| human genome initiative | <molecular biology> Collective name for several projects begun in 1986 by the Department of Energy to create an ordered set of DNA segments from known chromosomal locations, develop new computational methods for analysing genetic map and DNA sequence data, and develop new techniques and instruments for detecting and analysing DNA. This initiative is now known as the Human Genome Program. The national effort, led by DOE and National Institute of Health, is known as the Human Genome Project. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| dis- | 1. <prefix> A prefix from the Latin, whence F. Des, or sometimes de-, dis-. The Latin dis- appears as di- before b, d, g, l, m, n, r, v, becomes dif- before f, and either dis- or di- before j. It is from the same root as bis twice, and duo, E. Two. See Two, and cf. Bi-, Di-, Dia-. Dis- denotes separation, a parting from, as in distribute, disconnect; hence it often has the force of a privative and negative, as in disarm, disoblige, disagree. Also intensive, as in dissever. Walker's rule of pronouncing this prefix is, that the s ought always to be pronounced like z, when the next syllable is accented and begins with "a flat mute [b, d, v, g, z], a liquid [l, m, n, r], or a vowel; as, disable, disease, disorder, disuse, disband, disdain, disgrace, disvalue, disjoin, dislike, dislodge, dismay, dismember, dismiss, dismount, disnatured, disrank, disrelish, disrobe." Dr. Webster's example in disapproving of Walker's rule and pronouncing dis- as diz in only one (disease) of the above words, is followed by recent orthoepists. See Disable, Disgrace, and the other words, beginning with dis-, in this Dictionary. 2. A prefix from Gr. Twice. See Di-. (29 Oct 1998) |
| chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | <disease> A progressive disease process that most commonly results from smoking. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is characterised by difficulty breathing, wheezing and a chronic cough. Treatment includes absolute avoidance from smoking, bronchodilators and oxygen for those with advanced disease. Complications include bronchitis, pneumonia and lung cancer. See: emphysema. (27 Sep 1997) |
| obstructive lung disease | <chest medicine> A form of lung disease that manifests as acute or chronic, narrowing or blockage of the smaller airways in the lungs, causing increased resistance to airflow in the bronchial tubes (for example asthma, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from smoking). (27 Sep 1997) |
| lung diseases, obstructive | Any disorder marked by persistent obstruction of bronchial air flow. (12 Dec 1998) |
| global | The complete, generalised, overall, or total aspect. (05 Mar 2000) |
| global aphasia | In which all aspects of speech and communication are severely impaired. at best, patients can understand or speak only a few words or phrases; they cannot read or write. Synonym: mixed aphasia, total aphasia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| global ecology | <study> The study of the relationship of organisms to each other and to their environment on a global scale. (09 Oct 1997) |
| global paralysis | Paralysis of both whole sides of the body; survival is usually of short duration. Synonym: generalised paralysis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| global stability | <ecology> The ability of an ecological unit (such as a habitat) or taxonomic unit to withstand great disturbances without being greatly affected. (09 Oct 1997) |
| transient global amnesia | A memory disorder seen in middle aged and elderly persons characterised by an episode of amnesia and bewilderment which persists for several hours; during the episode the patient has a memory defect for present and recent past events, but is fully alert, oriented, capable of high-level intellectual activity, and has a normal neurological examination. Typically, these amnesic episodes occur spontaneously, and most patients experience only one; of uncertain aetiology-probably ischemic, but not due to atherosclerosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cardiopulmonary obstructive shock | <cardiology> This term describes a number of conditions that involve a severe disturbance of the cardiopulmonary circuit resulting in shock (inadequate delivery of oxygen to the tissues). Examples include: pulmonary embolism, pericardial tamponade, pneumothorax and constrictive pericarditis. (27 Sep 1997) |
| diffuse obstructive emphysema | The major component of chronic obstructive lung disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| obstructive apnea | Peripheral apnea, apnea either as the result of obstruction of the air passages or inadequate respiratory muscle activity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| obstructive appendicitis | Acute appendicitis due to infection of retained secretion behind an obstruction of the lumen by a fecalith or some other cause, including carcinoma of the caecum. (05 Mar 2000) |