Medical Specialties Commons^™

A Study Of Pediatric Heart Transplant Patients In Relationship To Post Transplant Coronary Artery Disease, Mark Randall

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Post transplant coronary artery disease influences short and long-term survival of pediatric heart transplant recipients. Associated cardiovascular disease risk factors among non-heart transplant adult and pediatric heart populations for development of coronary artery disease have been documented. Little is known about these typical cardiovascular disease risk factors as well as other possible risk factors in the development of post transplant coronary artery disease. Objective: The purpose of this research was to examine children/adolescents (n=194), 5-18 years old, at least one-year post heart transplant. This study also investigated if there were physiological and psychological/behavioral differences between recipients with (n = 28) …

Assessment Of A Body Composition-Focused Approach To Obesity Treatment, Beverly D. Hall

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Obesity is a significant United States’ public health concern. However, high relapse rates continue to be a problem for obesity treatment programs while the focus remains on weight loss, not body composition change. This study examined whether a clinic-based obesity treatment program, focused on body composition change through resistance training, lead to improved body composition, exercise behaviors, and attitude change from focus on weight loss to body composition change. Improvements in self efficacy, outcome expectations and stages of change were also examined. Forty-eight physician-referred overweight or obese adult women (mean body fat 41%, SD = 6.65%), completed assessments and questionnaires …

Prevalence Of Degenerative Joint Disease In A Pre-Orthodontic Adolescent Sample, Marie Mansour

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this research was to determine a prevalence of degenerative joint disease in our pre-orthodontic adolescent patients age ten through seventeen. The prevalence was assessed according to gender. Severity of DJD was established for each patient and a "red flag" for diagnosis was identified. The purpose was also to establish norms for joint space for patients with and without degenerative joint disease. Correlations to distal condyle position and angle classification were described. 123 consecutive patients, 77 female and 46 male T1 NewTom records were reviewed. Severity of DJD was classified according to none, mild, moderate, and severe. Sagittal …

Cone Beam Ct And Digital Radiography. A Comparative Study Of P/A Cephalometrics., Michael John Erickson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if Rickett's posterio-anterior (P/A) cephalogram measurements could be obtained from Cone Beam Computerized Tomographic (CBCT) images taken on the NewTom QR-DVT 9000™.

Fifteen frontal cephalometric radiographs were chosen for good image quality, with no regard for patient age or gender. Each cephalogram was traced three times by the same operator using ZeroBase™ software. Landmarks were located and measured according to the Rickett's frontal analysis technique. Methods were devised for obtaining analogous measurements using CBCT images on the same group of patients.

Measurements obtained using CBCT correlated well with those obtained using the …

Infant Heart Transplant: Perioperative Indicators Of Neurocognitive Development, Joy Michelle Gardner

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Approximately five to eight births per 1000 in the United States are born with a congenital heart defect (Limperopoulos et al, 1999), the primary defect in 57% is hypoplastic left heart syndrome (Johnston, 1991). A fatal disease twenty years ago, survival has jumped from less than 5% to 91% of infants surviving their one-month birthday due to advances in palliative and transplant procedures (Razzouk et al, 1996). Unfortunately, the decrease in mortality has been unmatched by a decrease in morbidity, which continues to be a major risk factor when undergoing deep hypothermia (du Plessis, 2000). While neurodevelopmental and cognitive dysfunction …

Bone Formation Using Platelet-Rich Plasma + Allograft: An Experimental Study In Sheep, Edgar Grageda

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Recently Platelet-Rich Plasma has been proven to be an effective regeneration adjunct when combined with autogenous bone in the reconstruction of mandibular defects. However, little is known about the effect of PRP when combined with a bone allograft in the maxillary sinus.

