| denture repair | The process of reuniting or replacing broken or worn parts of a denture. (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| DNA repair | <molecular biology> Each cell has a series of special enzymes to correct the errors in DNA structure and sequence. This protects genetic information against environmental damage and replication errors and restore the DNA to its original state. (25 Jun 1999) |
| DNA repair gene | A gene engaged in DNA repair. When a DNA repair gene is altered, mutations pile up throughout the DNA. (12 Dec 1998) |
| DNA repair pathway | The sequence of steps in the repair of DNA. Each step is governed by an enzyme. (12 Dec 1998) |
| error-prone repair | <molecular biology> A type of DNA repair which occurs when both nucleotides in a base pair are missing, such that it is not possible to maintain accuracy. In general, the repair proteins replace the missing nucleotides randomly. The idea is that bad DNA is better than no DNA at all. (06 Mar 1998) |
| excision repair | <molecular biology> Mechanism for the repair of environmental damage to one strand of DNA (loss of purines due to thermal fluctuations, formation of pyrimidine dimers by UV irradiation). The site of damage is recognised, excised by an endonuclease, the correct sequence is copied from the complementary strand by a polymerase and the ends of this correct sequence are joined to the rest of the strand by a ligase. The term is sometimes restricted to bacterial systems where the polymerase also acts as endonuclease. (11 Nov 1997) |
| abscess, skin | Medical term for a common boil. (12 Dec 1998) |
| allergy skin test | Test done on the skin to identify the allergy substance (allergen) triggering the allergic reaction. A small amount of the suspected allergy substance is placed on the skin. The skin is then gently scratched through the small drop with a special sterile needle. If the skin reddens and, more importantly, swells, then allergy to that substance is probable. (12 Dec 1998) |
| alligator skin | <dermatology> A group of cutaneous disorders characterised by increased or aberrant keratinisation, resulting in noninflammatory scaling of the skin. Many different metaphors have been used to describe the appearance and texture of the skin in the various types and stages of ichthyosis, for example alligator, collodion, crocodile, fish and porcupine skin. most ichthyoses are genetically determined, while some may be acquired and develop in association with various systemic diseases or be a prominent feature in certain genetic syndromes. The term is commonly used alone to refer to i. Vulgaris. (18 Nov 1997) |
| appendages of skin | The hairs, nails, and sweat, sebaceous, and mammary glands. (05 Mar 2000) |
| 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) |
| bronzed skin | The dark skin in Addison's disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| calipers, skin | Calipers are instruments used to measure the diameter of an object. (The word calipers is a corruption of caliber ). The skin fold thickness in several parts of the body can be measured with calipers, a metal or plastic tool similar to a compass. This is done in medicine and physical anthropology. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cancer, skin | Cancer of the outer surface of the body. The most common cancer in the U.S. There are many types of skin cancer. Ultraviolet light from sunlight is the main cause of skin cancer. Unexplained changes in the appearance of the skin, lasting longer than 2 weeks, should be evaluated by a doctor. The cure rate for skin cancer could be 100% if all skin cancers were brought to a doctor's attention before they had a chance to spread. (12 Dec 1998) |
| carcinoma, skin appendage | A malignant tumour of the skin appendages, which include the hair, nails, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and the mammary glands. (12 Dec 1998) |