Biological Response Modifier: From 1 Different Sources
(BRM) a therapeutic agent, such as *interferon or *interleukin, that influences the body’s defence mechanisms to act against infection and disease. In small amounts, these substances are produced naturally by the body; larger doses have been genetically developed for use against rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis, and cancer (especially melanoma and renal cancer).
Use of natural, indigenous predators or organisms to control medically important insects.... biological control
The use of living organisms – or infectious agents derived from them – to disable or kill men, animals or plants in the pursuit of war. Such warfare, along with chemical warfare, was condemned in 1925 by the Geneva Convention, and the United Nations has endorsed this policy. Even so, some countries have experimented with possible biological agents, including those causing ANTHRAX and BOTULISM, with the intention of delivering them by land, sea or water-based missiles. These developments have prompted other countries to search for ways of annulling the lethal consequences of biological warfare.... biological warfare
The number of completed or returned survey instruments (questionnaires, interviews, etc) divided by the total number of persons who would have been surveyed if all had participated. Usually expressed as a percentage.... response rate
Stimulation of the retina of the EYE with light causes changes in the electrical activity of the cerebral cortex (see BRAIN). These changes can be measured from outside the skull and can give valuable information about the state of the visual pathway from the retinal ganglion cells to the occipital cortex. Not only can it determine that function is normal, it can also help to diagnose some causes of poor VISION.... visual evoked response
A popular term for the inherent timing mechanism that supposedly controls physiological processes and cycles in living organisms. (See also biorhythms.)... biological clock
Arousal of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system in response to fear but which also occurs in anxiety disorders. Adrenaline (epinephrine), noradrenaline (norepinephrine), and other hormones are released from the adrenal glands and nervous system, leading to a raised heart-rate, pupil dilation, and increased blood flow to the muscles. These effects make the body more efficient in either fighting or fleeing the apparent danger.... fight-or-flight response
(ABR audiometry, brainstem evoked response audiometry, BSER) an objective test of hearing that measures the electrical activity in the auditory nerve and *brainstem following sound stimulation using repeated clicks or brief tones.... auditory brainstem response audiometry
(ASSR) an objective test of hearing that measures the electrical activity in the auditory nerve and *brainstem following sound stimulation using a modulated continuous tone.... auditory steady state response
any treatment that facilitates the ability of the immune system to fight disease, as opposed to acting directly against the disease (compare chemotherapy; radiotherapy). Such treatments, most commonly used for cancer and rheumatic disease, include *biological response modifiers, *immunotherapy, *monoclonal antibodies, *cytokine inhibitors and modulators, and *targeted agents.... biological therapy
see auditory brainstem response audiometry.... brainstem evoked response audiometry
(CERA) an objective test of hearing that measures the electrical activity in the *cerebral cortex following sound stimulation.... cortical evoked response audiometry
... immuno- combining form denoting immunity or immunological response.
n. the way in which the body or part of the body reacts to a *stimulus. For example, a nerve impulse may produce the response of a contraction in a muscle that the nerve supplies.... response
a form of *behaviour therapy given for severe *obsessions. Patients are encouraged to abstain from rituals and repetitive acts while they are in situations that arouse anxiety. For example, a hand-washing ritual might be treated by stopping washing while being progressively exposed to dirt. The anxiety then declines, and with it the obsessions.... response prevention
see shock.... systemic inflammatory response
Health Encyclopedia