Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Attitudes And Understanding Of Orthodontic Treatment Using Comic Vs. Text Format, Darron Miya

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Objectives: To examine adolescent patient attitudes and understanding of basic orthodontic treatment information presented in either comic book format or plain text.

Methods: This study involved subjects undergoing orthodontic treatment at the Loma Linda University Graduate Orthodontic Clinic. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: Group 1 subjects received an orthodontic comic book to read, while Group 2 subjects received a plain text information sheet containing the same pertinent information as Group 1. All subjects completed an identical survey regarding the material they read. Statistical analysis consisted of a chi-square test at α = 0.05 to determine potential …

A Comparison Of The Area Of The Internal Nasal Valve In Cbct And Mri, Chantelle Ghiam

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Objective: This study compared the agreement between whole head Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods to assess the cross-sectional area of the internal nasal valve.

Methods: Thirteen human subjects (mean age 15y11m) were used in this study. All scans were preformed [sic] within two weeks of one another. CBCT images were made with an 18x16 inch field of view, exposure time of 5.4 s, and resolution of 0.3x0.3x0.3 mm. 3T MR images were captured as contiguous sagittal images of the whole head with a T1-weighted 3D imaging sequence (Magnetization Prepared Rapid Acquisition by …

Development And Maturation Of The Brain Following Pediatric Mtbi, Jeong Bin Lee

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Pediatric mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a major public health concern with the potential to produce long-lasting cognitive, adaptive, and socio-behavioral outcomes. However, our understanding of how TBI pathophysiology evolves in the developing brain is lacking. Our central hypothesis was that pediatric mTBI results in evolving microstructural dysregulation that leads to functional and structural deficits late in life. To test this hypothesis, we first sought to assess the influence of pediatric mTBI on white matter (WM) dysregulation in early adulthood. To accomplish this, we investigated the effects of single and repeated pediatric mTBI on white matter, focusing on the …

Snapshot Of Select Cancer Patient’S Dietary Intakes Prior To Chemotherapy And Alignment To Dietary Guidelines For Americans Recommendations, Claire Chappuis, Annabel Hong, Sandra Ochoa

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Background. Nutrition is a relevant concern for patients with cancer, as malnutrition has been associated with poor outcomes in cancer treatment. The period after a cancer diagnosis and prior to chemotherapy represents a window of opportunity to assess dietary intake and optimize nutritional status before side effects of cancer treatment occur.

Objective. The objective of this study is to assess the dietary habits of patients with cancer prior to chemotherapy and compare their intake against the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommendations.

Design. This cross-sectional study collected data on select participants using a validated dietary intake questionnaire, …

Do Physicians Perceive The Roles Of Nutritionists And Registered Dietitian Nutritionists As Different?, William Ramirez, Megan Williams

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Background: Dietitians are still divided on whether to use the credential Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The option for dietitians to utilize RDN gained support in a 2013 joint committee meeting. The ambiguity between the terms dietitian and nutritionist leave many individuals unable to discern between the two. The opportunity for dietitians to treat greater quantities of patients is influenced by physicians’ understanding of dietitians’ roles and the public's understanding of services they provide.

Objective: To determine how the terms dietitian and nutritionist are understood and referred to in the healthcare setting and whether RD …

The Association Between Nutrition-Focused Instagram Accounts And Nutrition Knowledge And Food Choices In Instagram Users, Briana Bender, Cenida Gomez-Flores

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Background: Instagram is a fairly unregulated social media platform that is reported as having over 250 million daily users. As this social network is frequently used to seek out health-related information, misleading nutrition information could potentially have a detrimental effect on the public’s health. Thus, it may be beneficial for nutrition and dietetic practitioners to be present on Instagram to offer credible nutrition information to the many Instagram users.

Objective: To examine the effects that nutrition-focused Instagram accounts have on nutrition knowledge and food choices of Instagram users.

