| Patient Zero | The individual identified in 1982 by the Centres for Disease Control as responsible for introducing the HIV virus into the U.S. Population. A Canadian citisen, Patient Zero was a homosexual airline steward who claimed to have had as many as 2,500 sexual encounters. CDC epidemiologists located 19 men in Los Angeles, 22 in New York City, and 8 in other cities who had contracted AIDS from contact with Patient Zero, the earliest known cases of the disease in the U.S. Revealed to be Gaetan Dugas, Patient Zero died in 1984 due to AIDS-related illness. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| absolute zero | <chemistry, physics> This is the lowest possible temperature (0 Kelvin, -273.15 degrees Celsius, -459.67 degrees Fahrenheit). at this temperature, all molecular motion stops. (15 Jan 1998) |
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| protein Zero | <protein> The major glycoprotein of peripheral nerve myelin, an integral transmembrane protein, synthesised by Schwann cells (Mw = 28, 500). (18 Nov 1997) |
| zero | Origin: F. Zero, from Ar. Cafrun, cifrun, empty, a cipher. Cf. Cipher. 1. <mathematics> A cipher; nothing; naught. 2. The point from which the graduation of a scale, as of a thermometer, commences. Zero in the Centigrade, or Celsius thermometer, and in the Reaumur thermometer, is at the point at which water congeals. The zero of the Fahrenheit thermometer is fixed at the point at which the mercury stands when immersed in a mixture of snow and common salt. In Wedgwood's pyrometer, the zero corresponds with 1077 deg on the Fahrenheit scale. 3. The lowest point; the point of exhaustion; as, his patience had nearly reached zero. Absolute zero. See Absolute. <physics> Zero method, a method of comparing, or measuring, forces, electric currents, etc, by so opposing them that the pointer of an indicating apparatus, or the needle of a galvanometer, remains at, or is brought to, zero, as contrasted with methods in which the deflection is observed directly; called also null method. Zero point, the point indicating zero, or the commencement of a scale or reckoning. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| zero degree teeth | Prosthetic teeth having no cusp angles in relation to the horizontal. (05 Mar 2000) |
| zero end-expiratory pressure | Airway pressure which, at the end of expiration, equals atmospheric pressure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| zero energy thermonuclear assembly | <radiobiology> A British fusion device in which scientists observed fusion neutrons in 1958. They were erroneously considered to be thermonuclear (coming from particles with a Maxwellian velocity distribution) and were a cause for the initial optimism that fusion energy would be easy. They were actually due to electromagnetic acceleration during a plasma instability, an effect which cannot be scaled up to produce useful energy. (09 Oct 1997) |
| zero gravity | A physical state existing in space or at a time in flight when the centrifugal thrust of a parabolic glide or turn exactly counteracts the force of gravity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| zero-order reaction | A reaction that proceeds at a particular rate independently of the concentration of the reactant or reactants. (05 Mar 2000) |
| zero time-binding DNA | DNA that has become the duplex form at the start of a reassociation process. Acronym: DNA (05 Mar 2000) |
| analgesia, patient-controlled | Relief of pain, without loss of consciousness, through an analgesic agent administered by the patient. It has been used successfully to control postoperative pain, during labour, after burns, and in terminal care. The choice of agent, dose, and lockout interval greatly influence effectiveness. The potential for overdose can be minimised by combining small bolus doses with a mandatory interval between successive doses (lockout interval). (12 Dec 1998) |
| patient | 1. A person who is receiving medical treatment, especially in a hospital. 2. A person who is registered with a doctor, dentist, etc and is treated by him when necessary. (18 Nov 1997) |
| patient acceptance of health care | The seeking and acceptance by patients of health service. (12 Dec 1998) |
| patient admission | The process of accepting patients. The concept includes patients accepted for medical and nursing care in a hospital or other health care institution. (12 Dec 1998) |
| patient advocacy | Promotion and protection of the rights of patients, frequently through a legal process. (12 Dec 1998) |
| patient care | The services rendered by members of the health profession and non-professionals under their supervision for the benefit of the patient. (12 Dec 1998) |