Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Analysis Of Nicotine Exacerbation Of Reductions In Ppi In A Rodent Model Of Schizophrenia., Amanda Marie Maple

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is an operational measure of sensorimotor gating and is known to be reduced when the dopamine D² receptor is activated. We used a rodent model of psychosis in which increases in dopamine D_{2 receptor sensitivity are produced through neonatal quinpirole (a dopamine D2 / D3 agonist) treatment to rats. Rats were administered quinpirole (1mg/kg) or saline from postnatal day (P) 1-21. Rats were raised to adulthood and tested on PPI. Results showed that neonatal quinpirole treatment produced a significant reduction in PPI, and nicotine exacerbated this reduction. This reduction was partially blocked by …}

Nicotine Sensitization In A Rodent Model Of Schizophrenia: A Comparison Of Adolescents, Adults, And Neurotrophic Factors., Marla Kay Perna

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The behavioral effects of nicotine on locomotor activity in a rodent model of psychosis were analyzed. This model is based on neonatal quinpriole treatment (a dopamine D2/D3 agonist) which causes increased D2 receptor sensitivity, a phenomenon known as D2 priming that is common in schizophrenia. D2-primed adolescent rats did not demonstrate nicotine-induced hypoactivity early in training, and males demonstrated more rapid sensitization to nicotine as compared to controls administered nicotine. D2-primed females administered nicotine demonstrated increased stereotypic behavior. D2-primed adult rats given nicotine demonstrated significantly more robust sensitization to nicotine than controls given nicotine. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was analyzed …

Bronchioalveolar Carcinoma In Jefferson And Mccracken Counties, Kentucky: Gender Differences In Survival., Jasneet Aneja

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bronchioalveolar carcinoma (BAC), a rare lung cancer, is more common in women, has a high proportion of non-smokers, and better survival, especially in women, than other lung cancers. Study subjects were 83 BAC patients from two Kentucky counties. Mean survival differences were compared by selected variables. The results showed better survival for females (6.5 years) than males (3.0 years, p-value 0.02); for urban (4.3 years) compared to rural residents (2.6 years, p-value 0.04); and for females with history of hysterectomy (5.1 years) compared to females without such history (3.3 years, p-value 0.02); the last finding supports a hormonal role in …

Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms And Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (Cisd) In Emergency Medical Services (Ems) Personnel., Ginger Lee Woods

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

EMS personnel were examined for Post Traumatic Stress symptoms and the usefulness of Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) using the Los Angeles Symptom Checklist (LASC) and a demographics questionnaire. This study revealed that women in this group show higher PTSD symptoms than male coworkers. Level of Training (LOT) of the EMS provider did not demonstrate a significant difference in whether a provider developed PTSD. EMS personnel receiving debriefing actually suffered greater levels of PTSD than those that did not receive debriefing. And 16% of EMS providers in this study suffered from PTSD, while approximately 20% suffered from partial PTSD or …

Temperament And Early Communication In Premature Children., Nina King

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Premature children are at greater risk for developing communication delays than full-term children, although it is not inevitable. Recent research links specific temperament characteristics to early language development. Thus, temperament may provide a way to identify premature children who are at increased risk. The first purpose of this study was to determine if temperament characteristics of premature children are the same as full-term children when measured by the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised. The second purpose was to determine if temperament and language acquisition, as measured by the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory: Words and Gestures, are linked in premature infants …

Wellness Program Effect On The Health Parameters Of Female Employees Aged 25 To 60 Years Of Age Targeting Physical Activity And Nutrition Therapy., Adrienne J. Poag

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine if the health parameters of female employees would improve, as measured in the posttest data, following the completion of a 12-week employee wellness program. The participants included 17 female employees from the Carter County Health Department located in Elizabethton, Tennessee. The principle investigator assessed the changes in the pretests and posttests and analyzed the data using SPSS. The results showed on average an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption and in the number of days exercised per week as well as improved diastolic blood pressure and triglyceride levels. The employees who experienced …

