 6. Also "Polymorphism" |
| ALLYL RESIN | Special class of polyester resin derived from esters of allyl alc. & dibasic acids. Common monomers are allyl diglycol carbonate, also known as diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate), diallyl chlorendate, diallyl phthalate, diallyl isophthalate, & diallyl maleate. Polymn occurs through the unsatd allyl double bond to form thermosetting resins which are highly resistant to chemicals, moisture, abrasion & heat. They have low shrinkage & good electrical resistivity |
| ALOPECIA | Hair Loss |
| ALPHA GLUCOSIDASE | An enzyme which removes the last 1,4-linked alpha-D-glucose residue from the nonreducing end of a long chain (or polymer) of such residues, making an alpha-D-glucose molecule out of it in the process |
| ALPHA SYNUCLEIN | Protein related to Parkinson`s disease & contained in Lewy bodies |
| ALUMINA. ACTIVATED | A highly porous, granular form of Al oxide having preferential adsorptive capacity for moisture & odor contained in gases & some liquids. When saturated, it can be regenerated by heat (350-600F). The cycle of adsorption & reactivation can be repeated many times |
| AMALGAM | Alloy of Hg with any of a number of metals |
| AMBER | A polymerized fossil resin derived from an extinct variety of pine. Readily accumulates static electrical charge by friction; good electrical insulator |
| AMBOMYCIN | An antibiotic produced by "Streptomyces ambofaciens" |
| AMBRETTOLIDE | Omega-6-hexadecenlactone. C16H28O2. Colorless liquid, having powerful musk-like odor. Found in ambrette-seed oil. Uses: Flavoring; perfume fixative |
| AMIBEN | Generic name for 3-amino-2,5-dichlorobenzoic acid. Herbicide or plant growth regulator |
| AMIDASE | activity in the removal of arginine, phenylalanine or methionine from the N-terminal end of peptides in peptide or peptidomimetic synthesis. |
| AMINIMIDE | Any of a group of N compds derived by reaction of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine with an epoxide in the presence of an ester of a carboxylic acid |
| AMINOTRANSFERASE. | Enzyme catalyzes following reaction: L-AminoAcid+KetoGlutaric Acid = L-Glutamic Acid+KetoAcid corresponding to L-AminoAcid. |
| AMPHIPHILIC DIBLOCK COPOLYMER | Hydrophobic-Hydrophilic DiBlock CoPolymer |
| AMPHOLYTE | A substance that can ionize to form either anions or cations & thus may act either as an acid or base |
| AMPHOTERIC | Having the capacity of behaving either as an acid or base |
| AMYLASE | Enzyme which converts starch into sugars |
| AMYLIN | Islet amyloid polypeptide , which is tied in with diabetes.Amylin is a hormone that may moderate glucose metabolism. It is normally secreted along with insulin by pancreatic islet beta-cells. But deposits formed from fibrils of this amyloid peptide can be found in the islet cells of patients with type 2 diabetes. |
| AMYLOID FIBRILS | Some scientific ideas face a difficult and protracted fight to be accepted. But if their creators are stubborn and persistent, these hypotheses may survive long enough to be refined and further evaluated as additional information accumulates. One such thesis concerns the identity of the toxic agent in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other degenerative age-related diseases. For years, most researchers have backed the notion that clumps of long amyloid fibrils located in the brain and other organs are responsible for killing neurons and other cells in patients who have these conditions. |
| AMYLOID OLIGOMER | It has taken a while, but the hypothesis that a precursor of the insoluble amyloid fibril may be the more dangerous entity is now gaining ground. And some researchers further believe that the smaller, soluble precursor, which is often called an amyloid oligomer or protofibril, may do its damage by creating holes--pores or ion channels--in cellular membranes |
| AMYLOID PLAQUES | One such thesis concerns the identity of the toxic agent in Alzheimer's disease. For years, most researchers have backed the notion that clumps of long amyloid fibrils located in the brain and other organs are responsible for killing neurons and other cells in patients who have Alzheimer's condition. In Alzheimer's, these clumps are termed amyloid plaques and consist primarily of the polypeptide amyloid beta protein |
| AMYLOPECTIN | The outer, almost insoluble portion of starch granules. It is a hexosan, a polymer of glucose, & is a branched molecule of many glucose units. It stains violet with iodine & forms a paste with water |
| AMYLOPSIN | The starch-digesting enzyme of pancreatic juice, the most powerful enzyme of the digestive tract. It is an amylase which converts starches through the soluble-starch stage to various dextrins & maltose. It acts in neutral, slightly acid & alkaline environments with an optimum pH 6.3-7.2. It requires the presence of certain negative ions for activation |
| ANABOLISM | 1. The phase of intermediary metabolism that encompasses the biosynthe tic & energy-requiring reactions whereby cell comp are produced 2. The cellular assimilation of macromolecules & complex substances from low MW precursors |
| ANAMMOX BACTERIA | Anaerobically oxidize ammonia to dinitrogen |
| ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA | is the medical term for male pattern baldness. This type of hair loss affects 1 out of every 4 men before the age of 30. The hair loss usually starts with a receding hairline and eventually the top of the head becomes bald |
| ANEMIA | A condition in which the number of red blood cells, the volume of red blood cells, or the hemoglobin content of the blood are below normal levels |
