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Charles Walter Buntjer was born on a farm in northern Illinois, February 4th, 1940 and at the age of 19, was lucky enough to get into the computer business. I attended an IBM school in Chicago to learn how to wire boards (programming at that time), and process data. In 1963 I was working at a very up to date manufacturing plant in Rockford Illinois, the second biggest city in Illinois west of Chicago. I was shocked as I received an official letter indicating I was being drafted into the Army in September of 1963. |
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Testing a New Drug to Control Cholesterol
In addition to its importance for animal cell structure, cholesterol also serves as a precursor for the biosynthesis of steroid hormones and bile acids. Cholesterol is the principal sterol synthesized by all animals. In vertebrates, hepatic cells typically produce the greatest amounts. It is absent among prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea), although there are some exceptions, such as Mycoplasma, which require cholesterol for growth.
Two kinds of lipoproteins carry cholesterol throughout your body: low-density (LDL) lipoproteins and high-density (HDL) lipoproteins. Having healthy levels of both types of lipoproteins is important.
LDL cholesterol sometimes is called “bad” cholesterol. A high LDL level leads to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries. (Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to your body.)
HDL cholesterol sometimes is called “good” cholesterol. This is because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. Your liver removes the cholesterol from your body.
François Poulletier de la Salle first identified cholesterol in solid form in gallstones in 1769. However, it was not until 1815 that chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul named the compound "cholesterine".
I will do numerous types of tests such as an Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of your heart. An EKG shows the heart's electrical activity as line tracings on paper.
The spikes and dips in the tracings are called waves. The heart is a muscular pump made up of four chambers . The two upper chambers are called atria. The two lower chambers are called ventricles. A natural electrical system causes the heart muscle to contract. This pumps blood through the heart to the lungs and the rest of the body.
FDG-PET/CT Scan
China Basin 185 Berry Street, Lobby Six, Suite 180, San Francisco, CA 94017
FDG is a sugar (glucose) labelled with a small amount of radioactivity which goes to parts of the body that use glucose for energy. PET/CT images are acquired on a single scanner. An FDG PET/CT scan can be used to assess the presence, location and severity of cancers.
I will do numerous FDG-PET
scans in this research projecta type of imaging test. It take images using a radioactive substance called a tracer to look for
disease in the body. A PET scan shows how organs and tissues are working), testing of blood vessels in the body. I did ask if anything was found in any of these tests, would my doctor and I be made aware
of the results in case they were negative and they said of course. So that is a good reason to do these research projects, not only does it help many people but I can have multiple tests I normally do not get so I am able to ascertain my health conditions in a timely manner.
Coronary CT Angiogram
China Basin 1855 4th Street, Audio Radiology Room - C1422, San Francisco, CA 94158
A computerized tomography (CT) coronary angiogram is an imaging test that looks at the arteries that supply your heart with blood. Unlike traditional coronary angiograms, CT
Instead, a CT coronary angiogram relies on a powerful X-ray machine to produce images of your heart and its blood vessels. CT angiograms are noninvasive and don't require any recovery time. Coronary CT angiograms are increasingly an option for people with a variety of heart conditions.
Both CT and traditional coronary angiograms expose you to radiation. If you have known coronary artery disease, a traditional coronary angiogram may be a better option, since you can also receive treatment for your coronary artery disease during that procedure.
FMD Ultrasound
FMD Ultrasound Department of Cardiology - Room 5G4, Main Hospital SFGH - 5th Floor
In the 1990s, high-frequency ultrasonographic imaging of the brachial artery to assess endothelium-dependent flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) was developed. The technique provokes the release of nitric oxide, resulting in vasodilation that can be quantitated as an index of vasomotor function. The noninvasive nature of the technique allows repeated measurements over time to study the effectiveness of various interventions that may affect vascular health. However, despite its widespread use, there are technical and interpretive limitations of this technique. State-of-the-art information is presented and insights are provided into the strengths and limitations of high-resolution ultrasonography of the brachial artery to evaluate vasomotor function, with guidelines for its research application in the study of endothelial physiology.
Self Injection of Cholestrol Medication
Cholestrol Medical Pickup - Room 5G4, Main Hospital SFGH - 5th Floor
Doctor Hsue explained I needed to give myself an injection every two weeks in the stomach. The injection was a saline solution, when approved for the project, I will get the medication. It must be kept refrigerated. I said I had done this years ago and never felt a thing at that time. So I pinched my stomach and stuck in the needle, pushed in the liguid and held for a few seconds. Then release the pinched fatty area and the needle came out, no fuss, no pain.
My doctor is: David Nguyen
Danny Li - Study Coordinator:
Priscilla Hsue MD - Medical Doctor in Testing:
Marian Kerbliski is the intermediary:
John Park:
Sophia Hur:
Becky Hoh:
Meghann Williams:
------------------ Dates for Research Projects ------------------
EKG & Blood Draw - September 30, 2016 - Friday
11:00 a.m. appointment at General Hospital to meet with Priscilla Hsue, MD and go over the specifics about the research project and sign the release forms. I then will have an
EKG
and a Blood Draw at the 5th Floor - 5G
I met with Danny Li and I signed the release forms and then had the blood draw. I then had the EKG and then was taken to see Doctor Hsue.
