Angina pectoris (AP) is an important manifestation of chronic coronary heart disease, estimated to affect more than 10% of people aged over 60 years. Typically, AP is experienced as chest pain, induced by exertion and relieved by rest or medication. Despite contemporary medical management, people with chronic AP may experience symptoms during everyday activities. Accordingly, AP has significant potential to limit people's daily activities and participation in life roles. Yet there is a limited literature reporting the impact of AP on activities. The aim of this program of research was to describe the relationship between AP and limitation in people's activities and participation in life roles. The research comprised three studies. The first two studies were undertaken by secondary analysis of data from a large population study, the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ALSA). These studies answered research questions about the relationship between AP and activity limitation in a large sample of older Australians. The third study involved the collection of new data to explore how people of various ages perceive and manage the impact of AP on their activities and life roles. / PhD Doctorate

The objective of this thesis is to investigate the pathophysiology of the coronary slow phenomenon (CSFP). The experimental work of this thesis has taken a 'bedside to benchtop' approach with clinical observations made in the second chapter guiding the application of basic research techniques in subsequent chapters. Chapter 1 ; The CSFP is a disorder of the coronary microcirculation ; hence chapter 1 specifically reviews the current understanding of this vascular territory and concludes with a summary of the clinical disorders affecting it, concentrating on the CSFP. Chapter 2 ; investigated the angiographic response of the CSFP to a calcium channel blocking agent with antianginal efficacy in this disorder ( mibefradil ). Mibefradil administration was associated with an acute improvement of coronary flow indices which occurred despite background vasodilator therapy with conventional calcium channel antagonists. Chapter 3 ; investigated the in vitro response of human microvessels to mibefradil in comparison to conventional calcium channel blockers. Mibefradil was found to be a more potent agent both in terms of vasodilatation and the prevention of vasoconstriction. Both findings support the clinical observations and point to its selective action on the calcium T channel subtype as a potential mechanism. Chapter 4 ; examined the expression of T type calcium channels at the level of the microvasculature and compared T channel expression in CSFP patients and controls. T channels were found to be expressed at two or more orders of magnitude greater than the L channels. No difference in T channel expression between patients and controls was found. Chapter 5 ; examined the vasomotor reactivity of isolated subcutaneous arterial microvessels to various vasoactive substances between controls and CSFP patients. CSFP patients were found to have a selective hyper reactivity to endothelin. Chapter 6 ; examined plasma endothelin levels in CSFP patients and controls and the relationship between endothelin levels and angina frequency in the CSFP cohort. A small but statistically significant elevation of endothelin-1 was present in patients with the CSFP. A positive association between plasma endothelin fluctuation and angina frequency was also found in the CSFP cohort but not between absolute endothelin levels and angina symptoms. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-- The University of Adelaide, School of Medical Sciences, 2006.

Title page, table of contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / Nitric oxide (NO) plays a fundamental role in vascular homeostasis including vasomotor tone, platelet adhesion and aggregation. The current studies examine various aspects of NO responses, including: the methodology for assessment of vascular NO responses, and identification of factors reponsible for poor responsiveness and pharmacological modulation of these responses. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1277081 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Medicine, 2007

The objective of this thesis is to investigate the pathophysiology of the coronary slow phenomenon (CSFP). The experimental work of this thesis has taken a 'bedside to benchtop' approach with clinical observations made in the second chapter guiding the application of basic research techniques in subsequent chapters. Chapter 1 ; The CSFP is a disorder of the coronary microcirculation ; hence chapter 1 specifically reviews the current understanding of this vascular territory and concludes with a summary of the clinical disorders affecting it, concentrating on the CSFP. Chapter 2 ; investigated the angiographic response of the CSFP to a calcium channel blocking agent with antianginal efficacy in this disorder ( mibefradil ). Mibefradil administration was associated with an acute improvement of coronary flow indices which occurred despite background vasodilator therapy with conventional calcium channel antagonists. Chapter 3 ; investigated the in vitro response of human microvessels to mibefradil in comparison to conventional calcium channel blockers. Mibefradil was found to be a more potent agent both in terms of vasodilatation and the prevention of vasoconstriction. Both findings support the clinical observations and point to its selective action on the calcium T channel subtype as a potential mechanism. Chapter 4 ; examined the expression of T type calcium channels at the level of the microvasculature and compared T channel expression in CSFP patients and controls. T channels were found to be expressed at two or more orders of magnitude greater than the L channels. No difference in T channel expression between patients and controls was found. Chapter 5 ; examined the vasomotor reactivity of isolated subcutaneous arterial microvessels to various vasoactive substances between controls and CSFP patients. CSFP patients were found to have a selective hyper reactivity to endothelin. Chapter 6 ; examined plasma endothelin levels in CSFP patients and controls and the relationship between endothelin levels and angina frequency in the CSFP cohort. A small but statistically significant elevation of endothelin-1 was present in patients with the CSFP. A positive association between plasma endothelin fluctuation and angina frequency was also found in the CSFP cohort but not between absolute endothelin levels and angina symptoms. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-- The University of Adelaide, School of Medical Sciences, 2006.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Also available in print.

Thesis (B.A. (Hons.)) from the Department of Psychology, University of Adelaide, 1979.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Medicine, 1999? / Addenda and corrigenda are tipped-in & numbered leaves 281-282. Copies of author's previously published articles are inserted back end paper. Bibliography: leaves 222-279.

Thesis (M.S. Ed.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1993. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-54). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Cleveland State University, 2008. / Abstract. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on July 9, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 107-116). Available online via the OhioLINK ETD Center. Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2009. / Title from title screen (site viewed June 26, 2009). PDF text: vii, 120 p. : ill. ; 855 Kb. UMI publication number: AAT 3350451. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.