| recognition factors | Factors which effect "recognition" of target antigens by polymorphonuclear leukocytes; apparently the Fc portion of antibody molecules and the activated third component of complement (C3), for both of which phagocytes have receptor sites. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| glaucoma, risk factors | If you belong to a high-risk group for glaucoma, have your eyes examined through dilated pupils every 2 years by an eye care professional. High-risk groups include everyone with a family history of glaucoma, everyone over the age of 60 and any Black over the age of 40. (Among Blacks, studies show that glaucoma is: 5 times more likely to occur in Blacks than in Whites and about 4 times more likely to cause blindness in Blacks than in Whites). (12 Dec 1998) |
| releasing factors | Hormones produced by the hypothalamus whichstimulate the release of other hormones in the pituitary gland. (09 Oct 1997) |
| resistance factors | Plasmid's carrying genes responsible for antibiotic (or antibacterial drug) resistance among bacteria (notably Enterobacteriaceae); they may be conjugative or nonconjugative plasmid's, the former possessing transfer genes (resistance transfer factor) lacking in the latter. Synonym: R factors, R plasmids, resistance factors, resistance-transferring episomes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| peptide elongation factors | Protein factors uniquely required during the elongation phase of protein synthesis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| peptide initiation factors | Protein factors uniquely required during the initiation phase of protein synthesis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| peptide termination factors | Proteins that are exclusively involved in the termination reactions of protein synthesis on the ribosome. (12 Dec 1998) |
| C factors | Proteins that restore phosphorylating ability to mitochondria that have lost it, i.e., have become "uncoupled" so that oxidation and electron transport no longer produces ATP. Usually termed coupling factor F1, F2, etc. Synonym: C factors. (05 Mar 2000) |
| r factors | A class of plasmids that transfer antibiotic resistance from one bacterium to another by conjugation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| rheumatoid factors | Antibodies in the serum of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis that react with antigenic determinants or immunoglobulins that enhance agglutination of suspended particles coated with pooled human gamma-globulin. Rheumatoid factors also occur in other autoimmune and certain infectious diseases. (05 Mar 2000) |
| chemotactic factors | Chemical substances that attract or repel cells or organisms. The concept denotes especially those factors released as a result of tissue injury, invasion, or immunologic activity, that attract leukocytes, macrophages, or other cells to the site of infection or insult. (12 Dec 1998) |
| chemotactic factors, eosinophil | Cytotaxins liberated from normal or invading cells that specifically attract eosinophils; they may be complement fragments, lymphokines, neutrophil products, histamine or other; the best known is the tetrapeptide ecf-a, released mainly by mast cells. (12 Dec 1998) |
| chemotactic factors, macrophage | Cytotaxins liberated from normal or invading cells that specifically attract macrophages. They may be lymphokines, products of antigen, antibody and complement interactions or other. (12 Dec 1998) |
| growth factors | Proteins involved in cell differentiation and growth.Growth factors are essential to the normal cell cycle, and are thus vital elements in the life of animals from conception to death. Among other things, they mediate foetal development, play a role in maintenance and repair of tissues, stimulate production of blood cells, and, gone awry, participate in cancerous processes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| risk factors | An aspect of personal behaviour or lifestyle, environmental exposure, or inborn or inherited characteristic, which, on the basis of epidemiologic evidence, is known to be associated with a health-related condition considered important to prevent. (12 Dec 1998) |