Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Prevalence Of Asymptomatic Chlamydia In Pregnancy, Cynthia Mcalpin

MSN Research Projects

Chlamydia has become the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the United States. Most infected women are asymptomatic carriers of the infection. Chlamydia is not a reportable disease in the State of Mississippi. Therefore, no data are available regarding the magnitude of infection in Northeast Mississippi. The purpose of this study was to identify asymptomatic chlamydial infections in pregnant women attending a midwifery clinic in Northeast Mississippi. The Neuman Systems Model identifying levels of prevention was utilized as the theoretical framework. The research questions guiding the study were what percentage of pregnant women are asymptomatic and what are the clinical, …

The Isolation And Identification Of Polyphenolics From Grape Seeds And Their Activity Towards Specific Cell Lines, Joseph A. Reddy

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Grape seed extract is being marketed in France for cardiovascular use and skin care. The active constituents of both these drugs are certain polyphenols called procyanidins. A similar seed extract has now been obtained from Virginia Chardonnay grape seeds. Ten of the major components in this extract have been isolated in their pure form by the semi-preparative HPLC separation on a YMC ODS-AQ (Octadecylsilane-AQ) column. The ODS-Aq column has been shown to have a better resolving capacity compared to the Spherisorb ODS (Octadecylsilane) column previously described in the literature. This has been attributed to the ODSAQ support which has both …

Dependency Autonomy Stress And Depression: A Test Of An Interactive Model, Kathryn Kern Drury

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Two diathesis-stress models were used to predict depression. The additive model combined dependency and autonomy (dependency-autonomy) as the diathesis and also combined dependent and autonomous hassles or life events as stressors. The congruent model used either dependency and dependent stressors or autonomy and autonomous stressors. Ninety-seven female and 42 male undergraduate students completed self-report measures of dependency and autonomy, hassles and life events, and depression at three testing sessions one week apart. Hierarchical multiple regressions — with prior depression entered first and followed by dependency and/or autonomy, stress, and their interaction — indicated that additive models with a significant interaction …

Evaluation Of The Gross Anatomy Seasonal Changes Function And Histology Of The Perineal Gland In The Hispid Cotton Rat, Sigmodon Hispidus, Julie Anne Winchell

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The perinea! gland in the hispid cotton rat, Sigmodon hispidus, is a seasonally cyclic, subcutaneously located organ which is associated with the reproductive system. On gross dissection, the gland possesses a strong attachment to the penis with only loose fascia! connections to the rectum and surrounding muscle and skin. Histologic exam confirms this connection to the reproductive tract and shows the organ to be a compound tubuloacinar gland with a projection leading into the penis. The cyclic hypertrophy and regression of the gland closely parallels that of the testes and seminal vesicles indicating that this cyclicity may be under …

Interleukin 1-Beta In Symptomatic And Asymptomatic Human Periradicular Lesions, Gerald C. Lim

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Interleukin 1-Beta has been shown to be a potent mediator of bone resorption and has been implicated in resorption in periradicular lesions. In this study we compared the local concentrations of IL-1β in symptomatic and asymptomatic human periradicular lesions. Periradicular tissues from patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic lesions were obtained and stored at -70°C. Pulpal tissues from unerupted third molars and chronically inflamed gingival tissues were also obtained and used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Tissue samples were homogenized, and supernatants were assayed for IL-1β by ELISA. Significantly higher levels of IL-1β were found in symptomatic and asymptomatic lesions …

Attitudes Of Nursing Personnel Toward Behaviors Of Cognitively Impaired Elders In Long-Term Care Facilities, Janice M. Cooper

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore the attitudes of nursing personnel toward the behaviors of cognitively impaired elders in L.T.C.F.'s in a rural southeastern state.

Attitudes Of Virginia Dental Hygienists Towards Issues Relevant To The Independent Practice Of Dental Hygiene, Linda Hawkins Mccain

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

Adequate studies have not been conducted to assess the attitudes of dental hygienists toward independent practice of dental hygiene. The purpose of this study was to investigate these attitudes. The method of investigation was a survey questionnaire designed by the principle investigator. The research results indicated weak support for the independent practice of dental hygiene. The support for general supervision of hygienists in Virginia and the desire to be allowed to practice in nontraditional settings was stronger. There was reported a very strong opposition to preceptorship in dental hygiene. The majority of Virginia dental hygienists agreed that they were educationally …

A Comparison Of Ambient And Hearing Aid Output Noise Levels In Industrial And Non-Industrial Settings, Jody Lynn O'Connor

Dissertations and Theses

Federal regulations specify that an employee working for eight hours cannot legally be exposed to noise which has a time-weighted average greater than 90 decibels on the A scale. The industrial workforce is comprised of not only people with normal hearing acuity, but of individuals who suffer from hearing loss. While current noise regulation standards are deemed appropriate for those with normal hearing, it is difficult to apply these standards to persons wearing hearing aids on the job. The ambient, or unamplified, noise levels that fall below the maximum permitted by OSHA standards may very well be amplified to levels …

Signal Processing With Neural Networks, Pero Smrzlic

Masters Theses

In this study, we introduce the Adaptive Back Propagation (ABP) learning algorithm, computationally superior to the standard Back Propagation. The ABP is based on the new activation function, with its corresponding adaptive learning parameter. By using the combination of computer simulations and analysis in the domain of activation function, the Method of One Hidden layer was developed for the effective utilization of units in one-hidden layer networks. A parallel version of the ABP was designed and implemented on a nCUBE-2 supercomputer with 128 processors.

The simulation results suggested a strong correlation between frequency of signals and the role of hidden …

A Study Of Crown And Root Angulation On Maxillary First And Second Bicuspids, Craig A. Chamberlain

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Pre-adjusted bracket systems offer the clinician the convenience of working with both fewer in number and smaller in magnitude adjustments of an archwire. The purpose of this in vitro study was to examine the normal variations in crown angulation of individual maxillary bicuspids, in a simulated flat plane of occlusion, and how this relates to marginal ridge discrepancies. A second purpose of this study was to examine these same teeth for the angulations of the roots. Fifty maxillary first bicuspids and thirty eight second bicuspids from the Loma Linda University Dental School restorative dentistry department were, in a flat plane …

Caffeine And Nicotine : A Review Of Their Combined Use, Interactive Effects And The Impact Of Caffeine Abstinence On Tobacco Cessation And Withdrawal, John A. Swanson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

There is good epidemiologic support to suggest a strong significant relationship between coffee consumption and smoking. In six epidemiological studies reviewed and analyzed, 86.4% of smokers consumed coffee versus 77.2% of nonsmokers. Seventeen experimental studies suggest that the phannacologic effect of caffeine in coffee may be partially but not totally responsible for the relationship. The behavioral relationship appears to be supported by conditioning, a reciprocal interaction (caffeine intake increases anxiety/arousal - nicotine decreases it), and combined effects of third variables (e.g., stress, alcohol).

In abstinent smokers, caffeine plasma levels increase, remain elevated for as long as six months and may …

Suppressive Effects Of Transforming Factor-Β And Interleukin-10 On The Cytolytic Activity Of Murine Macrophages And Reversal By Cytokines, Chin-Hung Lin

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

In this study, the suppressive effects of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) on peritoneal macrophage killing of H238 target cells and the potential for reversal of the immunosuppressive effect by IL-4 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were investigated. The responsiveness of naive and peptone-activated macrophages was compared. The cytolytic activity for tumor cells of these effector cells was measured by percent lysis of ³H-thymidine labeled Herpes simplex virus type 2-transformed tumor cells (H238). After 18-24 hours of incubation with TGF-β or IL-10, the cytolytic activity of macro-medium alone. The immunosuppressive effect of TGF-β or IL-10 on non-activated macrophages was …

Soft Tissue Changes Of The Lower Lip Following Isolated Mandibular Advancement Osteotomies, Ronald Roy A. Simus

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the soft tissue changes that occur following isolated mandibular advancement surgery. A sample of 70 non-growing patients were examined by tracing pre and post-operative radiographs. Then various landmarks were chosen and hand measured to determine hard and soft tissue changes. Significant correlations were found for many of the horizontal and vertical tissue landmarks and weaker correlations for all other landmarks. The decrease in the interlabial gap and the angular changes in the lower lip reflect the direction of surgical movement. The data from this study supports previous studies of smaller sample sizes …

Thymic Peptide Modulates Glutathione Redox Cycle And Antioxidant Enzymes In Macrophages, Choon Sil Park

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The effect of a 6-kDa thymic peptide (TP) on the oxidative burst of a murine macrophage cell line J774 was determined. TP (12.5-200 μg/ml) was incubated with 5 x 10⁵ J774 cells at 37° C and 5% C0₂ for 18 h and oxidative burst was triggered by zymosan; chemiluminescence was amplified by luminol and measured in an automated luminometer. TP exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibition of oxidative burst. To study the mechanisms involved in TP’s inhibition of oxidative burst, its effect on the glutathione (GSH) redox cycle, GSH biosynthesis, and antioxidant enzymes was investigated. TP was shown to increase …

An Evaluation Of Surface Enamel Damage Following The Debonding Of Ceramic Brackets : A Follow-Up Study, C. Steven Edney

