Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Correlates Of Outcome In Nonaccidental Trauma, Janice Lyanne Enriquez

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Nonaccidental head trauma (NAHT) in infants and children involves intentional injury that is often associated with severe neurological and neuropsychological sequelae. Injuries due to NAHT result in immediate changes in neural function, as evidenced by abnormal biochemical metabolite levels and clinical variables, which are predictive of long-term outcome. Identification of the association between biochemical metabolite levels and clinical variables with long-term outcome of NAHT would permit for an understanding of the types of services that could potentially facilitate recovery or reduce the severity of impairment. Infants and children who sustain such injuries are often excluded from the abuse as well …

Factors Related To Delayed Time For Hiv Care Among Youth Living With Hiv: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Social Support Networks And Access To Care, Patricia L. Jones

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Purpose: This research explored the pattern of influence social support networks had on delayed time between diagnosis and first doctor’s visit after diagnosis of HIV in youth. Results showed that factors related to receiving a referral were prosocial peer behaviors and excessive fibbing in the past 6 months. The study identified sources of social support and described the relationship between the source of support and time of first doctor’s visit after HIV diagnosis. Both descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed on all youth (N=347) and specifically on those seeking care. Methodology: Historical data were extracted from the baseline dataset of …

Eating Behavior And Obesity Risk Of Youth Living In The City Of San Bernardino, California, Carolyn A. Corder

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Adolescents living in the City of San Bernardino, California, are susceptible to health risks due to high rates of violence, suicide, teen pregnancy, and poverty, which place them among the most vulnerable in the Nation to disability, early death, unhealthy offspring, illiteracy, economic disadvantage, and chronic disease. This study analyzed data from the Youth Risk Behavior (YRBS) and local surveys conducted in the City’s Unified School District from 1999 through 2001. The investigators focused on the relationship, if any, of dietary and anthropometric factors to the priority adolescent behaviors targeted for intervention by the Healthy People 2010 objectives: accidental injuries …

Vital Pulp Therapy With Mineral Trioxide Aggregate: An Outcomes Study, Heather H. Lauer

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is used in a variety of endodontic procedures. MTA is proven to provide good marginal adaption to dentin, to be biocompatible, and to stimulate dentin bridge formation through animal studies. These properties make MTA a potentially useful material to be used in vital pulp therapy. Clinical data on the use of MTA as a vital pulp medicament is sparse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of vital pulp therapy using MTA as the pulp medicament. Inclusion criteria for patient selection for recall was based on pulp treatment necessary from carious pulp …

Accuracy Of The Newtom 3g™ In Measuring The Angle Of The Articular Eminence, Rehana Khan

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of the Newtom 3G™ in determining the angulation of the articular eminence. The benefits of conducting this study were to provide additional uses for the standard records that are taken for the purposes of orthodontic treatment, as well as evaluate the Newtom 3G™ for accuracy in measuring the anatomy of the glenoid fossa. This study required 20 participants that volunteered to allow their records to be used. Records evaluated were the Newtom 3G™, impressions, and wax check bite registrations. The wax record was taken using the 'forced bite' technique to …

Ricketts And Steiner Analysis Using Newtom 3g™ Scout Images, James I. Gibson Iii

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

NewTom 3G™ scout images have the general appearance of traditional lateral cephalometric radiographs. The purpose of this research was to determine if Ricketts and Steiner analyses could be accomplished on NewTom 3G™ scout images.

This was a retrospective study comparing the use of NewTom 3G™ scans in DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) format to scout images from 25 consecutive patients of the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry Department of Orthodontics, three of these patients did not meet the inclusion criteria. The DICOM images were used to create controls. The controls and scout images were digitized using QuickCeph™. …

Stability Of The Miniscrew-Bone Interface: Reverse Torque Values In Rabbits, Daniel John Drye

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: Miniscrews are used in orthodontics as practical temporary anchorage devices (TAD's). The purpose of this animal study was to measure reverse torque values for Absoanchor 1.2 mm and Micerium 1.5mm miniscrews at 0, 2, and 12 weeks under loaded and unloaded conditions.

