| tumor | 1. <oncology> An abnormal mass of tissue that results from excessive cell division that is uncontrolled and progressive, also called a neoplasm. Tumours perform no useful body function. They may be either benign (not cancerous) or malignant. 2. Swelling, one of the cardinal signs of inflammations, morbid enlargement. Origin: L. Tumere = to swell (12 May 1997) |
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| tumor marker | <investigation, oncology> A substance in the body that usually indicates the presence of cancer. These markers are usually specific to certain types of cancer and are usually found in the blood or other tissue samples. Examples are alphafetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). They may be indicators of tumour stage and grade as well as useful for monitoring responses to treatment and predicting recurrence. Many chemical groups are represented including hormones, antigens, amino and nucleic acids, enzymes, polyamines, and specific cell membrane proteins and lipids. (18 Jul 2002) |
| tumor necrosis factor | <cytokine> Originally described as a tumour inhibiting factor in the blood of animals exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide or Bacille Calmette-Guerin. Preferentially kills tumour cells in vivo and in vitro, causes necrosis of certain transplanted tumours in mice and inhibits experimental metastases. Human Tumour Necrosis factor alpha is a protein of 157 amino acids and has a wide range of pro inflammatory actions. Usually considered a cytokine. Synonym: cachectin. Acronym: TNF (13 Nov 1997) |
| apolar interaction | <chemistry> The attractive force between molecules due to the close positioning of non-hydrophilic portions of the two molecules. (09 Oct 1997) |
| hydrophobic interaction | <chemistry> The attractive force between molecules due to the close positioning of non-hydrophilic portions of the two molecules. (09 Oct 1997) |
| specimen interaction | <microscopy> Reactions that occur inside the specimen when being struck with a beam of energetic electrons or ions. (05 Aug 1998) |
| specimen interaction volume | <microscopy> The volume inside the specimen in which all specimen interactions occur during electron beam irradiation. (05 Aug 1998) |
| DNA-protein interaction | <molecular biology> Any complex that forms between a protein molecule and DNA. Examples are nucleosomes (structures formed for the purpose of DNA storage) and any gene regulatory protein (a protein which regulates transcription by binding to a regulatory region on the DNA). (09 Oct 1997) |
| drug-drug interaction | The effects that occur when two or more drugs are used together. Such effects include changes of absorption in the digestive tract, changes in rate of the drugs' breakdown in the liver, new or enhanced side effects and changes in the drugs' activity. (09 Oct 1997) |
| drug interaction | <pharmacology> A chemical or physiologic reaction that can occur when two different medications are taken together and the interaction may affect the metabolism, effectiveness or toxicity of the other. (18 Jul 2002) |
| interaction | The quality, state or process of (two or more things) acting on each other. (18 Nov 1997) |
| interaction process analysis | In psychology, analysis of small group behaviour in terms of 12 specific categories, e.g., solidarity, tension release, agreement. (05 Mar 2000) |
| accidental host | One that harbors an organism which usually does not infect it. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amplifier host | A host in which infectious agents multiply rapidly to high levels, providing an important source of infection for vectors in vector-borne diseases. (05 Mar 2000) |
| parasite-host ecosystem | Complex of all parasite species and individuals associated with a specific host. Synonym: parasite-host ecosystem. Origin: parasite + G. Koinos, common, together (05 Mar 2000) |