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Surface enamel damage was evaluated after debonding ceramic brackets on forty-four bicuspid teeth. These teeth had been previously bonded with two different types of ceramic brackets. One of the brackets utilized a mechanical base for retention and the other bracket utilized a polycarbonate base for retention. The brackets were bonded to the respective teeth for a total of seven to ten days. After debonding, the teeth were extracted and evaluated with a scanning electron microscope. A metal bracket SEM scan was used for a control. The study concluded that: 1) all brackets alter the surface enamel, 2) metal brackets cause …

Assessment Of The Accuracy Of Three Methods Of Computerized Growth Prediction Of The Soft Tissue Profile, In Untreated Individuals, Pat Diciccio

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study was performed to determine the accuracy and reliability of the long range growth predictions for profile structures by three computer software systems (QuickCeph™ for Apple Macintosh™ systems. Rocky Mountain Data Systems™ for IBM™ mainframe systems, and Facial Print™ for IBM™ personal computers), on untreated individuals. The total sample consisted of 90 Caucasian children from the Burlington Growth Centre. These were subdivided into groups of 15 children in each of mesiofacial, dolichofacial, and brachyfacial growth types for both males and females, with Angle class I occlusions, normal overbite, and normal overjet. Points measured consisted of 14 skeletal and soft …

Evaluation Of Trismus Associated With Mandibular Fractures As It Relates To The Need For Direct Laryngoscopy And Intubation : A Prospective Study, Stephen T. Goei

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Trismus associated with mandibular fractures is thought to increase the risks of general anesthesia. Nasotracheal intubation is necessary since the dental arches will be occluded at the end of the procedure. To establish an airway, an awake nasal intubation or fiberoptic endoscopy is required if direct laryngoscopy cannot be performed due to trismus. A prospective analysis of fifty-one patients with various types of mandibular fractures indicated that trismus was for the most part due to two factors, pain induced guarding and infection. In this series, direct laryngoscopy was easily performed after induction and paralyzation in cases without infection. Direct laryngoscopy …

The Impact Of A Primary Health Care Training Program On Morbidity In Kiyeyi, Rural Uganda, 1986-1991 : An Evaluation Of The Uganda-Finland Health Care Program, Marja-Leena Salin

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study examines the effects of primary health care education efforts in reducing the disease case rates of acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea, malnutrition and measles in a rural Ugandan population between 1986 and 1991.

The intervention, a health education program offered by the Kiyeyi Health Center staff, consisted of a 12-week intensive training for community health workers and traditional birth attendants. Follow-up and supervision took place at regular intervals and continuing education was arranged every other year. Beginning in 1986, this training program was introduced in the first of seven clusters of villages, then expanded successively on an annual basis …

A Non-Human Primate Model For Evaluating A Fenestration Corticotomy Technique, Philip G. M. Khng

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

A study model has been designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a new fenestration corticotomy procedure in two non-human primates Macaca fasicularis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new conservative corticotomy procedure to facilitate dental translation using fenestrations. This pilot study compared treatment and control quadrants of each individual animal's maxilla and mandible with both having the same retraction appliance and force on the 2nd premolar following extraction of the 1st molars. The null hypothesis stated that there was no significant statistical difference between the new conservative corticotomy procedure (fenestrations) when compared with …

Compliance Documentation For Osha's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard Including Exposure Control Plan And Training, Edward Lloyd Tyerman

Theses

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) regulation on Bloodborne Pathogens is in full effect since its introduction on December, 1991. This standard mandates that every company whose workers may expect to come into contact with human blood, or other body fluids, during the course of their work develop an Exposure Control Plan, train employees about Bloodborne Pathogens and establish work practice controls. All hospitals, physician and dental offices, ambulance companies, emergency medical technicians, medical laboratories, fire departments, and sites with their own first aid and response teams must comply with the standard.

Bloodborne pathogens include, among others, the human …

Modern Techniques Used To Improve A Hearing Conservation Program In A Power Generating Plant, Eilyn Fabregas

Theses

A noise survey was conducted on the pump floor of a power generating plant, which included measuring noise levels at 261 areas of the floor (6,000 square feet) and the employees' noise doses, or 8-hour time-weighted average (TWAs). The noise levels of the 261 areas were recorded using a Sound Level Meter, and the noise doses (i.e., TWAs) were measured using a noise Dosimeter. It was found that both noise levels and TWAs were higher than the OSHA's permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 90 dBA and the action level of 85 dBA. According to the data gathered, it was determined …

Laboratory Health And Safety Compliance Guide For Private Colleges And Universities, Gina Marie Ochs

Theses

Academic laboratories are presented with the unique challenge of ensuring the health and safety of all people involved in daily activities. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently enacted the regulation 29 CFR 1910.1450, "Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories," which applies to all private employers (including colleges and universities). In this work, a guide is developed to assist private colleges and universities comply with applicable governmental regulations and to ensure the health and safety of all individuals involved with laboratory activities.