| ANEMIA OF CANCER | Anemia in Cancer Patients NOT undergoing ChemoTherapy |
| ANEMIA OF INFLAMMATION | A blood iron deficiency associated with too much hepcidin |
| ANEURYSM | permanent, abnormal blood-filled dilatation or ballooning of a blood vessel that may be congenital or the result of disease. Aneurysms typically have thin walls vulnerable to rupture. If an aneurysm ruptures, the resulting hemorrhage that can put injurious pressure on surrounding tissue, impair downstream blood flow, and even cause death |
| ANGIOGENESIS | The growth of new blood vasculature; that is associated with cancer but can also be induced for treat. of CV disease |
| ANGIOGRAM | a diagnostic x-ray procedure performed to visualize blood vessels following introduction of contrast material into an artery, via a catheter. |
| ANGIOGRAPHY | an x-ray examination of the blood vessels following the injection of contrast material; used as a diagnostic tool in conditions such as a heart attack or stroke. The x-ray that is produced is called an angiogram. |
| ANGIOMYOGENESIS (Cardiology) | begins with a small skeletal muscle biopsy taken from the patient 2 weeks before surgery. Using a specialized technology process, these cells are multiplied and genetically treated with Co.'s proprietary gene, to increase their angiogenic potential. These cells are then implanted into the same patient in the infarcted area of the heart - an autologous graft (a graft occurring within the same body). The presence of these muscle cells greatly increases the heart's cardiac function, while the angiogenic activity allows better oxygen and nutrient supply to the grafted area, thereby increasing the beneficial effects of the implanted cells. |
| ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS | chronic, progressive and debilitating inflammatory disease that causes painful stiffening of the spine and eventually leads to fusion of the vertebrae, often leaving the back curved and inflexible. It typically develops when patients are in their most productive years -- between the ages of 20 and 40 years old -- and is, therefore, associated with significant lost days of work and early retirement as well as hospitalization and other treatment costs. |
| ANOREXIA | a prolonged disorder of eating due to loss of appetite. Anorexia can be caused by cancer, AIDS, a mental disorder (i.e., anorexia nervosa), or other diseases. |
| ANTAGOMIR | Short Single Strands of Modified RNA Conjugated to Cholesterol Antagomirs Inhibit MicroRNA MicroRNA are involved in diseases such as Hepatitis C; Cancer & Diabetes |
| ANTI-MARKOVNIKOV REACTION | A nucleophilic group, such as an alcohol or amine, adds to the less substituted of the 2 double-bonded carbons in an alkene |
| ANTIBIOTIC INDUCED COLLITIS (DIARRHEA) | Caused by a toxin of the bacteria "Clostridium difficile". Certain antibiotics in some patients wipe out many bacterial species that live in the human gut. This can pave the way for overgrowth of "C. difficile", which normally can't compete. The C-terminal third of the toxin chain binds to oligosaccharides on human gut cell surfaces. The N-terminal third exert the toxic effect of damage to gut cells, making them unable to control fluid inflow & outflow & accumulationof deposits& blood, mucus & other fluid |
| ANTIBIOTICS | Compound produced by a microorganism or a plant, or a close chemical derivative of such a compound, that is toxic to microorganisms from a number of other species |
| ANTIBODY | A glycoprotein of the globulin type that is formed in an animal organism in response to the administration of an antigen & that is capable of combining specifically with that antigen |
| ANTICHOLINERGIC | 1. Impeding the impulses of cholinergic, esp. parasympathetic, nerve fibers. 2. An agent that blocks parasympathetic nerve impulses.The side effects, which include dry mouth and blurred vision, are seen in phenothiazine and tricyclic antidepressant drug therapy. SYN: parasympatholytic |
| ANTIGEN | A substance, frquently a protein, that can stimulate an animal organism to produce antibodies & that can combine specifically with the antibodies thus produced; called also complete antigen as distinct from a hapten |
| ANTISENSE OLIGONUCLEOTIDE | compound about 20 nucleotides long that is designed to complement an mRNA segment in a specific manner. Binding of the antisense molecule to mRNA prevents translation of the mRNA into protein and thus inhibits expression of the gene from which the mRNA was transcribed. |
| ANTISEPSIS | Substantial reduction of microbial content |
| AORTOILIAC OCCLUSIVE DISEASE | complete or partial blocking of the lower part of the aorta as it enters the leg, at the level of the groin. The aorta is the major artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. |
| APOPTOSIS | Programmed Tissue Cell Death |
| APTAMERS | Aptamers are chemically synthesized short strands of RNA (oligonucleotides) that adopt highly specific three-dimensional conformations. Over 10,000,000,000,000,000 different aptamers can be synthesized in a test tube using the SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands of Exponential enrichment) process. SELEX is a combinatorial chemistry methodology in which vast numbers of oligonucleotides are screened rapidly for specific sequences that have appropriate binding affinities and specificities toward any target. Thus, novel molecules are created that can either mimic or prevent specific molecules from binding to their receptors much like antibody. |
