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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Brain Mapping Of The Mismatch Negativity Response In Vowel Formant Processing, Elizabeth Anne Perry Jun 2012

Brain Mapping Of The Mismatch Negativity Response In Vowel Formant Processing, Elizabeth Anne Perry

Theses and Dissertations

The mismatch negativity (MMN) response, a passively-elicited component of the auditory event-related potential (ERP), reflects preattentive identification of infrequent changes in acoustic stimuli. In the current study, the MMN response was examined closely to determine what extent natural speech sounds evoke the MMN. It was hypothesized that a significant MMN response results during the presentation of deviant stimuli from which spectral energy within formant bands critical to vowel identification has been removed. Localizations of dipoles within the cortex were hypothesized to yield information pertaining to the processing of formant-specific linguistic information. A same/different discrimination task was administered to 20 adult …


Otx But Not Mitf Transcription Factors Are Required For Zebrafish Rpe Development, Brandon Lane May 2012

Otx But Not Mitf Transcription Factors Are Required For Zebrafish Rpe Development, Brandon Lane

Theses and Dissertations

Mitf and Otx transcription factors have been identified as essential to the development of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), but the relationship between these factors and their specific role in the RPE developmental pathway have not been clearly defined. The role of the two Mitf transcription factors (Mitfa and Mitfb) and two Otx transcription factors (Otx1a and Otx2) in zebrafish RPE development was explored in these experiments. The loss of Mitf activity in mitfa, mitfb, or double mitf null mutant fish lines had no effect on RPE pigmentation or development. The loss of Otx2 activity through morpholino knockdown produced a …


The Regulation Of Mitochondrial Dnmt1 During Oxidative Stress, Joyce Balinang May 2012

The Regulation Of Mitochondrial Dnmt1 During Oxidative Stress, Joyce Balinang

Theses and Dissertations

Epigenetics is the study of heritable gene expression due to alterations in the DNA structure other than the underlying DNA sequence. DNA methylation is one of the three types of epigenetic modifications found in the eukaryotic system. It involves the incorporation of a methyl group at the 5-position of cytosine residues in the DNA. DNA methylation is associated with several notorious disorders and diseases including Fragile X Syndrome, neurodegenerative disease (Parkinson’s, Alzhiemer, etc), diabetes and cancer. Cytosine methylation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was first demonstrated several decades ago but the mechanism of generating cytosine modification and its functional importance remain …


The Antinociceptive Effects Of Alpha 7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulators In Different Animal Pain Models, Kelen Freitas May 2012

The Antinociceptive Effects Of Alpha 7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulators In Different Animal Pain Models, Kelen Freitas

Theses and Dissertations

The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtype is abundantly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and in the periphery. Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the α7 increase the response to an agonist and are divided into two types depending on whether they also decrease desensitization of the receptor (type II) or not (type I). Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether the enhancement of endogenous α7 nAChR function will result in a beneficial effect in nociceptive, inflammatory and chronic neuropathic pain models. While NS1738 and PNU-120596 were not active to reduce acute thermal pain, measured by hot-plate and tail-flick …


Periodontal Resident Self-Assessment Of Ergonomics Before And After Videotaped Surgeries, Corin Marantz May 2012

Periodontal Resident Self-Assessment Of Ergonomics Before And After Videotaped Surgeries, Corin Marantz

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To examine whether self-assessment of videotaped surgeries helps improve periodontal residents’ ergonomics. Methods: Residents (n=8) provided self-assessments of their own ergonomics while performing periodontal surgery using a questionnaire with open and closed items. Results were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative means. Results: Comparison of responses resulted in a change between Pre-video Surgery 1 and PSV1 (p<0.05) and between the three occasions for flat foot and horizontal shoulder positions (p<0.05). Resident goals were most numerous for improving positions of shoulder, back and neck and most notable responses for failure to achieve goals were the need for surgical access and being too focused the procedure. Conclusions: Videotape review is a valid means of self-assessment. Intervention solely in the form of a questionnaire and videotape review was insufficient in its ability to change the residents’ ergonomics. Barriers to implementation of proper ergonomics were identified.


