Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Morbidities Of Cervical Cerclage: Experience At A Tertiary Referral Center, Saba Mubasshir, Shama Munim, Ghulam Zainab

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

The Perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with pre-term delivery is well known. Cervical incompetence or short cervix is a risk factor for the condition and cervical cerclage is the management option for such cases. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of operative morbidities of cervical cerclage. All women undergoing cervical cerclage from April 2007 to December 2009 at the Aga Khan University Hospital served as the study subjects. Findings suggested that the risk of developing ruptured membranes after cervical cerclage was 10% and that of pregnancy loss was 8.6%. The risk of cerclage-associated complications like rupture …

Phosphorylation Of Vasodilator-Stimulated Phosphoprotein Ser239 Suppresses Filopodia And Invadopodia In Colon Cancer., David S Zuzga, Joshua Pelta-Heller, Peng Li, Alessandro Bombonati, Scott A Waldman, Giovanni Mario Pitari

Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Faculty Papers

In colorectal cancer, the antitumorigenic guanylyl cyclase C (GCC) signalome is defective reflecting ligand deprivation from downregulation of endogenous hormone expression. Although the proximal intracellular mediators of that signal transduction system, including cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), are well characterized, the functional significance of its distal effectors remain vague. Dysregulation of ligand-dependent GCC signaling through vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), an actin-binding protein implicated in membrane protrusion dynamics, drastically reduced cGMP-dependent VASP phosphorylation levels in colorectal tumors from patients. Restoration of cGMP-dependent VASP phosphorylation by GCC agonists suppressed the number and length of locomotory (filopodia) and invasive (invadopodia) …

Role Of The Pituitary-Adrenal Axis In G-Csf Therapy After Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia, Melissa Stephanie Charles

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Several reports indicate that the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) as measured by the increased level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone is increased after a brain insult. These hormones are the effectors secreted respectively by the pituitary and adrenal glands. It has been shown that the down-regulation of corticosterone levels can improve detrimental outcomes associated with ischemic brain injuries. Neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) is a devastating perinatal event with a grim prognosis and limited therapeutic strategies. In recent studies, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) has shown promise in neonatal HI investigations by improving neuromotor function and reducing apoptosis in the …

Mechanism Of Lmx1b-Regulated Limb Dorsalization, Jennifer Feenstra

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Lmx1b, a LIM homeodomain transcription factor is necessary for limb, kidney, eye, and central nervous system development. Lmx1b knockout (KO) mice display; abnormal limb dorsalization with distal ventral-ventral limbs, nephropathy, ocular malformations, loss of dopaminergic/serotonergic neurons, and reduced cerebellum and tectum formation. The developmental mechanisms utilized by Lmx1b remain largely unknown; to investigate downstream targets, we have used the limb as a model because of its accessibility and striking Lmx1b KO phenotype. To identify candidate genes, we compared gene arrays from Lmx1b KO and wildtype mouse limbs during limb dorsalization, i.e., 11.5, 12.5, and 13.5 days post coitum. We identified …

Second Generation Korean-American Parents: Social Context Influence On Parenting, Lana H. Kim

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Korean-American families are an underrepresented group within the family therapy literature. In particular, the realities and lived experiences of American born second generation Korean-American parenting couples is limited. Therefore, this qualitative grounded theory dissertation used a social constructionist lens to understand how American born second generation Korean-Americans, raised amidst contrasting Korean and western cultural ideologies, conceptualize parenting and position themselves in relation to their children within parent-child relationships. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 parenting couples of children between 0-10 years of age to illuminate ways in which multiple cultural discourses, bicultural socialization, and racialized experiences influence the parenting process. …

Analysis Of Minocycline As A Radioprotectant, Shalini Mehrotra

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Exposure to radiation is increasing in a variety of settings including space exploration, diagnostic medical procedures and radiotherapy. Cells of the hematopoietic system, such as white blood cells (WBC), are especially sensitive to radiation and their decline can result in Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS). Radiotherapy is often used for cancers of the central nervous system (CNS), but includes the risk for normal tissue damage, often leading to cognitive impairment. The literature suggests that tetracyclines can be radioprotectors of the hematopoietic system with potential utility in radiation emergencies and anticancer radiotherapy. Minocycline, a semisynthetic tetracycline derivative, has anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging, …

Successful Again Through A Family Resilience Lens, A'Verria Sirkin Martin

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study examined successful aging through a family resilience lens by developing a psychometrically tested assessment that can be used to measure family and individual resilience in a population of older adults and by then applying these latent structures to predict successful aging across four domains; self-rated successful aging, psychosocial health, cognitive decline, and physical health. Data from 1,006 older adults were analyzed in three steps. The first identified the underlying latent structure through principle component (exploratory) factor analysis (EFA). The second included the use of confirmatory factor analysis to validate the structure from the first step. The third utilized …

