Digital Commons Network^™

Factors Influencing Venom Expenditure During Defensive Bites By Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon Piscivorus) And Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Viridis, Crotalus Atrox), Shelton Scott Herbert

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Although the quantity of venom expended when biting is an important aspect of the natural history of snakes, little is known regarding the quantities of venom expended during bites. Recent studies have shown that rattlesnakes appear capable of selectively allocating their venom reserves during predatory strikes, metering more venom into certain prey types and less into others. Despite much speculation, the quantities of venom expended during defensive bites are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that influence venom expenditure during defensive bites by cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus), western rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) and western diamondbacks …

Analysis Of Protein And Rna Interactions Of The Hiv-1 Rev Protein, John Francis

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The HIV-1 Rev protein enters the nucleus via it’s nuclear localization sequence/RNA binding domain and interacts with a ≈234 nt region of viral RNA, termed the Rev Response Element (RRE), which is located in the env region of unspliced and singly-spliced HIV-1 mRNA. The Rev nuclear export sequence (NES) then mediates translocation of the viral transcript to the cytoplasm, allowing for translation of viral structural genes and active virion formation. We report identification of two yeast nucleopore proteins, NUP49 and NUP100, that have been found to interact with Rev in vivo using the yeast two-hybrid system. NUP49 and NUP100 contain …

The Role Of Gap Junctions In Congenital Diseases Of The Heart, Scott Henry Britz-Cunningham

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background. Gap junctions are thought to have a crucial role in the synchronized contraction of the heart and in embryonic development. Connexin43, the major protein of gap junctions in the heart, is targeted by several protein kinases that regulate myocardial cell-cell coupling. We hypothesized that mutations altering sites critical to this regulation would lead to functional or developmental abnormalities of the heart.

Methods. Connexin43 DNA from 25 normal subjects and 30 children with a variety of congenital heart diseases was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. Mutant DNA was expressed in cell culture and examined for its effect …

A Cross-Sectional Study Examining Lifestyle And Rheumatoid Arthritis, Leslie Nazaroff

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Objective. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the synovial joints. RA affects 0.5-2% of the population. Though it is predominantly a progressive disease, adjunct therapy may slow the destructive pathway or alleviate affiliated symptoms. This study examined the effects of lifestyle (diet and exercise) and self-efficacy on symptoms of RA as measured by disease activity and health satisfaction.

Methods. Seventy-five RA patients (77% female) from the Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Offices, Rheumatology Department completed self-assessment surveys on their lifestyle practices and RA affliction. Disease symptoms and activity were assessed with the Arthritis Impact Measurement …

Regulation Of Connexin43 By Phosphorylation In Heart Development, John C. Duncan

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Serine/threonine protein kinases have been shown to reversibly regulate cell-cell communication through gap junctions formed by connexin 43 (Cx43) (Godwin et al.7 1993). The Cx43 protein expression levels are unclear and what role phosphorylation plays in the regulation of signal transduction through these gap junctions during heart formation. Reportedly, mutations which replace potentially phosphorylatable serines within the Cx43 protein are associated with heart malformations (Britz-Cunningham et al.. 1995), highlighting the importance of determining the levels of Cx43 and the activities of PKA and PKC during heart development.

Western analysis performed on hearts from developmentally significant time points revealed principally high …

Establishing Norms For A Mexican Group Using Ricketts, Steiner And Arnett Analyses, Mauricio Gonzalez Balut

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Most existing cephalometric analyses are based on norms for the Caucasian population. Therefore, they cannot be properly applied for Mexican or Hispanic patients. Ethnic variations in the normal positions of the maxilla and mandible influence and alter the diagnosis and treatment plan for each of the different type of malocclusions. Previous studies have addressed the difference between the Caucasian norms and the Hispanic norms, this indicates the variety of their skeletal, dental and facial features.

It is the purpose of this study to establish specific cephalometric standards for the native Mexican group, using the Steiner and Ricketts analyses along with …

The Effects Of Exposure To Extremely Low-Amplitude, Low-Frequency Electric Fields On Skeletal Tissue, In Vitro, Robert James Fitzsimmons

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

In vivo experiments have demonstrated (a) that transient electrical potentials are induced in impact-loaded bone, and (b) that bone formation is increased in response to electrical stimulation. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that, in response to mechanical loading, mechanical energy in bone is transduced into biologically relevant electrical energy. In order to study the mechanism through which electric fields may increase bone formation, a model system was developed were bone cells or bone organ cultures were exposed to a capacitively-coupled electric field of low frequency (8-25 Hz) and extremely low amplitude (estimated 10^-7 V/cm in the culture medium) for …

A Comparison In Processing Of Alginate Orthodontic Impressions By Commercial Labs, Robert Agnetta

