| platelet glycoprotein gpiib-iiia complex | Platelet membrane glycoprotein complex important for platelet adhesion and aggregation. The complex is an integrin which recognises the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (rgd) sequence present on several adhesive proteins. As such, it is a receptor for fibrinogen, von willebrand factor, fibronectin, vitronectin, and thrombospondin. A deficiency of gpiib-iiia results in glanzmann's thrombasthenia. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| multienzyme complex | Cluster of distinct enzymes catalysing consecutive reactions of a metabolic pathway, that remain physically associated through purification procedures. Multifunctional enzymes, found in eukaryotes, are a somewhat different phenomenon, since the several enzymic activities are associated with different domains of a single polypeptide. (18 Nov 1997) |
| mycobacterium avium complex | A serious opportunistic infection caused by two similar bacteria (Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intercellulare) found in the soil and dust particles. In AIDS, MAC can spread through the bloodstream to infect lymph nodes, bone marrow, liver, spleen, spinal fluid, lungs and intestinal tract. Typical symptoms of MAC include night sweats, weight loss, fever, fatigue, diarrhoea and enlarged spleen. MAC is usually found in people with CD4 counts below 100. MAC is also called MAI. (09 Oct 1997) |
| mycobacterium avium complex disease | <infectious disease> A disease process caused by infection by the organism Mycobacterium avium intracellulare. Almost unheard of in a patient with a normal functioning immune system, this can be a common infection in those with advanced HIV infection. (27 Sep 1997) |
| Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex | An opportunistic agent of people with AIDS. Difficult to treat because Mycobacterium is resistant to many antibiotics. May also cause chronic lower respiratory tract infections. (05 Mar 2000) |
| myoelectric complex, migrating | Bursts of depolarisation that move from the stomach to the ileocaecal valve at regular frequency during the interdigestive period. The complex and its accompanying motor activity periodically cleanse the bowel of interdigestive secretion and debris in preparation for the next meal. (12 Dec 1998) |
| polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine complex | <chemical> A water soluble complex of iodine with polyvinylpyrrolidone. Applied as an antiseptic in the form of solutions or ointments, it releases iodine. Used in cleansing and disinfecting the skin, preparing the skin preoperatively, and treating infections susceptible to iodine. 1-ethenyl-2-pyrrolidone homopolymer complexed with iodine. An iodinated polyvinyl polymer used as topical antiseptic in surgery and for skin and mucous membrane infections, also as aerosol. The iodine may be radiolabelled for research purposes. Synonym: polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine complex, povidone-iodine. Pharmacological action: anti-infective agents, local, iodophors. Chemical name: 2-Pyrrolidinone, 1-ethenyl-, homopolymer, compd. With iodine (20 Sep 2002) |
| H-2 complex | <immunology> A term that denotes the genes of the mouse equivalent of the human major histocompatibility complex system. It is a set of genetic loci coding for Class I and Class II major histocompatibility complex antigens and for complement components. See: histocompatability antigen. (20 Jun 2000) |
| primary complex | The typical lesions of primary pulmonary tuberculosis, consisting of a small peripheral focus of infection, with hilar or paratracheal lymph node involvement. (05 Mar 2000) |
| histocompatibility complex | A family of fifty or more genes on the sixth human chromosome that code for cell surface proteins and play a role in the immune response.Histocompatibility genes control the production of proteins on the outer membranes of tissue and blood cells, especially lymphocytes, and are vital elements in cell-cell recognition. The proteins also determine the level and type of immune response, and may serve other biochemical or immunologic functions. In the case of allografts, it is necessary to determine whether donor and recipient possess compatible sets of proteins (histocompatibility antigens), to minimise the likelihood of rejection. Histocompatibility testing (HLA tissue typing) provides this information. (05 Mar 2000) |
| HLA complex | <immunology> The major histocompatibility complex in humans. See: human lymphocyte antigens. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pyruvate dehydrogenase complex | <enzyme> A complex multienzyme system that catalyses the conversion of (pyruvate + CoA + NAD) to (acetyl CoA + CO2 + NAD). (18 Nov 1997) |
| pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency | An autosomal recessive pyruvate metabolism disorder resulting from deficient enzyme activity in one of several proteins of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, resulting in deficiency of acetyl CoA. Deficiency in acetyl CoA product reduces the synthesis of acetylcholine, thereby causing neurological abnormalities. Clinical presentations include lactic acidosis, mental retardation, and ataxia. (12 Dec 1998) |
| pyruvate dehydrogenase complex inactivase | <enzyme> Pharmacological action: enzyme inhibitor Registry number: EC 3.4.- (26 Jun 1999) |
| S gene complex | <molecular biology> Genes coding for molecular components of the pollen stigma recognition system in the cabbage genus Brassica). The gene products govern the self incompatibility response and include a glycoprotein found on the stigma surface and a lectin on the pollen grain surface that binds to the stigma glycoprotein. (18 Nov 1997) |