Ablation = in the context of immunoablation or bone marrow transplantation this refers to destroying or ablating the current bone marrow or immune system so that it can regenerate from surviving or transplanted stem cells, respectively. Pre-ablation refers to the state of the cells or immune system prior to the ablative treatment and post-ablation to the state of the cells after the treatment.
Aggregate(s) = this is an adjective that is used to describe a collection of cells in the brains of MSers. It usually refers to B cells. B-cell aggregates are similar to B-cell follicles that are seen in lymph nodes. The follicles and aggregates are where the B-cells are educated and mature to make antibodies.
Acronym = an acronym is an abbreviation formed from the initial components in a phrase or a word, for example CIS is used for clinically isolated syndrome
Antibody = Immunoglobulin
Aggregate(s) = this is an adjective that is used to describe a collection of cells in the brains of MSers. It usually refers to B cells. B-cell aggregates are similar to B-cell follicles that are seen in lymph nodes. The follicles and aggregates are where the B-cells are educated and mature to make antibodies.
Acronym = an acronym is an abbreviation formed from the initial components in a phrase or a word, for example CIS is used for clinically isolated syndrome
Antibody = Immunoglobulin
- Fab (Fragment antibody binding) region
- Fc(Fragement crystallisable) region
- Heavy chain (blue) with one variable (VH) domain followed by a constant domain (CH1), a hinge region, and two more constant (CH2 and CH3) domains.
- Light chain (green) with one variable (VL) and one constant (CL) domain
- Antigen binding site (paratope)
- Hinge regions.
- Heavy chain. There are five types of mammalian Ig heavy chain denoted by the Greek Alpha, delta, epsilon gamma and mu. The type of heavy chain present defines the class of antibody; these chains are found in IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM antibodies, respectively.
- Light chain. There are type types of Ig Light chains
- Lamda = A type of "light chain" that binds to a "heavy chain" to form the antibody molecule. The other type is Lamba
- Kappa = A type of "light chain" that binds to a "heavy chain" to form the antibody molecule. The other type is kappa
Axonal damage: is a term that refers to damage to the axon; it can involve transection of demylination of the axon. The latter can result in block of conduction, i.e. loss of function. In some situations the damaged axon can fire spontaneously and cause positive symptoms, for example pins and needles or muscle spasms.
Balloon dilatation: a procedure of blowing up a balloon in a closed space (artery, vein or organ) to expand its size.
 |
| Illustration of balloon dilatation of an artery. |
Brain atrophy: the shrinking of the brain that can occur as part of normal ageing or at an accelerated rate in MSers.
 |
| Progressive brain atrophy; please note the enlargement of the ventricles (black spaces in the centre of the brain). |
CIS = clinically-isolated syndrome; this refers to the initial clinical event in MS, for example optic neuritis. The MS diagnostic criteria often do not allow a diagnosis of MS to be made at this stage of the disease. Not all people with a CIS go onto develop MS; about 80% will develop MS after 20 years of follow-up.
Clonus = clonus is the rapid contractions of muscles due to spasticity. The following video is an example of clonus at the ankle; it is brought on by rapidly bending or flexing the ankle upwards. It is common in MSers.
Cortical region: this refers to a specialised area of the cerebral cortex or surface of the brain. Depending which area is affected it can have different manifestations. We often refer to the area as being either from the dominant or non-dominant hemisphere (in most people the left hemisphere is dominant). Cortical regions are typically referred to by the name of the lobe they affect, e.g. frontal, temporal, parietal or occipital lobes.
Crowd-funding = Crowd funding or crowdfunding (alternately crowd financing, equity crowdfunding, or hyper funding) describes the collective effort of individuals who network and pool their money, usually via the Internet, to support efforts initiated by other people or organizations. Crowdfunding is used in support of a wide variety of activities, including disaster relief, citizen journalism, support of artists by fans, political campaigns, startup company funding, motion picture promotion, free software development, inventions development, scientific research, and civic projects.
DMT = disease-modifying therapy
Double-blind = this refers to when both the subjects and assessors of a clinical trial are not aware of what they are receiving, i.e. active or placebo treatment. This is to prevent any biases that may affect the results of the trial. Single-blind is the term used to describe a trial in which only the assessors are blinded; this happens in trials when it is impossible to blind the subjects to what they are receiving, for example drug A may cause an infusion reaction so that when the subjects get a reaction they know what they are receiving.
Double-blind = this refers to when both the subjects and assessors of a clinical trial are not aware of what they are receiving, i.e. active or placebo treatment. This is to prevent any biases that may affect the results of the trial. Single-blind is the term used to describe a trial in which only the assessors are blinded; this happens in trials when it is impossible to blind the subjects to what they are receiving, for example drug A may cause an infusion reaction so that when the subjects get a reaction they know what they are receiving.
EDSS = Expanded Disability Status Scale or Kurtzke's EDSS is the scale we use to measure the impact of MS on a person. It is a scale from zero (no disability) to 10 (death)
Epiphenomenon = is a secondary phenomenon that occurs alongside or in parallel to a primary phenomenon; for example fractures are an epiphenomenon of MS. MS itself does not cause fractures, the fractures are a result of falls that occur due to poor balance. Poor balance is the phenomenon and falls and fractures are the epiphenomena.Epub = Electronic publication
Ig = Immunoglobulin (see description of an antibody above)
IgA = Immunoglobulin A (see description of an antibody above)
IgD = Immunoglobulin D (see description of an antibody above)
IgE = Immunoglobulin E (see description of an antibody above)
IgG = Immunoglobulin G (see description of an antibody above)
IgG-VH = Immunoglobulin G variable region of the heavy chain (see description of an antibody above)
IgG-VL = Immunoglobulin G variable region of the light chain (see description of an antibody above)
IgM = Immunoglobulin M (see description of an antibody above)
In vivo = biological experiment within the whole body of a human or animal.
