| receptors, oxytocin | Cell surface proteins that bind oxytocin with high affinity and trigger intracellular changes which influence the behaviour of cells. Oxytocin receptors in the uterus and the mammary glands mediate the hormone's stimulation of contraction and milk ejection. The presence of oxytocin and oxytocin receptors in neurons of the brain probably reflects an additional role as a neurotransmitter. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| oxytocin | <protein> A peptide hormone (1007 D) from hypothalamus: transported to the posterior lobe of the pituitary (see neurophysin). Induces smooth muscle contraction in uterus and mammary glands. Related to vasopressin. (18 Nov 1997) |
| unit of oxytocin | The oxytocic activity of 0.5 mg of the USP Posterior-pituitary Reference Standard; 1 mg of synthetic oxytocin corresponds to 500 IU. (05 Mar 2000) |
| antibiotic sensitivity test | The in vitro testing of bacterial cultures with antibiotics to determine susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotic therapy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| chemotherapy drug sensitivity test | <investigation> A test to assess a cancerous tissue's response and vulnerability to chemotherapy drugs. This test can help predict a patients response to treatment and suggest which drugs may be useful. (16 Dec 1997) |
| mumps sensitivity test | A skin test for sensitivity to mumps, in which inactivated mumps virus is used as antigen. (05 Mar 2000) |
| small increment sensitivity index test | The sounding of a tone 20 dB above threshold, followed by a series of 200-msec tones 1 dB louder; perception of these is indicative of cochlear damage. Synonym: small increment sensitivity index test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acquired sensitivity | 1. <immunology> A state of hypersensitivity induced by exposure to a particular antigen (allergen) resulting in harmful immunologic reactions on subsequent exposures, the term is usually used to refer to hypersensitivity to an environmental antigen (atopic allergy or contact dermatitis) or to drug allergy. The original meaning, now obsolete, included all states of altered immunologic reactivity, immunity as well as hypersensitivity. Gell and Coombs used the term allergic reaction to mean any harmful immunologic reaction causing tissue injury. 2. <study> The medical specialty dealing with diagnosis and treatment of allergic disorders. (18 Nov 1997) |
| analytical sensitivity | The degree of response to a change in concentration of analyte being measured in an assay; synonymous with the detection limit. (05 Mar 2000) |
| antibiotic sensitivity | Microbial susceptibility to antibiotics. See: antibiotic sensitivity test, minimal inhibitory concentration. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pacemaker sensitivity | The minimum cardiac activity required to consistently trigger a pulse generator. (05 Mar 2000) |
| relative sensitivity | The sensitivity of a medical screening test as determined by comparison with the same type of test; e.g., sensitivity of a new serological test relative to sensitivity of an established serological test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| microbial sensitivity tests | Any tests that demonstrate the relative efficacy of different chemotherapeutic agents against specific microorganisms (i.e., bacteria, fungi, viruses). (12 Dec 1998) |
| photoallergic sensitivity | See: photosensitization. (05 Mar 2000) |
| phototoxic sensitivity | See: photosensitization. (05 Mar 2000) |