Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Investigation Of The Coenzyme Binding Site Of Lactate Dehydrogenase From Chicken Muscle, Jia-Hwei Lin

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Investigation of the coenzyme binding site of lactate dehydrogenase was approached by using coenzyme analogs. Inhibition studies of this enzyme using n-alkylphosphates as coenzyme analogs were performed with a fluorometric method. The results showed that all of the n-alkylphosphates were competitive inhibitors with respect to NAD⁺.

The n-alkyl-ADPs were synthesized from AMP and dicycloheaylammonium salts of n-alkylphosphates. The synthetic compounds were subjected to NMR spectroscopic studies, thin layer chromatography and determination of the ratio of adenosine moiety to phosphate groups. The results indicated that the synthetic compounds were n-alkyl-ADPs.

These synthetic compounds were used as coenzyme analogs in …

Admissions Criteria As Predictors Of Students' Successful Completion Of A Dental Hygiene Program, M. Linda Brown

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the criteria used to select dental hygiene students and to determine the ability of these criteria to predict students' successful completion of a dental hygiene program. One hundred sixteen graduates of the certificate level dental hygiene program at Old Dominion University between 1971- 1981, inclusive, comprised the sample. The majority of the subjects were Caucasian females, ages 20 to 24. The admissions criteria examined were (1) Dental Hygiene Aptitude Test scores, (2) Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, (3) preadmission quality point average, (4) college chemistry quality point average, and (S) percentile rank in …

A Method For The Comparison Of Hdl Containing Apoprotein E And Hdl Cholesterol, Steven A. Knizner

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Human serum high density lipoproteins (HDL) were isolated by preparative salt density gradient ultracentrifugation and analyzed further by heparin-sepharose affinity chromatography. Separation of the major classes of serum lipoproteins was achieved after a single ultracentrifugation on a salt density gradient at 272,000 x g for 36 hours in a swinging bucket rotor. After isolation, the total HDL was subdivided into HDL containing apoprotein E and HDL without this apoprotein by heparin-sepharose affinity chromatography. Relative amounts of these subclasses were then calculated.

HDL-cholesterol was measured after precipitation of LDL and VLDL by phosphotungstic acid and magnesium. The statistical relationship between HDL …

Trait Anxiety In Female Heads Of Household, Bonnie Martinette Wheeler

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if being the female head of a single-parent household was associated with increased trait anxiety. Ninety-four female nurses completed the Trait portion of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory developed by Spielberger, Gorsuch, and Lushene (1964) and a demographic inventory. The demographic inventory provided the information regarding marital status and presence or absence of children needed to delineate the sample into four groups: Group I (n=31) married females with dependent children in the home; Group II (n=10) married females with no dependent children in the home; Group III (n=26) single, separated or divorced females …

Staff Nurses' Self-Esteem As It Relates To Working In Specialty Areas, Donna Lynn Evans

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

This study compared the levels of self-esteem of hospital staff nurses working in specialty areas versus those working in general medical-surgical areas. Fifty registered nurses employed full-time in staff positions at a large, acute-care hospital participated in the study. After indicating the area of the hospital in which they worked, the type of education they had, and the number of years of experience as a registered nurse, they then completed the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale. Scores were then compared using independent t-tests applied to the area in which the subject worked, the type of education, and the years of experience. Results …

Evaluation Of Peptide Assimilation In Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cells, John M. Castellano

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The dipeptides glycyl-L-(³H)-leucine and L-phenylalanyl-L-(³H)-leucine were synthesized in radioactive form and utilized in the analysis of peptide transport and hydrolysis by Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The tumor cells were cultured in the abdominal cavity of CF-1 albino mice and harvested into sterile isotonic buffer for all experimental analyses.

The results of this study reveal that the tumor cells rapidly accumulate radiolabel when incubated with the above mentioned peptides, but that the peptide is most probably hydrolyzed extracellularly and free L-(³)-leucine transported. This hypothesis is based on the observations of reduction in accumulation of radiolabel …

High Resolution Two Dimensional Electrophoresis Of Soluble Proteins In Human Spermatozoa, Hsing-Ying Liu

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

The evaluation of human semen is very important for diagnosis of male infertility. Combined with the analysis of seminal plasma, a comprehensive biochemical screening of human spermatozoan proteins may be of assistance in providing qualitative and quantitative information to the physician to assist with evaluation.

