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mondofacto - Online Medical Dictionary Category: Health and Medicine > Medical Dictionary Date & country: 26/01/2008, UK Words: 116197

complement 5a, des-arginine
Complement 5a with the carboxy-terminal arginine removed. The arginine is rapidly cleaved from the c5a fragment during complement activation by carboxypeptidase b present in normal human serum. C5a des-arg shows complete loss of spasmogenic activity though it retains some chemotactic ability. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

complement 6
The sixth component in the complement reaction sequence. It is a beta-globulin with a sedimentation coefficient of 8.7 and a molecular weight of 120,000 at 60 micrograms/ml in serum. It may exist in a complex with c5 and c7 and is activated by the binding of c5. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

complement 7
The seventh component in the complement reaction sequence. It is a beta-globulin probably in a complex with c5 and c6 and is activated by c5. The attachment of c7 renders the cell susceptible to lysis. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

complement 8
The next to the last essential component for cell lysis in the complement reaction sequence. It is a gamma-globulin with a molecular weight of 150,000 and a sedimentation coefficient of 8. It is present in trace amounts in serum and can be inhibited, like complement 1, by cation chelators. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

complement 9
The last component in the complement reaction sequence. It is an alpha-globulin present in serum as a trace, with a molecular weight of 80,000 and a sedimentation coefficient of 4.5. For cell lysis, it can be replaced by a metal chelator. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

complement activating enzymes
<enzyme> Enzymes present in the complement system which activate one or more components in the system. ... Registry number: EC 3.- ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

complement activation
The sequential activation of serum components c1 through c9, initiated by an erythrocyte-antibody complex or by microbial polysaccharides and properdin, and producing an inflammatory response. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

complement binding assay
A test for the detection of immune complexes. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complement chemotactic factor
The activated complex of the fifth, sixth, and seventh components of complement (C567) which induces chemotaxis in the case of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complement cytolysis inhibitor
Synonym for clusterin ... <protein> Vertebrate glycoprotein of uncertain function. Secreted as a 400 amino acid peptide, then cleaved to form two 200 amino acid peptides that are linked by a disulphide bridge. ... Synonym: complement associated protein, complement cytolysis inhibitor, glycoprotein III. ... (11 Jan 1998) ...

complement factor h
<chemical> A beta-globulin that binds to complement 3b and makes ic3b (inactivated complement 3b) susceptible to cleavage by complement factor I. Complement factor h also acts as an alternative pathway complement inhibitor by interfering with the binding of properdin factor b to c3b. ... Chemical name: Complement factor H ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

complement factor I
<enzyme> Serine proteinase that acts on ic3b (inactivated complement 3b) to cleave it into c3c and c3dg with the help of a trypsin-like proteolytic enzyme. Complement factor I was formerly called kaf, c3binf, or enzyme 3b inactivator. ... Registry number: EC 3.4.21.45 ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

complement fixation
<immunology> Binding of complement as a result of its interaction with immune complexes (the classical pathway) or particular surfaces (alternative pathway). ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

complement fixation tests
Serologic tests based on inactivation of complement by the antigen-antibody complex (stage 1). Binding of free complement can be visualised by addition of a second antigen-antibody system such as red cells and appropriate red cell antibody (haemolysin) requiring complement for its completion (stage 2). Failure of the red cells to lyse indicates tha …

complement inactivators
Serum proteins which act at key sites in the complement sequence to modulate or prevent the progression of the reaction. Absence of these factors leads to uncontrolled activation of the complement system with accompanying disease. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

complement membrane attack complex
The assembly of complement plasma glycoproteins c5b, c6, c7, c8, and polymeric c9 as a group on biological membranes. The complex forms transmembrane channels which displace lipid molecules and other constituents, thus disrupting the phospholipid bilayer of target cells leading to cell lysis by osmotic leakage. The formation of the membrane attack …

complement pathway, alternative
The complement activation sequence initiated by the activation of complement factor c3, which is triggered by the interaction of microbial polysaccharides and properdin without participation of an antigen-antibody reaction. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

complement pathway, classical
The sequential activation of complement, initiated by antigen-antibody complex and the binding of complement factor c1q to the fc region of the antibody. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

complement system
A group of more than 20 serum proteins, some of which can be serially activated and participate in a cascade resulting in cell lysis. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complement unit
The smallest amount (highest dilution) of complement that will cause haemolysis of a unit of red blood cells in the presence of a haemolysin unit. ... Synonym: alexin unit. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complement-fixation reaction
Synonym for complement fixation ... <immunology> Binding of complement as a result of its interaction with immune complexes (the classical pathway) or particular surfaces (alternative pathway). ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

