Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of Spaceflight On Phagocytic Function And Immune-Neural Interaction, Farnaz P. Baqai

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

In spaceflight, astronauts will be exposed to several environmental risk factors that may lead to disturbances in homeostasis maintained by the central nervous system (CNS) and immune system. Low Earth orbit (LEO) spaceflight studies have shown that microgravity changes virtually all immune parameters that have been evaluated. Similarly, ground based studies have shown that low-dose radiation can also significantly impact immune function. Finally, as most spacecrafts are ecologically and environmentally closed systems, astronauts may be at increased risk for exposure to aerosolized infectious agents. The hypothesis of this study is: Exposure to spaceflight environment (microgravity and radiation) can influence immune …

Postprandial Effects Of Pecans Ingestion On Plasma Level Of Nutrients, Polyphenolic Compounds And Biomarkers Of Antioxidant Status In Human Volunteers, Chatrapa Hudthagosol

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Pecans (Carya illinoinensis) are rich sources of polyphenolic compounds and nutrients, which have antioxidant capacity results in favorable reductions in plasma lipids and lipoproteins. However, the health benefits of pecans may not be limited to blood lipid changes. There has been very little investigation into the contribution of bioactive components found in nuts to antioxidant protection. The purposes of the study were 1) to determine the impact of pecan consumption on concentration of total plasma polyphenols and their peak concentration over time. 2) to measure the effect of a pecan diet on postprandial levels of plasma lipid peroxidation …

Studies In Prolonged Oxidative Stress Resistance In Porphyromonas Gingivalis, Rachelle Mckenzie

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a gram negative, anaerobic bacterium implicated as a major etiological agent in chronic adult periodontitis. In the inflammatory environment of the periodontal pocket, the organism must overcome oxidative stress as a result of exposure to air in the oral cavity as well as to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by host immune cells. A comprehensive mechanism for oxidative stress resistance in P. gingivalis is yet to be fully elucidated. In this study we examined the modulation of gene expression under conditions of oxidative stress by whole-genome DNA microarray analysis. Our findings indicated that numerous genes are involved …

Body Weight Perceptions And Weight Control Behavior Among Adult Bermudians, Kyla J. Raynor

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background. Overweight and obesity is a serious public health concern that has major consequences on health and quality of life. As of 2006, 64% of adults in Bermuda were overweight or obese. There remains a gap in the literature related to how adult Bermudians perceive their body weight and body image, and if perceptions of being overweight or obese are associated with weight control behaviors.

Purpose. This study was undertaken to develop a better understanding of the perceptions of ideal body weight, level of overweight, body image and weight control behavior in adult Bermudians.

Methodology. This was a cross-sectional observational …

Fetal Cocaine Exposure Causes Epigenetic Changes In The Rat Heart, Kurt D. Meyer

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Cocaine abuse continues to be prevalent in the United States and other industrialized nations, in addition to the negative health effects that cocaine abuse has on the user, a mother who uses cocaine while pregnant also exposes the developing fetus to cocaine. Although there have been many studies of the effects of cocaine on the adult heart, studies of cocaine on the fetal heart and its potential delayed pathophysiological effects on cardiac function in adult offspring are extremely limited. The studies of the present project sought to enhance the understanding of the effect of cocaine exposure on the fetal heart …

Tuberculosis In San Bernardino County, 1993-2004 : Lifestyle And Environmental Factors, Anuj Bhatia

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

An observational retrospective study was conducted for tuberculosis (TB) cases between San Bernardino County (SBC), Riverside County, and the state of California from 1996 to 2004. A univariate comparison between San Bernardino County and California indicated a higher proportion of U.S. born cases in SBC. Additionally, it was found that San Bernardino had a higher proportion of non-injection drug using TB cases, compared with California in 1996. Further comparisons were made along country of birth between TB cases in San Bernardino County from 1993 to 2004. Notable differences were observed for injection drug use, non injection drug use, alcohol abuse, …

Anthropometric Parameters Of Under-Five Years Old Children With Different Dietary Habits In Ukambani Region : A Study In Eastern Rural Kenya, Hellen M. Ndiku

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The objective of this descriptive cross sectional study was to assess dietary intake and nutritional status of children under-five years in two rural sites of Eastern Kenya where the staple cereals may differ. A modified rapid, knowledge, practice and coverage (KPC) questionnaire and a 24-hr dietary recall form were used to collect the data. A total of 403 households were surveyed from four randomly selected divisions. This yielded 629 surrogate 24-hr dietary recalls of children < 5 years with 314 from Mwingi district and 315 from Makueni district (49 % boys and 51 % girls).

