Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Mechanism Of Chimeric Vaccine Mediated Immune Suppression Of Human Dendritic Cells, Jacques Christian Mbongue

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic inflammatory disease in which insulin producing β-cells of the pancreatic islets are killed by autoreactive cells of the immune system in response to a loss of tolerance. Dendritic cells (DC) interact predominantly with naïve T cells to regulate the delicate balance between immunity and tolerance required to maintain immunological homeostasis. In this dissertation, immature human dendritic cells (iDC) were inoculated with a chimeric fusion protein vaccine containing the pancreatic β-cell auto-antigen proinsulin linked to a mucosal adjuvant the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB-INS). Proteomic analysis of vaccine inoculated DCs revealed strong up-regulation of …

Effects Of Adjustments To Wheelchair Seat To Back Support Angle On Head, Neck, And Shoulder Postures, Afnan M. Alkhateeb

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: People spend a long time in the sitting position may have poor alignment that leads to neck and back pain. A wheelchair represents mobility for people with cerebral palsy, who are unable to walk. They spend long periods of time sitting in their wheelchair. Opining the seat to back support angle of the wheelchair enable realignment body segments and improves posture. Objective: 1) assessed the validity/reliability of Coach’s Eye (CE) smart device application, 2) examined the effect of seat to back support angle adjustments on head, neck, and shoulder posture in the sitting position, and 3) compared changes in …

The Role Of Collagen Interacting Proteins In The Pathogenesis Of Filifactor Alocis, Ozioma Salomey Chioma

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Filifactor alocis is a Gram-positive, asaccharolytic; obligate anaerobe that has emerged as a potential periodontal pathogen due to its presence in high numbers in patients who have periodontal disease and least detection in healthy individuals (Kumar et al., 2003, Kumar et al., 2006, Wade, 2011). There is compelling evidence in the literature that demonstrates that F. alocis has virulence properties that may play an important role in infection-induced periodontitis (Abusleme et al., 2013, Griffen et al., 2012, Hutter et al., 2003, Khader et al., 2006, Siqueira and Rocas, 2003, Siqueira et al., 2009). However, there is a gap in our …

Oral Health Education Intervention To Assess Oral Health Knowledge And Behavioral Change, Ryan Bakhshi Baker

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate an oral health education intervention on oral health behaviors, oral health knowledge, and diet/amount of sugar consumed by fifth and sixth graders attending charter schools in the city of San Bernardino. Caries status of this particular population was recorded via dmft/DMFT and ICDAS. 143 students (aged 9-13 years) completed a 19 question pre-intervention survey related to oral health behaviors, dental knowledge and diet/amount of sugar consumed. Subjects then participated in an oral health education intervention comprised of an oral health education video and an interactive oral health game. An oral exam recorded …

Effects Of Neonatal Dexamethasone On The Maturation And Endowment Of Cardiomyocytes, Maresha Gay

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Each year 1 in 9 infants are born preterm in the United States. Preterm infants have a host of complications associated with prematurity, including respiratory distress syndrome. Dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid is the ‘gold standard’ intervention in the treatment of preterm infants and mothers at risk of preterm birth because it promotes organ maturation, particularly the lungs and aids in surfactant production. However, a growing body of evidence suggests perinatal dexamethasone exposure is associated with health consequences later in life including increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Cardiomyocytes are the functional unit of the heart and are unique in that they …

Factors Influencing Blood Pressure Among Rural Adults With Hypertension In China, Lili Yang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The low rate of hypertension control in China has caught the attention of health providers. To achieve better outcomes, providers need to know what factors are significantly predictive of hypertension control. Researchers have rarely studied illness perception in China although it is one of the predictors for illness outcomes often studied in other countries. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among demographic and health-related characteristics, illness perception, adherence to medication and to self-management, and blood pressure in a sample of rural adults with hypertension in the Zhejiang Province of China. Leventhal’s Self-Regulation Model guided this cross-sectional, …

Experiences Of Nurses And Midwives During The Ebola Outbreak In Liberia, West Africa, Erhuvwukorotu S. Kollie

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The 2014 – 2015 Ebola outbreak in the West African region resulted in many deaths and has been responsible for devastating health and socioeconomic upheaval. The decision of nurses and midwives whether or not to render care during outbreaks is vital for the containment of the disease. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of nurses and midwives during the Ebola outbreak in Liberia. A grounded theory method based on Corbin and Strauss (2015) and Charmaz (2014) was used, resulting in a conceptual model describing the process involved in the work decisions made by the study participants. …

Mechanisms Of Post-Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus After Germinal Matrix Hemorrhage, Damon William Klebe

