Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Energy Webs And Nursing Praxis: Patterning In The Lived Experience Of Type 2 Diabetes, Karen Marcus Glasenapp

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Diabetes is an illness best described as costly, complex, chronic, and epidemic in the United States, affecting nearly 24 million children and adults; 90% of who have type 2 diabetes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). On average, every 20 seconds in the United States, an individual 20 years of age and older receives a diagnosis of diabetes; yet, an estimated 6 million people with the disease remain undiagnosed (American Diabetes Association, 2010b). The financial burden of this disease, the inconsistent effectiveness of well-intentioned diabetes programs to educate and actualize change behavior, and the limited resources of millions of …

Temozolomide And Bevacizumab Therapy In Advanced Hemangiopericytoma/ Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Min S. Park

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Tumors comprising the spectrum of hemangiopericytoma/ malignant solitary fibrous tumor (HPC/SFT) are thought to arise from fibroblasts and represent a small subset of soft tissue sarcomas. Surgery is typically the treatment of choice for localized disease, with reported 10-year overall survival rates of 54-89% after complete surgical resection. However, for the approximately 20% of HPC/SFT patients who eventually develop local recurrences and/or distant metastases, options for effective treatment are limited and are poorly defined. Alternative therapeutic options are therefore needed for improved palliation and disease control. We hypothesize that HPC/SFT are a spectrum of soft tissue tumors with unique clinical, …

Donepezil And Galanin Interactions In An Animal Model Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Jonathan J. Sabbagh

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder marked by a progressive loss of cognitive function. One of the neurobiological hallmarks of AD is a progressive loss of cholinergic neurons and a decrease in the amount of acetylcholine in the brain. Pharmacological therapies have targeted the cholinergic system, specifically first-line, palliative treatment using acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, such as donepezil. Donepezil has been shown to increase cholinergic tone and ameliorate some of the cognitive deficits in AD patients. Galanin, a neuropeptide that inhibits the evoked release of several neurotransmitters including acetylcholine as well as modulates seveal intracellular cascades, is overexpressed in AD …

Development Of Novel Biomarkers In Cancer: Detection Of Circulating Mir-141 As A Potential Prognostic Marker For Prostate Cancer, Jason Cadaoas Gonzales

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Prostate cancer (CAP) is the most common epithelial malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men. The identification of predictive and prognostic biomarkers in CAP patients is critical for improving clinical outcomes. Although the measurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and radiographic studies are clinically approved to predict response to therapy, these tests can oftentimes prove to be inadequate in certain patients. Thus, it is important to discover new biomarkers to improve chances of survivability. We and others have shown that longitudinal measurements of circulating tumor cells (CTC) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) may aid in predicting response …

The Determinants Of Colorectal Cancer Survival Disparities In Nevada, Lucas N. Wassira

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Different population groups across Nevada and throughout the United States suffer disproportionately from colorectal cancer and its after-effects. Overcoming cancer health disparities is important for lessening the burden of cancer. There has been an overall decline in the incidence of and mortality from colorectal cancer (CRC). This is likely due, in part, to the increasing use of screening procedures such as Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) and/or endoscopy, which can reduce the risk of CRC mortality by fifty percent. Nevertheless, screening procedures are routinely used by only fifty percent of Americans aged fifty years and older. Despite overall mortality decreasing …

Molecular Mechanism Of Agc Kinases In Human Malignant, Shaokun Shu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The maintenance of normal cell function and tissue homeostasis is dependent on the precise regulation of multiple signaling pathways that control cellular decisions to either proliferate, differentiate, arrest cell growth, or initiate programmed cell death (apoptosis). Cancer arises when clones of mutated cells escape this balance and proliferate inappropriately without compensatory apoptosis. Deregulated cell growth occurs as a result of perturbed signal transduction that modulates or alters cellular behavior or function to keep the critical balance between the rate of cell-cycle progression (cell division) and cell growth (cell mass) on one hand, and programmed cell death (apoptosis, autophagy) on the …

Using Photoactive Vitamin Nanoparticles As Photodynamic Antimicrobial Chemotherapeutic (Pact) Agents To Treat Chronic Wounds, Rahul A. Khanke

