| secretory component of IgA | <immunology, protein> A polypeptide chain of about 60 kD that aids secretion of the IgA, a portion of the IgA receptor on the plasmalemma of the inner side of the epithelial cells lining the gut, which is proteolysed when the IgA receptor complex has travelled through the cell after receptor mediated endocytosis at the inner face, to the outer (luminal) face. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| serum amyloid P component | Precursor of amyloid component P, found in basement membrane. Member of the pentraxin family. See: serum amyloid. (18 Nov 1997) |
| two-component plasma | <radiobiology> Refers to a plasma containing a cool thermal component and a population of high energy particles (such as from neutral beam injection) which are in the process of thermalising (slowing down). (09 Oct 1997) |
| acid-fast | <microbiology> A term used to denote bacteria that are not decolorised by acid-alcohol after having been stained with dyes such as basic fuchsin. The presence of acid fast organisms can be found in cultures that contain mycobacteria or some of the nocardiae. (12 Jul 2000) |
| acid-fast stain | <technique> A staining technique used to determine the cell wall property of a microorganism. After stained with dye such as hot carbolfuschin, an acid-fast organism, (for example Mycobacterium species) will retain the colour in its cell wall after being washed with acid-alcohol. (13 Nov 1997) |
| arsenic-fast | Resistant to the poisonous action of arsenic; denoting especially spirochetes and other protozoan parasites, which acquire resistance after repeated administration of the drug. (05 Mar 2000) |
| centrifugal fast analyzer | An automatic spectrophotometer that uses centrifugal force to mix samples and reagents, and propels the reactants at high speed about a detector that makes multiple absorbance readings. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Wassermann-fast | A term used to designate a case in which the Wassermann reaction remains positive despite all treatment. (05 Mar 2000) |
| histamine-fast | Indicating the absence of the normal response to histamine, especially in speaking of true gastric anacidity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| serum-fast | 1. Pertaining to a serum in which there is little or no change in the titre of antibody, even under conditions of treatment or immunologic stimulation. 2. Resistant to the destructive effect of sera. Synonym: serofast. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spectrometry, mass, fast atom bombardment | A mass spectrometric technique that is used for the analysis of a wide range of biomolecules, such as glycoalkaloids, glycoproteins, polysaccharides, and peptides. Positive and negative fast atom bombardment spectra are recorded on a mass spectrometer fitted with an atom gun with xenon as the customary beam. The mass spectra obtained contain molecular weight recognition as well as sequence information. (12 Dec 1998) |
| sputum for acid-fast organisms | A special microscopic slide that is prepared to detect the presence of acid-fast bacilli. The diagnosis of tuberculosis can be made using this test. If the sputum specimen shows the acid fast organism a sputum culture (for Mycobacterium) is then performed. (27 Sep 1997) |
| drug-fast | Pertaining to microorganisms that resist or become tolerant to an antibacterial agent. (05 Mar 2000) |
| iodine-fast | Denoting hyperthyroidism unresponsive to iodine therapy, which develops frequently in most cases so treated. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fast | 1. Firmly fixed; closely adhering; made firm; not loose, unstable, or easily moved; immovable; as, to make fast the door. "There is an order that keeps things fast." (Burke) 2. Firm against attack; fortified by nature or art; impregnable; strong. "Outlaws . . . Lurking in woods and fast places." (Spenser) 3. Firm in adherence; steadfast; not easily separated or alienated; faithful; as, a fast friend. 4. Permanent; not liable to fade by exposure to air or by washing; durable; lasting; as, fast colours. 5. Tenacious; retentive. "Roses, damask and red, are fast flowers of their smells." (Bacon) 6. Not easily disturbed or broken; deep; sound. "All this while in a most fast sleep." (Shak) 7. Moving rapidly; quick in mition; rapid; swift; as, a fast horse. 8. Given to pleasure seeking; disregardful of restraint; reckless; wild; dissipated; dissolute; as, a fast man; a fast liver. Fast and loose, now cohering, now disjoined; inconstant, especially. In the phrases to play at fast and loose, to play fast and loose, to act with giddy or reckless inconstancy or in a tricky manner; to say one thing and do another "Play fast and loose with faith." . Fast and loose pulleys, to make secure; to fasten firmly, as a vessel, a rope, or a door. Origin: OE, firm, strong, not loose, AS. Fst; akin to OS. Fast, D. Vast, OHG. Fasti, festi, G. Fest, Isel. Fastr, Sw. & Dan. Fast, and perh. To E. Fetter. The sense swift comes from the idea of keeping close to what is pursued; a Scandinavian use. Cf. Fast, adv, Fast, v, Avast. 1. In a fast, fixed, or firmly established manner; fixedly; firmly; immovably. "We will bind thee fast." (Judg. Xv. 13) 2. In a fast or rapid manner; quickly; swiftly; extravagantly; wildly; as, to run fast; to live fast. Fast by, or Fast beside, close or near to; near at hand. "He, after Eve seduced, unminded slunk Into the wood fast by." (Milton) "Fast by the throne obsequious Fame resides." (Pope) Origin: OE. Faste firmly, strongly, quickly, AS. Faste. See Fast. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |