Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Vaccinia Virus-Mediated Glioma Gene Therapy Using P53, Il-2 And Il-12, Bing Chen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Malignant brain tumors are generally lethal soon after their diagnosis, and the five-year survival rate for the patient is low in spite of neurosurgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy. Gene therapy has the potential to improve patient survival and quality of life by delivering specific combinations of therapeutic genes directly to the tumor for localized treatment.

We have based our cancer gene therapy for glioma on a highly attenuated variant of the Lister strain of vaccinia virus (VV) which has been proven to be a safe and effective vaccine vector. Other advantages include a wide host range, a strong promoter system, …

Chronic Hypoxia, Exercise Training, And Skeletal Muscle Capillarity: Angiogenic Regulation And Morphological Consequences, Ivan Mark Olfert

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Angiogenesis is important in health and disease. In particular, exercise training is known to increase skeletal muscle capillarity, providing there is sufficient training intensity. The stimulus for this may be intracellular hypoxia activating angiogenic growth factor gene expression. Acute hypoxia alone has been shown to increase the gene expression of several key angiogenic regulators, e.g. vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and to a lesser degree transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), an endogenous negative angiogenic regulator. Paradoxically, however, chronic hypoxia is generally not found to increase mammalian skeletal muscle capillarity. Accordingly, we hypothesized that …

Studies On The Purification And Role Of Igfbp-5 Protease In Bone, H. Garrett Rush Thompson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone density and deterioration of mineralized bone leading to enhanced susceptibility to fracture. Several growth factors have been implicated in the coupling of formation to resorption during the bone remodeling process. The net bone forming activity of many growth factors has prompted numerous studies focused on the regulation of osteoblast cell proliferation, differentiation and activity. The current study focuses on the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system, an important growth factor system involved in the regulation of bone formation and bone resorption.

IGF binding protein -5 (IGFBP-5), the most abundant IGF binding protein in …

Identification And Characterization Of The Cis-Acting Elements Around The Murine Cd4 Cnhancer, Xin Dong

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The cluster determinant 4 (CD4) molecule is a transmembrane glycoprotein. CD4 is essential for normal T helper cell function and plays an important role in T cell development and activation. CD4 is encoded by a single gene located on chromosome 6 in the mouse and chromosome 12 in the human. Both human and murine CD4 genes are divided into ten exons spanning more than 25 kb and have a large non-coding region in the first and third intron. CD4 gene expression is controlled primarily at the transcriptional level during T cell development and activation.

An enhancer has been identified approximately …

Brain Death, Organ Transplantation And The Ethics Of Relationships In Japan: 1968-2000, Takanobu Kinjo

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The center of the brain-death and organ transplantation debate in Japan has always been whether whole brain-death should be regarded as the death of a person. However, the debate has not yet been settled in Japanese society. There are four main reasons why it is said that whole brain-death criteria are incompatible with Japanese society. First, they cannot establish a person's death because the Japanese define it not according to medical facts but according to social relationships. Second, it is impossible to determine societal consensus in Japan on this issue. Third, traditional Japanese views toward life and death are incompatible …

Connexin-32 Contributes To Radiation Resistance In Thyroid Follicles, Da-Thao Dinh Tran

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The objective of this study was to examine the role of gap junctions in the radiation resistance of thyroid follicles. The question of whether gap junctional intercellular communication plays an important role in the “contact effect”, wherein cells in direct apposition are more resistant to the damaging effects of radiation, has been debated for years. We used the Fischer rat thyroid cell line (FRTL-5) to carry out our experiments. This thesis is divided into two parts: 1) characterization of gap junctional properties in FRTL-5 cells and, 2) exposure of these cells to radiation.

We found that, unlike primary thyroid cells, …

The Cardiac Correlates Of Attention In The Denervated Heart: A Study Of Infant Heart Transplant Recipients, Stephanie Dianne Griffone

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The cardiac correlate of attention is a deceleration in heart rate, controlled by the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. This has been extensively studied in infants; the findings indicate that this deceleration is affected by a number of factors, several mediated by the vagus nerve. However, the effects of denervation on this response are not known. Studies with adult heart transplant recipients have shown attenuated acceleration in response to stressful mental tasks. This study investigated the cardiac response to attention in infants who had received a heart transplant, using a habituation paradigm. The hypothesis that they would show …

Attentional Processing In Parkinson's Disease: Hyperkinetic And Akinetic Type, Christine Diane Kraus

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Parkinson's disease (P.D.) has long been thought of as a single disorder. Recent research involving neurochemistry, neurophysiology, and detailed analysis of symptoms, have created a basis for questioning the concept that P.D. is a singular disorder. Literature suggests there may be two primary subtypes (with the possibility of others). The two probable subtypes are hyperkinetic, in which tremor is the predominate symptom and akinetic, in which, gait freezing and postural instability predominate.

