Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Development Of A Mammographic Image Processing Environment Using Matlab, John L. Kelley

Theses and Dissertations

Breast cancer is a disease that accounts for a disturbingly large number of deaths in females each year. Its prevalence is a topic of concern to all of us since it can affect our families, friends, and coworkers. Although mammographic screening is the most effective method currently available for the early detection of breast cancer, it is far from being an infallible procedure. Mammographic reading is error prone, partly because of the complexity of the task and partly because of the variability in human performance. Computers offer high reproducibility, and when used as an adjunct by the radiologist, may improve …

The Pollution Effects Of Pleasure/Work Boat Sewage Discharges On Fecal Contamination Levels Of Waters In And Around Marinas And Other Places Where Boats Are Moored On The Eastern Shore Of Virginia, George H. Bangs

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

Contamination of seafood harvested from and recreational areas of the Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries and the Atlantic coast inshore waters may cause health problems for people consuming the seafood or coming in contact with the waters by swimming, water skiing, or other water sports. These health problems include, but not limited to, dysentery, typhoid and hepatitis (Natchez, 1990). This is a preliminary study into the level of fecal pollution generated by sewage discharges from boats in marinas and other places where boats are moored on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Sites selected for the study included; (I) marinas and other …

The Relationship Of Dietary And Lifestyle Factors To Bone Mineral Density Of Healthy Singaporean Chinese Women, Ampai Dana Aimsiri

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Few studies have examined the risk factors associated with reduced bone mass in Asians, but none specifically investigated Singaporean Chinese women. The subjects in this study were 16 premenopausal, 8 perimenopausal and 13 postmenopausal women who participated in a larger study which began in 1986. Bone density was measured in 1986 and 1992. Dietary and lifestyle data were collected for this study by personal interview. Association between dietary and lifestyle factors and bone density variables and change in bone density at the end of the 6 year period were assessed by univariate regression analyses.

Postmenopausal women had significantly lower baseline …

Determination Of Pancreatic And Salivary Amylase By Enzyme Immunoassay And Their Prevalence In Hyperamylasemic Patients, Sabdra Borgens Ward

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Currently, amylase determinations are nonspecific for the organ source and are based entirely on the enzymatic properties of amylase to produce a measurable product or byproduct. The determination of pancreatic amylase is important in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Most commercially available tests for amylase employ the measurement of the change in NADH absorbance at 280 nm or of the p-nitrophenol released from a maltotetrose substrate. These are nonspecific measurements of pancreatic amylase and often necessitate other tests to be run such as a serum lipase.

The two predominant isoenzymes of amylase are pancreatic (p-amylase) and salivary (s-amylase); the most …

Measurement Of Blood Flow In Reflected Muco-Gingival Tissue Flaps In Cats : Using The Radiolabeled Microsphere Method, Gary T. Wuchenrich

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Blood flow to the maxilla and mandible may vary due to differences in vascular supply and in physiologic, metabolic and pathologic conditions. In general it is accepted that oral tissues have an abundant blood supply; however, there is little information quantifying blood flow to these regions. In this study, the maxillary tissues were chosen to measure the blood flow in attached and reflected gingival tissue in adult cats using the radiolabeled microsphere method.

Sixteen cats with permanent dentition, clean mouths, and without inflamed gingiva upon visual inspection were used and divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of six cats …

Long-Term Posttreatment Upper Incisor Inclination : Relative To Facial Axis Angulation As A Measure For Incisor Placement, David Lawrence Sparks

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study was designed to determine whether upper central incisor inclination approximated the facial axis, long-term, posttreatment, regardless of the initial malocclusion or immediate posttreatment incisor inclination. Lateral head films at pretreatment, immediate posttreatment and long-term posttreatment were traced and evaluated. The sample was divided into facial type. Angle classification and treatment type (extraction vs. non-extraction). Statistical analyses included means, standard deviations, confidence intervals, population t tests and chi-square tabulations.

The results revealed that the upper central incisor did not approximate the facial axis after a minimum of 7 years posttreatment. This failed to support the use of the facial …

Identification Of Risk Factors Associated With Pulpal Disease, Shelley R. Aronson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

A few studies have identified etiologic factors in pulpal disease, but little is known about the odds ratios of factors associated with pulpal disease. Odds ratios are well established measures of the effects of exposure to a particular outcome, and are comparisons of exposure to non-exposure in cases versus controls. The purpose of this study was to compare exposure of individual teeth to hypothesized risk factors in endodontic cases and in controls. This case-control study consisted of a chart review of 301 endodontic cases and 301 controls. Caries, types of restorations, and periodontal disease were the most significant factors. With …

In Vitro And In Vivo Effects Of Chemotherapeutants On The Oyster Parasite, Perkinsus Marinus, Gustavo W. Calvo

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

To investigate the potential of chemotherapeutants to control the oyster pathogen Perkinsus marinus, anticoccidial and antifungal compounds were tested in vitro on infected hemolymph and cultured P. marinus cells and in vivo on infected oysters. In addition, acute toxicity to oysters was determined for six anticoccidials. In vitro experiments with infected hemolymph consisted of 24 h exposure of 0.2 mL hemolymph aliquots to concentrations ranging from 100 mg/L to 0.01 mg/L of amphotericin-B, amprolium, arprinocid, cycloheximide, lasalocid, malachite green, monensin, sulfadimethoxine, and a potentiated sulfadimethoxine, followed by incubation in fluid thioglycollate medium (FTM) to determine prezoosporangia abundance. Lasalocid, malachite green, …

Investigations Into Cataract Formation In Sciaenid Fish Species From The Elizabeth River, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, Christopher D. Williams

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Cataract formation in the Elizabeth River (ER) has been reported since 1986. Previous studies have concentrated on describing cataract as a function of exposure to polluted sediments, especially polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). These studies, however, have not examined what processes might be involved in fish cataractogenesis. The overall objective of this research was to identify important processes associated with the early development of cataract in feral fish populations. Field studies were used to systematically examine cataract development. Cataract in sciaenids was not associated with previously described cataractogenic factors, but could be linked to contaminated sediments of the ER. Cataract was …