| mononuclear | Having only one nucleus; used especially in reference to blood cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| mononuclear phagocyte | <haematology> Monocytes and their differentiated products, macrophages. Mononuclear cells are leucocytes other than polymorphonuclear cells and include lymphocytes. (18 Nov 1997) |
| mononuclear phagocyte system | A widely distributed collection of both free and fixed macrophages derived from bone marrow precursor cells by way of monocytes; their substantial phagocytic activity is mediated by immunoglobulin and the serum complement system. In both connective and lymphoid tissue, they may occur as free and fixed macrophages; in the sinusoids of the liver, as Kupffer cells; in the lung, as alveolar macrophages; and in the nervous system, as microglia. Synonym: system of macrophages. (05 Mar 2000) |
| leukocytes, mononuclear | Mature lymphocytes and monocytes transported by the blood to the body's extravascular space. They are morphologically distinguishable from mature granulocytic leukocytes by their large, non-lobed nuclei and lack of coarse, heavily stained cytoplasmic granules. (12 Dec 1998) |
| aberrant complex | An anomalous electrocardiographic complex, more specifically an abnormal ventricular complex caused by abnormal intraventricular conduction of a supraventricular impulse. (05 Mar 2000) |
| activated complex | <chemistry> State of highest energy during a reaction. When reactants form the activated complex, bond breaking and bond formation is occurring. Synonym: transition state. (09 Jan 1998) |
| AIDS dementia complex | <immunology> A frequent cerebral condition in people with AIDS that results in the loss of cognitive capacity, affecting the ability to function in a social or occupational setting. Its cause has not been determined exactly, but may result from HIV infection of cells in the brain or an inflammatory reaction to such infection. (09 Oct 1997) |
| aids-related complex | A prodromal phase of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Laboratory criteria separating aids-related complex (arc) from aids include elevated or hyperactive B-cell humoral immune responses, compared to depressed or normal antibody reactivity in aids; follicular or mixed hyperplasia in arc lymph nodes, leading to lymphocyte degeneration and depletion more typical of aids; evolving succession of histopathological lesions such as localization of kaposi's sarcoma, signaling the transition to the full-blown aids. (12 Dec 1998) |
| alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex | See: alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase. Anaerobic dehydrogenase, an enzyme (usually a pyridinoenzyme) catalyzing the transfer of hydrogen from some metabolite to some acceptor molecule (e.g., NAD+, cytochrome) other than oxygen; e.g., lactate dehydrogenase's, isocitrate dehydrogenase's, and others in EC class 1, excluding those listed under aerobic dehydrogenase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex | alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase |
| amygdaloid complex | Almond-shaped group of basal nuclei anterior to the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle of the brain, within the temporal lobe. The amygdala is part of the limbic system. (12 Dec 1998) |
| anomalous complex | A complex in the electrocardiogram differing significantly from the physiologic type in the same lead. (05 Mar 2000) |
| antennal complex | <cell biology> Light harvesting complexes (LHC) of protein and pigment in or on photosynthetic membranes of bacteria are organised into arrays, called antennae. They transfer photon energy to reaction centres. (18 Nov 1997) |
| antennapedia complex | A set of mutations that cause developmental defects in the limbs and appendages of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, such as the development of legs (-pedia) in the places where antennae are supposed to be. (09 Oct 1997) |
| antigen-antibody complex | The complex formed by the binding of antigen and antibody molecules. The deposition of large antigen-antibody complexes leading to tissue damage causes immune complex diseases. If the antigen is polyvalent the complex may be insoluble. Immune complexes activate complement through the classical pathway. See: glomerulonephritis, Arthus reaction, type III hypersensitivity. (12 Dec 1998) |