Statistical analysis was done using SPSS and SAS. Comparison of means was done using t- test and chi square was used for proportions. The 24-hr …

An Evolving Practice Model In The Development Of Lifelong Education For Senior Citizens, Wai Chuen Shum

APIAS Monograph 專題論文

Promoting productive and successful aging has gradually become a main concern for society at large, in particular, public policy makers, gerontologists and social workers in ageing societies. In Hong Kong, the population aged 60 years and above has increased from 745,500 (13% of the total population) in 1991 to 1,004,400 (14.8%) in 2001 (Census & Statistics Department 2005). This figure will increase to about 2.2 million representing 27.7% of the population by 2023 within a span of about twenty years (Census & Statistics Department 2004). With this rapid growth of the elderly population, greater efforts are urgently needed to prepare …

Disruption Of Osysl15 Leads To Iron Inefficiency In Rice Plants, Sichul Lee, Jeff C. Chiecko, Sun A. Kim, Elsbeth L. Walker, Youngsook Lee, Mary Lou Guerinot, Gyhheung An

Dartmouth Scholarship

Uptake and translocation of metal nutrients are essential processes for plant growth. Graminaceous species release phytosiderophores that bind to Fe³⁺; these complexes are then transported across the plasma membrane. We have characterized OsYSL15, one of the rice (Oryza sativa) YS1-like (YSL) genes that are strongly induced by iron (Fe) deficiency. The OsYSL15 promoter fusion to β-glucuronidase showed that it was expressed in all root tissues when Fe was limited. In low-Fe leaves, the promoter became active in all tissues except epidermal cells. This activity was also detected in flowers and seeds. The OsYSL15:green …

Book Reviews -- Monographic Musings, Debbie Vaughn

Against the Grain

No abstract provided.

Qualitative Tools To Examine Efnep Curriculum Delivery, Justine R. Hoover, Peggy A. Martin, Ruth E. Litchfield

Journal of Extension

Use of qualitative research methods to evaluate nutrition education programs is limited. Structured observations and focus groups, qualitative research methods, were conducted to examine use of theory-based learning strategies and participant experiences in a nutrition education program. Theory-based learning strategies included use of open-ended questions, visual aids, and experiential learning activities. Open-ended questioning and some experiential activities were used less often than desired. Language of lesson delivery and instructional setting appear to influence the use of learning strategies. Lesson delivery and instructional setting may be relevant for preferred learning styles of different cultures.

Acetabular Morphometry And Prevalence Of Hip Dysplasia In The South Asian Population, Masood Umer, Yasir J. Sepah, Sharjeel Asif, Iqbal Azam Syed, Muhammad Umar Jawad

Section of Orthopaedic Surgery

We carried out a cross-sectional study to measure the association of the seven acetabular parameters with pelvic morphometry and prevalence of hip dysplasia in our population. Convenience sampling was carried out and 250 consecutive patients who came to AKUH for intravenous pyelogram and had no complaints in the region of the hip joint were enrolled in the study. Post-micturition standardized plain antero-posterior pelvic radiographs of 250 asymptomatic adults (500 hip joints) was studied. There were 136 males (54.4%) and 114 females (45.6%). Mean age of our study population was 38 years (15-78 years). The average center edge angle was 35.5±6.6° …

Mapping The Participatory Process, Barbara J. Friesen, L. Kris Gowen, Pauline Jivanjee, Abby Bandurraga

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

This presentation explores the use of Practice-Based Evidence methodologies to support social work with Native American youth. It is based on a five-year collaborative effort between the Native American Youth and Family Center, National Indian Child Welfare Association, and the Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health. The researchers aims were to develop strategies for documenting the effectiveness of services, and to develop a process for conducting evaluations based on known outcomes of community based programs.

Factors Contributing To Adolescent Obesity, Manal I. Al-Kloub, Erika S. Froelicher

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Validity Of A Dietary Calcium Questionnaire Modified To Include Supplement Use In Athletes, Morgan B. Henry, Hawley C. Almstedt

Health and Human Sciences Faculty Works

When conducting research in the area of bone health, accurate measurement of calcium intake is crucial. The rapid assessment method (RAM) is one technique that has frequently been used for its measurement of calcium intake. However, the RAM and other currently established questionnaires lack the assessment of dietary supplement use, which is common for athletes. Our objective was to evaluate the validity of a RAM questionnaire designed to assess daily calcium consumption which was further modified to meet the needs of athletes who frequently consume dietary supplements. Usefulness of the modified RAM for athletes and non-athletes was evaluated as well …

