Macr-/macro Health Dictionary

This is a mature form of what is released from the marrow as a monocyte. A macrophage lives long, can digest much detritus, and is able to wear particles of odd food on its outer membrane. This allows T-cell and B-cell Iymphocytes to taste the particle (an epitope) and form an antibody response. Further, these macrophages, traveling as monocytes, will take up permanent residence in many tissues, providing them with immunity. They line the spleen, form the cleansing Kupffer cells in the liver, make up the “dust cells” that protect the lungs, protect the synovial fluids of the joints, and form the microglial cells that provide protection to the brain and nerve tissues. On and on, the macrophages clean up messes and acting as the intermediates between innate and acquired immunity.... macrophage

An abnormally large TONGUE.... macroglossia

Macrocyte is an unusually large red blood cell (see ERYTHROCYTES) especially characteristic of the blood in PERNICIOUS ANAEMIA.... macrocyte

This condition is particularly associated with PERNICIOUS ANAEMIA but can also be caused by a number of other things, such as alcohol, pregnancy, myxoedema (see THYROID GLAND, DISEASES OF – Hypothyroidism) and MYELOMATOSIS, and also by vitamin B12 de?ciency: this occurs sometimes in vegans (see VEGANISM) as well as in patients with CROHN’S DISEASE.... macrocytosis

Condition in which objects appear larger than normal. It can be due to disease of the MACULA

– see also EYE.... macropsia

Lindl.

Ayurvedic: Taruni-Kantaka (non- classical). (Flowers—crimson or pink.)

Unani: Chini Gulaab.

Folk: Kaantaa-Gulaab.

Action: Hips—applied to wounds, injuries, sprains and foul ulcers.

R. chinensis Jacq. and R. borboni- ana Desp. are synonyms of Rosa indica, found and cultivated throughout India. This variety is also known as Edward Rose or Kat Gulaab.... rosa macrophylla

(Roxb.) G. Don.

Synonym: C. fragrans (Moon) Alston.

Family: Apocynaceae.

Habitat: Dense moist forests throughout India up to 1,500 m altitude.

English: Wood Vine.

Ayurvedic: Used in the Southern states as Muurvaa.

Action: Powdered root and stems— laxative, antibilious.

A lignan derivative has been isolated from the stem. It accelerated uptake of low density lipoprotein by Hep G2 cell by 67.0%.

The root bark contains 3.03% of total alkaloids consisting mainly of chonemorphine. Chonemorphine di- hydrochloride is an anti-amoebic principle. It showed in vitro activity against Entamoeba histolytica and trichomo- nas vaginalis. It proved efficacious against hepatic amoebiasis in golden hamsters and intestinal amoebiasis in Wister rats.... chonemorpha macrophylla

Benth.

Synonym: J. dolomiacea Boiss.

Family: Compositae; Asteraceae.

Habitat: The Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon.

Ayurvedic: Jaatukanda, Gugguluka.

Folk: Guugal, Dhuup.

Action: Roots—used as incense. Stimulant, given in colic, also in fever after child birth. Bruised roots are applied to eruptions.

The alcoholic extract of the root inhibits about 50% growth of NK65 strain of Plasmodium berghei at a dose of 2 g/kg per day in 4 days.... jurinea macrocephala

Roxb.

Family: Vitaceae.

Habitat: Throughout hotter parts of India.

Ayurvedic: Hastikanda, Hasti-karna Palaasha; Kekidandaa.

Folk: Hatkan, Dholsamudra, Haath, Kaan.

Action: Astringent, anodyne, styptic, antiseptic. Root tubers— astringent, mucilaginous; applied to wounds and sores; used for ringworm and guineaworm.... leea macrophylla

A group of ANTIBIOTICS. The original macrolide, ERYTHROMYCIN, was discovered in the early 1950s and used successfully as an alternative to PENICILLIN. The name ‘macrolide’ derives from the molecular structure of this group, three others of which are clarithromycin, azithromycin and spiramycin. Macrolides check PROTEIN synthesis in BACTERIA and the latest ones are, like erythromycin, active against several bacterial species including gram-positive COCCI and rods. In addition, they act against Haemophilus in?uenzae. Clarithromycin is potent against Helicobacter pylori; azithromycin is e?ective against infections caused by Legionella spp. (see LEGIONNAIRE’S DISEASE) and GONOCOCCI. Spiramycin is a restricted-use macrolide prescribed for pregnant patients with TOXOPLASMOSIS.... macrolides

Vasudevan.

Family: Menyanthaceae.

Habitat: South India.

Folk: Granthik Tagar.

Action: Sedative, antispasmodic. Used in neurological disorders and colic.

Stalks and leaves—pounded with oil and applied to ulcers.

See Limnanthemum cristatum Griseb.... nymphoides macrospermum

A dietary system in which foods with a balance of yin and yang are eaten. Foods are classified as yin or yang depending on factors such as their colour, texture, and taste.... macrobiotics

Wight.

Family: Hippocrateaceae; Celas- traceae.

