Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Plagiocephaly: Developmental And Medical Outcomes, José Leonardo Fuentes

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Plagiocephaly, a condition that is observed by deformation of the head, comes as the result of different etiologies. The most serious involving premature fusion of one or more of the cranial sutures, a condition referred to as craniosynostosis. While children with craniosynostosis may be considered for developmental screening to determine whether they fall at risk for developmental delay, children with plagiocephaly are typically not seen as being at risk, their condition typically treated as a cosmetic problem. This study consisted of 85 children, 37 with plagiocephaly, 9 with craniosynostosis, and 39 nonclinical subjects. Results of this study suggest that children …

A Correlational Analysis Of Anthropometric Measures And Selected Blood, Immune And Endocrine Indices In Adult Males, Janet Tracey Peterson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Over the past few decades it has become apparent that increased body weight, specifically body fat, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle is associated with an increased risk for chronic disorders such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Researchers are now re-directing their focus on determining the cause of these relationships from an epidemiological view to a more biological or physiological standpoint. The purpose of this cross sectional study was to examine associations among obesity, physical activity and select immune, endocrine and metabolic parameters identified as risk factors for several chronic conditions. Ninety-one healthy males between the ages of 19 and 45 …

Comparative Perceived Breast Cancer Risk Before And After An Intervention, Constance F. Welebir

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Breast cancer screening has the potential of early detection, more effective treatment, and possible arrest of certain breast cancers, yet many women do not adhere to screening guidelines. With research showing that people use social comparison while making risk judgments, often holding optimistically biased beliefs about their health, women who maintain an optimism bias about their breast cancer risk may not practice routine breast cancer surveillance. Therefore, effective interventions designed to inform women of their breast cancer risks and to encourage adherence to breast cancer screening guidelines are necessary. This study investigated the role that social comparison plays in risk …

Bond Strengths Of Three Orthodontic Adhesives For Direct And Indirect Bonding, Aaron Rondon

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The technique of bonding orthodontic brackets utilizing a transfer tray, otherwise known as indirect bonding, is a dichotomous subject. It allows for more accurate bracket placement and reduced chair time for the patient and doctor, yet its technique sensitivity can yield bracket failures at the time of tray removal. With the recent development of 3M's Sondhi Rapid Set, an adhesive specifically designed for orthodontic bonding, the purpose of this study was to compare this fairly new indirect adhesive with 3M's Transbond XT and Reliance's Rely-A-Bond.

Two hundred and seventy freshly extracted bovine teeth were mounted in acrylic resin and divided …

Linder-Aronson S Analysis Using Rhinomanometry And Newtom, Noel Moser

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Investigations into the effects of airway patency on craniofacial development are essential to ensure that interceptive orthodontic treatment provides the maximum benefit to the patient. The aims of this study were to (1) compare the size of the nasopharyngeal airway space on lateral cephalometric and 3D volumetric radiographs to determine if volumetric scans can be of greater diagnostic value than a lateral cephalometric film in determining the degree of airway blockage or patency and (2) to examine the correlation between functional airway resistance, as evaluated by rhinomanometry, and radiographic constriction due to nasal turbinate and adenoid size.

Twenty-eight subjects from …

Properties Of Experimentally Modified Orthodontic Adhesives: A Pilot Study, Adam Gary Lautt

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Bonded orthodontic brackets were introduced in the early 1960's and, since then, spontaneous debonding has been a constant nemesis. Consequently, many studies involving bond strength have been performed targeting brackets, adhesives, curing methods and types of teeth. The purpose of this study was to compare the properties of adhesive resins that have been experimentally modified in both the filler and the polymer.

Twenty different types of adhesives were prepared with variations in the ratios of the two different fillers (ground glass and Wollastinite fiber) and the polymer. System 1+ was used as a control since it was the original resin …

Comparative Methods Of Measurement To Evaluate Onplant Assisted Anchorage, Marc Reid Larson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to compare the two-dimensional cephalometric and the three-dimensional tomographic radiographic methods in their ability to assess anatomic measurements while using the Onplant anchoring device in anterior retraction cases.

