Category: G
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Glycosylated haemoglobin
This forms a small proportion of the total haemoglobin in the blood. It is different from the major component of haemoglobin in having a glucose group attached. The rate of synthesis of HbA1 is a governed by the blood-glucose concentration, and since it accumulates throughout the life span of the red blood cell normally 120…
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Globin
A protein which, when it combines with haem, forms haemoglobin the molecule found in the red blood cell that carries oxygen and carbon dioxide. This protein binds with specific iron-containing compounds to produce oxygen-transporting pigments, such as haemoglobin, found in red blood cells, and myoglobin, which resides in muscle tissue.
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Gliobastoma
A type of brain tumour arising from tissue. It grows rapidly, destroying brain cells and causing a progressive loss of brain function. The patient suffers from headache as a result of raised intracranial pressure, eventually vomiting regularly and becoming increasingly drowsy. The prognosis is poor and palliative treatment is required as surgical removal, radiotherapy and…
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Genito-urinary medicine
The branch of medicine that deals with the effects of sexually transmitted diseases on the urinary tract, reproductive system and other systems in the body. The specialty overlaps with gynaecology (women’s urinary and reproductive systems) and urology (men’s urinary and reproductive system). The field of medicine that deals with sexually transmitted infections and their impact…
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Gemeprost
A prostaglandin drug administered vaginally as pessaries for the medical induction of late therapeutic abortion. Gemeprost also softens the cervix before surgical abortion, being particularly useful for women in their first pregnancy. Prostaglandins induce contractions of the uterus while keeping blood loss to a minimum.
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Gammexane
The proprietary name for a synthetic insecticide which is a formulation of benzene hexachloride. It is active against a large range of insects and pests, including mosquitoes, fleas, lice, cockroaches, house-flies, clothes moths, bed-bugs, ants, and grain pests.
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Guardian of the person
A guardian who has the authority to make personal decisions concerning the incompetent (mental) person, such as those regarding health care. Usually, the guardian of the person does not control the finances of the incompetent person.
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Guardian ad litem
A guardian appointed by a court to represent the interests of a minor or incompetent person during a lawsuit or other court proceeding. A guardian ad litem normally has no authority over the person or property of the ward. In cases of child abuse, a guardian for the child appointed by the court to protect…
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Gross domestic product
The market value of all goods and services produced by labor and property within the U.S. during a particular period of time. Income from overseas operations of a domestic corporation would not be included in the GDP, but activities carried on within U.S. borders by a foreign company would be. The GDP measures how the…
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Germ line gene therapy
The repair or replacement of a defective gene by a technique which is permanent, that is, the change produced by the therapy will be inherited by offspring.