Life Sciences Commons^™

Comparison Of Bracket Bond Strength By Total, Self-Etch And Laser Treatment, Kyo Sung Shawn Kim

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Laser etching of enamel surfaces alters the physical and chemical characteristics of the enamel. These changes in characteristics enhance the bonding to enamel. The purpose of this study was to compare the shear and tensile bond strength of Er,Cr:YSGG hydrokinetic laser system (Biolase) with 37% phosphoric acid and self etching primer 30 minutes and 72 hours after bonding. Four different laser power output setting was observed: 1.5W, 2.0W, 2.5W, and 3.0W. Two hundred forty bovine teeth free of defect, caries, and dentin exposure were mounted in acrylic resin and divided into 24 groups of 10 teeth. Sixteen groups of 10 …

A Bond Strength Comparison Of Led And Halogen Light Curing Units, John Richard Kavanagh

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this research was to compare the tensile bond strength of orthodontic flat based buttons bonded to bovine teeth with four commercial light-emitting diode (LED) curing lights and one conventional quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) curing light.

The dental market has recently been introduced to a number of commercially available light-emitting diode (LED) curing lights. Tensile bond strength was evaluated for LED curing lights (Rembrandt® Allegro^TM, Den-Mat Corp, Santa Maria, CA), (LEDemetron, Kerr/Demetron Corp, Danbury, Conn), (Ortholux LED, 3M^TMESPE^TM, St. Paul, MN),and (FLASH-lite 1001, Discus Dental, Culver City, CA) are compared with one …

The Histological Effects Of Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis On Rabbit Condyles, Eunice Jungmin Hong

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The present study is a histological evaluation of condyles taken from rabbits that underwent either a midline or paramedian distraction osteogenesis procedure on the mandibles. Fifteen rabbits were originally operated on and eight of these fifteen successfully made it through both the distraction osteogenesis procedure and the 1 month holding period that followed. There was one control animal.

In the present study, the condyles from these nine rabbits (1 control, 2 midline distraction osteogenesis, 6 paramedian distraction osteogenesis) were prepared for histological evaluation (18 total). Step serial sections were cut along the coronal plane and the sections from the anterior …

Effects Of Various Hemostatic Agents On Bone, David Daryl Roland

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Previous studies have evaluated the effects of various hemostatic agents on radicular tissues following apical surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the early osseous responses to seven hemostatic agents under identical conditions in rabbits. Sixteen adult male New Zealand white rabbits were used for this study. Following anesthesia, utilizing a midline submandibular incision, standardized bony defects were prepared on the lateral-superior regions of the mandible. Test materials were placed using standardized volumes and exposure times. Bone wax, Surgicel, Capset, alginate, Cut-Trol, Hemogin-L, and silver nitrate were compared to control sites irrigated with saline. Test materials or controls …

Prediction Of Fetal Sheep Brain Metabolic Rate During Hypoxia And Cord Occlusion, Adam D. Hickerson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Many investigators have observed that fetal and neonatal animals are remarkably tolerant to hypoxia compared to the adult. The precise mechanisms however are still unclear. In order to better characterize the hemodynamic and metabolic responses of the fetal brain to hypoxic stress, we have designed a mathematical model to predict tissue oxygenation and metabolic rate of the fetal brain during both moderate hypoxia and severe asphyxia.

The model is based on the Krogh cylinder concept and is similar to one previously published by our lab. Several new concepts were added including the ability to run the model over time using …

Synovial Fluid Hydrostatic Pressure In The Tmj After Mandibular Advancement In Sus Scrofa, Samuel A. Demirdji

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Mandibular advancement is performed in patients routinely by traditional bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) or less commonly by distraction osteogenesis (DO). The influence of mandibular advancement on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is well recognized but not fully explored. This study involved the direct measurement of synovial fluid hydrostatic pressure (SFHP) in the TMJ after mandibular advancement by either BSSO or DO in two male mature minipigs, Sus scrofa. Titanium pressure transducers were inserted into the right superior temporomandibular joint spaces of the minipigs and the measurements were displayed on an AC/DC amplifier. The first minipig underwent BSSO, which involved immediate …

Radiation Effects On Dopamine-Mediated Prepulse Inhibition In The C57bl/6 Mouse, Cara Nicole Zuccarelli Miller

