Thesis (doctoral)--University of Helsinki, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 50-64).

There has been inconsistencies in the performance of dry-chemistry analyzers using different blood sample types. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine precision and accuracy of both capillary and venous whole blood analyzed by the Reflotron (Boehringer Mannheim Diagnostics, Indianapolis, Indiana) and capillary plasma analyzed by the Ektachem DT60 (Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, New York). Fifty subjects were recruited to provide a representative sample of cholesterol concentrations. One technician performed two fingerstick punctures and one venipuncture on each subject and analyzed the blood sample types in duplicate using each of the dry-chemistry analyzers. The methods and sample types utilized for comparison of total cholesterol are summarized below.ReflotronEktachem DT60Sigma2-Fingerstick whole2-Fingerstick plasma2-Venipuncture plasmablood2-Venipuncture whole2-Venipuncture plasmablood2-Veni uncture lasmaThe mean percent variation of the duplicate samples analyzed revealed all sample types, with the exception of fingerstick whole blood analyzed by theReflotron, met the LSP ideal goal for precision of 5 3% CV. Fingerstick wholeblood CV was 3.1%, meeting the current LSP standard of _5 5% CV for precision. The Sigma wet-chemistry assay for determination of total cholesterol was used as the reference for assessment of bias of each of the sample types. Fingerstick whole blood, via the Reflotron method, produced a positive 5.5% bias when compared to the reference, failing to meet the current LSP goal for acceptable accuracy (±5% bias). Venous whole blood analyzed using the Reflotron met this goal with a bias of +3.3%. Fingerstick plasma, via the Ektachem DT60 method, produced a bias of +2.1%, meeting the ideal LSP goal of ±3% bias. Venous plasma as measured by both the Reflotron and Ektachem DT60 also met this ideal goal (+2.0% and +1.8% bias, respectively). Overall, precision and accuracy of all sample types, with the exception of fingerstick whole blood, when analyzed by their respective dry-chemistry analyzer was acceptable. / School of Physical Education

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1993. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-123). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Dakota, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 37-40)

The physico-chemical properties of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase were investigated. The amino acid composition analysis showed a relatively high content of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glycine and leucine. The spectrophotometric titration of phenolic groups in the enzyme showed a large increase in absorbance at 295 nm with an apparent pK of about 12.0. The largest change in molar ellipticity at 222 nm was also observed above pH 11. Circular dichroism studies revealed that human lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase has a relatively high content of β-pleated sheet structure (48%) with 20% α-helix, and 32% remaining structure. Human lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase has a high extinction coefficient at neutral pH. Microsequencing of the amino terminal residues of the enzyme revealed a hydrophobic character. Inactivation of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activity was observed using diisopropylfluorophosphate with a stoichiometry of 1 mole of diisopropylphosphate incorporated per mole of enzyme. This suggests the involvement of a serine residue in the active site of the enzyme, possibly for the formation of an acyl-intermediate. A new quicker assay method for lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase was developed. This assay involved coupling reaction with acyl CoA synthetase, ΡΡᵢ-dependent phosphofructokinase, aldolase, triosephosphate isomerase and α-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase monitoring a change in the absorbance or fluorescence intensity due to the oxidation of NADH. The activity of each coupling enzyme was accurately determined to establish the optimum assay condition for lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase. The coupled enzyme assay for lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase by spectrofluorometry showed a significant change in relative fluorescence intensity whereas a UV absorption spectroscopy method showed no significant absorbance change for the initial rate of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase reaction.

Hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol) is a risk factor for atherosclerosis, a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. Much has been written on managing high cholesterol levels including the use of drug therapy and recommendations about beneficial lifestyle changes relating to nutrition and exercise in particular. Despite this, and the need for patients to engage in self management of a condition which may impact invisibly on their health, little is known about how people living with this risk factor actually manage.The purpose of this grounded theory study is to investigate people's process of living with high cholesterol. Eight participants with self reported high cholesterol levels were interviewed and their data analysed using the process of constant comparative analysis, open coding, selective coding and theoretical coding. A substantive theory in the area of patient self-management of high cholesterol levels was generated through the use of this approach. The theory developed was the basic social process of Maintaining Enjoyment of Life, with two supporting categories, Accepting and Getting On With It.Maintaining Enjoyment of Life was central to the participants' process of living with high cholesterol and the recommended health directives. The identification of this basic social process adds to our understanding of the influences on individuals' motivation for behaviour change and adherence to lifestyle changes. The findings of this study provide understanding that issues relating to behaviour change and adherence are not so much about denying that anything is wrong or not taking personal responsibility, but more about trying to hold on to something important, around which the participants' lives revolve. This is Maintaining Enjoyment of Life. By focussing on this basic social process, which is grounded in the participants' data, health professionals could work more effectively towards empowering patients to identify their own individualised strategies for self-management of high cholesterol. In addition, health directives could focus more on process rather than on do(s) and don't(s).

During the course of this study, an extensive investigation was conducted into the measurement of free and total cholesterol by fabrication of cholesterol biosensors. Specific areas investigated in-depth included the immobilisation of enzymes into conducting polypyrrole (PPy) film, bovine serum albumin-glutaraldehyde (BSA-GLA) gel and a hybrid bi-layer of PPy and BSA-GLA. Key parameters for the reliable measurement of cholesterol were optimised. The optimum parameters / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1990.

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship of exercise of self-care agency and serum cholesterol levels. The American Heart Association (1986) and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (1987) have identified the reduction of serum cholesterol as a major factor in decreasing the risk for coronary artery disease. Orem's theory of self-care identified diet and exercise management as activities well being (Orem, 1971). It was hypothesized that high levels of self-care are inversely related to serum cholesterol levels. A retrospective study was conducted. A convenience sample of 176 individuals who have obtained cholesterol screening at a Nursing Center for Family Health was obtained. Written consent was obtained to review individual files for serumcholesterol levels, information related to demographic variables, nutrition and exercise habits; and for the Exercise of Self-Care Agency. Each participant completed the "Exercise of Self-Care Agency" tool. Confidentiality was maintained and responses were coded for analysis only. Correlational statistics were utilized to analyze the data obtained. The hypothesis was tested using Pearson r analysis and demonstrated poor correlation and no significant relationship. Research questions related to diet, exercise, age and the exercise of self-care agency were tested by a 3x2x2 ANOVA and showed no significant difference. Recommendations for future study should include replication of the study with a larger sample and randomization of the sample. / School of Nursing