Habitat: The Western Ghats, from Konkan southwards.

Folk: Lendaphala (Maharashtra), Anakoranti (Kerala).

Action: Root—decoction is given after parturition. Leaves—applied to eczema.

A decoction of the roots of S. grandiflora Kurz, synonym S. longifolia Hook. (the Andamans) and S. macrophylla Blume, synonym S.flavescens Kurz and S. ovalis M. Laws. (Konkan and the An- damans) is also given after parturition.... salacia macrosperma

A plant-based diet with small amounts of poultry, fish or meat for non- vegetarians. A return to the traditional diet of local natural foods as found in some primitive communities and which is believed to increase immunity against degenerative diseases of the civilised world.

The average macrobiotic diet is made up approximately of the proportions: whole grains 45 per cent; vegetables 25 per cent; beans, legumes and seeds 10 per cent; nuts 5 per cent; fruit 5 per cent; seaweeds 5 per cent; poultry 2.5 per cent; fish 2.5 per cent.

Whole grains: wheat, barley, rye, oats, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, corn. Vegetables: green leaves and roots – grown organically. Beans, legumes and seeds: all beans, aduki, lentils, chickpeas. Seeds: sesame, sunflower, etc. Seaweeds: hiziki, wakama, dulse, Carragheen moss, kelp. Very low sugar. Moderate fats and oils. ... diet - macrobiotic

A class of antibiotic drugs used to treat a wide range of infections including those of the ear, nose, throat, respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and skin.

Common macrolides include azithromycin and erythromycin.... macrolide drugs

(macro-) combining form denoting large size. Example: macrencephaly (abnormally enlarged brain).... macr

(megalocephaly) n. abnormal largeness of the head in relation to the rest of the body. Compare microcephaly.... macrocephaly

n. hypertrophy of the lips: a congenital condition in which the lips are abnormally large. Compare microcheilia.... macrocheilia

n. abnormally large size of one or more of the fingers or toes.... macrodactyly

(megadontia, megalodontia) n. a condition in which the teeth are unusually large. Macrodontia may be true generalized (all the teeth are larger than normal), relative generalized (all teeth appear larger than normal, usually because the jaw is abnormally small), or localized (affecting a single tooth or teeth in one part of the mouth).... macrodontia

n. the nonmotile female sex cell of the malarial parasite (Plasmodium) and other protozoans. The macrogamete is similar to the ovum of animals and larger than the male sex cell (see microgamete).... macrogamete

n. a cell that undergoes meiosis to form mature female sex cells (macrogametes) of the malarial parasite (see Plasmodium). Macrogametocytes are found in human blood but must be ingested by a mosquito before developing into macrogametes.... macrogametocyte

n. excessive bodily growth with marked enlargement of the genitalia. Macrogenitosoma praecox is a variant occurring in early childhood.... macrogenitosoma

n. one of the two basic classes of *glia (the non-nervous cells of the central nervous system), divided into *astrocytes and *oligodendrocytes. Compare microglia.... macroglia

n. 1. (immunoglobulin M, IgM) a protein of the globulin series that is present in the blood and functions as an antibody, forming an effective first-line defence against bacteria in the bloodstream. See also immunoglobulin. 2. an abnormal form of IgM (see paraprotein) produced by *lymphoma cells or in other plasma-cell disorders, such as multiple *myeloma.... macroglobulin

n. the presence in the blood of excessive amounts of *macroglobulin (IgM), produced by a malignant proliferation of the lymphocytes in certain *lymphomas. See Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia.... macroglobulinaemia

n. a condition in which one or both jaws are abnormally large. It can be associated with pituitary *gigantism, tumours, and other disorders. It can often be corrected with surgery.... macrognathia

n. abnormally large size of the arms or legs. Compare micromelia.... macromelia

n. an abnormal form of any of the cells (*normoblasts) that form a series of precursors of red blood cells. Macronormoblasts are unusually large but have normal nuclei (compare megaloblast); they are seen in certain anaemias in which red cell production is impaired.... macronormoblast

n. a physiologically inactive form of the hormone prolactin, bound to immunoglobulin G to create a much bigger molecule. It is found in a small proportion of people but is important because some laboratory assays will detect it as prolactin, leading to a falsely elevated prolactin level in the blood and a misdiagnosis of hyperprolactinaemia (see prolactin).... macroprolactin

adj. visible to the naked eye. Compare microscopic.... macroscopic

n. abnormally large size. In fetal macrosomia the baby is large for its gestational age. This condition is associated with poorly controlled maternal diabetes, the increased size being due to excessive production of fetal insulin and thence to increased deposition of glycogen in the fetus, and maternal obesity.... macrosomia

n. a congenital deformity of the external ear in which the *pinna is larger than normal.... macrotia

(lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma) a type of low-grade relatively slow-growing non-Hodgkin’s *lymphoma characterized by enlarged lymph nodes and high levels of abnormal IgM (*macroglobulin) in the blood (see macroglobulinaemia). [J. G. Waldenstrom (1906–96), Swedish physician]... waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia