Comparative evaluation of ultramicro—and macro-chemo enzyme based assays of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides

A comparison of the absorbance, enzyme/substrate concentration, reaction efficiency and sensitivity has been made for enzyme-based clinical chemistry assays, using a conventional colorimeter versus a strip-microwell reader, in order to establish the value of ultra-microchemical procedure, with reaction volume 87 μl (light path length=0.25 cm). By utilizing commercial kits available for the quantitation of serum glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides, it has been established that the micro method is highly cost effective (9–30 fold), reproducible and sensitive. Comparison of blood drawn by a finger prick (capillary) and venipuncture for normal and pathological specimens show reproducibility between different laboratory technologists and in reference with the values reported by an accredited reference laboratory. Since the micro method uses very little serum, it is most suitable for analyses of small smaples, from large population-based field trials. However, the assay range has to be titrated for each commercial kit to establish the enzyme/substrate equivalence.     

Physical Education As an Agent of Change

Much has changed since the days of Dudley Allen Sargent. Still, the purposes espoused by Sargent, and others who preceded us, are not so different from the purposes I see for our field today. Physical education has much to offer society and it is my belief that it can be an effective agent of change—especially in promoting the health of our nation. In this paper, I attempt to make a case for the establishment of clear common objectives for physical education that provide the basis for future action. Lack of clear and unambiguous objectives for physical education will render it (and NAPEHE) ineffective as an agent of change in the future. Suggestions concerning common objectives for physical education are outlined as well as suggestions for change in the schools, in colleges and universities, and within NAPEHE. My contention is that a clear purpose within physical education is essential if physical education is to be an effective agent of change in society.