| relaxant | 1. Lessening or reducing tension. 2. <pharmacology> An agent that lessens tension. Origin: L. Relaxare = to loosen (18 Nov 1997) |
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| relaxant reversal | Use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors to terminate the action of nondepolarising neuromuscular relaxants. (05 Mar 2000) |
| muscle relaxant | <pharmacology> An agent that specifically AIDS in reducing muscle tension, as those acting at the polysynaptic neurons of motor nerves (for example meprobamate) or at the myoneural junction (curare and related compounds). Origin: L. Relaxare = to loosen (18 Nov 1997) |
| smooth muscle relaxant | An agent, such as an antispasmodic, bronchodilator, or vasodilator, that reduces the tension or tone of smooth (involuntary) muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| neuromuscular relaxant | An agent, e.g., curare or succinylcholine, that produces relaxation of striated muscle by interruption of transmission of nervous impulses at the myoneural junction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| nondepolarising relaxant | An agent, e.g., tubocurarine, that paralyzes skeletal muscle without depolarisation of the motor endplate, as in phase II block. (05 Mar 2000) |
| depolarising relaxant | <pharmacology, physiology> An agent, e.g., succinylcholine, that induces depolarisation of the motor endplate and so paralyzes skeletal muscle by a phase I block. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accelerator factor | <chemical> Heat- and storage-labile plasma glycoprotein which accelerates the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin in blood coagulation. Factor v accomplishes this by forming a complex with factor xa, phospholipid, and calcium (prothrombinase complex). Deficiency of factor v leads to owren's disease. Chemical name: Blood-coagulation factor V (12 Dec 1998) |
| acetate replacement factor | <biochemistry> 1,2 dithiolane 3 valeric acid. Regarded as a coenzyme in the oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex of the citric acid cycle. Involved generally in oxidative decarboxylations of _ keto acids. A growth factor for some organisms. (18 Nov 1997) |
| adrenal weight factor | A postulated substance of adenohypophysial origin responsible for maintenance of the weight of the adrenal cortex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| adrenocorticotropic releasing factor | Hormone produced by hypothalamus that causes pituitary to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone. (05 Mar 2000) |
| a-factor | <molecular biology> A protein which is found in the bacterial genus Streptomyces that helps start the production of streptomycin and the process of morphological differentiation. It is used in biotechnology to induce these functions in mutant strains of Streptomyces that cannot produce it themselves. (09 Feb 1998) |
| angiogenesis factor | Substance causing proliferation of new blood vessels. It is found in tissues with high metabolic requirements, such as the retina, and in certain cancers. The factor is also released by hypoxic macrophages at the edges or outer surfaces of wounds and initiates revascularization in wound healing. (12 Dec 1998) |
| animal protein factor | <biochemistry> Member of the water soluble B vitamin group, important in the proper function of the nervous system and important in proper carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. (27 Sep 1997) |
| antialopecia factor | A member of the vitamin B complex necessary for growth of yeast and of mice, absence from the diet causes hair loss and dermatitis in mice. (27 Sep 1997) |