Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Epidemiologic Study Of Toxoplasmosis In Pregnant Women, Joyce Moell Matzen

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Life Cycle and Transmission

Toxoplasmosis is a disease produced by infection with the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular parasite which was first isolated from the North African rodent, Cyterodactylus gondii, in 1908. Since that time, this organism has been shown to have worldwide distribution and is probably the most common parasite of mammals, birds and reptiles (Remington., 1960). In 1965, Hutchinson described toxoplasma oocysts in cat feces, but it was not until 1970 that the life cycle of the organism was disclosed. The felidae represent the primary host for toxoplasma and are the only animals known to harbor the intestinal …

Treatment Of Severe Self-Injurious Behavior Among The Institutionalized Retarded Using A Combination Of Overcorrection, Contingent Restraint, And Increased Interaction, Robin S. Ross

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Three severely developmentally delayed institutionalized adolescent individuals were treated for severe self-injurious behavior over a three month period. Treatment consisted of positive practice overcorrection, restraint delivered as a reinforcer for an absence of self-injury, and increased interaction during task training sessions. Treatment was faded for two of the individuals in successive steps involving decreased restraint and interaction. Self-injurious behavior was reduced in all cases. Prosocial behaviors increased with reductions in self-injurious behavior.

An Analysis Of The Needs Of Re-Entry Nurses As Perceived By Re-Entry Nurses, Nurse Educators, And Nurse Administrators, Jean Phyllis Ruxton

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine if differences existed in the perceptions of re-entry nurses, nurse educators, and nurse administrators with regard to the needs of women who wish to become re-employed in the nursing field. Specific barriers to re-entry and perceived needs in terms of skills and knowledge were examined. Procedure. The sample for the study included inactive nurses, nurse educators and nurse administrators from 13 counties within California. The inactive nurse (re-entry) group was selected from the rosters of three continuing education programs. The nurse educator and nurse administrator groups were randomly selected from a …

The Effect Of Heparin On Growth Characteristics Of Transplanted Spontaneously Occurring C3h/Hej Mouse Mammary Tumor, Muhammed Saleh Abdullah Banaja

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Mouse mammary tumor is a common form of cancer used for experimental purposes. It is relatively resistant to chemotherapy. This investigation is designed to test the effect of heparin, a naturally occurring anticoagulant, on tumor growth using a genetically uniform laboratory animal.

Systematic Application Of Behaviorally Oriented Aura Interruption Techniques In Relation To Seizure Control, Charles Stevens Jr.

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Viewing a seizure as a behavioral chain consisting of a precursor aura phase and a climactic phase has moved researchers to introduce behavioral techniques either singularly or in combination at aura to circumvent seizures. Many of the aura interruption techniques have been shown to be effective in reducing seizure rate, but a systematic examination and application of the technqiues and the additive effects of. combinations have not been explored . The present study examines by way of an A-B-A-B-BC-B-BC single subject design the singular and additive effects of three aura interruption techniques (i.e., startle, shake, and differential reinforcement of other …

Release Of Cortisol From Propylene Glycol Monostearate--Ethoxylated Stearyl Alcohol Films, Conway Ko-Huri Chou

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

In the present study, propylene glycol monostearate (PGM), ethoxylated stearyl alcohol (ESA) and combination thereof have been investigated for their film-forming potential. The wettability, strength, and integrity of the films were evaluated by measuring the contact angles and modulus of elasticity. The films of mixed composition had smaller contact angles than the films of either component. The modulus of elasticity of all films tested was in the range of 0.19 - 0.40 Kg/cm². A series of experiments were conducted in vitro to study the effect of changes in film composition, drug concentration and rate of agitation on cortisol …

Toxicology And Pharmacology Of N¹-Acetylspermidine And N⁸-Acetylspermidine, Othman A. Alshabanah

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The polyamines are a group of natural compounds which have been found in almost all living tissues. N¹- and N⁸- acetylspermidine have been known for a considerable time as normal constituents in human urine, but their physiological role is unknown. Recent studies have indicated the presence of enzymes in the tissues capable of converting spermidine into N¹-acetylspermidine and N⁸-acetylspermidine and other enzyme activities which catalyze deacetylation and interconversion reactions.

One approach for determining physiologic activity of an endogenous compound is to observe their pharmacologic and toxicologic effects. In the present study, the …

In Vitro Percutaneous Penetration Of Methotrexate, Rajaram Vaidyanathan

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This research project was designed to investigate the effects of various physical and chemical parameters on percutaneous penetration of methotrexate. The potential of propylene glycol in water as a vehicle for topical delivery of methotrexate has been examined. A detailed examination of solubility, partition coefficient and pH parameters in the range of 2 to 6 pH units has been conducted with the goal of correlating their effects on skin penetration of methotrexate. The importance of physiochemical parameters such as solubility and partition coefficient and their aid in the development of a suitable delivery system for topical application has been explained. …

Protective Effects Of Certain Lythraceae Alkaloids And Homologs In Croton Oil- And Carrageenan-Induced Inflammation, John Alan Byrne

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Cryogenine's immunosuppressive activity was first evaluated by Kosersky, et al. (21) who, impressed by the drug's ability to inhibit both the irritant- and immune- mediated phases of adjuvant-induced polyarthritis (11), quantitatively confirmed this activity and clearly differentiated the action of cryogenine from that displayed by 6-mercaptopurine. A definitive study by Watson and Malone (22) confirmed cryogenine's lack of immunosuppressive capacity at effective anti-inflammatory dose levels.

The molecular complexity of the lythraceae alkaloids suggests that several active centers may account for their unique pharmacological profile. To assess these potentially active sites, two standard models of acute inflammation were selected for use …