Design Evaluation Of An Anaerobic Chamber Prototype, Anthony M. Kendig

Master's Theses

Within the field of microbiology there is a group of bacteria termed, anaerobic, because of their aversion to oxygen. Clinical and industrial interest in these bacteria has made the use of anaerobic systems necessary for widespread testing and research. The glove-less anaerobic chamber has become the premier method for successful cultivation of anaerobic isolates. A prototype anaerobic chamber design contains new features and different anaerobic techniques formed around additional specifications given by microbiologists. Through testing and discussion of the anaerobic systems of this prototype, the design is evaluated based on its anaerobic performance. The three chamber systems that maintain the …

Association Between Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D And Breast Cancer Risk, Katherine D. Crew, Marilie D. Gammon, Susan E. Steck, Dawn L. Hershman, Serge Cremers, Elzbieta Dworakowski, Elizabeth Shane, Mary Beth Terry, Manisha Desai, Susan L. Teitelbaum, Alfred I. Neugut, Regina M. Santella

Faculty Publications

Vitamin D has been associated with decreased risk of several cancers. In experimental studies, vitamin D has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation and induce differentiation and apoptosis in normal and malignant breast cells. Using a population-based case-control study on Long Island, New York, we examined the association of breast cancer with plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels, a measure of vitamin D body stores. In-person interviews and blood specimens were obtained from 1,026 incident breast cancer cases diagnosed in 1996 to 1997 and 1,075 population-based controls. Plasma 25-OHD was measured in batched, archived specimens by Diasorin RIA. The mean (SD) …

Implications For Us Government Minority Healthcare Systems : Southern Plains American Indian Elderly Experience A Better Health-Related Quality Of Life (Hrql) Compared To The Northern Plains American Indian Elderly, Pamela Ness

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Prevalence And Correlates Of Vitamin D Status In African American Men, Marilyn Tseng, Veda Giri, Deborah W. Bruner, Edwards Giovannucci

Kinesiology and Public Health

Background: Few studies have examined vitamin D insufficiency in African American men although they are at very high risk. We examined the prevalence and correlates of vitamin D insufficiency among African American men in Philadelphia. Methods: Participants in this cross-sectional analysis were 194 African American men in the Philadelphia region who were enrolled in a risk assessment program for prostate cancer from 10/ 96–10/07. All participants completed diet and health history questionnaires and provided plasma samples, which were assessed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations. We used linear regression models to examine associations with 25(OH)D concentrations and logistic regression to estimate …

The Devaluation Of Life, W. Kip Viscusi

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been the target of two recent controversies involving the devaluation of life: the 2003 use of a senior discount for the value of statistical life for people over age 65, and the 2008 downward reassessment of the value of statistical life by the EPA Air Office. Even though these new values of statistical life were still among the highest used in the Federal government, there was a strong negative public reaction to each. The public outcry over the EPA policies appears to have stemmed from an irrational response to decreases in the value …

Science Education Policy For Emergency, Conflict, And Post-Conflict: An Analysis Of Trends And Implications For The Science Education Program In Uganda, Betty Pacutho Udongo

Dissertations

This study analyzes the impact of armed conflicts on the development of education policy and particularly science education program in Uganda. Since independence from the British colonial rule, Uganda has experienced a series of armed conflicts, with the most devastating being the 21 years of conflict in Northern Uganda.

The research study was guided by the following questions: (1) What is the level of government funding towards improving science education program in Uganda? (2) Have recent initiatives, such as free Primary and Secondary education, compulsory science, and 75% sponsorship for science-based courses, had a measurable impact on the proportion of …

Designing A Microbial Prolyl Peptidase Delivery System For The Treatment Of Celiac Disease, Matthew J. Shurtleff

Master's Theses

Celiac disease is an autoimmune enteropathy resulting from the ingestion of gluten and gluten-like proteins from wheat, barley and rye in afflicted individuals. Indigestible gluten-derived peptides rich in proline residues are known to be responsible for eliciting the inappropriate immune response characteristic of the disease. In this investigation, surface level expression of prolyl peptidase activity by genetically engineered probiotic lactobacilli was postulated to be a possible treatment for this disease. Plasmid-based reporter vectors were constructed utilizing a novel, homology-based cloning technique to assess the expression and localization signals from the S-layer protein gene of Lactobacillus acidophilus. These plasmids were mutated …

Reflections On The Local And The Global In Psychology: Innovation, Liberation And Testimonio*, Terri M. Baker

The Qualitative Report

This paper presents some reflections on the process of creating research, from the point of view of a psychologist working in an academic environment in a developing country which is undergoing social transformation. It explores some tensions between global and local concerns in research, and reflects on the relation between research, art, narration, and the person of the researcher. The ideas presented are based on the personal reflections of the author after developing a methodology for a qualitative research project. The aim is to open up areas of inquiry into the process of constructing research, rather than providing final answers, …

A Study Of The Effect Of Splinting On Pain During Tip Pinch For Osteoarthritis Of The First Carpometacarpal Joint, Leana Tank

Masters Theses

The following research project focused on the effect of a prefabricated neoprene first carpometacarpal splint on osteoarthritis pain with tip-pinch, strength measurements of tip-pinch and functional performance. The following questions were explored throughout this study:

1. There will be a significant decrease in mean pain levels when the subject’s hand is splinted as compared to mean pain levels when the hand is not splinted.

