Charles Herbert Best was a Canadian physiologist. He was born in 1899 and died in 1978. With Banting he discovered the use of insulin in treating diabetes. Research Charles Best
Acetohexamide is a medicine used to lower the level of glucose in the blood given to some people with non-insulin-dependent diabetes in pill form. Research Acetohexamide
C-peptide is a substance released by the pancreas into the bloodstream in equal amounts to insulin, therefore a test of C-peptide levels will show how much insulin the body is making. Research C-Peptide
Hypoglycemia is a condition characterised by an abnormally low level of sugar in the blood. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include weakness, shakiness, nervousness, anxiety, and faintness and actual fainting. Patients may also show marked personality changes and may seem intoxicated. Hypoglycemia is the result of hyperinsulinism, or an excess of insulin , due either to an overdose of insulin - in the case of persons with diabetes mellitus - or to the body's overproduction of insulin. Insulin is instrumental in regulating carbohydrate metabolism; when hyperinsulinism occurs, glucose is sharply depleted in the process of conversion to glycogen in the liver and muscles and to fat in the adipose tissues. The most common type of hypoglycmia is reactive, or functional hypoglycemia and occurs particularly among persons under emotional stress. It is also due to overproduction of insulin, commonly three to five hours after meals. Its symptoms are milder than those suffered by insulin-dependent diabetics, and it can be controlled by lowering carbohydrate intake. Because reactive hypoglycemia has many of the classical symptoms of depression or anxiety, it is often wrongly believed to be the cause of underlying psychological disorders. Even when this physical condition is properly diagnosed, it is most often found to be incidental to, rather than the direct cause of, the patient's symptoms. Research Hypoglycemia
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and released into the bloodstream. It promotes the uptake of glucose from the blood by the body cells. A lack of insulin results in glucose being neither consumed as fuel nor adequately stored, but instead the glucose accumulates in the blood until it spills over into the urine. An excess of insulin dangerously decreases the amount of glucose in the blood. Research Insulin
Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is the most common form of diabetes mellitus; about 90 to 95 percent of people who have diabetes have NIDDM. Unlike the insulin-dependent type of diabetes, in which the pancreas makes no insulin, people with noninsulin-dependent diabetes produce some insulin, sometimes even large amounts. However, either their bodies do not produce enough insulin or their body cells are resistant to the action of insulin. People with NIDDM can often control their condition by losing weight through diet and exercise. If not, they may need to combine insulin or a pill with diet and exercise. Generally, NIDDM occurs in people who are over age 40. Most of the people who have this type of diabetes are overweight. Noninsulin- dependent diabetes mellitus used to be called 'adult-onset diabetes,' 'maturity-onset diabetes,' ' ketosis- resistant diabetes,' and 'stable diabetes.' It is also called type II diabetes mellitus. Research Noninsulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus
Obesity is the condition when a person has 20 percent or more extra body fat for their age, height, sex, and bone structure. Fat works against the action of insulin and extra body fat is thought to be a risk factor for diabetes. Research Obesity
The pancreas is an elongated secreting gland which lies transversely across the back wall of the abdomen, behind the stomach. It secretes pancreatic juice, which contains ferments necessary for digestion and the absorption of proteins, fats and starches. Insulin is also secreted. Research Pancreas
Acetone is the simplest and most important of the ketones. It is a colourless liquid with a mildly pungent and somewhat aromatic odour. It is primarily used as a chemical intermediate and as a solvent for celluloseacetate and nitro-cellulose. It is used as a carrier for acetylene, and as a raw material for the chemical synthesis of a wide range of products such as ketene, methyl methacrylate, bisphenol A, diacetone alcohol, mesityl oxide, methyl isobutyl ketone, hexylene glycol, and isophorone.
Acetone is a mobile, flammable liquid that is miscible in all proportions with water and with organic solvents such as ether, methanol, ethyl alcohol, and esters. It is incompatible and reactive with oxidisers and acids. Containers of acetone may explode in a fire, producing poisonous gases. Acetone fires may be controlled with carbon dioxide or dry chemical extinguishers.
Acetone undergoes many condensation reactions; in the presence of an amine, or ammonia, various esters condense readily with acetone. Acetone is also known commercially as dimethyl ketone, methyl ketone, dimethylformaldehyde, ketone propane, and 2-propanone.
Acetone is formed in the humanblood when the body uses fat instead of glucose for energy. If
acetone forms, it usually means that the cells do not have enough insulin, or cannot use the insulin that is in the blood, to use glucose for energy. Acetone passes through the body into the urine. Someone with a lot of acetone in the body can have breath that smells fruity and is called '
acetone breath'.
Acetone is used in painting and decorating for scrubbing the surface of certain woods, such as cedar and teak, prior to painting them. Research Acetone
Carbohydrate is one of the three main classes of foods and a source of energy.
Carbohydrates are mainly sugars and starches that the body breaks down into glucose. The body also uses carbohydrates to make the substance glycogen that is stored in the liver and muscles for future use. If the body does not have enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it has, then the body will not be able to use carbohydrates for energy the way it should. This condition is called diabetes. Research Carbohydrate
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Charles Best