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Many orthodontists use commercial orthodontic laboratories for the processing of their impressions including preparation of the impression for pouring, model retrieval, final trim, and labeling. It was studied, by way of random sample survey, what materials and methods were most commonly utilized in 100 offices of members of the American Association of Orthodontics. This survey data was analyzed and used to establish a protocol to study differences in dimensions of models made from impressions that were poured immediately, versus those that were stored and picked up at the office the same day they were taken, and those that were shipped …

The Relationship Of The Incisive Canal To Maxillary Median Diastema, Jeffery S. Corbett

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the incisive canal and maxillary median diastema, and to identify an imaging method capable of documenting the geometry and dimensions of the incisive canal. The sample consisted of 59 dry skulls, 26 of which had a maxillary median diastema ranging in size from 0.1 mm to 2.8 mm (mean 1.0 mm, SD = 0.7 mm). Each skull had all of the permanent maxillary teeth present from first molar to first molar and lacked any apparent non-orthodontic condition that could have caused the diastema. Diastema width and canal diameter were …

Localization Of Sodium, Potassium-Adenosine Triphosphatase In The Cerebral Cortex Of Developing Rats, Maki Ujiie

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Active transport via Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase plays an important role in establishing and maintaining proper ionic gradient across all mammalian cell membranes. A strict regulation of Na⁺, and K⁺ ion levels is especially important in excitable cells such as neurons and myocytes. Inhibition of the enzyme is associated with several pathological conditions and has serious detrimental effects on cerebral cortical cells. Yet the enzyme appears to be limited in amount and distribution in newborn rats. In this study, Na_⁺, K⁺- ATPase expression and distribution in early postnatal rats were studied …

A Comparison Of Bond Strength Between Three Glass Ionomer Cements Used For The Retention Of Orthodontic Bands, Bryan C. Johnson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The study compared the retentive bond strength of Ketac-Cem with Ultra Bond-Lok and a 3M Experimental glass ionomer cement at 1 hour and 24 hours using laser and common light cure techniques. The sample consisted of one hundred twenty sound extracted human molars divided into 5 groups: Ketac-Cem (self-cure), Ultra Band-Lok (light-cure), Ultra Band-Lok (laser cure), 3M Experimental (light-cure) and 3M Experimental (laser cure). Stainless steel orthodontic bands with buccal and lingual cleats were cemented as per manufacturer's instructions for each of the test samples. The samples were placed in water until ready for testing. The shear bond strength of …

Prediction Of Discharge Destination From Initial Physical Therapy Assessment Using The Physical Assessment Key (Pak), Wendy L. Chung, Kimberly A. Vieten

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if a patient’s discharge destination could be predicted by information available upon the physical therapy initial evaluation using the Physical Assessment Key (PAK). There were 141 subjects (58 male, 83 female) included in this study and their ages ranged from 19 to 89 years (mean age=57.1 years). Each subject was given a PAK score on the day of the initial physical therapy evaluation and on the day of discharge from the hospital. The PAK evaluates a patient in the areas of transfer activities, self-care activities, locomotion and excretion management. A patient was …

Transcriptional Regulation Of The Bombyx Mori A3 Cytoplasmic Actin Promoter In Insect And Mammalian Cells, Karoly Fatyol

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

In this study we have analyzed the activity of the silkworm A3 cytoplasmic actin promoter in homologous insect and heterologous mammalian expression systems. To study the expression of the A3 actin promoter in insect cells we have isolated and characterized a stably transformed Bombyx mori cell line containing a novel selectable marker gene, puromycin N-acetyl transferase under control of transcriptional regulatory signals from the A3 cytoplasmic actin gene. Integration of the transfected plasmids into the host genome was demonstrated by Southern and in situhybridizations. By using this cell line we have identified alternative transcriptional initiation sites for the A3 …

The Relationship Between Tamoxifen And Depressive Symptoms In Women With Breast Cancer, Terry Marie Lynn

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine whether women with breast cancer and the presence of the drug tamoxifen, are more severely depressed than women with breast cancer and the absence of tamoxifen. Average Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores did not differ between the two sub-groups; however, two significant group differences were found. First, 10 women in the tamoxifen group had scores of zero (versus 4 in the absence of prescribed tamoxifen group). Research has shown that scores of zero do not always reflect an absence of depression. Second, the most severely depressed women (BDI scores in the 25 …

The Relation Of Weight Loss And Improved Fitness To Survival In Healthy Males, Joanna Lynn Bokovoy

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Obesity is a critical public health problem because of its prevalence, medical and psychosocial effects, and resistance to intervention. Weight loss in overweight individuals has been encouraged by the United States Public Health Service and by the medical community as a means for improving health. However, recent studies have suggested either positive or negative effects of weight loss on survival. It is possible that physical fitness may have a confounding effect, or be an effect modifier on survival in weight loss studies.