In this study, human spermatozoa were ruptured by sonication. The soluble spermatozoan proteins were separated from the cellular debris by centrifugation and then analyzed in dissociated forms by two dimensional electrophoresis. The separated proteins were visualized by a silver stain method.

It has been shown that these combined techniques can resolve- four to five hundred …

The Effect Of Therapeutic Touch On Anxiety And Physiological Measures, Marie Nicholas Bremner

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of therapeutic touch to anxiety, blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate of 30 hospitalized women between the ages of 30 and 65 with the medical diagnosis of cancer. Subjects were matched into three intervention groups; three consecutive days subjects received a five minute intervention by therapeutic touch, casual touch, or no touch. A-trait and A-state anxiety were measured by the Self-Evaluation Questionnaires developed by Spielberger, Gorsuch, and Lushene. A factorial two-way analysis of variance revealed that subjects who received intervention by therapeutio touch experienced a significant reduction in A-state …

Registered Nurses' Ability To Discriminate Similar Human Need Fulfillment Alterations Specific To Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease And To Diabetes Mellitus, Kathleen Bowen Waite

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The problem for this research study was to ascertain if registered nurses of varying educational backgrounds and experience discriminated similar human needs as being altered by specific pathologic states. The two pathologic states studied were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes mellitus, chosen for their high prevalence in the population. A population sample of 55 registered nurses practicing on medical units in five hospital settings were surveyed. Data for this study were collected using the Human Needs Assessment Scales developed for this study. It was determined that registered nurses in this study did discriminate similar human need fulfillment alterations specific …

An Analysis Of The Correlation Between Nurses' Attitudes Toward Death And Their Presence With The Dying Patient, Uvonna Weeks Daniels

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The correlation between the nurses' attitudes toward death, as determined by the Questionnaire for Understanding the Dying Person and His Family, and the nurses' presence with a dying patient at the time of death was analyzed. The subjects were 31 registered nurses employed by eight acute care hospitals in Southeastern Virginia. The nurses were grouped into categories of flexible, moderate, and rigid attitudes toward death, relative to their scores on the questionnaire. Other variables of the nurses' age, sex, religion, strength of religious beliefs, entry level education, highest education level, years of experience, death of family members or friends, attitudes …

The Effect Of A Cardiac Education Program On The Knowledge, Stress, And State Anxiety Levels Of First Time Post Myocardial Infarction Patients In A Post Coronary Care Unit, Jeanine L. Johns

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The effect of a cardiac education program in terms of changes in knowledge, state anxiety and stress were examined for persons suffering a myocardial infarction for the first time. In addition, the relationship between stress and trait anxiety and changes in knowledge and state anxiety were examined. A sample of 20 patients were selected from two medium sized hospitals in Southeastern Virginia. Statistically significant differences at the .01 level were found between the means of the pretest and posttest scores of the experimental group for knowledge and state anxiety using the t test for dependent groups. The same test showed …

The Effects Of Varying Doses Of Orally Ingested Bee Pollen Extract Upon Total Exercise Time To Exhaustion Performance Recovery And Ratings Of Perceived Exertion, Michael Lee Woodhouse

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of the present investigation was to study the effects of varying doses of orally ingested bee pollen extract upon (1) treadmill run time to exhaustion and (2) initial ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) . Subjects consisted of five male aerobically trained athletes with an age range of 21 - 35 years. The subjects individually volunteered for the study and were active members of a local running club, The Tidewater Striders.

