| nature | 1. The existing system of things; the world of matter, or of matter and mind; the creation; the universe. "But looks through nature up to nature's God." (Pope) "Nature has caprices which art can not imitate." (Macaulay) 2. The personified sum and order of causes and effects; the powers which produce existing phenomena, whether in the total or in detail; the agencies which carry on the processes of creation or of being; often conceived of as a single and separate entity, embodying the total of all finite agencies and forces as disconnected from a creating or ordering intelligence. "I oft admire How Nature, wise and frugal, could commit Such disproportions." (Milton) 3. The established or regular course of things; usual order of events; connection of cause and effect. 4. Conformity to that which is natural, as distinguished from that which is artifical, or forced, or remote from actual experience. "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." (Shak) 5. The sum of qualities and attributes which make a person or thing what it is, as distinct from others; native character; inherent or essential qualities or attributes; peculiar constitution or quality of being. "Thou, therefore, whom thou only canst redeem, Their nature also to thy nature join, And be thyself man among men on earth." (Milton) 6. Hence: Kind, sort; character; quality. "A dispute of this nature caused mischief." (Dryden) 7. Physical constitution or existence; the vital powers; the natural life. "My days of nature." "Oppressed nature sleeps." (Shak) 8. Natural affection or reverence. "Have we not seen The murdering son ascend his parent's bed, Through violated nature foce his way?" (Pope) 9. Constitution or quality of mind or character. "A born devil, on whose nature Nurture can never stick." (Shak) "That reverence which is due to a superior nature." (Addison) Good nature, Ill nature. See under Good and Ill. In a state of nature. Naked as when born; nude. In a condition of sin; unregenerate. Untamed; uncvilized. Nature printng, a process of printing from metallic or other plates which have received an impression, as by heavy pressure, of an object such as a leaf, lace, or the like. Nature worship, the worship of the personified powers of nature. To pay the debt of nature, to die. Origin: F, fr. L. Natura, fr. Natus born, produced, p.p. Of nasci to be born. See Nation. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
|---|---|
| nature-nurture issue | A controversy concerning the relative importance of heredity (nature) and environment (nurture) in various aspects of individual development, such as intelligence, personality, or mental illness. (05 Mar 2000) |
| American Cancer Society | <address, organisation> American Cancer Society, National Headquarters, 1599 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 USA. Tel: 00 1 404 320-3333 (05 Feb 1998) |
| bladder cancer | The most common warning sign of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. The diagnosis of bladder cancer is supported by findings in the medical history and examination, blood, urine, and X-ray tests, and confirmed with a biopsy (usually during a cystoscope exam). Treatment of bladder cancer depends on the growth, size, and location of the tumour. (12 Dec 1998) |
| bladder cancer risks | Smoking is a major risk factor. Cigarette smokers develop bladder cancer 2-3 times more often than do nonsmokers. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of bladder cancer, lung cancer, several other types of cancer, and a number of other diseases as well. Workers in some occupations are at higher risk of developing bladder cancer because of exposure to carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) in the workplace. These workers include people in the rubber, chemical, and leather industries, as well as hairstylists, machinists, metal workers, printers, painters, textile workers, and truck drivers. (12 Dec 1998) |
| bone cancer | <oncology> A general term to imply malignant tumour growth in bone. (27 Sep 1997) |
| bovine cancer eye | A malignant squamous cell carcinoma of cattle, especially the Hereford breed, that originates in the conjunctival mucous membranes or the surrounding skin; it occurs principally in range cattle having unpigmented skin around the eye and living in regions of intense sunlight. (05 Mar 2000) |
| BRCA1 breast cancer susceptibility gene | This mutated (changed) version of the BRCA1 gene makes a person susceptible to developing breast cancer. (12 Dec 1998) |
| breast cancer | <oncology> The uncontrolled growth of malignant breast tissue. Breast cancer is currently the most common cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer-related death in the 15-54 age group. Strong risk factors include a prior history for breast cancer or a positive family history for breast cancer. Early detection is possible through the use of monthly breast self-examination, annual clinical exams and mammography. WWW: cancerNET document for patients WWW: cancerNET document for clinicians (05 Jan 1998) |
| breast cancer susceptibility genes | Inherited factors that predispose to breast cancer. Put otherwise, these genes make one more susceptible to the disease and so increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Two of these genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, have been identified (and prominently publicised). Several other genes (those for the Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden disease, Muir-Torre syndrome, and ataxia-telangiectasia) are also known to predispose to breast cancer. However, since all of these known breast cancer susceptibility genes together do not account for more than a minor fraction (1/5th at most) of breast cancer that clusters in families, it is clear that more breast cancer genes remain to be discovered. (12 Dec 1998) |
| buyo cheek cancer | betel cancer |
| cancer | <oncology> The first historical description of this condition was in relation to breast carcinoma. This is now a general term for more than 100 diseases that are characterised by uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells. Cancer cells can spread locally or through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. (18 Nov 1997) |
| cancer antigen 125 test | Test for cell-surface antigen found on derivatives of coelomic epithelium. Elevated levels of this antigen are associated with ovarian malignancy and benign pelvic disease such as endometriosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cancer, bladder | Cancer of the organ responsible for temporarily holding urine after it leaves the kidneys. The most common warning sign of cancer in the bladder (the hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine) is blood in the urine. The diagnosis of bladder cancer is supported by findings of the medical history and examination, blood, urine, and X-ray tests, and confirmed with a biopsy (usually during a cystoscope exam). (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer bodies | Discrete, acidophilic or amphophilic, hyaline body's of various shapes and sizes, occurring in the cytoplasm of some of the neoplastic cells and also extracellularly in the stroma of various carcinomas and sarcomas; formerly regarded by some observers as parasitic causal agents, but now thought to be products of cell necrosis (apoptosis). (05 Mar 2000) |