| error-prone repair | <molecular biology> A type of DNA repair which occurs when both nucleotides in a base pair are missing, such that it is not possible to maintain accuracy. In general, the repair proteins replace the missing nucleotides randomly. The idea is that bad DNA is better than no DNA at all. (06 Mar 1998) |
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| excision repair | <molecular biology> Mechanism for the repair of environmental damage to one strand of DNA (loss of purines due to thermal fluctuations, formation of pyrimidine dimers by UV irradiation). The site of damage is recognised, excised by an endonuclease, the correct sequence is copied from the complementary strand by a polymerase and the ends of this correct sequence are joined to the rest of the strand by a ligase. The term is sometimes restricted to bacterial systems where the polymerase also acts as endonuclease. (11 Nov 1997) |
| diabetic | Diabetes mellitus is a disorder that is caused by the insufficient production of the pancreatic hormone insulin. Without insulin cells are unable to absorb glucose, necessary for cellular metabolism and energy production. Patients may have type I diabetes (juvenile onset) or type II diabetes (adult onset). Individuals with either condition are considered to be diabetic. (27 Sep 1997) |
| diabetic acidosis | Decreased pH and bicarbonate concentration in the body fluids caused by accumulation of ketone bodies in diabetes mellitus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diabetic amyotrophy | A type of diabetic neuropathy that primarily affects elderly patients with diabetes mellitus; clinically characterised by unilateral or bilateral anterior thigh pain, weakness, and atrophy; of abrupt or gradual onset and, when bilateral, of simultaneous or sequential onset, and usually asymmetrical; one type of diabetic polyradiculopathy. Sometimes referred to, erroneously, as diabetic femoral neuropathy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diabetic arthropathy | A neuropathic arthropathy occurring in diabetes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diabetic cataract | A cataract occurring in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. (27 Sep 1997) |
| diabetic coma | A severe metabolic derangement that occurs in the absence of insulin. Insulin allows the body to absorb glucose into cells for energy production. In the absence of insulin, the body starts to break down fats for fuel. A metabolic byproduct of fat metabolism is referred to as a ketone. The presence of elevated blood ketones in this setting is known as diabetic ketoacidosis. In extreme, untreated cases, this can lead to coma and death. (27 Sep 1997) |
| diabetic dermopathy | Small macules and papules of the extensor surfaces of the extremities, most commonly the shins of diabetics, which become atrophic, hyperpigmented, and occasionally undergo ulceration with scarring; may be a manifestation of microangiopathy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diabetic diet | A diet prescribed in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, usually limited in the amount of sugar or readily available carbohydrate. (12 Dec 1998) |
| diabetic fetopathy | Fetopathy resulting from maternal diabetes, which may cause macrosomia and foetal death. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diabetic foot | Ulcers of the foot as a complication of diabetes. Diabetic foot, often with infection, is a common serious complication of diabetes and may require hospitalization and disfiguring surgery. The foot ulcers are probably secondary to neuropathies and vascular problems. (12 Dec 1998) |
| diabetic gangrene | Gangrene resulting from arteriosclerosis associated with diabetes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diabetic gingivitis | Gingivitis in which the host response to bacterial plaque is presumably modified by the metabolic alterations encountered in the uncontrolled diabetic patient. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diabetic glomerulosclerosis | Kidney disease and resultant kidney function impairment due to the long standing effects of diabetes on the microvasculature (glomerulus) of the kidney. Features include increased urine protein and declining kidney function. Severe diabetic nephropathy can lead to kidney failure and end-stage renal disease. (27 Sep 1997) |