complement-fixation test
An immunological test for determining the presence of a particular antigen or antibody when one of the two is known to be present, based on the fact that complement is 'fixed' in the presence of antigen and its specific antibody. ... See: Bordet-Gengou phenomenon. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complement-fixing antibody
Antibody that combines with and sensitises antigen leading to the activation of complement, which may result in cell lysis. ... Synonym: CF antibody, sensitizing substance. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complemental air
Synonym for inspiratory reserve volume ... The extra volume of air that can be inspired with maximal effort after reaching the end of a normal, quiet inspiration. Common abbreviation is irv. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

complementarity
1. The degree of base-pairing (A opposite U or T, G opposite C) between two sequences of DNA and/or RNA molecules. ... 2. The degree of affinity, or fit, of antigen and antibody combining sites. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complementarity determining regions
That part of an antibody or T-cell receptor variable region that binds with antigen or antigen/major histocompatibility molecule. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complementary
Supplying a defect or helping to do so, making complete, accessory. ... Origin: L. Complere = to fill ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

complementary air
Synonym for inspiratory capacity ... The maximum volume of air that can be inspired after reaching the end of a normal, quiet expiration. It is the sum of the tidal volume and the inspiratory reserve volume. Common abbreviation is ic. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

complementary base pairing
<molecular biology> The pairing of complementary nucleotide bases (adenine and thymine, guanine and cytosine) to each other via hydrogen bonds from opposite strands of a double stranded nucleic acid (such as DNA or RNA), thereby holding the double-stranded nucleic acid together. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

complementary base pairs
<molecular biology> The crucial property of DNA is that the two strands are complementary: Guanine and cytosine are complementary and pair up through their hydrogen bonds, as are adenine and thymine that only form two hydrogen bonds. (adenine and uracil in RNA). ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

complementary colours
Pairs of different colours of light that produce white light when combined. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complementary DNA
<molecular biology> DNA that is synthesised from a messenger RNA template, the single-stranded form is often used as a probe in physical mapping to locate the gene or can be cloned in the double stranded form. ... Viral reverse transcriptase can be used to synthesise DNA that is complementary to RNA (for example an isolated mRNA). ... Acronym: …

complementary DNA cloning
<molecular biology, technique> A lab technique where a double-stranded cDNA molecule (or dscDNA) is inserted into a cloning vector (another DNA molecule which will continue to be capable of replication after insertion of foreign material), so that the gene encoded by the cDNA can be expressed (transcribed and used) or so many copies of the ge …

complementary DNA library
<molecular biology> A collection of all of the mRNA molecules present in a cell or organism, all turned into cDNA molecules with the enzyme reverse transcriptase, then inserted into vectors (other DNA molecules which can continue to replicate after addition of foreign DNA). The library can then be probed for the specific cDNA (and thus mRNA) …

complementary hypertrophy
Increase in size or expansion of part of an organ or tissue to fill the space left by the destruction of another portion of the same organ or tissue. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complementary medicine
A nonmainstream health care provided in addition or instead of standard medical practice. ... See: alternative medicine. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

complementary role
A role in which the behaviour pattern conforms with the expectations and demands of other people. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complementary sequence
<molecular biology> Nucleicacid base sequences that can form a double-stranded structure bymatching base pairs, the complementary sequence to G-T-A-C is C-A-T-G. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

complementary strand
See: replicative form. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complementary strands
<molecular biology> Two single strands of DNA in which the nucleotide sequence is such that they will bind as a result of base pairing throughout their full length. ... (05 Jan 1998) ...

complementary structures
Structures that define one another; e.g., the two strands of duplex DNA. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complementation
<cell biology> The ability of a mutant chromosome to restore normal function to a cell that has a mutation in the homologous chromosome when a hybrid or heterokaryon is formed the explanation being that the mutations are in different cistrons and between the two a complete set of normal information is present. ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

complementation-fixation test
<investigation> A test for the presence of antibodies in a serum, based on whether an antigen and complement, when put together with some red blood cells, are able to destroy them. If the red blood cells are destroyed, then antibodies were not present to prevent it. If the red blood cells are not destroyed, then antibodies were present to com …

complete A-V block
complete atrioventricular dissociation, complete A-V dissociation ...