T-Bet-Dependent Regulation Of T Cell Responses During Trypanosoma Cruzi Infection, Dustin Cobb May 2012

T-Bet-Dependent Regulation Of T Cell Responses During Trypanosoma Cruzi Infection, Dustin Cobb

Theses and Dissertations

The human pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi is an intracellular parasite and the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Protective immune responses to T. cruzi are highly dependent on T helper 1 and CD8+ T cells which produce interferon-gamma. A deficiency in these responses has severe consequences on the ability to control infection. Our investigation into the role of the Th1 transcription factor, T-bet, during murine T. cruzi infection revealed that T-bet is required for resistance. Contrary to our expectations, T-bet was not required for the development of Th1 immunity during infection, as T-bet-deficient mice still developed interferon-gamma-producing T cells. However, T-bet was …


Validation Of 3'-Deoxy-3'-[18f]-Fluorothymidine Positron Emission Tomography For Image-Guidance In Biologically Adaptive Radiotherapy, Marian Axente May 2012

Validation Of 3'-Deoxy-3'-[18f]-Fluorothymidine Positron Emission Tomography For Image-Guidance In Biologically Adaptive Radiotherapy, Marian Axente

Theses and Dissertations

Accelerated tumor cell repopulation during radiation therapy is one of the leading causes for low survival rates of head-and-neck cancer patients. The therapeutic effectiveness of radiotherapy could be improved by selectively targeting proliferating tumor subvolumes with higher doses of radiation. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with 3´-deoxy-3´-[18F]-fluorothymidine (FLT) has shown great potential as a non-invasive approach to characterizing the proliferation status of tumors. This thesis focuses on histopathological validation of FLT PET imaging specifically for image-guidance applications in biologically adaptive radiotherapy. The lack of experimental data supporting the use of FLT PET imaging for radiotherapy guidance is addressed by developing …


The Pharmacist Supply In The United States, 1994-2009: A Population Ecology Perspective, Kevin S.J. Lett May 2012

The Pharmacist Supply In The United States, 1994-2009: A Population Ecology Perspective, Kevin S.J. Lett

Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. healthcare system is a complex segment of our society that is constantly evolving with changes to various areas such as education, financing, safety, and health. There continues to be a critical examination of how healthcare professionals are trained and utilized as healthcare demands increase. One category of healthcare professionals that has evolved over time to address societal needs is pharmacists. Pharmacists have kept their traditional function of dispensing medications while expanding into multiple areas of expertise and training from patient counseling and drug therapy, to being part of multidisciplinary teams treating acute care patients. According to the National …


Symptom Clusters In Lung Cancer Patients, Debra Rattican May 2012

Symptom Clusters In Lung Cancer Patients, Debra Rattican

Theses and Dissertations

SYMPTOM CLUSTERS IN LUNG CANCER PATIENTS By Debra Rattican, PhD, RN A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012 Major Director: Debra E. Lyon, PhD. Professor and Chair Family and Community Health Nursing The purpose of the study was to examine selected relationships among symptoms common to individuals with lung cancer. The specific aims were: 1) To examine the relationship between the symptoms of dyspnea and anxiety in patients with lung cancer. 2) To examine the relationships among the symptoms of dyspnea, anxiety, and …


Synthesis And Biological Evaluation Of Second Generation Anibamine Analogues As Novel Anti-Prostate Cancer Agents, Shilpa Singh May 2012

Synthesis And Biological Evaluation Of Second Generation Anibamine Analogues As Novel Anti-Prostate Cancer Agents, Shilpa Singh

Theses and Dissertations

Prostate cancer is the most prevalent non-cutaneous cancer among men. Since the 19th century when Virchow first introduced the concept of inflammation in cancer, chemokines and their receptors have garnered a lot of interest. Chemokine receptor CCR5 has been especially implicated in many disease states and recently found to be over expressed in prostate cancer cell lines. Anibamine, a natural CCR5 antagonist discovered in 2004, has been found to have significant anti-prostate cancer activity at micromolar level. To optimize this compound and also discover a novel pharmacophore, exploration of the original structure was carried out. Significant modifications were made to …


Function Of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 7 (Igfbp7) In Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Dong Chen May 2012

Function Of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 7 (Igfbp7) In Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Dong Chen

Theses and Dissertations

Title of Dissertation: FUNCTION OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR BINDING PROTEIN 7(IGFBP7) IN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA By Dong Chen. Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly virulent malignancy with no effective treatment, thus requiring the development of innovative and effective targeted therapies. The oncogene Astrocyte Elevated Gene-1 (AEG-1) plays a seminal role in hepatocarcinogenesis and profoundly downregulates Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-7 (IGFBP7). The present study focuses on analyzing potential tumor suppressor functions of IGFBP7 in HCC and the relevance of IGFBP7 downregulation in mediating AEG-1 function. Experimental Design: IGFBP7 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in HCC tissue microarrays by real-time PCR …


Predictors Of Sexual Relationship Power, Communication And Sexual Decision Making Among Latino Couples, Yui Matsuda May 2012

Predictors Of Sexual Relationship Power, Communication And Sexual Decision Making Among Latino Couples, Yui Matsuda

Theses and Dissertations

Unintended pregnancy (UP) is increasing among Latinos in the United States. Unintended pregnancy contributes to many negative consequences for infants, mothers and families. Concurrently, various factors affect Latino couples’ sexual relationship power, communication and decision making about family planning, including sexual relationship power, relationship commitment, dyadic adjustment, individual background, and cultural characteristics. Previous research has not focused on understanding the factors that affect Latino couples’ sexual relationship power, communication and sexual decision making from each partner’s perspective. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between sexual relationship power, communication, and sexual decision making from each partner’s perspective …


Combining Electrospun Polydioxanone Scaffolds, Schwann Cells, And Matrigel To Improve Functional Recovery After A Complete Spinal Cord Transection In Rats, Ashok Kannan May 2012

Combining Electrospun Polydioxanone Scaffolds, Schwann Cells, And Matrigel To Improve Functional Recovery After A Complete Spinal Cord Transection In Rats, Ashok Kannan

Theses and Dissertations

Spinal cord injury (SCI) has presented itself as a multifaceted pathology that is largely inhibitory to regeneration, and therefore to functional recovery, even though spinal cord neurons have been found to be innately regenerative. Thus, having identified the key players in the inhibition of this innate regeneration, SCI researchers have focused on two major types of approaches: (1) blocking inhibitory cues and (2) promoting innate regeneration. Schwann cells (SCs) have long been shown to promote and enhance functional recovery after SCI through providing supplemental myelination and trophic and tropic factors to regenerating axons, though singular approaches rarely address the complex …


Comparison Of Root Canal Irrigation Systems In Reducing Intracanal Microorganisms Using Saline-An In Vitro Study, Pranav Desai May 2012

Comparison Of Root Canal Irrigation Systems In Reducing Intracanal Microorganisms Using Saline-An In Vitro Study, Pranav Desai

Theses and Dissertations

Mechanical and chemical debridement plays an important role in reducing intracanal microorganisms. Effective root canal irrigation depends on both the root canal irrigant and irrigation system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the debridement efficiency of four root canal irrigation systems, Endovac®, PiezoFlow™, EndoActivator® and traditional needle irrigation using saline as an irrigant. Seventy-five, single canal, extracted, mature teeth were selected. Teeth were standardized to canal lengths of 15 mm and instrumented to Master Apical File size #40 with 4% taper. Teeth were mounted in a centrifuge tube using PVS impression material. Teeth were randomly divided into four …


Radiation Sensitization Of Breast Cancer Cells By Vitamin D Through The Promotion Of Autophagic Cell Death, Eden Wilson May 2012

Radiation Sensitization Of Breast Cancer Cells By Vitamin D Through The Promotion Of Autophagic Cell Death, Eden Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

Radiation therapy is a widely used tool in cancer therapy and is frequently offered as the first line of treatment for cancers of the breast. While radiotherapy is often initially effective in killing tumor cells or suppressing their growth, there are factors that confer tumor cell resistance to irradiation. Development of resistance may lead to disease recurrence despite the use of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. A primary goal of the studies in Dr. Gewirtz’s laboratory is to develop strategies to overcome resistance to radiation (and chemotherapy) in breast cancer, with the ultimate goal of preventing or attenuating disease recurrence. …


