Life Sciences Commons^™

Mechanisms Of Hbo-Induced Neuroprotection In A Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia Model, John Winter Calvert

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

With an incidence approaching 1/4000 live births and as high as 60% in low birth weight infants, cerebral hypoxia-ischemia during the perinatal period is the single most important cause of acute mortality and chronic disability in newborns. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that following a hypoxic-ischemic insult hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment can restore high energy metabolite levels in the affected regions of the brain and through this increase in energy levels ameliorate the spread of cell death following the insult. We also investigated if an additional mechanism by which HBO affords its neuroprotection is by altering the expression of the …

Eating Behavior And Obesity Risk Of Youth Living In The City Of San Bernardino, California, Carolyn A. Corder

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Adolescents living in the City of San Bernardino, California, are susceptible to health risks due to high rates of violence, suicide, teen pregnancy, and poverty, which place them among the most vulnerable in the Nation to disability, early death, unhealthy offspring, illiteracy, economic disadvantage, and chronic disease. This study analyzed data from the Youth Risk Behavior (YRBS) and local surveys conducted in the City’s Unified School District from 1999 through 2001. The investigators focused on the relationship, if any, of dietary and anthropometric factors to the priority adolescent behaviors targeted for intervention by the Healthy People 2010 objectives: accidental injuries …

Stability Of The Miniscrew-Bone Interface: Reverse Torque Values In Rabbits, Daniel John Drye

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: Miniscrews are used in orthodontics as practical temporary anchorage devices (TAD's). The purpose of this animal study was to measure reverse torque values for Absoanchor 1.2 mm and Micerium 1.5mm miniscrews at 0, 2, and 12 weeks under loaded and unloaded conditions.

Methods: Ninety-six miniscrews were placed in the femora of twelve rabbits and allowed to heal for either two or twelve weeks. Half of the fixtures were loaded immediately with NiTi open coil springs producing a force of 150-200g and the other half served as unloaded controls. For each of the healing times, two and twelve weeks, …

Effect Of Almond-Raisin Versus Commercial Sports Beverage On Antioxidant Status Of Runners, Anh Thu V. Tran

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: Whole foods are readily available antioxidant source and provide beneficial macromolecules and phytochemicals, which may contribute to optimal health. However, the approach to examining whole foods rich in antioxidants to play either an equivalent or better role in defending exercise-induced oxidant stress have not yet been taken. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of 2 isocaloric preexercise beverages: an almond-raisin beverage and a commercial sports beverage in male endurance runners on selected antioxidant status markers.

Design: In a randomized crossover study, 10 male runners (ages 28+1.2 years) ran to exhaustion on a treadmill at …

Validation Of A Serotonin Depletion Checklist In Parkinson’S Disease, Kelly Diane Darby Holder

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The distinctive pathological marker of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the progressive death of neurons that produce dopamine; however, there are also major alterations in the production of quantities of other neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and serotonin that contribute to the signs, symptoms, neuropsychological manifestations of the diseases. PD patients can be divided into classes based on the manifestation of motor symptoms, type A, classified as tremor dominant, and type B PD, classified as akinetic. Type B PD patients, often manifest symptoms in which serotonin deficiency plays an important role, such as frontal cognitive impairments, which often includes a history of …

Identification And Characterization Of A Selective Inhibitor Of The Pim-1 Kinase, Sheldon Levon Holder

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The PIM-1 kinase is a serine/threonine kinase that has been implicated in the development of many human cancers, including leukemias, lymphomas, and prostate cancer. We have endeavored to identify and characterize a selective inhibitor of the PIM- 1 kinase. Such an inhibitor would have utility as a laboratory tool for the study of PIM-1 kinase function and as a template for the design of molecular therapeutics for diseases in which PIM-1 kinase activity is dysregulated.

Using phage display techniques we identified the peptide, HGVKKRPHNPYG, as a probable pseudosubstrate of the PIM-1 kinase with inhibitory activity in the low micromolar range …

Isokinetic Knee Strength In Females With Fibromyalgia, Flora F. Shafiee

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Objectives: To compare knee flexors and extensors muscle strength, total work, and power between females with fibromyalgia (FM) and matched healthy controls.

Methods: This is the first study to measure knee muscle power and total work in females with FM. Thirty-one females with FM and thirty-one healthy females completed isokinetic testing of knee flexors and extensors of their dominant leg using a Cybex Norm Isokinetic Dynamometer. Two knee muscle groups (flexors and extensors) at two angular velocities (607sec and 1807sec) were tested for both groups. Both muscle groups were assessed continuously using five reciprocal concentric-concentric cycles, followed by five eccentric-eccentric …

Effects Of Resistance Training Volume And Variety On Dietary Intake And Mood State In Untrained Subject, Suzette K. Smith

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: While there is research on the effects of aerobic training on various aspects of mood state and nutrient intake, little is known of the effect of resistance training on these variables.

Purpose: To examine the effects of resistance training (RT) volume and variety on total energy (kcal) and macronutrient intake, and mood states in a healthy, untrained population.

Method:The investigation was part of a prospective experimental study examining the effects of three RT protocols on body composition and strength. An initial 102, healthy, untrained male and female participants, ages 20-40, were recruited, and randomized into one of three …

Histological Comparison Of White And Gray Mta In Repair Of Furcation Perforations, Miguel Elias Mego

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has been shown to promote regeneration of the periodontal apparatus when used as a repair material in furcation perforations. Two variations of MTA (Gray and White) have been introduced to the dental market. The purpose of this study was to histologically compare the in vivo response to immediate furcation perforation repair using gray or white MTA in beagle dogs.