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The inherently fragile vasculature of the germinal matrix is susceptible to rupture, possibly as a result of hemodynamic and cardiorespiratory instability associated with prematurity. Germinal matrix hemorrhage is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm and/or very low birthweight infants, and post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus is major consequence of severe grade hemorrhages. Chronic post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus treatment involves surgical insertion of shunts, which are costly and prone to complications. Thus, a safe non-invasive therapeutic approach towards post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus clinical management would significantly improve the quality of life for this patient population. Thrombin, cerebroventricular blood clots, and iron have been identified as …

Use Of Outcome-Present State Test Model Of Clinical Reasoning With Filipino Nursing Students, Susy Agustino Jael

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Clinical reasoning is a nursing competency necessary to make the best decision to deliver safe and effective care. A review of the literature shows a link between hazardous errors in patient care and poor clinical reasoning among nurses, and suggests that more study be given to best way to teach clinical reasoning. It is crucial that nurses today and of the future possess the clinical reasoning skills to provide increasingly complex patient care. This study tested the effect of the Outcome-Present State Test (OPT) Model of Clinical Reasoning on Filipino junior nursing students’ clinical reasoning scores on the Health Sciences …

Developmental Pedagogy In Marriage And Family Therapy Education, Christopher Russell Hoff

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

New practice domains are opening up for practitioners of family therapy in the medical, organizational, and human relations fields. In this new environment, family therapy educators and supervisors are required to cross the epistemological spaces of scientist-practitioner, postmodernism, and critical theory. These new possibilities require that family therapist educators become comfortable moving between multiple epistemologies. This poses increasing challenges that will require a hybridization of knowledge and practice approaches in MFT education. Through focus groups consisting of 34 participants, all of who were in their first quarter of a Master’s degree program in Marriage and Family Therapy. We found a …

Influence Of Low Temperature Degradation On Microstructural Integrity Of Zirconia Dental Implants, Mona Monzavi Rahimi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Zirconia dental implants have become more popular in the field of implant dentistry. However, concerns have been raised regarding low temperature degradation and its influence on phase stability and micro-structural integrity in terms of increased micro-crack formation. In the case of dental implants, this could possibly result in delamination and interference with bone to implant contact and eventually lead to loss of integration and failure. Nevertheless, no study has reported the effects on commercially available Zirconia dental implants. The primary aims of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between ageing duration and 1) depth of tetragonal-monoclinic …

Accuracy Of Volumetric Analysis Software Packages In Assessment Of Tooth Volume Using Cbct, Saylee Nimbalkar

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of volumetric analysis software packages in assessment of tooth volume using cone beam computed tomography and compare them to the volume obtained using an optical digital scanner. Twenty-four single rooted teeth indicated for extraction were collected. Cone beam computed tomography scans of these teeth resting in a custom scan jig were taken. Three dimensional digital models were obtained from the DICOM image cone beam computed tomography files using segmentation software packages (Anatomage, Mimics, and Amira) and volumes were calculated for each of the segmented teeth. The teeth were then scanned …

Exploring Factors In The Relationship Balance Assessment, Thomas B. Luttrell

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

While studies have highlighted the role of gendered power in relationships, many assumptions have not been quantitatively tested due to a lack of measures for power. This study uses exploratory factor analysis to construct a dyadic assessment of relative power and equality in relationships. This assessment would be useful for research and for clinical work with couples to help raise awareness of the balance of power in their relationship. Equality is defined as a mutual process in which both partners demonstrate that they hold equal value in the relationship, whereas inequality is when there is a relative imbalance of value …

Role Of Protein Kinase G In Regulating Vascular Tone In Hypoxic Ovine Cerebral Arteries, Richard Burdette Thorpe

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Nitric oxide (NO) and its precursors have been used clinically to induce vasorelaxation long before the specific mechanism of how this operates was understood. With the discovery in 1977 of the influence of NO on guanylate cyclase, and the subsequent elucidation of the NO pathway, the role of cyclic guanidine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKG) has been shown to be the main mediator of NO-induced vasorelaxation. Less well understood is the behavior of this pathway in conditions of long term hypoxia (LTH). It was later shown that LTH attenuates the ability of PKG to mediate vasorelaxation. How this operates is …

Histomorphometric Analysis Of Maxillary Sinus Grafts: A Randomized Controlled Study, Mina Nishimoto

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this clinical investigation was to evaluate and compare the degree of new bone formation through histomorphometric analysis following maxillary sinus grafts (MSG) using three different bone graft materials. Thirty-one MSG were performed using a lateral window approach for patients who required implant placement in posterior maxilla. Each sinus was randomly selected to receive one of three bone graft materials; Group A: anorganic bovine bone mineral (ABBM) [Bio-Oss®], Group B: anorganic equine bone mineral (AEBM) [Equimatrix®], or Group C: mineralized cancellous bone allograft (MCBA) [OSSIF-i sem™]. A total of 28 bone cores were obtained at a mean time …

