Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Synthesis And Characterization Of Hemocompatible Antibiotic Nanoparticles, Elvin Muhindo Walemba

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a causative agent of periodontal disease and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Novel treatment of periodontal disease using nanomaterials can supplement or replace the use of antibiotics and mechanical debridement. Nanomaterials can be optimized for effectiveness and specificity and minimum toxicity. Synthesized Ag nanoparticles stabilized in Pluronic F127 were used to produce bimetallic core/shell Ag/Au nanoparticles with optimized Ag+ release and reduced toxicity. We tested the F127-stabilized nanoparticles for their antimicrobial activity and hemocompatibility in planktonic bacteria and citrated whole blood, respectively. Both Ag and Ag/Au bimetallic nanoparticles inhibited P. gingivalis W83 growth. We then evaluated …

Resorbable Barrier Effect In Sinus Graft Using Anorganic Bone, Kyung-Soo Choi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The effect of a resorbable membrane on new bone formation in human maxillary sinus augmentation using anorganic bovine material is unclear at the present time. As a pilot study, six patients who required bilateral maxillary sinus augmentations for endoessous dental implant treatment were grafted with anorganic bovine bone material. All six patients had a resorbable collagen membrane placed over the graft material on only one side for the sinus augmentation. At the time of implant placement, a minimum of 8 months following sinus graft healing, a biopsy was made of each side to permit histomorphometric analysis.

Similar amounts of new …

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 …

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Swallowing Dysfunctions : Semg Cognitive Training As An Adjunct To Conventional Therapy, Vicky T. Nguyen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study compared surface electromyography (sEMG) cognitive training to conventional myofunctional therapy in controlling a swallowing dysfunction, commonly referred to as "tongue thrust". Nasal airway resistance (NAR) was assessed on every subject, to rule out mechanical obstruction that would prevent proper function. The scope of this investigation composed of evaluating baseline activity and dry swallowing patterns. Subjects were distributed to one of three treatment groups: sEMG cognitive training, conventional myofunctional therapy, and control, based on the degree of NAR (normal, mild, or moderate). Initial sEMG recordings were then taken on subjects that clinically demonstrated a tongue thrust habit to confirm …

Interleukin 1-Beta In Symptomatic And Asymptomatic Human Periradicular Lesions, Gerald C. Lim

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Interleukin 1-Beta has been shown to be a potent mediator of bone resorption and has been implicated in resorption in periradicular lesions. In this study we compared the local concentrations of IL-1β in symptomatic and asymptomatic human periradicular lesions. Periradicular tissues from patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic lesions were obtained and stored at -70°C. Pulpal tissues from unerupted third molars and chronically inflamed gingival tissues were also obtained and used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Tissue samples were homogenized, and supernatants were assayed for IL-1β by ELISA. Significantly higher levels of IL-1β were found in symptomatic and asymptomatic lesions …

The Impact Of Variations In Buccolingual Thickness Of Maxillary Anterior Dentition On First Order Arch Form Adjustments, Craig A. Andreiko

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Pre-adjusted bracket systems offer the clinician the convenience of working with both fewer in number and smaller magnitude adjustments in the archwire. The purpose of this study was to examine the normal variations in the thickness of the six maxillary anterior teeth and how this relates to anticipated first order bends in the archwire. A second purpose was to examine these same teeth for bilateral symmetry.

Thirty casts from the Loma Linda University completed treatment files were examined with respect to variations in the thicknesses of the crowns at the level of the archwire plane. From these, the mean difference …

The Concentration Of Prostaglandin E2 In Periradicular Lesions, Steve N. Mcnicholas

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Prostaglandins (PG) have been implicated in pathogenesis of periapical lesions. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of PGE₂ in human periapical lesions. Periapical specimens from patients with clinical signs and symptoms of chronic and acute apical periodontitis were obtained and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. Periradicular tissues from unerupted third molars were frozen and used as controls. The concentration of PGE₂ was determined by radioimmunoassay. Low levels of PGE₂ were found in the control tissues as compared to those detected in chronic and acute lesions. A significantly higher level of PGE₂ was …