complete abortion
The complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a foetus or embryo, complete expulsion of any other product of gestation. (e.g., hydatidiform mole). ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complete achromatopsia
Achromatopsia with absent colour vision, nystagmus, reduced visual acuity, and light aversion. ... Synonym: rod monochromatism, typical achromatopsia. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complete antibody
Synonym for saline agglutinin ... An antibody which causes agglutination of erythrocytes when they are suspended either in saline or in a protein medium. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complete antigen
Any antigen capable of stimulating the formation of antibody with which it reacts in vivo or in vitro, as distinguished from incomplete antigen (hapten). ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complete ascertainment
Method by which all families with at least one affected individual in a population are certain or have an equal chance of being identified by survey or an appropriate random sampling technique. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complete blood count
<haematology, investigation> The number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are present in the patients sample of blood is determined. most common test done on the blood. ... Acronym: CBC ... Synonym: full blood count. ... (16 Mar 1998) ...

complete cataract
Synonym for mature cataract ... A cataract in which both the nucleus and cortex are opaque. ... Synonym: complete cataract, ripe cataract. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complete cleavage
Synonym for holoblastic cleavage ... Cleavage in which the blastomeres are completely separated; the entire egg participates in cell division. ... Synonym: complete cleavage, total cleavage. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complete denture
A dental prosthesis which is a substitute for the lost natural dentition and associated structures of the maxillae or mandible. ... Synonym: full denture. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complete denture impression
An impression of an edentulous arch made for the purpose of constructing a complete denture, a negative registration of the entire denture-bearing, stabilizing area of either the maxillae or mandible, a negative registration of the entire denture foundation and border seal areas present in the edentulous mouth. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complete disinfectant
A disinfectant that kills both vegetative forms and spores. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complete endocardial cushion defect
<radiology> Arteriovenous canal components: low atrial septal defect (ostium primum), high VSD, cleft anterior leaflet of mitral valve, cleft septal leaflet of tricuspid valve, one AV valve common to RV and LV with 5-6 leaflets findings: 4-chamber enlargement (R greater than L), mitral insufficiency, associated with congestive heart failure a …

complete fistula
A fistula that is open at both ends. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complete hemianopia
Synonym for absolute hemianopia ... Hemianopsia in which the affected field is totally insensitive to all visual stimuli. ... Synonym: complete hemianopia. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complete hernia
An indirect inguinal hernia in which the contents extend into the tunica vaginalis. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complete hysterectomy
<procedure> Complete surgical removal of the uterus and cervix. Also called a total hysterectomy. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

complete iridoplegia
Paralysis of both the dilator and sphincter muscles of the iris. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complete medium
<cell culture> A growth medium which supplies all of the nutrients and organic compounds necessary for a microorganism to grow, without forcing the microorganism to synthesise anything it needs on its own. ... (05 Jan 1998) ...

complete metamorphosis
Insect development from egg, through successive larval instars, pupa, and adult; the latter is distinct from the first two forms of the insect, permitting specialization of feeding (larval) and reproductive-flying functions (adult); characteristic of the higher insect orders, such as Coleoptera (beetles), Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants), Diptera (t …

complete remission
<oncology> All symptoms and signs of disease are gone, although cancer cells may remain in the body. The patient does not feel any of the former symptoms and doctors cannot find clinical signs of the tumour. ... (05 Jan 1998) ...

complete response
<oncology> The disappearance of all clinical evidence of disease. Unfortunately, this does not necessarily mean cure, as microscopic metastases may remain undetected, are likely to regrow and become resistant to treatment. ... May also be used in relation to a pathological specimen, where no residual abnormality can be detected in the specimen …

complete tetanus
Tetanus in which stimuli to a particular muscle are repeated so rapidly that decrease of tension between stimuli cannot be detected. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complete transduction
Transduction in which the transferred genetic fragment is fully integrated in the genome of the recipient bacterium. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complex
Complicated, not simple. ... Origin: L. Complexus = woven together, encompassing ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

complex carbohydrate
<biochemistry> The combination of carbohydrates and fibre. ... (05 Jan 1998) ...

complex closure
<surgery, technique> A sutural repair that may involve multi-layered closure, debridement or advanced tissue repair (plasty). ... (05 Jan 1998) ...

complex febrile convulsion
A febrile convulsion that is prolonged (greater than 15 minutes' duration) or is associated with focal neurological deficits. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complex learning processes
Those process's that require the use of symbolic manipulations, as in reasoning. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complex liver mass in kids
<radiology> Epithelial, FNH (uncommon, F greater than M), hepatic adenoma (uncommon, F greater than M), hepatoma (increased aFP in 90%), hepatoblastoma (increased aFP, less than 2 years of age), mesenchymal, hamartoma, cavernous haemangioma, haemangioendothelioma, embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (obstructs common bile duct; less than 5 years of ag …

complex locus
A set of closely linked genetic loci with a common function, as in the major histocompatibility complex locus. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complex medium
<cell culture> A medium whose precise chemical composition is unknown. ... Compare: defined medium. ... (05 Jan 1998) ...

