Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

protein
-
calorie malnutrition
See 
kwashiorkor.
protein
-
losing enteropathy
A condition in
which plasma protein is lost excessively to the gas-
trointestinal tract. Protein-losing enteropathy can be
due to diverse causes, including gluten enteropathy,
extensive ulceration of the intestine, intestinal lym-
phatic blockage, or infiltration of leukemic cells
into the intestinal wall. Treatment can involve spe-
cial diets and vitamin supplementation.
protein malnutrition
See 
kwashiorkor.
proteins, acute
-
phase
See 
acute
-
phase protein.
proteinuria
See 
albuminuria.
proteomics
The study of the proteome, the com-
plete set of proteins expressed by an organism, tis-
sue, or cell. It includes the study of changes in
protein expression patterns as related to diseases
and environmental conditions.
Proteus syndrome
A disturbance of cell growth
that causes overgrowth, asymmetry, and gigantism
of bones, limbs, skin, and other organs. Its symp-
toms also include vascular malformations; raised,
rough skin; and overgrowth of fat. John Merrick, the
351
Proteus syndrome
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19th-century Englishman known as the “elephant
man,” is thought to have had Proteus syndrome. No
specific treatment is available.
prothrombin
A coagulation (clotting) factor that
is needed for the normal clotting of blood. A cas-
cade of biochemical events leads to the formation of
the final clot. In this cascade, prothrombin is a pre-
cursor to thrombin. Also known as thrombinogen
and simply pro. See also 
prothrombin time.