| continuous positive airway pressure | A technique of respiratory therapy, in either spontaneously breathing or mechanically ventilated patients, in which airway pressure is maintained above atmospheric pressure throughout the respiratory cycle by pressurization of the ventilatory circuit. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| continuous positive pressure breathing | Artificial ventilation in which all inspirations are provided by positive pressure applied to the airway. Synonym: continuous positive pressure breathing, continuous positive pressure ventilation, intermittent positive pressure breathing, intermittent positive pressure ventilation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| continuous positive pressure ventilation | Synonym: controlled mechanical ventilation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| continuous processing | A method of bioprocessing in which new materials are added and products removed continuously at a rate that maintains the volume at a specific level. (14 Nov 1997) |
| continuous random variable | Continuous variable that may randomly assume any value in its domain but any particular value has no probability of occurring, only a probability density. (05 Mar 2000) |
| continuous spectrum | A spectrum in which there are no absorption bands or lines. (05 Mar 2000) |
| continuous spinal anaesthesia | Insertion of a catheter into the spinal subarachnoid space and leaving it in situ to permit serial intermittent injection of local anaesthetic solution for prolonged spinal anaesthesia. Synonym: fractional spinal anaesthesia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| continuous suture | An uninterrupted series of stitches using one suture; the stitching is fastened at each end by a knot. Synonym: spiral suture, uninterrupted suture. (05 Mar 2000) |
| continuous time model | <epidemiology> A model in which the system changes continuously over time. Derivatives (e.g. DY/dt ) are the mathematical formalism for describing such continuous change. The differential equation which embodies a model provides the values of these derivatives at any particular time point; calculus or a computer can then be used to move the state of the model forwards in time. Continuous models have the advantage over discrete time models in that they are more amenable to algebraic manipulation, although they are slightly harder to implement on a computer. The same as a differential equation model. (05 Dec 1998) |
| continuous tremor | A tremor that is constant, whether the subject is at rest or moving. Synonym: continuous tremor. (05 Mar 2000) |
| continuous variable | A variable that may take on any value in an interval or intervals (its domain). (05 Mar 2000) |
| cell line | <cell culture> A cell line is a permanently established cell culture that will proliferate indefinitely given appropriate fresh medium and space. Lines differ from cell strains in that they have escaped the Hayflick limit and become immortalised. Some species, particularly rodents, give rise to lines relatively easily, whereas other species do not. No cell lines have been produced from avian tissues and the establishment of cell lines from human tissue is difficult. Many cell biologists would consider that a cell line is by definition already abnormal and that it is on the way towards becoming the culture equivalent of a neoplastic cell. (26 Mar 1998) |
| cell line rights | <cell culture> Ownership of a new organism entity. Rulings indicate that any organism that is patentable at all can be patented if it has been manipulated to do something useful. Usually, the rights do not reside with the individual who has supplied the source of the organism, but with the individual or organisation who has made it. (26 Mar 1998) |
| cell line, transformed | Eukaryotic cell line obtained in a quiescent or stationary phase which undergoes conversion to a state of unregulated growth in culture, resembling an in vitro tumour. It occurs spontaneously or through interaction with viruses, oncogenes, radiation, or drugs/chemicals. (12 Dec 1998) |
| established cell line | <cell culture> A cell line is a permanently established cell culture that will proliferate indefinitely given appropriate fresh medium and space. Lines differ from cell strains in that they have escaped the Hayflick limit and become immortalised. Some species, particularly rodents, give rise to lines relatively easily, whereas other species do not. No cell lines have been produced from avian tissues and the establishment of cell lines from human tissue is difficult. Many cell biologists would consider that a cell line is by definition already abnormal and that it is on the way towards becoming the culture equivalent of a neoplastic cell. (26 Mar 1998) |