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Is Electrical Stimulation A Predictive Tool For Autonomic Dysfunction In Males With Diabetes?, Susan Dorothy Rand

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine whether electrical stimulation can be used as a predictive tool to assess autonomic dysfunction in males with diabetes. The study was designed to better understand the extent of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in the diabetic population.

Controls and patients with diabetes were recruited from the community at large and the Loma Linda University Diabetes Treatment Center and were managed by a physician. Twelve (12) people with diabetes and thirteen (13) control subjects participated. Mean age (years) for people with diabetes was 52.4 +/- 6.1 and 47.2 +/-11.1 for controls (p =0.05). …

Consider The Source : The Effects Of Adult Sources Of Human Immunodefciency [Sic] Virus And Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Information On Teen Risk Behaviors For Sexually Transmitted Infection, Janet E. Flores

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), are major health problems for adolescents, who represent over 26% of new cases of STIs diagnosed annually in the United States. Half of all HIV cases in people under age 25 result from sexual transmission during adolescence. Adolescent STI prevention is a national priority for the United States, and parents, schools, and medical providers, among others, are expected to have the greatest impact on adolescent STI risk reduction in teens.

This study used secondary Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey (YRBS) data to explore the prevalence of high school students with …

Religious Coping And Depression In Home Care Patients, Kirsten Ingheim

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study examined the impact of a medical illness in 36 elderly male and female home health care patients with a primary diagnosis of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and how they coped with their medical condition. Relationships between depression and religious coping, functional status, quality of life, and depression, as well as relationship between functional status and quality of life were investigated. In addition, a moderating effect of the relationship between functional status and depression by religious coping was explored. The participants completed the Religious Problem-Solving Scale (RPSS) (Collaborative, Deferring, and Self-Directing), the SF-12 …

Children With Autism: Sleep Problems And Predictors Of Maternal Stress, Cindy Y. Nam

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Research examining the impact of children’s autism and the sleep problems frequently associated with the disorder on parents’ stress has been quite limited. Studies have been constrained by methodological problems, including small sample sizes and the examination of children of autism within larger groups of children with a range of developmental disabilities. Typically, diagnostic criteria used to select children for an autism study is not indicated and no measure of the severity of children’s symptomology is included. The present investigation was designed to examine children’s autism symptomology and parents’ reports of their children’s sleep problems as well as the parents …

Predictors Of Emotional Reactions In Women Treated For Breast Cancer, Erin E. Ramirez

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Breast cancer can be a devastating disease that impacts a woman in all spheres of her life (Ingram, 1989). Previous studies have examined the impact of breast cancer on body satisfaction, as well as the impact on emotional well-being. Studies have also examined the role of the coping style that a woman engages in response to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in the woman's psychological adjustment to the disease. However, to date, no research has introduced and tested a multifaceted model.

The purpose of this study was to develop a model predicting psychological maladjustment in women treated for …

Detection Of Simulated Apical Root Resorption Using Three Cone Beam Ct Machines, Marcus Paulson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine orthodontists' ability to discriminate small differences of simulated apical root resorption (SARR) on extracted teeth, using the output from three cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) machines. Twenty-four unrestored maxillary anterior teeth exhibiting normal morphology, were collected. The teeth were scanned by three CBCT machines: 1) the NewTom 3G (AFP imaging, USA), 2) the iCAT (Imaging Sciences, USA) 3) and the MicroCAT II (Siemens Medical, USA). Using a sandblaster the apical portion of each tooth was reduced in 0.5 mm increments up to a total reduction of 1.5 mm. Each root modification was …

Electromagnetic Differences In The Brain During Memory Retrieval, Warren Scott Merrifield

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The primary objectives for this experiment were to analyze the neuroanatomical correlates of autobiographical, episodic and semantic memory, use a different paradigm to promote episodic memory retrieval, and employ a different analysis technique to understand retrieval processes. Autobiographical and episodic memories are personal memories from the past. Autobiographical is more general (e.g. a street name of a house growing up) and episodic is more specific to time (e.g. 13th birthday party that took place on a street). For autobiographical and episodic memory retrieval operations, there is no general consensus as to the localization of function, but bilateral activation of the …

