| lactic acid | A byproduct of carbohydrate metabolism (anaerobic metabolism). A lactic acid level may be measured in the bloodstream in conditions of metabolic acidosis. Lactic acid is an intermediate product of carbohydrate metabolism and is derived mainly from muscle cells and red blood cells. Exercise will normally raise lactic acid levels. Conditions of oxygen deprivation (for example shock, heart failure, lung disease) will trigger anaerobic metabolism within muscle tissue resulting in lactic acid build up in the tissues. Normal lactic acid levels are 4.5 to 19.8 mg/dl. (25 Jun 1999) |
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| lactic acid bacillus | A member of the genus Lactobacillus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| lactic acid bacteria | <microbiology> A group of Gram-positive, non-sporing bacteria which carry out a lactic acid fermentation of sugars. It includes species of Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus and Streptococcus. See: lactic acid fermentation. (25 Jun 1999) |
| lactic acid dehydrogenase | <enzyme> An enzyme with 5 forms: LDH-1 is in the heart, its blood level can rise when heart muscle is damaged. Other forms can be found in the liver, brain, kidney, skeletal muscle and bone. A useful blood test in the evaluation of many disease processes, including heart attack, liver disease, muscular dystrophy and bone disease. (27 Sep 1997) |
| lactic acid fermentation | <biochemistry> A type of fermentation carried out by lactic acid bacteria in which sugar (for example lactose, glucose, pentose) are converted either entirely (or almost entirely) to lactic acid (homolactic fermentation) or to a mixture of lactic acid and other products (heterolactic fermentation). (09 Oct 1997) |
| lactic acid level | <investigation> A test that measures the amount of lactic acid in the blood. (25 Jun 1999) |
| lactic acid oxidative decarboxylase | A flavoprotein oxidoreductase catalyzing oxidation (with O2) of l-lactate to acetate plus CO2 and water. Synonym: lactic acid oxidative decarboxylase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| vanishing cream | An oil-in-water emulsion containing potassium, ammonium, or sodium stearate with water and holding in emulsified form more or less free stearic acid; it also contains a hygroscopic ingredient such as glycerol, and a small amount of a fatty ingredient; it leaves a protective, invisible film of stearic acid on the skin. Synonym: greaseless cream. (05 Mar 2000) |
| greaseless cream | An oil-in-water emulsion containing potassium, ammonium, or sodium stearate with water and holding in emulsified form more or less free stearic acid; it also contains a hygroscopic ingredient such as glycerol, and a small amount of a fatty ingredient; it leaves a protective, invisible film of stearic acid on the skin. Synonym: greaseless cream. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cleansing cream | A form of cold cream used to remove grime and cosmetics from the skin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold cream | A water-in-oil emulsion of various oils, waxes, and water; the standard formula, rose water ointment, contains expressed almond oil, rose water, spermaceti, white paraffin wax, and sodium borate; used as a cleansing or lubricating cream. (05 Mar 2000) |
| corticosteroid cream | <drug, pharmacology> This is a large group of trade name medications that contain an anti-inflammatory steroid. These cream based medications all contain either hydrocortisone in varying concentrations or a synthetic steroid with much greater potency. This type of medications is useful in the treatment of a large number of inflammatory rashes. Caution: higher potency creams can cause side effects. Examples include hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, flunisolide, fluocinonide, fluprednisolone, Aclovate, Alphatrex, Aristocort, Betatrex, Cortone, Diprolene, Valisone, Halog, Hytone, Kenalog, Lidex, Lotrisone, Synalar, Synemol, Topicort, Vytone, Westcort and Vioform. (27 Sep 1997) |
| cream | 1. The upper fatty layer which forms in milk on standing or which is separated from it by centrifugalization; it contains about the same amount of sugar and protein as milk, but from 12 to 40% more fat. 2. Any whitish viscid fluid resembling cream. 3. A semisolid emulsion of either the oil-in-water or the water-in-oil type, ordinarily intended for topical use. Origin: L. Cremor, thick juice, broth (05 Mar 2000) |
| cream of tartar | KHC4H4O6;a diuretic and laxative. Synonym: cream of tartar, potassium acid tartrate. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ice cream | A frozen dairy food made from cream or butterfat, milk, sugar, and flavorings. Frozen custard and french-type ice creams also contain eggs. (12 Dec 1998) |