Prospective participants must be between 25 and 44 and currently not engaging in regular physical activity.

In addition, participants will be asked to commit to a six-month period, during which they will come to the Drayson Center for eight data-collection appointments. (Evening and weekend appointments available.)

This study has been approved by the Loma Linda University IRB (5140203) and the University of Bath Ethics Committee. La Sierra University IRB has permitted recruitment on campus and allowed Loma Linda University and the University of Bath to serve as guarantors.

For more information about the study, visit phdresearch2014.webs.com/info-screening, email phd.research.2014@gmail.com or call 951-785-2293.

"The concept of gamification has shown potential for increasing user engagement, user activity, user productivity and social interactions; however, many gamefully designed activity tools have not been properly evaluated," the study screening website states. The researchers will explore novel and effective ways for people to become more motivated to exercise.

The project is led by Ernesto Medina, Dr.P.H., executive director of the Loma Linda University School of Public Health Center for Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyle and Disease Prevention; and by Dominique Wakefield, M.A., CPT, CWP, a doctoral candidate at the University of Bath and an assistant professor at La Sierra University. Co-investigators include researchers from Northeastern University (Boston) and the University of Bath.

"I'm excited about this research because when I used to work in the clinical setting...I would get asked all the time what digital tools were effective and based on sound theory and research, and sadly, there wasn’t a lot of evidence showing that these tools really worked," Dr. Medina said. "We hope our research will give this kind of information that both health care professionals and the public can use to make informed decisions."

The study is IRB-approved by all three institutions, and the investigators are looking for participants that meet certain criteria as listed on the study website.

For more information about the study, visit phdresearch2014.webs.com/info-screening.

Jim Banta, Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Public Health's department of health policy and management, was the lead author on the article entitled "Race/Ethnicity, Parent-Identified Emotional Difficulties, and Mental Health Visits Among California Children" in the "Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research." Dr. Banta collaborated with other authors from the Loma Linda University School of Behavioral Health, the Loma Linda University School of Medicine and from UCLA.

A link to the full article is available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23070565.

As part of this effort, Healthy Loma Linda will host the first community visioning workshop Tuesday, Nov. 13.

Among Healthy Loma Linda's goals are to discuss past and current city efforts targeting health and quality of life; the opportunities, difficulties and successes that the community and others in the region experience today; the areas that can be challenged and improved; and the unique opportunities specific to Loma Linda that can drive the community to the forefront of Health Communities.

The first workshop will address the health of the community, the environment on campus and city-wide, and how to retain and elevate the quality of life locally and throughout the region.

Input from residents, students and the community at large is vital and all are invited to attend the workshop from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Loma Linda City Hall community room.

For more information about the workshop, email Andrejs Galenieks at agalenieks@lomalinda-ca.gov.

According to Dr. Wilson, the first year has exceeded expectations in terms of the number of people trained and the number of grants and publications it has helped support.

“The microscopy resources that we have in the advanced imaging and microscopy facility at Loma Linda University are very unique,” said Dr. Wilson. “The facility serves as a research and educational resource for the Inland Empire and beyond.”

Dr. Yellon noted that the value of the core facility is indicated by the fact that more than 120 individuals—including LLU faculty, fellows, and medical and graduate students—trained at the facility during its initial year. They were joined by visiting faculty from other institutions including the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veteran’s Administration Medical Center; the University of California, Riverside; Western University Health Science Center; California Baptist University; and other educational centers who took advantage of the opportunity to use the high-quality, specialized equipment the facility offers.

In addition, student researchers from a number of LLU programs—such as the Macpherson Summer Research Scholarship, Apprenticeship Bridge to College, Undergraduate Training Program and Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship—gained invaluable firsthand experience at the facility.

Researchers logged a remarkable 2,052 hours of use on the microscopes and image analysis workstations in the facility’s first year—the equivalent of 40 hours per week for 51.3 weeks.

The use of specialized microscopes for research is one of the cornerstone techniques of the basic sciences, used to understand the form and function of cells, tissues and organs. It’s also one of the fastest growing sectors in medical research, and one the federal government has proven eager to support.