The Onplant was surgically placed beneath the periosteum of the hard palate. After osseointegration the Onplant was then uncovered and attached to the first molars by means of a transpalatal bar. Conventional orthodontic treatment was then used to retract the anterior teeth after 1^st premolars were extracted.

To evaluate the movement of the Onplant, a three-dimensional measuring tool was needed. Seven different measurements were made …

Evaluation Of Three Bonding Agents In The Repair Of Fractured Veneered Stainless Steel Crowns, Jennifer Liane Hoffer

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Dentists have long been challenged with finding an esthetic yet durable treatment option to restore badly carious anterior teeth. Veneered stainless steel crowns have become one of these options, but these restorations often return with the veneer fractured. To help restore esthetics, the crown may either be replaced or the veneer must be repaired. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of three bonding agents (PQ1, C&B Metabond, and Panavia) and one restorative material (Filtek Z250, 3M) in the repair of these fractured stainless steel crown veneers. The clinical significance is to determine the best methods of …

Patient Satisfaction And Effectiveness Of A New Resin Used To Bumper Orthodontic Brackets, Timothy B. Elison

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Fear of pain is a key factor in discouraging patients from seeking orthodontic treatment, with many patients discontinuing treatment due to pain experienced in the early stages of treatment. Patients often complain of traumatized lips and buccal mucosa, which is usually caused by the brackets. Orthodontists try to minimize this pain and discomfort by using bumpering materials. Although wax is the most commonly used product, there are many bracket bumpering materials available.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and patient comfort/satisfaction of a new flowable resin, Ortho Shield, designed to protect the lips and …

Il-10 And Alveolar Bone Loss, Abdulaziz Saud Al-Rasheed

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a cytokine with anti-inflammatory activities. IL-10 knockout (KO) mice exhibit severe intestinal inflammation in the presence of normal gut flora. We hypothesized that IL-10 KO mice would also be susceptible to inflammatory periodontal disease resulting in alveolar bone loss (ABL). The purpose of this study was to compare naturally occurring ABL in IL-10 KO and wild type (WT) mice. Twelve IL-10 KO and 12 WT mice, age-(7 months) and sex-(male) matched, were used. Half of the mice were on 129/SvEv and half on C57BL/6J background. Animal heads were defleshed and treated to remove all organic material. ABL …

Identification Of Hard Tissue Using Dentin Sialoprotein (Dsp) As A Marker, Wallis E. Andeline

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to identify the early hard tissue formed in experimental pulp exposures capped with calcium hydroxide, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) or bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) using dentin sialoprotein (DSP) as a marker. The pulps of eighty-five maxillary first, second and third molar teeth from twenty male rats were experimentally exposed. The exposed pulps were capped with calcium hydroxide followed by restoration with amalgam (n = 20), with MTA alone as a pulp capping agent and final restoration (n = 20) or with BMP-7 followed by restoration with MTA (n = 20). Ten teeth with Class …

Pain Experienced By Patients During Periodontal Recall Treatment, Thu-Diem Chung

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The aims of this study were to determine; 1) the degree of pain experienced by patients during probing and debridement; 2) if the treating hygienists could estimate the degree of pain experienced by the patients; and 3) if the patients' pain responses could be predicted by factors such as the patients' age, gender, number of residual periodontal lesions, and the patients' answers to a questionnaire on dental anxiety.