All Capstone Projects

The objective of the proposed study is to develop new materials and methods to manage microbial growth in chronic wounds using phototherapy. Chronic wounds are considered as a worldwide health problem. The most common chronic wounds can be classified into three categories: venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and pressure ulcers. Venous ulcers, which usually occur in the legs, account for about 70% to 90% of chronic wounds and can become infected easily. Venous ulcers are sores that develop after veins in the legs have been damaged. These ulcers can penetrate deeply into the skin. Occasionally, if a venous ulcer persists for …

The Human In 3d: Advanced Morphometric Analysis Of High-Resolution Anatomically Accurate Computed Models, Summer J. Decker

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Computed virtual models of anatomical structures are proving to be of increasing value in clinical medicine, education and research. With a variety of fields focused on craniofacial and pelvic anatomy there is a need for accurate anatomical models. Recent technological advancements in computer and medical imaging technologies have provided the tools necessary to develop three-dimensional (3D) functional models of human anatomy for use in medicine (surgical planning and education), forensics and engineering (computer-aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis).

Traditionally caliper methodologies are used in the quantitative analysis of human anatomy. In order for experts in anatomy and morphometrics to …

Ice Hockey Injuries: Weber Type C Fibular Fracture In A Collegiate Hockey Player: A Case Report, Stefanie K. Arndt

Culminating Projects in Kinesiology

No abstract provided.

Preventive Care Utilization Among Black Women : Perceived Beliefs, Benefits And Barriers To Mammography Screening, Rowandalla Y. Dunbar

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Blacks, in comparison to other racial or ethnic groups, suffer higher rates of illness and death from many preventable or treatable diseases. Despite the significantly higher rates of mortality and disease, Blacks are least likely to utilize clinical preventive care services. Black women, who are more likely to have advanced breast cancer at time of diagnosis (Chu, Lamar, & Freeman, 2003) are least likely to seek mammography screening (National Health Interview Study, 2000). Allen, Bastani, Bazargan and Leonard (2002) examined predictors of mammography screening among women 40 years old and older residing in the South Central area of Los Angeles, …

The Biogeochemistry Of Submerged Coastal Karst Features In West Central Florida, Keith Michael Garman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

West Central Florida is a complex karst environment with numerous sinkholes, springs, and submerged cave systems. Many of these karst features are anchialine, located within the subterranean estuary where freshwater and saltwater mix. Water quality data and/or fauna data were obtained from twenty-one karst features and their associated cave systems. The anchialine karst environment of the study area has a wide range of habitats with measured salinities ranging from freshwater at <0.2 ppt to sulfidic, hypersaline water at 38.5 ppt and measured pH readings ranging from 6.39 in water impacted by sulfur oxidizing bacteria to 10.3 in an isolated room of a cave. Stygobitic crustaceans were identified in conduits extending beneath the Gulf of Mexico supporting the hypotheses that freshwater crustaceans could survive higher sea levels in freshwater conduits beneath saltwater. The fauna associated with the anchialine cave systems included Sabellidae and Polychaeta worms, hydroids, cnidarians and hydrobiid snails. Jewfish Sink, like other anaerobic marine basins that were submarine springs, has four zones: oxic zone, transition zone, upper anoxic zone and anoxic bottom water. The upper zones have seasonal water quality variations from winter cooling and sinking of surface water and changes in the microbial communities. Activity of sulfate reducing bacteria is carbon limited in the anoxic zones, where sulfate reduction is the major metabolic process, and primary production is phosphate limited in the oxic zones. Organic input from the Gulf of Mexico drives the bacterial anaerobic ecosystem, resulting in a “sulfide pump”, in which sulfide percolates upward removing oxygen from the overlying sediment.

Facial Type Analysis Comparison Between Mri, Cbct, And Lateral Cephalometrics, Matthew A. Sanders

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: Single Cephalometric measurements are comparable between Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRl) and Conventional Lateral Cephalometric (LC) imaging methods. This study evaluated the agreement between the three imaging methods in facial type analysis (using a composite of 5 cephalometric measures).