In fact, the facility was initially funded by a generous grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) with additional support from H. Roger Hadley, M.D., dean of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. The combined funds were $1.5 million.

“It’s important to recognize that although the facility came into being through the NSF grant, it took the commitment of the dean,” Dr. Yellon said. “The NSF recognized the need and it was Dr. Hadley’s act in stepping up to help meet the need that brought this to fruition.”

The facility opened in 2011 amid high praise from scientists who asserted that it would elevate the school to the ranks of an elite group of academic science institutions by bringing sophisticated high-tech research equipment—notably a Zeiss LSM 710 NLO laser-scanning, multi-photon, confocal microscope—to the campus.

Dr. Wilson said that while there are other excellent microscopy centers in Southern California, the closest facility with comparable instrumentation is the City of Hope in Duarte.

“Our facility is expected to have a continued and enduring scientific impact,” he said, noting its value in helping scientists understand how the body works, and how disease impacts its function.

“These efforts are expected to help us better understand how the brain and nervous system work as well as offering useful insights into cellular and organ development, aging, and disruption and disease processes,” Dr. Wilson said.

The overwhelming popularity of the facility confronts Drs. Wilson and Yellon with a problem: Demand is already outstripping resources.

“Large increases in demand have led us to realize that the facility needs to expand to meet the needs of researchers,” Dr. Wilson said. “We routinely work with microscope vendors such as Zeiss, Leica and Nikon to evaluate new and emerging microscope technologies for future acquisitions for the facility so we can continue to provide cutting-edge resources for the research community.”

Dr. Yellon attributed the success of the center to its synergistic origins.

“The center was the coalescing of many common interests among the faculty in basic sciences and led to collaborative research projects and program project grants,” he said.

The core facility was conceived in the mind of Lawrence D. Longo, M.D., former director of the Center for Perinatal Biology.

Looking back, the staff of the facility said the first year laid a solid foundation for a successful future.

“The first year definitely lived up to its billing,” Dr. Yellon said. “Based upon user information, about half of the extramural support grants on campus use the center, plus the first grant with preliminary studies conducted in the initial year was recently funded. The facility appears to be meeting the needs of our LLU community. That’s what a core facility is supposed to do in fulfillment of our vision to support the mission of the university.”

This story was originally published in the Aug. 31 edition of Today.

The research showed that after elderly individuals (average age 74) watched a 30-minute humorous video, their learning ability, delayed recall, and visual recognition improved by 38.7 percent, 36.1 percent, and 6.6 percent respectively.

"With aging, the damaging effects of stress can impair the ability to learn and sustain memory," said Dr. Bains. "Humor and the associated mirthful laughter can reduce stress by decreasing stress hormones, including cortisol and catecholamines."

These hormones wear down the mind and body. Cortisol, for example, can damage the neural cells of the hippocampus, which is a part of the brain responsible for transforming infor- mation into new memories.

During this project, Dr. Bains was mentored by researchers from the School of Allied Health Professions and School of Medicine: Lee Berk, Dr.P.H.; Noha Daher, Dr.P.H.; Everett Lohman, D.Sc.; Jerrold Petrofsky, Ph.D.; and Ernie Schwab, Ph.D. Dr. Bains was also substantially assisted in conducting his research by physical therapy doctoral students Prema Pawar and Pooja Deshpande.

According to its Web site, since its inception, the Binational Health Week "has become one of the largest mobilization efforts in the Americas to improve the health and well-being of the underserved Latino population living in the United States and Canada." Thousands of organizations, government agencies, and volunteers conduct health promotion and education events, as well as vaccinations and medical screenings, in 40 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.

In past years, School of Public Health students and faculty have assisted with health education, prevention and preparedness exhibitions and services at BHW events. Together with the Consulate, the School of Public Health is this year's event's main organizer.

In addition, students, faculty and even some alumni have been participating in Ventanilla de Salud (VDS) project, where they answer individuals' health questions and give presentations on various health topics. The VDS project was created by the Mexican government, whose consulates partner with local universities, organizations, and health care providers to offer health information to those in need.

