| ascorbate-cyanide test | A test for glucose-6-phosphate-deficient red blood cells; blood is incubated with sodium cyanide and ascorbate; the hydrogen peroxide generated is free to oxidise haemoglobin to methemoglobin, since cyanide inhibits catalase; a brown colour is produced more rapidly in glucose 6-phosphate-deficient cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| aspergillus antigen skin test | <investigation> An antigen, prepared from aspergillus, is injected into the skin. In 48 to 72 hours the site is read as positive or negative. A positive skin test (inflammation at the test site) indicates prior exposure to aspergillus and therefore a risk for developing aspergillosis. (27 Sep 1997) |
| association test | A word (stimulus word) is spoken to the subject, who is to reply immediately with another word (reaction word) suggested by the first; used as a diagnostic aid in psychiatry and psychology, clues being given by the length of time (association time) between the stimulus and reaction words, and also by the nature of the reaction words. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Astwood's test | A test for the assay of oestrogenic substances; immature female rats (25 to 49 g) are injected subcutaneously with the hormone and killed after 6 hours, when the increase in uterine weight (due largely to imbibation of water) is taken as the criterion of oestrogenic activity. Synonym: Astwood's test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| atropine test | If an injection of atropine relieves bradycardia, the condition is due to action of the vagus; if it does not, the condition may be due to an affection of the heart itself. Synonym: atropine test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| augmented histamine test | A test for maximal production of gastric acidity or anacidity; after preliminary administration of an antihistamine, histamine acid phosphate is injected subcutaneously in a dose of 0.04 mg/kg of body weight, followed by analysis of gastric contents. Synonym: augmented histamine test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aussage test | A test of ability to reproduce correctly something that has been seen for a brief interval. Origin: Ger. Aussage, a declaration (05 Mar 2000) |
| autohemolysis test | When sterile defibrinated blood is incubated at 37캜, normal red blood cells haemolyze slowly; cells with membrane or metabolic defects do so to a greater extent. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Bachman-Pettit test | A modification of Kober's test for the detection of estradiol and similar oestrogenic hormones in the urine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Bachman test | A skin test for trichinosis in which an extract of Trichinella larvae is suspended in saline and injected intradermally. An immediate wheal-and-flare reaction or a delayed response indicates infection. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Bagolini test | A test for retinal correspondence with the subject observing a figure through two striated lenses. (05 Mar 2000) |
| BALB test | A test for recruitment in one ear; the comparison of relative loudness of a series of intensities presented alternately to either ear. Synonym: BALB test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Barany's caloric test | A test for vestibular function, made by irrigating the external auditory meatus with either hot or cold water; this normally causes stimulation of the vestibular apparatus, resulting in nystagmus and past-pointing; in vestibular disease, the response may be reduced or absent. Synonym: caloric test, nystagmus test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| baseline test | <investigation> Test which measures an organs normal level of functioning. Used to determine if any changes in organ function occur following treatment. (16 Dec 1997) |
| basophil degranulation test | An in vitro test used in the diagnosis of allergies including drug hypersensitivity. The allergen is added to the patient's white blood cells and the subsequent histamine release is measured. (12 Dec 1998) |