THE DISCOVERY OF INSULIN, C-PEPTIDE AND PROINSULlN, SPECIES DIFFERENCES Crude insulin was extracted and isolated from dog pancreases removed 7-1 ° weeks after ligation of the pancreatic duct for the first time in 1921 by Banting and Best. Its lifesaving properties were subsequently documented in pancreatectomized dogs in 1922. Only about six months elapsed from its discovery until systematic collection of calf and ox pancreases and, later, porcine pancreases was established and the blood glucose lowering effect in diabetics using the crude extract from these glands proven. It was not until 1960, however, that the primary structure of all three species of insulin, lO7 human, porcine and bovine, was elucidated . It then became evident that the differences between bovine, porcine and human insulin amounted to at mosl 3 amino acids. These apparently small differences have a significant impact on the physico-chemical characteristics of the three insulins which again affect, e.g., the rate of absorption of insulin lO9 preparations from the subcutaneous tissue and their immunogenicity, i.e.

The discovery of insulin at the University of Toronto in 1921-22 was one of the most dramatic events in the history of the treatment of disease. Insulin was a wonder-drug with ability to bring patients back from the very brink of death, and it was no surprise that in 1923 the Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to its discoverers, the Canadian research team of Banting, Best, Collip, and Macleod. In this engaging and award-winning account, historian Michael Bliss recounts the fascinating story behind the discovery of insulin – a story as much filled with fiery confrontation and intense competition as medical dedication and scientific genius. Originally published in 1982 and updated in 1996, The Discovery of Insulin has won the City of Toronto Book Award, the Jason Hannah Medal of the Royal Society of Canada, and the William H. Welch Medal of the American Association for the History of Medicine.

Methods of Hormone Radioimmunoassay, Second Edition is a compilation of radioimmunoassay techniques for the quantification of hormones. Various kinds of hormones are considered, namely: intracellular messengers; hypothalamic and pineal hormones; pituitary hormones; thyroid and parathyroid hormones; renal hormones; hormones of the gastrointestinal tract; pancreatic hormones; steroid hormones; uterine and placental hormones; vasoactive peptide hormones; and growth factors. The corresponding method of radioimmunoassay for each hormone is described. This book is comprised of 49 chapters and begins with a discussion on the radioimmunoassay of cyclic adenosine-3',5-monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine-3,5'-monophosphate (cGMP), together with problems related to measuring both compounds. The reader is then introduced to prostaglandins and prostaglandin metabolites, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Pituitaty gonadotropins, prolactin, and thyrotropin are also discussed. The remaining chapters deal with hormones of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreatic hormones, steroid hormones, and growth factors. This monograph is intended for both clinicians and investigators interested in methods of hormone radioimmunoassay.

In Diabetes & C-Peptide: Scientific and Clinical Aspects, a renowned group of leading researchers and physicians offers a comprehensive overview of the role of C-Peptide in type 1 diabetes. The book is organized in five sections. An Introductory section provides the background and key features of C-peptide’s physiological function and how its deficiency contributes to complications. The second section describes up-to-date information on the biochemical and molecular actions of C-peptide, including membrane binding, interactions with insulin as well as the interaction between C-peptide and zinc and effects on microvascular vasoreactivity. The third section summarizes in vivo animal studies of the type 1 diabetic complications. The fourth section reviews the clinical efforts of C-peptide on inflammation, cardiovascular complication, neuropathy and nephropathy. Finally, in the Conclusions section, a summary of the present state of C-peptide, outstanding questions, and the likely direction of the field are offered. Developed by the foremost investigators in the rapidly moving field of C-peptide research, Diabetes & C-Peptide: Scientific and Clinical Aspects is an important contribution to the literature for all researchers and physicians concerned about type 1 diabetes.

A history of diabetology told by renowned contributors, many have themselves already become a part of diabetes history. A must-have for every diabetologist! Diabetologists, diabetes educators, and many interested readers will appreciate this book. What is more, countless celebrations are planned for the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin: this book provides numerous illustrations, accounts of personal experiences, and critical remarks on the history of diabetology – in addition to the history of insulin. It spans an arc from antiquity to the work of Claude Bernard, Paul Langerhans, Josef von Mering, Apollinaire Bouchardat, Oskar Minkowski, E.P. Joslin, and F.M. Allen. The history of insulin is presented from the perspective of diabetologists from Scotland, Spain, Germany, and Poland. The history of oral antidiabetics is told by Harald Lebovitz, and the chapter about glitazones by Edwin Gale reads like a spy novel! Pierre Lefèbvre describes the work of the diabetologist Jean Pirart and the history of glucagon. Sir George Alberti has provided a chapter about the therapy of ketoacidosis, to which he himself made groundbreaking contributions. Nephropathy is presented by Hans-Henrik Parving, and Eva Kohner, Ronald Klein and Barbara E.K. Klein have contributed a chapter on retinopathy. Other contemporary topics such diabetes in pregnancy, diabetes technology, psychosocial aspects of diabetes, and the history of the EASD and ADA are also included in this book.

