| human immunodeficiency virus | <virology> A type of retrovirus (human immunodeficiency virus) that is responsible for the fatal illness acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Two strains have been identified. Type 1: the retrovirus recognised as the agent that induces AIDS. Type 2: a virus closely related to HIV-1 that also leads to immune suppression. HIV-2 is not as virulent as HIV-1 and is epidemic only in West Africa. Acronym: HIV (11 Nov 1997) |
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| evidence-based medicine | The process of systematically finding, appraising, and using contemporaneous research findings as the basis for clinical decisions. Evidence-based medicine asks questions, finds and appraises the relevant data, and harnesses that information for everyday clinical practice. Evidence-based medicine follows four steps: formulate a clear clinical question from a patient's problem; search the literature for relevant clinical articles; evaluate (critically appraise) the evidence for its validity and usefulness; implement useful findings in clinical practice. The term "evidence based medicine" (no hyphen) was coined at mcmaster medical school in canada in the 1980's to label this clinical learning strategy, which people at the school had been developing for over a decade. (12 Dec 1998) |
| bovine immunodeficiency virus | A lentivirus causing lymphocytosis in cattle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| simian immunodeficiency virus | <virology> A retrovirus found in monkeys that is closely related to HIV. (09 Oct 1997) |
| immunodeficiency virus, bovine | A species of lentivirus, subgenus bovine lentiviruses (lentiviruses, bovine), found in cattle and causing lymphadenopathy, lymphocytosis, central nervous system lesions, progressive weakness, and emaciation. It has immunological cross-reactivity with other lentiviruses including HIV. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunodeficiency virus, feline | A species of lentivirus, subgenus feline lentiviruses (lentiviruses, feline) isolated from cats with a chronic wasting syndrome, presumed to be immune deficiency. There is no antigenic relationship between fiv and HIV, nor does fiv grow in human T-cells. (12 Dec 1998) |
| feline immunodeficiency virus | A lentivirus causing acquired immunodeficiency in cats. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Venereal Disease Research Laboratory | <microbiology> A blood test used to diagnose syphilis. Read as nonreactive or negative if you do not have syphilis. The Venereal Disease Research Laboratory can also be positive is cases of leprosy, malaria, mononucleosis, lupus, hepatitis A and pregnancy. Positive Venereal Disease Research Laboratory tests are usually followed up by a more specific test (FTA antibodies). (12 Jan 1998) |
| personal growth laboratory | A sensitivity training setting in which the primary emphasis is on each participant's potentialities for creativity, empathy, and leadership. See: sensitivity training group. (05 Mar 2000) |
| clinical laboratory information systems | Information systems, usually computer-assisted, designed to store, manipulate, and retrieve information for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling administrative and clinical activities associated with the provision and utilization of clinical laboratory services. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hygienic laboratory coefficient | A figure expressing the disinfecting power of any substance; it is obtained by dividing the figure indicating the degree of dilution of the disinfectant that kills a microorganism in a given time by that indicating the degree of dilution of phenol which kills the organism in the same space of time under similar conditions. Synonym: hygienic laboratory coefficient, phenol coefficient. (05 Mar 2000) |
| technology, medical laboratory | The application of scientific knowledge or technology in medical laboratories as facilities equipped to carry out investigative procedures in the diagnosis and therapy of disease. It includes methods, techniques, and instrumentation used in medical laboratories. (12 Dec 1998) |
| laboratory | Origin: Shortened fr. Elaboratory; cf. OF. Elaboratoire, F. Laboratoire. See Elaborate, Labour] [Formerly written also elaboratory. The workroom of a chemist; also, a place devoted to experiments in any branch of natural science; as, a chemical, physical, or biological laboratory. Hence, by extension, a place where something is prepared, or some operation is performed; as, the liver is the laboratory of the bile. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| laboratory animal science | The science and technology dealing with the procurement, breeding, care, health, and selection of animals used in biomedical research and testing. (12 Dec 1998) |
| laboratory chemicals | Chemicals necessary to perform experimental and/or investigative procedures and for the preparation of drugs and other chemicals. (12 Dec 1998) |