| AQUARESIS | excretion of electrolyte-free water |
| ARCHAEBACTERIA | A class of unusual bacteria that, phylogenetically, are neither prokaryotes nor eukaryotes. They have some characteristics of prokaryotes (such as absence of nucleus & cell organelles), some characteristics of eukaryotes (such as initiation of protein synthesis with methionine & ribosome insensitivity to chloramphenicol), & some characteristics that are unique to them (such as compn of the cell wall & the types of membrane lipids). Accordingly the archaebacteria are believed to represent a third primary kingdom such that 3 lines of descent lead from a common ancestor (progenote) to archaebacteria, prokaryotes & eukaryotes, resp. Archaebacteriainclude thermoacidophiles, extreme halophiles, & methanogens & may represent some of the earliest forms of living cells |
| ARCUATE NUCLEUS | Region of base of hypothalamus (brain) known to play a key role in obesity regulation |
| ARTERIOGRAPHY | angiography of the arteries |
| ARTERY | blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the organs and tissues throughout the body; walls consist of smooth muscle |
| ASCITES | is the presence of excess fluid in the peritoneal cavity and usually develops during decompensation of chronic liver disease. Depletion of intravascular fluid volume is one of the major factors causing the symptoms of refractory ascites |
| ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE. | Enzyme catalyzes following reaction: L-Aspartic Acid+KetoGlutaric Acid = L-Gluta mic Acid+OxalAcetic Acid. |
| ATHERECTOMY | involves using a catheter having a mechanical cutting tip or a laser to cut (or ablate) a passage through the blockage. |
| ATHEROSCLEROSIS | A disease of the arteries, characterized by a gradual accumulation of cholesterol, cholesterol esters, collagen, elastic fibers, & proteoglycans in the arterial wall. Cholesterol & their esters are major comp. of atherosclerotic lesions (plaques). An increased level of plasma cholesterol & an increase in the major cholesterol-carrying lipoprotein (LDL) are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis. A primary cause of atherosclerosis appears to be a deficiency of LDL membrane receptors. As a result, LDL particles are not removed efficiently from the blood &, therefore, have increased chance of invading the lining of the arteries & participating in plaque formation |
| ATOM ECONOMY (Green Chemistry) | one of the key principles of green chemistry, is one of the primary metrics that chemists and chemical engineers can use to guide their work. Introduced by Stanford University chemistry professor Barry M. Trost in 1991, the concept holds that synthetic methods should be designed for maximum incorporation of all reagents into the final product. In other words, atom economy tracks how much of what is put into a pot ends up in the product. Selectivity is an important component of atom economy. Ideal atom economy would be 100%: No protecting groups would be used and no by-products would be generated. Thus elimination and substitution reactions are less green and should be either reworked or replaced in favor of rearrangements, additions, or other concerted reactions. Trost recently reiterated the concept of atom economy and the high impact it can have in chemical synthesis [Acc. Chem. Res., 35, 695 (2002)]. |
| ATRIAL FIBRILLATION | a condition prevalent in the elderly that is characterized by irregular contractions of the cardiac atria, can cause clot-induced strokes. |
| ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT | The heart is divided into four separate chambers. The upper chambers, or atria, are divided by a wall called the atrial septum. An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole in that septum. Atrial septal defects are one of the most common heart defects, and are caused by incomplete growth of the septal wall during fetal development. When an atrial septal defect is present, blood flows through the hole, usually from the left atrium to the right atrium. This increases the blood volume in the right atrium, which causes more blood to be pumped to the lungs. This short circuit of blood flow is inefficient for providing circulation to the body |
| ATROPOISOMERISM | The chirality caused by the inability of molecular groups to rotate freely about single bonds |
| ATTENUATED TOTAL REFLECTANCE (FTIR SPECTROSCOPY) | in which an IR beam is reflected from the surfaces of an ATR crystal as the beam propagates along the length of the crystal. The IR spectrum of a thin sample--for example, a solid film or a thin layer of liquid--in contact with the crystal can be probed with this method because as the light bounces off the crystal surfaces, it penetrates the film slightly. |
| AUTISM | brain disorder that begins in early childhood and persists throughout adulthood; affects three crucial areas of development: communication, social interaction, and creative or imaginative play |
| AUTOIMMUNE HEPATITIS | also referred to as chronic active hepatitis, a disease which causes a person's body to reject its own liver |
| AUTOLOGOUS BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT | It is a form of treatment for certain types of cancer like lynphomas, leukemia & multiple myeloma & consists of following steps (a) Patient receives a stimulant that increa ses the number of stem cells circulating in blood (b) Patient enters into a kidney dialysis-li ke machine, which filters the blood & re moves the reproductive cells, that are renewable in human body (c) The cells are kept in refrigerator (d) Patient is subjected to chemotherapy, ge nerally 30 times more intense as usual, to kill patient's diseased bone marrow (e) The refrigerator kept cells are returned to patient's blood, & with circulation forming new healthy bone marrow |
