Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Cytochemical Evaluation Of Blood-Brain Barrier Sodium, Potassium- And Calcium-Adenosine Triphosphatase Polarity, Panya Steve Manoonkitiwongsa

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is formed by cerebral vascular endothelial cells. Brain ion and fluid homeotasis essential for proper neural functioning is due to the BBB. Sodium-potassium and calcium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-ATPase) serve as one of the main mechanisms controlling brain Na⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺ concentrations. The present accepted concept is that both of these enzymes are localized to the abluminal plasma membrane of endothelial cells although there have been contrary results from some studies. Because of these discrepancies, further work was needed. Various cytochemical procedures …

The Effect Of Systemic Doxycycline On Alveolar Bone Loss Following Periradicular Surgery, G. Reed Cummings

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Studies have shown an average of 0.5 mm to over 1.0 mm of bone loss following full thickness flap reflection. Recent investigations have revealed that the tetracycline family of antibiotics can prevent bone loss. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of systemic Doxycycline on crestal alveolar bone loss following periradicular surgery in Beagle dogs.

The experiment was divided into two phases. The first phase served as the control (Non-Doxycycline), the second phase as the experiment (Doxycycline). Full thickness flaps were reflected in the mandibular left or right quadrant (control side) of five Beagle dogs. Using a …

The Effect Of Root End Demineralization On Cementogenesis : A Long Term Investigation, Hamid R. Abedi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Craig and Harrison¹² examined the effect of demineralization of resected root ends on wound healing following periradicular surgery. Based on its microscopic evaluations from 4-45 days, it was proposed that demineralization of resected root ends enhances cementogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the longer term effects of demineralization on cementogenesis using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) or amalgam as root end filling materials. After completion of root canal therapy and endodontic surgery on seventy-two roots of mandibular second, third and fourth premolars of six beagle dogs, 32/72 of the root ends at random were etched with 50% …

A Cephalometric Study Of The Class Ii Correction Effects Of The Eureka Spring, Ernest L. Stromeyer

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The effect of the Eureka Spring appliance, was investigated on 37 consecutively treated, non compliant, bilateral Class II malocclusions, requiring at least 3 mm or more of additional molar correction. The mean pretreatment age of this sample was 13.9 years. All patients were treated by a single clinician utilizing the Eureka Spring. Lateral cephalographs were taken at start of orthodontic treatment (T1), at insertion of Eureka Springs (T2), and at removal of the Eureka Springs (T3). The average treatment interval between T2 and T3 was 4 months. Class II correction occurred almost entirely by dentoalveolar movement, 33% in the maxilla …

A Pilot Study On The Short Term Effects Of The Herbst Appliance On The Glenoid Fossa, David A. Bennion

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the initial effects of the Herbst appliance and determine through the use of common cephalometric radiographs that were optically enhanced and then digitally reproduced, if fossa migration is taking place. Fourteen, (6 male, 8 female), growing patients were treated by the same clinician for the correction of a Class II malocclusion using a modified Herbst appliance. Pretreatment (T₁) standard lateral cephalometric radiographs and post Herbst treatment (T_H) optically enhanced lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken. All radiographs were digitally captured and reproduced so 6 linear and 1 area …

A Study Of Craniofacial Growth In Infant Heart Transplant Recipients Receiving Cyclosporine, David G. Niles

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Cyclosporine is an effective immunosuppressive drug that has found widespread application in organ transplantation. However, a few studies have implicated cyclosporine as adversely affecting craniofacial growth in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible untoward effects of cyclosporine long-term on craniofacial growth in a group of infant heart transplantation recipients. A prospective group (n=28) of eighteen Caucasian children (9 female and 9 male, ages 4-10 years) and ten Hispanic children (3 female and 7 male, ages 4-10 years) were evaluated. None of the subjects had undergone orthodontic therapy. All subjects had heart transplantation before …

An Investigation Of The Divine Proportion In Varying Facial Types, Gender And Age Groups, Chris A. Coleman

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This retrospective study evaluated the 26 cephalometric measurements which comprise 13 ratios that were purposed by Robert M. Ricketts to be Divine Proportions. The hypothesis that was tested in this study was one that stated that these 13 ratios were not only Divine Proportions, but were constant in all facial types, in both genders and in all stages of growth. In an effort to test this hypothesis, cephalographs were chosen at random from the files of Dr. Ruel Bench, which are currently housed in the Ricketts Research Library at Loma Linda University. Each film tracing was reviewed for accuracy and …

Effect Of Long-Term Hypoxia On Myocardial Alpha1- Receptors, Bihong T. Chen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

To determine the developmental changes in myocardial α₁-adrenergic receptor system, we employed [³H-Prazosin] binding technique to characterize α₁-adrenergic receptors in both fetal and adult sheep myocardial ventricular membrane preparations. Myocardial α₁-adrenergic receptor density (Bmax) declined during developmental process with both fetal left ventricle(LV) and fetal right ventricle(RV) having significantly more binding sites than respective adult ventricles. We also demonstrated that the positive inotropic response to the α₁-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine did not differ significantly between the fetal and adult ventricles.

