Biomedical subjects

Bih-Ching Shu

Publications and source records attributed to Bih-Ching Shu.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

A module map showing interaction between apolipoprotein E and phospholipase A2 polymorphism in lipid profiles.

OBJECTIVE: Establish a possible conceptual relationship among Apo E and PLA2 polymorphism and lipid profiles. METHODS: Five hundred subjects aged 65 to 74 years were randomly selected from a community in southern Taiwan to assess the relationship between Apo E and PLA2 polymorphisms and lipid profiles. Two hundred fifty-six participants agreed to have venous blood drawn for DNA studies. RESULTS: By multiple linear regression, the PLA2 A2 allele showed a statistically significant influence on LDL-C (p = 0.0097), and the Apo epsilon2 allele showed a statistically significant influence on HDL-C (p = 0.0004), however, the interaction between the PLA2 A2 allele and the Apo epsilon2 allele was found to be significant in the blood fraction of HDL-C (p = 0.0388) and LDL-C (p = 0.0002). Decreasing HDL-C and increasing LDL-C were found when the PLA2 A2 and Apo epsilon2 allele co-existed. CONCLUSION: The presence of a physiologic balance contributes significantly to homeostatic and compensatory responses regulating blood HDL-C and LDL-C profiles. A module map of the generation-control cycle and conditional activity among Apo E, PLA2, and lipid levels is presented, and both behaviours and biological perspectives under the consilience model may suggest a new approach to many kinds of complex disorders.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Process of self-identity transformation in women with autistic adolescent.

The purpose of this study was to understand the self-identity transformation in women with adolescent autistic children. In this study, in-depth interviews were used to collect data. Eight mothers were recruited who had autistic children aged 13-21 and who were those children's primary caregivers. Each mother was interviewed from one to four times. Four themes emerged through these mothers rethinking their connection with others during middle age. These included (1) relationships revisited; (2) self-awareness inspiration; (3) reconnection constructed; and (4) new self-identity formed. Results are hoped to provide valuable information for health professionals to understand how mothers of autistic adolescents connect with others and with their self-identity during middle age.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2006

Dopamine D4 receptor gene and the -521C>T polymorphism of the upstream region of the dopamine D4 receptor gene in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: The dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) is a candidate gene for increasing genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia. A recent study found that a -521C>T promoter base pair change affects transcriptional regulation of the DRD4 gene. The present study was designed to investigate the role of both the -521C>T single nucleotide polymorphism and the DRD4 variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism. METHODS: A case-control study of 630 Chinese schizophrenic patients and 428 Chinese controls was conducted to test for allelic association with schizophrenia. RESULTS: The number of DRD4 VNTR fragments was associated with schizophrenia. Long DRD4 VNTR fragments as opposed to short fragments were commoner in schizophrenia. No evidence was found for allelic association between the -521C>T DRD4 polymorphism and schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary and unconfirmed evidence for the involvement of the DRD4 repeat VNTR in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

The mental health of hospital workers dealing with severe acute respiratory syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) on health care workers in Taiwan. The possible predisposing and perpetuating factors in developing mental symptoms were investigated. METHODS: Participantsconsisted of 135 health care workers who had had contact with or took care of patients who were probable or suspected SARS cases, during the SARS outbreak, at a teaching hospital in southern Taiwan. All participants completed questionnaires, including the Chinese Health Questionnaire, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and Parental Bonding Instrument. RESULTS: Twenty-two participants (17.3%) developed significant mental symptoms, and 105 participants (82.7%) showed no obvious symptoms. The structural equation model showed that maternal care (beta = -0.18, p = 0.011) and neuroticism (beta = 0.54, p < 10(-6)) directly influenced the ability of health care workers to deal with the impact of SARS. Maternal overprotection (beta = 0.30, p < 10(-4)) had an indirect influence on the ability to cope with the impact of SARS. CONCLUSION: Both neuroticism and maternal attachment influenced the mental health of health care workers during the SARS epidemic. The results can be a helpful reference for intervention and prevention programs for health care workers facing disasters in the future.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

[Ethical skills in the care of the self].

The health professional usually faces inner turbulence when caring for the suffering of others. This article explores the skill of health care professionals in taking care of their own emotional and physical health. Research examined how personal health was self-monitored and how subjects modified themselves and their behavior in order to improve their health condition. Aesthetic authentic competence is an essential tool used in self-monitoring. Cognition, emotion, group dialogue, meditation, and self-writing are all skills used to modify the self.