In both of these pathological manifestations, several investigators have noted cognitive deficits including attention. The differences in symptomotology and neuropathology attributed to these probable subtypes suggest that there …

Interactions Of Igf-Ii And Cathepsin D In Mcf-7 Breast Cancer Cells, Jesika S. Faridi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

A primary role of the IGF-II/M6P receptor is to target lysosomal enzymes from the golgi to the lysosomes. This receptor has distinct binding sites for IGF-II and M6P, however, reciprocal interactions between these ligands have been observed (Kiess et al. 1989, 1990). Since IGF-II modulates the routing of cathepsin D in MCF-7 cells by blocking the intracellular binding of cathepsin D to the IGF-II/M6P receptor (De León et al. 1996), we hypothesized that expressing a mutant form of IGF-II that does not bind the IGF-II/M6P receptor will not interfere with lysosomal enzyme trafficking.

In our present study, we report the …

Spanish-Speaking Parents’ Attitudes Toward Explanations Of Anesthetic Techniques, Melba Zuniga Mayes

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

PURPOSE Little attention has been given to the issue of obtaining informed consent for conscious sedation and general anesthesia from Spanish-speaking parents living in the United States. The treatment of pediatric dental patients can only be as effective as the extent to which Spanish-speaking parents consent to the dental treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify valuable information that dentists can utilize to obtain an informed consent for conscious sedation and general anesthesia from Spanish-speaking parents.

METHOD Each Spanish-speaking parent in the sample was given one of the following explanations regarding an anesthetic technique: 1) verbal presentation for …

Therapist Factors As Predictors Of The Experience Of Memory Recovery In Psychotherapy, Tami Lorraine Young

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Psychotherapist factors as predictors of client memory recovery of childhood sexual abuse following a period of amnesia were investigated. Marriage and family therapists and clinical psychologists in California were surveyed regarding the degree of research emphasis in academic training, knowledge of memory processes and professional standards of care regarding memory recovery in psychotherapy, degree of ambiguity tolerance, use of memory recovery techniques and client memory recovery. Therapists with greater research emphasis in academic training reported having fewer clients with memory recovery. Also, therapists who were intolerant of ambiguity used memory recovery techniques more than did therapists who were tolerant. Finally, …

Expression And Requirement Of Epithelial Fatty Acid- Binding Protein In Neuronal Axon Growth, Gregory William Allen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Epithelial fatty acid-binding protein (E-FABP) is expressed in the dorsal root ganglia following sciatic nerve injury and in migrating and differentiating neurons during neuronal development. It was hypothesized that E-FABP expression is required for the robust outgrowth of axons from developing and regenerating neurons. To test this hypothesis, E-FABP expression in both PC12 cells and primary retinal neurons was examined. In PC12 cells, NGF induces E-FABP mRNA and protein during the period of neurite outgrowth, and E-FABP localizes to the perinuclear cytoplasm, nucleus, and growth cone. Furthermore, E-FABP-deficient cell lines exposed to NGF were less differentiated and had shorter neurites …

Identification And Characterization Of Control Elements Within The Murine Cd4 Gene, Zhong Deng

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The control of CD4 gene expression is essential for T lymphocyte development. Since the molecular mechanism for the control of CD4 gene expression during T cell development had not been elucidated, a study of the factors that control CD4 gene expression may lead to further. Toward these goals, we have made a series of recombinant DNA constructs to define the cis-acting transcriptional control elements in the murine CD4 locus that control CD4 gene expression during T cell development. In this study, we have identified multiple cis-acting control elements, which are critical for regulating the expression of the murine …

Effects Of Pycnogenol On Microsomal Cytochrome P450 Activity And Apoptosis, Huong Thu Huynh

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Phytochemicals are naturally-occurring compounds found in plants, many of which are consumed as nutritional supplements by humans. Pycnogenol is a mixture of flavonoid compounds extracted from bark of pine trees (Pinus maritima) and is commercially available in several different pharmaceutical preparations as a free radical scavenger.

