Poly: From 2 Different Sources
A prefix meaning many or much.
combining form denoting 1. many; multiple. 2. excessive. 3. generalized; affecting many parts.
The immature life-cycle form of a jellyfish (or other cnidarian) which is attached to a substrate. Tumour projecting from mucosal surface.... polyp
1 The administration of many drugs at the same time. 2 The administration of an excessive number of drugs.... polypharmacy
Excess urination. The excreted wastes may stay unchanged but they are dissolved in a far higher volume of water. The causes range from diabetes, kidney disease, elevated thyroid function and the aftermath of diuretic-treated heart failure to booting a half keg of generic beer at a frat blowout... polyuria
Also known as periarteritis nodosa. A rare but potentially serious disease, probably caused by a disturbance of the immune system (see IMMUNITY). Prolonged fever and obscure symptoms referable to any system of the body are associated with local areas of in?ammation along the arteries, giving rise to nodules in their walls. Large doses of CORTICOSTEROIDS, coupled with IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT treatment, usually curtail the disorder. Recovery occurs in about 50 per cent of cases.... polyarteritis nodosa
Inflammation in several joints. Common features of a number of arboviral infections (e.g. Ross River virus and Barmah Forrest virus infections).... polyarthritis
Excessive thirst, which is a symptom of DIABETES MELLITUS and some other diseases.... polydipsia
A form of rheumatism characterised by gross early-morning sti?ness, which tends to ease o? during the day, and pain in the shoulders and sometimes around the hips. It affects women more than men, and is rare under the age of 60. The cause is still obscure. It responds well to PREDNISOLONE, but treatment may need to be long continued. On the other hand the condition is not progressive and does not lead to disability.... polymyalgia rheumatica
A connective-tissue disease affecting the muscles throughout the body. This rare disorder, which is associated with DERMATOMYOSITIS, may be acute or chronic but it usually affects the muscles of the shoulders or hip areas. The muscles weaken and are tender to the touch. Di?use in?ammatory changes occur and symptomatic relief may be obtained with CORTICOSTEROIDS.... polymyositis
A molecule in which several AMINO ACIDS are joined together by peptide bonds. PROTEIN molecules are polypeptides.... polypeptide
Also polychromatophilia; terms applied to an abnormal reaction of the red blood cells in severe ANAEMIA. They have a bluish tinge instead of the normal red colour in a blood ?lm stained by the usual method. It is a sign that the cell is not fully developed.... polychromasia
The presence of extra, or supernumerary, ?ngers or toes.... polydactyly
One of several GENES that between them control a single characteristic in an individual. With each polygene exerting a slight e?ect, the genetic outcome is the consequence of ‘group action’. The hereditary characteristics produced in this way are usually those of a quantitative type – for instance, an individual’s height.... polygene
(Diminutive of polymorphonuclear leucocyte.) A name applied to certain white corpuscles of the blood which have a nucleus of irregular and varied shape. These form between 70 and 75 per cent of all the white corpuscles. (See BLOOD.)... polymorph
Wide varieties of form of a species.... polymorphism
An in?ammatory condition of nerves in various parts of the body. (See NEURITIS.)... polyneuritis
The presence of a crop, or large number, of polypi (see POLYPUS). The most important form of polyposis is that known as familial polyposis coli. This is a hereditary disease characterised by the presence of large numbers of polypoid tumours in the large bowel. Every child born to an affected parent stands a ?fty-?fty chance of developing the disease. Its importance is that sooner or later one or more of these tumours undergoes cancerous change. If the affected gut is removed surgically before this occurs, and preferably before the age of 20, the results are excellent.... polyposis
A CARBOHYDRATE comprising several monosaccharides linked in long chains. Polysaccharides store energy – as starch in plants and glycogen in animals – and they also form the structural parts of plants (as cellulose) and animals (as mucopolysaccharides).... polysaccharide
See ovary, polycystic.... polycystic ovary
(PCR) A method of rapidly copying DNA sequences so that they can be analysed.... polymerase chain reaction
Disease common in Australia and caused by the Ross River Virus, an arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes.... epidemic polyarthritis
See POLYCHROMASIA.... polychromatophilia
An inherited disease in which the KIDNEYS contain many cysts. These grow in size until normal kidney tissue is largely destroyed. Cysts may also occur in other organs such as the liver. In adults, the disease will cause HYPERTENSION and kidney failure. There is also a juvenile form. There is no e?ective treatment, although symptoms can be alleviated by DIALYSIS and sometimes kidney transplant (see TRANSPLANTATION).... polycystic disease of the kidney
Antifungal agents that include AMPHOTERICIN (given by intravenous injection in the treatment of systemic ASPERGILLOSIS) and NYSTATIN, applied topically for fungus infection of the skin, mouth and other mucous membranes.... polyenes
R.Br.Family: Polygonaceae.English: Throughout warmer parts of India in moist areas, ascending to 2,100 m in the Himalayas.Ayurvedic: Sarpaakshi (a confusing synonym).... polygonum plebeium
(Greek) In mythology, the muse of sacred songs and dance Polyhymniah, Polymnia, Polymniah... polyhymnia
Linn.
