| non-specific | 1. Not due to any single known cause, as to a particular pathogen. 2. Not directed against a particular agent, but rather having a general effect, as non-specific therapy. (18 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| non-specific anergy | A reduction of the normal or usual immunologic responses because of unrelated intervening disease. Synonym: non-specific anergy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| non-specific cholinesterase | <enzyme> An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine tostop its action. (22 May 1997) |
| non-specific protein | A protein substance that elicits a response not mediated by specific antigen-antibody reaction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| non-specific system | <physiology> A physiological term denoting that part of the brainstem reticular formation that plays a central role in the organism's bodily and behavorial alertness. It extends as a diffusely organised neural apparatus through the central region of the brainstem into the subthalamus and the intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus; by its ascending connections it affects the function of the cerebral cortex in the sense of behavioural responsiveness; its descending (reticulospinal) connections transmit its activating influence upon bodily posture and reflex mechanisms (e.g., muscle tonus), in part by way of the gamma motor neurons. See: reticular formation. Synonym: non-specific system. (05 Mar 2000) |
| non-specific therapy | The injection of a foreign protein, typhoid vaccine, etc., to induce fever in the treatment of certain diseases, especially those of a parasyphilitic nature. Synonym: phlogotherapy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| non-specific urethritis | Urethritis not resulting from gonococcal, chlamydial, or other specific infectious agents. Synonym: simple urethritis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| non-specific vaginitis | bacterial vaginosis |