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the ability of PRP to enhance bone regeneration in the maxillary sinus of sheep when combined with DFDBA + CCFDBA. Ten sheep were selected for bilateral sinus augmentation DFDBA + CCFDBA + PRP (test) and DFDBA + CCFDBA (control). Five were sacrificed at 3 months and the other five …

The Anti-Proliferation Effects Of Lycopene On Breast Cancer Cells, Tixieanna Dissmore

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: The incidence and deaths from breast cancer represent the most cause of all cancer deaths among women. Lycopene, the carotenoid in tomatoes has been associated with decreasing risk of prostate, breast, and digestive tract cancers. Various mechanisms of lycopene action have been proposed, including antioxidant activity and pro-differentiation activities. Identifying changes in the expression of proteins modified by lycopene can provide information to study the modulating effects of lycopene carcinogenesis and tumorigenesis development.

Objective: The objective was to study the anti-proliferative effects of lycopene on MCF- 7 human breast cancer cells and to identify changes in protein expression patterns. …

Diabetes: The Interrelationship Between Vascular, Nervous Systems And Avandia, Salameh Bweir

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Diabetes Mellitus has been linked to vascular and neurological impairments. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between vascular endothelial dysfunction, autonomic and somatic nervous systems impairment in diabetic patients. These studies also evaluated the effects of rosiglitazone (Avandia) on the vascular, autonomic, and somatic nervous systems.

Fourteen diabetic subjects and fourteen control subjects (age matched) participated in three series of experiments. Using Whitney volume plesythmography to assess post occlusion blood flow in the subject’s forearm did assessment of vascular endothelial function. Evaluating skin blood flow, orthostatic tolerance, heart rate, and thermal responses under thermal and postural …

Attitudes Of Preventive Care Specialists And Registered Dietitians Toward Their Obese Patients, Maryanna Gabriel

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to compare preventive care specialists and registered dietitians regarding attitudes toward obese patients, to compare both groups with Canadian and American nurses previously studied, and to determine whether relationships exist between personal characteristics and attitudes toward obese patients. Questionnaires were sent to members of the American Preventive Care Association and 1,000 randomly selected members of the California Dietetic Association. Sixty-seven preventive care specialists and 579 registered dietitians participated in the study. A modified version of the Attitudes Toward Obesity scale, developed by Bagley, et al. was used to measure attitudes. Preventive care specialists and …

Measured Effects Of Rapid Palatal Expansion On Nasal Cavity Volume Utilizing Cbct, Jon Neal Robinson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and predict the expected changes that occur in the nasal cavity volume following rapid palatal expansion. Eighteen subjects (11 female, 7 male), ages 9 to 18, requiring rapid palatal expansion in conjunction with comprehensive orthodontic treatment, were selected for the study. Rapid palatal expansion was accomplished using the standard, banded hyrax appliance. Three-dimensional cone beam computed tomograms using the NewTom 9000™ were acquired before and after expansion. Serial coronal slices of the nasal cavity were made using the QV9000™ software program. The resultant serial images were imported into 3-D Doctor™ for analysis …

The Histological Effects Of Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis On Rabbit Condyles, Eunice Jungmin Hong

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The present study is a histological evaluation of condyles taken from rabbits that underwent either a midline or paramedian distraction osteogenesis procedure on the mandibles. Fifteen rabbits were originally operated on and eight of these fifteen successfully made it through both the distraction osteogenesis procedure and the 1 month holding period that followed. There was one control animal.

In the present study, the condyles from these nine rabbits (1 control, 2 midline distraction osteogenesis, 6 paramedian distraction osteogenesis) were prepared for histological evaluation (18 total). Step serial sections were cut along the coronal plane and the sections from the anterior …

Intensive Care Medical Procedure : Ptsd Symptoms In Children, Ludmila Zaytsev

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Studies indicate that medical procedures may cause post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms (fear, avoidance, sleep disturbances, irritability, concentration difficulties. hypervigilance). It has been suggested that administration of midazolam hydrochloride, a sedative/amnesic medication commonly used in the Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU), may help decrease if not prevent the development of PTS symptoms. This study examined if PTS symptoms were related to procedural invasiveness (PI) and whether midazolam had a moderating effect on the development and intensity of PTS symptoms in children. English-speaking children ages 8-16 (N=20) who had been in the PICU for at least 3 days were recruited at Loma …