Prior to the maintenance procedures, 2 groups of 20 adult patients to be treated by 2 hygienists completed an anxiety questionnaire. Subsequently, measurements of probing depths were performed, followed by pain ratings …

Inducible Gene Expression In Cell Cultures And In Microencapsulated Cells, Yong Yu

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The mifepristone-regulated transcriptional activation system provides a means to exogenously control gene expression in transformed mammalian cells in a temporal and spatial fashion. Such a promoter activation system consists of three components: The first of these is a steroidal inducer drug, mifepristone. This drug binds to the second component, a chimeric transcription factor complex, consisting of the mutant human progesterone receptor fused to the yeast GAL4 DNA-binding domain and the Herpes simplex virus protein VP 16 activation domain. The third component is a synthetic promoter, consisting of a series of GAL4 recognition sequences upstream of the adenovirus major late E1B …

The Role Of Psychologists In Primary Care: An Integrative Curriculum, Gary Charles Hawley

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Psychologists have been service providers in the health care sector for many years. They are consistently recognized as valued members of health care teams but are not frequently included as primary care providers. Integrated primary care services that include psychologists are a positive step toward achieving a comprehensive model of patient care. The biopsychosocial model is suggested to supplant the current biomedical model for health and wellness conceptualization. Psychologists are trained in the dynamic interplay between biological, psychological, and social domains. However, education at the graduate level for psychologists working specifically in primary care has not been well conceptualized, developed …

Effect Of Electrode Size, Shape, And Placement On Electrical Current And Subject Comfort During Electrical Stimulation, Bonnie J. Forrester

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Six healthy subjects were studied to determine the optimal size, shape and placement of stimulating electrodes during the application of electrical stimulation (ES) to the biceps, quadriceps, and tibialis anterior muscles. Subjects were recruited to allow for diversity in age, sex, and skin pigmentation. Subjects sat in a custom designed multi-positional chair, which allowed precise positioning of each extremity. After determining the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the muscle and careful determination of the motor point, ES, with a biphasic square wave of 300 ms duration and a frequency of 30 Hz, was used to bring the muscle to 10% …

Microleakage Of Various Restorative Materials Used For Preventive Resin Restorations, Jenny Chung Lee

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: This research was designed to compare the microleakage of various restorative materials used for preventive resin restorations and two methods of cavity preparation. The purpose of this study was: (1) to compare microleakage of four different restorative materials using two different type of preparation methods (bur and air particle abrasion) and (2) whether the use of a pit and fissure sealant over the restoration decreases microleakage.

Methods: One hundred and twenty eight, permanent human molars were randomly divided into four groups and restored with four restorative materials. Each group had been randomly divided into two subgroups. The teeth in …

The Effects Of A Hypocaloric Diet Enriched In Oleic Acid Using Almonds Versus Complex Carbohydrates On Metabolic And Anthropometric Parameters During Weight Reduction, Michelle Ann Wien

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purposes of this study were to determine the effect of almonds rich in oleic acid as an alternative to complex carbohydrates on metabolic and anthropometric parameters during weight reduction and to evaluate self-reported satiety and satisfaction. A convenience sample of 57 adults was recruited from the Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Program at City of Hope National Medical Center. Subjects were randomized to an almond-enriched hypocaloric diet or to a complex carbohydrate-enriched hypocaloric diet for twenty-four weeks. Mixed model analysis showed that the use of almonds more favorably influenced weight loss (p< 0.0001), body mass index (p = 0.0001), waist circumference (p = 0.0255) and fat mass (p = 0.0205) compared to complex carbohydrates. Additionally, blood ketone levels were statistically significantly higher in the almond group (p = 0.0230) than in the complex carbohydrate group. No significant difference was found in the total cholesterol:HDL ratio between the groups, however both groups had statistically improved ratios over time with resulting decreases in cardiovascular risk. The glucose (p = 0.0006), insulin (p< 0.0001), insulin:glucose ratio (p = 0.0008), HgbAlc (p

The Relationship Between The Osteonal Cement Line And Bone Strength, Avery Kazuhiro Egerer

