Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Of, relating to, or acting as an endotoxin (= a heat-stable toxin, associated with the outer membranes of certain gram-negative bacteria. Endotoxins are not secreted and are released only when the cells are disrupted). Toxins associated with certain bacteria, unlike an ‘exotoxin’ is not secreted in soluble form by live bacteria, but is a structural…

Small molecule that diffuses to the adjacent muscle layer and relaxes it.  

The main type of cell found in the inside lining of blood vessels, lymph vessels, and the heart. These are the flat, sort of plate-shaped cells that line the surface of all blood vessels, heart, and lymphatics within the body. Endothelial cells possess transmembrane (i.e., through the cell membrane) molecules known as adhesion molecules, which…

Suppurative inflammation of the tissues of the internal structures of the eye; not all layers of the uvea are affected. Fungi, necrosis of intraocular tumors, and retained intraocular foreign bodies often cause a purulent endophthalmitis. Inflammation of the interior of the eyeball. Inflammation confined to the posterior chamber of the eye, i.e. the part behind…

A subclass of peptide hydrolases. They are classified primarily by their catalytic mechanism. Specificity is used only for identification of individual enzymes. They comprise the serine endopeptidases, EC 3.4.21; cysteine endopeptidases, EC 3.4.22; aspartic endopeptidases, EC 3.4.23, metalloendopeptidases, EC 3.4.24; and a group of enzymes yet to be assigned to any of the above sub-classes,…

Having to do with the endometrium (the layer of tissue that lines the uterus). To toe endometrium, toe mucous membrane lining of the uterus (e.g., endometrial carcinoma, cancer of uterine lining). Related to the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus.  

The innermost layer of the heart, comprised of endothelial cells. A membrane which lines the heart. Membrane that lines the chambers of the heart and the heart valves. A delicate membrane, formed of flat endothelial cells, that lines the heart and is continuous with the lining of arteries and veins. At the openings of the…

Confined to a specific, localized area and surrounded by a thin layer of tissue. Enclosed in a capsule or in a sheath of tissue. Confined; surrounded by an envelope, capsule, or membrane. Said of certain tumors, abscesses, and medications.  

A technique in which electric pulses of intensity in kilovolts per centimeter and of microsecond-to-millisecond duration cause a temporary loss of the semipermeability of cell membranes, thus leading to ion leakage, escape of metabolites, and increased uptake by cells of drugs, molecular probes, and DNA. Some applications of electroporation include introduction of plasmids or foreign…