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study examined the effects of proton and gamma radiation on a dopamine-dependent sensory gating mechanism: prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex. The purpose of this research was to describe potential hazards of proton radiation to the central nervous system in long-term space fight and for proton therapy patients. Results from previous research indicate that startle behavior is modified by proton and iron radiation. Forty-eight 10-½ week old, male C57BL/6 mice were used to characterize the optimal parameters for the model (prepulse duration, probe duration, and stimulus-onset-asynchrony). Three hundred and fifty two mice were used to characterize the time course …

The Psychological Characteristics Of Obese Children, Thomas Taylor Mitchell

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Several studies along with the surgeon general of the United States have identified obesity as a national health issue. Research indicates that adult obesity treatment has relatively poor long-term effects. Consequently increased attention has been given to addressing obesity in children. This focus is particularly vital due to the fact that children are one of the populations showing the most rapid increase in overweight and obesity. The purpose of this study was to identify the some of the unique psychological characteristics of obese children by analyzing the intake data of children and adolescents attending the Loma Linda University Growing Fit …

Potential Mechanisms Explaining The Antitumor Effect Of Total-Body Irradiation, Glen Michael Miller

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

While numerous reports have documented that radiation exposure increases the risk for malignancy and suppresses immune mechanisms, increasing evidence has suggested that low-dose total-body irradiation (TBI) may alter leukocyte composition and function leading to heightened immune responsiveness and long-term remission of certain cancers. Having observed that moderate-dose TBI produces an antitumor effect in the Lewis lung carcinoma (EEC) model, the major goal of this study was to determine whether changes in tumor growth could be correlated with radiation-induced alterations of immune system parameters. The governing hypothesis was that selective immune augmentation, i.e. upregulation of specific leukocyte subsets, is primarily responsible …

Interaction Between Adrenergic And Nitric Oxide-Releasing Nerves In Cerebral Arteries, Emmanuel Ngu Mbaku

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Of all body tissues, the brain is the least tolerant of ischemia so much that interruption of cerebral blood flow by 5 sec can cause syncope, with irreversible tissue damage if the ischemia last a few minutes. In this respect, the body has an imperative duty of ensuring constant and adequate blood supply to the brain. It does so through a series of intrinsic and extrinsic control factors of which adrenergic and nitric oxide-releasing nerves are components. My research examined the interaction between these two nerve-types with emphasis on the mechanisms involved as well as on changes in their functions …

Distraction Osteogenesis In Edentulous Alveolar Bone With Rhbmp-2 Enhancement, Liviu F. Eftimie

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Distraction osteogenesis, a unique system of affecting rapid bone healing in fractures, realigning malformed bones, and lengthening congenitally short and traumatically shortened bones has become an increasingly utilized technique for the maxillofacial region. The use of distraction osteogenesis has been described for increasing the height of edentulous mandibular alveolar ridges while concurrently forming new bone within the ridge to allow for adequate reconstruction. A standard protocol for performing distraction osteogenesis in the maxillofacial region has been well documented in the literature. Standard distraction osteogenesis requires an initial surgery to place the distraction osteogenesis device and mobilize the segment to be …

Enhancement Of Ehrlichia Canis Infection Of Canine Blood Monocytes In Vitro Through The Addition Of Seropositive And Monoclonal Antibody, John Paul Gniady

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Photodynamic Therapy, Ashley Thomas

McCabe Thesis Collection

Photodynamic therapy is a new treatment that is being introduced into the veterinary community. Photodynamic therapy is the use of light activated chemotherapy to kill cancer cells (Dougherty, 1998). It has already been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to be used as a form of cancer treatment in humans, but has not been carried over to the veterinary community. That is until now. Photodynamic therapy is now being tested in the veterinary community in hopes to find the same results that the human medical community has when dealing with certain types of cancer. They also hope to …

Studies On The Regulation Of Mu Opioid Receptor Mrna Expression In Shsy-5y Human Neuroblastoma Cells, Xin Yu

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Prolonged exposure to morphine down-regulates mu opioid receptors (MOR) on both undifferentiated and differentiated (retinoic acid or phorbol ester treated) SHSY-5Y cells. However, morphine pretreatment does not alter MOR receptor affinity for morphine. To investigate the molecular basis for MOR regulation after exposure to its selective agonists, we have developed a quantitative competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (QC-RT PCR) to quantify the expression of MOR in SHSY-SY cells. Differentiation of SHSY-5Y cells with retinoic acid or phorbol ester up regulated MOR mRNA expression by 30 % and 78%, respectively. A 24 hours treatment with morphine (10 µM) down regulated MOR …