Relational Interdependent Self Construal, And Spiritual Maturity As Predictors Of Marital Satisfaction, Conroy Everton Reynolds

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study examined the extent to which relationality is implicated in relationship satisfaction. Specifically, this study examined the role of two relational variables, Spiritual Maturity and Relational Interdependent Self Construal, in predicting the variance in marital satisfaction, after controlling for number of children, religion, employment status, education, length of marriage and household income among married heterosexual couples in Antigua. The Caribbean Island of Antigua is comprised primarily of persons of African descent, deeply religious, but who are influenced by western ideas and values. The results of this study reveal the importance of spirituality but not relational self- construal as a …

Co-Diagnosis Frequency Of Peripheral Vestibular Disorders And Physical Therapy, Summer M. San Lucas

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Dizziness is among the most common reasons that people consult a physician. The two most common causes of dizziness related to peripheral vestibular dysfunction are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and vestibular hypofunction (VH). Physical therapy (PT) is an effective component of the medical management for both conditions. The occurrence rate of concurrent BPPV and VH in the same patient has not been described in the literature. Identifying patients with co-diagnosis of BPPV and VH will allow the PT to construct a proper treatment sequence. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 500 consecutive medical records of Veteran's Administration male …

Kinetically Controlled Synthesis Of Triblock Copolymer Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles, Theodore Saleem Sabir

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Concerns for the environmental and economic impact of organic solvents in gold nanoparticle synthesis have motivated the search for more environmentally benign alternatives. One viable approach is the synthesis of AuNPs from tetrachloroauric(III) acid (HAuCl4) using triblock copolymers (TBPs). However, a major challenge of using TBPs is the heterogeneous nature of the formed nanocrystals. Establishing control over AuNP size and shape requires a detailed mechanistic understanding of precursor reduction and nanoparticle growth. By using mixtures of TBPs (L31 and F68), a more flexible method to tune AuNP size and shape is demonstrated. This is achieved by adjusting the TBP/Au(III) ratio …

Postural Sway, Eeg And Emg Analysis Of Hip And Ankle Muscles During Eight Balance Training Tasks, Yuen Yi Florence Tse

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine postural sway, cortical response and muscle activation of the hip and ankle muscles during eight balance tasks routinely used in sensorimotor training. This was a single group repeated measure study. The postural sway; the power of alpha, beta and sigma wave bands; and the EMG activity of gluteal maximus, gluteal medius, tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius were measured in 17 subjects during eight balance tasks with eyes open or closed, feet in tandem or apart and on foam or a firm surface. The results of this study showed that postural sway, EEG …

The Efficacy Of Melodic Based Communication Therapy For Eliciting Speech In Nonverbal Children With Autism, Givona A. Sandiford

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to compare the efficacy of Melodic Based Communication Therapy (MBCT) to traditional speech and language therapy for eliciting speech in nonverbal children with autism. Efficacy was assessed by number of: verbalizations, correct words, words reported by parent, and imitative attempts. Additionally it examines the effect of exposure to MBCT on social language abilities as measured by score on the Pragmatic Language Skills Inventory (PLSI); the effect of age on the response to treatment, and the predictors of overall effectiveness of treatment. Participants were 12 nonverbal children with autism ages 5 through 7 randomly assigned …

Identification Of The Mandibular Nerve With Cbct Using A Nerve Marking Tool Or Not, Myung Soo Choi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: In the field of implant dentistry, cone beam computed tomography can give clinicians valuable information regarding anatomic structures, bone quantity and quality. If the mandibular nerve is encroached during surgery, severe morbidity of the patient and medico-legal issues may result. Thus the importance of accurate determination of the position of mandibular canal cannot be overemphasized. Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the difference in the position of the mandibular nerve determined, and marked by a radiology technician utilizing nerve marking tool and compared to the same measurement by a clinician not utilizing a nerve marking tool. …

The Association Of Diet With Affect, Patricia Ann Ford

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with mental health yet few studies have examined whether foods protective or deleterious for cardiovascular disease affect mood. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between consumption of foods typical of Mediterranean and Western diets and fatty acids with positive and negative affect.

