| reverse passive haemagglutination | If antibodies are bonded to the surface of red blood cells haemagglutination will occur if the appropriate bi or multivalent antigen is added in soluble or microparticulate form. Used as a test for for example Hepatitis B virus in the serum. (18 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| reverse pulmonary oedema pattern | <radiology> Loeffler pneumonia, chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (12 Dec 1998) |
| reverse transcription | <molecular biology> The process of copying information found in RNA into DNA. (09 Oct 1997) |
| reverse transcriptons | An enzyme that converts RNA to DNA. Some viruses have only RNA as their primary genetic material. By converting their RNA genes to DNA with this enzyme, the host cell is 'tricked' into creating new copies of the virus. Useful in genetic engineering to make DNA from mRNA. (14 Nov 1997) |
| reverse Trendelenburg position | Supine position without flexing or extending, in which the head is higher than the feet. (05 Mar 2000) |
| DNA reverse gyrase | <enzyme> A topoisomerase II subclass which introduces positive superhelical turns into DNA Registry number: EC 3.1.- Synonym: reverse gyrase (26 Jun 1999) |
| triiodothyronine, reverse | <chemical> 0-(4-hydroxy-3,5-diiodophenyl)-3-iodo-l-tyrosine. A metabolite of thyroxine formed by the peripheral degradation of thyroxine as a result of the tyrosyl or inner ring 5-deiodination. In systemic disease states or in neonates, levels of triiodothyronine are low and those of reverse triiodothyronine are elevated. Reverse t3 is therefore useful as a diagnostic aid and in the treatment of foetal and infantile hypothyroidism. Chemical name: L-Tyrosine, O-(4-hydroxy-3,5-diiodophenyl)-3-iodo- (12 Dec 1998) |
| a1-trypsin inhibitor | A glycoprotein that is the major protease inhibitor of human serum, is synthesised in the liver, and is genetically polymorphic due to the presence of over 20 alleles; individuals appropriately homozygous are deficient in a1-trypsin and are predisposed to pulmonary emphysema and juvenile hepatic cirrhosis because of alterations in the amino acid and sialic acid components of the glycoprotein. A1-Antitrypsin also inhibits thrombin. Synonym: a1-trypsin inhibitor, human a1-proteinase inhibitor. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ACE inhibitor | <pharmacology> A group of antihypertensive medications that work by inhibiting an enzyme (angiotensin-converting enzyme) that is important in the regulation of blood pressure. Studies have also indicated that it may help prevent or slow the progression of kidney disease in patients with diabetes. Examples include: captopril, ramipril, enalapril, losartan potassium, bepridil and lisinopril. (12 Mar 1998) |
| aldose reductase inhibitor | <pharmacology> A class of drugs being studied as a way to prevent eye and nerve damage in people with diabetes. Aldose reductase is an enzyme that is normally present in the eye and in many other parts of the body. It helps change glucose (sugar) into a sugar alcohol called sorbitol. Too much sorbitol trapped in eye and nerve cells can damage these cells, leading to retinopathy and neuropathy. Drugs that prevent or slow (inhibit) the action of aldose reductase are being studied as a way to prevent or delay these complications of diabetes. (09 Oct 1997) |
| angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor | <pharmacology> A class of drugs used in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. They exert their haemodynamic effect mainly by inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system and produce a reduction of peripheral arterial resistance. They also modulate sympathetic nervous system activity and increase prostaglandin synthesis. They cause mainly vasodilation and mild natriuresis without affecting heart rate and contractility. (14 Aug 2000) |
| aromatase inhibitor | Drugs, such as aminoglutethimide, that inhibit aromatase, an enzyme used in the synthesis of oestrogens. (05 Mar 2000) |
| beta-lactamase inhibitor | <pharmacology> Drugs such as clavulanic acid, which are used to inhibit bacterial beta-lactamases; often used with a penicillin or cephalosporin to overcome drug resistance. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Bowman-Birk inhibitor | A polypeptide that will inhibit both trypsin and chymotrypsin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| C1 esterase inhibitor | An a2-neuraminoglycoprotein that inhibits the enzymatic activity of C1 esterase, the activated first component of complement. A deficiency of this inhibitor results in a lack of inhibition of C1r and C1s leading to uncontrolled activation of the complement cascade and oedema. (05 Mar 2000) |