| AUTOMOBILE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (Pt) | Carmakers often purchase Pt hand them over to catalyst companies, which formulate them with mixed-metal oxides and other materials to create a washcoat. This washcoat is sprayed onto a bricklike ceramic substrate. Another manufacturer then crams this brick into a metal canister, making a catalytic converter that is attached to the exhaust system |
| AZETIDIN | Cyclobutane ring in which one CH2 substituted by NH |
| BACE1 (See Abbrev.) (AD) | See Beta Secretase |
| BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS | What is Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)? BV is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age.20 Although the exact cause of BV is not known, BV occurs when the natural balance of organisms in the vagina changes, allowing for potentially harmful bacteria to grow. BV may be associated with serious health problems including pelvic inflammatory disease, post-surgical infections and abnormal Pap smears. That is why it's important to treat BV as effectively as possible. |
| BACTERIOPHAGE | A virus that infects bacteria & multiplies in them. Aka bacterial virus; phage |
| BALZ SCHIEMANN REACTION | Regiospecific introduction of fluorine into aromatic compds via diazonium salts |
| BARRETT'S ESOPHAGUS | Precancerous Condition caused by Acid Reflux Stress-Triggered & which may lead to Esophageal Cancer |
| BARTON MCCOMBIE DEOXYGENATION | Alcohol is converted to a xanthate ester (-O-CS-SR), enabling replacement of the -OH with a H atom via a radical process with OrganoTin Hydride as H Source |
| BATTEN DISEASE | inherited neurological degenerative disorder |
| BECHTEREW S DISEASE | Arthritis and osteitis deformans involving the spinal column; marked by nodular deposits at the edges of the intervertebral disks with ossification of the ligaments and bony ankylosis of the intervertebral articulations, it results in a rounded kyphosis with rigidity. |
| BECKER MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY | is the result of one or more point mutations in the same gene. (Hoffman, et al., N. Engl. J. Med., Vol. 318, pgs. 1363-1368 (1988)). |
| BERGMAN CYCLOAROMATIZATION REACTION | Enediyne cyclization forming benzene via highly reactive 1,4-benzenoid diradical intermediate |
| BESYLIC ACID | BenzeneSulfonic Acid (Ph-SO3H) |
| BETA SECRETASE (AD) | Also known as beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme or BACE1 - initiates APP proteolysis. Much like a miniature shaver, BACE1 lops off part of the APP molecule on the outside of the membrane |
| BH4 DEFICIENCY | BH4 deficiency is a very rare inborn error of metabolism, and is estimated to account for 1-2 % of cases of HPA. BH4 deficiency is an autosomal recessive genetic condition and can result from deficiencies of any of the five different enzymes involved in BH4 synthesis and regeneration. BH4 is a necessary co-factor for PAH. Therefore, BH4 deficiency impairs PAH activity leading to a biochemical situation similar to PKU, with HPA resulting from deficient conversion of Phe to tyrosine. In addition, since BH4 is also a necessary co-factor for both tyrosine hydroxylase and tryptophan hydroxylase, BH4 deficiency causes deficiencies in the downstream neurotransmitter products of these amino acids including catecholamines and serotonin. Dietary limitation of whole protein or Phe intake is often not necessary with BH4 treatment. However, since BH4 does not cross the blood brain barrier, concomitant therapy with neurotransmitter precursors, i. e. levodopa and 5-hydroxytryptophan, may be necessary to boost central nervous system substrate levels for catecholamine and serotonin synthesis, respectively |
| BIFUNCTIONAL CHELANT (Medicine) | a molecule that has, in addition to chelating functionality, the ability to be conjugated (linked) to a biotargeting molecule (e.g. monoclonal antibody). |
| BIGINELLI REACTION | An Aldehyde, a 1,3-KetoEster, & a Urea or ThioUrea React in One Pot to form PolyFuncti onalized DIHYDROPYRIMIDINES, many of which are bioactive |
| BILE | The secretion of the liver that aids in the digestion of fats by emulsifying them & that serves to excrete bile pigments, heavy metals & other waste prodts of metabolism |
| BILE ACID | A 24-C steroid that occurs in the bile in the formn of bile salt. Cholic acid & cheno deoxycholic acid are sometimes referred to as primary bile acids; they may be hydroxylated by bacteria in the digestive tract to yield the sec. bile acids, deoxy cholic acid & lithocholic acid resp. |
| BILOBALIDE | purified terpene lactone component of ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761. |
| BIODIESEL | Fatty Acid Alkyl (Et or Me) Ester |
| BIOEQUIVALENCE (Pharma.) | is the Food & Drug Administration requirement that the active ingredient of a generic drug be absorbed into the body and metabolized in approximately the same amount over approximately the same period as the active ingredient of the innovator drug. Bio-equivalence is demonstrated in two ways. Dissolution testing determines if the generic drug product dissolves in approximately the same amount of time as the innovator product. Blood-level testing is done by giving the generic drug product to humans and measuring how much of the drug enters the bloodstream, how fast it does so, and how long it takes to leave the body. |
