| acute-phase reaction | <immunology, rheumatology> Refers to the changes in synthesis of certain proteins within the serum during an inflammatory response, which provides rapid protection for the host against microorganisms via non-specific defense mechanisms. It consists of fever, an increase in inflammatory humoral factors, and an increased synthesis by hepatocytes of a number of proteins or glycoproteins usually found in the plasma; the reaction is mediated by endogenous pyrogens, the hypothalamus, adrenal hormones, and other factors. (12 Jul 2000) |
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| acute situational reaction | An acute emotional reaction related to extreme environmental stress. Synonym: acute situational reaction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| acute stress reaction | A sudden bout of anxiety that is often accompanied by the features of hyperventilation (tingling around mouth and in fingertips, rapid breathing, faintness or fainting). (27 Sep 1997) |
| addition reaction | <chemistry> Any reaction in which two chemicals combine to form a single chemical. (15 Jan 1998) |
| adverse drug reaction reporting systems | Systems developed for collecting reports from government agencies, manufacturers, hospitals, physicians, and other sources on adverse drug reactions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| adverse reaction | Any undesirable or unwanted consequence of a preventive, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedure or regimen. (05 Mar 2000) |
| agar-gel reaction | <immunology> The reaction between an antibody and an antigen during an immunology lab procedure where the two are allowed to diffuse toward each other through an agar-gel medium. Lines of precipitation form in the places on the gel where the two react with each other and shows where the reaction has occurred. (09 Oct 1997) |
| alarm reaction | The various phenomena, e.g., stimulated endocrine activity, which the body exhibits as an adaptive response to injury or stress; first phase of the general adaptation syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aldehyde reaction | The reaction of the indole derivatives with aromatic aldehydes; e.g., tryptophan and p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde in H2SO4 give a red-violet colour useful in assaying proteins for tryptophan content. Synonym: Ehrlich reaction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alkaline reaction | Any test by which an alkaline reaction is recognised, such as the change of red litmus paper to blue, an excess of hydroxide ions over hydrogen ions in aqueous solution as indicated by a pH value greater than 7 (at 22캜). Compare: dissociation constant of water. Synonym: basic reaction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| allergic reaction | <immunology> The bodys response to an allergic stimulus. This can be localised to one area or generalised and may include: rash, itching, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, and/or low blood pressure. (27 Sep 1997) |
| amphoteric reaction | A double reaction possessed by certain fluids which have a combination of acid and alkaline properties. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anamnestic reaction | Augmented production of an antibody due to previous response of the subject to stimulus by the same antigen. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anaphylactic reaction | <immunology> A serious, often life-threatening allergic reaction that is characterised by low blood pressure, shock (poor tissue perfusion) and difficulty breathing. (27 Sep 1997) |
| anaplerotic reaction | <biochemistry> An enzyme-catalysed chemical reaction that recharges the supply of intermediate molecules in various metabolic reactions such asthe citric acid cycle. (09 Oct 1997) |