Methods: Ninety-six miniscrews were placed in the femora of twelve rabbits and allowed to heal for either two or twelve weeks. Half of the fixtures were loaded immediately with NiTi open coil springs producing a force of 150-200g and the other half served as unloaded controls. For each of the healing times, two and twelve weeks, …

Mechanisms Of Hbo-Induced Neuroprotection In A Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia Model, John Winter Calvert

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

With an incidence approaching 1/4000 live births and as high as 60% in low birth weight infants, cerebral hypoxia-ischemia during the perinatal period is the single most important cause of acute mortality and chronic disability in newborns. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that following a hypoxic-ischemic insult hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment can restore high energy metabolite levels in the affected regions of the brain and through this increase in energy levels ameliorate the spread of cell death following the insult. We also investigated if an additional mechanism by which HBO affords its neuroprotection is by altering the expression of the …

Dynamic Determinants Of Incisal Display, Shawn Paul Pesh

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The principal objective of this study was to use computer aided design (CAD) to better illustrate and quantify the relationship of mandibular arch depth, mandibular arch width, overbite, and overjet in the presence of mandibular dental crowding. To date, there has been no research examining how changes in the mandibular arch limit the orthodontist's ability to control overbite and overjet. Understanding how to effectively manage overbite and overjet are crucial to the clinician's ability to manipulate incisal display. Polyvinyl siloxane impressions of both maxillary and mandibular arches of a Caucasian patient were taken and used to pour dental stone models. …

Autism And Parental Marital Satisfaction: The Role Of Adequacy Of Resources, Geneeta Kaliah Chambers

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The goal of the present study was to expand on the existing literature exploring families with children who have developmental disabilities, particularly autism. Previous studies have been constrained by univariate approaches that have failed to adequately capture the nuances of family functioning. Using an ecological/context approach, stemming from an ongoing research program conducted within a university-based treatment center, the present study attempted to improve on the conceptualization of interrelationships among family members and the role that contextual factors play within that dynamic. Specifically, the present study explored the influence of children’s level of autism on parents’ reports of their marital …

The Outcome Of Mta As A Root End Filling Material: A Long Term Evaluation, Christopher M. Sechrist

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Periradicular surgery is a viable option to save natural teeth when non-surgical treatment fails or when endodontic retreatment is not feasible or contraindicated. Laboratory and animal studies have demonstrated that MTA is biocompatible, provides an excellent seal against penetrating bacteria, and promotes hard tissue healing. The purpose of this study was to provide long term (>3 years) clinical evidence for its use as a root-end filling material in endodontics. The clinical records of 294 patients who had MTA used during endodontic treatment from 1996 to 2001 were reviewed. From these, 75 patients whose root end cavities had been filled …

Treatment Outcome Of Root Perforations Repaired With Mineral Trioxide Aggregate, Stephen H. Paik

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Root perforations during root canal therapy have a significant negative impact on long-term prognosis of teeth. Proper treatment is critical in managing these accidental procedures. Laboratory and animal studies have demonstrated that Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) is biocompatible, provides an excellent seal against penetrating bacteria, and promotes hard tissue healing. The purpose of this study was to determine the long term treatment outcome of root perforations repaired with MTA.

Ninety-nine records from the Graduate Endodontic Clinic at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry from 1996 to 2001 were reviewed. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were completed. Three independent examiners evaluated digitized …

Isokinetic Knee Strength In Females With Fibromyalgia, Flora F. Shafiee

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Objectives: To compare knee flexors and extensors muscle strength, total work, and power between females with fibromyalgia (FM) and matched healthy controls.