Characterization Of Mouse Prostate Tumor-Infiltrating Leukocytes, Daniel Alan Holterman

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Prostate cancer is the most common form of non-cutaneous cancer among men in the United States and the second most common cause of cancer-related death among men with approximately 189,000 new cases diagnosed and 30,200 deaths of the disease in 2002. Prostate cancer can be a treatable disease but once it becomes metastatic there are no acceptable therapies. For this reason, immunotherapy has been attempted but the results have been disappointing. The TRAMP model was used to evaluate specific interactions between an intact murine immune system and a prostate tumor that expressed a naturally processed weak tumor antigen. Vaccination trials …

The Ecological Ramifications Of Disease And Density In The Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Panulirus Argus, Donald C. Behringer Jr.

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

In 1999, I discovered the first virus known to be pathogenic to any species of lobster. HLV-PA is a pathogenic herpes-like virus that infects juvenile Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, in the waters off south Florida (USA), and it alters the behavior and ecology of this species in fundamental ways. Gross signs of HLV-PA infection are lethargy, morbidity, cessation of molting, and discolored, “milky” hemolymph that does not clot. HLV-PA infects the hemocytes of host lobsters, specifically the hyalinocytes and semi-granulocytes, but not the granulocytes. When hemolymph from infected donors was injected into healthy juvenile lobsters, 90% of the …

Hybridization Between The Watersnakes Nerodia Sipedon And Nerodia Fasciata, In The Carolinas: A Morphological And Molecular Approach, Konrad Mebert

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

A few traditionally applied diagnostic characters of color pattern were compared with an additional set of morphological and genetic characters to evaluate differences between Nerodia sipedon and N. fasciata and to study the dynamics across their hybrid zone in the Carolinas. Many of the morphological characters exhibited significant interspecific differences, although only the number of dorsally complete crossbands (CBa) was diagnostic by itself. A discriminant function analysis of morphological characters was successful in separating both taxa. Species-specific nuclear markers, identified by the AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) technique were nearly fixed and served as diagnostic markers. They revealed extensive introgression …

The Prevalence Of Disordered Eating Behaviors Among Sorority Versus Non-Sorority Women, Angela Lynn Guzman

Legacy ETDs

Eating disorders among college women is a serious psychological problem. Disordered eating behaviors were examined and diagnosed at a mid-sized university in southeast Georgia. The target group of this study was university sororities. The purpose of this study was to examine sorority versus nonsorority women to determine if there was a higher prevalence for those involved in sororities to develop disordered eating behaviors.

Surveys were distributed to both sorority and non-sorority women to determine the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors among each group. A quantitative, quasi-experimental design was used in conjunction with the Eating Attitudes Test (Gamer & Garfmkle, 1979). …

Phosphoproteomic Studies Of Smooth Muscle Contraction: Investigation Of Differential Phosphorylation In Relaxed/Contracted Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Tissue Using Maldi-Tof Ms, Tonya M. Pekar

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Many human disorders are associated with the malfunction of smooth muscle tissue, or are related to the capabilities of its proper function—asthma, glaucoma, renal inefficiency, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Dysfunctional proteins are frequently implicated as the source of such disorders. As the second highest cause of death in the United States, the epidemic of cardiovascular disease makes the study of smooth muscle of utmost concern.

The capabilities of proteomics and mass spectrometry allow the entire proteome complement of a cell or tissue type to be analyzed at once. This investigation employs such techniques in an effort to better understand the …

The Dose Response Effect Of Almonds On Serum Vitamin E, Plasma Lipid Fractions And Erythrocyte Phospholipids, Pera Jambazian

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if two different amounts of almonds added to a heart healthy diet would increase vitamin E concentrations in healthy men and women, and reflect positive fatty acid profiles in serum lipids and erythrocytes. Twenty three subjects participated in a crossover metabolic study for a 14 week period. Subjects consumed one of three diets for 4 weeks each, a control diet, a low almond diet and a high almond diet after a 2 week run-in period. All meals were prepared in the test kitchen, and almonds were added to the experimental diets by …

Development Of An Automated Thiopurine Methyltransferase (Tpmt) Genotyping Assay, Mary Corcoran

Theses

Thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyses the S- methylation of aromatic and sulphydryl compounds known as the thiopurines. These therapeutic agents are used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory bowel disease and organ transplant recipients.

