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Virginia Commonwealth University

2009

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Antibiotic Use By Members Of The American Association Of Endodontics: A National Survey For 2009- A Follow Up From The Report In 1999, Pye Kyu Dec 2009

Antibiotic Use By Members Of The American Association Of Endodontics: A National Survey For 2009- A Follow Up From The Report In 1999, Pye Kyu

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in prescribing habits of active members of American Association of Endodontics (AAE) with regards to antibiotics in comparison to the findings reported by Yingling et al. in 1999. The invitations to take the online survey were sent via email to 2593 active members. A response rate of 37.75% was obtained. It was determined to be adequate for analysis and for comparison to the results obtained by Yingling et al. Comparisons between the percentages shown in this survey and the previous survey were tested using a z-test. An ANOVA model was …


Examination Of Platelet Adhesion By Streptococcus Sanguinis, Brian Mahoney Nov 2009

Examination Of Platelet Adhesion By Streptococcus Sanguinis, Brian Mahoney

Theses and Dissertations

Streptococcus sanguinis is a leading cause of infective endocarditis. Bacterial adhesion to platelets is likely important in the pathogenesis of infective endocarditis. Bacterial cell wall-anchored (Cwa) proteins may mediate this adhesion. To begin to test this hypothesis, S. sanguinis adhesion to platelets was examined in vitro. The requirement of 12 Cwa proteins for S. sanguinis-platelet adhesion was individually assessed, measuring adhesion of purified platelets to polystyrene wells coated with S. sanguinis strain SK36 or 12 isogenic Cwa protein mutants. Significantly fewer platelets adhered to wells coated with one mutant strain, VT1614. However, results of a whole-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) …


[2009-11-12] November 12, 2009 Meeting Of The Board Of Visitors Of Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University. Board Of Visitors Nov 2009

[2009-11-12] November 12, 2009 Meeting Of The Board Of Visitors Of Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University. Board Of Visitors

VCU Board of Visitors Minutes

Official minutes of the VCU Board of Visitors and its Executive Committee.


Commonwealth Times 2009-09-24 Sep 2009

Commonwealth Times 2009-09-24

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.


The Scarab (2009-09) Sep 2009

The Scarab (2009-09)

The Scarab, 1952-2010

From the cover: "Official Organ of the Alumni Association of the Medical College of Virginia."


Shafer Court Connections (2009-09) Sep 2009

Shafer Court Connections (2009-09)

Shafer Court Connections, 1994-2010

For alumni of the Academic Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University.


The Role Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis Lysine Specific Protease, Kgp In Hemin Transport And Pigment Accumulation, Anuj Phull Aug 2009

The Role Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis Lysine Specific Protease, Kgp In Hemin Transport And Pigment Accumulation, Anuj Phull

Theses and Dissertations

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium, is implicated as a major etiological agent in the initiation and progression of severe forms of periodontal disease. It has been reported that gingivitis and periodontal disease affect roughly 50.3% and 35% of the adult population, respectively. Therefore, approximately over 85% of the adult population may suffer from some form of gingival disease. Porphyromonas gingivalis, an established periodontopathogen, requires hemin for growth. Although multiple hemin uptake systems appear to be present in this organism, their specific role in hemin uptake and virulence remains unknown. Pigmentation is thought to result from the accumulation of iron …


Controlled Release Of Fluoride From Poly(Ethylene-Co-Vinyl Acetate) Films, Shadeed Khan Aug 2009

Controlled Release Of Fluoride From Poly(Ethylene-Co-Vinyl Acetate) Films, Shadeed Khan

Theses and Dissertations

The development of aesthetically unattractive white spots is a concern for patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Due to poor oral hygiene during treatment, accumulation of plaque around orthodontic brackets causes bacterial fermentation reactions producing acids that dissolve the mineral enamel. Such dissolution results in white spot formation, an early sign of dental caries. In principal, to inhibit the appearance of these spots during treatment, fluoridated elastomeric o-rings might be employed. Once placed around brackets, these o-rings should release fluoride therapeutically for at least 30 days, after which the orthodontist may replace them. At the present time, such fluoride-releasing o-rings are …


A Cellular Mechanism For Dendritic Spine Loss Following Traumautic Brain Injury In Rat, Brian Low Jul 2009

A Cellular Mechanism For Dendritic Spine Loss Following Traumautic Brain Injury In Rat, Brian Low

Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. The injury is often composed of two processes: the primary injury, which can involve irreversible loss of tissue, and the secondary injury, which involves a cascade of reactive processes such as excitotoxicity that occur in the hours and days after the initial insult. Excitotoxic stimulation of neuronal circuits can lead to cellular dysfunction and modulation of neuronal sensitivity. One mechanism of dysfunction involves the calcium-regulated phosphatase, calcineurin. Calcineurin has been shown to be involved in the modulation of the neuronal post-synaptic structures known as dendritic …


Fabrication And Characterization Of Bioactive, Composite Electrospun Bone Tissue Engineering Scaffolds Intended For Cleft Palate Repair, Parthasarathy Madurantakam Jul 2009

Fabrication And Characterization Of Bioactive, Composite Electrospun Bone Tissue Engineering Scaffolds Intended For Cleft Palate Repair, Parthasarathy Madurantakam

Theses and Dissertations

Tissue Engineering is a scientific discipline that aims to regenerate tissues and organs that are diseased, lost or congenitally absent. It encompasses the use of suitable synthetic equivalents of native extracellular matrix that may or may not be supplemented with cells or relevant growth factors. Such scaffolds are designed to reside at the site of implantation for a variable period of time during which they induce the regeneration of native tissue. During this time, they also provide a template for new cells to attach, infiltrate, differentiate into appropriate phenotype and eventually restore function of the concerned tissue. Among the factors …


Retinoic Acid Induced 1 Gene Analysis In Humans And Zebrafish, Bijal Vyas Jul 2009

Retinoic Acid Induced 1 Gene Analysis In Humans And Zebrafish, Bijal Vyas

Theses and Dissertations

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a complex mental retardation syndrome caused by deletion of 17p11.2 region or mutation of the RAI1 gene (retinoic acid induced 1). Individuals with SMS typically exhibit speech and motor delays, mental retardation, characteristic craniofacial and skeletal anomalies, and a distinct neurobehavioral phenotype that includes sleep disturbances, stereotypes, and maladaptive and self-injurious behaviors. RAI1 is thought to be a transcription factor modulating the expression of genes involved in a variety of cellular functions. Previous studies have shown the RAI1 gene being induced by retinoic acid (RA), a derivative of vitamin A. RA plays a significant role in …


Heritability Of Autoantibody Levels In A Twin Population, Amal Rastogi Jun 2009

Heritability Of Autoantibody Levels In A Twin Population, Amal Rastogi

Theses and Dissertations

AIM: This study aims to determine what portion of specific autoantibody phenotypes are genetically determined by using a twin model. METHODS: This study specifically examines Anti-Ro(SSA), Anti-La (SSB), Anti-Sn/RNP, Anti-Sm, Anti-Jo-1, Anti-Scl-70, Anti-Tg & Anti-TPO, Anti-dsDNA, Anti-PS, and Anti-cardiolipin antibodies for their heritability. This study examined 104 same-sex adult twins (66 monozygous, 38 dizygous) for the above mentioned autoantibody values. The serum autoantibody values in each subject were quantified using automated ELISA. Descriptive statistics including, distributions, quantiles, and moments were calculated by zygosity for continuous antibody values, subject ages, gender, race and smoking status. Categorical antibody levels were used to …


Comparing Bootstrap And Jackknife Variance Estimation Methods For Area Under The Roc Curve Using One-Stage Cluster Survey Data, Allison Dunning Jun 2009

Comparing Bootstrap And Jackknife Variance Estimation Methods For Area Under The Roc Curve Using One-Stage Cluster Survey Data, Allison Dunning

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to examine the bootstrap and jackknife as methods for estimating the variance of the AUC from a study using a complex sampling design and to determine which characteristics of the sampling design effects this estimation. Data from a one-stage cluster sampling design of 10 clusters was examined. Factors included three true AUCs (.60, .75, and .90), three prevalence levels (50/50, 70/30, 90/10) (non-disease/disease), and finally three number of clusters sampled (2, 5, or 7). A simulated sample was constructed for each of the 27 combinations of AUC, prevalence and number of clusters. Estimates of …


Prevalence Of White Spot Lesions During Orthodontic Treatment, Julian Dixon Jun 2009