Design: A cross-sectional random sample of Instagram users completed …

Nutrition Beliefs And Practices Among Generation Z, Cassandra Mason, Amber Wagstaff

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Background: Life expectancy is decreasing, and childhood obesity is increasing. Limited research has been conducted on the nutrition beliefs and practices of Generation Z and the potential discrepancies between the two.

Objective: Assess the nutrition beliefs and whether these beliefs translate into practices among the 18-24 age group of Generation Z.

Design: Anonymous survey (nutrition belief-based and practice-based) provided via QR code accessible through Facebook, E-mails and text message.

Participants: There were 74 participants recruited through Facebook, E-mail, flyer and word of mouth. Individuals 18-24 years of age were included in the study. Those majoring in …

How Well Do The Eating Habits Of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists' In The United States Align With Their Teaching Patterns?, Kathleen Anderson, Shannon Hurley, Levi Maeschen

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Background: Dietary Guidelines for Americans is a resource available and designed for professionals to help people make healthy choices to avoid chronic disease. Exploration of the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) core health values may improve the profession’s ability to address gaps in understanding health beliefs and behaviors.

Objective: To determine whether the teaching patterns of RDNs align with their individual eating habits through a self-selected survey.

Design: Quantitative study design.

Participants/Setting: An email was sent to approximately 5,000 RDNs through the Commission of Dietetic Registration registry and 425 responded. The anonymous survey consisted of two major domains: …

The Effects, Perceptions, And Attitudes Of Previously Sedentary Individuals Starting An Exercise Program, Arlene Moreno, Megan Rasmussen

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Background: Many Americans do not eat healthfully or exercise, which is associated with higher risk of disease. Nutrition and exercise awareness have increased, but people experience barriers preventing lifestyle change. Limited research has been completed on the impact of nutrition education on dietary intake.

Objective: Examine whether starting an exercise program with or without nutrition education can influence dietary choices in previously sedentary individuals, and to determine their perceptions and attitudes.

Design: Mixed methods study gathering quantitative data through a food frequency questionnaire, InBody test, and demographics/exercise activity survey. Qualitative data was gathered through focus groups. Participants …

Relationships For Social Change: A Longitudinal Examination Of A Promotora-Led Program For Socioeconomic Mobility, Dayanne Assunção Vieira Carter

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Since the 1960s federal and local initiatives have been put in place to decrease the staggering socioeconomic disparities in the United States. Considerable debate has been fueled by the conception of adequate solutions to address the employment crisis (Kregel, 2011). Despite the increase in supportive services made available to the public, low-income families continue to face distinct challenges that limit employment and vocational opportunities (Athreya & Romero, 2015; Crouter & Booth, 2014; Presser, 2014), a situation particularly true for ethnic minorities navigating the systems of employment in the US (Fullerton & Anderson 2013; Mazumder, 2011). The purpose of this study …

A Comparison Of Heat Generated Between Carbide And Diamond Bur During Implantoplasty, Bryce Chun

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate heat generated during the implantoplasty procedure by comparing the heat generated using either a carbide or diamond round bur. Materials and Methods: Bovine ribs were selected as the osseous model for this study. Changes in temperature were measured using a digital thermometer (Extech SDL200 four channel thermometer, Extech instruments, Melrose MA). Ther k-thermocouples were positioned within the implant screw access, apex of the implant, and crestal bone adjacent to the implant and ambient air. 5 bovine rib bone blocks were prepared by place 5 cylindrical titanium grade 5 alloy large grit sand blasted …

Comparison Of Heat Generated During Twist Drilling Protocol By Guided And Non-Guided Implant Surgery, Joshua Lee

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: Guided implant surgery is becoming more prevalent among clinicians and is crucial for cases in which there are concerns about the proximity of the implant to vital anatomical structures, esthetic concerns, and the amount/quality of bone available. Surgical guides help with the angulation and positioning of the implant through the use of a CBCT scan and digital intraoral impression. However, there are some drawbacks with guided surgery. Heat that is generated during the osteotomy is one of the issues that has been of concern. The guide acts as a shield against the water irrigation from reaching the osteotomy …

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 …