Glossary

A compound that is used for the treatment of a disease or for improving the well-being of an organism. Also known as pharmaceutical agent; drug; protein drug.

Two pharmaceutical products are therapeutically equivalent if they are pharmaceutically equivalent, and after administration in the same molar dose, their effects with respect to both efficacy and safety are essentially the same, as determined from appropriate bioequivalence, pharmacodynamic, clinical or in vitro studies.

The research physician's intent to provide some benefit to improving a subject's condition (e.g., prolongation of life, shrinkage of tumor, or improved quality of life, even though cure or dramatic improvement cannot necessarily be effected). This term is sometimes associated with Phase 1 drug studies in which potentially toxic drugs are given to an individual with the hope of inducing some improvement in the patient's condition as well as assessing the safety and pharmacology of a drug.

Compounds that are used to treat specific diseases or medical conditions.

Treatment intended and expected to alleviate a disease or disorder.

The joining of two materials (usually metal or plastic) by use of heat only, without any additional material. Usually done by the use of automatic GTAW welding in alloy steel tubing welding or with specially designed melting equipment for plastics.

An organism which grows at a higher temperature than most other organisms. In general, a wide range of bacteria, fungi and simple plants and animals can grow at temperature up to 50°C; thermophiles are considered to be organisms which can grow at above 50°C. They can be classified according to their optimal growth temperature, into simple thermophiles (50- 65°C), thermophiles (65-85°C), and extreme thermophiles (>85°C). Thermophiles and extreme thermophiles are usually found growing in very hot places, such as hot springs and geysers, smoker vents on the sea floor, and domestic hot water pipes.

With optimum temperature for growth above 45ºC, many thermophilic bacteria exist at high temperatures (greater than 80ºC) and many of their enzymes which posses high thermal stability, are of great commercial interest.

Long chain polymers that are usually not connected by crosslinks. Once formed, these materials can be reshaped.

Plastics that do not have cross-linked molecules, have a defined melt point, and can be melted, cooled, and remelted without destroying the physical or mechanical properties of the polymer.

Long chain polymers that are usually connected by crosslinks. Once formed, these materials cannot not be reshaped.

Resins or plastic compounds, which in their final stage are infusible and insoluble. After being fully cured, thermosets cannot be resoftened by heat.

Selected minimum particle size chosen for measuring a concentration of particles larger than or equal to that size.

An enzyme (the activated thrombogen) formed in the blood, after this is shed, that converts fibrinogen into fibrin for clot formation. It is formed from conjunction of prothrombin and calcium salts. It is also a sterile protein substance prepared from prothrombin of bovine origin through interaction with thromboplastin in the presence of calcium. Bovine thrombin is often used to aid production of serum from “salvage” plasma.

Clotting within a blood vessel that may cause infarction of tissues supplied by the vessel.

The movement of a material through a system; specifically, a measure of the quantity of a substance passing through a piece of equipment or section of a pipe or pump line during a specified time.

The amount of solution passed through an exchange bed before the resin is exhausted.

A pyrimidine base found in DNA. The other three organic bases – adenine, cytosine, and guanine – are found in both RNA and DNA; in RNA, thymine is replaced by uracil.

One of several polypeptide hormones secreted by the thymus that control the maturation of T cells. They are derived from a polypeptide called prothymosin-alpha (PTMA) or alpha thymosin.

A lymphoid organ situated in the center of the upper chest just behind the sternum (breastbone). It is in the thymus that lymphocytes mature, multiply, and become T cells. (That is why they are called T cells. The T is for thymus).

Total Inorganic Carbon

Tungsten Inert Gas (welding process)