Studies On A 50s Ribosomal Precursor Particle As A Substrate For Erm E Methyltransferase Enzyme In Staphylococcus Aureus ., Indira Pokkunuri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that inhibits not only mRNA translation but also 50S ribosomal subunit assembly in bacterial cells. An important mechanism of erythromycin resistance is the methylation of 23S rRNA by erm methyl transferase enzymes. We are interested in investigating the true substrate for methylation because it is known from our work and the work of others that fully assembled 50S subunits are not substrates for methylation. We have published a model for 50S ribosomal subunit formation where, the precursor particle that accumulates in erythromycin treated cells is a target for methyl transferase activity. Current studies are aimed …

Trabecular Calcium Phosphate Scaffolds For Bone Regeneration, Mark Ryan Appleford

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Bone tissue engineering represents a strategy for the repair or regeneration of damaged bone in the body. The science underlying this clinical therapy bridges the traditional fields of cell biology, materials science and mechanical engineering with the aim to identify how cells behave on physiologically relevant materials with natural mechanical stimuli. The objectives of this research were to develop and characterize calcium phosphate ceramic scaffolds matched to the local architecture of natural trabecular bone and to apply tissue engineering strategies for the study of cell behavior in both in vitro and in vivo models.The specific role of environment on cell …

Depth And Size Limits For The Visibility Of Veins Using The Veinviewer Imaging System, Soujanya Ganesh

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Administration of fluids or medication and blood draw procedures require the nurse or the phlebotomist to access the veins in patients at hospitals or phlebotomy centers. It is important to minimize the discomfort associated with sticking needles in the patient more than once and most often, necessary to find an appropriate vein within few minutes. However, problems involved in accessing veins in pediatric and obese patients make it very difficult to perform a successful stick in a short time. The VeinViewer Imaging System is an infrared imaging device that provides the nurses and phlebotomists a means for locating veins in …

The Effects Of Child Sexual Abuse And Posttraumatic Stress On Levels Of Self-Efficacy, Lary L. Anderson

Graduate Theses

Sexually abused children often develop posttraumatic stress disorder, a distressing and potentially debilitating condition that renders children to feelings of helplessness. Past studies have explored these effects in adults concerning sexual abuse, health issues, war, and natural disaster but not much research has been done for children. This study examined childhood sexual abuse, PTSD, and the relation that exists with self-efficacy. Thirty-nine children, 7 males and 32 females, participated in the study. The ages ranged from age eight through age eighteen, with a mean age of 12.5. Each participant was tested for levels of PTSD, using the Trauma Check list …

An Analysis Of Providers' Practices Regarding Smoking Cessation, Laurie Fowler

MSN Research Projects

Clinical guidelines are the basis of any primary care setting. They were developed in order to give the healthcare provider access to information regarding screening, assistance, and management of certain ailments. Smoking cessation education is among the many clinical guidelines. Smoking is also among the modifiable risk factors for many diseases, including heart disease and cancer. A nonexperimental, ex post facto chart review was used to evaluate if healthcare professionals provided and documented smoking cessation education. A random sample o f (N=200) patients’ charts were selected at a clinic site in Northeast Mississippi. The purpose o f the study was …

Biochemical And Functional Characterization Of The Tapasin/Erp57 Conjugate, David Ryan Peaper

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Recognition of MHC class I/peptide complexes is required for the generation of CD8+ T cell responses. Peptide loading onto MHC class I/beta2m dimers occurs in the ER and involves both specific proteins and cellular chaperones. Tapasin is essential for peptide loading onto most MHC class I alleles, and it forms a mixed disulfide with the glycoprotein specific oxidoreductase ERp57. I have characterized the biochemical requirements for tapasin/ERp57 conjugate formation and addressed potential functions for ERp57 in peptide loading. Tapasin specifically recruits ERp57 into a mixed disulfide at the expense of free ERp57 in the ER. Other components of the MHC …

The Lived Experience Of Wives And Husbands With Coronary Heart Disease, Patricia A. Bradley Phd