Prevalence Of White Spot Lesions During Orthodontic Treatment, Julian Dixon

Theses and Dissertations

The reported prevalence of decalcification in orthodontic patients varies from 2 to 96% mainly due to the lack of a standard examination technique. The aims of this study were: 1) to determine the prevalence of white spot lesions around brackets using visual examination and the DIAGNOdent; 2) to determine which teeth were the most susceptible to decalcification; and 3) to test the accuracy of the DIAGNOdent by comparing to the visual examination. The presence of white spot lesions was determined in two groups of patients who were 6 and 12 months into orthodontic treatment, respectively. The control group consisted of …


The Effect Of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (Snps) In Toll-Like Receptors -2, -4, -9, And Cd14 Genes In An African-American Population With Chronic Periodontitis, Willard Maughan Jun 2009

The Effect Of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (Snps) In Toll-Like Receptors -2, -4, -9, And Cd14 Genes In An African-American Population With Chronic Periodontitis, Willard Maughan

Theses and Dissertations

AIM: to determine if a relationship exists between TLR-2, TLR-4, TLR-9, or CD14 polymorphisms and risk for developing chronic periodontal disease in an African-American population. This is the first study conducted to determine role of SNPs in TLR genes and CD14 gene in a periodontally-diseased African-American population. Additionally, this is the first study to assess the role of TLR-9 polymorphism in periodontitis patients. METHODS: A total of 130 subjects were involved in the study. The chronic periodontitis (CP) group contained 73 subjects, and the healthy control (NP) group 57subjects. Genotyping was performed in TLR2 (G2408A), TLR4 (A896G),TLR9 (T1486C) and CD14 …


Frequency Of Tlr-2, 4, 9 And Cd14 Polymorphisms In Aggressive Periodontitis Population In African-Americans, Melanie Chou Jun 2009

Frequency Of Tlr-2, 4, 9 And Cd14 Polymorphisms In Aggressive Periodontitis Population In African-Americans, Melanie Chou

Theses and Dissertations

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in various pattern recognition receptor (PRR) genes, including Toll like receptors (TLR) -2, -4, -9, and CD14 in chronic (CP), localized (LAP) and generalized aggressive (GAP) periodontitis and periodontally healthy (NP) patients in an African American population. Methods: A total of 205 subjects were involved in the study. The LAP group consists of 25 subjects, the GAP group 50 subjects, the CP group 73 subjects and the NP group 57subjects. Genotyping was performed in TLR2 (G2408A), TLR4 (A896G),TLR9 (T1486C) and CD14 (C260T) genes by …


Perceived Responsibility For The Development Of White Spot Lesions During Orthodontic Treatment, Blake Maxfield Jun 2009

Perceived Responsibility For The Development Of White Spot Lesions During Orthodontic Treatment, Blake Maxfield

Theses and Dissertations

White spot lesions (WSLs) or decalcifications remain a common complication in orthodontic patients with poor oral hygiene. The purpose of this study was to compare attitudes regarding the development of WSLs among patients, parents, orthodontists and general dentists and improve prevention and treatment protocols through better communication. A survey was developed to evaluate and compare the current opinions of orthodontic patients (n=315), parents (n=279), orthodontists (n=305) and general dentists (n=191) regarding the significance, prevention and treatment of WSLs. All four groups indicated that WSLs did detract from the overall appearance of straight teeth. All four groups indicated that patients were …


The Scarab (2009-06) Jun 2009

The Scarab (2009-06)

The Scarab, 1952-2010

From the cover: "Official Organ of the Alumni Association of the Medical College of Virginia."


Leadership And Dental Aesthetics Of Adults As Perceived By Laypersons, E. Britton Montgomery May 2009

Leadership And Dental Aesthetics Of Adults As Perceived By Laypersons, E. Britton Montgomery

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if dental aesthetics is perceived by adults to affect an individual’s ability to emerge as a leader. An electronic survey was constructed using facial frontal smiling photographs of 10 patients. Statements were formulated to evaluate four leadership characteristics: intelligence, self-confidence, friendliness, and trustworthiness. Evaluators indicated their level of agreement with each statement for each subject using a 100mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Data was obtained from 214 evaluators. Picture ratings were analyzed using repeated-measures mixed-model analyses. Evaluator factors and picture factors were considered when testing for crooked vs. straight teeth differences. There …


[2009-05-15] May 15, 2009 Meeting Of The Board Of Visitors Of Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University. Board Of Visitors May 2009

[2009-05-15] May 15, 2009 Meeting Of The Board Of Visitors Of Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University. Board Of Visitors

VCU Board of Visitors Minutes

Official minutes of the VCU Board of Visitors and its Executive Committee.