Clinical Assessment Of Pragmatics (Caps): A Validation Study, Adriana Lavi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was bi-fold: to develop and analyze the validity and reliability of a comprehensive pragmatic language diagnostic tool, the Clinical Assessment of Pragmatics as well as comparatively examine and analyze pragmatic language profiles of three groups of adolescents. These included students with Language Impairment (LI), High-Functioning Autism (HFA) and typically developing students. During the validation phase of the study, thirty participants, ages 14 to 16 years old, were administered 3 pragmatic judgment and 3 pragmatic performance subtests comprised of 10 items each for a total of 60 test items. A series of validity and reliability measures …

Effect Of Progressive Gaze Stability Exercises On Holistic Aspects Of Chronic Motion Sensitivity, Shilpa B. Gaikwad

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: Motion sensitivity, also referred to as motion sickness, is a common condition among general population. It is a complex syndrome and is associated with presence of nausea and vomiting headache, drowsiness, cold sweating, pallor of varying degrees, increased salivation. Postural instability and anxiety are also identified to be associated with motion sensitivity. There is a close relationship between the vestibular system and motion sensitivity and vestibular system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of progressive gaze stability exercises on holistic aspects of chronic motion sensitivity. Methods: A single blind randomized controlled trial was conducted where …

Intimate Partner Violence In A Conservative Christian Denomination: Prevalence And Risk Factors, Carolyn Sallion-Love

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study examines the prevalence and risk factors of intimate partner violence (IPV) in a Christian denomination. To date, no studies have been found in the literature that looked at IPV in a Christian denomination in South America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Little is known regarding how church members from these countries experience victimization from IPV. One 2002 Inter-American Division (IAD) data set provides some insight into IPV; and the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church has analyzed cross-sectional data of more than 7,000 SDA respondents from the study area of interest. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) was used to determine if …

Comparative Studies Of Tslp And Il-7 In Normal Early Human Neonatal And Adult B Cell Development, Terry-Ann Milford

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Defining the role of cytokines in promoting human B cell development is important for understanding B cell leukemia and for developing strategies to restore B cell production that is lost during some therapies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of the IL-7R ligands, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and IL- 7, in the early stages of normal postnatal and adult human B cell development. Using novel in vitro and in vivo model systems, we show that TSLP and IL-7 are able to expand B cell precursors individually and in combination from CB hematopoietic stem cells. In this …

Effect Of Jet Lag On Postural Stability, Faisal M. Al Mubarak

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Postural stability is essential in people’s daily life. Crossing time zones can disrupt our body clock and lead to jet lag. Some studies reported that jet lag affects human physical and cognitive functions. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, none of these studies examined the effects of jet lag on postural stability. Twenty-two healthy young adult males between 23 and 36 years of age who had a round trip flight planned between the United States and Saudi Arabia were recruited. Participants attended one preflight assessment and three post-flight assessments (within 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours). Participants were divided …

Comparison Of Retention Between Milled And Conventional Denture Bases: A Clinical Study, Abdulaziz Abdullah Alhelal

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The advancement in dental material technology led to the improvement in the fabrication method of PMMA denture bases. Denture base adaptation can be influenced by the amount of polymerization shrinkage that occurs during the processing method of fabrication. CAD/CAM dentures milled from prepolymerized PMMA acrylic resin blocks theoretically have reduced or no polymerization shrinkage. There have been no clinical studies, to date, that have compared retention values between milled and conventionally processed denture bases. Therefore, the purpose of this study clinical study was to compare the retention values between conventional heat polymerized and digital milled maxillary denture bases.

Twenty patients …

Role Of Slit2 In Reducing Complications After Surgical Brain Injury, Prativa Sherchan

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Surgical brain injury (SBI) is the inadvertent injury to brain tissue at the perisurgical site which occurs due to neurosurgical maneuvers such as incision, retraction, and electrocoagulation that can result in post-operative complications. Blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption and neuroinflammation are major pathophysiological consequences after neurosurgical injury. Blood brain barrier dysfunction leads to increased influx of water and plasma proteins as well as peripheral immune cell infiltration into the brain parenchyma that further potentiates brain edema and worsens post-operative neurological function. Activated resident immune cells and infiltrated peripheral immune cells release inflammatory mediators and promote oxidative stress and cell death …

Effects Of Microwave Irradiation On The Dimensional Stability Of Complete Denture Bases, Miguel Pappaterra