In vitro = biological experiments outside the body; for example experiments on human cells in a test tube in the laboratory
JCV = The JC virus or John Cunningham virus is a type of human polyomavirus (formerly known as papovavirus). It was discovered in 1971 and named using the two initials of a patient with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
Kappa light chain = this is one type of light chain that goes into forming immunoglobulins or antibodies (see description of an antibody above).
Kurtzke's EDSS = Kurtzle's Expanded Disability Status Scale is the scale we use to measure the impact of MS on a person. It is a scale from zero (no disability) to 10 (death)
Lambda light chain = this is one type of light chain that goes into forming immunoglobulins or antibodies (see description of an antibody above).
MS = multiple sclerosis
MSer = someone with MS
Myelin = myelin is the fatty insulation around nerve processes. In the central nervous system it is made by a cell called the oligodendrocyte and in the peripheral nervous system by a cell called the Schwann cell. Myelin helps nerve cells transmit electrical impulses quickly and efficiently with little energy requirements. Loss of myelin makes the nerve process or axon vulnerable to degeneration and slows down the speed of conduction of electrical impulses or blocks the conduction all together. Demyelination refers to the process of loss of myelin and is typical of MS. Dysmyelination refers to the production of abnormal myelin and happens in a large number of genetic disorders.
Parabiosis: is the surgical act of artificially creating conjoined twins of two organisms.
Kappa light chain = this is one type of light chain that goes into forming immunoglobulins or antibodies (see description of an antibody above).
Kurtzke's EDSS = Kurtzle's Expanded Disability Status Scale is the scale we use to measure the impact of MS on a person. It is a scale from zero (no disability) to 10 (death)
MS = multiple sclerosis
MSer = someone with MS
Myelin = myelin is the fatty insulation around nerve processes. In the central nervous system it is made by a cell called the oligodendrocyte and in the peripheral nervous system by a cell called the Schwann cell. Myelin helps nerve cells transmit electrical impulses quickly and efficiently with little energy requirements. Loss of myelin makes the nerve process or axon vulnerable to degeneration and slows down the speed of conduction of electrical impulses or blocks the conduction all together. Demyelination refers to the process of loss of myelin and is typical of MS. Dysmyelination refers to the production of abnormal myelin and happens in a large number of genetic disorders.
Parabiosis: is the surgical act of artificially creating conjoined twins of two organisms.
Preablation = = in the context of immunoablation or bone marrow transplantation refers to the state of the cells or immune system before treatment to destroy the immune system.
Plasma = the yellow-colored liquid component of blood, in which blood cells are suspended. It is collected in blood that has not been able to clot. If the blood clots first then the liquid is called serum.
Plasma = the yellow-colored liquid component of blood, in which blood cells are suspended. It is collected in blood that has not been able to clot. If the blood clots first then the liquid is called serum.
PML = progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, this is a rare viral infection of the brain that occurs in people that have an immune system that does not function properly. It is important to MSers because it is relatively common in people receiving the natalizumab (Tysabri).
Post-ablation = in the context of immunoablation or bone marrow transplantation refers to the state of the cells or immune system after treatment to destroy the immune system.
PP = primary progressive
PPMS = primary progressive MS
Social media = the contemporary definition refers to them being a group of web-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of the internet and allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content. This blog is an example of one form of social media.
Social media tsunami = refers to riding the wave of a social media campaign. This typically refers to when an idea or concept spreads virally, i.e. very rapidly and quickly, via social media networks and gets adopted very quickly by many people. Social media tsunamis often defy current wisdom or logic.
Serum = plasma from which the clotting proteins have been removed
SP = secondary progressive
SPMS = secondary progressive MS
Tremor = a tremor is an involuntary rhythmic muscle contraction and relaxation involving to and fro movements of one or more body parts. It is the most common of all involuntary movements and can affect the hands, arms, eyes, face, head, vocal folds, trunk, and legs. Most tremors occur in the hands. There are many different types of tremor. The commonest in MSers is so called intention tremor, or cerebellar tremor, that results from damage to the cerebellum.
Post-ablation = in the context of immunoablation or bone marrow transplantation refers to the state of the cells or immune system after treatment to destroy the immune system.
PP = primary progressive
PPMS = primary progressive MS
Social media = the contemporary definition refers to them being a group of web-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of the internet and allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content. This blog is an example of one form of social media.
Social media tsunami = refers to riding the wave of a social media campaign. This typically refers to when an idea or concept spreads virally, i.e. very rapidly and quickly, via social media networks and gets adopted very quickly by many people. Social media tsunamis often defy current wisdom or logic.
Serum = plasma from which the clotting proteins have been removed
SP = secondary progressive
SPMS = secondary progressive MS
Tremor = a tremor is an involuntary rhythmic muscle contraction and relaxation involving to and fro movements of one or more body parts. It is the most common of all involuntary movements and can affect the hands, arms, eyes, face, head, vocal folds, trunk, and legs. Most tremors occur in the hands. There are many different types of tremor. The commonest in MSers is so called intention tremor, or cerebellar tremor, that results from damage to the cerebellum.
Tsunami = is Japanese for a large wave
No comments:
Post a Comment