The Psychological Characteristics Of Obese Children, Thomas Taylor Mitchell

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Several studies along with the surgeon general of the United States have identified obesity as a national health issue. Research indicates that adult obesity treatment has relatively poor long-term effects. Consequently increased attention has been given to addressing obesity in children. This focus is particularly vital due to the fact that children are one of the populations showing the most rapid increase in overweight and obesity. The purpose of this study was to identify the some of the unique psychological characteristics of obese children by analyzing the intake data of children and adolescents attending the Loma Linda University Growing Fit …

The Radiopacity Of 29 Resin Restorative Materials Compared To Enamel, Peter Lubisich Iv

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The radiodensity of a composite resin can greatly influence a clinician's ability to analyze a restoration for failure. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative radiopacities of 29 resin restorative materials compared to enamel, and to verify the comparable radiopacity between shades of 23 of the restorative composite resin materials. Composite resin discs measuring >5mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness were made and polymerized. Radiographs were taken of the composite resin discs, which included an aluminum step wedge for calibration and a densitometer was used to measure the radiodensity of the composite resin samples. The …

Assessment Of Alveolar Bone Density Using Implant Insertion Resistance Torque, Scott Sangmoo Lee

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: Implant stability during healing is a pre-requisite for successful osseointegration. In the case of early or immediate implant loading, it is necessary to achieve high level of stabilization during surgical placement. Fixture stabilization can be measured by resonance frequency analysis or implant insertion resistance torque measurement. The aim of this study is to correlate pre-operative radiographic bone density to implant insertion resistance torque in human cadaver jaw bone.

Materials & Methods: Sixty-four implant osteotomy sites in human cadaver jaw bones were previously examined radiographically using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and quantitative cone-beam computed tomography (QCBCT). Forty-two implant insertion sites …

Quantification Of Bone Deposition In Onlay Bone Grafting, Gregory Alan Kammeyer

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate; 1) mandibular posterior mono-cortical block onlay bone graft success rates 2) the amount of grafted bone retained after initial resorption in radiographic projections. Seven consecutive patients with 14 mandibular posterior implant sites requiring bone augmentation for implants of a standard 3.8mm x 10mm dimension were sought. Mono-cortical block bone grafts from the ipsilateral ascending ramus were placed then observed with two standardized CT scans, dividing them into two groups: Group A had the first CT at 4 weeks after graft placement and a second taken before Prosthodontic reconstruction, 36.7 weeks later. …

Radiation Effects On Dopamine-Mediated Prepulse Inhibition In The C57bl/6 Mouse, Cara Nicole Zuccarelli Miller

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study examined the effects of proton and gamma radiation on a dopamine-dependent sensory gating mechanism: prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex. The purpose of this research was to describe potential hazards of proton radiation to the central nervous system in long-term space fight and for proton therapy patients. Results from previous research indicate that startle behavior is modified by proton and iron radiation. Forty-eight 10-½ week old, male C57BL/6 mice were used to characterize the optimal parameters for the model (prepulse duration, probe duration, and stimulus-onset-asynchrony). Three hundred and fifty two mice were used to characterize the time course …

Prediction Of 1976 Diabetes Incidence From 1960 Animal Product Consumption Among California Seventh-Day Adventists, Arnold Vang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes in the US has been estimated at more than 16 million individuals (King, 1998). This has led to research into lifestyle practices (Astrup, 2001; Touomilehto, 2001), which has identified several of primary prevention. High fat diet and type 2 diabetes has been attributed to the wellareas known mechanisms of hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance (Ferrannini, 1999; Reaven, 1988).