The "bible" on diabetes mellitus is now in its Fourteenth Edition—thoroughly revised and updated by more than 80 noted experts from the Joslin Diabetes Center and other leading institutions worldwide. This edition includes a new eleven-chapter section on hormone action and the regulation of metabolism. The section on definition and pathogenesis now includes chapters on genetics, diabetes in Asia and Africa, and diabetes in U.S. minority groups. Other new chapters cover retinopathy, cardiovascular disease, wound healing, and treatment of women with diabetes. All of the Fourteenth Edition's figures have been completely updated.

The first book ever to describe real life cases of murder, and purported murder, using insulin as a weapon. Covers cases from the USA, UK, Europe, Japan and New Zealand, including the well known Claus von Bulow case, the first criminal trial to be broadcast in its entirety on US TV (later the subject of a Hollywood movie, Reversal of Fortune). Written by Vincent Marks, coauthor of the critically acclaimed book Panic Nation: Exposing the Lies We're Told About Food and Health (John Blake Publishing) and a world authority on insulin, and Caroline Richmond, a medical journalist and writer, this gripping account is intended for doctors and laypeople alike, especially those with an interest in forensic medicine or true life crime.

Handbook of Immunoassay Technologies: Approaches, Performances, and Applications unravels the role of immunoassays in the biochemical sciences. During the last four decades, a wide range of immunoassays has been developed, ranging from the conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, to the smartphone-based point-of-care formats. The advances in rapid biochemical procedures, novel biosensing schemes, fully integrated lab-on-a-chip platforms, prolonged biomolecular storage strategies, device miniaturization and interfacing, and emerging smart system technologies equipped with personalized mobile healthcare tools are paving the way to next-generation immunoassays, and are all discussed in this comprehensive text. Immunoassays play a prominent role in clinical diagnostics as they are the eyes of healthcare professionals, helping them make informed clinical decisions via confirmed disease diagnosis, and thus enabling favorable health outcomes. The faster and reliable diagnosis of infections will further control their spread to uninfected persons. Similarly, immunoassays play a prominent role in veterinary diagnostics, food analysis, environmental monitoring, defense and security, and other bioanalytical settings. Therefore, they enable the detection of a plethora of analytes, which includes disease biomarkers, pathogens, drug impurities, environmental contaminants, allergens, food adulterants, drugs of abuse and various biomolecules. - Provides a valuable increase of understanding of cellular and biomedical functions - Gives the most updated resource in the field of immunoassays, providing the comprehensive details of various types of immunoassays that need to be performed in healthcare, and in industrial, environmental and other biochemical settings - Discusses all multifarious aspects of immunoassays - Describes the immunoassay formats, along with their principle of operation, characteristics, pros and cons, and potential biochemical and bioanalytical applications - Provides extensive knowledge and guided insights as detailed by experienced, renowned experts and key opinion makers in the field of immunoassays

This new edition of Norbert Tietz's classic handbook presents information on common tests as well as rare and highly specialized tests and procedures - including a summary of the utility and merit of each test. Biological variables that may affect test results are discussed, and a focus is placed on reference ranges, diagnostic information, clinical interpretation of laboratory data, interferences, and specimen types. New and updated content has been added in all areas, with over 100 new tests added. - Tests are divided into 8 main sections and arranged alphabetically. - Each test includes necessary information such as test name (or disorder) and method, specimens and special requirements, reference ranges, chemical interferences and in vivo effects, kinetic values, diagnostic information, factors influencing drug disposition, and clinical comments and remarks. - The most current and relevant tests are included; outdated tests have been eliminated. - Test index (with extensive cross references) and disease index provide the reader with an easy way to find necessary information - Four new sections in key areas (Preanalytical, Flow Cytometry, Pharmacogenomics, and Allergy) make this edition current and useful. - New editor Alan Wu, who specializes in Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this edition. - The Molecular Diagnostics section has been greatly expanded due to the increased prevalence of new molecular techniques being used in laboratories. - References are now found after each test, rather than at the end of each section, for easier access.