| BIOFOULING | The spontaneous & unwanted adsorption of proteins, cells & bacteria on surfaces |
| BIOGAS | Biomass derived gas mainly composed of CO & H2 (fuel) |
| BIOINFORMATICS | Expression used to designate all informatic tools to SYSTEMATIZE & transform in USEFUL information the vast amount of data & knowledge in LIFE SCIENCES |
| BIOLOGICAL FORCE MICROSCOPY | live cells are attached to a small bead at the end of an atomic force microscope tip. The technique allows force measurements at sub-nanonewton resolution |
| BIOMARKER | Valid biomarker. A biomarker that is measured in an analytical test system with well-established performance characteristics and for which there is an established framework or body of evidence that elucidates the physiological, toxicological, pharmacological or clinical significance of the test results. (This definition does not fully describe the situation in drug development, in which data are often rapidly evolving and where some data might be proprietary and in single hands.) Known valid biomarker. A biomarker that is measured in an analytical test system with well-established performance characteristics, and for which there is widespread agreement in the medical or scientific community about the physiological, toxicological, pharmacological or clinical significance of the results. Probable valid biomarker. A biomarker that is measured in an analytical test system with well-established performance characteristics, and for which there is a scientific framework or body of evidence that seems to elucidate the physiological, toxicological, pharmacological or clinical significance of the test results |
| BIOMASS | Agricultural Waste |
| BIOMIMETICS | takes engineering principles from the natural world and applies them to man-made materials and technologies. |
| BIOTARGETED RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS | radioimmunotherapy |
| BIPOLAR MANIA (Mental Disorder) | While everyone experiences changes in mood as part of everyday life, people who suffer from bipolar disorder have mood swings that may be so severe that they interfere with the ability to function normally at work, at school, and in relationships with family and friends. Some people may experience only a few mood swings, separated by long periods of normal mood, while others may have rapid and severe mood swings that occur frequently. During the manic phase of the disorder, people may experience feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism, and inflated self-esteem. Other common symptoms include rapid speech, racing thoughts, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and increased energy or activity. During manic episodes, people may do things that they later feel were mistakes—such as going on spending sprees, taking unnecessary risks, or rushing into big decisions. During the depressive phase of the illness, people may have feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt, or hopelessness. It is common to experience changes in eating and sleeping patterns or to lose interest in activities that one normally enjoys. Some people may even find themselves thinking about suicide. It is possible to experience symptoms of both the manic phase (irritable, argumentative) and depressive phase (hopeless and sad) at the same time. This is known as mixed mania. Although most people with manic-depressive disorder spend considerable periods of time in a relatively normal mood, some individuals switch quickly between mania and depression—a less common condition known as rapid cycling. In addition, some people may experience some psychotic symptoms, such as paranoia or the belief that they have special powers. Bipolar disorder is a persistent or chronic (long-lasting) medical condition, just as diabetes and high blood pressure are. Bipolar disorder is not the result of a character flaw or something the person did, and having it is not a sign of personal weakness or a lack of willpower. Scientists do not know exactly what causes bipolar disorder, but they believe that the symptoms may be activated by a chemical imbalance in the brain. We do know that bipolar disorder can affect anyone, regardless of race, sex, education, occupation, or income. The disorder can appear at any age, although it frequently occurs for the first time in early adulthood. Bipolar disorder can run in families, but genetics does not completely explain who gets it and who does not. |
| BLAST CELL | A cell with a poorly differentiated, but RNA-rich cytoplasm that actively synthesizes DNA |
| BLOCK COPOLYMER | Is made from > 2 monomers with all monomers of each type grouped together. A diblock copolymer, for example could have the structure AAAABBBB. Usually the blocks have incompatible solubility characteristics, which lead to materials having interesting physical & chemical properties |
| BLOOD CLOT | the conversion of blood from a liquid form to a solid form through the process of coagulation |
| BLOOD PLASMA | source of numerous proteins used for drug development and therapeutic purposes. These proteins include albumin, clotting factors, and intravenous immunoglobulin |
| BLOOD VESSEL | any tube in the body through which blood flows; an artery, vein, or capillary |
