Background and Objective: Smoking is one of the major risk factors for chronic periodontitis. However, the mechanisms involved in tissue degradation due to cigarette smoking are not clear. Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) are a system of molecules that regulate bone resorption. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of soluble RANKL (sRANKL), OPG and their relative ratio in GCF among periodontitis patients with varying smoking histories. Material and Methods: GCF samples were collected from 149 periodontitis patients who were never smokers (n=58), former smokers (n=39) and current smokers (n=52). sRANKL and OPG concentrations in GCF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: sRANKL, OPG and their relative ratio were not statistically significant among the never smokers, former smokers and current smokers. However, OPG was significantly reduced and subsequently the sRANKL:OPG ratio was significantly increased in the high pack-years group as compared with never smokers. The positive correlation between packyears and sRANKL:OPG ratio was statistically significant even after adjusting for age and current smoking status. Conclusion: Increased lifetime exposure to cigarette smoking above a minimum threshold suppresses OPG production and leads to increased sRANKL:OPG. This may partially explain increased bone loss in smoking-related periodontitis. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1352109 / Thesis (D.Clin.Dent.) - University of Adelaide, School of Dentistry, 2009

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Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 2001. / The purpose of this double blind placebo controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of a homoeopathic complex (Avena sativa 03, Ignatia amara 04, Daphne indica 06, Nux vomica 06, Caladium seguinum 060, Nicotinum 060 and Nicotiana tabacum 060) in helping people to stop smoking with reference to the Goldstein typology of cigarette smokers in terms of the number of cigarettes smoked per day / M

M.Tech. Biomedical Technology / Previous studies have reported on the potential health risks associated with direct contact with chemicals (such as DNAPLs) via inhalation or drinking of contaminated groundwater. Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPLs) enter into groundwater through incorrect storage or disposal and pose risk to human health. Industrialization contributes considerably to contamination of ground water with waste disposal practices leading to the deposition of hazardous waste at geologically/hydro-geologically unsuitable locations. Many hazardous chemicals found their way into groundwater by this mean and might cause problems if ingested in drinking water. Most of these compounds undergo only limited degradation in the subsurface, and persist for long periods of time while slowly releasing soluble organic constituents that present hazardous health effects (both toxic and non-toxic) to humans.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive bacterium responsible for listeriosis, a food-borne disease, which may result in severe illness and possible death. The importance of L. monocytogenes as a food-borne pathogen has been recognized since the 1980's when a correlation between the cunsumption of contaminated foodstuffs and human listeriosis outbreaks was observed. Listeriosis occurs with the ingestion of contaminated foods. The aim of this study involved developing DNA based methods to aid the food industry for the fast detection of L. monocytogenes in food products. Therefore assays were developed in such a way that they will have potential applications in the food idustry. / South Africa

Southern Africa has the highest prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in the world. With a high prevalence of HIV, as well as a rising incidence of chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDLs), South Africa is faced with the dual burden of infectious diseases and CDLs. Health promoting behaviours (HPBs), including physical activity (PA), maintaining good nutrition and taking responsibility for personal health, play an important role in managing the symptoms of HIV infection and the side effects of antiretroviral (ARV) use. Additionally HPBs improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in people living with HIV (PLWHIV). Furthermore, research indicates that HPBs should be encouraged among university students as they will become the future decision and policy makers in their places of employment. This study sought to determine the PA levels, HPBs and HRQOL of university students living with HIV, in order to better promote PA participation and HPBs in this population. Additionally, participants‘ perceptions of and attitudes towards exercise participation were investigated, as were barriers that mitigated against PA participation and HPBs. This study was exploratory-descriptive in nature and utilised a mixed methods design. The University Campus Health Clinic (CHC) staff recruited 29 HIV positive students (HIVPS) between the ages of 18 and 25 through purposive sampling. In the quantitative portion of the study the HIVPS completed a demographic questionnaire as well as three self-administered questionnaires, namely: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Health-promoting Lifestyle Profile (version 2, HPLP-II) and the World Health Organisation Quality of Life Brief Questionnaire (WHOQOL-HIV-BREF) to determine PA levels, health-promoting lifestyle behaviours and HRQOL, respectively. Height and weight, as well as the most recent CD4 count were also recorded.

A questionnaire survey of municipal water-supply agencies British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California was conducted for the purpose of comparing present management policies within and among the regions. Regression techniques were employed in an attempt to determine what factors influence the intensity of recreation occurring on a reservoir or watershed. A search of available literature was made to establish the 'facts' regarding water contamination through recreational use, the transmission of disease through water supplies, and the treatment of water to eliminate bacteria and viruses. The costs involved in the use or non-use of domestic water-supply areas for recreation were examined as were the major arguments for and against recreational use of these areas. The analysis of the questionnaire returns showed that in comparison with British Columbia, the States of Washington, Oregon and California all exhibited a higher level of water-supply management. Secondary uses were most prevalent in California and all of the respondents classifying themselves as 'secondary-use' agencies included recreation as one of the uses. In contrast to the situation in Washington and Oregon, and especially in British Columbia, recreational use in California was primarily a regulated use and very often planned and managed in detailed fashion with strict controls. The regression and correlation analysis showed some statistically significant but very weak relationships. The equations produced accounted for very little of the variation in the dependent variable (recreational-use score) and had very large standard errors of estimate. For the systems analyzed, the intensity of recreation occurring on a reservoir or watershed was related to such agency characteristics as present population served, percentage domestic use, degree of water treatment, average percentage of municipally or agency managed lands, average percentages of forest and shrub covered buffer and watershed lands and recreation opportunity in surrounding areas. From the search of pertinent literature and the questionnaire results, it was established that well planned and managed recreation facilities can be operated in conjunction with domestic water-supply facilities and have minimal effects on raw water quality. The potential hazard of disease transmission through the water system was fully recognized; however, water treatment techniques that will reduce this risk to a minimum are presently, available. On the basis of the research carried out in this study it was concluded that when conducted in accord with an ecologically sound management plan, recreation and the production of high quality potable water are indeed mutually compatible land uses. / Forestry, Faculty of / Graduate

The longitudinal relationship between loneliness and depression as predictors of chronic health conditions in middle-aged to older adults was investigated utilizing data collected by the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a national representative longitudinal study of health, retirement, and aging, conducted by the Institute for Social Research (ISR) Survey Research Center (SRC) at the University of Michigan, funded by the National Institute on Aging and the Social Security Administration. The correlation between these loneliness and depression was moderate (r = .32 to r = 51). The single-item subjective self-report of loneliness was found to be an adequate measure of loneliness. A cross-lagged panel correlation and regression design was used to examine the longitudinal relationship between loneliness, depression, and chronic health conditions. A temporal precedence was indicated implying a causal relationship with depression leading to subsequent loneliness. The relationship between recurring loneliness and chronic health conditions was weak (r = .13).