Phonological Complexity: The Interaction Of Three-Element Clusters And Word Lexacility On Speech Sound Disorders, Heidi Joann Simon May 2012

Phonological Complexity: The Interaction Of Three-Element Clusters And Word Lexacility On Speech Sound Disorders, Heidi Joann Simon

Theses and Dissertations

Phonological complexity and word lexicality have been shown to induce phonological change in children with speech-sound disorders (SSDs); however, no prior research has used three-element cluster treatment target to directly compare real words (RW) to non-words (NW). Thus, the current research project sets out to answer the question of treatment efficacy in terms of real words and non-words using the complex three-element target, /str-/. Using a repeated measures single-subject research design, five children (5;7 to 7;7) were split into two SSD treatment groups (RW and NW) and directly compared in terms of learning during treatment, generalization from treatment, sound segments …


Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Of Factor Viii Prophylaxis Using Its Plasma Coagulant Activity And Global Hemostasis Biomarkers: A Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Pilot Study, Hawaj Maitham Al Apr 2012

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Of Factor Viii Prophylaxis Using Its Plasma Coagulant Activity And Global Hemostasis Biomarkers: A Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Pilot Study, Hawaj Maitham Al

Theses and Dissertations

Background: The current clinical practice of factor VIII (FVIII) prophylaxis revolves around converting patients with severe hemophilia A, hereafter simply referred to as hemophilia, phenotype (defined as plasma factor VIII coagulant activity [FVIII:C] <1 IU dL-1) to moderate hemophilia phenotype (defined as plasma FVIII:C from 1–5 IU dL-1). However, a wide inter-individual variation in bleeding tendency is observed despite changes in plasma FVIII:C (pharmacokinetic [PK] changes). Therefore, monitoring FVIII prophylaxis by global hemostasis biomarkers (pharmacodynamic [PD] response) can potentially be beneficial. Objective: To conduct appropriate PK/PD modeling using plasma FVIII:C and global hemostasis (platelet function and blood viscoelastic) biomarkers in severe hemophilia. Methods: Nine non-bleeding severe hemophiliacs (plasma FVIII:C <1 IU dL-1) with variant bleeding tendency (5 frequent bleeders and 4 infrequent bleeders) were infused with a recombinant factor FVIII (rFVIII) prophylactic dose (mean = 32.1 international units per kilogram [IU kg-1]). Blood was collected at baseline and 0.5-, 1-, 2-, 4-, 8-, 12-, 24- and 48-hours (h) post-dose for plasma FVIII:C, platelet function (platelet contractile force [PCF], clot elastic modulus [CEM] and force onset time [FOT]) and blood viscoelastic (reaction-time [R], kinetics-time [K] and maximum amplitude [MA]) biomarkers and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Non-compartmental analysis (NCA) was performed using standard methods. Compartmental analysis (CA) and PK/PD modeling were performed by non-linear regression. Correlation and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to explore the role of clinically relevant modifiers of bleeding tendency, as appropriate. ANOVA was used to assess inter-group differences in pertinent PK and PD parameters. P value <0.05 significance level was pre-specified for all statistical tests. Results: Mean (±SD) volume of distribution at steady state (Vss), total clearance (CLtot) and terminal half-life (t1/2) from NCA were 40.5 (±11.2) milliliter per kilogram (mL kg-1), 2.9 (±1.2) milliliter per hour per kilogram (mL h-1 kg-1) and 11.6 (±6.2) h, respectively. Mean (±SD) Vss and CLtot from the one-compartment body model (CA) were 39.6 (±8.9) mL kg-1 and 3.1 (±1.3) mL h-1 kg-1, respectively. The mean (±SD) baseline effect (E0) and slope from the PK/PD linear modeling were: for aPTT, 48.9 (±4.4) seconds (sec) and -0.025 (±0.009) second deciliter per international unit (sec dL IU-1), respectively; for PCF, 0.3 (±0.3) kilodynes (kdynes) and 0.008 (±0.004) kilodynes deciliter per international unit (kdynes dL IU-1), respectively; and for CEM, 0.0 (±0.0) kilodynes per square centimeter (kdynes cm-2) and 0.032 (±0.016) kilodynes deciliter per international unit per square centimeter (kdynes dL IU-1 cm-2), respectively. The mean (±SD) maximum effect (Emax) and half the maximum effective concentration (EC50) from the PK/PD sigmoidal Emax model were: for FOT, 70.1 (±16.9) % reduction and 87.8 (±31.4) IU dL-1 for FOT, respectively; for R, 74.9 (±26.0) % reduction and 68.5 (±28.4) IU dL-1, respectively; and for K, 73.2 (±36.4) % reduction and 67.2 (±29.0) IU dL-1, respectively. MA was not PK/PD modeled due to its low sensitivity. Conclusions: Plasma FVIII:C remained ≥1 IU dL-1 over the prophylactic interval. FOT and R were the most sensitive biomarkers at lower plasma FVIII:C. PCF and CEM were more sensitive than K and aPTT at lower plasma FVIII:C. MA was the least sensitive biomarker. Correlation and inter-group differences did not reach statistical significance (small sample size). These results may be used to assess risk of bleeding and dose-optimize FVIII prophylaxis in severe hemophilia.


Inhibition Of Injury-Induced Cell Proliferation In The Dentate Gyrus Impairs Cognitive Recovery Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Teresa Daniels Apr 2012

Inhibition Of Injury-Induced Cell Proliferation In The Dentate Gyrus Impairs Cognitive Recovery Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Teresa Daniels

Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) induces a robust cellular proliferative response among neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/NPCs) in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. This proliferative effect is thought to contribute to the innate cognitive recovery observed following TBI. Inhibition of hippocampal neurogenesis impairs cognitive function. Furthermore, enhancement of injury-induced hippocampal neurogenesis via intraventricular administration of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) improves cognitive function in animals following TBI. In this experiment, we investigated the direct association between injury-induced hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive recovery utilizing an antimitotic agent, arabinofuranosyl cytidine (Ara-C). In this study, adult rats received a moderate lateral fluid percussion injury …


Quantitative Analysis Of Multiple Charged Large Molecules In Human Or Rat Plasma Using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Matthew Halquist Apr 2012

Quantitative Analysis Of Multiple Charged Large Molecules In Human Or Rat Plasma Using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Matthew Halquist

Theses and Dissertations

Immunoassays have traditionally been employed for the determination of plasma concentration-time profiles for pharmacokinetic studies of therapeutic proteins and peptides. These ligand binding assays have high sensitivity but require significant time for antibody generation (1 to 2 years) for assay development. Despite high sensitivity, these assays suffer from cross-reactivity that can lead to inaccurate results. As an alternative to immunoassays, this dissertation was focused on the development and validation of assays that can be used for quantitative analysis of peptides or proteins in plasma using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Two approaches were considered for measurement of proteins and …


Perceived Social Attributes Of College Students With Ideal Versus Non-Ideal Dental Esthetics Judged By Peers., David Jones Apr 2012

Perceived Social Attributes Of College Students With Ideal Versus Non-Ideal Dental Esthetics Judged By Peers., David Jones

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of dentofacial appearance on perceived social attributes of college-aged adult males and females as judged by their peers. Specifically, the objective was to determine if ideal smile esthetics positively influenced this age group’s perception of opposite-sex peers based on ratings of the following psychosocial characteristics: attractiveness, desire to spend time with, desire to date, and desire for a long-term relationship. Evaluators were shown digital photographs of subjects with ideal and nonideal smiles and asked to rate those 4 attributes using a visual analogue scale (VAS). The subjects’ photographs with ideal …


The Effect Of Minocycline Treatment On Cell Proliferation And Neurogenesis In The Hippocampus In Young And Aged Brains Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Ashley Harvin Apr 2012

The Effect Of Minocycline Treatment On Cell Proliferation And Neurogenesis In The Hippocampus In Young And Aged Brains Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Ashley Harvin

