Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Perinatal Nicotine Exposure And Programming Of Hie Sensitive Phenotype In Neonatal Rat Brains, Yong Li

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Large epidemiological and animal studies have revealed a clear association of adverse intrauterine environment with the increased risk of metabolic, cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Maternal smoking is the single most widespread perinatal insult in the world and has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes for mother, fetus and the newborn. Our study aims to test the hypothesis that perinatal nicotine exposure induces reprogramming of susceptibility to hypoxic ischemic brain injury in the immature brain, focusing on the roles of AT1R and/or AT2R and trying to reveal the underlying epigenetic mechanisms. Therefore, we established two rat models: perinatal nicotine exposure model …

Negotiating Marital Care: Co-Creating The Connected Egalitarian Relationship, Lena Lopez Bradley

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Research suggests that couples seek connection and equality within the marital relationship, yet they continue to struggle due to the continued impact of traditional gender ideologies (Coontz, 2006; Knudson-Martin & Mahoney 2009). The current body of literature reveals little about how specific relational negotiation practices contribute to attaining an equal and connected relationship over time. This study utilizes grounded theory methodology and a feminist social constructionist framework to explore how traditional gender constructs impact couples’ ability to negotiate connected egalitarianism within relationship over time.

The analysis of 68 interviews with two sets of couples—parents of children 5 years old and …

Buffering Effect Of Relational Support In African American Marriages, Aimee Galick

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Racial discrimination is a common experience for African Americans in this country. Racial discrimination can have a negative effect on the physical and mental health of marital partners, as well the quality and stability of the relationship. Few studies investigate relational support as an important coping strategy. Bodenmann's (1995) divorce-stress model asserts that positive dyadic coping strategies such as relational support can buffer partners and marriages from the negative consequences of stress. Socio-emotional relational therapy (SERT) provides marital and family therapists with a model of relational support in couple relationships. SERT's definition formed the basis for the conceptualization of relational …

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Elasticity And Force For Knee Flexion During The Menstrual Cycle In Women, Haneul Lee

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Numerous studies have been conducted on changes of knee ligament laxity during the menstrual cycle (MC) since there are more injuries in certain phases. Some researchers believe that since estrogen receptor β exists in ligaments and tendons in the knee, estrogen may modulate towards a state of laxity. However, increased tissue temperature also observed during the MC can predispose ligament and tendon laxness. The number of women using oral contraceptive pills (OCP) has constantly increased in the United States. This exogenous source of synthetic forms of steroid hormones prevents ovulation by maintaining more consistent daily hormone levels than occurs. Since …

Role Of Igf-Ii, Prl, And Fabps In The Breast Cancer Disparity Among Aa Women, Teleka Cassandra Patrick

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

It is well documented that African-American (AA) patients present with more advanced states of breast cancer and have lower survival rates than Caucasian-Americans (CA). Epidemiological data have shown that pregnancy and lactation at an early age in humans reduce the risk of breast cancer. Studies in mice and rats have shown that lactation stimulates the expression of intracellular fatty-acid binding protein 3 (FABP3). FABP3 is detected in human breast tissue and is known as mammary-derived growth inhibitor (MDGI) because it has a strong inhibitory effect on cell proliferation. FABP5 is also expressed in the breast, and has been associated with …

Stress, Depression, Quality Of Life, And Language Recovery In Constraint Induced Aphasia Therapy (Ciat), Brian Sharp

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Traditional aphasia treatment approaches focus initially on restoration of language, but quickly move to use of alternative modes of communication when progress is slow. Constraint Induced Aphasia Therapy (CIAT), a more intensive form of treatment, is based on the concept of frequent, long sessions and forced use of the impaired language system. Prior to the present study, the relationship between CIAT and stress had not been explored; therefore, this study compared cortisol stress levels and improvement of language skills in two groups of subjects, all of whom presented with expressive aphasia. Ten subjects participated in CIAT, and received 10 days …