The bee pollen was given in three dosages (0, 1350 mg, 2700 mg). The three test periods on the treadmill consisted of six runs to exhaustion with a …

Implementation Evaluation Of A Social Detoxification Program, Thomas M. Slaven

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

While cities across the United States are attempting to revitalize their central business districts, the presence of the public inebriate remains one of the most neglected urban problems hampering redevelopment efforts. An evaluation of the implementation of a social detoxification program was conducted to monitor planning, initial staffing, training, building community linkages, impact on the criminal justice system, and changes in clients' working and drinking behavior. Public Drunkenness arrests, and working and drinking behavior were measured at intake, three month and six month follow-up with a sample of clients undergoing detoxification, a comparison group of individuals jailed but not detoxified, …

Protein Contributions Of The Male Accessory Organs To The Composition Of Human Seminal Plasma As Determined By High Resolution Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis, Edward E. Gaunt

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Human Seminal Plasma was evaluated using a High Resolution Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis technique adapted by this laboratory. Seminal plasma from healthy volunteers with recently proven fertility were characterized using this technique to establish "normal" protein distribution patterns in the two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel slab. In addition, time studies were performed on selected specimens to determine the effects of liquefaction on seminal plasma protein composition within the first several hours after collection. Split ejaculates were collected for identification and elaboration of accessory organ components in the whole seminal plasma specimen. A more direct approach to accessory organ component analysis involved electrophoresis of semen …

Dental Hygiene Students' Perceptions About The Behavioral Characteristics Of The Effective Clinical Teacher, Frances Gaby Carson

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

A descriptive research approach and a self-designed questionnaire were used to obtain information about the effective clinical teacher as perceived by first and second year dental hygiene students. The Effective Teaching Behaviors Questionnaire was reviewed critically by several Old Dominion University dental hygiene faculty who's comments were used for revision. Once revisions were made, a pilot study was conducted on a sample of Old Dominion University dental hygiene students to determine the reliability and validity of the instrument.

The sample consisted of the entire student population of five accredited dental hygiene programs: three baccalaureate degree university programs and two associate …

Pedodontists' Attitudes Toward Pit And Fissure Sealants As A Preventative Oral Service, Kathern Rheanice Hamlin

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this survey was to assess periodontists' attitudes toward pit and fissure sealants as an oral health service. A self-designed, 43-item questionnaire and a letter of transmittal were mailed to a random sample of periodontists belonging to the American Academy of Periodontics (N=S00). Data were obtained from 288 returned questionnaires (58 percent).

Data analysis suggested that periodontists' attitudes have changed over the past nine years in that: (1) more periodontists are assigning a high value of pit and fissure sealants in preventing dental caries, (2) more periodontists are using pit and fissure sealants to prevent dental caries, and …

Development Of A Procedure For Analysis Of High Density Lipoprotein Subclasses, Chan Chin

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Human serum high density lipoprotein subclasses, HDL₂ and HDL₃ , were isolated by preparative salt density gradient ultracentrifugation and further analyzed by electrophoresis on a 4 to 15% concentration gradient polyacrylamide gel.

The separation of the major classes of serum lipoproteins was achieved after a single ultracentrifugation for 272,000 g at 15°c in a swinging bucket rotor. High resolution concentration gradient gel electrophoresis was found to be particularly suitable for the separation of lipoproteins. The isolation of HDL by precipitation methods, heparin-manganese and dextran-magnesium have also been evaluated in this study, and were found not to completely separate …

Old Dominion University Master Of Science In Dental Hygiene Degree Program: Graduate And Employer Survey, Deborah Blythe Bauman

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to survey Old Dominion University dental hygiene master's degree graduates and their employers to assess the overall quality of the graduates' education. Individuals who graduated between May 1976 and December 1981 (N =29) were sent a self-designed questionnaire to obtain evaluative data about the ODU dental hygiene master's degree program. The graduates were asked to identify strengths and weaknesses of the ODU master's degree program, the role competencies required for their current position, and the degree to which they were prepared for their current job by the master's degree program. Concurrently, employers were asked …

Development Of An On-Line Computer System For Enzyme Kinetics Studies, Jacqueline R. Thweatt

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

The PDP-11/10 minicomputer was interfaced to the Beckman 25 ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometer and this on-line computer system was applied to enzyme kinetics studies. This interface involved hardware equipment to locate, amplify, and transmit the analog signal to an analog-to-digital converter, and software to acquire and store the digital data. Data processing programs were used to calculate kinetic parameters and statistical information from the acquired data.

