| OSF | organ system failure; osteoclast-stimulating factor; outer spiral fiber; overgrowth stimulating fact... |
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| PAF | paroxysmal atrial fibrillation; peroxisomal assembly factor; phosphodiesterase-activating factor; pl... |
| PCF | peripheral circulatory failure; pharyngoconjunctival fever; platelet complement fixation; posterior ... |
| POFX | X-linked premature ovarian failure |
| PPCF | peripartum cardiac failure; plasma prothrombin conversion factor |
| acute-phase reaction | <immunology, rheumatology> Refers to the changes in synthesis of certain proteins within the serum during an inflammatory response, which provides rapid protection for the host against microorganisms via non-specific defense mechanisms. It consists of fever, an increase in inflammatory humoral factors, and an increased synthesis by hepatocytes of a number of proteins or glycoproteins usually found in the plasma; the reaction is mediated by endogenous pyrogens, the hypothalamus, adrenal hormones, and other factors. (12 Jul 2000) |
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| acute porphyria | <gastroenterology, haematology> A group of metabolic disorders that result from a disturbance in porphyrin metabolism, causing increased formation and excretion of porphyrin or its precursors. Acute intermittent porphyria is a rare inherited (autosomal dominant) form that can result in abdominal pain, photosensitivity and neurological disturbances. The various forms can be differntiated measuring various blood prophyrins. (27 Sep 1997) |
| acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis | <nephrology> A disease of the kidneys that results in inflammation of the glomerulus (the portion of the kidney that filters the blood). Conditions which may cause glomerulonephritis include post-streptococcal disease (strep throat), lupus, syphilis, bacterial endocarditis, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, sepsis, vasculitis, Goodpasture's syndrome, typhoid fever, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, hepatitis or a viral infection (for example mumps, measles, mononucleosis). (27 Sep 1997) |
| acute primary haemorrhagic meningoencephalitis | A disease characterised by acute onset of fever, followed by convulsions, delirium, and coma, and associated with perivascular demyelination and haemorrhagic foci in the central nervous system. Synonym: acute primary haemorrhagic meningoencephalitis, Strumpell's disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acute promyelocytic leukaemia | Leukaemia presenting as a severe bleeding disorder, with infiltration of the bone marrow by abnormal promyelocytes and myelocytes, a low plasma fibrinogen, and defective coagulation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acute pulmonary alveolitis | Acute inflammation involving exudate into the pulmonary alveoli and impaired gas exchange; may result in necrosis with haemorrhage into the lungs; occurs in Goodpasture's syndrome, in association with a glomerulonephritis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acute pulmonary eosinophilia | <chest medicine> A self-limiting inflammation in the lungs where there is associated infiltration of eosinophils into lung tissue. Chest X-ray reveals pulmonary infiltrates and full blood count shows increased numbers of eosinophils. The cause is unknown and the disease often resolves without treatment. Some forms may be treated with oral corticosteroids. Complications include restrictive cardiomyopathy due to fibrosis of the lining of the heart. (27 Sep 1997) |
| acute pyelonephritis | Acute inflammation of the renal parenchyma and pelvis characterised by small cortical abscesses and yellowish streaks in the medulla due to pus in the collecting tubules and interstitial tissue. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acute radiation syndrome | <syndrome> A syndrome caused by exposure of the body to large amounts of radiation, (e.g., from certain forms of therapy, accidents, and nuclear explosions; it is divided into three major forms which are, in ascending order of severity, the haematogic, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system-cardiovascular forms; its clinical manifestations are divided into prodromal, latent, overt, and recovery stages. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acute reflex bone atrophy | Atrophy of bones, commonly of the carpal or tarsal bones, following a slight injury such as a sprain. See: causalgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Synonym: acute reflex bone atrophy, posttraumatic osteoporosis, Sudeck's syndrome. Origin: L. English sweat (05 Mar 2000) |
| acute rejection | Graft rejection which usually begins within 10 days after a graft has been transplanted into a genetically dissimilar host. Lesions at the site of the graft characteristically are infiltrated with large numbers of lymphocytes and macrophages which cause tissue damage. See: primary rejection. Synonym: acute rejection. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acute rheumatic arthritis | Arthritis due to rheumatic fever. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acute rhinitis | An acute catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose, marked by sneezing, lacrimation, and a profuse secretion of watery mucus; usually associated with infection by one of the common cold viruses. Synonym: cold in the head, coryza. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acute rickets | Bone changes seen in infantile scurvy, consisting of subperiosteal haemorrhage and deficient osteoid tissue formation; often used to indicate simultaneous occurrence of rickets and scurvy. Synonym: acute rickets. Hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets, with hypercalciuria, an inherited disorder in which there is a defect in renal tubular reabsorption. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acute schizophrenia | A disorder in which the symptoms of schizophrenia occur abruptly; they may subside or become chronic over time. Synonym: acute schizophrenic episode. (05 Mar 2000) |