Emotions↗

PubMed2005

Telomeric length varies with age and polymorphisms of the MAOA gene promoter in peripheral blood cells obtained from a community in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: Telomere shortening and increased MAOA gene activity both occur with aging. We undertook to develop a predictive model of telomere shortening and to investigate the possible association between MAOA gene promoter polymorphisms and telomere length as influenced by age and gender. METHODS: A stratified random household sample was selected from a community in southern Taiwan. Of 1231 subjects attending our health-screening program, 441 agreed to have additional venous blood withdrawn for DNA extraction and genetic study. Exactly 433 subjects completed the questionnaires and genetic analysis. Their telomere lengths were distributed (6.4-11.63 kb). RESULTS: The rate of shortening per year was 69 base pairs, and the gender difference in length was not statistically significant (F = 0.091, P = 0.763). The lognormal distribution of telomere lengths was linear. The polynomial regression analysis showed Ln (telomere length) = -2.57-0.007 x age - 0.34 MAOA (adjusted R-square = 0.60). The gender effect on telomere length was not statistically significant (P = 0.52). No interaction effects were found between age, gender and MAOA gene polymorphisms. The high-activity allele of the MAOA promoter polymorphisms were negatively associated with telomere length (P = 0.013). Structural equation modeling confirmed the null model structure. The present data suggest that high-activity MAOA promoter gene polymorphisms, as in aging, are a risk factor for telomeric shortening. CONCLUSIONS: Central nervous system serotonergic activity correlates with human aggressive behavior and depression in many studies, and the MAOA promoter gene may also serve as a clinical marker in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. The predictive model and table of telomere length presented in this study will provide a quick reference for future studies.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Reflections on the development of indigenous nursing knowledge: an example from psychiatric mental health nursing].

An awareness of issues concerning the indigenous population has been present in the social and behavioral sciences in Taiwan since 1980. This paper attempts to make critical analyses and reflections on the development of current nursing knowledge in Taiwan. The needs and directions for nursing studies rooted in indigenous culture are discussed in detail.

Health Services Needs and Demand↗

PubMed2005

[A new field of mental health nursing: care for sex offenders].

Sexual assaults have increased enormously in recent years in Taiwan. As a result the government has introduced many new regulations concerning sex offenders, particularly that sex offenders may not be conditionally released without receiving special psychiatric treatment. The consequent introduction of psychiatric care in prisons, established the provision of treatment for sex offenders, and led to the development of a new field. This article outlines the current legislation regarding sex offenders, the medical treatment of sex offenders, and the relationship of such treatment to mental health nursing, and explores the ethical issues involved in the care of sex offenders. We hope that, with the benefit of this introduction to the topic, nurses will better understand sex offenders and that some will become clinical nursing specialists in the field.

Humans↗

PubMed2004

p53 codon 72 polymorphism and susceptibility malignancy of colorectal cancer in Taiwan.

PURPOSE: The p53 tumor suppressor gene plays two important roles in genomic stability: blocking cell proliferation after DNA damage until it has been repaired, and starting apoptosis if the damage is too critical. A recent report suggests that a polymorphism of the p53 tumor suppressor gene that results in the substitution of a proline residue with an arginine residue at position 72 of the p53 protein might act as a risk factor in the malignant transformation of colorectal adenoma to cancer. METHODS: In our study, the samples consisted of 150 patients were analyzed for the mutation in the p53 gene. The age of 150 patients (46 women and 104 men) ranged from 30 to 91 years (mean age 68.46 years). RESULTS: The polymorphism showed 52.04% mutant in the codon 72 of exon 4 in the Taiwanese population. Both of the chi-square for trend test (chi-square = 4.97, p = 0.034) and logistic regression (p = 0.037, odds ratio = 1.699) showed significant differences in the distribution of polymorphism of codon 72 in the p53 gene and Dukes classification of colorectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant relationship between the polymorphism of codon 72 and the malignancy of colorectal cancer in Taiwanese population. There is 1.70 times in each grade change (Dukes A-D) more risk of CCC polymorphism than that of CCG polymorphism of codon 72 of exon 4.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Personal characteristics of adolescent prostitutes and rearing attitudes of their parents: a structural equation model.

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors of family structure, personality traits, and other variables among adolescent prostitutes. The subjects comprised 158 adolescent prostitutes in a halfway house as the case group and 65 high school girls as the control group. Data were collected by using questionnaires about demographic information, the Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the Parental Bonding Instrument. A high rate of tobacco, alcohol and drug use was found in the case group. Numerous factors distinguished the cause-effect relationship among adolescent prostitutes. Of all risk factors studied, maternal protection, paternal care, neurotic characteristics, tobacco use, discontinuous schooling and a dysfunctional family had the most direct effect. These results provide useful information for the evaluation of and interventions with adolescent prostitution.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[The change of mothers with autistic children: from analyzing the process of support group].