This study used Cox Regression analysis to address the separate and combined association of weight loss and improved …

An Evaluation Of Root End Filling Materials Using Endotoxin, Hong-Ming Tang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Mineral Trioxide Aggregates (MTA) was recently developed at Loma Linda University. It has been shown to possess good sealing ability when tested with dye, bacteria, and a fluid filtration technique.

Endotoxin is a component of the cell wall of Gram negative bacteria. It has been proposed that it may play a role in the pathogenesis of periradicular lesions. Previous studies have demonstrated that MTA can prevent the leakage of bacteria. However, the bacterial products were not tested during these studies.

This study used endotoxin to compare the sealing ability of SuperEBA, IRM, amalgam, and MTA.

The results showed that MTA …

Plant-Delivered Cholera Toxin B Subunit As An Immunomodulatory Molecule, Takeshi Arakawa

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The B subunit of cholera toxin (CTB) functions as an effective mucosal carrier molecule of chemically or genetically conjugated antigens. Orally delivered CTB or CTB fusion protein binds to G_M1-ganglioside receptor molecules located on cells in the gutassociated lymphoid tissues, the site of immunological induction. We have generated transgenic plants synthesizing CTB conjugated with vaccine antigens for food plant-based prevention of cholera and rotavirus toxin-induced diarrhea and for autoimmune diseases such as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).

Mice fed with transgenic potato tubers synthesizing 0.3% of CTB as total tuber protein generated serum and mucosal antibodies with toxin neutralizing …

Regeneration In Periodontal Defects With Rhbmp-2 : A Dosage Study, Paola Guglielmoni

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have been shown to induce bone formation in ectopic and orthotopic sites. This inductive capability has led to their evaluation as possible adjuncts in periodontal reconstructive therapy. Indeed, studies have reported periodontal regeneration following surgical implantation of recombinant human BMP-2. This study evaluated regeneration of alveolar bone and cementum following periodontal reconstructive surgery including implantation of a construct consisting of sterile lyophilized rhBMP-2 in buffer adsorbed onto an absorbable collagen sponge. Critical size mandibular supra-alveolar periodontal defects were surgically created, and an incomplete block design was used to evaluate the regenerative potential of rhBMP-2 at 0.05, …

An In Vitro Study Of Plaque Deposition And Its Comparative Effect On Bond Strength, Debra L. Finch Cook

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances can change the environment in the oral cavity by creating stagnant areas that facilitate bacterial colonization and substance retention. The purpose of this study was to examine in vitro plaque formation associated with bonded orthodontic appliances and how this could affect bonding strengths.

Ortho Concise and Transbond XT were the composite resin materials used in this study. Mandibular incisor metal brackets were bonded to bovine mandibular anterior teeth. Each composite resin was studied in two groups: plaque growth and without plaque growth, and their bond strengths were compared at time intervals of 3,45, and 180 …

A Model Using Radiation And Pws4-Htnf-Α Gene Therapy For Treatment Of Glioblastomas, Angelo G. Baher

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The efficacy of radiotherapy for cancer is limited by the dose that can be safely delivered to the tumor without causing debilitating side effects. In addition, successful treatment of highly malignant tumors such as glioblastomas is likely to require adjunctive therapies to enhance tumor response to radiation. Previous studies have shown immunomodulation and a synergestic reduction in tumor volume of malignant tumors when tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) protein is administered prior to radiation. The major goal of the present investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of pWS4-human TNF-α (pWS4-hTNF-α), a new plasmid construct that expresses human TNF-α protein, together with …

Igf-Ii Expression In Human Tumor Tissues And Human Igf-Ii Ribozyme Action, Zhaodong Xu

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are potent mitogens for a variety of cancer cells in vitro. In breast, prostate and neuroblastoma cancer cells, it has been suggested that IGF-II plays a paracrine/autocrine role. However, information on cell-type -specific IGF-II expression in vivo is limited. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were carried out to determine the cell type expressing IGF-II in different tumor tissues. Both IGF-II mRNA and protein were localized to malignant cells, and expression in the stroma was minimal in all the tumors. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that cancer cell growth is regulated by IGF-II, and therefore …

Does The Oswestry Or Sf-36 Help A Therapist To Predict Treatment Classification, Amy Crawford, Denese D. Kaufeldt-Soliz

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of two disability questionnaires, the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (Oswestry) and the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), and a standardized physical examination and diagnostic classification system. The physical examination was performed by the evaluating therapists from the clinic and classification was determined by the evaluating therapists and the investigators to ensure correct subject placement into treatment Stages la, lb, or II. Data collection occurred at an outpatient physical therapy clinic in a metropolitan area health maintenance organization, where a sample of 221 subjects with low back pain …

A Pilot Study Testing A Proprietary Sealant For Plaque Reduction, Jennifer Rowland

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Enamel demineralization due to increased plaque accumulation is a well-recognized problem associated with fixed orthodontic appliances. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a proprietary product to be marketed by 3M Unitek for the reduction of plaque accumulation and thereby reduce enamel demineralization.