The Varian Cary 219 ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometer can be readily interfaced to the Apple II Plus microcomputer by hardware equipment which can be purchased from the manufacturer. Various software may also be purchased for use in enzyme …

Client Acceptance Of The Role Of The Nurse Practitioner, Mary Elizabeth Butt

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

Former studies aimed at answering questions regarding the acceptance of the nurse practitioner role usually have compared that role to that of the primary care physician. This study seeks answers to the question of acceptance of the role of the nurse practitioner as it stands on its own, encompassing the concepts of both care and cure. Using a five-point Likert scale, 90 adult recipients of nurse practitioners' care for acute episodic and chronic illnesses in clinic settings, were surveyed as to their perceptions of that care. The data were statistically analyzed and were found to show a high level of …

The Influence Of Lamaze Classes And Delivery Room Presence On Paternal Attachment Behavior, Cherie Sammis-Gonzales

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine the significance of attendance of Lamaze classes and(or presence in the delivery room on paternal attachment behaviors. Seventeen white, first-time fathers, ages 20 to 35, were observed in the mother's hospital room within 72 hours of birth using a modified paternal attachment tool. The behaviors observed included verbalization, inspection, holding, en face, smiling, and tactile response. Observations were scored on 30-second intervals for a total of 15 minutes. Fathers were then placed into one of the following groups: Group I (n 10) — Fathers from Lamaze classes and present in the delivery …

The Effects Of Exercise On Women's Self-Esteem, Wendy Laurie Biddle

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The effects of a 12-week session of aerobic dancing were examined on two groups of women, assigned into fit and unfit groups. The subjects had voluntarily enrolled in aerobic dancing prior to the study. Self-Esteem scores were obtained using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale during the first and tenth or eleventh weeks of the session. Pretest and posttest scores were analyzed along with the variables of age, marital status, weight loss, and smoking habits. A significantly higher gain score (posttest score subtracted from pretest score) was found on those women who attended three weekly classes compared to those who attended two …

A Comparative Analysis Of Factors Influencing Registered Nurse Retention And Turnover Below The Head Nurse Level In Acute Care Hospitals, Jean M. Snyder

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

In a comparative survey, two groups of registered nurses (stayers and leavers) below the head nurse level were measured in the areas of human need satisfaction perception, role perception, and equity perception. The two registered nurse groups were further subdivided by educational preparation into diploma, associate, and baccalaureate degree stayers and leavers for comparative analysis. Literature reviews revealed considerable research in the area of retention and turnover, but few studies used a theoretical framework and a multivariate basis for observation. One hundred nine registered nurses from the ten area acute care hospitals were surveyed using an independently developed Nursing Perceptions …

Measuring Interpersonal Dependency In Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatients, Susan D. Schaffer

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The successful inpatient treatment of emotionally troubled adolescents must facilitate their achievement of developmentally appropriate independence while minimizing the maladaptive dependency that can be fostered by the hospitalization experience. Levels of interpersonal dependency were measured in seven adolescent psychiatric inpatients over a ninety day period. The Interpersonal Dependency Inventory by Hirschfeld, Klerman, Gough, Barrett, Korchin, & Chodoff was utilized. The individual therapist of each participant independently assessed the participant's response to hospitalization at forty-five and ninety days using a five point Leikert type scale. The study demonstrated no significant changes in dependency levels at forty-five and ninety days. The therapist's …

Aseptic Techniques Currently Used In Dental Hygiene Clinics Within Accredited Dental Hygiene Programs, Jan Shaner Greenlee

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this survey was to assess the aseptic techniques currently used in 197 accredited dental hygiene programs in the United States. A self-designed, 51-item questionnaire examined the aseptic techniques used in: (1) preparation of the dental hygiene clinic and unit, (2) instrument preparation, (3) preparation of the student practitioner, (4) preparation of the patient, (5) preparation of radiographic equipment, and (6) treatment of the hepatitis patient.

