| B-cell differentiation/growth factors | Various substances, usually obtained from the supernatant of T-cell cultures, such as interleukin 4, 5, and 6. These substances are necessary for B-cell growth, maturation, and differentiation into plasma cells or B memory cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| B-cell leukaemia | A test which detects the presence of antigens on the surface of B lymphocytes. These antigens can indicate the presence of leukaemia. most often this is used to detect and differentiate chronic lymphocytic leukaemia from acute lymphocytic leukaemia. Origin: Gr. Haima = blood (27 Sep 1997) |
| B-cell stimulatory factor 2 | <cytokine> A cytokine that stimulates the growth and differentiation of human B-cells and is also a growth factor for hybridomas and plasmacytomas. It is produced by many different cells including T-cells, monocytes, and fibroblasts. A single chain 25 kD cytokine originally described as a pre B-cell growth factor, now known to have effects on a number of other cells including T-cells which are also stimulated to proliferate. An inducer of acute phase proteins and a colony-stimulating factor acting on mouse bone marrow. Acronym: IL-6 (12 Dec 1998) |
| B-cells | A type of white blood cell. Many B-cells mature into plasma cells, which can produce antibody proteins necessary to fight off infections, such as viruses. (12 Dec 1998) |
| b-complex vitamin | <biochemistry> A group of vitamins that includes: B1(thiamin), B2 riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6(pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin) and folate. (24 Mar 1998) |
| B-E amputation | Acronym for below-the-elbow amputation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| B-K amputation | Acronym for below-the-knee amputation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| b-lymphocyte subsets | A classification of B-lymphocytes based on structurally or functionally different populations of cells. (12 Dec 1998) |
| B-lymphocytes | Lymphoid cells concerned with humoral immunity. They are short-lived cells resembling bursa-derived lymphocytes of birds in their production of immunoglobulin upon appropriate stimulation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| B-mode | A two-dimensional diagnostic ultrasound presentation of echo-producing interfaces in a single plane; the intensity of the echo is represented by modulation of the brightness (B) of the spot, and the position of the echo is determined from the position of the transducer and the transit time of the acoustical pulse. (05 Mar 2000) |
| B-mode echocardiography | two-dimensional echocardiography |
| B-P fistula | Communication between a bronchus and the pleural cavity; usually caused by necrotizing pneumonia or empyema; also may follow pulmonary surgery or irradiation. Synonym: B-P fistula. (05 Mar 2000) |
| b1-lipoprotein | A lipoprotein fraction of relatively high molecular weight, low density, rich in cholesterol, and found in the beta-globulin fraction of human plasma. (05 Mar 2000) |
| B19 virus | A human parvovirus associated with arthritis and arthralgia and a number of specific clinical entities, including erythema infectiosum and aplastic crisis in the presence of haemolytic anaemia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| b1C globulin | The third component (C3) of complement. See: component of complement. (05 Mar 2000) |