Under general anesthesia, non-surgical root canal therapy and furcal perforations were performed on sixteen mandibular premolars of eight 2-year old beagle dogs. The perforations were immediately repaired with either white (n=8) or gray (n=8) MTA. The animals …

Mechanisms Of Virulence Regulation In Porphyromonas Gingivalis W83, Elaine Ann-Marie Vanterpool

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The expression of extracellular proteolytic activities is highly regulated in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. This regulation can occur at multiple levels including expression of the protease genes, secretion, processing of an inactive secreted precursor to its active form and/or the posttranslational glycosylation of the proteins. These regulatory mechanisms are vital to ensure that expression is tightly controlled. Porphyromonas gingivalis has been associated with adult periodontitis and in the development of many systematic diseases. The major virulence factors of P. gingivalis, the gingipains, are responsible for pathogenesis including degradation of complement and immunoglobulin, inactivation of cytokines and their receptors, …

Effect Of Almond Intake On Fecal Fat Excretion In Healthy Adults, Janine Alisha Zemaitis

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: Caloric consumption in excess leads to weight gain. Consuming nuts, in particular almonds, on a regular basis would likely increase overall caloric intake due to their high fat content, assuming complete digestion and absorption. However, multiple studies report no significant change in body weight when subjects consume nut-rich diets.

Objective: The objective of this study is to measure the effects of almond consumption on stool composition, particularly individual fatty acid content.

Design: Subjects participated in a randomized, crossover, controlled feeding study. Following a 2-week run-in period on a typical American diet (34% energy from fat), subjects were randomized to …

Effects Of Feeding Regular Eggs, N-3 Fatty Acid Enriched Eggs, And Walnuts, On Blood Lipids, Membrane Incorporation Of Fatty Acids, And Serum Lutein, In Free-Living Lacto-Ovo Vegetarians, Bonny Burns-Whitmore

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Americans do not receive enough n-3 fatty acids (F. A.) in their diets. Walnuts are good source of α-linolenic acid (ALA), while n-3 F.A. enriched eggs provide a dietary source of DHA. Whether ALA and DHA have equivalent effects modifying cardiovascular risk factors is not known. This study compared the changes in blood and erythrocyte membrane lipids in twenty free-living lacto-ovo vegetarians following the consumption of regular eggs (6/wk), n-3 F.A. enriched eggs (6/wk), or walnuts (6 oz/wk) in a triple crossover design.

Results indicate significant differences between treatments for serum triacylglycerols (TAGs), total cholesterol (TC), apo B, apo B: …

The Effects Of Long Term Walnut Consumption On Levels Of Plasma Tocopherols And Inflammatory Mediators, Suwimol Sapwarobol

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of long term walnut consumption on plasma levels of tocopherols and the inflammatory mediators interleukin-1β (IL-1β ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and Creactive protein (CRP) in healthy participants. Ninety participants were recruited into a 12-month randomized crossover intervention study, which consisted of two phases, the walnut supplemented diet and the habitual diet. Participants were randomly assigned to either of these two phases for six months and then switched to the other phase for the second six months. During the walnut supplemented diet phase, participants incorporated walnuts (28-56 g/d) …

Prenatal Cocaine Exposure And Cardiac Programming, Soochan Bae

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Human epidemiological studies have shown a clear association of adverse intrauterine environment and an increased risk of ischemia heart disease in later adult life. Cocaine abuse during pregnancy has been shown to cause abnormities in the heart during fetal and postnatal development, but mechanisms underlying the detrimental effects of cocaine on the developing heart are not fully understood. The central hypothesis is that cocaine exposure during fetal development may cause in utero programming of apoptotic pathways, which may has lasting and prolong effect on heart development postnatally.

In a pregnant rat model, chronic hypoxia increased apoptosis in the fetal heart …

Oxygen Sensing By The Aer And Tsr Receptors Of Escherichia Coli, Jessica Claire Edwards

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Escherichia coli senses the oxygen concentration of its environment via the Aer and Tsr receptors, and swims to an oxygen concentration that provides optimal energy generation. Aer and Tsr do not sense oxygen per se but, sense the internal energy state via the electron transport system (ETS) in a previously unidentified mechanism. Proton motive force (PMF) and electron flow were proposed as possible sensory signals but, distinguishing between the two was not possible, previously, in live, motile cells. I differentiated PMF from electron flow by creating a series of ETS mutant strains that express ternary combinations of i) aerotaxis receptors, …

Plasticity In Selective Phonotaxis And Neuronal Responses Of Acheta Domesticus, Benjamin Alejandro Navia

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Plasticity of phonotaxis in Acheta domesticus was evaluated in 207 young (5-7 days) and 328 old (28 days) female crickets. Of those that responded (508), their phonotaxis was grouped into selective (80% of young and 34% of old) and unselective (66% of old and 20% of young) on the basis of their responses to syllable period (SP). Two additional subcategories were also found. Some females were selective to the longer syllable periods (18% young, 20% old) while others were selective to the shorter syllable periods (7% young and 12% old). The L3 prothoracic auditory interneuron exhibits a decrementing response to …

Developing A Valid Screening Tool For Assessing Nutritional Adequacy And Osteoporosis Risk Among Vegans In The United States, Patricia Adelle Dyett

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The vegetarian lifestyle in the United States has increased significantly over recent decades. With this growth trend, it has become necessary to assess the pros and cons of vegetarian diet patterns, particularly with respect to nutrition adequacy and chronic disease concerns.

The vegan diet engenders more concern than other common vegetarian lifestyles because it seeks to replace all nutrient-rich animal food products with only plant foods. Consequently, there are concerns of compromised protein, calcium. vitamin D, vitamin B₁₂, n-3 fatty acid, zinc, and iron status. Moreover, because of typical vegan diet phenomena such as low BMI, low protein …