| Debre | Robert, French paediatrician and bacteriologist, *1882. See: Debre phenomenon, Debre-Semelaigne syndrome, Kocher-Debre-Semelaigne syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| Debre phenomenon | In measles, the failure of the rash to develop at the site of immune serum injection. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Debre-Semelaigne syndrome | <syndrome> Autosomal recessive inherited athyrotic cretinism associated with muscular pseudohypertrophy. Synonym: Debre-Semelaigne syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| debridement | <surgery> A term of French origin for the removal of necrotic, infected or foreign material from a wound. (18 Nov 1997) |
| debris | 1. <geology> Broken and detached fragments, taken collectively; especially, fragments detached from a rock or mountain, and piled up at the base. 2. Rubbish, especially such as results from the destruction of anything; remains; ruins. Origin: F, fr. Pref. De- (L. Dis) + briser to break, shatter; perh. Of Celtic origin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| debrisoquin | <chemical> An adrenergic neuron-blocking drug similar in effects to guanethidine. It is also noteworthy in being a substrate for a polymorphic cytochrome p-450 enzyme. Persons with certain isoforms of this enzyme are unable to properly metabolise this and many other clinically important drugs. They are commonly referred to as having a debrisoquin 4-hydroxylase polymorphism. Pharmacological action: adrenergic agents, antihypertensive agents, sympatholytics. Chemical name: 2(1H)-Isoquinolinecarboximidamide, 3,4-dihydro- (12 Dec 1998) |
| debrisoquine sulfate | 3-4-Dihydro-2(1H)-isoquinolinecarboxamidine sulfate;an antihypertensive agent resembling guanethidine; used in drug metabolism studies. (05 Mar 2000) |
| debt | A deficit; a liability. Origin: L. Debitum, debt (05 Mar 2000) |
| debulk | <procedure> To remove part of the bulk of. Debulking may be performed by surgery, by irradiation, by laser or by chemotherapy. (16 Dec 1997) |
| debulking of tumour | <surgery> The surgical removal of as much of a tumour as is possible, although the surgeon is unable to remove the whole thing. (09 Oct 1997) |
| debulking operation | Excision of a major part of a malignant tumour which cannot be completely removed, so as to enhance the effectiveness of subsequent radio-or chemotherapy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| debuscope | <instrument, optics> A modification of the kaleidoscope; used to reflect images so as to form beautiful designs. Origin: From the inventor, Debus, a French optician + -scope. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Debye sheath | <radiobiology> The region of strong electric field in front of a material surface in contact with a plasma. Its characteristic thickness is the Debye length, and it is caused by Debye shielding of the negative surface charge resulting from electrons flowing to the surface much faster (initially) than the ions. The lost electrons leave behind a region of net positive charge which gradually diminishes the strength of the electric field over the Debye length. (13 Nov 1997) |
| debye shielding | <radiobiology> if a positive (or negative) charge is inserted into a plasma, it will change the local charge distribution by attracting (repelling) electrons. The net result is an additional negative (positive) charge density which cancels the effect of the initial charge at distances large compared to the Debye length. (There is a corresponding effect of shielding by the ions, which, for various and subtle reasons, usually is less important.) (13 Nov 1997) |
| debye sphere | <radiobiology> Sphere around a charged test particle whose radius is equal to the Debye length. (09 Oct 1997) |