Regulation Of Alpha-1-Adrenoceptor-Mediated Contractions Of The Uterine Artery By Pkc, Hongying Zhang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Pregnancy is associated with a significant decrease in uterine vascular tone and a striking increase in uterine blood flow, which ensures normal fetal development. Multiple mechanisms are involved in the adaptation of uterine artery contractility during pregnancy. Both protein kinase C (PKC) and activation of ai-adrenoceptors play important roles in the regulation of uterine artery contractility. In addition, PKC mediates the pregnancyassociated decrease in myogenic tone of the uterine artery, and interacts with ajadrenoceptors leading to modulation of ai-adrenoceptor-mediated contractions of vascular smooth muscle. Yet, whether or to what extent PKC regulates ai-adrenoceptormediated contractions of the uterine artery and their …

Radiation-Induced Increases In Pkc Modulate Integrin Expression And Contribute To Fibrotic Changes, Pinal Rushikesh Pandya

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The sequences of events in fibrosis are similar to those in wound healing; however, the normal termination and resolution stages do not take place. The initial cellular response following ionizing radiation involves accumulation of the ECM (extracellular matrix) including collagen, fibronectin and the interaction of many growth factors (cytokines) with their receptors. There are a number of unanswered questions regarding many aspects of radiation-induced fibrosis, including the initial triggers and physical changes that initiate the process. We have confirmed that elevated pKC and other cellular changes following radiation are similar to those found at sites of inflammation. This information leads …

Reproducibility Of Two Non-Consecutive Scans Using A Newtom 3g; In Vitro Model, Hyoung Jin Park

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of mineral density measurement expressed in Hounsfield Units (HU) using a phantom device with known mineral densities and the NewTom 3G Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT).

Materials and Methods: A phantom device made of 21 HA cylindrical disks with known densities was fabricated. The phantom was scanned in 6, 9, and 12 inch fields of view using a NewTom 3G CBCT. The scans were repeated at non-consecutive sessions. Volumetric data in each of the scans were formatted to DICOM images. HU values of the regions of interest were retrieved …

Repeatability Of Serial Carotid Intima Media Thickness Scanning On Individual Subjects, Judi Nightingale

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background. Heart disease affects millions of Americans each year. In order to improve primary prevention, early risk identification is essential. B-mode ultrasound of the common carotid artery (CCA) intima-media thickness (IMT) assesses risk of a coronary event early in the process of plaque development. Because IMT changes are so small over time, in order to determine clinically significant versus clinically insignificant changes in IMT over a 12 month time period, a protocol is needed which can detect the least significant difference (LSD) of at least 0.030 mm.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a well-defined …

The Association Between Lifestyle Factors And Inflammatory Markers, Kerry Ann Stonebrook

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. While smoking, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol levels are established risk factors for CVD, inflammation is being evaluated as a potential independent risk factor. A key cytokine regulator of the inflammatory response, interleukin-1 (IL-1), has emerged as playing a particularly important role at the genetic level in determining the degree to which the inflammation pathway is turned on. How an individual’s genetic make-up affects inflammation, CVD risk, and response to lifestyle intervention is an area of research that is in …

The Latino Caregiver Experience Among Dementia And Non-Dementia Caregivers : Can Community Based Care Management Improve Caregiver Health?, Catherine Oliveros

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Purpose: This study provides an analysis of the Latino caregiving community in Southeast Texas and the role community based care management plays in influencing caregiver physical and emotional well-being. Design and Methods: A non-random sample of 63 Latino caregivers was interviewed by phone. Caregiver physical and emotional well-being was studied through burden, depression, perceived health status, and resourcefulness. Regression, correlation, and comparison analysis was performed with key variables. Results: Acculturation was positively correlated with care management use. In comparing dementia and non-dementia caregivers both groups had similar levels of depression and burden, however, the dementia group had significantly lower levels …

Predictability Of Cardiovascular Disease Event Rates By Common Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness In The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communties (Aric) Study, Mara Hollander

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: Carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) is a non-invasive reliable predictor of the extent and severity of CVD. There is difficulty acquiring all measurements for validated three-site carotid IMT. More accessible one-site common carotid artery (CCA) IMT has not yet been validated with CVD events.

Purpose: This study will evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of one-site CCA IMT compared to three-site IMT in predicting cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Assessment of whether the association of incremental one-site CCA IMT to a CVD event is significant with and without adjustment for traditional cardiac risk factors was made.

Methodology: Data from The Atherosclerosis …