Dissertations

The purpose of this feminist hermeneutic study was to discover the meaning of living in the community with a husband who has coronary heart disease (CHD). Ten women, aged 47-74 who were married from 4 to 55 years, participated in unstructured face to face interviews. The women were interviewed 6 to 18 months after their husbands were diagnosed with medically or surgically treated CHD. Audio recorded transcribed interview data were analyzed to identify the essential themes and sub-themes. Texts were interpreted guided by hermeneutic phenomenology (Gadamer 1960/1989; 1976) and van Manen's (1990) research activities. A feminist lens was applied to …

Transition To Nursing Home Of Korean-American Elders, Myungja Kim Hahm Phd

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore factors affecting Korean-American (KA) elders during the transition to nursing homes in the first month following admission. The three aims of this proposed study were (1) to explore culture specific factors that affect KA elders' perspectives during the transitional period to a nursing home, (2) to identify thoughts and feelings of KA elders about their admission into a nursing home, (3) to describe the adjustment process associated with admission to a nursing home. A grounded theory design was utilized to explore KA elders' perceptions/experiences associated with adjustment to a nursing home. Open-ended, …

Developing A Pharmacy Professional Elective Course: Underserved Populations, Courtney Ann Hedrick

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Objectives. To ascertain the current curriculum exposure, knowledge, and interest in medically underserved populations of 3rd and 4th year professional pharmacy students enrolled at Butler University. Methods. An eleven item survey was designed, involving multiple choice, Likert scale, and open response questions. The survey was administered through the web-based survey software company, Survey Monkey, utilizing the Butler College of Pharmacy and health Sciences email listserv to all P3 and p4 students. Results. P3 and P4 students showed a high degree of interest in taking a professional elective focusing on medically underserved populations. Many of these students also felt the current …

Cephalometric Evaluation Of One-Phase And Two-Phase Treatment Alternatives In Matched Class Ii Subjects, Fredrick Jerome Burr

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

“Early” or two-phase orthodontic treatment of Class II malocclusions is a highly debated topic in the orthodontic literature. We report here on a retrospective cephalometric study of patients with Class II, division 1 malocclusions. One group consisted of 32 consecutively treated patients who received “early” treatment with a Fränkel II appliance followed by treatment with full fixed appliance. These subjects were “matched” by sex and cephalometric value, to a subject treated with standard edgewise appliances in a single phase. Matching criteria focused on the bony facial characteristics, notably ANB, NAP, Y Axis, AOBO, FMA, overjet, and overbite. The question was …

Evaluation Of Osseointegration Between Two Different Modalities Of Hydroxyapatite Implant Surface Coatings: Plasma Sprayed Ha Coated Implants And Electrophoresis Deposited Nano Ha Coated Implants, Audrey Marie Selecman

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the osseointegration between plasma sprayed (PS) hydroxyapatite (HA) coated implants and electrophoresis deposited (EPD) nano hydroxyapatite coated implants in an animal model. The quantity of osseointegration was inferred by interfacial strength and percent tissue-contact length.Materials and Methods: Thirty-six cylindrical implants (18 PS and 18 EPD) were placed into dog mandibles. Nine implants from each group were evaluated with pull out testing and histological studies at 12 weeks after implantation. The remaining implants were occlusally loaded for 9 months and then evaluated by pull out testing and histological studies.Results: Twelve weeks after …

Quantitative Analysis Of First- Versus Second-Premolar Extraction Effects In Orthodontic Treatment, Robert A. Turner

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Malocclusions can involve arch-size tooth-size discrepancies that have to be resolved by premolar extractions. Treatment planning in such cases usually involves removing first (P1) or second premolars (P2). Choosing an extraction pattern is a learned skill that incorporates many diagnostic factors. This study compared the amounts of in-treatment tooth movement in two common extraction patterns (4/4 and 5/5) in order to gain insight into the criteria used for differential diagnosis and treatment planning. Objective: A method of cast analysis was developed to measure the anteroposterior and transverse changes in tooth positions during orthodontic treatment. Data were used (1) to …