Consistent with the school's tradition of innovation, School of Dentistry Dean Charles Goodacre responded in late 2009 to a request for proposals from the Center for Research & Education in Technology, Inc. (CRET), a forward-looking nonprofit association of dental manufacturers, suppliers, and an insurance company.

Dr. Edward Rossomando, professor at the University of Connecticut and CRET president and visionary who established the association in 2004 to arrange access for dental students and faculty to the most technologically advanced tools for dental care delivery, was present--along with Charles Cohen, CRET CEO, and representatives from most of the 22 dental technology companies that contributed equipment--to celebrate the first embodiment of his vision.

The Hugh Love Center is comprised of six operatories and a three-chair open clinic. Under the direction of Dr. Nadim Baba, professor of restorative dentistry, the 3,000-square-foot center, with equipment provided by six different manufacturers, will enable qualified students, under faculty supervision, the opportunity to treat patients using the latest in dental technology.

The center's name honors alumnus Hugh C. Love, D.D.S. (class of 1961), whose unrestricted trust to the School of Dentistry made possible the renovation of the former orthodontic clinic on the second floor of Prince Hall immediately adjacent to the school's group pre-doctoral clinic.

CRET conceived the plan whereby the School of Dentistry would supply space, support staff, and integration of technology into the curriculum, while CRET would design the space and its consortium of dental equipment manufacturers would provide the technologically advanced equipment to make the center possible.

"It is not only students and faculty, but patients, that will derive many benefits from the Center," said Dean Goodacre, "especially the ability to meld the key foundational technical skills required of exceptional practitioners with innovative technologies that can optimize patient care in an increasingly technology-driven world. Additionally, students will learn to integrate their advanced preclinical instruction with a technologically advanced clinical experience that will prepare them to make effective decisions regarding the incorporation of technology into their practices."

Starting in the fall quarter of 2012, fourth-year dental students will treat patients at the Hugh Love Center for at least two weeks per student. The optimal environment, most recent model operatories, and technologically advanced equipment will give Loma Linda University students a unique opportunity to determine their personal preferences as well as assess the advantages provided by different types and styles of delivery systems.

Mark Supanchick, design specialist, developed plans for the center. Construction was implemented by Dr. Bryan Marshall, owner of Alliance Healthcare Development and Construction; with oversight by Dr. Joseph Caruso, associate dean for strategic initiatives and faculty practices.

This story was originally published on the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry Web site, dentistry.llu.edu.

The Loma Linda team, which included medical, technical, and administrative support personnel, was in Egypt from April 26 to May 11. Members of the Loma Linda delegation included:

• Richard H. Hart, M.D., president of Loma Linda University
• Leonard L. Bailey, M.D., chair of surgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center, surgeon-in-chief at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, and pioneering infant heart transplant specialist
• Shamel A. Abd-Allah, M.D., chief of pediatric critical care at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics at Loma Linda University School of Medicine
• Aijaz Hashmi, M.D., a cardiologist at Loma Linda University Medical Center and Loma Linda University Children's Hospital who specializes in adult congenital heart diseases and pediatric cardiology
• Nahidh Hasaniya, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, and associate professor of pediatrics, at Loma Linda University School of Medicine
• Jim Eguchi, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine and pediatric critical care physician at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital
• Mudit Mathur, M.D., assistant professor of critical care medicine at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Along with Dr. Abd-Allah, Dr. Mathur taught the last two days of the pediatric critical care course.
• Jerry Daly, M.A., M.S.L.S., associate director of the Global Health Institute at Loma Linda University
• Jan Zumwalt, M.S., M.B.A., associate director of the Global Health Institute at Loma Linda University

According to Adam Shaban, M.D., a physician licensed in Egypt and studying for his California licensing boards in Loma Linda, the team performed 12 to 14 difficult procedures--surgeries that had seldom been performed in Egypt before--on infants. An average of 10 to 15 Egyptian medical students or residents observed the operations. He notes that the overseas heart surgery team last visited Egypt in 2008.