Erythrocyte TPMT activity is polymorphic and patients with intermediate or deficient TPMT are at significant risk for excessive toxicity after receiving ‘standard’ doses of thiopurine medications. The activity of TPMT is inherited as an autosomal co-dominant trait. Several mutations in the TPMT gene have been described that correlate with a low activity phenotype. Three mutations G238C, G460A and …

Embryo And Gamete Development Upon Exposure To Cca Components: Cro3, Cuo, And As2o5, Nerbana Talaat-Elsebaei Mahmoud

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Production of functional gametes and healthy embryos is essential for proliferation of all vertebrates, especially humans. Many compounds have toxic effects on developing gametes and embryos among which are chromium trioxide (CrO₃), cupric oxide (CuO) and arsenic pentaoxide (As₂O₅) as a mixture (CCA) or individually. Controversy surrounding the safety of CCA-treated wood centers primarily on the toxicity of its components and the potential for these metals to be released from the wood.

The aim of this research is to test the hypothesis that CCA components have deleterious effects on embryo development, oocyte maturation and …

Effect On Heartbeat Of Drosophila Melanogaster Of Mutations In The Calcium Channel Encoding Cacophony Gene And Its Interaction With The Rna Helicase Mutant Maleless^Napts, Vanessa Mcgowan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is a lack of information concerning the genetics of heart disease, especially of those due to aberrant pacemaker activity. Drosophila melanogaster is an ideal candidate for research in this area because of its suitability to genetic manipulation and its accessible genetic database. What is most compelling, however, is that the genesis of heartbeat is Drosophila is strikingly similar to that in many other organisms, including mammals. The myogenic heart of DrosophiIa melanogaster is stimulated to contract by a caudal pacemaker, which is regulated by ion channel interactions. A voltage-gated calcium channel of PIQ- or N-type is implicated in the …

Implementacion And Strengthening Of Family Orchards For The Diversification Of The Diet And To Improve The Consumption Of Vegetables And Available Fruits In The Communities Of The Rinconada And Cuambo In The Period 2001-2002, Guido Arellano

Theses and Dissertations

The general objective of this investigation was to implement and strengthen family orchards for the diversification of the diet and improvement of the consumption of vegetables and fruits available in the communities of the Rinconada and Cuambo. They collaborated in the implementation and strengthening of the family orchards and by means of focal group techniques determined the readiness, seasonal variance, and alimentary habits of the available vegetables and fruits. They made 10 nutritive preparations in each community in participating shops with the foods that were harvested in the orchards and with the help of consistent educational material as 2 three-page …

The Effectiveness Of Consuming Fortified Foods (Api) With Iron On The Anemia Ferropriva In Resident Students To Great Altitude Of The Rural Area Of The Departemento Of La Paz, Beatriz Julia Ramirez Copa

Theses and Dissertations

In many countries, the health and the development of a great number of people are compromised by the insufficient distribution of micro-nutrients. The deficiency of iron is one of the things that to a large extent contributes to the high rates of death and maternal and childhood mortality, affecting also a great percentage of school aged children. Bolivia, along with the majority of underdeveloped countries, presents high prevalence of anemia in the students. Recent studies confirm that anemia nutrients are a problem of public health of great magnitude to rural and urban level (Fernández et al, 1994). Before this situation …

Regulation Of Proto-Oncogenes Expression In Developmental Epilepsy, Mahnoush Shafiei

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Seizures cause selective neuronal cell loss in vulnerable regions such as the hippocampus, cortex, thalamus or substantia nigra (SN) in human or experimental animals. While the HF can propagate seizures, the SN pars reticulata (SNR) regulates the spread ol seizures in an age-dependent fashion, and the pars compacta (SNC) affects extrapyramidal motor control. In mature animals, both structures are wlnerable to seizure-induced damage. In prepubescent rats, seizure susceptibility is reduced and CA 1 region rs primarily affected. The proto-oncogenes, Bcl-2 and Bax, encode specific proteins that inhibit and promote programmed cell death, respectively. In order to determine whether proto-oncogenes are …

Assessment Of The Nutrition Knowledge And Nutrition Practices Of Crisis Pregnancy Center Clients, Sarah Harger

Honors Theses

Nutrition affects people's health. People often suffer illnesses and premature death that are largely due to poor dietary choices. Some people are aware that they are eating foods that are harmful and others eat poorly out of ignorance. Pregnancy is a time during the lifecycle when nutritional intake is of particular importance. Good choices can promote health and prevent major health problems or even death for the mother and the baby.

Many people are unaware of the benefits or consequences caused by the food they eat. Particularly low-income people may not be exposed to nutrition education. Many young people are …