| ALT | <enzyme> A liver enzyme that plays a role in protein metabolism, like AST (see). Elevated serum levels of ALT are a sign of liver damage from disease or drugs. Synonym: serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase. (13 Jan 1998) |
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| ALT:AST ratio | The ratio of serum alanine aminotransferase to serum aspartate aminotransferase; elevated serum levels of both enzymes characterise hepatic disease; when both levels are abnormally elevated and the ALT:AST ratio is greater than 1.0, severe hepatic necrosis or alcoholic hepatic disease is likely; when the ratio is less than 1.0, an acute non-alcoholic hepatic condition is favoured. (05 Mar 2000) |
| altar | 1. A raised structure (as a square or oblong erection of stone or wood) on which sacrifices are offered or incense burned to a deity. "Noah builded an altar unto the Lord." (Gen. Viii. 20) 2. In the Christian church, a construction of stone, wood, or other material for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist; the communion table. Altar is much used adjectively, or as the first part of a compound; as, altar bread or altar-bread. Altar cloth or Altar-cloth, the cover for an altar in a Christian church, usually richly embroidered. Altar cushion, a cushion laid upon the altar in a Christian church to support the service book. Altar frontal. See Frontal. Altar rail, the railing in front of the altar or communion table. Altar screen, a wall or partition built behind an altar to protect it from approach in the rear. Altar tomb, a tomb resembling an altar in shape, etc. Family altar, place of family devotions. To lead (as a bride) to the altar, to marry; said of a woman. Origin: OE. Alter, auter, autier, fr. L. Altare, pl. Altaria, altar, prob. Fr. Altus high: cf. OF. Alter, autier, F. Autel. Cf. Altitude. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| altazimuth | <astronomy> An instrument for taking azimuths and altitudes simultaneously. Origin: Alltude + azimuth. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| alteplase | <drug> A thrombolytic agent which works by activating the bodys own fibrinolytic system by activating the production of plasmin from plasminogen. Plasmin is an enzyme which degrades fibrin clots and fibrinogen, as well as several other protein clotting factors. (27 Sep 1997) |
| alteration | 1. A change. 2. A changing; a making different. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alterative | A medicine or treatment which gradually induces a change, and restores healthy functions without sensible evacuations. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| alterative inflammation | A local reaction to injury, occasionally observed in the walls of blood vessels and in parenchymal cells of various organs in reacting to certain chemicals, viruses, and other intracellular agents; the response is characterised by degenerative changes in the cytoplasm and nucleus, frequently resulting in necrosis, but exudation (if any) is ordinarily observed only in the wall of the affected vessel, or in the interstices immediately adjacent to the affected vessel or parenchymal cells. Synonym: degenerative inflammation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| altercursive intubation | Rarely used term for diversion of secretion intermittently to the exterior from its normal destination, e.g., of the bile from the intestine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| altered self hypothesis | The hypothesis that the T-cell receptor in MHC mediated phenomena recognises a syngeneic MHC Class I or Class II molecule after modification by a virus or certain chemicals. See: MHC restriction. (18 Nov 1997) |
| alteregoism | Identification with people of similar personality to one's own. (27 Sep 1997) |
| alterity | The state or quality of being other; a being otherwise. "For outness is but the feeling of otherness (alterity) rendered intuitive, or alterity visually represented." (Coleridge) Origin: F. Alterite. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| altern | Acting by turns; alternate. <mathematics> Altern base, a second side made base, in distinction from a side previously regarded as base. Origin: L. Alternus, fr. Alter another: cf. F. Alterne. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| alternans | Alternating; KP7>often used substantively for alternation of the heart, either electrical or mechanical. Alternating; used as a noun in the sense of pulsus alternans. Origin: L. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alternansucrase | <enzyme> Leuconostoc mesenteroides enzyme synthesises a glucan with alternating 1-6 and 1-3 linkages Registry number: EC 3.2.1.- Synonym: glucansucrase (26 Jun 1999) |