We examined the association between all animal product consumption, specific animal product consumption and diabetes incidence among California Seventh-day Adventists who were cohort members of the Adventist Mortality Study (Kahn, 1984) and the Adventist Health …

Ultrasonic Removal Of Bacteria From Plated Cells, Cecilia Chi-Pei Kao

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Children often present with dental trauma to pediatric emergency departments and pediatric dental offices. There is a wide spectrum of types of dental trauma. Although research has been done concerning the treatment of avulsed teeth, the current recommendations in the published guidelines might still be improved for better long term prognoses. One may speculate that ultrasonification of an avulsed tooth prior to replantation may dislodge existing surface bacteria and improve the prognosis for the tooth. This was as an in vitro study to test this concept. Epithelial cells were grown in 6-well tissue culture plates. Standardized amounts of Staphylococcus aureus …

Distraction Osteogenesis In Edentulous Alveolar Bone With Rhbmp-2 Enhancement, Liviu F. Eftimie

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Distraction osteogenesis, a unique system of affecting rapid bone healing in fractures, realigning malformed bones, and lengthening congenitally short and traumatically shortened bones has become an increasingly utilized technique for the maxillofacial region. The use of distraction osteogenesis has been described for increasing the height of edentulous mandibular alveolar ridges while concurrently forming new bone within the ridge to allow for adequate reconstruction. A standard protocol for performing distraction osteogenesis in the maxillofacial region has been well documented in the literature. Standard distraction osteogenesis requires an initial surgery to place the distraction osteogenesis device and mobilize the segment to be …

Exploring The Physician’S Processes: Diagnosing Autism, Gwennyth Li Sze Palafox

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Physicians are customarily the first point of contact for parents who are concerned about a child’s development. Thus, it is important for physicians to be current and educated about childhood disorders and subsequent treatment for those disorders. Recently, empirical evidence has led to the proposal of early indicators of autism supporting that autism may be diagnosed accurately in children less than three years old. Furthermore, formal screening and assessment parameters developed by medical organizations have been proposed in order to identify autism as early as possible (American Academy of Neurology, 2000). While the proposed parameters and empirical evidence support early …

Cultural And Psychological Influences On Diabetic Adherence, Keikilani Mcmillin-Williams

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Diabetes mellitus is a serious disease that poses a particular healthcare challenge because progression is considered controllable (Cox, et al, 1985; Vinicor, et al, 1996) yet treatment adherence, and thus outcome, is very poor (Gonder-Frederick, Cox, & Ritterband, 2002; Goodall, 1991). Culture is a lethal risk factor for diabetic contraction and treatment maintenance. Latinos within the United States are two-to-three times more likely to develop complications and die than non-Latinos (Haffner et al, 1996; Rubin, Peyrot, & Saudek, 1991) and are less likely to adhere to treatment (Lipton, Losey, Giachello, Mendez, & Girotti, 1998). Efforts to eliminate health disparities have …

Are Antinuclear Antibodies And Rheumatiod Factor Positivity More Prevalent In Apparently Healthy Smokers Compared To Ex-Smokers And Never Smokers?, Susan Nyanzi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Context: There is now consistent evidence from population and epidemiological studies that cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), via Rheumatoid Factor (RF) production (Deighton, 1997; Saag, 1997; Silman, 1996; Uhlig, 1999; Wolfe, 2000). Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) are another collection of autoantibodies that are being associated with smoking and RA initiation. To our knowledge, no studies have examined the effects of smoking on both ANA and RF simultaneously in healthy subjects.

Objectives: To determine whether cigarette smoking has an effect on ANA and RF positivity in healthy blood donors.

Design, Setting, Participants: This was a cross-sectional, …

The Role Of Health Promotion In Physical Therapy, Brenda L. Rea

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate physical therapy practice patterns in four focus areas of Healthy People 2010 (focus area #6, disability and secondary conditions by looking at psychological well-being; focus area #19, nutrition and overweight; focus area #22, physical fitness and activity; focus area #27, tobacco use) and identify self-efficacy and outcome expectations related to those practice patterns across California, New York and Tennessee using Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory as a framework. It was hypothesized that physical therapists’ self-efficacy and outcome expectations in the four focus areas of Healthy People 2010 would be significantly associated with …

