Proto Health Dictionary

The lowest division of the animal kingdom, including unicellular or acellular organisms with a eukaryotic structure.... protozoa

The viscid, translucent, glue-like material containing ?ne granules and composed mainly of proteins, which makes up the essential material of plant and animal cells and has the properties of life.... protoplasm

A gene in a cell that regulates cell growth and development in an orderly fashion. If a protooncogene mutates, it can give rise to cancer by causing growth without the normal controls. The proto-oncogene is then called an oncogene.... proto-oncogene

A key enzyme system in the parietal cells of the mucosal lining of the stomach: hydrogen ions are produced which acidify the stomach’s secretions and convert pepsinogen to PEPSIN, an active participant in the digestion of food.... proton pump

These are drugs that inhibit the production of acid in the stomach by blocking a key enzyme system, known as the PROTON PUMP, of the parietal cells of the stomach. The drugs include omeprazole, lansoprazole and pantoprazole, and they are the treatment of choice for oesophagitis (erosion and stricture – see under OESOPHAGUS, DISEASES OF); for the short-term treatment for gastric ulcer (see under STOMACH, DISEASES OF) and DUODENAL ULCER; and, in combination with ANTIBIOTICS, for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori.... proton-pump inhibitors

Standards or practices developed to assist health care providers and older persons to make and effect decisions about particular steps in the treatment process.... protocol

The scolex of a larval stage of the hydatid tapeworm. Morphologically it resembles the adult scolex.... protoscolex

Remedies that inhibit the action of protozoa, a class of single-celled microscopic animals. Ipecacuanha, Peruvian bark. ... anti-protozoals

n. the short period in the cardiac cycle between the end of systole and the closure of the *aortic valve marking the start of diastole.... protodiastole

a drug that reduces gastric acid secretion by blocking the *proton pump. Proton-pump inhibitors include esomeprazole, lansoprazole, *omeprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole sodium; they are used for treating gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer, and acid hypersecretion associated with *gastrinoma.... proton-pump inhibitor

a type of radiotherapy that uses a beam of protons. These charged particles are produced by a *cyclotron and penetrate only a predictable distance into the body depending on the proton energy. This is the radiotherapy treatment of choice for many childhood cancers, particularly brain and spinal tumours, as it can avoid more normal tissue and reduce the risk of long-term complications (including secondary malignancy) compared with photon (X-ray) beams.... proton therapy

adj. describing the ability to perceive only strong stimuli of pain, heat, etc. Compare epicritic.... protopathic

n. a bacterial or plant cell without its cell wall.... protoplast

the most common type of *porphyrin found in nature. It is a constituent of haemoglobin, myoglobin, most of the cytochromes, and the commoner chlorophylls.... protoporphyrin ix

n. a microorganism of the group *protozoa.... protozoan

n. the study of *protozoa.... protozoology