The questionnaire and a letter of transmittal were mailed to the clinical supervisor of each accredited dental hygiene program. Data were obtained from 173 returned questionnaires and analyzed via modal and percentage …

An Analysis Of A Sample Of Parents And University Freshmen In Regard To Their Attitudes Toward The Needs Of Sex Education In Community Schools, Linda C. Aleksa

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

This study attempted to investigate a sample of both parents' and college freshmens' attitudes toward sex education, and the content and timing of sex education in the Tidewater schools. Two Likert-type scales each containing ten statements were administered in order to survey attitudes. A statistically significant difference was found in scores on the attitude toward content and timing of sex education scale between parents and college freshmen. Parents demonstrated a more favorable attitude toward sex education as an integral component of the overall educational curriculum. The majority of parents indicated support for including important aspects such as reproduction and indicated …

Algal Dynamics In A Cypress Stand In The Seasonally Flooded Great Dismal Swamp, Joseph A. Atchue Iii

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The dynamics of epiphytic algae and phytoplankton were studied at a cypress stand in the Great Dismal Swamp, Virginia. Mean epiphytic algal biomass was 19.9 g m^-2 and mean planktonic biomass was 3.4 g m^-2.Nutrient concentrations in the epiphytic algae and the litter were determined. The algae had mean concentrations of 1.67% and 0.18%. They were found to immobilize as much as 0.5 g N m^-2 and 0.06 g P m^-2. This suggests that the algae are important as nutrient conservers. The phytoplankton were composed primarily of Bacillariophyceae. They exhibited a more or less …

Synthesis Of Dihydroisoquinolines And Tetrahydroisoquinolines, John J. Schlager

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Dihydroisoquinolines and tetrahydroisoquinolines are compounds which possess a variety of pharmacological activities. New easier methods of synthetic manipulations of these structures is of constant interest in the pharmaceutical industry.

This paper describes a new three step method of preparing 1-alkyl- and 1-aryl-tetrahydroisoquinolines from a tetrahydroisoquinoline. The synthesis involves the N-chlorination of tetrahydroisoquinoline followed by dehydrohalogenation with potassium superoxide. The reaction products are the dihydroisoquinolines. Overall yields range from 85-96%. The unsubstituted, 1-methyl-, and 1-phenyl-J,4-dihydroisoquinolines have been formed. Organometallation of the unsubstituted dihydroisoquinoline provides the 1-substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline. The 1-benzyl-, 1-n-butyl-, 1-ethyl-, 1-methyl-, and 1-phenyl-1,2,J,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines were prepared. The use of Grignard and …

In Vitro Enzymatic Assay Of Rna Methylation, Pamela Jean Eubanks Gallup

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

An assay procedure for in vitro enzymatic methylation of mannnalian ribosomal RNA has been developed in this study. The assay procedure, utilized for the comparison of normal and neoplastic methylase activities (using mouse liver and Ehrlich ascites cells as sources of enzyme), is a modification of previously published methods (52,53). A 100,000 x g supernatant (SlOO) enzyme preparation was incubated with 28S-5.8S rRNA and tritium-labeled S-adenosyl-L-methionine. The RNA was extracted, applied to DEAE cellulose paper, washed, and the radioactivity counted. The neoplastic cell methylase preparation was more active in methylating both exogenous neoplastic and normal 28S-5.8S rRNA than the normal …

Effects Of The Dental Hygiene Curriculum On Student Creativity, Linda Kathryn Martin

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

This investigation examined the influence of the dental hygiene curriculum on student creativity throughout the two years of dental hygiene study. A secondary purpose was to determine if various accredited dental hygiene programs differentially affect creativity in students. Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking was used to measure creativity in students from three dental hygiene programs in Virginia. Data were organized according to a 3 X 4 factorial research design, using dental hygiene programs and academic semester levels as attribute independent variables. Fluency, Flexibility, Originality and Total scores of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking were the dependent variables.

Two-way analysis …