Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons^™

Magnetic Resonance Imaging And Three-Dimensional Reconstructions Of The Brain Of A Fetal Common Dolphin, Delphinus Delphis, Lori Marino, Timothy L. Murphy, Lyad Gozal, John I. Johnson

Veterinary Science and Medicine Collection

To demonstrate the kinds of data that can be obtained non-destructively and non-invasively from preserved museum specimens using modern imaging technology the head region of a whole body fetal specimen of the common dolphin, Delphinus delphis, aged 8–9 months post-conception, was scanned using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Series of scans were obtained in coronal, sagittal and horizontal planes. A digital three-dimensional reconstruction of the whole brain was prepared from the coronal series of scans. Sectional areas and three-dimensional volumes were obtained of the cerebral hemispheres and of the brainstemplus-cerebellum. Neuroanatomical features identified in the scans include the major sulci of …

Assessment Of Immune System Involvement In Tourette Syndrome, Ashley Dawn Levine

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Tourette syndrome (TS) is currently hypothesized to be the result of genetic and immunological components. This study investigated whether TS subjects produce IgG and IgA antibodies that bind to caudate nucleus, hippocampus, frontal cortex, cerebellum, thalamus, globus pallidus interior, exterior and putamen. Thirty- two children (14 TS, 7 family control, and 11 non-family control) and thirty-nine adults (11 TS, 14 family control, and 14 non-family control) were studied. Immunofluorescent studies were performed on basal ganglia tissue using serum from TS children and their family members. Brain antigens were prepared as two fractions (supernatant and pellet) and used as targets for …

The First Forty Years Of The Alternatives Approach: Refining, Reducing, And Replacing The Use Of Laboratory Animals, Martin L. Stephens, Alan M. Goldberg, Andrew N. Rowan

State of the Animals 2001

The concept of the Three Rs— reduction, refinement, and replacement of animal use in biomedical experimentation—stems from a project launched in 1954 by a British organization, the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW). UFAW commissioned William Russell and Rex Burch to analyze the status of humane experimental techniques involving animals. In 1959 these scientists published a book that set out the principles of the Three Rs, which came to be known as alternative methods. Initially, Russell and Burch’s book was largely ignored, but their ideas were gradually picked up by the animal protection community in the 1960s and early ’70s. …

Dissection: The Scientific Case For Alternatives, Jonathan Balcombe

Experimentation Collection

This article presents the scientific argument that learning methods that replace traditional nonhuman animal-consumptive methods in life science education—so-called alternatives to dissection—are pedagogically sound and probably superior to dissection. This article focuses on the pedagogy, a learning method’s effectiveness for conveying knowledge.

Vaccinia Virus-Mediated Glioma Gene Therapy Using P53, Il-2 And Il-12, Bing Chen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Malignant brain tumors are generally lethal soon after their diagnosis, and the five-year survival rate for the patient is low in spite of neurosurgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy. Gene therapy has the potential to improve patient survival and quality of life by delivering specific combinations of therapeutic genes directly to the tumor for localized treatment.

We have based our cancer gene therapy for glioma on a highly attenuated variant of the Lister strain of vaccinia virus (VV) which has been proven to be a safe and effective vaccine vector. Other advantages include a wide host range, a strong promoter system, …

Identification And Characterization Of The Cis-Acting Elements Around The Murine Cd4 Cnhancer, Xin Dong

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The cluster determinant 4 (CD4) molecule is a transmembrane glycoprotein. CD4 is essential for normal T helper cell function and plays an important role in T cell development and activation. CD4 is encoded by a single gene located on chromosome 6 in the mouse and chromosome 12 in the human. Both human and murine CD4 genes are divided into ten exons spanning more than 25 kb and have a large non-coding region in the first and third intron. CD4 gene expression is controlled primarily at the transcriptional level during T cell development and activation.