Academic laboratories warrant special consideration because of the nature of experimentation (variation in research and classroom …

Reducing Health And Safety Risks By Replacing Compressed Air With An Electromechanical System, Joseph Michael Schwed

Theses

The continuous use of compressed air in many applications can often be expensive and very noisy. When compressed air is blowing freely from a nozzle, it can be used in a variety of processes. One of these is checking for the presence of a product inside a box.

In the manufacturing field, a facility has been using compressed air as a quality assurance inspector, to make certain that products are shipped properly. As the products go by on a conveyor, two employees must insert them into a carton as it is transferred to another conveyor. If an employee does not …

The Effects Of Altered Circadian Neuroendocrine Rhythms On Immune Function, Lalania Schexnayder

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Diet And Colon Cancer Risk In The Population Of Thailand, Nithat Sirichotiratana

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Epidemiological studies have emphasized environmental influences, especially a diet high in animal fat and low in fiber, as major risk factors for colon cancer. In order to examine the relationship between dietary fat and fiber and occurrence of colon cancer, patient medical records from the National Cancer Institute between 1981-1991 were used for the first hospital-based case-control study of diet and colon cancer in Thailand. These records included a total of 168 cases and 357 controls. Data on the frequency consumption of various food items were obtained by using an existing food frequency questionnaire, completed as part of patient’s history …

Validation Of The Rapid Speech Transmission Index (Rasti) In A Classroom Environment, Jeffery Larsen

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Because the acoustics of a room have a substantial impact on speech intelligibility, researchers have tried over the years to develop the most effective way to evaluate the effects of the acoustic environment on speech intelligibility. Both subjective and objective measures of speech intelligibility have been devised. For the purposes of this study, subjective measures are those in which a speech recognition test is given to a group of subjects whose scores provide a direct indication of speech intelligibility at each position in the listening environment {Steeneken & Houtgast, 1980). Objective measures are those that determine the acoustic factors that …

Functional Outcomes Of Workman's Compensation Patients With Sub-Acute Mechanical Low Back Pain: A Descriptive Retrospective Study With Post-Treatment Follow-Up, Dan Peterson, Kirk Randall, Rex Holden

Masters Theses

This study used functional outcomes of workman's compensation (WC) patients with low back pain (LBP) to examine the efficacy of physical therapy (PT) treatments within a Functional Restoration Program (FRP). Of the 46 possible participants, 16 patients (10 males and 6 females) with mean ages of 43.2 and 39 years respectively, returned the questionnaire with information pertaining to current working status, patient preferred treatments, management of pain, psychosocial issues, work simulation, home exercise program compliance and back care education among others. Due to the pausity of subjects, the data is not clinically applicable. However, the results of this study appear …

Isokinetic Measurement Of Sagittal Plane Trunk Strength In Older Adults, Ralph L. Bidwell, Jill E. Thauvette, Patrick A. Townshend

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to collect normal flexion and extension trunk strength values for a population of individuals between the ages of 50 and 70 years of age. Twelve female and eight male volunteers in generally good health were tested in a seated position using a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. Each performed five reciprocal maximal efforts of concentric flexion-extension cycles at the three isokinetic speeds of 60, 120 and 180{dollar}\sp\circ{dollar}/s. Raw and body weight adjusted data for peak torque and total work were analyzed. Results suggest strength decreases with age and that extension strength is greater than flexion strength. …

Effects Of Otitis Media On Language Development In Native Populations: A Review Of The Literature, Monica Malmgren

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

From the time a fetus reaches about 20 weeks gestational age, its auditory system is functioning. Before we are ever born, we are exposed to sounds within our environment. With birth, we begin to interact with, experiment with, and learn to interpret the sounds around us. Before learning to speak, we are bombarded by the sounds of our language. An infant's head is known to perk up at the sound of a voice, a sudden noise, music... all the sounds of the environment, which is evidence that children are aware of the sounds around them before they are ever able …

Human Anatomy Lab - Examination Of The Cranial Nerves, Jeanne Falk

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The peripheral nervous system consists of twelve pairs of cranial nerves, 31 pairs of spinal nerves, and the nerves of the autonomic nervous system. The cranial nerves are the nerves that leave the brain directly. These nerves control various actions and sensations such as sight, smell, .chewing, and swallowing, and will be the focus of this week's lab.

Of the twelve pairs of cranial nerves, two pairs arise from the forebrain, ten pairs arise from the midbrain and brain stem, and all but the Vagus nerve innervates the structures in the head and neck. Each cranial nerve pair is designated …