Methods: This is the first study to measure knee muscle power and total work in females with FM. Thirty-one females with FM and thirty-one healthy females completed isokinetic testing of knee flexors and extensors of their dominant leg using a Cybex Norm Isokinetic Dynamometer. Two knee muscle groups (flexors and extensors) at two angular velocities (607sec and 1807sec) were tested for both groups. Both muscle groups were assessed continuously using five reciprocal concentric-concentric cycles, followed by five eccentric-eccentric …

De-Bonding 4 Brands Of Ceramic Brackets With The Waterlase Er,Cr;Ysgg Laser, Carter A. Lane

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if the Biolase Waterlase Er,Cr:YSGG laser could be used as a safe and effective tool to de-bond four currently available orthodontic ceramic brackets. Changes in interpulpal temperature, enamel surface conditions and the amount of time the laser was activated to debond (sic) the ceramic brackets were evaluated. Forty human maxillary premolars were divided into four groups of ten. Prior to direct bonding, all extracted teeth were impressed and duplicated in Araldite epoxy resin as the control surface. Identical techniques were used to bond 10 ceramic brackets from each manufacturer. Three of the …

Magnification In Images Produced By Five Popular Digital Lateral Cephalometric Machines, Gretchen Marie Schnepper

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Modern digital lateral cephalometric images are produced by machines that vary in a number of critical features such as: 1) machine geometry, 2) movement (or lack of movement) of the x-ray source, 3) movement (or lack of movement) or x-ray detectors, 4) cephalostat geometry and 5) digital data manipulations by proprietary software. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the magnification characteristics of images produced by five commercial digital lateral cephalometric machines. These digital image magnification characteristics were then compared with images produced by an analog cephalometric machine. The two goals of this study were to: 1) measure the …

The Impact Of The Chip Program On Depression And Well-Being: A Pilot Study, Carmen Diehl Thieszen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Reliable studies have demonstrated that intensive and comprehensive lifestyle changes can reduce coronary risk, which, in turn, can prevent, postpone, and reverse coronary heart disease (CHD) and affect its underlying atherosclerotic lesions. These well-established studies have focused their interventions on moderating biophysical risk factors. In the past 10 years, however, burgeoning research is supporting the idea that psychological factors, such as depression and well-being, are also important CHD risk factors. Little research has addressed, in a non-subjective way, how an intervention program focused on modifying biophysical risk factors may influence psychological factors. Using the Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form, the Dartmouth …

Validation Of A Serotonin Depletion Checklist In Parkinson’S Disease, Kelly Diane Darby Holder

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The distinctive pathological marker of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the progressive death of neurons that produce dopamine; however, there are also major alterations in the production of quantities of other neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and serotonin that contribute to the signs, symptoms, neuropsychological manifestations of the diseases. PD patients can be divided into classes based on the manifestation of motor symptoms, type A, classified as tremor dominant, and type B PD, classified as akinetic. Type B PD patients, often manifest symptoms in which serotonin deficiency plays an important role, such as frontal cognitive impairments, which often includes a history of …

Laser And Led Effects On The Proliferation Rate Of Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts, Allen J. Job

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of a Gallium Aluminum Arsenide (GaAlAs) diode laser and a light emitting diode (LED) on periodontal ligament fibroblast cell proliferative rates.

METHODS and MATERIALS: PDLF obtained from freshly extracted permanent teeth were cultured under standard conditions until a subconfluent monolayer was present. The next section took 5 days to complete. On day 1, the initial cell concentration of 700 uL/cm² was plated on 96-well assay plates and placed in a CO₂ incubator at 37° C for 24 hours. On day 2, cell counts were first verified using hemocytometry then were irradiated using an …

Effects Of Resistance Training Volume And Variety On Dietary Intake And Mood State In Untrained Subject, Suzette K. Smith

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: While there is research on the effects of aerobic training on various aspects of mood state and nutrient intake, little is known of the effect of resistance training on these variables.

