V
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| Term |
Definition |
| Vaccine |
Historically, a preparation of modified microorganisms or molecules derived from them used in prophylaxis against various infectious diseases. Novel vaccines use a modified immune system stimulant, implicated in a given disorder, in order to generate an immune response to that stimulant such that its pathological development, or related pathological developments, undergo immune surveillance and are prevented. " |
| Vaccinia |
(1) A localized skin infection caused by inoculation with the vaccinia virus that can move throughout the body in patients with inadequate immune systems. (2) A virus thought possibly to be a hybrid of two others called variola and cowpox, it is the agent used to induce immunity to smallpox (variola being the causative agent in smallpox). |
| Validated Target |
A drug target, usually a protein, that has been demonstrated by any of a variety of methods to have therapeutic potential. |
| Valproate |
Valproic acid or its sodium salt, it is an anticonvulsant used in the management of seizure disorders. |
| Variable Region |
The half of the antibody molecule that binds to its antigen. |
| Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) |
A growth factor known to be necessary for angiogenesis. |
| Vasculature |
The blood vessel network of a tissue, an organ, an organ system, or the body as a whole. |
| Vasopressor |
A substance that elevates arterial blood pressure by constricting blood vessels. These agents are frequently used in intensive care units when patients have refractory hypotension. |
| Vector |
In molecular biology, a vector is the carrier for DNA or RNA that allows the nucleic acid to be delivered and integrated into the target cell. A vector is itself usually made of DNA, containing sequences that instruct the target cell to maintain and replicate the vector and the DNA it is carrying. |
| VEGF |
Vascular endothelial growth factor, a pro-angiogenic molecule. |
| Venous Insufficiency |
Failure of the veins to perform their physiologic roles. The most important dysfunction in this condition is their decreased effectiveness in carrying blood, from which oxygen has been extracted by tissues, back to the lungs to pick up oxygen. |
| Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) |
Aggregate of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism |
| Venous Ulcers |
Localized loss of a varying depths of skin and subcutaneous tissue typically occurring over or near the ankles, and possibly occurring at any area drained by incompetent or obstructed veins. Also known as venous stasis ulcers. |
| Viral Phage |
A virus that infects bacteria. Can be used in the laboratory to carry recombinant DNA. |
| Virus |
A non-cellular microbial entity that consists of a core of DNA or RNA enclosed in a coat of protein. The virus is not a cell, and can live and reproduce only by invading susceptible cells and commandeering the reproductive capabilities of that cell, causing it to reproduce viral progeny. Viruses can infect bacteria, plant and animal cells. Viruses can be modified to carry therapeutic genes for gene therapy. |
| Vitamin B2 |
Riboflavin |
