| maturation | 1. Achievement of full development or growth. 2. Developmental changes that lead to maturity. 3. Processing of a macromolecule; e.g., posttranscriptional modification of RNA or posttranslational modification of proteins. Origin: L. Maturatio, a ripening, fr. Maturus, ripe (05 Mar 2000) |
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| maturation arrest | Cessation of complete differentiation of cells at an immature stage; in spermatogenic maturation arrest, the seminiferous tubules contain spermatocytes, but no spermatozoa develop. (05 Mar 2000) |
| maturation 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) |
| maturation index | An index indicating the degree of maturation attained by the vaginal epithelium as adjudged by the cell types being exfoliated; serves as an objective means of evaluating hormonal secretion or response; represents the percentage of parabasal cells/intermediate cells/superficials, in that order; "shift to the left" indicates more immature cells on the surface (atrophy), while "shift to the right" indicates more mature epithelium. (05 Mar 2000) |
| maturation-promoting factor | <enzyme> A protein kinase that drives both the mitotic and meiotic cycles in all eukaryotic organisms. In meiosis it induces immature oocytes to undergo meiotic maturation. In mitosis it has a role in the G2/M phase transition. Once activated by cyclins, maturation-promoting factor directly phosphorylates some of the proteins involved in nuclear envelope breakdown, chromosome condensation, spindle assembly, and the degradation of cyclins. The catalytic subunit of maturation-promoting factor is protein p34cdc2. Acronym: MPF (12 Dec 1998) |
| maturation value | An indicator of the level of maturation attained by vaginal epithelium and used as a factor in cytohormonal evaluation from the maturation index by valuing the parabasal cells at 0.0, the intermediate cells at 0.5, and the superficial cells at 1.0; for special investigations, subtypes of a major cell can be given different values's. (05 Mar 2000) |
| sex maturation | Achievement of full sexual capacity. Applies to animals and humans. (12 Dec 1998) |
| sperm maturation | Posttesticular ripening of spermatozoa. (12 Dec 1998) |
| erythrocyte maturation 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) |
| models, immunological | Theoretical representations that simulate the behaviour or activity of immune system, processes, or phenomena. They include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electrical equipment. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunological | Pertaining to immunology. (18 Nov 1997) |
| immunological competence | <immunology> The bodys ability to develop an immune response to infection or disease. Immunocompetence is measured to see how well the body can fight off certain disease. Many cancer patients become immunocompromised, where their immune system is not as strong as a healthy person's. (16 Dec 1997) |
| immunological deficiency | Inabillity to mount a normal immune response. Immunodeficiency can be due to a genetic disease or acquired as in aids due to HIV. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunological disease | <immunology> Any illness, such as an allergy, that is caused by the action of antibodies. (09 Oct 1997) |
| immunological enhancement | In immunology, the potentiating effect of specific antibody in establishing and in delaying rejection of a tumour allograft; aside from antibody, non-specific substances may also act to enhance immune response. Synonym: immunological enhancement. (05 Mar 2000) |