| BNCT | Is a two-part therapy in which patients are first given a nontoxic compd. contg (10)Boron that will be picked up selectively by cancer cells or other targeted cells. Then the target is irradiated with a beam of neutrons, which pass harmlessly through most tissue. When the neutrons encounter the (10)B nuclei, however, they are absorbed (or captured), causing a fission reaction that creates two high-energy cations, (4)He 2+ (alpha particle) & (7)Li 3+. Energy released by fission of the (10)B nucleus propels these high-energy particles outward, but only for a distance of about one cell diam. As they move, they severely damage whatever they encounter. About a billion (10)B nuclei, uniformly distributed within a cell, provide a sufficient number of targets to damage the cell severely enough to be sure of killing it |
| BONE METASTASIS | Non-Bone Primary Tumor Metastasized to Bone |
| BORATABENZENE | Benzene where ono or more "CH" groups are substituted by boron |
| BORIRENE | CycloPropene; where -CH2- is replaced by -BH- (HeteroAromatics) |
| BOUDOUARD REACTION | 2CO in presence of Fe = Fe carbide + CO2 |
| BOURGEONAL | Benzene-1-(Tert.-Bu)-4-(CH2)2-CHO |
| BRACHYTHERAPY | A procedure in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near a tumor. Also called internal radiation, implant radiation, or interstitial radiation therapy |
| BRADYKININ | See Kinin |
| BRANDED GENERICS. (Pharma.) | See SUPERGENERICS |
| BrC16-PACLITAXEL | Paclitaxel attached to a 16 carbon-long, straight, saturated, alpha-carbon bromylated acyl chain |
| BRONCHIECTASIS | lung disease that results in the distortion of one or more of the conducting bronchi or airways, most often secondary to an infectious process. |
| BRONCHOSCOPY | procedure in which a thin, lighted tube is inserted through the nose or mouth. This allows examination of the inside of the trachea and bronchi |
| BRONCHOSPASM | the sudden tightening of the airways usually caused by an allergen or asthma trigger |
| BRONSTED-EVANS-POLANYI RULE | Chemists studying reaction kinetics commonly invoke a simplifying assumption, which states that, for a given chemical reaction, the activation energy and reaction energy are related linearly. The Brønsted-Evans-Polanyi rule provides a direct way to relate changes in activation energy to changes in bonding characteristics, such as bond strength |
| BROWNFIELD | Abandoned industrial site |
| BUCHWALD HARTWIG COUPLING REACTION | - Ar Halide+Amine = Ar Amine - Ar Halide+Phenol = Ar Ether Catalyst: Pd/Ligand System (Homogeneous Cata lysis) |
| BULK MODULUS | InCompressibility |
| BURULI ULCER | Skin Disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans which secretes Mycolactone Toxin; occurring in Africa & Australia |
| CACHEXIA | The malnutrition & wasting of bodily tissue that is produced by chronic diseases, such as the drain on host nutrients produced by the proliferation of cancer cells |
| CAFFEOYL-CoA-3-O-METHYLTRANSFERASE. | The enzyme caffeoyl-CoA 3-O-methyltransferase, called CCoAMT below, catalyses the methylation of caffeoyl-CoA in a biosynthesis route, which has only recently been described, which leads from trans-4-coumaroyl-CoA to trans-feruloyl-CoA (Matern, U., and Kneusel, R. E. 1988, Phytoparasitica 16:153-170; Kneusel, R. E., Matern, U., and Nicolay, K. 1989, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 269:455 to 462; and Pakusch, A. -E., Kneusel, R. E., and Matern, U., 1989, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 271:488 to 494). Under fungal attack, plants reinforce their cell wall very rapidly by incorporation of cinnamic acids, followed by cross-linking thereof to give polymeric structures or build-up of lignin. Under these conditions, feruloyl-CoA is the preferred acyl donor both for the esterification of cell wall polysaccharides and for lignification (reduction to coniferyl alcohol). The speed and extent of the change in the cell wall essentially determine the course of the infection and the fate of the plants, "hypersensitive reaction" characterising complete resistance of the plants, associated with a particularly severe and rapid change in the cell wall and the death of the cells directly affected. This hypersensitive reaction is also observed in the resistance reaction of plants to virus infections. It has only recently been discovered that feruloyl-CoA is not formed in vivo in all cases by activation of ferulic acid, but is also formed by reaction of coumaroyl-CoA. The caffeoyl-CoA-specific methyl-transferase which participates in this reaction has scarcely any homology with previously known enzymes (Pakusch, A. -E., Matern, U., and Schiltz, E., 1991, Plant Physiol. 95:137 to 143), is taxonomically widespread in plants and can be induced therein by, for example, fungal attack. |
| CALPAIN | Calcium-Activated Neutral Proteases |
| CANCER CACHEXIA | Cancer Induced Muscle Loss |
| CAPNOGRAPHY | monitoring of the concentration of exhaled carbon dioxide in order to assess the physiologic status of patients with acute respiratory problems or who are receiving mechanical ventilation and to determine the adequacy of ventilation in anesthetized patients. Capnography is an indirect monitor of carbon dioxide concentrations in a patient s blood. During anaesthesia, there is interplay between two components: the patient and the anaesthesia administration device which is usually a circuit and a ventilator. The critical connection between the two components is either an endotracheal tube or a mask, and CO2 is typically monitored at this junction. Capnography directly reflects the elimination of CO2 by the lungs to the anaesthesia device. Indirectly |
| CAPSID | The protein coat or shell of a virus particle |
| CARBAMOYLASE | Enzyme that converts carbamoylaminoacids into aminoacids |
