| cellular oncogene | <molecular biology> A normal gene that, when mutated or improperly expressed, can cause cancer to develop. (09 Oct 1997) |
|---|---|
| cellular pathology | The interpretation of diseases in terms of cellular alterations, i.e., the ways in which cells fail to maintain homeostasis, sometimes used as a synonym for cytopathology. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cellular polyp | A polyp that consists of benign neoplastic tissue derived from glandular epithelium. Synonym: cellular polyp, polypoid adenoma. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cellular respiration | <biochemistry> The conversion within the cell of nutrients (such as sugar molecules) into chemical energy in the form of ATP, by reacting the food with oxygen (O2) until the food has completely been degraded into carbon dioxide and H2O. (09 Oct 1997) |
| cellular retinoic acid binding protein | <protein> A cytoplasmic fatty acid binding protein that acts as an initial receptor for the putative morphogen, retinoic acid. (18 Nov 1997) |
| cellular slime mould | See: Acrasidae. (18 Nov 1997) |
| cellular tumour | A tumour composed mainly of closely packed cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immunity, cellular | Those manifestations of the immune response which are mediated by antigen-sensitised T-lymphocytes via lymphokines or direct cytotoxicity. This takes place in the absence of circulating antibody or where antibody plays a subordinate role. (12 Dec 1998) |
| abdominal muscle deficiency syndrome | <syndrome> Congenital absence (partial or complete) of abdominal muscles, in which the outline of the intestines is visible through the protruding abdominal wall; in males, genitourinary anomalies (urinary tract dilation and cryptorchidism) are also found; genetics unclear. (05 Mar 2000) |
| adult lactase deficiency | Onset of lactase deficiency, with resulting milk intolerance and malabsorption, in adulthood. Inherited forms may not be manifested until adulthood; any process that damages the intestinal lining cells can cause lactase deficiency in adults. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency | <chest medicine> Deficiency of the protease inhibitor alpha-1 antitrypsin, leads primarily to degradation of elastin of the alveolar walls, as well as other structural proteins of a variety of tissues. The lack of this protein leads to damage of various organs, but mainly to the lung and liver. symptoms may become apparent at a very early age or in adulthood, manifesting either as shortness of breath or liver related symptoms (jaundice, fatigue, fluid in the abdomen, mental changes, or gastrointestinal bleeding). There are several options for treatment of the lung disease, including replacement of the missing protein. Treatment of the liver disease is a well-timed liver transplant (12 Dec 1998) |
| alpha-1-proteinase deficiency | Absence of a serum proteinase inhibitor that may cause nodular non-suppurative panniculitis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alpha-antitrypsin deficiency | <enzyme> A specific enzyme (alpha 1 antitrypsinase) that when absent genetically can result in panacinar emphysema (lung disease) and liver disease. There is no specific treatment for this condition other than supportive care for the liver and lung complications. Medications such as alpha-1proteinase inhibitor is given regularly to these patients. Incidence: approximately 1 in 10,000. (02 Jan 1998) |
| anaemia, iron deficiency | Deficiency of iron results in anaemia because iron is necessary to make haemoglobin, the key molecule in red blood cells responsible for the transport of oxygen. In iron deficiency anaemia, the red cells are unusally small (microcytic) and pale (hypochromic). Characteristic features of iron deficiency anaemia in children include failure to thrive (grow) and increased infections. The treatment of iron deficiency anaemia, whether it be in children or adults, is with iron and iron-containing foods. Food sources of iron include meat, poultry, eggs, vegetables and cereals (especially those fortified with iron). According to the National Academy of Sciences, the Recommended Dietary Allowances of iron are 15 milligrams per day for women and 10 milligrams per day for men. Anaemia characterised by low or absent iron stores, low serum iron concentration, elevated free erythrocyte porphorin, low transferrin saturation, elevated transferrin, low serum ferritin, low haemoglobin concentration or haematocrit, and hypochromic microcytic red blood cells. Symptoms may include pallor, angular stomatitis and other oral lesions, gastrointestinal complaints, retinal haemorrhages and exudates, and thinning and brittleness of the nails. Among the causes of iron-deficiency anaemia are inadequate iron intake, impaired iron absorption, increased blood loss and increased requirements such as infancy, pregnancy, and lactation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| antibody deficiency disease | <syndrome> Any of a group of disorders associated with a defective antibody production due to defects in the B-type lymphocyte system or in T-type lymphocytes; chief manifestation is an increased susceptibility to infection by various microorganisms. See: agammaglobulinaemia, hypogammaglobulinaemia, immunodeficiency. Synonym: antibody deficiency disease. (05 Mar 2000) |