Methods and Materials: Twenty-two subjects participated in this study. Cranial images were generated via three modalities: LC, CBCT and MRl. Cephalometric landmarks were identified on the three images per subject and a facial type analysis performed. An equally weighted facial type calculation composed of 5 cephalometric measurements (facial axis, facial depth, mandibular plane, lower face height, …

Psychological Profiles In A Female Bariatric Surgery Sample, Aimee L. Donato

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Morbid obesity is an epidemic. Current literature suggests that people with morbid obesity tend to show increased levels of psychological dysfunction. This is especially pertinent to the clinicians who work with morbidly obese patients who seek bariatric surgery as the method for weight control. Surgery should be performed on patients who are psychologically ready to adjust to the stringent post-operative lifestyle.

The purpose of the present study was (1) to compare two groups of bariatric patients (a White group and a non-White group) on pre-surgery measures: specific scales on the Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic (MBMD), the Beck Depression Inventory II …

Microct Study Of Critical-Sized Defects Restored With A New Rhbmp-2 Carrier, Joanne S. Kim

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: Regenerating bone in critical-sized maxillofacial osseous defects remains a challenge. The utilization of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) to form new bone has been shown to be a promising alternative to autogenous bone grafts, and the development of a carrier matrix to effectively deliver the rhBMP-2 has been identified as the critical factor necessary for the successful clinical application of rhBMP-2. The objective of this study was to perform a microCT analysis to examine the density of reconstructed bone using different rhBMP-2 carriers in critical-sized defects.

Material and Methods: Critical-sized defects (approximately 2.5 cm) were created in the …

Creating Prediction Models For Obstructive Sleep Apnea Based On Gender, Jeffrey Hwang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common chronic disorder that is characterized by repetitive episodes of airflow cessation or reduction occurring during sleep as a result of partial or complete upper airway obstruction. These recurrent events have a tremendous impact on the cardiovascular system with a multitude of dangerous consequences. Numerous studies have been conducted determining etiological risk factors for OSA including anatomical predictors which have been observed with multiple imaging techniques. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a low-radiation mode of imaging that can be used to accurately identify anatomical landmarks and measure craniofacial relationships and airway dimensions. …

Body Image Satisfaction In Infant And Pediatric Cardiac Transplant Recipients As Adolescents, Danusia Nedilskyj

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

With the long-term survival rate of infant and pediatric heart transplant recipients reaching as high as 85%, there is now a significant number of these youths entering adolescence. Although psychological factors thought to be associated with pediatric heart transplant have reached clearer delineation in the literature, few studies have been conducted. Given the emphasis on development typically seen in adolescence combined with the unique experience of receiving a heart transplant, factors such as body image, self-perception, stress and mood have emerged from the literature. As such, this study assessed psychosocial variables of body image satisfaction, self-concept, depression, and social stress …

Correlating The Slope Of The Vomer With Cephalometric Vectors Of Facial Growth, Ryan Michael Pulfer

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

It is important for orthodontists to have a basic understanding of the growth and development of the face. Scott's nasal septal cartilage theory proposes that the cartilage of the nasal septum proliferates along the anterior slope of the vomer bone by interstitial growth, simultaneously pulling and displacing the maxilla downward and forward. It is therefore logical to conclude that the vector of nasomaxillary growth has a geometric correlation with the anterior slope of the vomer bone.

There are no published studies comparing either the anterior or posterior slope of the vomer with any lateral cephalometric landmarks, the vectors of nasomaxillary …

Effect Of Acute Administration Of Angiopoietin-1 In Experimental Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: Magnetic Resonance Imaging And Neurobehavioral Studies, Chirag B. Patel

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition that affects people in the prime of their lives. A myriad of vascular events occur after SCI, each of which contributes to the evolving pathology. The primary trauma causes mechanical damage to blood vessels, resulting in hemorrhage. The blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB), a neurovascular unit that limits passage of most agents from systemic circulation to the central nervous system, breaks down, resulting in inflammation, scar formation, and other sequelae. Protracted BSCB disruption may exacerbate cellular injury and hinder neurobehavioral recovery in SCI.