| CARBON DIOXIDE SINK | Entities that remove excess CO2 from the atmosphere, such as new fast-growing forest plantations or cropping practices that incorporate carbon into the soil |
| CARBON NANOTUBE | First discovered in 1991, nanotubes are cylindrical fullerenes & have diam of only a few nm & lengths (presently: 01.01) of up to a mm |
| CARBON REFINERY | This would be a large facility that could use coal, natural gas, biomass, or petroleum to produce a variety of fuels and chemicals as well as export electricity--and it would capture the CO2 it emits and place it in geologic formations or on the ocean floor, he said. Over time, as hydrogen-consuming fuel cells begin to be used on a large scale, a greater portion of the carbon refinery products would be hydrogen |
| CARBONIC ANHYDRASE | catalyze the interconversion of carbon dioxide and carbonic acid. |
| CARCINOID CANCER | or carcinoids, originate in hormone-producing cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the respiratory tract, the hepatobiliary (liver) system and the reproductive glands. The most common site of origin is the GI tract, with tumors often developing in the rectum, and other sections of the small intestine |
| CARDIAC PERFUSION IMAGING | studies are used for the detection and characterization of coronary artery disease by identifying areas of insufficient blood flow in the heart. During these tests, the heart is subjected to a period of stress to stimulate maximal blood flow. Myocardical perfusion is measured during stress and compared to perfusion at rest. Areas of relatively poor perfusion during stress as compared to rest indicate which areas of the heart may be affected by narrowed coronary arteries. |
| CARDIAC PERFUSION SCINTIGRAPHY | Cardiac perfusion imaging studies are used for the detection and characterization of coronary artery disease by identifying areas of insufficient blood flow in the heart. During these tests, the heart is subjected to a period of stress to stimulate maximal blood flow. Myocardical perfusion is measured during stress and compared to perfusion at rest. Areas of relatively poor perfusion during stress as compared to rest indicate which areas of the heart may be affected by narrowed coronary arteries. |
| CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE | a disease of the heart (cardio) and blood vessels (vascular) often caused by a narrowing of the blood vessels, which is often due to accumulation of plaque in the lining of the blood vessels. CVD is the leading cause of disability and death in the United States, resulting in more premature deaths than any other illness. |
| CARMUSTINE | See Abbrev.: BCNU |
| CARNALLITE | MgCl.6H2O. |
| CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE | develops when the carotid arteries located in the front of the neck become blocked or narrow. These two arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the part of the brain that controls movement, speech and sensation. If the cells in this area of the brain are depleted of oxygen, they die, which results in permanent damage or stroke. How do the Carotid Arteries Become Blocked? When plaque, made up of scar tissue, cholesterol and other fatty substances, begins to build up on the inside of the artery walls, this is called atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries". Not only does this buildup narrow the artery passages and slow the flow of blood to the brain, pieces of plaque and/or blood clots sometimes break away from the artery walls and become lodged in the brain's smaller arteries. This atherosclerotic process significantly increases the likelihood of stroke. Symptoms Most people with carotid artery disease (CAD) have no symptoms. Symptoms typically present themselves in the form of a transient ischemic attacks or mini strokes as they are called. During a transient ischemic attack (TIA), a person may experience temporary blindness, weakness in an arm or leg, dizziness, tingling sensations on the surface of the skin or numbness. These mini attacks (TIAs) rarely last more than 30 minutes, but people who have them are twice as likely as those who don't to have full-blown strokes. Risk Factors The risk factors for CAD are the same as those for coronary artery disease. These include smoking, diets high in fat, sedentary lifestyles, and a strong family history of heart disease or stroke. |
| CAROTID ENDARTERECTOMY | a surgical procedure designed to clean out material occluding an artery) done on the carotid artery (a major artery in the neck that supplies blood to the brain) to restore normal blood flow through it to the brain and prevent a stroke. |
| CARTILAGE. JOINT CARTILAGE | Cartilage is a slippery and resilient tissue produced and maintained by its own specialized cells. It cushions the surfaces where two or more bones form a flexible joint. When you do even the simplest exercises or everyday activities there is tremendous pressure on your joints. Cartilage, joint fluid, and underlying bone work together like a shock absorber allowing flexible joint function. Because cartilage lacks a direct blood supply, nutrients must pass into the cartilage from surrounding tissue. These nutrients sustain cartilage cells and provide the components necessary to maintain a healthy cartilage structure. Scientists are not sure about all the factors that cause cartilage breakdown; however, they have discovered enzymes that play a role in the process. With age, injury, or over-activity, this process of breakdown can exceed the process of replacement leading to problems in the joints. These problems result in less flexibility. |