Theses and Dissertations

Following traumatic brain injury, there is an enhanced cell proliferative and neurogenic response in the young adult hippocampus, which may be associated with innate cognitive recovery. However, in the aged brain, an increased level of inflammatory cell responses was observed following injury concomitant to decreased hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive recovery in the aging population. This suggests that excessive inflammation produced in the injured aging brain has a detrimental effect on neurogenesis and cognitive function. In this study, we examined the effect of anti-inflammatory treatment with minocycline on cell proliferation and generation of new neurons in the dentate gyrus (DG) of …


In Vitro Methods To Predict Aerosol Drug Deposition In Normal Adults, Renishkumar Delvadia Apr 2012

In Vitro Methods To Predict Aerosol Drug Deposition In Normal Adults, Renishkumar Delvadia

Theses and Dissertations

This research was aimed at the development and validation of new in vitro methods capable of predicting in vivo drug deposition from dry powder inhalers, DPIs, in lung-normal human adults. Three physical models of the mouth, throat and upper airways, MT-TB, were designed and validated using the anatomical literature. Small, medium and large versions were constructed to cover approximately 95% of the variation seen in normal adult humans of both genders. The models were housed in an artificial thorax and used for in vitro testing of drug deposition from Budelin Novolizer DPIs using a breath simulator to mimic inhalation profiles …


Sex Differences In The Oxygen Uptake Kinetic Response To Moderate Intensity Exercise In Obese Adolescents, Mary Bowen Apr 2012

Sex Differences In The Oxygen Uptake Kinetic Response To Moderate Intensity Exercise In Obese Adolescents, Mary Bowen

Theses and Dissertations

The oxygen uptake (VO2) kinetic response to exercise provides insight into aerobic performance and the efficiency of the body to maintain oxygen demand during the initiation of exercise. Previous research in normal weight children reports insignificant differences in gender VO2 on-kinetic responses to moderate exercise. No study has evaluated the impact obesity may have on gender VO2 on-kinetics. PURPOSE: To determine if sex differences exist in the VO2 kinetic response to moderate exercise in obese adolescents. METHODS: Male (n=16) and female (n=39) adolescents completed a graded exercise test to exhaustion on a treadmill. Data from initial 4-min treadmill walking was …


Compliance-Free Class Ii Correction And Its Relationship To Vertical Facial Characteristics, Michael Shoff Apr 2012

Compliance-Free Class Ii Correction And Its Relationship To Vertical Facial Characteristics, Michael Shoff

Theses and Dissertations

Background: While efficacy of the Forsus appliance has been shown, there are disagreements on its mechanism for Class II correction. Class II studies have been criticized for ignoring potential differences in results based on differing vertical facial phenotypes. The purpose of this study was to better understand the effects of Class II correction using the Forsus appliance and relate changes during and at the completion of treatment to initial MP-SN angles. Materials and Methods: Records of 59 patients obtained at 4 different time points were examined retrospectively. ANOVA was used to describe the cephalometric changes and Pearson’s correlation tested for …


Mandibular Symphyseal Distraction Osteogenesis (Msdo): Association With Temporomandibular Dysfunction (Tmd) Symptoms, Sheldon Bates Apr 2012

Mandibular Symphyseal Distraction Osteogenesis (Msdo): Association With Temporomandibular Dysfunction (Tmd) Symptoms, Sheldon Bates

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Transverse mandibular discrepancies are often overlooked during orthodontic treatment. MSDO is a treatment to address this issue, but much debate exists over the long-term implications on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Few studies have sample sizes sufficient to draw clear conclusions about the impact of MSDO on TMJ health. Materials and Methods: This study evaluated private practice records including 49 MSDO patients and 57 traditionally-treated controls. The subjects were assessed by TMD exams that evaluated jaw pain and discomfort using visual analog scales, range of motion for opening, right and left lateral, and protrusive movements, and the presence of clenching, …


The Impact Of Maternal Influences On Early Childhood Dental Caries, Rana Graham-Montaque Apr 2012

The Impact Of Maternal Influences On Early Childhood Dental Caries, Rana Graham-Montaque