Adventist church attendees residing in North America completed a validated food frequency questionnaire in 2002-6 as part of the Adventist Health Study-2. A subset of these participants ^=9,121) completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) in the Biopsychosocial Religion and Health Study conducted in 2006-7. …

The Effect Of Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis On Subjects With Metabolic Syndrome, Samer Hammoudeh

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Several criteria establish the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, including high waist circumference, low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides and glucose and above normal blood pressure. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is on the rise following the rise in obesity across the globe. Qatar, a country in the Arabian Peninsula shares the burden of obesity with recent studies showing prevalences of'---61% among women and —39% among men. These studies found that metabolic syndrome is more common among women. Physical activity helps reduce visceral …

Effects Of Photovoice On Youth Perceptions Of Healthy Food Access In The Built Environment, Sharlene A. Gozalians

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background. Minority communities are at a higher risk for chronic diseases related to obesity because they lack access to stores that have affordable, fresh, nutritious foods that are necessary for a healthy diet. Photovoice can serve as a tool to engage youth in positive health behaviors and behavior change. Healthy food access has been analyzed based on nutrition, yet there is a lack of literature as to what factors enable and prevent access to healthy foods.

Methodology. The purpose of this study was to determine if a photovoice intervention would create a difference in perception of food access, empowerment …

Second Generation Korean-American Parents: Social Context Influence On Parenting, Lana H. Kim

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Korean-American families are an underrepresented group within the family therapy literature. In particular, the realities and lived experiences of American born second generation Korean-American parenting couples is limited. Therefore, this qualitative grounded theory dissertation used a social constructionist lens to understand how American born second generation Korean-Americans, raised amidst contrasting Korean and western cultural ideologies, conceptualize parenting and position themselves in relation to their children within parent-child relationships. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 parenting couples of children between 0-10 years of age to illuminate ways in which multiple cultural discourses, bicultural socialization, and racialized experiences influence the parenting process. …

The Efficacy Of Melodic Based Communication Therapy For Eliciting Speech In Nonverbal Children With Autism, Givona A. Sandiford

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to compare the efficacy of Melodic Based Communication Therapy (MBCT) to traditional speech and language therapy for eliciting speech in nonverbal children with autism. Efficacy was assessed by number of: verbalizations, correct words, words reported by parent, and imitative attempts. Additionally it examines the effect of exposure to MBCT on social language abilities as measured by score on the Pragmatic Language Skills Inventory (PLSI); the effect of age on the response to treatment, and the predictors of overall effectiveness of treatment.

Participants were 12 nonverbal children with autism ages 5 through 7 randomly assigned …

Effect Of Oxidative Stress On Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1b In Scleroderma Dermal Fibroblasts., Pei-Suen Tsou, Nadine N. Talia, Adam J. Pinney, Ann Kendzicky, Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez, Sergio A. Jimenez, James R. Seibold, Kristine Phillips, Alisa E Koch

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and its receptor, PDGFR, promote fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) dermal fibroblasts, and such cells in scleroderma skin lesions produce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). PDGFR is phosphorylated upon PDGF stimulation, and is dephosphorylated by protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), including PTP1B. This study was undertaken to determine whether the thiol-sensitive PTP1B is affected by ROS in SSc dermal fibroblasts, thereby enhancing the phosphorylation of PDGFR and synthesis of type I collagen. This study also sought to investigate the effect of a thiol antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), in SSc.

METHODS: Fibroblasts were isolated from the skin …

Sinonasal Teratocarcinosarcoma, Zainul Abedeen Sobani, Shabbir Akhtar, Montasir Junaid, Iftikhar Salahuddin

Section of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery

Teratocarcinosarcoma is a rare, morphologically heterogeneous and highly malignant neoplasm. It is characterized by the presence of benign and malignant epithelial, mesenchymal and neural components. The carcinoma may be either squamous or adenocarcinoma and the mesenchymal component may manifest spindle, smooth, skeletal muscle, cartilage and bone features. Because of their infrequency, these lesions are often misdiagnosed, leading to management difficulties. In this case report we have shared our experience with sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma in a 23 year old female and performed a brief review of literature.

Does The Load-Sharing Classification Predict Ligamentous Injury, Neurological Injury, And The Need For Surgery In Patients With Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures?: Clinical Article., Kristen Radcliff, Christopher K Kepler, Todd A Rubin, Motasem Maaieh, Alan S Hilibrand, James Harrop, Jeffrey A Rihn, Todd J Albert, Alexander R Vaccaro

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECT: The load-sharing score (LSS) of vertebral body comminution is predictive of results after short-segment posterior instrumentation of thoracolumbar burst fractures. Some authors have posited that an LSS > 6 is predictive of neurological injury, ligamentous injury, and the need for surgical intervention. However, the authors of the present study hypothesized that the LSS does not predict ligamentous or neurological injury.

METHODS: The prospectively collected spinal cord injury database from a single institution was queried for thoracolumbar burst fractures. Study inclusion criteria were acute (< 24 hours) burst fractures between T-10 and L-2 with preoperative CT and MRI. Flexion-distraction injuries and pathological fractures were excluded. Four experienced spine surgeons determined the LSS and posterior ligamentous complex (PLC) integrity. Neurological status was assessed from a review of the medical records.