Family: Polygonaceae.
Habitat: Throughout India in wet places.
English: Water Pepper, Pepperwort, Smartweed.
Folk: Paakur-muula, Paani-maricha (Bengal).
Action: Haemostatic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, lithotriptic, emmenagogue (used as infusion for delayed menses and amenorrhoea), antifungal (root and leaf used externally). Contraindicated during pregnancy.
The herb contains sesquiterpenes, including warburganal and polygodial, in the leaves; polygonal, isodrimeni- nol, isopolygodial and confertifolin in the seeds; and flavonoids including quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin and rhamnesin; polygonolide (an iso- coumarin).Isoquercitrin exhibited significant anti-oxidative activity. Polygodial and warburganal possess significant an- tifungal property. Warburganal also possesses potent cytotoxic and antibiotic activity. (The herb is used against cancer.)
Folk: Muniyaaraa (Bihar), Raani- phool, Macheti, Dubiaa Saaga.
Action: Galactogenic, antidiar- rhoeal. Powdered herb is given in pneumonia.
The whole plant yields 11% tannin. The rootstock contains oxymethylan- thraquinone.Flowers gave oleanolic acid, betulin- ic acid, epi-friedelanol, beta-sitosterol, and flavonoids—quercetin, quercetin- 3-arabinoside and quercetin-3-rutino- side.... polygonum hydropiper
A group of antibiotics derived from various species of Bacillus polymyxa. One variety, colistin, is used to sterilise the bowels before surgery as it is not absorbed when given by mouth. The drugs are sometimes used in topical applications for infections of the skin, eye and ear.... polymyxin
A suggestion by two epidemiologists, made in the British Medical Journal in 2003, that many lives could be saved if all persons aged over 55 took a daily combination pill they termed the polypill. Its components would be ASPIRIN, a CHOLESTEROL-lowering agent, FOLIC ACID and two blood-pressure-lowering agents. The suggestion caused a massive correspondence as it implied treating a whole population rather than individuals considered to be at special risk.... polypill
(Greek) In mythology, a daughter of Priam who was loved by Achilles Polyxenah, Polyxenia, Polyxenna, Polyxene, Polyxenea... polyxena
See kidney, polycystic.... polycystic kidney
A group of antibiotic drugs derived from the bacterium BACILLUS POLYMYXA. Polymyxins, which include colistin, are commonly given to treat eye, ear, and skin infections.... polymyxins
any one of a class of antiviral drugs that inhibit the action of DNA polymerase enzymes, which are used by viruses to form their own DNA. These drugs prevent, to a varying degree, the reproduction of viruses. They include *aciclovir, *foscarnet, *ganciclovir, and *valaciclovir.... dna polymerase inhibitor
(FAP) see polyposis.... familial adenomatous polyposis
a fibrous overgrowth covered by epithelium, often occurring inside the mouth in response to chronic irritation (usually following accidental biting). It is sometimes called a fibrous *epulis.... fibroepithelial polyp
(GPA) an autoimmune disease, formerly known as Wegener’s granulomatosis, predominantly affecting the sinuses, lungs, and kidneys, and characterized by blood-vessel inflammation and the formation of necrotizing *granulomas. It is associated with the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (*ANCA). Untreated the disease is usually fatal, but it can be controlled with corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, or rituximab.... granulomatosis with polyangiitis
see polyp.... juvenile polyp
(MPA) an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of small blood vessels, leading to reduced kidney function and breathlessness. It is associated with the presence of antinuclear cytoplasmic antibodies (*ANCA) and can be treated with corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, or rituximab.... microscopic polyangiitis
a hormone released from the D cells of the *islets of Langerhans of the pancreas in response to protein in the small intestine. Its actions are to inhibit pancreatic bicarbonate and protein enzyme secretion and to relax the gall bladder. It belongs to a family of similar hormones that have actions on appetite and food metabolism.... pancreatic polypeptide
n. see health centre.... polyclinic
n. a rare congenital abnormality of the eye in which there are one or more holes in the iris in addition to the pupil.... polycoria
n. see polycystic disease of the kidneys.... polycystin
(polycythaemia rubra vera, Vaquez–Osler disease) a disease in which the number of red cells in the blood is greatly increased (see also polycythaemia). There is often also an increase in the numbers of white blood cells and platelets. Symptoms include headache, thromboses, *cyanosis, *plethora, and itching. Polycythaemia vera may be treated by blood-letting, but more severe cases may need to be treated with cytotoxic drugs. The cause of the disease is not known.... polycythaemia vera
