| properdin system | An immunological system that is the alternative pathway for complement, composed of several distinct proteins that react in a serial manner and activate C3 (third component of complement), seemingly without utilizing components C1, C4, and C2; in addition to properdin, the system includes properdin factors A (native C3), B (C3 proactivator), D (C3 proactivator convertase), and perhaps at least one other, E; the system can be activated, in the absence of specific antibody, by bacterial endotoxins, by a variety of polysaccharides and lipopolysaccharides, and by a component of cobra venom. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| properitoneal | In front of the peritoneum. (05 Mar 2000) |
| properitoneal inguinal hernia | A complicated hernia having a double sac, one part in the inguinal canal, the other projecting from the internal inguinal ring in the subperitoneal tissues. Synonym: hernia en bissac, Kronlein's hernia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| property | <chemistry> Any measurable aspect of the system. (09 Jan 1998) |