"The potential for educating the next wave of Egyptian physicians and surgeons was tremendous," Dr. Shaban said. He pointed out that pediatric cardiology surgery is not an established specialty in Egypt.

"Here in the U.S., we have many luxuries that we take for granted," he said. "But in Egypt, adult cardiologists routinely operate on pediatric patients. We're trying to change that."

For his part, Dr. Abd-Allah made sure the pediatric critical care course was not taken lightly.

"The students had textbooks and he gave them an exam at the end of the course," Dr. Shaban said. "They had to pay attention and a lot of them did well."

One of the highlights of the trip was a banquetin honor of the Loma Linda delegation sponsored by Al-Orman, a charitable organization dedicated to eradicating poverty, and improving medical and social conditions in the Middle East. Dr. Shaban pointed out that Dr. Hart was able to attend the banquet.

"Although his schedule did not allow him to be with us the entire time, he was able to meet with Osama Ibrahim, M.D., president of the University of Alexandria; Ashraf Saad, M.D., dean of the Faculty of Medicine; and Khaled Karara, M.D., chair of the cardiothoracic surgery program," Dr. Shaban said. "They presented medals to Dr. Hart and other members of the team."

While Dr. Shaban views international cooperation as an important way for Loma Linda University Medical Center to share its mission "to make man whole" with individuals in other parts of the world, he noted that for himself and other trip participants, the greatest reward was seeing what great improvements their work made in the lives of their little patients.

"Each patient became like family to us," he said. "We weren't going to rest until the patient walked out the door. That was something that amazed me. Without these operations, the babies would have had short-lived, poor-quality lives. Watching them leave, knowing they could now look forward to normal, healthy lives, was just incredible!

"We were also reunited with some of the patients from the previous trip in 2008," he said. "To see them four years later, living healthy lives, was a true blessing. It was great to learn that the Egyptian physicians and surgeons had successfully performed so many complex procedures that we taught them on previous trips. They have now trained at least four generations of residents, so you can imagine how many people have already benefited. It's very exciting to be part of this!"

This story was originally published in the July 27, 2012, edition of Today.

The new center is based at the Gerace Research Centre on the Bahamian island of San Salvador. Its primary purposes are to raise awareness of the highly endangered rock iguana--with an estimated population of about 500--and assist the wild population of iguanas through a breed-and-release program.

Dr. Hayes, who is also director of the LLU Center for Biodiversity, has been working with the endangered rock iguana in the Bahamas since 1993, making a number of trips to San Salvador through the years.

"I've been studying the endangered Bahamian rock iguana, Cyclura rileyi, in collaboration with Ron Carter," said Dr. Hayes. "There are eight additional rock iguana species in the Caribbean, all of which are highly endangered and protected by international law."

"Three of these species occur in the Bahamas, where they are also protected by Bahamian law."

Ron Carter, Ph.D., provost of Loma Linda University, has worked closely with Dr. Hayes since 1993. Their research has centered on observing the behaviors of the rock iguanas, as well as the environmental issues that threaten them.

"The demise of these lizards, the largest native terrestrial herbivores on the islands where they occur, can be attributed entirely to activities of man," Dr. Hayes said. "They are vulnerable especially to habitat destruction, as well as the introduction of feral predators and competitors."

The San Salvador Iguana Conservation Centre is being created through a collaboration of the organizations San Salvador Living Jewels, the Bahamas National Trust, and the Gerace Research Centre, with funding from California-based Seacology and FIBC First-Caribbean Bank.

Dr. Hayes served as a consultant for the center's facility and protocol development, as well as helping to find funds to support the project.

"On my recent trip to San Salvador, I found very few juvenile rock iguanas," Dr. Hayes said. "I hope the new center can impact their numbers and help to reverse their decline." He adds, "The entire disappearance of a species is permanent and represents a major failure on our part to protect our fellow creatures."

Prospective participants are between the ages of 18 and 70 who have at least 20 natural teeth. Qualified individuals will receive toothpaste, a toothbrush, and oral examinations at no cost. In addition, they will receive a modest monetary gift upon completion of the study.

For more information about the study and to register, call Christina at ext. 88178.