Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers - Polymorphism

polybrominated diphenyl ethers

(pōl″ē-brōm′ĭ-nāt″ĕd) ABBR: PBDE. A class of chemicals used as flame retardants. They are chemically related to polychlorinated biphenyls and are thought to have similar biological toxicity. They have been found in streams, marine animals, human fetuses, and human breast milk.

polycarbonate

(pŏl″ē-kăr′bĭ-nāt, -nĭt) [″ + ″] A transparent polymer used to manufacture eye protectors, shields, and other medical devices.

polycarbophil

(pŏl″ē-kăr′bō-fĭl) A hydrophilic substance that is used as a bulk-forming laxative.

polycentric

(pŏl″ē-sĕn′trĭk) [″ + kentron, center] The condition of having many centers.

polychemotherapy

(pŏl″ē-kē″mō-thĕr’ă-pē) [″ + chemeia, chemistry, + therapeia, treatment] Treatment with several chemotherapeutic agents at once.

polychlorinated biphenyl

(pŏ-lē-klŏr′ĭnā-tĕd) ABBR: PCB. Any of a group of complex chemicals classed as chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons. They were widely used in industry as a component of transformers and capacitors; in paints and hydraulic systems; and in carbonless NCR paper. Because of their extremely low rate of biodegradation, accumulation in animal tissues (particularly in adipose tissue), and their potential for chronic or delayed toxic effects, the manufacture of PCBs was discontinued in the U.S. in 1977.

polychondritis

(pol″ē-kon-drīt′ĭs) [poly-+ chondritis] Inflammation of several cartilaginous areas.

 relapsing p. A rare inflammatory disease of cartilage associated with polyarthritis and involvement of the cartilage of the nose, ears, joints, bronchi, and trachea. It is most common between the ages of 40 and 60 but may occur at any time. The cause is unknown. Because of the collapse of the bronchial walls, repeated infections of the lungs may occur, and death may result from respiratory compromise.

 TREATMENT: Prednisone is the treatment of choice. Immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclophosphamide or azathioprine are used if patients fail to respond to prednisone. Heart valve replacement or repair of aortic aneurysm may be necessary.

polychromasia

(pol″ē-krō-mā′zh(ē-)ă) [poly- + -chromasia] 1. The state or quality of being multicolored. 2. Bluishgray discoloration of red blood cells. It is indicative of an excess number of immature red cells in the circulating blood. SYN: polychromatophilia.

polychromatic

(pŏl″ē-krō-măt′ĭk) 1. Multicolored. 2. Having a wide spectrum of energies or wavelengths; said of radiation.

polychromatophil, polychromatophile

(pŏl″ē-krō-măt′ōfĭl) [Gr. polys, many, + chroma, color, + philein, to love] A cell, esp. a red blood cell that is stainable with more than one kind of stain.

polychromatophilia

(pol″ē-krō-mat″ŏ-fil′ ē-ă) [poly- + chrom- + -philia] 1. The quality of being stainable with more than one stain. 2. Polychromasia (2). polychromatophil, polychromatophilic (pol″ē-krō-mat′ŏ-fil, ...