| periodic paralysis | Term for a group of diseases characterised by recurring episodes of muscular weakness or flaccid paralysis without loss of consciousness, speech, or sensation; attacks begin when the patient is at rest, and there is apparent good health between attacks. See: hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis, hypokalaemic periodic paralysis, normokalaemic periodic paralysis. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| periodic peritonitis | familial paroxysmal polyserositis |
| periodic polyserositis | familial paroxysmal polyserositis |
| periodic system | The arrangement of the chemical elements in a definite order as indicated by their respective atomic numbers in such a way that groups of elements with similar chemical properties (similar valence shell electron number) are grouped together. See: Mendeleeff's law. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis | A form of periodic paralysis in which the serum potassium level is elevated during attacks; onset occurs in infancy, attacks are frequent but relatively mild, and myotonia is often present; autosomal dominant inheritance. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hypokalaemic periodic paralysis | <biochemistry> A rare inherited disorder, affecting men more often than women, characterised by intermittent episodes of muscle weakness or paralysis. One form, known as hypokalaemic periodic paralysis, is an autosomal recessive disorder that is characterised by bouts of muscle weakness (or paralysis) accompanied by low serum potassium levels. Inheritance: autosomal recessive. Incidence: 1 in 100,000. (11 Jan 1998) |
| sodium-responsive periodic paralysis | A form of periodic paralysis in which the serum potassium level is within normal limits during attacks; onset usually occurs between the ages of 2 and 5 years; there is often severe quadriplegia, usually improved by the administration of sodium salts; autosomal dominant inheritance. Synonym: sodium-responsive periodic paralysis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| normokalaemic periodic paralysis | A form of periodic paralysis in which the serum potassium level is within normal limits during attacks; onset usually occurs between the ages of 2 and 5 years; there is often severe quadriplegia, usually improved by the administration of sodium salts; autosomal dominant inheritance. Synonym: sodium-responsive periodic paralysis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| familial periodic paralysis | <neurology> A rare inherited disorder, affecting men more often than women, characterised by intermittent episodes of muscle weakness or paralysis. One form, known as hypokalaemic periodic paralysis, is an autosomal recessive disorder that is characterised by bouts of muscle weakness (or paralysis) accompanied by low serum potassium levels. Inheritance: autosomal recessive. Incidence: 1 in 100,000. (27 Sep 1997) |
| Rambourg's chromic acid-phosphotungstic acid stain | <technique> A stain for glycoproteins, used with an electron microscope, with which ultrathin tissue sections reveal complex carbohydrates in the same locations as shown by Rambourg's periodic acid-chromic methenamine-silver stain. (05 Mar 2000) |
| a1-acid glycoprotein | <biology> Plasma protein of mammals and birds, 38% carbohydrate. In humans a single chain glycoprotein of 39 kD. Increased levels are associated with inflammation, pregnancy and various diseases. (18 Nov 1997) |
| abscisic acid | <biochemistry> A lipid hormone that inhibits cell growth in plants, it is associated with fruit drop, leaf death and seed dormancy. It is synthesised in the plastids from carotenoids. This hormone helps plants deal with water loss, and its effects can be reversed with gibberellins. (06 May 1997) |
| abscisic acid 8'-hydroxylase | <enzyme> Catalyses conversion of abscisic acid to 8'-hydroxyabscisic acid, which rearranges to phaseic acid Registry number: EC 1.14.99.- Synonym: aba 8'-hydroxylase (26 Jun 1999) |
| acetic acid | <chemical> The acid most commonly associated with vinegar, it is the most commercially important organic acid and is used to manufacture a wide range of chemical products, such as plastics and Acetobacter but, except for making vinegar, is usually made through synthetic processes. Derivatives of acetic acid which may be formed by substitution reactions. Mono- and di-substituted, as well as, halogenated compounds have been synthesised. Experimentally, alpha- and n2- substituted acetic acids have been examined for their anti-inflammatory activity and effect on the central nervous system respectively. Additionally, limited exposure data has been collected on dibromo and dichloroacetic acids to determine whether they pose health effects. Synonym: ethanoic acid. (26 Jun 1999) |
| acetoacetic acid | CH3COCH2COOH;one of the ketone bodies, formed in excess and appearing in the urine in starvation or diabetes. Synonym: diacetic acid. (05 Mar 2000) |