The Role Of Meat, Poultry, And Fish Consumption In The Occurrence Of Rheumatoid And Other Forms Of Arthritis, Asnake Hailu

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of arthritis or rheumatism are now the leading cause of disability in the United States. The etiology and pathogenesis are less understood and available treatment options are not always satisfactory. This dissertation measures the prevalence and cumulative incidence of rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of arthritis or rheumatism, and examines any associations with current and lifetime consumption of meat, poultry, and fish (meat) using the Adventist Health Study and the Adventist Mortality Study databases. From these databases, it was possible to reconstruct a prospective cohort, obtain self-reported information on demographic characteristics, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, other …

A Correlational Analysis Of Anthropometric Measures And Selected Blood, Immune And Endocrine Indices In Adult Males, Janet Tracey Peterson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Over the past few decades it has become apparent that increased body weight, specifically body fat, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle is associated with an increased risk for chronic disorders such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Researchers are now re-directing their focus on determining the cause of these relationships from an epidemiological view to a more biological or physiological standpoint. The purpose of this cross sectional study was to examine associations among obesity, physical activity and select immune, endocrine and metabolic parameters identified as risk factors for several chronic conditions. Ninety-one healthy males between the ages of 19 and 45 …

Linder-Aronson S Analysis Using Rhinomanometry And Newtom, Noel Moser

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Investigations into the effects of airway patency on craniofacial development are essential to ensure that interceptive orthodontic treatment provides the maximum benefit to the patient. The aims of this study were to (1) compare the size of the nasopharyngeal airway space on lateral cephalometric and 3D volumetric radiographs to determine if volumetric scans can be of greater diagnostic value than a lateral cephalometric film in determining the degree of airway blockage or patency and (2) to examine the correlation between functional airway resistance, as evaluated by rhinomanometry, and radiographic constriction due to nasal turbinate and adenoid size.

Twenty-eight subjects from …

Comparative Methods Of Measurement To Evaluate Onplant Assisted Anchorage, Marc Reid Larson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to compare the two-dimensional cephalometric and the three-dimensional tomographic radiographic methods in their ability to assess anatomic measurements while using the Onplant anchoring device in anterior retraction cases.

The Onplant was surgically placed beneath the periosteum of the hard palate. After osseointegration the Onplant was then uncovered and attached to the first molars by means of a transpalatal bar. Conventional orthodontic treatment was then used to retract the anterior teeth after 1^st premolars were extracted.

To evaluate the movement of the Onplant, a three-dimensional measuring tool was needed. Seven different measurements were made …

Il-10 And Alveolar Bone Loss, Abdulaziz Saud Al-Rasheed

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a cytokine with anti-inflammatory activities. IL-10 knockout (KO) mice exhibit severe intestinal inflammation in the presence of normal gut flora. We hypothesized that IL-10 KO mice would also be susceptible to inflammatory periodontal disease resulting in alveolar bone loss (ABL). The purpose of this study was to compare naturally occurring ABL in IL-10 KO and wild type (WT) mice. Twelve IL-10 KO and 12 WT mice, age-(7 months) and sex-(male) matched, were used. Half of the mice were on 129/SvEv and half on C57BL/6J background. Animal heads were defleshed and treated to remove all organic material. ABL …

Enhancement Of Anti-Hiv-1 Ribozyme Activities By Rev Binding And Multimerization, Yuksel Yildiz

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

To effectively apply hammerhead ribozymes as therapeutic agents it is necessary to co-localize them with the desired target. Human immunodeficiency virus type1 (HIV- 1) infectivity is dependent on env gene expression. HIV-1 Rev protein binds to a higher ordered RNA structure within the env transcript termed the Rev Binding Element (RBE). In anti-HIV gene therapy employing ribozymes to increase the co-localization of anti- HIV ribozymes with target HIV mRNAs, it has been proposed that when the native HIV- 1 RBE is appended to a ribozyme as a decoy molecule, simultaneous binding of Rev monomers to the RBE sequences in both …