Memory T Cells And The Endothelium In Allograft Rejection, Stephen Lawrence Shiao

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Organ transplantation has become increasingly important as a treatment for many human diseases. Despite the dramatic improvements in immunosuppression in recent years, acute and chronic rejection remain significant problems. It has become increasingly evident that the presence of T cell memory correlates with both acute and chronic rejection episodes. Endothelial cells (EC) have been shown to preferentially activate memory T cells and, as the lining of every transplanted organ, they are in a unique position to provide signals to alloreactive memory T cells. EC activation of memory T cells depends in part on the costimulatory molecule LFA-3 in addition to …

Implementing Partially Effective Hiv Prevention Programs: Changes In Sexual Risk Behavior And Epidemic Impact In Sub-Saharan Africa, Kyeen Mesesan

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

While there is no magic bullet that can completely prevent HIV transmission and halt the HIV/AIDS pandemic, governments and policy makers have an array of partially-effective HIV prevention programs from which to choose, including the use of existing interventions (e.g. education and condom use) and technologies under development (e.g. microbicides and vaccines). Complex decisions regarding if, when, and how to implement various programs with partial efficacy must be made, often in the absence of data on program outcomes. Additionally, the quantitative tradeoff between program-related decreases in HIV transmission and the effects of risk behavior change is often unknown. The potential …

Parental Perceptions Of The Management Of Childern With Type 1 Diabetes At School: A Broader Perspective, Claudia Wilde

Master's Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine parental perceptions related to the care and management of children with Type 1 diabetes at school. Parents of elementary and middle school-age children with Type 1 diabetes completed a survey questionnaire, which included one open-ended question. The questionnaire was developed by the researchers based on original questionnaires by Nabors, Lehmkuhl, Christos, and Andreone (2003) and Lewis, Powers, Goodenough and Poth (2003 ). Permission to use and modify the questionnaires was provided by Nabors and Poth. Results from this study showed a split in parental satisfaction regarding care provided by school personnel in …

Pharmacy Security: A Survey On Pharmacists' Perceptions And And Preparedness To Handle Prescription Fraud And Pharmacy Robbery, Amy Nicole Lenell

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Objective: To evaluate the perceptions of the community pharmacist with respect to prescription fraud and pharmacy robbery as well as their preparedness to handle such situations, with the intent to assess the need for a continuing education program on this topic. Methods: A survey was sent to licensed Indiana pharmacists using a listserv provided by Butler University. Only data from pharmacists currently practicing in the community (retail) setting was accepted and analyzed. The survey includes questions regarding prescription fraud, pharmacy robbery, security measures and demographics. Results: Of 1000 surveys sent, 80 surveys were returned, 47 met selection criteria, and 43 …

Effect Of Polishing Brushes On Dental Composite Resins, Robert Shun-I Wang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

PURPOSE: The effectiveness of many commercially available composite finishing and polishing devices have been studied and compared. However, no studies have directly compared the effectiveness among the polishing brushes. This study set out to (1) investigate the surface roughness reduction and gloss value increase of two universal dental composites polished by three polishing brushes and two well-studied finishing and polishing systems, and (2) to evaluate resulting surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

METHODS: 10 specimens were fabricated for each of five polishing groups for both composite resins, one microhybrid (Herculite XRV) and one nanofilled composite (Filtek Supreme Plus). Each …

Biochemical Characteristics Of Inconsistent Free T₄ Assays, Kristofer S. Fritz

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Serum levels of free thyroxine (T₄) are helpful in the clinical evaluation of patients who are suspected of having thyroid disease, since free T₄ (unbound) is known to closely relate to hyper, eu and hypothyroidism. There are documented inconsistencies among commercially available direct free thyroxine immunoassays. The biochemical basis for these inconsistencies is not understood and has not been characterized. Direct free T₄ measurements have been linked to both T₄-binding serum protein concentrations and protein-bound T₄ concentrations. A free T₄ reference method using direct equilibrium dialysis radioimmunoassay has been well characterized. New …