Small Molecule Inhibitors Of Hpv16 E6, Chung-Hsiang Yuan

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs) cause nearly all cases of cervical cancer. HPV 16 E6, one of two viral oncogenes, protects cells from apoptosis by binding to and accelerating the degradation of several apoptotic proteins, including caspase 8 and p53. We proposed that blocking the interactions between HPV E6 and its partners using small molecules had the potential to re-sensitize HPV+ cells to apoptosis. To test this prediction, we screened libraries of small molecules for candidates that could block E6/caspase 8 binding, and identified several candidates from different chemical classes. Testing hits for dose-dependency and specificity in vitro and for toxicity …

Beliefs About Complementary And Alternative Medicine In Hiv-Infected Black Women Using The Theory Of Planned Behavior, Stephanie G. Lino

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background. Black women make up 12% of the female population in the U.S, yet they account for 66% of new HIV infections. In 2002, AIDS was the most cited reason for death among Black women age 25-34. While prevention remains, a major effort targeting treatment efficacy and modalities for this sub-group need to be better understood.

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to assess whether HIV-positive Black women’s attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control are related to intention of dietary supplements and spiritual practices use in their HIV treatment.

Method. In phase one, Grounded Theory methods (N= …

The Association Of Diet And Physical Activity With Stroke Mortality Results From The Adventist Health Study-1, Tahereh Zamansani

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability, with major global public health implications. Stroke ranks No. 4 among all causes of death, behind heart disease, cancer, and chronic lower respiratory disease (CLRD). Stroke accounts for almost 1 of every 18 deaths in the United States. Women accounted for 60.6% of stroke deaths. Death certificate data show that the mean age at stroke death was 79.6 years; males had a younger mean age (76.3) than females.

There is still a great scientific uncertainty among researchers and epidemiologists about the magnitude of any preventive effect, mechanisms of action …

Regulation Of Igfbp-5 And Osteoblast Functions By Nuclear Factor I, Laura A. Perez-Casellas

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) system is a major target of GC inhibition in bone. We found that GCs inhibit expression of IGF binding protein-5 (IGFBP5) which binds IGFs and stimulates osteoblast activity by IGF dependent and independent mechanisms. GC-induced inhibition of IGFPB5 promoter activity was mediated by a composite response element that has binding sites for transcription factor activator protein 2 (AP-2) and nuclear factor I (NFI). The work in this dissertation identifies the NFI gene family as an important regulator of IGFBP-5 transcription primarily in human, as well as murine osteoblasts. The mechanism of IGFBP5 gene regulation involves …

Effect Of Passive Vibration On Skin Blood Flow In Good Glycemic Control And Poor Glycemic Control Type 2 Diabetics, Kanikkai Steni Balan Sackiriyas

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Microcirculation regulated by the sympathetic system and vascular endothelium plays a significant role in the homeostasis of temperature and wound healing. Damage to the autonomic nervous system and endothelial system resulting from aging and diabetes decreases the potential of wound healing. Insulin resistance and impaired wound healing associated with type 2 diabetes can lead to diabetic foot ulceration (DFU). Factors such as the increased insulin resistance, impaired wound healing and DFU can increase the risk of amputation in type 2 diabetics (T2D). In research, passive vibration (PV) was effective in increasing skin blood flow (SBF) in healthy individuals as well …

Evaluation Of Accuracy Of Impression Materials With Different Mixing Techniques, James Ywom

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Purpose: To investigate gypsum compatibility and dimensional stability of irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials with three mixing techniques. A comparison between vacuum-mixed, mechanically-mixed and manually-mixed techniques was evaluated for each impression material. Materials and Methods: Three irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials Kromopan 100® (Lascod™), Identic® (Dux dental™), and Jeltrate Plus® (Dentsply™) were tested gypsum compatibility in accordance with ANSI/ADA Specification No. 18 for alginate impression materials. The test for linear dimensional stability was tested in accordance with ANSI/ADA Specification No. 19 for elastomeric impression materials. A One-way ANOVA test was used to analyze dimensional stability at a significance level of (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The vacuum mixing technique facilitates the mixing of irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials and improves the compatibility with gypsum material and reproduces a more dimensionally accurate cast than the other mixing techniques.