Purpose: To examine the effects of resistance training (RT) volume and variety on total energy (kcal) and macronutrient intake, and mood states in a healthy, untrained population.

Method:The investigation was part of a prospective experimental study examining the effects of three RT protocols on body composition and strength. An initial 102, healthy, untrained male and female participants, ages 20-40, were recruited, and randomized into one of three …

The Effect Of Pre-Heating On Depth Of Cure And Surface Hardness Of Resins, Peter R. Bond

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction of a device to pre-heat composites prior to curing has prompted this study to evaluate the effect of pre-heating on the surface hardness and depth of cure of composite resins. Factors considered in this study included curing time (10, 20 and 40 seconds), curing temperature (70, 100 and 140 degrees F), curing light type (halogen and LED), and composite type (hybrid and microhybrid).

The surface hardness portion of the study included 180 samples (5 of each of 36 combinations of factors) prepared according to the ADA standard for surface hardness. Four Knoop hardness measurements were obtained from both the …

The Application Of The Transtheoretical Model Of Change To Self-Care Behaviors In Type 2 Diabetics, Heather N. Mercer

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background. The Transtheoretical Model of Change (TTM) has been investigated as a model of health behavior change; however, it has only begun to gain recognition in the diabetic population, and has not yet been investigated as it relates to the full-spectrum of diabetes self-care behaviors.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to compare the pattern of stages of change across four self-care behaviors between intervention and control groups, and examine psychosocial and health outcome variables.

Method. In a cross-sectional design, a sample of 132 adult subjects with type 2 diabetes completed surveys. The survey assessed stages of change among …

Social Welfare Systems And Their Effects On Adolescent Violence, Injecting Drug Use, And Negative Health Behaviors, Elvin A. Hernandez

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Youth and young adults who are injection drug users (IDU’s) often live and survive in physical and emotional environments that are associated with negative behaviors and outcomes. Past environmental and social factors, such as participation in social welfare systems or institutionalization in foster care or juvenile hall, have been found to be associated with IDU-involved young adults’ health behaviors when they become older. Social networks, which include drug, sex, or hangout networks, may influence their health outcomes and behaviors. The goals of this dissertation include an investigation of how reported past social welfare participation and institutionalization is associated with IDU-involved …

Resveratrol Regulates Igf- Ii And Cathepsin D In Breast Cancer Cells, Sharda Kalla Vyas

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the US. Phytoestrogen resveratrol (RS V) has been described as a potential ehemotherapeutic agent, but has been associated with breast cancer cell growth and cell death. RSV binds to estrogen receptors (ER) and functions as a mixed estrogen agonist/antagonist. The mechanism by which RSV regulates breast cancer growth is largely unknown, but it likely targets factors regulated by estrogens. Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) and its precursor (proIGF-II) are estrogen-regulated mitogens that are over-expressed in breast carcinoma. Thus, I hypothesized that IGF-II/proIGF-II might mediate the biphasic effects of …

Predictors Of Intention To Use Contraception, Given Alcohol Consumption, Among Women In Southeast Alaska, Donna Louise Hebbeler

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Fetal alcohol exposure is a serious public health problem and is 100% preventable. Traditionally, FASD prevention programs and research recommendations have targeted peri-conceptual or pregnant women. Another approach to the prevention of FASD involves preventing pregnancy in women who use alcohol. The purpose of this cross sectional study was to identify factors that predicted women’s intention to use contraception using the theory of planned behavior (TPB), to determine if predictors of the theoretical constructs varied in women depending on alcohol use, and to examine interactions between alcohol use and TPB constructs. Qualitative data was gathered to triangulate with the quantitative …

Primary Prevention Healthcare Among Black American Men: Social Ecological Factors Predictive Of Prostate Cancer Early Detection Access, Virginia Diane Bush Agbonkhese Woods