An enhancer has been identified approximately …

Connexin-32 Contributes To Radiation Resistance In Thyroid Follicles, Da-Thao Dinh Tran

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The objective of this study was to examine the role of gap junctions in the radiation resistance of thyroid follicles. The question of whether gap junctional intercellular communication plays an important role in the “contact effect”, wherein cells in direct apposition are more resistant to the damaging effects of radiation, has been debated for years. We used the Fischer rat thyroid cell line (FRTL-5) to carry out our experiments. This thesis is divided into two parts: 1) characterization of gap junctional properties in FRTL-5 cells and, 2) exposure of these cells to radiation.

We found that, unlike primary thyroid cells, …

Identification And Characterization Of Control Elements Within The Murine Cd4 Gene, Zhong Deng

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The control of CD4 gene expression is essential for T lymphocyte development. Since the molecular mechanism for the control of CD4 gene expression during T cell development had not been elucidated, a study of the factors that control CD4 gene expression may lead to further. Toward these goals, we have made a series of recombinant DNA constructs to define the cis-acting transcriptional control elements in the murine CD4 locus that control CD4 gene expression during T cell development. In this study, we have identified multiple cis-acting control elements, which are critical for regulating the expression of the murine …

Periradicular Response Of Immunodeficient Rats To Mechanical Pulpal Exposure, James E. Stich

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Periradicular lesions develop as a result of the interaction between root canal irritants and the immune system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the periradicular response of immunodeficient rats to their oral flora. Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats received a total body irradiation dose of 750 cGy one week prior to the investigation. The pulps of the mandibular first molars of these animals and six nonirradiated rats were exposed mechanically with a ½ round bur and left open to the oral cavity. Additional irradiation (350 cGy) was administered bi-weekly to maintain immunosuppression. Periradicular specimens were obtained after two and four …

The Role Of Brn-3.2 In Retinal Ganglion Cell Differentiation, Jerin Marie Wright

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Within the retina, the POU domain of transcription factors brn-3.0, brn-3.1, and brn-3.2 are present only in retinal ganglion cells. These genes are believed to be involved in establishing neural cell lineages in mammals. In this study brn-3.2 was examined by comparing the number of ganglion cells present during postnatal development in normal mice (+/+), in mice homozygous (-/-) for the brn-3.2 gene, and in adult mice with a heterozygous gene deletion (+/-) for brn-3.2. Optic nerve cross sections were imaged by electron microscopy, and axon profiles counted systematically by hand. These counts were then related to the nerve cross …

The Immunology Of Parturition, Ari Mayer Mackler

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Macrophage-derived factors have been implicated in the etiology of preterm labor but little is known about trafficking of this immune cell into the uterus or its regulation of uterine contractility in mice. Enhanced number and activation of macrophages was hypothesized to precede parturition. Studies characterized contractile activity and the distribution of macrophages in the uterus of C3/HeN mice before and after term (=day 19). Contractile activity by uterine strips on days 15 and 18 of pregnancy, the day of delivery, and 1 day postpartum indicate that an endogenous oscillator sustains high frequency contractions. Modest acceleration of the pacemaker occurred before …

A Pilot Study Testing A Proprietary Sealant For Plaque Reduction, Jennifer Rowland

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Enamel demineralization due to increased plaque accumulation is a well-recognized problem associated with fixed orthodontic appliances. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a proprietary product to be marketed by 3M Unitek for the reduction of plaque accumulation and thereby reduce enamel demineralization.

Sixty four bovine teeth were divided equally into an untreated control group and a group treated with the proprietary sealant product. Both groups were subsequently immersed in a Streptococcus mutans culture. Plaque deposits from each group were removed, suspended in trypticase soy broth, serially diluted, and plated on trypticase soy agar at 1, …

The Effect Of Root End Demineralization On Cementogenesis : A Long Term Investigation, Hamid R. Abedi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Craig and Harrison¹² examined the effect of demineralization of resected root ends on wound healing following periradicular surgery. Based on its microscopic evaluations from 4-45 days, it was proposed that demineralization of resected root ends enhances cementogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the longer term effects of demineralization on cementogenesis using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) or amalgam as root end filling materials. After completion of root canal therapy and endodontic surgery on seventy-two roots of mandibular second, third and fourth premolars of six beagle dogs, 32/72 of the root ends at random were etched with 50% …