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Bone includes many structural and chemical components which provide both flexibility and strength. One such structure is the cement line, a 1-5 μm-thin structure located primarily in compact bone. Past research has correlated the pathological condition of “shin splints” with the micro-damage of bone, which often follows cement lines. It has been suggested that cement lines have rather paradoxical properties. Upon fatigue fracture of bone, microcracks often travel along cement lines and become trapped. This trapping and subsequent dispersion of energy have been hypothesized to prevent a complete fracture from occurring, extending bone life. Cement lines have been implicated in …

Patterns Of Scholarly Productivity In Physical Therapy Faculty, Ardith L. Williams-Meyer

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Due to the proliferation of entry-level doctorate physical therapy programs (DPT), there are two important qualifications for current physical therapy educators: 1) they should hold academic doctorate degrees and 2) they need to conduct scholarly activity, such as research, to increase the scientific base for physical therapy practice. In order to determine current faculty preparation for the increasing number of DPT programs, this descriptive study compared the current percentage of doctorally prepared faculty teaching in entry-level doctorate and masters degree programs, and determined their contributions through original research, publications as first or contributing authors or presentations, during the last five …

Modulatory Effects Of Citrus Flavonoids Towards The Metabolism And Mutagenicity Of Environmental Carcinogens, Wayne L. Bear

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The environmental carcinogens classified as heterocyclic amines (HCA’s) and the tobacco-specific nitrosamine NNK generally require internal enzymatic activation. This activation occurs via cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and leads to metabolites that bind to human DNA which may in turn cause mutations which may then in turn lead to carcinogenesis. Certain nonnutritive plant compounds termed phytochemicals may protect against HCA and NNK-induced mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. We investigated the potential protective effects of five different phytochemicals of the flavonoid class which naturally occur in citrus. These flavonoids were diosmin, naringin. naringenin, rutin, and quercetin. Our results suggest that naringenin and quercetin were …

Prevalence Of Various Upper Extremity Disorders In Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Versus Patients Without Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Daniel C. Buda

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background and Purpose: Increasingly larger numbers of patients present with repetitive strain injuries of the upper extremities, especially carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). A large number of these patients appear to have more than one upper extremity condition. The purpose of this study was to determine the probability that a patient diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome will also be diagnosed with other upper extremity and/or cervical spine disorders.

Subjects: A group of 188 subjects diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and a group of 203 subjects without carpal tunnel syndrome were selected through a chart review of patients at Loma Linda …

Enhancement Of Anti-Hiv-1 Ribozyme Activities By Rev Binding And Multimerization, Yuksel Yildiz

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

To effectively apply hammerhead ribozymes as therapeutic agents it is necessary to co-localize them with the desired target. Human immunodeficiency virus type1 (HIV- 1) infectivity is dependent on env gene expression. HIV-1 Rev protein binds to a higher ordered RNA structure within the env transcript termed the Rev Binding Element (RBE). In anti-HIV gene therapy employing ribozymes to increase the co-localization of anti- HIV ribozymes with target HIV mRNAs, it has been proposed that when the native HIV- 1 RBE is appended to a ribozyme as a decoy molecule, simultaneous binding of Rev monomers to the RBE sequences in both …

Hard Tissue Healing Adjacent To Fresh Or Set Mta As Root-End Filling Material, Erol S. Apaydin

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has been shown to promote regeneration of periradicular tissues when used as a root-end filling material. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of fresh MTA with set MTA on hard tissue healing following periradicular surgery.