n. see hyperdactylism.... polydactylism
n. see pleomastia.... polymastia
n. a substance formed by the linkage of a large number of smaller molecules known as monomers. An example of a monomer is glucose, whose molecules link together to form glycogen, a polymer. Polymers may have molecular weights from a few thousands to many millions. Polymers made up of a single type of monomer are known as homopolymers; those of two or more monomers as heteropolymers.... polymer
(PEP) intensely itchy papules and weals on the abdomen (except the umbilicus), upper limbs, and buttocks, usually within the *striae gravidarum; it is also known as PUPPP (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy). It occurs in 1 in 250 first pregnancies late in the third trimester. This condition is harmless to mother and baby, but can be very annoying. It lasts an average of 6 weeks and resolves spontaneously 1–2 weeks after delivery. The most severe itching normally lasts for no more than a week.... polymorphic eruption of pregnancy
see photodermatosis.... polymorphous light eruption
an *antibiotic used to treat severe infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria. Formulated with other drugs, it is administered for ear, eye, and skin infections.... polymyxin b
n. see peripheral neuropathy.... polyneuropathy
n. a long chain of linked *nucleotides, of which molecules of DNA and RNA are made.... polynucleotide
n. the sensation of multiple images of one object. It is sometimes experienced by people with early cataract. See also diplopia.... polyopia
n. a congenital abnormality resulting in more than two testes.... polyorchidism
n. the endoscopic or surgical removal of a *polyp. The technique used depends upon the site and size of the polyp. Endoscopically, polyps can be removed by various methods. A hot biopsy involves coagulation of a small polyp using a diathermy current passed through biopsy forceps, which obtains a sample for analysis at the same time. Cold biopsy involves removal of a polyp using forceps alone, thereby decreasing the perforation risk. Snare polypectomy uses a wire loop (snare) to cut through the base of the polyp. This is performed with or without a diathermy current (hot snare vs. cold snare); the current reduces the risk of bleeding by coagulating local blood vessels as the snare cuts through the polyp. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) involves lifting a flat polyp by injecting a hypertonic solution into the submucosa beneath the polyp followed by snare polypectomy with diathermy. Nasal polyps may be removed using *endoscopic sinus surgery techniques, sometimes utilizing a *microdebrider.... polypectomy
n. excessive eating.... polyphagia
adj. describing a number of individuals, species, etc., that have evolved from more than one ancestral group. Compare monophyletic.... polyphyletic
adj. describing cells, tissues, or individuals in which there are three or more complete sets of chromosomes. Compare diploid; haploid. —polyploidy n.... polyploid
adj. having the appearance of a *polyp.... polypoid
(polyradiculopathy) n. any disorder of the peripheral nerves (see neuropathy) in which the brunt of the disease falls on the nerve roots where they emerge from the spinal cord. An abnormal allergic response in the nerve fibres is thought to be one cause of this condition; the *Guillain-Barré syndrome is an example. Other causes include infections (such as syphilis), herpesviruses, and tumours (such as lymphoma or other forms of cancer).... polyradiculitis
n. see polysome.... polyribosome
n. inflammation of the membranes that line the chest, abdomen, and joints, with accumulation of fluid in the cavities. Commonly the condition is inherited and intermittent and is termed familial Mediterranean fever. If complicated by infiltration of major organs by a glycoprotein (see amyloidosis) the disease usually proves fatal. Regular administration of colchicine will prevent the attacks in 95% of patients.... polyserositis
(polyribosome) n. a structure that occurs in the cytoplasm of cells and consists of a group of *ribosomes linked together by *messenger RNA molecules: formed during protein synthesis.... polysome
n. a record of measurements of various bodily parameters during sleep. It is used in the diagnosis of sleep disorders, such as *obstructive sleep apnoea.... polysomnograph
n. 1. excessive formation of semen. 2. see polyspermy.... polyspermia
(polyspermia) n. fertilization of a single ovum by more than one spermatozoon: the development is abnormal and the embryo dies.... polyspermy
n. a congenital excess of nipples (see pleomastia).... polythelia
see polydipsia.... psychogenic polydipsia
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