Determinants Of Hepatitis B Vaccination Among Adults In The United States: Nhanes 1999-2006, Conschetta Wright May 2009

Determinants Of Hepatitis B Vaccination Among Adults In The United States: Nhanes 1999-2006, Conschetta Wright

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of vaccination and HBV infection status of adults and to evaluate the trend in self reported vaccination and seroprevalence for Hepatitis B for this population. Additionally, this study sought to assess the association between vaccination rates, seroprevalence (HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs), demographic (age, gender, location of birth, race/ethnicity), and socioeconomic (annual household income, education level, insurance coverage and access to care, marital status) characteristics. Methods: Eight years, 1999-2006, of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data were used. NHANES participants aged 20-59 years who contributed data …


Examining Campus Crime At Virginia’S Colleges And Universities, Christina M. Barnes May 2009

Examining Campus Crime At Virginia’S Colleges And Universities, Christina M. Barnes

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines reported campus crime at Virginia’s institutions of higher education. Utilizing secondary data and content analysis, the research seeks to determine the amount and types of crime occurring on Virginia campuses and which correlates explain such crimes. Three sources of campus crime statistics are included and scrutinized in detail, including the Clery Act statistics, Virginia Incident-Based Reporting statistics and campus crime logs. Regardless of data source, findings indicate that the vast majority of reported campus crime is comprised of property offenses. The research argues to separate analyses by campus police departments versus campus security departments for more meaningful …


Delayed And Forgone Care For Children With Special Health Care Needs In Virginia: A Cross-Sectional Study Using 2005-2006 Ns-Cshcn, Nevena Skoro May 2009

Delayed And Forgone Care For Children With Special Health Care Needs In Virginia: A Cross-Sectional Study Using 2005-2006 Ns-Cshcn, Nevena Skoro

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives The objectives of our study were to: 1) summarize illness characteristics and functional ability difficulties among Children With Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) in Virginia, 2) examine the distribution of socio-demographic, health insurance, and health-related factors among Virginia’s CSHCN, 3) quantify the influence of these socio-demographic, health insurance, and health-related factors on delayed and forgone care of CSHNC in Virginia, and 4) analyze reasons for delayed and forgone care among Virginia’s CSHCN. Methods Data from the 2005-2006 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (NS-CSHCN) were used for this study. Three categories of predictor variables were studied: …


Tacrolimus Is Not Neuroprotective Against Bilirubin Induced Auditory Impairment, Lori Walker Apr 2009

Tacrolimus Is Not Neuroprotective Against Bilirubin Induced Auditory Impairment, Lori Walker

Theses and Dissertations

In newborns, unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) is not readily excreted, and when bilirubin levels exceed the serum albumin binding capacity, pathological levels of UCB exist. Hyperbilirubinemia may lead to auditory damage and ultimately cause a hearing disorder called auditory neuropathy/dys-synchrony, characterized by absent or abnormal brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) with evidence of normal inner ear function assessed by either otoacoustic emissions or cochlear microphonic responses. Phototherapy and double volume exchange transfusion are used as treatment methods for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Spontaneously jaundiced Gunn rat pups given sulfadimethoxine to displace bilirubin from serum albumin develop bilirubin encephalopathy and have abnormal BAEPs comparable …


Role Of The Porphyromonas Gingivalis Ecf Sigma Factor, Sigh, In Oxidative Stress Response, Sara Sarrafee Apr 2009

Role Of The Porphyromonas Gingivalis Ecf Sigma Factor, Sigh, In Oxidative Stress Response, Sara Sarrafee

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease affects a majority of the US population. Porphyromonas gingivalis is the major etiological agent for development and progression of the disease. P. gingivalis is a hemin-dependent, obligate anaerobe that is found predominantly in periodontal pockets in infected patients. So for, little is known regarding the mechanisms which allow P. gingivalis to survive and sustain itself in the oral cavity. To better understand the adaptive mechanisms of the bacterium to the varying conditions in the oral cavity, regulatory mechanisms must be characterized. Sigma factors (σ) are responsible for initiating transcription by guiding RNA polymerase binding to specific DNA promoter …