RESULTS: Forty-four patients were included in the study. There were 4 patients for whom all observers …

Esem Analysis Of Mice Femurs With Varying Sost Levels, Patrick K. Mcclay

Biomedical Engineering

This project’s goal was to analyze the properties of the cortical femur on 100 mice bones from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Analysis was limited to imaging which determined the ratio of bone volume to total volume (BV/TV) and osteocyte lacunae density. Mice were altered to knock out their SOST gene: a negative regulator of bone formation. Twelve groups were created to differentiate their treatment, duration, and phenotype. Transgenic (TG) mice had an overexpression of the SOST gene: they carried a bacterial artificial chromosome. Mice with limb defects (DEF) were the offspring of two TG mice and carried twice the amount …

Notice Of 06/01/2012 Hsc Board Of Directors Mtg, Patrice Martin

HSC Committee (A subcommittee of the UNM Board of Regents)

No abstract provided.

Snap-Ed New Mexico Social Marketing Campaign Phase 1 Report, Sally M. Davis, Glenda Canaca, Jose Canaca, Patty Keane, Pamela Monaghan-Geernaert, Mary Hanrahan

Reports & Documents

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plays an essential role in the nutrition status of low-income families in the United States. Although it is not mandatory to provide nutrition education to SNAP recipients, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) highly encourages each state’s SNAP agency to educate SNAP participants (SNAP-Ed). The purpose of SNAP-Ed is to help SNAP eligible individuals to make healthy food choices consistent with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, that fit within their limited budget. In New Mexico, SNAP and SNAP-Ed are administered by the State of New …

Minutes Of 06/01/2012 Hsc Board Of Directors Mtg, Patrice Martin

HSC Committee (A subcommittee of the UNM Board of Regents)

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Engagement Across Conceptually Distinct Treatment Elements For Social Anxiety Disorder, Timothy M. Emge

Department of Psychology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

There are currently several efficacious treatments for social anxiety disorder (e.g. exposure therapy and cognitive therapy). Each of these treatments is thought to reduce symptoms of social anxiety by disrupting maintenance mechanisms of the disorder, yet mechanism of change research has not supported this view. The current study compared components from each therapy modality in order to better understand why symptoms reduce similarly between conceptually distinct treatments. Participants with high social anxiety were randomly assigned to give a speech with cognitive restructuring and engagement-enhancing procedures, cognitive preparation and video feedback, or a speech alone. Self-ratings of speech performance, confidence in …

Dimensions Of Individuals' Judgements About Sexual Attraction, Romantic Attachment, And Sexual Orientation, Luis F. Morales Knight

Department of Psychology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Despite 150 years of scientific interest in sexual orientation, contemporary investigators grapple with a number of serious difficulties. A precise, unified definition of sexual orientation appropriate for scientific use continues to elude researchers, most likely because there is still no single coherent theory of sexual orientation. This lack impedes research into the measurement of sexual orientation. Existing measurements of sexual orientation rely on partial or incompletely empirical research. The present study identified promising avenues for development of credible definitions, theories, and measurements of sexual orientation: (a) mate-selection tasks; (b) the idea that bisexually-identified individuals place a lower priority on partner …

Identification And Assessment Of Markers Of Biotin Status In Healthy Adults, Wei Kay Eng

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Human biotin requirements are unknown and the identification of reliable markers of biotin status is necessary to fill this knowledge gap. Here we used an outpatient feeding protocol to create states of biotin deficiency, sufficiency, and supplementation in 16 healthy men and women. Twenty possible markers of biotin status were assessed including the abundance of biotinylated carboxylases in lymphocytes, the expression of genes from biotin metabolism, and the urinary excretion of biotin and organic acids. Only the abundance of biotinylated 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (holo-MCC) and propionyl-CoA carboxylase (holo-PCC) allowed for distinguishing among all three levels of biotin intake. The urinary excretion …

Resolution Of Bilateral Ptosis After Reduction Of Unilaterally Elevated Intraocular Pressure In A Child With Axenfeld-Reiger Spectrum Disorder., Ketki Soin, Alex V. Levin

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

We report a 9-month-old boy with bilateral pseudoptosis associated with elevated IOP. The patient had previously undergone bilateral trabeculectomies and Ahmed tube placement and right cataract extraction and penetrating keratoplasty. At presentation, the right eye IOP was 24 mm Hg and the left eye IOP was 32 mm Hg. Approximately 2 weeks after dorzolamide was added to the treatment regimen for the left eye, the mother reported that the ptosis had resolved. We suggest several explanations for the resolution of the ptosis.

Editorial, Alok Kumar

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

No abstract provided.