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: Maintenance for complete dentures is a role that must be undertaken by the patient. It has been determined that two minutes of microwave irradiation at 650 Watts provides denture disinfection, and three minutes provide sterilization32,34. There is insufficient data on how this practice affects the long term dimensional stability of commonly used complete denture bases in the United States. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to perform an in-vitro investigation, testing and comparing the effects of microwave irradiation on the dimensional stability of three types of complete denture bases. Materials and Methods: An edentulous master cast with reference …

A 3d Radiographic Evaluation Of Crestal Bone Changes Around Immediately Loaded Endosseous Implants, Keerthi Senthil

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this clinical investigation is to evaluate and compare the 3-dimensional radiographic crestal bone changes around 4 immediately placed and loaded implants supporting full arch fixed mandibular prosthesis in 2 groups of patients. The Test group comprises of patients with failing mandibular teeth needing extraction. ( due to caries, periodontal disease, fractures or prosthetic reasons).The Control group comprises of patients with a fully edentulous mandible presenting for fixed implant supported prosthesis with at least 6 months after the last extraction or bone grafting procedure. Stereolithographic bone model obtained from the patient’s DICOM files was used to fabricate the …

Getting To The Doctor: Bpss Factors Of Health Care Utilization In Fragile Families, Veronica P. Kuhn

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The number of fragile families where a child is born to unwed parents has increased greatly over the past half-century and now represents a diverse population in the United States (Ventura, 2009). These families, who are predominantly African American and Hispanic (Hummer & Hamilton, 2010) and are more likely to live in poverty and experience poorer health, face significant barriers to access and utilize health care services (De Marco & De Marco, 2009; Williams, 2008). Limited research exists on how these facets of the illness experience might differ for fragile families whose resources are limited prior to illness. The Biopsychosocial …

Paternal Depression In The Peripartum Period: An International Delphi Study, Cassidy J. Freitas

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This dissertation aims to reach consensus on the defining factors of Paternal Peripartum Depression (PPPD) as well as identify research priorities through the Delphi method. Peripartum Depression is a major health issue for parents and their children. Fathers are at risk for peripartum depression due to the changes in identity, relationship, and biology they face during their transition to parenthood. A father’s mental health plays an intimate role in the overall health and outcomes of his family, but up until this point has been significantly overlooked. Due to the paucity of research and lack of clear consensus on the identifying …

Effect Of Vestibular Adaptation Exercises On Chronic Motion Sensitivity, Danah Alyahya

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Dizziness is one of the most common complaints reported to primary care physicians. It is often associated with vestibular dysfunction and typically impacts postural stability. Motion sickness, or motion sensitivity, is stimulated by abnormal spatial orientation and is a common symptom related to dizziness and postural instability. The main cause of the motion sensitivity is aberrant sensory input from the visual, vestibular and somatosensory systems. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of vestibular adaptation exercises on postural stability in young healthy adults with subjective awareness of chronic motion sensitivity.

Methods: Fifty healthy male and female …

Becoming An Ally: Multi-Family Group Therapy Pilot With Low-Income Families, Julie Virginia Estrella

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The increasing demand for couple and family therapists (CFT) in integrated health care settings requires CFTs to learn to effectively serve low-income families. Resilience literature suggests that building families’ resilience and social support directly impacts a family’s chances for socioeconomic mobility. Multi-family group therapy (MFGT) offers an effective vehicle for increasing resilience and social support. This dissertation examines the link between family resilience and poverty and presents an ecological, solution-focused, family resilience lens applied through a pilot MFGT program, Bouncing Forward Family (BFF) Groups, for low-income families. This dissertation includes two publishable papers, and the first focuses on the BFF …

Are Bone Turnover Markers And Vitamin D Levels Associated With Frequency Of Complete Denture Relines?, Shweta Puri

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

PURPOSE: To compare groups of subjects with varying frequencies of complete denture relines in terms of their bone turnover markers; C-terminal Telopeptide (C-Tx), Osteocalcin (OCN) and Vitamin D (25 OH-Vit D) levels to determine the presence of and the degree of association between them.

METHODS: This study was designed as a cross-sectional study wherein a retrospective chart review of three hundred twenty four edentulous subjects with history of complete denture use for at least a year was performed to determine history and frequency of their complete denture relines. A total of 100 patients were enrolled. After consent was obtained, each …

The Effects Of A Novel Therapeutic Intervention In Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Patients, Adel M. Alshahrani

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common disorder affecting individuals in the United States and in the world. The prevalence of DM has increased noticeably over the last three decades with an estimated 380 million people currently diagnosed with this disease. DM is associated with numerous systemic complications that affect the retina, heart, brain, kidneys, and nerves. The most common complication of DM is diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy causes reduced sensation, reflexes, proprioception, and strength in lower limbs that leads to balance problems. Various manual therapy techniques have not approached a pilot study for the efficacy of a manual …