| properdin system | An immunological system that is the alternative pathway for complement, composed of several distinct proteins that react in a serial manner and activate C3 (third component of complement), seemingly without utilizing components C1, C4, and C2; in addition to properdin, the system includes properdin factors A (native C3), B (C3 proactivator), D (C3 proactivator convertase), and perhaps at least one other, E; the system can be activated, in the absence of specific antibody, by bacterial endotoxins, by a variety of polysaccharides and lipopolysaccharides, and by a component of cobra venom. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| prospective payment system | A system wherein reimbursement rates are set, for a given period of time, prior to the circumstances giving rise to actual reimbursement claims. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Schlieren system | <microscopy> A system for enhancing path length differences, refractive index differences in transparent media, or height differences for light reflected from surfaces. (05 Aug 1998) |
| heterogeneous system | In chemistry, a system that contains various distinct and mechanically separable parts or phases; e.g., a suspension or an emulsion. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hexaxial reference system | The figure resulting if the lines of derivation of the unipolar limb leads of the electrocardiogram are added to the triaxial reference system. (05 Mar 2000) |
| His-Tawara system | The complex system of interlacing Purkinje fibres within the ventricular myocardium. See: conducting system of heart. (05 Mar 2000) |
| second signaling system | <psychology> Pavlovian term for speech in which words are considered to be the second signals capable of producing conditioned responses. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pulmonary branch of autonomic nervous system | Pulmonary branches of cardiac plexuses and cardiaopulmonary splanchnic nerves. Synonym: rami pulmonales systematis autonomici. (05 Mar 2000) |
| homogeneous system | In chemistry, a system whose parts cannot be mechanically separated, and is therefore uniform throughout and possesses in every part identically physical properties; e.g., a solution of sodium chloride in water. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Purkinje system | <cardiology, physiology> Terminal ramifications in the ventricles of the specialised conducting system of the heart. (05 Mar 2000) |
| sensory system agents | Drugs that act on neuronal sensory receptors resulting in an increase, decrease, or modification of afferent nerve activity. (12 Dec 1998) |
| host-vector system | A combination of a bacterial host cell (i.e. A specific strain) and a virus vector (i.e. A particular bacteriophage strain) which work well together for DNA cloning. (09 Oct 1997) |
| serotonergic system | <anatomy, physiology> The system of nerve cells that uses serotonin as their neurotransmitter. (22 May 1998) |
| single-payer system | An approach to health care financing with only one source of money for paying health care providers. The scope may be national (the canadian system), state-wide, or community-based. The payer may be a governmental unit or other entity such as an insurance company. The proposed advantages include administrative simplicity for patients and providers, and resulting significant savings in overhead costs. (12 Dec 1998) |
| skeletal system | The bones and cartilages of the body. Synonym: systema skeletale. (05 Mar 2000) |