Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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MBC
Minimum bacterial concentration – the lowest concentration of antibiotic required to kill an organism.
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Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)
A member of a group of enzymes that can break down proteins, such as collagen, that are normally found in the spaces between cells in tissues (i.e., extracellular matrix proteins). Matrix metalloproteinases are involved in wound healing, angiogenesis, and tumour cell metastasis. A family of enzymes that contain the zinc metal ion (Zn²+) at their…
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Mastitis
A bacterial infection of the breast which usually occurs in breastfeeding mothers. Inflammatory disease of the breast, or mammary gland. A milk-borne disease characterized by inflammation of the breast and most common in women during lactation. The two types are (a) interstitial, which is inflammation of the glandular substance of the breast and (b) stagnation,…
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Masticatory
A substance chewed to increase salivation. Also called sialogue.
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Mastectomy
Surgery to remove a breast. The types are a. simple: removal of the breast; b. modified radical: removal of the breast and some axillary lymph nodes, and c. radical: removal of the breast axillary lymph nodes and pectoral muscles. Surgical removal of one or both breasts to remove a malignant tumor. A mastectomy is some¬…
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Marasmus
Is one of the three forms of serious protein-energy malnutrition. An old term still in common use in Anglophone developing countries. The adjective (marasmic) described abnormally small and thin infants. As noun and adjective the term was later used by nutritionists to define a weight less than 60% of the reference mean weight for age.…
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MAPK (Mitogen-activated protein kinase)
These kinases are strongly activated in cells subjected to osmotic stress, UV radiation, disregulated K+ currents, RNA-damaging agents, and a multitude of other stresses, as well as inflammatory cytokines, endotoxin, and withdrawal of a trophic factor. The stress-responsive MAPKs mediate a plethora of cellular responses to such stressful stimuli, including apoptosis and production of inflammatory…
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MAO activity
Monoamine oxidase activity.
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Manganese
Is an essential element for heath. It is an important constituent of some enzymes and an activator of other enzymes in physiologic processes. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is the principal antioxidant enzyme in the mitochondria. Manganese-activated enzymes play important roles in the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, and cholesterol. Manganese is the preferred cofactor of…
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Mammogram
An x-ray of the breast to detect tumours. A low-dose x-ray that is used to detect abnormalities of the breast. The X-ray image produced by a mammography that details the structure of the breast. A picture of a breast made using a special X-ray technique. X-ray film of the soft tissue of the breast. An…
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