| baclofen | <chemical> A gaba derivative that is a specific agonist at gaba-b receptors (receptors, gaba-b). It is used in the treatment of spasticity, especially that due to spinal cord damage. Its therapeutic effects result from actions at spinal and supraspinal sites, generally the reduction of excitatory transmission. Pharmacological action: gaba agonists, muscle relaxants, central. Chemical name: Benzenepropanoic acid, beta-(aminomethyl)-4-chloro- (12 Dec 1998) |
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| bacon | The back and sides of a pig salted and smoked; formerly, the flesh of a pig salted or fresh. <zoology> Bacon beetle, a beetle (Dermestes lardarius) which, especially in the larval state, feeds upon bacon, woolens, furs, etc. See Dermestes. To save one's bacon, to save one's self or property from harm or less. Origin: OF. Bacon, fr. OHG. Bacho, bahho, flitch of bacon, ham; akin to E. Back. Cf. Back the back side. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Bacon's anoscope | An instrument resembling a rectal speculum, with a long slit on one side and an electric light opposite. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bactenecin | <protein> Highly cationic polypeptides found in lysosomal granules of bovine neutrophil granulocytes. They are thought to be involved in bacterial killing and occur in a third class of granules, the large granules, not found in the neutrophils of most species. (18 Nov 1997) |
| bacteraemia | <microbiology> The presence of viable bacteria circulating in the bloodstream. Origin: Gr. Bakterion, haima = blood (11 Jan 1998) |
| bacteremia | <microbiology> The presence of viable bacteria circulating in the bloodstream. Origin: Gr. Bakterion, haima = blood (11 Jan 1998) |
| bacteri- | See: bacterio-. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bacteria | <microbiology> One of the two major classes of prokaryotic organism (the other being the Cyanobacteria). Bacteria are small (linear dimensions of around 1 m), noncompartmentalised, with circular DNA and ribosomes of 70S. Protein synthesis differs from that of eukaryotes and many antibacterial antibiotics interfere with protein synthesis, but do not affect the infected host. Recently bacteria have been subdivided into Eubacteria and Archaebacteria, although some would consider the Archaebacteria to be a third kingdom, distinct from both Eubacteria and Eukaryotes. The Eubacteria can be further subdivided on the basis of their staining using Gram stain. Since the difference between gram-positive and gram-negative depends upon a fundamental difference in cell wall structure it is therefore more soundly based than classification on gross morphology alone (into cocci, bacilli, etc.). (02 Jan 1998) |
| bacteria-free stage of bacterial endocarditis | Endocarditis described prior to the antibiotic era and presumably due to spontaneous healing of the bacterial vegetations. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bacteriaemia | <microbiology> The presence of viable bacteria circulating in the bloodstream. Origin: Gr. Bakterion, haima = blood (11 Jan 1998) |
| bacterial | <microbiology> Bacteria are group of micro-organisms that are a single cell approximately 1 micron in transverse diameter. Some bacteria cause disease in man, requiring treatment with an antibiotic. (27 Sep 1997) |
| bacterial adhesion | Physicochemical property of fimbriated (fimbriae, bacterial) and non-fimbriated bacteria of attaching to cells, tissue, and nonbiological surfaces. It is a factor in bacterial colonization and pathogenicity. (12 Dec 1998) |
| bacterial allergy | The concept that the atopic kind of type I allergic reactions may be caused by bacterial allergens, the delayed type of skin test, so-called because of its early association with bacterial antigens (e.g., the tuberculin test). (05 Mar 2000) |
| bacterial antagonism | The inhibition of one bacterium by products of another. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bacterial capsule | A layer of slime of variable composition which covers the surface of some bacteria; capsulated cells of pathogenic bacteria are usually more virulent than cells without capsules because the former are more resistant to phagocytic action. (05 Mar 2000) |