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Glossary

Entries for the website glossary.

CARAMsearch for term

Coordination of Action Research on AIDS and Mobility.

Synonyms: CARAM-Asia
carbohydratesearch for term

Any of a number of compounds, including sugars and starches, which are important as sources of energy. Along with fat and protein, one of the main constituents of food.

See also: triglyceride Synonyms: carbs
cardiomyopathysearch for term

A progressive disorder, which can be the result of any of a number of diseases, that damages the muscular wall between the two lower chambers of the heart (the left and right ventricles).

cholesterolsearch for term

An essential component of cell membranes and nerve fibre insulation, cholesterolAn essential component of cell membranes and nerve fibre insulation, cholesterol is important for the metabolism and transport of fatty acids and the production of hormones and Vitamin D. Cholesterol is manufactured by the liver, and is also present in certain foods. High blood cholesterol levels have been linked to heart disease and may be a side effect of some anti-HIV medications. is important for the metabolism and transport of fatty acids and the production of hormones and Vitamin D. Cholesterol is manufactured by the liverA large organ, located in the upper right abdomen, which assists in digestion by metabolising carbohydrates, fats and proteins, stores vitamins and minerals, produces amino acids, bile and cholesterol, and removes toxins from the blood., and is also present in certain foods. High blood cholesterol levels have been linked to heart disease and may be a side effectAn unwanted effect caused by the administration of drugs. Onset may be sudden or develop over time. of some anti-HIV medications.

See also: lipid
clinicalsearch for term

Pertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science.

clinical investigatorsearch for term

A medical researcher in charge of carrying out a clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. trialA clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. 's protocolA study plan on which all clinical trials are based. The plan is carefully designed to safeguard the health of the participants as well as answer specific research questions. A protocol describes what types of people may participate in the trial; the schedule of tests, procedures, medications, and dosages; and the length of the study. While in a clinical trial, participants following a protocol are seen regularly by the research staff to monitor their health and to determine the safety and effectiveness of their treatment .

Synonyms: investigator
clinical trialsearch for term

A clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. trialA clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase IA clinical trial designed to establish whether an experimental drug is safe for humans to take. Phase I studies determine the metabolism and pharmacologic actions of drugs in humans, the side effects associated with increasing doses, and look for early evidence of effectiveness; these studies may include either people with HIV, HIV-negative volunteers, or both tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase IIA smaller clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective. Phase II studies are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug for a particular indication or indications in patients with the disease or condition under study and to determine the common short-term side effects and risks. If there is evidence that the drug is effective, a Phase III study is undertaken, with a larger number of participaants, to confirm this. expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase IIIA large clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective and safe enough for widespread use. Phase III studies include expanded controlled and uncontrolled trials after preliminary evidence suggesting effectiveness of the drug has been obtained, and are intended to gather additional information to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship of the drug and provide and adequate basis for physician labeling. expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IVPost-marketing studies to delineate additional information including the drug's risks, benefits, and optimal use. takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed.

See also: arm, control group, Data Safety and Monitoring Board, dose-ranging, double-blind, intent-to-treat, open label, Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, protocol, randomised, randomised trial Synonyms: trial, clinical study, study
cohortsearch for term

In epidemiologyThe branch of medical science that deals with the study of incidence and distribution and control of a disease in a population., a group of individuals with some characteristics in common. A cohortIn epidemiology, a group of individuals with some characteristics in common. A cohort study is a special kind of clinical trial which looks at a treatment or treatment strategy in a cohort of people. study is a special kind of clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. trialA clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. which looks at a treatment or treatment strategy in a cohort of people.

complementary therapysearch for term

A broad range of healing philosophies, approaches, and therapies that Western (conventional) medicine does not commonly use to promote well-being or treat health conditions. Examples include acupuncture, herbs, Traditional Chinese Medicine, etc.

Synonyms: alternative therapy, complementary therapies, alternative therapies
contraindicationsearch for term

A specific circumstance when the use of certain treatments could be harmful.

Synonyms: contraindicated
control groupsearch for term

A group of patients in a clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. trialA clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. who do not receive the drug or treatment being investigated, for the purpose of comparison with those who do. Participants in the control groupA group of patients in a clinical trial who do not receive the drug or treatment being investigated, for the purpose of comparison with those who do. Participants in the control group of a clinical trial are either given standard treatment (excluding the drug being studied) or a placebo. of a clinical trial are either given standard treatment (excluding the drug being studied) or a placeboA dummy medical treatment, designed to have no pharmacological effect, administered to the control group of a clinical trial..

See also: clinical trial, controlled trial, placebo Synonyms: control arm
controlled trialsearch for term

In clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. trials, one group of participants is given an experimental(Of a drug) Not licensed for use in humans, or as a treatment for a particular condition. Experimental drugs are studied in clinical trials to determine their safety and efficacy, and are sometimes made available via Special Access Schemes prior to their approval. drug, while another group (i.e., the control groupA group of patients in a clinical trial who do not receive the drug or treatment being investigated, for the purpose of comparison with those who do. Participants in the control group of a clinical trial are either given standard treatment (excluding the drug being studied) or a placebo.) is given either a standard treatment for the disease or a placeboA dummy medical treatment, designed to have no pharmacological effect, administered to the control group of a clinical trial..

See also: control group
coronary arterysearch for term

One of the two arteries that supply the heart with oxygenated blood.

See also: artery
coronavirussearch for term

A genus of virusesA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. of the family _Coronaviridae_ which look like coronas or halos when viewed with a microscope. Coronaviruses can cause hepatitis (inflammation of the liverA large organ, located in the upper right abdomen, which assists in digestion by metabolising carbohydrates, fats and proteins, stores vitamins and minerals, produces amino acids, bile and cholesterol, and removes toxins from the blood.) in mice, gastroenteritis (inflammation of the digestive system) in pigs, and respiratory infections in birds and people.

See also: virus