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Superantigen
Superantigen An antigen that interacts with the T cell receptor in a domain outside of the antigen recognition site. This type of interaction induces the activation of larger numbers of T cells compared to antigens that are presented in the antigen recognition site.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Antigen
A substance which, when present in animal tissue, stimulates the production of antibodies
Cell
Fundamental structural unit of all life. The cell consists primarily of an outer plasma membrane, which separates it from the environment; the genetic material (DNA), which encodes heritable information for the maintainance of life; and the cytoplasm, a heterogeneous assemblage of ions, molecules, and fluid.
Receptor
A molecule that recognizes a unique hormone. Once that hormone is bound to the receptor, the information carried by the hormone can now exert its biological action.
Domain
compact segment of an immunoglobulin molecule, made up of about 110 amino acids around an S-S bond, and encoded by a unique segment of DNA, surrounded by nontranslated sequences.
Antigens
Substances that cause an immune response in the body. The body "sees" the antigens as harmful or foreign. To fight them, the body produces antibodies, which attack and try to eliminate the antigens.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Superego
In psychoanalytic theory, that part of the personality structure associated with ethics, standards, and self-criticism. It is formed by identification with important and esteemed persons in early life, particularly parents. The supposed or actual wishes of these significant persons are taken over as part of the child's own standards to help form the conscience.
Superficial Thrombophlebitis
A clot in a superficial vein, just under the skin.
Superinfection
Sudden growth of a different type of bacteria than the type originally diagnosed and treated. This is a common cause of treatment failure because the new type of bacteria is often resistant to first-line antibiotics.
Superior
The anatomical term for "above". i.e. the head is superior to the shoulder. Typically used in humans only. See Cranial/Caudal/Inferior.
Superior colliculus
A nucleus in the midbrain that coordinate visual, somatic and auditory information adjusting movements of the head and eyes towards a stimulus. contains four types of maps, a visual map, a map of the body surface, a map for sound in space and a motor map. Receives inputs from the retina (via the optic tract), the visual cortex, the somatosensory system and auditory systems. Mediates saccadic eye movements. Is the source of two major descending tracts, the tectospinal tract and the tectopontine tract in addition to regions of the brain stem controlling eye movements.
Superior temporal polysensory area (STP)
Area of monkey cortex. Virtually all cells respond to visual stimuli but some also activated by somatosensory and auditory input. Large receptive fields covering most of the visual field with no visuotopic order. Show radial or opponent direction selectivity. Some cells have fields responding to motion either towards the area centralis or away from it. Others show selective responses for object moving in depth, producing either looming or contracting pattern of motion in the field. Seem to be sensitive to information about peripheral optic flow.
Superior vena cava
The large vein that returns blood to the heart from the head and arms.
Superiority trial
A trial with the primary objective of showing that the response to the product is superior to a comparative agent (active or placebo control).
Supernumerary tooth
Extra tooth.
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Scarification
The making of a number of superficial incisions in the skin. It is the technique used to administer tularemia and smallpox vaccines.
Septic shock
1. shock associated with sepsis, usually associated with abdominal and pelvic infection complicating trauma or operations; 2. shock associated with septicemia caused by Gram-negative bacteria.
Sequela
A condition following as a consequence of a disease.
Soman
An extremely potent cholinesterase inhibitor, similar to sarin and tabun.
Sterile abscess
An abscess whose contents are not caused by pyogenic bacteria.
Superantigen
Screening
Testing for disease in people without symptoms.
Silicosis
A form of chronic lung disease which develops after prolonged exposure to silica (quartz) dust.
SV40
Simian Virus 40, a monkey virus that contaminated the polio vaccine administered to 98 million Americans from 1955 to 1963, and has been associated with a number of rare human cancers. One controversial theory links SV40 to mesothelioma.
Safety
relative freedom from harm; in clinical trials, this refers to an absence of harmful side effects resulting from use of the product and may be assessed by laboratory testing of biological samples, special tests and procedures, psychiatric evaluation, and/or physical examination of subjects.
Safety and tolerability
The safety of a medical product concerns the medical risk to the subject, usually assessed in a clinical trial by laboratory tests (including clinical chemistry and haematology), vital signs, clinical adverse events (diseases, signs and symptoms), and other special safety, tests (for example, ECGs opthamology). The tolerability of the medical product represents the degree to which overt adverse effects can be tolerated by the subject
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