Functional Health Literacy And The Use Of Dental Services In Young Children, Melissa Fries Apr 2009

Functional Health Literacy And The Use Of Dental Services In Young Children, Melissa Fries

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine parental Functional Health Literacy and their child’s subsequent utilization of dental services. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of children (n=1175) enrolled in the Child Health Investment Partnership of Virginia (CHIP). Descriptive statistics and separate multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine the relationship between functional health literacy measures; 1) Health Care Literacy (HCL), 2) Personal Health Literacy (PHL), and 3) LSP 22 scale, with utilization as measured as number of dental visit/s. Results: Descriptive analysis of the cohort reveals: 45% black, 40% white, 10% Hispanic, 5% other, 41% of …


The Evaluation Of Pain Experienced By Children Undergoing Simple Extraction Using 2% Lidocaine Versus Oraqix Topical Anesthetic Gel, John Haffner Apr 2009

The Evaluation Of Pain Experienced By Children Undergoing Simple Extraction Using 2% Lidocaine Versus Oraqix Topical Anesthetic Gel, John Haffner

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the pain response experienced by children undergoing simple tooth extractions using 2% Lidocaine injection versus Oraqix topical anesthetic gel. Methods: This study is being conducted at VCU pediatric dentistry clinic. The sample size will consist of 15 children ages 7-12 undergoing a simple extraction procedure. Each participant is randomly assigned to one of two groups, the lidocaine injection group or the Oraqix topical group. The pain level will be measured at four key events during the procedure. The first event will evaluate the pain at baseline. The second event will measure …


Swaying The Masses: The Effect Of Argument Strength And Linguistic Abstractness On Attitudes, Jessica Barber Apr 2009

Swaying The Masses: The Effect Of Argument Strength And Linguistic Abstractness On Attitudes, Jessica Barber

Theses and Dissertations

Two studies were conducted to investigate how the use of different types of language affects attitudes. Participants scrutinized arguments supporting a hypothetical toothpaste that differed in terms of argument strength (strong versus weak) and linguistic abstractness (abstract versus concrete) and subsequently evaluated the toothpaste. In addition, half of the participants in the second study were subjected to a cognitive load manipulation (i.e., rehearsing a ten-digit number) in order to limit their level of cognitive elaboration. Results indicated that strong arguments and those containing concrete descriptions led to more positive attitudes about the toothpaste, whereas weak messages comprised of abstract terms …


Obesity, Adiposity, And Satiety In Mouse Models Of Smith-Magenis Syndrome And Dup(17)(P11.2) Syndrome, Brooke Burns Apr 2009

Obesity, Adiposity, And Satiety In Mouse Models Of Smith-Magenis Syndrome And Dup(17)(P11.2) Syndrome, Brooke Burns

Theses and Dissertations

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a complex disorder caused by haploinsufficiency of RAI1 and characterized by sleep disturbances, behavioral abnormalities, mental retardation, and obesity in teens and adults. Rai1+/- mice are obese after 20 weeks. Dup(17)(p11.2) syndrome is a complex disorder associated with overexpression of RAI1. A transgenic mouse model of dup(17)(p11.2) syndrome overexpresses Rai1 and results in a mouse that is growth delayed. In order to characterize the obese phenotypes of mouse models of SMS and the role of RAI1 in obesity, daily food intake and serum levels of insulin, glucose, PPY, and leptin were measured; adiposity was studied by …


Comparing Cyclic Fatigue Of The New Gt® Series Xtm Files To The Original Profile® Gt® Rotary Instruments, Steven Osmond Apr 2009

Comparing Cyclic Fatigue Of The New Gt® Series Xtm Files To The Original Profile® Gt® Rotary Instruments, Steven Osmond

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to test the number of rotations to fracture of the M-Wire GT® Series X(TM) rotary files compared to the original ProFile® GT® rotary files in a simulated curved canal. Eighty GT® Series X(TM) files of 25mm length were divided into eight groups of ten, one for each of the new GT® Series X(TM) files. Eighty original ProFile® GT® files of 25mm length were divided into eight groups of the same tip and taper sizes consistent with the GT® Series X(TM) file groups. Files were rotated at 300 rpm. While the angle may have slightly …