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Access to healthcare requires individuals to have a place to go, a healthcare provider to see them, resources to obtain proper care, and the appropriate health services given in an appropriate timeframe. Non-Hispanic Black American men have the highest incidence rate of prostate cancer in the world, 180.6 per 100,000 (NCI, 2004). It is not clear as to why high rates persist, but higher death rates are associated with late detection. This mixed-methods ecological study was to investigate physician and Black male perceptions and practices regarding prostate cancer early detection with prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test, and the digital …

Effects Of Feeding Regular Eggs, N-3 Fatty Acid Enriched Eggs, And Walnuts, On Blood Lipids, Membrane Incorporation Of Fatty Acids, And Serum Lutein, In Free-Living Lacto-Ovo Vegetarians, Bonny Burns-Whitmore

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Americans do not receive enough n-3 fatty acids (F. A.) in their diets. Walnuts are good source of α-linolenic acid (ALA), while n-3 F.A. enriched eggs provide a dietary source of DHA. Whether ALA and DHA have equivalent effects modifying cardiovascular risk factors is not known. This study compared the changes in blood and erythrocyte membrane lipids in twenty free-living lacto-ovo vegetarians following the consumption of regular eggs (6/wk), n-3 F.A. enriched eggs (6/wk), or walnuts (6 oz/wk) in a triple crossover design.

Results indicate significant differences between treatments for serum triacylglycerols (TAGs), total cholesterol (TC), apo B, apo B: …

Secular Trends In Life Expectancy By Diet Status Among Never Smoking Seventh-Day Adventists, Noha Salim Daher

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

To evaluate how life expectancy changed by age and secular time from 1960 through 1988, two cohort studies, the Adventist Mortality Study (AMS, 1960-1985, n = 27,530) and the Adventist Health Study (AHS, 1976-1988, n = 34,192) were combined. The life expectancy of omnivores was compared to vegetarians separately in never-smoking males and females for all-cause mortality, and where the cause of death was cardiovascular disease or all site-cancer. Life expectancies were calculated for subjects who had survived to ages 30, 50, 70, and 80 during six calendar periods: 1960- 1964, 1965-1969, 1970-1974, 1975-1979, 1980-1984, and 1985-1988. Ten-year calendar periods …

The Effects Of Long Term Walnut Consumption On Levels Of Plasma Tocopherols And Inflammatory Mediators, Suwimol Sapwarobol

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of long term walnut consumption on plasma levels of tocopherols and the inflammatory mediators interleukin-1β (IL-1β ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and Creactive protein (CRP) in healthy participants. Ninety participants were recruited into a 12-month randomized crossover intervention study, which consisted of two phases, the walnut supplemented diet and the habitual diet. Participants were randomly assigned to either of these two phases for six months and then switched to the other phase for the second six months. During the walnut supplemented diet phase, participants incorporated walnuts (28-56 g/d) …

Reasons For Complementary And Alternative Medicine Usage In Japanese Americans, Theodora Stratis

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has received much research attention in the last several years due to marked increase in usage in the U.S. To date, findings indicate that 34% of adults in the U.S. report using at least one form of CAM for the maintenance of general health and acute symptoms and such use continue to increase (Astin, 1998; Eisenberg et al., 1993). CAM therapies are also used by those who suffer from chronic physical and psychological symptoms not successfully treated by conventional medicine (Testerman et al., 2004). Though researchers have examined who is using CAM and why they …

Psychological Stress And High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels In Overweight And Obese Men, Olivia L. Moses

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background and Purpose. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a measure of inflammatory response, is now considered an independent marker for coronary heart disease. Psychological stress also affects the immune system and influences the inflammatory response. Ladwig, et al (2003) found a significant positive association between hs-CRP levels and depression (F=4.9, p^.008) in 726 obese males, even after adjusting for smoking, high blood pressure and age. This study investigated if there was a similar association between increased hs-CRP levels and psychological stress in overweight and obese males.

Method. Sixty-one overweight (n=28) or obese (n= 33) males, ages 20-35, were recmited …