Immunologic Mechanisms Involved With Human Endodontic Lesions, Sunita V. Prabhu

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Endodontic or root canal infection results in immunologic changes in periapical region, which causes the destruction of pulpal and periapical tissue. No definitive study has identified a specific organism or a group of organisms as a etiological agents. Past studies have indicated that immunoglobulin E play a significant role in the pathogenesis of periapical lesions. The presence of this factor suggests that some of the endodontic flare-ups may be IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions. Antibody levels of IgA have been quantitatively measured by ELISA and IgE by modified RAST assay, against eleven oral bacteria which are routinely isolated from such lesions. The …

The Effects Of Certain Oral Bacteria On The In Vitro Growth Of Bacteroides Gingivalis, Steven G. Morrow

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The effect of nine gram positive and grain negative cocci and bacilli, which are indigenous to the oral cavity, on the in vitro growth of Bacteroides gingivalis was examined in this study. A pure culture of B. gingivalis is was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection. The nine oral test organisms were Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacteriurn hofmanii, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Branhamella catarrhalis, and Escherichia coli. The effect on the growth of B. gingivalis of the nine test organisms was evaluated on a solid medium by use of …

Verrucous Carcinoma Of The Oral Cavity, Lane C. Thomsen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This paper describes 39 cases of oral verrucous carcinoma. This study reports on 20 cases from the San Diego Tumor Group and 19 cases from the Oral Pathology Service which showed the characteristic features of verrucous carcinoma. Twenty three patients were men and 16 were women. In the majority of the cases the lesion was exophytic and had a papillary surface. The buccal mucosa and gingiva were the sites most frequently involved. The characteristic histologic pattern consisted of keratinized well-differentiated epithelium exhibiting irregular folds. In addition there was an inward projection of bulbous rete ridges. Surgical excision was the treatment …

Oral Lichen Planus : A Clinical Study Of The Association With Diabetes Mellitus And Vascular Hypertension, Gordon M. Rick

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This investigation concerns the relationship of diabetes mellitus and vascular hypertension to oral lichen planus. Questionnaires were sent to 470 patients with oral lichen planus: 286 responded. Of these patients 103 were examined clinically, and 74 with current lesions were divided into ''keratotic'' and ''erosive'' categories. These patients underwent three-hour oral glucose tolerance tests; also, their asterial blood pressure was determined. In the survey group, diabetes was reported about three times more frequently by those with "erosive"; oral lichen planus than by those ''keratoic" lesions. The overall prevalence of diabetes was about two and one-half times greater than expected compared …

The Effectiveness Of Camphorated Paramonochlorophenol, Metacresyl Acetate, And Prednisolone In Combination As An Antimicrobial Agent, Maurice Cutler

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Post-treatment discomfort following endodontic procedures can be caused by inflammation due to injudicious use of intracanal medicaments. Camphorated paramonochlorophenol, metacresyl acetate, and prednisolone in combination is advocated to reduce the inflammatory potential of the germicide and thus reduce the occurrence of post-operative pain. It is imperative that a medicament retain antimicrobial activity while reducing inflammatory potential.

This investigation was undertaken toward determining on an in vitro quantitative bactericidal versus bacteriostatic basis by use of the broth dilution test tube method whether camphorated paramonochlorophenol, metacresyl acetate, and prednisolone in combination retains antimicrobial activity comparable to selected other commonly used nonspecific germicides. …

The Reaction Of Dog Tongue To Syrijet Injections, Donald L. Peters

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Tissue response toward injection by a "fluid-pressure" type apparatus, the Mizzy Syrijet, was evaluated by using dogs as the experimental animal.

The tongue was the organ of choice because it's size is sufficient to allow for several injections without overlapping tissue responses. In addition the two halves of the tongue are anatomically separated by a median raphe, providing for further isolation of injections.

The animals were injected at 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hour intervals utilizing the Syrijet on the right side of the tongue and needle on the left. Needle injection served as control for the microscopic comparison. …

The Effect Of Preweanling Administration Of Carbohydrates Used In Infant Formulas On Subsequent Dental Caries In White Rats, Erlinda Amor Romulo

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The high incidence of tooth decay, one of the most common diseases found in all age groups, gives a reason for the study of methods to prevent dental caries. Certain dietary factors, specifically carbohydrates, have been implicated in the decay process. Since diet influences both the oral and systemic environments in which the teeth develop, mature, age, and decay (1), many studies have been conducted to determine the effects of oral administration of different carbohydrates on dental caries. The extrinsic effects of diet on the mature erupted tooth have, however, been the major concern of the research (2).

The first …