Study Of The Hiv-1 Gene Regulatory Proteins Tat And Rev By The Two-Hybrid System In Yeast, David Allen Elkins

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Tat and Rev, small proteins encoded by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1), regulate its pattern of gene expression within infected cells. Tat increases transcription from the integrated pro virus by approximately a thousand-fold; Rev effects a shift in the pattern of splicing of the viral mRNA. Both are likely to interact with cellular proteins in executing their respective functions. Tat has additional activities (including neurotoxicity and inhibition of lymphocyte activation) which may be extraneous to its viral functions.

In order to identify cellular proteins interacting with Tat and Rev, the genes for both were cloned into plasmid vectors …

Cellular Responses In Escherichia Coli To Lethal And Sublethal Doses Of Ozone, Indira Ruth Komanapalli

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Ozone is a major component of photochemical smog. High levels of this pollutant, sufficient to affect human health are found in many urban areas worldwide. Though limited studies in humans are supported by extensive findings from animal experiments, a difficulty in interpreting the results of these experiments has lead to an ambiguity on the biochemical mechanism of ozone toxicity. To elucidate the mechanism by which ozone causes cell damage and eventual cell death we conducted a comprehensive study using Escherichia coli K-12 as a model.

Studies on the comparative inactivation of bacteriophage lambda (λ), Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans …

An Animal Model For Development Of Pulpal Inflammation, John W. Masters

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Several animal models have been proposed to develop pulpal inflammation. Procedures recommended in these models have many variables and have not produced consistent results. The purpose of this study was to create pulpal inflammation using the Nd:YAG laser.

Forty-five cuspids of 12-18 month old beagle dogs were lased at 5, 7.5, and 10 watts (W) for 20 seconds with a 600 micron contact probe. Five cuspids were not lased but were used as controls. Following laser application, the teeth were extracted at intervals of 3, 7, and 30 days. They were then fixed in 10% formalin, decalcified, sectioned, and stained …

In Vitro Plaque Formation On Orthodontic Resin Sealants, Leland W. Pack

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine in vitro plaque formation on sealant coated enamel. The plaque growth on different types of sealants placed on enamel was compared to each other and to an unsealed enamel control. The antimicrobial properties of sealants were also studied.

Sealant coated bovine enamel disks were immersed in a S. mutans culture medium for four days. The amount of bacterial plaque formation was quantified by removing the deposit, suspending it in solution with subsequent serial dilution. Aliquots of the dilutions were then spread on blood agar plates and incubated for 48 hours. The number …

The Effect Of Guidor™ And Hop-1 On Hard Tissue Healing : Following Periradicular Surgery In Cats, Hugh Maguire

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the resorbable membrane Guidor™ and the osteogenic protein hOP-1 on hard tissue healing following periradicular surgery in cats.

Surgical endodontic therapy was performed on the maxillary canine teeth of twelve cats. After orthograde root canal therapy, flap reflection, osteotomy, resection of the root end, root end cavity preparation and the placement of a root end filling, eight of the surgical sites were treated with Guidor™ and eight with hOP-1. The remaining eight sites received no further treatment and served as controls.

The animals were sacrificed at twelve weeks following …

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins And Periodontal Repair, Michael B. Lee

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

For over thirty years now, research has been carried out to isolate and purify bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), a substance which has been shown to induce heterotopic bone formation in various animal species. Recent advances in the fields of developmental biology, molecular biology and genetics, have shown that the BMPs not only are responsible for postfetal bone induction (including normal bone remodeling, healing and repair), but are also critical during embryogenesis - not only in regards to the skeletal system, but quite possibly in the morphogenesis and pattern formation of other tissues and organs as well.

