| selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor | <pharmacology> This is a class of drug that are used as antidepressants. Functionally, they increase the levels of serotonin in the body. These drugs can be dangerous if they are mixed with other drugs such as other antidepressants, illicit drugs (LSD, cocaine, methamphetamine), some antihistamines (Seldane, Histmanal), some antibiotics, and calcium channel blockers. Side effects include lethargy, confusion, flushing, sweating and muscle spasms. Overdose can cause damage to red blood cells, breathing problems and kidney damage. Examples include: Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil. Acronym: SSRI (12 Jan 1998) |
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| selective stain | <technique> A stain that colours one portion of a tissue or cell exclusively or more deeply than the remaining portions. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ion selective electrode | An electrode half cell, with a semi permeable membrane that is permeable only to a single ion. The electrical potential measured between this and a reference half cell (e.g. A calomel electrode) is thus the Nernst potential for the ion. Given that the solution filling the ion selective electrode is known, the activity (rather than concentration) of the ion in the unknown solution can be measured. Commercial ion selective electrodes frequently use a hydrophobic membrane containing an ionophore, such as valinomycin (for potassium) or monensin (for sodium). A pH electrode is made with a thin membrane of pH sensitive (i.e. Proton permeable) glass. (18 Nov 1997) |
| ion-selective electrodes | Electrodes which can be used to measure the concentration of particular ions in cells, tissues, or solutions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| catheterization, peripheral | Insertion of a catheter into a peripheral artery, vein, or airway for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. (12 Dec 1998) |
| peripheral | <anatomy> Pertaining to or situated at or near the periphery, situated away from a centre or central structure. (18 Nov 1997) |
| peripheral aneurysm | A saclike aneurysm springing from one side of an artery, an aneurysm of one of the smaller branches of an artery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| peripheral anterior synechia | Adhesion of the iris to the posterior surface of the cornea in the angle of the anterior chamber; associated with angle-closure glaucoma. Synonym: peripheral anterior synechia. Origin: G. Gonia, angle, + synechis, holding together (05 Mar 2000) |
| peripheral arteriosclerosis | Arteriosclerosis in any of the vessels beyond the aorta; most often refers to the lower extremities. (05 Mar 2000) |
| peripheral blood stem cell transplantation | A procedure that is similar to bone marrow transplantation. Doctors remove healthy immature cells (stem cells) from a patient's blood and store them before the patient receives high-dose chemotherapy and possibly radiation therapy to destroy the leukaemia cells. The stem cells are then returned to the patient, where they can produce new blood cells to replace cells destroyed by the treatment. (12 Dec 1998) |
| peripheral cataract | A cataract in which the opacity affects the cortex of the lens. Synonym: peripheral cataract. (05 Mar 2000) |
| peripheral chemoreceptor | The chemoreceptor's in the carotid and aortic bodies that are stimulated by chemical changes in the composition of the blood such as hypoxia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| peripheral dysostosis | Dysostosis of the metacarpals and metatarsals, accompanied by variable facial features; possibly autosomal dominant inheritance. (05 Mar 2000) |
| peripheral facial paralysis | A condition that involves the facial nerve (VII cranial nerve) and results in the paralysis of one side of the face. Bell's (facial nerve palsy) can be differentiated from a central (stroke) deficit by the inability to raise the eyebrow on the affected side. (27 Sep 1997) |
| peripheral glare | Glare occurring when the surrounding brightness is greater than the brightness of the object of attention. (05 Mar 2000) |