The present study also investigated the effect of long-term high-altitude hypoxemia …

Cellular Responses In Escherichia Coli To Lethal And Sublethal Doses Of Ozone, Indira Ruth Komanapalli

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Ozone is a major component of photochemical smog. High levels of this pollutant, sufficient to affect human health are found in many urban areas worldwide. Though limited studies in humans are supported by extensive findings from animal experiments, a difficulty in interpreting the results of these experiments has lead to an ambiguity on the biochemical mechanism of ozone toxicity. To elucidate the mechanism by which ozone causes cell damage and eventual cell death we conducted a comprehensive study using Escherichia coli K-12 as a model.

Studies on the comparative inactivation of bacteriophage lambda (λ), Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans …

Study Of The Hiv-1 Gene Regulatory Proteins Tat And Rev By The Two-Hybrid System In Yeast, David Allen Elkins

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Tat and Rev, small proteins encoded by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1), regulate its pattern of gene expression within infected cells. Tat increases transcription from the integrated pro virus by approximately a thousand-fold; Rev effects a shift in the pattern of splicing of the viral mRNA. Both are likely to interact with cellular proteins in executing their respective functions. Tat has additional activities (including neurotoxicity and inhibition of lymphocyte activation) which may be extraneous to its viral functions.

In order to identify cellular proteins interacting with Tat and Rev, the genes for both were cloned into plasmid vectors …

Discharge Outcomes : An Evaluation Of A Functional Index Of Physical Assistance, Jan R. Snell

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between a functional score given to the patient on the day of discharge from an acute setting and the setting to which the patient is discharged. There were 102 subjects (58 female, 44 male) included in the study and their ages ranged from 20 to 91 years (mean age=61.6 years). The following data were collected on all subjects: age, gender, diagnosis, past medical history, duration of hospital stay, duration of physical therapy, reason for discharge, family support, type of insurance, and Physical Assistance Key (PAK) score on …

Reference Serum Chemistry And Hematological Values For Spinal Cord Injured Patients, Michael S. Laymon, Antone L. Davis Ii

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Serum chemistry and hematological values from 220 traumatic spinal cord injured patients (157 male and 63 female between the ages of 15-47, with greater than six months from injury) were compiled via chart review. Traumatic spinal cord injured patient’s reference ranges were determined and compared with the general population reference ranges. Reference ranges within the spinal cord population were compared by age, gender, level of injury and chronicity of injury. The reference ranges determined for all groups within this spinal cord population fall within the reference ranges of the general population. This supports recent research which suggests that a decrease …

The Relationship Of Tooth Size And Arch Form To Arch Depth, Harold C. Avila

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of arch form and tooth size to arch depth measurements of study models (Casts) and their respective lateral cephalometric radiographs (Radiographs) in a population of patients treated to an acceptable occlusion without extraction. One hundred and twenty casts were divided into three tooth size classes within each of four arch form categories. Results showed there was a statistically significant change in the arch depth measurement when tooth size was varied. There was no statistically significant change in the arch depth measurement when arch form was varied. The results showed greater …

A Comparative Study Of The Permanent Deformation Of Aesthetic Polymer Brackets, Samar Bou Assi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to Investigate and compare the plastic or permanent deformation of different commercially available aesthetic polymer brackets (American, Ormco, GAC and RMO). It also examined the effect of tying the bracket wings with a wire ligature as well as the effect of thermocycling on the permanent deformation of these brackets.

Seven brackets of each type were tested In each of the three following conditions; group 1; tied with a wire ligature and loaded, group 2; thermocycled and loaded, and group 3: loaded only, with a total of 84 brackets tested. Each bracket was bonded to …

The Influence Of Low Dietary Fat Intake On Incidence And Severity Of Migraine Headache, Zuzana Bic

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Migraine headaches are a common and debilitating syndrome causing untold suffering and loss of productivity. A review of the literature indicates that there are two primary factors involved in triggering these headaches: high levels of blood lipids and high levels of free fatty acids. Under these conditions platelet aggregability is increased, which is associated with decreases in serotonin and heightened prostaglandins levels. These conditions may produce vasodilation, the most immediate precursor to migraine headache. A high fat diet is one factor that may directly affect this process. This study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of dietary fat intake on …