| OSF | organ system failure; osteoclast-stimulating factor; outer spiral fiber; overgrowth stimulating fact... |
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| MC | mass casualties; mast cell; Master of Surgery [Lat. Magister Chirurgiae]; maximum concentration; Med... |
| K cell | killer cell |
| PAF | paroxysmal atrial fibrillation; peroxisomal assembly factor; phosphodiesterase-activating factor; pl... |
| TF | free thyroxine; tactile fremitus; tail flick [reflex]; temperature factor; testicular feminization; ... |
| natural selection | The hypothesis that genotype environment interactions occurring at the phenotypic level lead to differential reproductive success of individuals and hence to modification of the gene pool of a population. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| immunity, natural | The capacity of a normal organism to remain unaffected by microorganisms and their toxins. It results from non-specific mechanisms such as genetic endowment, naturally occurring antiviral and bactericidal substances, phagocytosis, and constitutional factors such as body temperature, oxygen tension, and age. (12 Dec 1998) |
| adrenal androgen-stimulating hormone | A putative pituitary hormone that may be responsible for increased secretion of adrenal androgens at the time of puberty. (05 Mar 2000) |
| melanocyte-stimulating hormone | <endocrinology> A releasing hormone produced in the mammalian hypophysis and related structures in lower vertebrates. Made up of _ MSH (1665D), the same as amino acids 1-13 of ACTH and _ MSH (18 amino acids, 22 in humans). Causes darkening of the skin by expansion of the melanophores but its role in mammals is unclear. Synonym: melanotropin. Acronym: MSH (22 Sep 2002) |
| hormone, thyroid stimulating | A hormone produced by the pituitary gland (at the base of the brain) that promotes the growth of the thyroid gland (in the neck) and stimulates it to produce its thyroid hormones. Normally, the rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the pituitary. When there are insufficient thyroid hormones in the body for normal functioning of the cells, the pituitary releases tsh. Tsh in turn stimulates the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones. In contrast, when there is excessive amount of thyroid hormones, the pituitary gland stops producing tsh. The tsh level then falls and thyroid hormone production is reduced. This mechanism maintains a relatively constant level of thyroid hormones circulating in the blood. This phenomenon is analogous to a thermostat used for temperature regulation in a room: when the temperature rises, the thermostat shuts the heater off and the room temperature falls back to normal. High levels of thyroid hormones cause the tsh level to fall, resulting in no further stimulation of the thyroid gland. In hyperthyroidism, there are continuously elevated levels of the thyroid hormones. Tsh is also known as thyrotropin. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunoglobulins, thyroid-stimulating | Autoantibodies that bind to the thyroid-stimulating hormone (tsh) receptor (receptors, thyrotropin) on thyroid epithelial cells. The autoantibodies mimic tsh causing an unregulated production of thyroid hormones characteristic of graves' disease. (12 Dec 1998) |
| insulin-stimulating peptide | <chemical> 71-amino acid containing peptide; corresponds to residues 115-143 and 144-184 of bovine serum albumin with the exception of a tyrosine insertion between residues 155 and 156; consists of two chains with mw 5000 and 3400 for each chain Synonym: h-isp, insulin-stimulating protein (05 Dec 1998) |
| thyroid stimulating antibody | <endocrinology, immunology> Long acting thyroid stimulator is an autoantibody found in many cases of primary thyrotoxicosis which causes hyperplasia of the thyroid by undetermined mechanisms. Human thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin is a different antibody found in all or nearly all cases of primary thyrotoxicosis and may act by binding to the thyrotropin (TSH) receptor site, causing increased synthesis of thyroglobulin. (18 Nov 1997) |
| thyroid stimulating hormone | <endocrinology> Polypeptide hormone (28 kD), secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, that activates cyclic AMP production in thyroid cells leading to production and release of the thyroid hormones (T4 and T3). T4 and T3 blood levels feedback on the pituitary gland and decrease thyroid stimulating hormone production when T3 and T4 levels are high. (27 Sep 1997) |
| thyroid-stimulating hormone | thyroid stimulating hormone |
| thyroid-stimulating hormone stimulation test | TSH stimulating test, a test that measures the uptake of 131I in the thyroid gland before and after administration of thyroid-stimulating hormone; useful in distinguishing primary hyperthyroidism (increased TSH serum concentration) from secondary or tertiary hyperthyroidism (low TSH serum concentrations). (05 Mar 2000) |
| thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin | <protein> A test that measures the amount of an antibody (thyroid stimulating antibody) which is directed against a receptor for TSH on the thyroid gland. This antibody acts like TSH and stimulates the thyroid to produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. The presence of this antibody generally indicates Grave's disease (hyperthyroidism). (27 Sep 1997) |
| thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins | In Graves' disease, the antibodies to TSH receptors in the thyroid gland. These antibodies are produced by B-lymphocytes and stimulate the receptors, causing hyperthyroidism. Formerly known as LATS (long-acting thyroid stimulator). (05 Mar 2000) |
| follicle-stimulating hormone | <hormone> An acidic glycoprotein secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. In women, follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates the development of ovarian follicles (eggs) and stimulates the release of oestrogens. In men, follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates the production of sperm. Abnormal follicle-stimulating hormone levels may be seen in the following conditions: hypopituitarism, Klinefelter syndrome, polycystic ovary disease, Turner's syndrome and ovarian failure. Synonym: follitropin. Acronym: FSH (12 Sep 2002) |
| follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone | A decapeptide of hypothalamic origin capable of accelerating pituitary secretion of follitropin. Synonym: follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing factor, follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone. Origin: follicle-stimulating hormone + L. Libero, to free, + -in (05 Mar 2000) |