Under general anesthesia, the root canals of twenty-four mandibular premolars in four 2-year-old beagle dogs were filled with MTA. Two weeks later the root-ends of half of the samples were surgically exposed and resected to the level of set MTA within the canals. After exposing and resecting the other 12 root-ends, class I cavities were prepared in …

Peer Nutrition Education: A Model For Nutrition Education Among Spanish-Language Participants Of The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program For Women, Infants And Children (Wic), Maximino Alfredo Mejía

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Despite the steady improvement in the health status of Americans, Hispanics are a minority in the United States with greater prevalence of several infectious and chronic diseases and less health knowledge than the average citizen. Nearly half of the Hispanics living in this country die of preventable nutrition-related conditions, with heart disease and cancer being the leading causes. Since this minority has limited access to health care and preventive services, there is a need for an inexpensive, viable model of health education for this underserved segment of the population in order to lower the excess of preventable diseases. We trained …

Biomarkers Of Bone Turnover In Vegetarians And Omnivores, Susan Kim Louie Lue

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

A cross-sectional study on fasting serum and 24-hour urine samples were used to determine whether biochemical markers of bone turnover, resorption and formation, differed in a group of 50 healthy premenopausal Caucasian women eating vegan, lactoovovegetarian(LOV) and omnivorous diets.

The women, ages 20-42, had participated in a study of bone mineral density(BMD). The three groups were comparable in mean age, BMI, calorie intake, calories spent in exercise, kcal/kg body weight, protein/day, protein/kg body weight and urinary creatinine.

Biomarkers included those of bone resorption—pyridinoline, deoxypyridinoline, and N-telopeptides, and of bone turnover—serum and urinary osteocalcin(OC), skeletal alkaline phosphatase, and propeptide-type-I-carboxyterminal-procollagen(PICP). In all …

The Role Of Diet And Physical Activity For Ovarian Cancer Results From The Adventist Health Study, Fatemeh Kiani

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

A few aspects of the epidemiology of ovarian cancer are well understood, such as the inverse relationship with parity and oral contraceptive (OC) use. The role of other factors such as the potential influence of diet or physical activity is far from being established. A few studies, however, have been able to identify dietary risk factors for ovarian cancer. In this dissertation, I have conducted two studies that investigate the relationship between dietary factors and physical activity and the three endpoints: 1) nonfatal ovarian cancer (1976-1982; time to diagnosis), 2) fatal ovarian cancer (1976-1988; time to death), and 3) total …

Bacteremia Associated With Early Childhood Caries, Eddie Chang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Previous research has investigated the post-operative bacteria levels caused by a variety of clinical procedures such as anesthetic injections, standard dental procedures, endodontic treatment, periodontal surgery, root scaling, and oral surgical procedures in children. Other studies have suggested that bacteremias are often caused by oral infections. Although numerous studies have examined how oral infections lead to various medical conditions (i.e. brain abscess) none have studied the potential for preoperative bacteremia that may arise in conjunction with early childhood caries (ECC). The purpose of this study was to compare potential systemic facultative and anaerobic bacteria found in otherwise healthy children who …

Effects Of A Serine 364 To Proline Mutation Of The Connexin43 Protein In Transgenic Mice, Chia-Ling Nhan-Chang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

[Abstract Not Included]

Development Of A Model For Infective Endocarditis Via Intravenous Injection And Tooth Infection Of Rats Using Pathogenic Bacteria, Shahrokh Shabahang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Historically, focal areas of infection have been linked to a number of systemic ailments. During the early part of the 20th century, patients who were suffering from inexplicable diseases and who were suspected of having infected teeth were referred to the dentist for multiple extraction of their dentition. The discovery of antibiotics provided a false sense of security that the war against microorganisms is no longer a concern for mankind. However, more recently, it has become common belief that increasing numbers of systemic diseases are linked to chronic infections. Recovery of bacteria from representative tissues has led investigators to believe …

Breathlessness Descriptors In Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Versus Congestive Heart Failure, Adelaide De Souza Caroci

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This cross-sectional descriptive study investigated breathlessness (dyspnea) in stable patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). The purpose of this study was (a) to characterize the most common terms COPD and CHF patients use to describe their breathing, (b) to identify the frequency of dyspnea in patients with COPD and CHF, and (c) to determine the intensity of dyspnea in these populations.

A purposive sample of 60 patients, 30 with moderate to severe COPD and 30 patients with moderate to severe CHF, met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in this study. The participants provided …