Investigative Techniques Commons^™

Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography To Identify A Prediction Model For Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Jodi Parker

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) patients have increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis may reduce morbidity and mortality. Prediction of OSA from imaging may help to identify OSA patients earlier in life. CBCT can be used for OSA diagnostic imaging due to its three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the upper airway and craniofacial complex. Magnification associated with conventional 2D radiography is eliminated with CBCT, and radiation to the patient is significantly less than previous modalities used to measure craniofacial & airway measurements associated with OSA. During a CBCT scan, the patient's image is taken supine, rather than the upright …

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 …

Effects Of Furosemide And Oleic Acid On Thyroxine Binding To Isolated Pairs Of Thyroxine Binding Serum Proteins, Deborah Hustead

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Dosage dependent binding inhibition and redistribution of thyroxine (T₄) between three pairs of thyroxine binding serum proteins, TBG-TTR, TBG-albumin and TTR-albumin, by furosemide (0.0 to 1.0 mol/L) and oleic acid (0.0 to 0.10 mol/L) were studied using equilibrium dialysis with purified binding proteins at concentrations 1/200 of levels in normal human sera, separated across the dialysis membrane and competing for T₄.

Furosemide (1.0 mol/L) reduced TBG bound T₄ in both the TBG-TTR system and TBG-albumin system (>90% decrease) and inhibited T₄ binding to TTR in the TTR-albumin system (68% decrease) and to albumin …

A Rapid Concentration And Identification Technique For Human Malaria Infections Using A Mouse Model, Donald D. Barton

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Red blood cells infected with malaria parasites experience a change in density making them lighter (less dense). This paper reports a new, rapid diagnostic technique using this change in density in the infected red blood cell. It is not only easy to use, but it is also compatible with the technological conditions found where the malaria problem is most acute - in many developing countries of the world. A small sample of blood drawn from a simple finger stick can be concentrated and examined microscopically for malaria parasites within 10 minutes. The thick film slide preparation, presently used, takes a …

Clinical Photographic Analysis Of Dentofacial Midline Asymmetries, Larry A. Okmin

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Clinical diagnosis of dentofacial midline asymmetries has been difficult because of the problems in locating a reliable median sagittal reference plane, and because of the complexity and time involved in analysis. For these reasons, the clinician has generally resorted to direct visual observation in diagnosing midline discrepancies. A quick, precise, chairside method of dentofacial midline analysis would be of benefit to the orthodontist.

This study presented a clinical photographic method of dentofacial midline analysis and compared its precision with that of direct observation. The photographic method employed an Orthoscan Polaroid intraoral camera (Unitek) with a positioning device used to relate …

Sex Determination By Cephalometry And Odontometry, Clair R. Hopkins Jr.

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Plaster casts of teeth and lateral cephalometric roentgenograms were studied to see with what degree of accuracy sex could be determined. The sample considered was made up of one hundred and forth-four individuals--50 males and 94 females--being treated in the Graduate Orthodontic Department of the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. The age range for the boys was from 15 to 19 and for the girls, from 14 to 20. Data was obtained for the following variables from tracings of the roentgenograms and from the dental casts:

1. Glabello-occipital length
2. Articulate to nasion
3. The gonial angle of the mandible
4. Prosthion to …

An Odontometric Study Of Five Contemporary Western United States Indian And Alaskan Eskimo Groups, John A. Matis

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The morphologic characteristics of the oral cavity in five contemporary Western Indian and Alaskan Eskimo groups have been investigated by the use of study models of the dental archs. The sample consisted of 216 individuals, including 44 Navajos, 43 Apaches, 40 Papagos, 42 Pimas and 47 Alaskan Eskimos.

The first purpose of the study was to determine the extent of investigator error. This was accomplished by remeasuring many morphologic traits of the dentition in 125 Indians which had previously been measured by different investigators using the same study models. It was found that investigator error can be significant, even in …

A Cephalometric Comparison Of The Chamula, Mayo And Navajo Indians, Norman C. Bunker

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Lateral head x-rays were obtained on selected samples of 24 Chamula, 29 Mayo and 39 Navajo Indians for cephalometric comparison.

Cephalometric evaluation was carried out by means of the Bjork analysis. Mean values for each of the Indian groups were determined and compared with each other and with the mean values of a group of Swedish conscripts studied by Bjork. The mean values were statistically analyzed and and subjected to the Student's "t" test to determine the significant levels of differences.

Results revealed that in comparing the three Indian groups significant differences do appear. They are few and general concordance …

Effect Of 9 Α-Fluorohydrocortisone Acetate On Gastric And Salivary Electrolytes Of Normal Fasting Subjects, Ardis Stern Beckner

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The effect of 9α-FF on the Na:K ratio, chloride, and pH of saliva and gastric secretions, and on the total and free acid of gastric juice in normal human subjects was investigated. This study was designed to investigate whether conditions could be produced in the normal human subject similar to those present in patients with primary aldosteronism by using large doses of 9α-FF. August and others found a change in salivary electrolytes when cortisone, desoxycortisone, or ACTH were given to normal subjects. In these cases as in primary aldosteronism there was a decreased Na:K ratio and potassium excretion, with sodium …