Sixty four bovine teeth were divided equally into an untreated control group and a group treated with the proprietary sealant product. Both groups were subsequently immersed in a Streptococcus mutans culture. Plaque deposits from each group were removed, suspended in trypticase soy broth, serially diluted, and plated on trypticase soy agar at 1, …

Analysis Of Serotonin And Postural Instability In Parkinson’S Disease, Sandra Kuniyoshi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Postural instability is one of the most debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and the best clinical prognostic indicator of progressive disease. Significant differences in neuropathology, neurochemistry, response to L-dopa therapy and stereotactic surgery as well as prognosis have been identified in subtypes when patients with predominant postural instability and gait difficulty (PIGD)/Type B were differentiated from those with predominant symptoms of tremor and rigidity/Type A. Postural instability is resistant to the therapeutic effects of L-dopa, despite its continued efficacy on other Parkinson’s symptomatology, implicating the nondopaminergic mechanism of postural instability in Parkinson’s disease. Patients with significant postural instability and gait …

Reliability And Validity Of Assessing Student Performance Of Psychomotor Skills In Entry Level Physical Therapy Curricula, Nancy Sue Darr

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Physical therapists rely on a large repertoire of psychomotor skills for patient evaluation and treatment. Reliable and accurate assessments of student performance of psychomotor skills are required to provide feedback to students and faculty, to establish student competence, and to enable faculty members to evaluate their instructional methods. In this study a scoring system was designed to objectively assess student performance of five selected ankle joint mobilization procedures. A detailed task analysis was performed on each joint mobilization procedure, which included dividing each procedure into 13 subtasks. Criteria were written for successful completion of each task and subtask. A scoring …

The Relationship Between Cobalamin Deficiency And Neurological Dysfunction In Older Adults, Marion Bachra

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The prevalence of cobalamin (Obi) deficiency among older adults is higher than among younger adults, and is estimated to be between 14% and 23%. Persistent Cbl deficiency can cause a variety of neurological deficits. Neurological dysfunction occurs commonly among older adults, raising the research question whether or not there is a relationship between the high prevalence of Cbl deficiency and neurological dysfunction among older adults.

This case-control study enrolled 120 subjects with and without neurological dysfunction through the Faculty Medical Offices' Internal Medicine and Neurology Outpatient Clinics. All subjects received a neurological and cognitive exam. Blood samples were drawn to …

Ventilation Behavior Of The Mantis Shrimp, Hemisquilla Ensigera Californiensis In Hypoxic Burrows, Tamara L. Richter

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The burrow-dwelling mantis shrimp, Hemisquilla ensigera californiensis, is an environmentally challenged marine species due to the fact it inhabits burrows located beneath the surface of the sediment where oxygen pressure is low and easily depleted. This experiment revealed that burrow oxygen pressure (pO₂) is frequently hypoxic and can become anoxic. Average pO₂ within the burrow is between 40-50 mm Hg and may drop below 10 mm Hg even if the burrow isn't capped. When capped, p0₂ rapidly drops to 0 mm Hg within two hours. Low pO₂ does not result in decreased animal activity, …

Cognitive And Psychophysiological Investigation Of Chronic Pain, Amy D. Clegg

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Using Bower’s (1981) associative network model of mood and memory, and Klinger’s theory of current concerns, it was hypothesized that the experience of chronic pain may be functionally similar to a mood state and that the chronicity of the condition may maintain it as a current concern. Specifically, it was hypothesized that chronic pain patients would not show any differences in reaction time and accuracy when making lexical decisions about pain-related, neutral, and nonwords. However, it was anticipated that chronic pain patients would show differences in physiological responding (particularly, increased skin conductance responses) when compared to controls. Results confirmed that …

Comparison Of Mandibular Surgical Techniques For Accessing Cranial Base Vascular Lesions, Michael A. Devlin

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Purpose: Treatment of vascular lesions of the high cervical internal carotid artery (zone III) resulting from penetrating trauma, blunt trauma, aneurysms, and atherosclerosis pose a challenge for vascular surgeons due to bony interference's of the mandibular ramus and mastoid process. Although many techniques have been described, two methods, have been identified as effective and associated with low morbidity. The purpose of this study is to compare these two methods, mandibular distraction and vertical ramus osteotomy, for their effectiveness at increasing access to the cranial base and distal internal carotid artery.

Materials and Methods: Five fresh frozen cadavers were utilized …

Culture Mediator Model As A Predictor For Somatic Complaints Among Japanese And Japanese Americans, Yoko Tanaka

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

[Abstract Not Included]