2. There will be a significant decrease in mean pain levels for the second session as compared to the first.

3. There will be a significant increase in mean tip pinch strength measurements when the subject’s …

Diversity, Distribution And Role Of Wild Crucifers In Major Cabbage And Kale Growing Areas Of Kenya, R. Kahuthia-Gathu, B. Löhr, H. M. Poehling, P. K. Mbugua

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

An investigation of the diversity and distribution of wild crucifer species and their importance for cultivated crucifers was conducted during 2005 and 2006 in the highland and mid-altitude semi-arid areas of Kenya. Thirteen species of wild crucifers in nine genera were recorded: Raphanus raphanistrum, Erucastrum arabicum, Sisymbrium officinale, Crambe kilimandscharica, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Rorippa nudiuscula, Ro. micrantha, Ro. microphylla, Lepidium bonariense, Coronopus didymus, Brassica rapa, B. juncea and an unidentified Brassica species. Highland areas had significantly higher species diversity and species richness than mid-altitude semi-arid areas. Species richness, diversity and evenness varied with season and location. Raphanus raphanistrum was the dominant …

Champagne Seas—Foretelling The Ocean’S Future?, J Hall-Spencer, E Rauer

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Imagine you are an ocean researcher and you want to study the ecological impacts of ocean acidification. You know from studies carried out under controlled laboratory conditions that lowered pH can impact the physiology, growth, and development of certain organisms. What you want to know next is how these changes in individual species translate into the direct and indirect ecological changes that occur in the open ocean. Here we summarize the results from a new approach to understanding the ecological implications of ocean acidification: observational studies and IN SITU experimentation at ocean sites with low pH and high CO2.

The Efficacy Of Kidquest: A Nutrition And Physical Activity Curriculum For 5th And 6th Grade Youth, Becky Jensen, Kendra Kattelmann, Cuirong Ren, Howard Wey

Journal of Extension

KidQuest is a nutrition and physical activity curriculum for 5th to 6th grade youth engaging participants in goal setting, self-monitoring, and reinforcement. Evaluation of the program over the 2005-2006 school year involved a nonrandom sample of 98 intervention and 38 control group participants in rural South Dakota using baseline and ending surveys. Self-reported improvements in breakfast frequency, dairy intake, increased frequency of looking at the food label, and increased food label knowledge were observed in the intervention group, with no significant change in the control group.

Assessing Public Opinion Directly To Keep Current With Changing Community Needs, Raymond K. Yang, Robert J. Fetsch, Thomas M. Mcbride, Janet C. Benavente

Journal of Extension

In communities that are changing, Cooperative Extension's programs should change to meet the needs of community members. Directly assessing community members' needs and concerns is valuable in developing and offering educational programs that will be responsive to community needs and attract audiences. We describe a simple survey method that can efficiently assess community members' concerns. The method is useful in developing broad programs that can address several related issues. A specific example of the process is presented using a county facing well-recognized rural/urban issues.

Impact Evaluation Of Integrated Extension Programs: Lessons Learned From The Community Gardening Program, Jay S. Jayaratne, Lucy K. Bradley, Elizabeth Driscoll

Journal of Extension

Integrated programming is a coordinated Extension approach to address multi-faceted community issues. An integrated Extension approach is needed to address complex community issues in a meaningful way. Planning, implementation, and evaluation of an integrated program should be considered as a joint effort by the partnering Extension agents. This article describes how to document the impacts of integrated Extension program to reflect the coordinated effort of the Extension team. Documentation as well as sharing impacts with the partners is necessary to strengthen the collaboration and sustain the integrated Extension programming effort.

Enhancing Accountability: Servsafe™ Impact Template Delivers, Renee Boyer, Matthew C. Benson, Heather H. Boyd, Mena Forrester, Nancy Franz, Karen Gehrt, Patsy Pelland, Kirsten Roan

Journal of Extension

Generating statewide impact data from Extension programs can be challenging. To streamline reporting, Extension specialists, with the help of county agents and administrators, generated a statewide impact statement for the ServSafe™ program in Virginia. This template includes knowledge gain, behavior change, and economic impact from participants generated from current standardized evaluation methods used by all Extension educators across the state. Providing this template for agents resulted in easier, more consistent yearly reporting for those agents administering the program.