Due to their bone …

Ornithine Decarboxylase And Polyamines In Perinatal Hypoxia, Satyaseelan Packianathan

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Hypoxic and hypoxic/ischemic episodes contribute to various neurological aberrations, learning disabilities, et cetera in surviving infants. Despite major advances in understanding the pathophysiology of hypoxia, the cellular basis for hypoxic-mediated injury remains poorly understood. In addition, the role of developmentally essential enzymes vis á vis their contributions, or lack thereof, to hypoxic-mediated injury has not been adequately investigated. In the series of studies comprising this dissertation, we tested the hypothesis that acute and/or chronic hypoxia affect the activity of omithine decarboxylase (ODC; E.C. 4.1.1.17), the developmentally essential enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis, in the fetal and newborn rat brain. Fetal and …

Periodontal Repair In Dogs : Evaluation Of Rhbmp-2 Carriers, Lauralee Nygaard

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study evaluated candidate carriers for recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in periodontal reconstructive surgery.

Canine demineralized bone matrix (DBM), bovine inorganic crystallene bone matrix (Bio-Oss), bovine derived microfibrillar collagen matrix (Helistat), poly (D,L-lactide-coglycolide) micropaiticles (PLGA), and polylactic acid granules (Drilac) were used with rhBMP-2 (20 (µg/100 µl implant volume) in routine critical size canine supraalveolar periodontal defects. Contralateral defects in six beagle dogs were randomly assigned to receive: DBM/rhBMP-2, DBM-control, Bio-Oss/rhBMP-2, Helistat/rhBMP-2, PLGA/rhBMP-2, or Drilac/rhBMP-2, all with autologous blood except for Helistat and PLGA. Animals were sacrificed eight weeks post-surgery and block sections of the defects were processed …

Increased Stem Cell Factor Release By Hemangioma-Derived Endothelial Cells, C. J. Meininger, Shannon Brightman, K. A. Kelly, B. R. Zetter

Biology Faculty Publications

Background: Capillary hemangiomas, the most common tumors in young children, consist of proliferating capillary vessels and endothelial cells. These tumors also contain large numbers of mast cells, compared with the normal surrounding skin or tissue. We have recently shown that stem cell factor (SCF), the gene product of the murine steel locus, can act as a chemoattractant for mast cells. In this study, we investigated whether SCF might be involved in the recruitment and maintenance of mast cells in hemangiomas. Experimental Design: Cultured endothelial cells derived from a murine hemangioma were compared with normal vascular endothelial cells for the ability …

The Three Rs: The Way Forward, Michael Balls, Alan M. Goldberg, Julia H. Fentem, Caren L. Broadhead, Rex L. Burch, Michael F.W. Festing, John M. Frazier, Coenraad F.M. Hendriksen, Margaret Jennings, Margot D.O. Van Der Kamp, David B. Morton, Andrew N. Rowan, Claire Russell, William M.S. Russell, Horst Spielmann, Martin Stephens, William S. Stokes, Donald W. Straughan, James D. Yager, Joanne Zurlo, Bert F.M. Van Zutphen

Experimentation Collection

This is the report of the eleventh of a series of workshops organised by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), which was established in 1991 by the European Commission. ECVAM's main goal, as defined in 1993 by its Scientific Advisory Committee, is to promote the scientific and regulatory acceptance of alternative methods which are of importance to the biosciences and which reduce, refine or replace the use of laboratory animals. One of the first priorities set by ECVAM was the implementation of procedures which would enable it to become well-informed about the state-of-the-art of non-animal test …

The Animal Research Controversy: Protest, Process & Public Policy, Andrew N. Rowan, Franklin M. Loew, Joan C. Weer

eBooks

The controversy today regarding the use of animals in research appears on the surface to be a strongly polarized struggle between the scientific community and the animal protection movement. However, there is a wide range of opinions and philosophies on both sides. Mistrust between the factions has blossomed while communication has withered. Through the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, the animal movement grew in numbers and financial resources, and developed much greater public recognition and political clout. The research community paid relatively little attention to the animal movement for much of this period but, alarmed by several public relations coups …