The Effect Of Radiation And Repeated Sub-Culturing On Tgf-Β1 Signaling In Frtl-5 Cells, Cheryl G. Burrell

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

From our ongoing in vitro studies using the Fisher Rat Thyroid cell line-5 (FRTL-5) we recorded accelerated growth, reduced follicularization and reduction in thyroxin release that occurred as the cells were repeatedly sub-cultured. We also recorded that these changes occurred earlier and more rapidly following radiation exposure. We determined that TGF-β1 production increased under both conditions. We hypothesized that alteration in the TGF-β1 signaling pathway contributed to the changes observed in the cellular properties of FRTL-5 cells. Our objective was to examine some of the players in the TGF-β1 signaling pathway to determine whether radiation and/or repeated subculturing promoted changes …

Reproducibility Of Two Non-Consecutive Scans Using A Newtom 3g; In Vitro Model, Hyoung Jin Park

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of mineral density measurement expressed in Hounsfield Units (HU) using a phantom device with known mineral densities and the NewTom 3G Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT).

Materials and Methods: A phantom device made of 21 HA cylindrical disks with known densities was fabricated. The phantom was scanned in 6, 9, and 12 inch fields of view using a NewTom 3G CBCT. The scans were repeated at non-consecutive sessions. Volumetric data in each of the scans were formatted to DICOM images. HU values of the regions of interest were retrieved …

Radiation-Induced Increases In Pkc Modulate Integrin Expression And Contribute To Fibrotic Changes, Pinal Rushikesh Pandya

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The sequences of events in fibrosis are similar to those in wound healing; however, the normal termination and resolution stages do not take place. The initial cellular response following ionizing radiation involves accumulation of the ECM (extracellular matrix) including collagen, fibronectin and the interaction of many growth factors (cytokines) with their receptors. There are a number of unanswered questions regarding many aspects of radiation-induced fibrosis, including the initial triggers and physical changes that initiate the process. We have confirmed that elevated pKC and other cellular changes following radiation are similar to those found at sites of inflammation. This information leads …

Detoxification Of Lipopolysaccharide By Endodontic Sealers, Dominic Côté

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulpal and periapical diseases. Several studies have evaluated the ability of various medicaments and irrigants used during root canal therapy to chemically detoxify LPS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of some endodontic sealers to detoxify LPS. This investigation compared the quantities of TNF-α released by human monocytes exposed to LPS or LPS pre-treated with sealers. The sealers tested were: Pulp Canal Sealer EWT (PCS), AH Plus (AH), and Sealapex (SA). Ca(OH)₂ and water (H2O) were respectively used as the positive and negative control materials. …

Maturational Changes In Cerebrovascular Thick- And Thin-Filament Regulation, Renan Joel Sandoval

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The present study focused on the main hypothesis that age-related changes in myofilament Ca²⁺ sensitivity involve simultaneous changes in the relations between cytosolic Ca²⁺ transients, myosin phosphorylation, and force development. To define the effects of late fetal and early postnatal maturation, parallel experiments were carried out using cerebral arteries from both term lamb fetuses (140-141 days of gestation) and nonpregnant adult sheep. Fetal and adult cerebral arteries were stimulated by either mechanically, electromechanically, and/or pharmacomechanically-induced contractions, and the relations of cytosolic Ca²⁺, MLC phosphorylation, and contractile tensions were measured. These measurements allowed for stimulus and age-dependent …

Iron Dysregulation And Inflammation In Alzheimer’S Disease, Shino D. Magaki

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of senile dementia in the US and worldwide but the causes of its pathogenesis are currently unknown. In this study, we examined two processes that have been implicated in the early stages of AD and other forms of neurodegeneration, iron dysregulation and inflammation, both of which can promote the increased production of amyloid precursor protein (APP). We have measured different pools of brain iron in transgenic iron regulatory protein 2 knockout (IRP2-/-) mice in the early stages of neurodegeneration and in affected brain regions from AD patients at different stages of the …