| CASCADE (CombiChem) | Series of reactions that occur spontaneously |
| CASCADE POLYMER | Dendrimer |
| CATABOLISM | 1. The phase of intermediary metabolism that encompasses the degrada tive & energy-yielding reactions whereby nutrients are metabolized 2. The cellular breakdown of complex substances & macromolecules to low MW compds |
| CATHARTIC | Very strong laxative that produces explosive, watery bowel movements |
| CATIONIC ELECTRODEPOSITION | method for applying organic coatings from an aqueous medium onto conductive substrates. In automobile manufacturing, the metal body of the vehicle serves as a cathode that attracts a layer of metal ions when immersed in a coatings solution. The metal ions create an adherent, corrosion-resistant interface between the vehicle body and the polymeric binder of the coating. Lead has been the metal of choice as a corrosion inhibitor in the past because of its superior ability. |
| CAVITATION (Solvents) | Process of bubble formation & implosion |
| CELIAC DISEASE | is a chronic intestinal disorder caused by a specific intolerance to gluten present in wheat and rye proteins leading to changes in the small intestinal mucosa and impaired absorption. Current treatment is effected by a well balanced gluten-gliadin free diet high in calories and proteins and normal in fat. This excludes cereal grains with the exception of rice and corn. Those patients with celiac disease who do not respond to the glutengliaden free diet are given glucocorticoid steroids such as hydrocortisone, prednisone or prednisolone |
| CELL CYCLE | The sequence of events between cell divisions. The cycle is conventionally divided into G0, G1, S, G2 and M phases |
| CELLULAR IMMUNITY | Immunity that is due to cell-bound antibodies, in contrast to humoral immunity Cellular immunity involves immune responses against invading microorga nisms, including fungi, parasites, intracellular viruses, cancer cells, & foreign tissues. It is responsible for such reactions as allograft rejection & delayed- type hypersensitivity & is associated with T lymphocytes |
| CELLULAR IMMUNE RESPONSE | An immune response based on the activation of antigen-specific T cells. The cellular immune response includes activation and expansion of cytotoxic T cells that are responsible for killing infected and cancerous cells, activation and expansion of helper T cells, and the secretion of cytokines and chemokines. |
| CELLULAR SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION | the series of events leading from extracellular events to intracellular sequelae |
| CELLULASE | Enzyme converting cellulose into glucose |
| CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER OCCLUSION | Patients with cancer and other serious diseases often receive a central venous catheter to deliver vital therapies including chemotherapy, nutritional support, pain management, antibiotics and blood products, and to withdraw blood samples for testing. An estimated five million central venous catheters are placed in patients each year in the United States,1 and approximately 25%, or 1.25 million, become occluded by blood clots.2 Known as CO, this obstruction in a central venous catheter can impair the ability to infuse fluid through or withdraw fluid from the catheter. Because central venous catheters are primarily inserted in patients receiving life-saving medications, it is critical to restore patency (flow) in a timely manner with minimal risk to the patient. |
| CEREBRAL ANEURYSM | Cerebral aneurysms occur when there is abnormal pressure on sections of brain arteries, causing a balloon-like out-pouching of the arterial wall. As the aneurysm expands, the wall becomes thinner and the possibility of a rupture increases. If the aneurysm ruptures, this causes hemorrhaging that can lead to severe disability, coma or death. Cerebral aneurysms are present in 3% of the population, but remain asymptomatic until the day they rupture and cause a cerebral hemorrhage. Increasingly, advances in imaging technology allow doctors to detect the presence of aneurysms before they rupture, increasing the appeal of less invasive and safer preventative endovascular treatments |
| CEREBRAL PALSY | collective name given to a range of conditions caused by brain injury caused at or around the time of birth, or in the first year of an infant's life. The brain injury may be caused, for example, by trauma during delivery. It may also arise through such causes as trauma due to road traffic accidents or meningitis during the first year of life. It has been found that there is an increased risk of cerebral palsy in prematurely born babies and, as a result of the improvements in technology which enable premature babies to be kept alive from a much earlier age, the incidence of cerebral palsy in many countries is actually increasing rather than falling. |
| CERVICAL CANCER | cancer of the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina). |
| CERVICAL DYSPLASIA | PreCancerous Lesion |
| CHANNEL PROTEIN | A protein that mediates passive transport across a biol. membrane by forming an aq. channel through which solutes of appropriate size & charge can diffuse |
| CHAPERONE (Protein) | class of proteins in gram-negative bacteria that are involved in the assembly of pili by mediating such assembly, but are not incorporated into the structure |
| CHECKPOINT | Internal surveillance mechanism that stops the cell cycle when there is a problem (e.g. DNA damage). |