In these studies, angiopoietin-1 (Ang1), an agent known to reduce …

The Role Of Unrealistic Optimism In Explaining Preventive Behaviors In High Versus Low Endemic Malaria Settings In Belize, Daniel G. Handysides

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: Of all the diseases an individual can encounter in the world, malaria is one of the most destructive. Simple measures like sleeping under a bednet would greatly reduce the burden (Abeku, 2007). When people estimate their risk relative to others, they are most often unrealistically optimistic, which may explain why those at risk often fail to perform behaviors, such as using a bednet that will reduce their risk. However, one study showed that people at high risk for malaria held pessimistic perceptions of their risk for the disease, but the reasons for this finding are unclear (Morrison, Ager, & …

The Relationship Between The Level Of Support Group Participation And Psychosocial Factors In Prostate Cancer Patients Treated With Proton Therapy, Carol A. L. Davis

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background. The role of support groups for cancer patients is known to be beneficial in helping people adjust to the disease, and cope with the myriad of effects that cancer has on quality of life. Although many people express interest in attending such support groups, few attend regularly. It is unclear what characteristics distinguish those who use such services from those who do not, especially among proton therapy patients.

Objective. To examine demographic and psychosocial characteristics associated with the Brotherhood of the Balloon (BOB) prostate cancer support group membership, a unique treatment-focused group originating at Loma Linda University Medical Center …

An Innovative Phase I Trial Design Allowing For The Identification Of Multiple Potential Maximum Tolerated Doses With Combination Therapy Of Targeted Agents, Sarina A. Piha-Paul

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Treatment for cancer often involves combination therapies used both in medical practice and clinical trials. Korn and Simon listed three reasons for the utility of combinations: 1) biochemical synergism, 2) differential susceptibility of tumor cells to different agents, and 3) higher achievable dose intensity by exploiting non-overlapping toxicities to the host. Even if the toxicity profile of each agent of a given combination is known, the toxicity profile of the agents used in combination must be established. Thus, caution is required when designing and evaluating trials with combination therapies. Traditional clinical design is based on the consideration of a single …

Hip Power Asymmetry In Older Adult Fallers And Non-Fallers, Lauren Grace Mcdonald

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if a difference exists in hip power asymmetry between community-dwelling older adult fallers and non-fallers. Hypothesis: fallers would be more asymmetrical than non-fallers. Participants: 21 non-fallers (10 females, 11 males) and 18 fallers (14 females, 4 males) over the age of 65 (76.5 ± 6.9yrs). Method: Isokinetic peak torque during flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction at four velocities was recorded as measures of leg power. Asymmetry equaled the percent of power difference between each leg. Data analysis: Differences in age, physical activity, height, weight, and BMI were assessed …

Characterization Of Optically Stimulated Luminescent Detectors In Photon & Proton Beams For Use In Anthropomorphic Phantoms, James R. Kerns

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

This study investigated characteristics of optically stimulated luminescent detectors (OSLDs) in protons, allowing comparison to thermoluminescent detectors, and to be implemented into the Radiological Physics Center’s (RPC) remote audit quality assurance program for protons, and for remote anthropomorphic phantom irradiations. The OSLDs used were aluminum oxide (Al2O3:C) nanoDots from Landauer, Inc. (Glenwood, Ill.) measuring 10x10x2 mm3. A square, 20(L)x20(W)x0.5(H) cm3 piece of solid water was fabricated with pockets to allow OSLDs and TLDs to be irradiated simultaneously and perpendicular to the beam. Irradiations were performed at 5cm depth in photons, and in the center of a 10 cm SOBP in …

Dynamic Chemical Shift Imaging For Image-Guided Thermal Therapy, Brian A. Taylor

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Magnetic resonance temperature imaging (MRTI) is recognized as a noninvasive means to provide temperature imaging for guidance in thermal therapies. The most common method of estimating temperature changes in the body using MR is by measuring the water proton resonant frequency (PRF) shift. Calculation of the complex phase difference (CPD) is the method of choice for measuring the PRF indirectly since it facilitates temperature mapping with high spatiotemporal resolution. Chemical shift imaging (CSI) techniques can provide the PRF directly with high sensitivity to temperature changes while minimizing artifacts commonly seen in CPD techniques. However, CSI techniques are currently limited by …