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the maternal influences on the development of infant oral biofilm and early childhood dental caries. Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional design to evaluate factors influencing biofilm colonization and the identification of bacterial strains present in mother and child by utilizing oral health literacy surveys, clinical examinations, and plaque samples. Participants were enrolled in the Children’s Health Involving Parents of Greater Richmond (CHIP). Plaque samples and dental disease levels were collected from mother and children ages six months to thirty-six months. Oral Health Literacy was compared to both mother and child’s …


Molecular Analysis Of Oligoclonal T Cells Associated With Graft-Versus-Host Disease Following Allogeneic Stem-Cell Transplantation, Kassi Avent Apr 2012

Molecular Analysis Of Oligoclonal T Cells Associated With Graft-Versus-Host Disease Following Allogeneic Stem-Cell Transplantation, Kassi Avent

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is to induce graft-versus-tumor effect (GVT), which is the recognition of and response against tumor- associated antigens (TAAs) by donor immune cells to clear the recipient of residual tumor. A complication of HSCT as a treatment for hematologic malignancies is graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which is the recognition and reactivity of donor immune cells against healthy tissues. As of now, the differentiation between GVHD and GVT effects has been a hindrance to the development of effective therapies against GVHD. Certain T cell clones may induce both GVHD and GVT effects, making targeted therapy …


Parental Understanding Of Anesthesia Risk For Dental Treatment, Andrew Zale Apr 2012

Parental Understanding Of Anesthesia Risk For Dental Treatment, Andrew Zale

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To determine which method of anesthesia risk presentation parents understand and prefer across their demographic variables Methods: As a cross-sectional study, questionnaires were distributed to 50 parents of patients (<7 years of age) in the VCU Pediatric Dental Clinic. Parents were asked of their own and their children’s demographics, previous dental and anesthesia experiences, and anesthesia understanding. Parents were then asked to rate the level of risk of several risk presentations and finally asked which method of risk presentation they most understood or preferred. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients, likelihood chi square tests, and repeated measures logistic regression. Results: There was no evidence of a differential preference due to gender (P = 0.28), age (P > .9), education (P = 0.39) or whether they incorrectly answered any risk question (P > 0.7). There was some evidence that the three types were not equally preferred (likelihood ratio chi- square = 5.31, df =2, P-value = 0.0703). The best estimate is that 60% prefer charts, 34% prefer numbers, and 36% prefer activity comparisons. There was a relationship between the average relative risk of general anesthesia and age (r …


The Effectiveness Of Visual Aids In Motivational Counseling On Oral Health Literacy, Christian Peck Apr 2012

The Effectiveness Of Visual Aids In Motivational Counseling On Oral Health Literacy, Christian Peck

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if motivational interviewing with written/illustrated infant oral health education provided to caregivers of pediatric dental patients increases caregivers’ oral health literacy compared to verbal only motivational instruction. Methods: This is a cohort study of caregivers and their child receiving oral health anticipatory guidance utilizing motivational interviewing with and without visual aids. Caregivers (N=20) of pediatric dental patients age 0-4 that presented to the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry for a new patient exam were recruited for the study. Caregivers were randomly assigned into 2 groups: the intervention group (IG), and …


The Fluoride Recharging Capability Of Orthodontic Materials: An In-Vitro Study, Christine Farah Apr 2012

The Fluoride Recharging Capability Of Orthodontic Materials: An In-Vitro Study, Christine Farah

Theses and Dissertations

Enamel demineralization in the form of white spot lesions (WSLs) around fixed orthodontic appliances is a persistent problem in patients with poor oral hygiene.These lesions can form rapidly within 4 weeks of bracket placement.The purpose of this in-vitro study was to investigate the fluoride recharging capability ofa commercially available orthodontic primer used to minimize the development of WSLs in patients. The three groups tested were: OpalSeal (n=20, Ultradent, South Jordan, UT), ProSeal (n=20, Reliance, Itasca, IL) and Transbond XT (control, n=10, 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA). The samples(5mmin diameter x 1mm in thickness) weresuspended individually in vials filled with 10mL of …