Since few scientific studies have documented the pharmacologic effects of pycnogenol, our objective was to characterize the biological activity of pycnogenol. One study looked at the effects of pycnogenol on the three pathways of NNK metabolism: NNK reduction, N-oxidation and a-hydroxylation. NNK is a lung carcinogen. Lung and liver microsomes from 6 mo and …

Anti-Inflammatory Agents And The Modulation Of Replacement Root Resorption, Geoffrey Toshio Okada

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Replacement resorption (RR) occurs following severe injury to the periodontal ligament (PDL). It has been suggested that inflammatory reactions precede RR. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare histologically the effect of topical application of two anti-inflammatory medications and stannous fluoride (SF) on the development of RR. Thirty-four roots of beagle dog mandibular 2nd, 3rd, and 4th premolars received root canal therapy. They were then extracted and left to bench dry for one hour. Following removal of their PDLs, they were soaked for five minutes in either 10 µg/ml ketorolac (n=10), 16 µg/ml of dexamethasone (n=10), or …

An In Vitro Study Of The Durability Of A Proprietary Decalcification Inhibiting Sealant, Michaela Camille Neagu

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Plaque accumulation, although undesirable, is prevalent in orthodontic patients with poor oral hygiene and is linked with enamel decalcification. A proposed product designed to seal the tooth around the orthodontic bracket was tested for its durability. It also was evaluated for its ability to seal the enamel.

We measured prepared areas of sixty bovine teeth that were divided equally into two groups: a control group, protected with light-cured Concise sealant, and a group treated with the test sealant, Odyssey, both by 3M Unitek. The teeth were thermocycled for 1000 cycles in alternating 5° C and 55° C waterbaths at 10-second …

Locus Of Control, Coping, And Anticipatory Nausea In Women With Breast Cancer, Melinda L. Nielsen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Many cancer patients experience adverse chemotherapy-related side effects. The present study examined whether the perception that one can control and effectively cope with her treatment for breast cancer mitigate against any nausea and vomiting that she may experience in anticipation of chemotherapy treatments. Seventy-five women with breast cancer completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale - Form C, the Krantz Health Opinion Survey, the Ways of Coping Scale - Revised, and the Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Emesis. As hypothesized, internal health locus of control was significantly positively related to positive reappraisal coping strategies. This relationship was moderated by …

A Comparison Of Four Curing Lights For Bonding Of Orthodontic Brackets, David Sy Nguyen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Light cured adhesives have gained more popularity since their introduction more than three decades ago. Photo-polymerization allows more thorough curing on demand and thus facilitates better control of bracket placement. With new technologies, recently developed curing lights promise even more improvement. These systems are not only more sophisticated, but also more sensitive to the types of resins and clinical application. Specific comparison studies of the new systems in the orthodontic bonding are lacking because most of curing lights are originally designed for general dentistry.

This study evaluated the in-vitro ability of four curing lights to polymerize the Transbond XT bonding …

Comparison Of Elderly Non-Fallers And Fallers On Performance Measures Of Functional Reach, Sensory Organizations, And Limits Of Stability, Harvey W. Wallmann

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare elderly non-fallers and fallers for differences in the following: (1) mean functional reach (FR), (2) mean anterior limits of stability (LOS), (3) mean posterior LOS, and (4) mean sensory organization test (SOT) composite score. The following correlations were tested for significance separately in the sample of non-fallers and the sample of fallers: (1) FR and anterior LOS, (2) FR and posterior LOS, (3) FR and SOT composite score, (4) anterior LOS and the SOT composite score, and (5) posterior LOS and the SOT composite score.

DESIGN: Two group comparison design.

SETTING: …

Orthognathic Surgery In The Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritic Patient, David H. Gilbert

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This thesis attempts to use a retrospective evidenced base review of a series of five patients afflicted with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and its inherent dento-facial deformity as a basis for establishing a proposal for a surgical protocol.

A review of pertinent and current literature is performed in describing the disease process as it relates to epidemiology, histopathophysiology, immunology, and clinical presentation. General treatment options are reviewed for the acutely and chronically afflicted patients as well as specific approaches to dento-facial reconstruction.

The studies reviews a series of five female patients who were evaluated and treated by the same surgeon at …

An Evaluation Of The Short And Long Term Effects Of Quad Helix Expansion, Sonja F. Finnie

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study was conducted to examine, retrospectively, orthodontic and orthopedic changes resulting from quad helix expansion therapy in mixed and permanent dentition stages. Twenty-one subjects with an average age of 10.2 years who experienced an expansion of at least 3 mm with the quad helix appliance were selected for this study. The subjects were evaluated according to facial type and age for both short and long-term stability. Plaster dental casts and posteroanterior (frontal) radiographs were evaluated at the beginning of treatment (T1), at the completion of Phase 1 or full treatment (T2), and approximately two years following the completion of …

Failure Mode Of An Orthodontic Resin Alone And With Bonded Brackets, Marc Cody Dunn

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Since the introduction of bonded orthodontic brackets in the early 1960's spontaneous debonding has been a constant nemesis. Most attempts to avoid this problem by orthodontic manufactures have focused on "bond strength" issue. Whether they chose to address the materials, the bracket base or both, the common method used to evaluate improvements entailed the use of just one testing apparatus: a static universal testing machine such as the Instron.