In Vitro Effects Of Two Silver Electrodes On Select Wound Pathogens, Linda Jean Laatsch-Lybeck, Poh Chye Ong, Luther C. Kloth

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The use of electrical current to promote wound healing is well documented. However, little is understood about the effects of micro-amperage direct current (μADC) on growth of wound pathogens. The purpose of this project was to investigate the antibacterial effects of a silver wire/silver nylon electrode carrying μADC in vitro on several Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The current was delivered via silver wire and silver nylon electrodes at an amplitude of 100 μA for a 30-minute duration in an in vitro system. Results demonstrated that only silver wire carrying current inhibited bacterial growth around …

The Production And Characterization Of A Monoclonal Antibody To A Naturally Occurring Aminomalonic Acid Epitope And A Comparison With An Antibody To A Synthetically Derived Aminomalonic Acid Epitope, James L. Gulley

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The goal for this project is to undertake the first step in the study of blocking metastasis by a monoclonal antibody. The long range goal of this line of research is to study a novel mechanism for the blocking of tumor metastasis in general and prostatic cancer metastasis in particular. The problem that this addresses is the growing number of cases of prostatic cancer in the increasingly aging male population. This cancer is not lethal unless it metastasizes, yet there is no cure for the metastatic disease. The inherent specificity of a monoclonal antibody combined with the uniqueness of the …

Effects Of Furosemide And Oleic Acid On Thyroxine Binding To Isolated Pairs Of Thyroxine Binding Serum Proteins, Deborah Hustead

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Dosage dependent binding inhibition and redistribution of thyroxine (T₄) between three pairs of thyroxine binding serum proteins, TBG-TTR, TBG-albumin and TTR-albumin, by furosemide (0.0 to 1.0 mol/L) and oleic acid (0.0 to 0.10 mol/L) were studied using equilibrium dialysis with purified binding proteins at concentrations 1/200 of levels in normal human sera, separated across the dialysis membrane and competing for T₄.

Furosemide (1.0 mol/L) reduced TBG bound T₄ in both the TBG-TTR system and TBG-albumin system (>90% decrease) and inhibited T₄ binding to TTR in the TTR-albumin system (68% decrease) and to albumin …

Antibacterial Effects Of A Silver Electrode Carrying Microamperage Direct Current In Vitro, Poh Chye Young, Luther C. Kloth, Linda Jean Laatsch-Lybeck

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Currently, electrical stimulation is an accepted method used clinically to promote chronic wound healing. A literature review revealed that similar therapeutic current has been shown to suppress growth of common wound pathogens in vitro and in vivo. To date, little has been reported on the factors contributing to the antibacterial effects of microamperage direct current (μADC) stimulation. The purpose of this project was to investigate the role of electric field strength, current density, pH, and type of electrode used in vitro, to gain a better understanding of how these factors contribute to inhibiting growth of select wound pathogens. …

Healing Potential Of Osteotomies Of The Nasal Sinus In The Dog, Roderick W. Tataryn

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Maxillary sinus osteotomy is sometimes indicated for transantral surgical approaches to palatal roots of maxillary molars. A search of the literature showed an absence of any report on the healing potential of such defects. The purpose of this study was to determine histologically the reparative process of the nasal sinus of dogs following small and large surgical antral perforations. After anesthetizing six beagle dogs, full thickness periosteal flaps were raised overlying the maxillary buccal cortical plates. A 5x5 mm diameter perforation was created with a trephine bur above the second maxillary premolar on one side of each animal. On the …

Review Of: Carl F. Cranor, Regulating Toxic Substances, Jon F. Merz, H. Christopher Frey

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Review of: Carl F. Cranor, Regulating Toxic Substances (Oxford University Press 1993). Acknowledgments, appendices, bibliography, figures, foreword by The Honorable George E. Brown, Jr., index, notes, tables. LC 91-47046; ISBN 0-19- 507436-X. [272 pp. Cloth $45.00. 200 Madison Avenue, New York NY 10016.]