| surface-active agent | Agents that modify interfacial tension of water; usually substances that have one lipophilic and one hydrophilic group in the molecule; includes soaps, detergents, emulsifiers, dispersing and wetting agents, and several groups of antiseptics. (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| sympathetic agent | An agent that evokes responses similar to those produced by adrenergic nerve activity (e.g., epinephrine, ephedrine, isoproterenol). Synonym: adrenergic amine, adrenomimetic amine, sympathetic amine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immunosuppressive agent | <immunology, pharmacology> Any chemotherapeutic agent which also has the effect of suppressing the immune system. most often these agents will reduce the absolute number of white blood cells in the bloodstream. (27 Sep 1997) |
| inotropic agent | Drugs that increase the force of contraction of cardiac muscle; examples include digitalis glycosides, amrinone, and epinephrine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| oxidizing agent | <chemistry> A reactant that accepts electrons from another reactant. The oxidizing agent is the species getting reduced. (09 Jan 1998) |
| Eaton agent | A small atypical form of bacteria, intermediate in size between typical bacteria and viruses. Thought to play a significant role in pneumonia and bronchitis. Mycoplasmal respiratory infections are common in children and young adults. Common symptoms include malaise, fever, chills and a dry hacking cough. (27 Sep 1997) |
| Eaton agent pneumonia | An acute systemic disease with involvement of the lungs, caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and marked by high fever, cough, relatively few physical signs, and scattered densities on X-rays; usually associated with development of cold agglutinins and antibodies to the bacteria. Synonym: atypical pneumonia, Eaton agent pneumonia, mycoplasmal pneumonia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| thrombolytic agent | Medications that dissolve blot clots (for example streptokinase, tissue plasminogen activator or TPA and urokinase). (27 Sep 1997) |
| tocolytic agent | A medication that can inhibit labour, slow down or halt the contractions of the uterus. Tocolytic agents are widely used today to treat premature labour and permit pregnancy to procede and so permit the foetus to gain in size and maturity before being born. (12 Dec 1998) |
| tranquillising agent | <pharmacology> A traditional grouping of drugs said to have a soothing or calming effect on mood, thought, or behaviour. Included here are the anti-anxiety agents (minor tranquillisers), antimanic agents, and the antipsychotic agents (major tranquillisers). These drugs act by different mechanisms and are used for different therapeutic purposes. (04 Jul 2000) |
| transforming agent | A substance which is able to induce mitosis of certain eukaryotic cells. (09 Oct 1997) |
| enterokinetic agent | An agent used to relieve intestinal atony. (05 Mar 2000) |
| F agent | The prototype conjugative plasmid associated with conjugation in the K-12 strain of Escherichia coli. Synonym: F agent, F-factor, F genote, F-genote, fertility agent, fertility factor, sex factor. (05 Mar 2000) |
| uncoupling agent | <chemistry> A chemical that breaks the electron transport chain during key biological processes (for example, photosynthesis, phosphorylation). (09 Oct 1997) |
| fertility agent | The prototype conjugative plasmid associated with conjugation in the K-12 strain of Escherichia coli. Synonym: F agent, F-factor, F genote, F-genote, fertility agent, fertility factor, sex factor. (05 Mar 2000) |