Metal, ceramic and plastic bonded brackets were tested with the traditional shear/peel method as well as a new high strain rate impact test. The resin itself was also evaluated for physical …

An Extension Of Euclidean Distance Matrix Analysis Applied To Craniofacial Growth Prediction, Mark K. Batesole

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study is [sic] introduces a new extension of Euclidean Distance Matrix Analysis (EDMA) as applied to growth prediction analysis. Using EDMA eliminates the presupposition of a set growth pattern, which is introduced by traditional superimposition techniques. When EDMA is extended to analyze prediction methodologies, using a non-age-matched growth sample, some shortcomings become evident. These involve bootstrapping techniques, relative difference in growth, and absence of clinical, real world measure. To overcome these issues, a statistical approach using the Wilcoxen signed rank test, absolute difference in growth, and a new method to evaluate the error in a prediction methodology's landmark identification …

Locus Of Control, Coping, And Anticipatory Nausea In Women With Breast Cancer, Melinda L. Nielsen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Many cancer patients experience adverse chemotherapy-related side effects. The present study examined whether the perception that one can control and effectively cope with her treatment for breast cancer mitigate against any nausea and vomiting that she may experience in anticipation of chemotherapy treatments. Seventy-five women with breast cancer completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale - Form C, the Krantz Health Opinion Survey, the Ways of Coping Scale - Revised, and the Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Emesis. As hypothesized, internal health locus of control was significantly positively related to positive reappraisal coping strategies. This relationship was moderated by …

Post-Treatment Evaluation Of Isometric Function Of The Elevator Muscles, Margaret Barbara Kowalczyk

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study mainly examined neuromuscular function, occlusal index, and centric relation-centric occlusion (CR-CO) discrepancy of 23 orthodontically treated patients. Phase I, craniofacial anomalous, and orthognathnic surgery cases were excluded from the study. Record taking was done in 2 sessions: (1) at the time of deband and (2) 3-4 months later. Records taken at each session included facial and intraoral photographs, impressions, CR wax bites, a facebow, and surface EMG (sEMG) recordings.

For the sEMG recordings, electrodes were placed on the upper hyoid, masseter, and anterior temporalis muscles. Subjects were asked to perform numerous tests; these included baseline, clenching to test …

Effects Of High Fruit Intake On Systematic Blood Pressure In African Americans, Leonard L. Gibbons

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This randomized dietary intervention trial examined the effects of a high fruit diet on systemic BP in African-Americans. Thirty-eight free-living subjects with systolic BPs between 130-159 mm Hg and diastolic BPs between 85-99 mm Hg, were enrolled for a six week period. The cases were given daily supplements of potassium rich foods: bananas, orange juice and raisins, while no dietary advice or food was given to the controls.

After six weeks, the means systolic BP was 5.79 mm Hg ( p=.009) lower in the cases than the controls. The mean diastolic BP at week six was 3.76 mm Hg (p=.047) …

Accuracy Of Zerobase™ Growth Prediction Of A Burlington Sample, Anitha Nair

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The accuracy of ZeroBase™ orthodontic software program was tested using a sample of 14 male and 14 female untreated subjects classified as skeletal Class II pattern by the Burlington growth center. Growth predictions were carried out by ZeroBaseTM from ages 6,9,12,14,16 in males and 6,9,12 and 14 in females. The mean computer predicted value was compared with the mean radiographic value to test the accuracy of the predictions. Predictions from age 14 were the most accurate (within one standard deviation), whereas the predictions from age 6 were the least accurate. In males, the accuracy of cranial base predictions was 73.3%, …

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 …

In Vitro And In Vivo Studies On Bone Formation, Charmaine Richman

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The research focus of this dissertation deals with two major issues relevant to osteoporosis, the most common metabolic bone disease. These two aspects are: 1) mechanisms that are involved in the regulation of peak bone density, and 2) evaluation of the in vivo effects of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-5 (IGFBP-5) as a potential means to treat osteoporosis.

The first study compared two strains of inbred mice, one with high bone density and one with low bone density, to determine when and to what extent bone density accumulation during postnatal and pubertal growth contributed to the observed differences in bone …

Factors Associated With Healthy Eating: Attitudes, Cultural Adherence, And Snacking Behavior Among Korean-American Adolescents, Kyoung Eun Oh

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Adolescents have increased nutrition needs and report frequent meal skipping and snacking, but there are few studies that examine the determinants of unhealthy eating, especially among ethnic minority groups. This study investigated dietary intake and snacking behavior among Korean-American adolescents in the Los Angeles area. We determined the relationship between dietary fat intake and overall quality of the diet as assessed by two healthy eating indices: the Healthy Eating Index (HEl) and Mean Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (MNAR). HEl assessed degree of compliance to Food Guide Pyramid and Dietary Guidelines for Americans while MNAR assessed nutrient consumption compared to Recommended Dietary …