| Eaton agent | A small atypical form of bacteria, intermediate in size between typical bacteria and viruses. Thought to play a significant role in pneumonia and bronchitis. Mycoplasmal respiratory infections are common in children and young adults. Common symptoms include malaise, fever, chills and a dry hacking cough. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| Eaton agent pneumonia | An acute systemic disease with involvement of the lungs, caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and marked by high fever, cough, relatively few physical signs, and scattered densities on X-rays; usually associated with development of cold agglutinins and antibodies to the bacteria. Synonym: atypical pneumonia, Eaton agent pneumonia, mycoplasmal pneumonia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| eaton-lambert syndrome | <radiology> Myasthenia, bronchial carcinoma, often small cell carcinoma (12 Dec 1998) |
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| Eaton, Lee | <person> U.S. Neurologist, 1905-1958. See: Eaton-Lambert syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Eaton, Monroe | <person> U.S. Microbiologist, *1904. See: Eaton agent, Eaton agent pneumonia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lambert-eaton myasthenic syndrome | <neurology> An acquired autoimmune disease characterised by weakness and fatigability of proximal muscles, particularly of the pelvic girdle and thighs, with relative sparing of extraocular and bulbar muscles. It is often associated with small cell carcinoma of the lung. The neuromuscular defect in this disease is believed to be due to a deficient release of acetylcholine. (08 Mar 2000) |
| Lambert-Eaton syndrome | <syndrome> A condition characterised by muscle weakness that is similar to the symptoms of myasthenia gravis. For this reason, it has been referred to as myasthenic syndrome. This disorder is caused by an insufficient release of neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) by the nerve cells. Unlike myasthenia gravis, as muscle contractions are continued, strength will increase. The cause of Lambert-Eaton syndrome is unknown, but is usually associated with small cell carcinoma of the lung or an autoimmune illness. (27 Sep 1997) |
| adrenergic blocking agent | A compound that selectively blocks or inhibits responses to sympathetic adrenergic nerve activity (sympatholytic agent) and to epinephrine, norepinephrine, and other adrenergic amines (adrenolytic agent); two distinct classes exist, alpha-and beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent's. (05 Mar 2000) |
| adrenergic neuronal blocking agent | A drug that prevents the release of norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve terminals; it does not inhibit the responses of the adrenergic receptors to circulating epinephrine, norepinephrine, and other adrenergic amines. (05 Mar 2000) |
| agent | <pharmacology> Any power, principle or substance capable of producing an effect, whether physical, chemical or biological. Origin: L. Agens = acting (18 Nov 1997) |
| agent, antihypertensive | As the name suggests, a drug aimed at reducing high blood pressure (hypertension). (12 Dec 1998) |
| agent, anti-infective | Something capable of acting against infection, by inhibiting the spread of an infectious agent or by killing the infectious agent outright. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Agent Orange | An herbicide and defoliant, consisting of (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetic acid, (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid, and dioxin, that was widely used in the Vietnam War; it has been shown to possess residual post-exposure carcinogenic and teratogenic properties in humans. (05 Mar 2000) |
| agent, tocolytic | A medication that can inhibit labour, slow down or halt the contractions of the uterus. Tocolytic agents are widely used today to treat premature labour and permit pregnancy to procede and so let the foetus gain in size and maturity before being born. (12 Dec 1998) |
| alkylating agent | <oncology, pharmacology> A reagent that places an alkyl group, for example propyl in place of a nucleophilic group in a molecule. Alkylating reagents include a number of cytotoxic drugs some of which react fairly specifically with N7 of the purine ring and lead to depurination of DNA, for example the agent ethyl ethanesulphonic acid and thus to mutagenesis. The drugs interaction with DNAand prevents the division of the cells. Examples of drugs include: busulphan, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, melphalan. (29 Sep 1997) |
| alpha-adrenergic blocking agent | An agent that competitively blocks alpha-adrenergic receptors; used in the treatment of hypertension. Synonym: alpha-blocker. (05 Mar 2000) |
| antianxiety agent | A functional category of drugs useful in the treatment of anxiety and able to reduce anxiety at doses which do not cause excessive sedation (e.g., diazepam). Synonym: anxiolytic, minor tranquilliser. (05 Mar 2000) |