The purpose of this study was to analyze the processes by which support groups assist mothers with autistic children, in order to understand how mothers adapt themselves and reestablish relationships within the environment of the support group. In this qualitative study, eight mothers were recruited to form a support group. The group met for 10 sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. All the sessions were recorded in full on both audio and video tape. The data were analysed by the content analysis method. The results were used to analyze the process of change within mothers who took care of their autistic children, including transitions involving the termination of a fond dream, emerging from confusion, finding hope and seeking help; facing the family--reversing the course of events and taking responsibility; facing society--respecting life. The results show the changes in mothers caused by the group experience and the effects on them of interaction between themselves and their spouse, relatives and the autistic child since the time of the child's birth. The results should help health workers to gain a deeper understanding of mothers with autistic children.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Factors related to self-concept of elderly residing in a retirement center.

The purpose of this study was to explore the self-concept of elderly adults residing in retirement centers as well as its relationship to other variables, including function of activities of daily living (ADL), subjective well being, etc. Selected demographic attributes (sex, age, years of education etc.) were also examined for their relationship to self-concept. The subjects were a convenience sample of people aged 65 or older who were recruited from a retirement center in the south of Taiwan (N = 42), and a control group of elderly living with their family (N = 33). The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS) was used to measure self-concept. The Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire- Chinese Version (MFAQ) was applied to measure the function of activities of daily living. A total of 37 subjects from the retirement center group and 28 subjects from the home group completed these questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS/PC software version 10.0. After multiple linear regression analysis, the results showed that the elderly residing in the retirement center had significantly lower Personal Self and Family Self scores. The variables of ADL, sex and subjective well-being had effects on the total self-concept. Female elderly individuals also revealed significant higher scores than males in the subscales of Moral- Ethical, Family Self, Social Self, Identity, Satisfaction Self. These results suggest we should design appropriate programs to increase elderly people's interaction with others and establish new social networks for them which may enhance a sense of positive self-concept.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2002

Ethnic heterogeneity in allele variation in the DRD4 gene in schizophrenia.

The goal of the present study was to use a meta-analysis on previous studies plus our own unpublished data to confirm and extend findings which indicate that the variation in the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene is best represented by a mixture of two different ethnic groups. The genotype distribution was divided into either a long or short form using a mixture analysis of normal controls of different ethnic origins under the assumption that there is a single major gene. The meta-analysis was based on the data from 19 independent samples, 18 association studies, and from our own unpublished data, including a total of 1431 schizophrenic patients (sporadic cases 1309, familial cases 122) and 1439 controls. No significant genotype differences were noted between patients and controls for the whole sample. However, reorganization of the studies into different groups by the geographical origin of samples revealed significant ethnic heterogeneity. In addition, there was a significant association between the long form of DRD4 gene and schizophrenia in Caucasians, especially those with familial schizophrenia.

Asian People↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Parental rearing style, premorbid personality, mental health, and quality of life in chronic regional pain: A causal analysis.

The aim of the current study was to establish the causal model among parental bonding, personality characteristics, mental health, quality of life, and chronic regional pain (CRP). Thirty CRP patients and 56 mental illness patients were compared using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief-Tawain Version (WHOQOL-BREF-TW), and Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). There were significant differences in mental health, personality characteristics, and quality of life between the CRP and mental illness groups. Structural equation modeling showed that parental bonding could directly affect personality characteristics, and, hence, directly impact disease and quality of life. CRP is different from mental illness in many dimensions. In this study, CRP appeared to be caused by actual physical dysfunction rather than mental dysfunction.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Father-son attachment and sexual partner orientation in Taiwan.

The topic of homosexual adjustment problems has never been explored in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of parental bonding in the adjustment problems of homosexuals. A total of 51 young homosexual males, 100 nonhomosexual personnel with adjustment disorder, and 124 controls were administered the Parental Bonding Instrument, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and the Chinese Health Questionnaire. The final parsimonious logistic regression and structural equation modeling showed paternal attachment, especially paternal overprotection, to be a predisposing factor in the development of homosexuality. Paternal attachment, introversion, and neurotic characteristics were key factors in the development of homosexuals. In particular, paternal overprotection played the most important role in the developmental process of male homosexuals. This study can be used as a reference for clinical personnel in caring for male homosexuals.

Adult↗