She explained about giving myself an injection every two weeks and she wanted me to use the needle to see if I had problems giving myself a shot. I said I had done this years ago and never felt a thing.
So I pinched my stomach and stuck in the needle, pushed in the liguid and held for a few seconds. Then release the pinched fatty area and the needle came out, no fuss, no pain.
They said they will contact me to see if I can do the research project if the blood tests come out in the range needed to comply with the terms of the test.
Coronary CT Angiogram, - October 28th, 2016 - Friday
10:00 A.M. appointment for a Heart Scan, 1855 4th Street Adult Radiology Room C1422
I took the T Line to Mission Bay where the new multi-billion dollar Biotech industry as grown to within the last 10 years. I had a two inch needle inserted in my left arm opposite my elbow to
They took me to the scanning room and connected a syringe of saline solution and pushed it into my blood stream. They let me lie on the pad of the scanning machine to see how my heart rate was. They took one scan and checked the output. A woman came by and told me that I was so relaxed they didn't need to give me a beta-blocker to slow my heart! She said it was 61 beats a minute, perfect! She did give me a small Lozenge to put under my tongue to melt to enlarge the blood vessels when the dye was inserted into my blood stream. I held my breath repeatedly as they took the scans and then told me the scanning results were perfect and I was finished with the Coronary Angiogram!
FDG-PET/CT Scan, October 31st, 2016 - Friday
07:30 A.M. appointment for Full Body Imaging Study, China Basin 185 Berry Street- Suite 180
I took the T Line a second time to China Basin where I had a full body scan for the VA years ago on another research project.
I went into the scanning room and there were told to lie down and not move for the next hour! They tied my head down so I couldn't move my head and asked me not to move my body. After about an hour I was told that I did a great job. 10 minutes on the head, 15 minutes on the upper body and 20 minutes on the torso. So another test was finished on time and now one more test before the cholesterol testing of giving myself an injection in the stomach for the next year. It is suppose to cut the cholesterol 33 to 60 percent. Time will tell!
I am curious as to how much I will be paid for the three procedures before I start the injection phase of the research program for a new drug for the study of cholesterol.
FMD Ultrasound & Blood Draw, November 3rd, 2016 - Thursday
08:30 A.M. appointment for Ultrasound, Department of Cardiology Room 5G4 -Main Hospital SFGH - 5th Floor
I was told to lie down and relax and had a blood pressure cuff put on my left arm. It was left there the entire two hours of my testing. After 15 minutes my blood pressure was 109 over 68, perfect. My heart rate was 64.
I was left to relax again for half an hour and my blood pressure was taken three times again. I was tested again and then told to relax for another 15 minutes.
Then I was given a small Lozenge of nitroglycerin to put under my tongue to melt to enlarge the blood vessels. The blood pressure cuff was left on my arm and was very tight for five minutes, then the pressure was released, gel was put on my arm and then the last of the testing was done
10:00 A.M. appointment for Blood Draw, General Clinic Research Center Ward 5B - Main Hospital SFGH - 5th Floor
I had a blood draw of 12 large vials.
10:30 A.M. appointment for Drug Injection, General Clinic Research Center Ward 5B - Main Hospital SFGH - 5th Floor
After the blood draw I gave myself the first injection in my stomach. I will be giving myself an injection every two weeks for a year. Every month I will go to General to get
Future Blood Draws, 2016/2017 Dates
9:00 A.M. Appointments for Drug Injections, General Clinic Research Center Ward 5B - Main Hospital SFGH - 5th Floor
November 03, 2016 - Drug Injection - Morning - General Hospital
November 17, 2016 - Drug Injection - Morning - Fox Plaza
December 01, 2016 - Drug Injection - Morning - General Hospital - Thursday Week 4
December 15, 2016 - Drug Injection - Morning - Fox Plaza
The testing has been stopped due to a lack of funding plus the test may not produce the results that are wanted. Note: There may be a new program funded for the study of cholestrol in 2017.
The last meeting at General is on January 10th, 2017. It will involve a blood draw and a brief question about the drug injections I did take while on the study.
FDG-PET/CT Scan 2, January 26, 2017 - China Basin - Thursday - Week 12
07:30 A.M. appointment for Full Body Imaging Study, China Basin 185 Berry Street- Suite 180
FMD Ultrasound & Blood Draw, April 20, 2017 - Thursday - Week 24
09:00 A.M. appointment for Ultrasound, Department of Cardiology Room 5G4 -Main Hospital SFGH - 5th Floor
Return to the Research Projects Page
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structural integrity and fluidity. Cholesterol enables animal cells to dispense with a cell wall (to protect membrane integrity and cell viability), thereby allowing animal cells to change shape and animals to move (unlike bacteria and plant cells, which are restricted by their cell walls).
It can also be used for other conditions such as infection/inflammation and conditions which affect the brain.
angiograms don't use a catheter threaded through your blood vessels to your heart.
take a blood sample to insert on a chip and test the blood for the level of calcium. They then inserted another long needle in my right arm, inside opposite the elbow and then had me relax so my blood pressure would go back to normal.
The technician took my blood pressure three times and then applied the gel to my right upper arm and ran tests for about ten minutes.
have my blood tested and I will inject myself while there. Then I will be given a new syringe and meds to take home to take after two weeks from this injection. I will be giving myself an injection every two weeks at home and the next two weeks, the injection at General.
