| high-fibre diet | A diet high in the nondigestible part of plants, which is fibre. Fibre is found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Insoluble fibre increases stool bulk, decreases transit time of food in the bowel, and decreases constipation and the risk of colon cancer. Soluble fibre delays absorption of glucose, which helps to control blood sugar in diabetes mellitus, and delays absorption of lipids, which helps to control hyperlipidemia. Recommended in treatment of diverticular disease of the colon. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| hollow fibre reactor | A fermentation system in which the cells are separated from the medium using semipermeable membranes arranged in the form of hollow fibres. (14 Nov 1997) |
| Purkinje fibre | <cardiology, pathology> A group of specialised cardiac muscle cells that conduct electrical impulses through the heart and are involved in regulating the heart beat. The fibres form the terminal portion of the heart conduction system and have central granulated protoplasm containing one or two nuclei and a transversely striated peripheral portion. They are the terminal ramifications of the conducting system of the heart found beneath the endocardium of the ventricles. See: conducting system of heart. (10 Jul 2002) |
| spindle fibre | <cell biology> Microtubules of the spindle that interdigitate at the equatorial plane with microtubules of the opposite polarity derived from the opposite pole microtubule organising centre. Usually distinguished from kinetochore fibres that are microtubules that link the poles with the kinetochore, although these could be included in a broader use of the term. (18 Nov 1997) |
| nerve fibre | The axon of a nerve cell, ensheathed by oligodendroglia cells in brain and spinal cord, and by Schwann cells in peripheral nerves. (05 Mar 2000) |
| stress fibre | <physiology> Long bundles of microfilaments made up of actin subunits. They are involved in the attachment of cultured cells to a substratum, the determination of cell shape and may be involved in cellular mobility. They are found in most cells and have been shown to be contractile, have a periodicity reminiscent of the sarcomere and are anchored at one end to a focal adhesion, although sometimes between two focal adhesions. (17 Jul 2002) |
| nuclear bag fibre | The largest type of intrafusal muscle fibre's in a neuromuscular spindle, containing a central aggregation of nuclei (nuclear bag). (05 Mar 2000) |
| nuclear chain fibre | The shortest and most numerous type of intrafusal muscle fibre's in a neuromuscular spindle, containing a single row of centrally positioned nuclei. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diabetes and fibre | Soluble fibres (oat bran, apples, citrus, pears, peas/beans, psyllium, etc.) slow down the digestion of carbohydrates (sugars), which results in better glucose metabolism. Some patients with the adult-onset diabetes may actually be successfully treated with a high-fibre diet alone, and those on insulin, can often reduce their insulin requirements by adhering to a high-fibre diet. (12 Dec 1998) |
| dietary fibre | <nutrition> The remnants of plant cell walls that are resistant to digestion by the alimentary enzymes of man. It comprises various polysaccharides and lignins. (12 Dec 1998) |
| diverticulosis/diverticulitis and fibre | High fibre diets help delay the progression of diverticulosis and, at least, reduce the bouts of diverticulitis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| outer cone fibre | Located between the inner segment and the cell body. (05 Mar 2000) |
| T fibre | A fibre that branches at right angles to the right and left; term used to describe the branching patterns of granular cell axons in the molecular layer of the cerebellum. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Kuhne's fibre | Artificial muscle fibre made by filling the intestine of an insect with a growth of myxomycetes; used to demonstrate the contractility of protoplasm. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fibre | A substance found in foods that come from plants (fruits and vegetables) and typically cannot be digested. Also called bulk or roughage. Fibre helps in the digestive process and is thought to lower cholesterol and help control blood glucose. The two types of fibre in food are soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibre, found in beans, fruits, and oat products, dissolves in water and is thought to help lower blood fats and blood glucose. Insoluble fibre, found in whole-grain products and vegetables, passes directly through the digestive system, helping to rid the body of waste products and possibly prevent diseases such as colon cancer. High fibre diets help delay the progression of diverticulosis and, at least, reduce the bouts of diverticulitis. In many cases, it helps reduce the symptoms of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (also called spastic colitis, mucus colitis, and nervous colon syndrome.) It is generally accepted that a diet high in fibre is protective, or at least reduces the incidence, of colon polyps and colon cancer. Soluble fibre substances are effective in helping reduce the blood cholesterol. This is especially true with oat bran, fruits, psyllium and legumes. High soluble-fibre diets may lower cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins ( the 'bad' lipoproteins ) by 8% to 15%. Insoluble fibre retains water in the colon, resulting in a softer and larger stool. It is used effectively in treating constipation resulting from poor dietary habits. Bran is particularly rich in insoluble fibre. Soluble fibres (oat bran, apples, citrus, pears, peas/beans, psyllium, etc.) slow down the digestion of carbohydrates (sugars), which results in better glucose metabolism. Some patients with the adult-onset diabetes may actually be successfully treated with a high-fibre diet alone, and those on insulin, can often reduce their insulin requirements by adhering to a high-fibre diet. (12 Dec 1998) |