An Implantable Mosfet Dosimeter Modified To Act As A Fiducial Marker, Joseph S. Dick

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

In external beam radiation therapy, it is imperative that the prescribed dose is administered to the correct location and in the correct amount. Though several ex vivo methods of quality assurance are currently employed to achieve this goal, verifying that the correct dose is received within the patient in situ is impossible without the capability of measuring dose inside the patient. Recently, a method of measuring dose delivered within the patient has been developed, an implantable MOSFET dosimeter. This dosimeter is implanted within the patient and records the dose received. Since the dosimeter is implanted in the patient, it could …

Benchmarking And Implementation Of A New Independent Monte Carlo Dose Calculation Quality Assurance Audit Tool For Clinical Trials, Scott E. Davidson

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Introduction Commercial treatment planning systems employ a variety of dose calculation algorithms to plan and predict the dose distributions a patient receives during external beam radiation therapy. Traditionally, the Radiological Physics Center has relied on measurements to assure that institutions participating in the National Cancer Institute sponsored clinical trials administer radiation in doses that are clinically comparable to those of other participating institutions. To complement the effort of the RPC, an independent dose calculation tool needs to be developed that will enable a generic method to determine patient dose distributions in three dimensions and to perform retrospective analysis of radiation …

Prevalence Of Urinary Tract Infections In Febrile Children And Role Of Urine Interleukins In Diagnosis, Anne J. Rerimoi

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in the paediatric age group and can contribute to permanent renal damage. Urine culture takes a minimum of 48 hours, thus delaying treatment in suspect cases. It is also expensive and requires training of laboratory technologists. Early diagnosis is important in prevention of serious sequelae such as hypertension and end stage renal disease. Determination of burden of the problem within a population allows appropriate allocation of diagnostic and management resources. Urine interleukins are postulated to be useful adjuncts in diagnosis of UTI.

Objectives: The primary objective was to determine the prevalence of UTI …

Macrophages Loaded With Gold Nanoshells For Photothermal Ablation Of Glioma: An In Vitro Model, Amani Riad Makkouk

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The current median survival of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common type of glioma, remains at 14.6 months despite multimodal treatments (surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy). This research aims to study the feasibility of photothermal ablation of glioma using gold nanoshells that are heated upon laser irradiation at their resonance wavelength. The novelty of our approach lies in improving nanoshell tumor delivery by loading them in macrophages, which are known to be recruited to gliomas via tumor-released chemoattractive agents. Ferumoxides, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles, are needed as an additional macrophage load in order to visualize macrophage accumulation in …

A Randomised Comparative Trial Of Seven Versus Fourteen Day Triple Therapy For Helicobacter Pylori Eradication At The Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Ahmed Sokwala

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Helicobacter is associated with a number of important upper gastrointestinal conditions including chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric malignancy. Proton pump inhibitor -based triple therapies are considered the standard regimens for Helicobacter pylori eradication, but the optimal duration of these regimens is still controversial. Local studies are required to evaluate the H. pylori eradication rates in a country for adequate eradication to prevent H. pylori infection and complications

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to compare 7 day and 14 day regimens and determine the optimum duration of triple therapy for H. pylori eradication.

Methods: A …

Association Between Obesity, Depression, And Inflammation Among Seventh-Day Adventists In The Biopsychosocial Religion And Health Study, Michael Paalani

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The effects of obesity and depression on morbidity and mortality may be mediated by inflammatory processes. Homeostasis within the immune system depends on a balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine molecules, so chronic inflammatory diseases may result from cytokine dysregulation. The target population consisted of 508 Seventh Day Adventists (SDAs) who participated in the Biopsychosocial Religion and Health Study (BHRS), a sub-study of the Adventist Health Study-2. The study was a cross-sectional analysis of the association between obesity, depression, and inflammation after controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, health behavioral, and health status variables among BHRS participants.

Obesity was assessed by body …