complex odontoma
<tumour> An odontoma in which the various odontogenic tissues are organised in a haphazard arrangement with no resemblance to teeth. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complex partial seizure
<neurology> Seizures with elaborate and multiple sensory, motor, and/or psychic components. ... A common feature is the clouding of consciousness and amnesia for the event. Some clinical manifestations may include more complex behaviours like burst of anger, emotional outbursts, fear or automatisms. The EEG often reveals spike discharges in th …

complex precipitated epilepsy
A form of reflex epilepsy initiated by specialised sensory stimuli, e.g., certain visual patterns. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complexin
<protein> Nerve terminal syntaxin binding proteins. Nature 375:647 ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

complexion
The colour, texture, and general appearance of the skin of the face. ... Origin: L. Complexio, a combination, (later) physical condition ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complexity
<molecular biology> The number of different sequences of base-pairs in a particular genome. ... (05 Jan 1998) ...

complexus
An obsolete term for semispinalis capitis muscle. ... Origin: L. An embracing, encircling ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

compliance
A physical quality of yielding to pressure or force without disruption, or an expression of the measure of the ability to do so, as an expression of the distensibility of an air- or fluid-filled organ, e.g., the lung (lung compliance) or the bladder, in terms of unit of volume change per unit of pressure change. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

compliance of bladder
Synonym for bladder compliance ... Relationship of volume to pressure; can be calculated from a cytometrogram's pressure volume curve. ... Synonym: compliance of bladder. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

compliance of heart
The reciprocal of passive or diastolic stiffness of the ventricle of the heart, most commonly of the left ventricle; one may distinguish between compliance of the muscle and compliance of the supportive structures, although ordinarily both are considered together (chamber compliance); a hypertrophied or scarred heart will manifest a stiff wall, i.e …

complicate
<plant biology> Of leaves, the lamina (or part of the lamina) folded upon itself. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

complicated
Made complex; denoting a disease upon which a morbid process or event has been superimposed, altering symptoms and modifying its course for the worse. ... Origin: L. Com-plico, pp. -atus, to fold together ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complicated cataract
Synonym for secondary cataract ... A cataract that accompanies or follows some other eye disease such as uveitis. ... Synonym: complicated cataract. ... A cataract occurring in the retained lens or capsule after a cataract extraction. ... Synonym: aftercataract. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complicated fracture
A fracture with significant soft tissue injury. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complicated migraine
A migraine attack during which an infarction of tissue takes place. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

complication
A term used to describe additional medical problems that develop following a procedure, treatment or illness. Complications are usually directly or indirectly related to a procedure (risk of the procedure), treatment (side effect or toxicity) or illness. ... Origin: L. Complicatio ... (29 Sep 1997) ...

component
<physiology> A constituent element or part, specifically in neurology, a series of neurons forming a functional system for conducting the afferent and efferent impulses in the somatic and splanchnic mechanisms of the body. ... (05 Jan 1998) ...

component E, glutamate mutase
<chemical> The large subunit of glutamate mutase; from clostridium tetanomorphum; has 485 amino acid residues; mw 53,708 da; has been sequenced ... Synonym: mute gene product, clostridium, mute protein, clostridium ... (26 Jun 1999) ...

component of complement
Any one of the nine distinct protein units (designated C1 through C9 and distributed in the a, b, and g electrophoretic partitions of normal serum) that effect the immunological activities long associated with complement. C1 is a complex of three subunits: C1q, C1r, and C1s. C1q (overbar indicates 'active form') activates proenzyme C1r to C1r which …

component of force
One of the factors from which a resultant force may be compounded or into which it may be resolved, one of the vectors into which a force may be resolved. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

component S, glutamate mutase
<chemical> Component s of the coenzyme b12-dependent glutamate mutase from clostridium cochlearium; mw 15 kD; amino acid sequence given in first source ... Synonym: glms gene product, muts gene product (clostridium) ... (26 Jun 1999) ...

components of mastication
The various jaw movements that are made during the act of mastication, as determined by the neuromuscular system, the temporomandibular articulations, the teeth, and the food being chewed; divided, for purposes of analysis or description, into opening, closing, left lateral, right lateral, and anteroposterior component's. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

components of occlusion
The various factors involved in occlusion, such as the temporomandibular joint, the associated neuromusculature, the teeth, and the denture-supporting structures. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

compos mentis
Of sound mind; usually used in its opposite form, non compos mentis. ... Origin: L. Possessed of one's mind; compos, having control, + mens(ment-), mind ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

composite
A colloquial term for resin materials used in restorative dentistry. ... Origin: L. Compositus, put together, fr. Compono, to put together ... (05 Mar 2000) ...