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Biomedical subjects

S B Chang

Publications and source records attributed to S B Chang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

HIV/AIDS related knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behavior of pregnant Korean women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess HIV-AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behavior of pregnant Korean women before designing patient and public education programs. DESIGN: Pre-experimental cross-sectional survey. POPULATION, SAMPLE, SETTING, YEARS: Convenience sample of 409 women at six prenatal clinics in Seoul, Korea, in 1993. OUTCOME MEASURES: HIV-AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behavior. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires. FINDINGS: The women described high levels of knowledge about HIV and AIDS risk factors but less knowledge about transmission of the virus, as well as attitudes of rejection toward unrelated people with HIV/AIDS; 16% provided condoms for their husband's use in extramarital sex, the primary risk behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Korean women are at risk for heterosexual transmission of HIV despite knowledge of risk factors. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Korean education programs for women should focus on modes of heterosexual transmission, care of individuals with HIV or AIDS, self-assessment of HIV-AIDS risk, and self protection.

Female↗
PubMed1994

Factors associated with hepatitis B vaccine response among dentists.

The objective of this study was to evaluate personal and immunization factors associated with serologic evidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine response. A study was conducted using data from United States dentists participating from 1987 to 1991 in the Health Screening Program of the American Dental Association's annual session. This study included dentists (n = 507) who (1) received their most recent dose of HBV vaccine within the previous 10 months, (2) completed a core questionnaire, and (3) were tested for HBV markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc) and were found not to have evidence of past or present infection. Non-responders were defined as dentists testing negative for all three markers (n = 100). Responders were defined as dentists having serological evidence of anti-HBs alone (n = 407). Logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship of vaccine response to the variables sex, age, number of vaccine doses, site of vaccination, type of vaccine, and history of hepatitis. Vaccine response was most strongly associated with sex, age, and number of doses. Factors unrelated to vaccine response included type of vaccine and history of hepatitis. Adherence to the recommended number of doses and early vaccination are critical to adequate protection against hepatitis B infection of dentists, who are often exposed to blood and other body fluids.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[AIDS. The trend of HIV/AIDS and the nurse's role in AIDS care].

Since the first case of AIDS was found among male homosexuals, the AIDS related problem has been in the male homosexual population, but the AIDS trend is changing from homosexuals to heterosexuals, with the majority of cases in the general population. Even though currently the reported HIV/AIDS cases in Korea are only 324 in Korea, the number of people infected with HIV/AIDS is projected to increase greatly over the next few years. As the number of these cases increases, there will be a major strain on nursing care resources. Since there is no known cure, the only way of halting this epidemic is through the prevention of further infection. In various stages of HIV infection, different problems occur, calling for various specific services and nursing skills. Nurses must develop a strategy to alleviate the negative attitudes related to care of AIDS patients and anxiety and dislike for care of terminally ill patients. Also, nurses must be prepared for teaching the general population about prevention of AIDS, counseling individuals in risk of HIV infection, HIV testing, and transmission risks, and caring for AIDS patients using Hospice concepts in various settings.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Environmental hazard evaluation of amalgam scrap.

Amalgam scrap was subjected to two different Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) extraction procedures to determine if it presents an environmental hazard. The results indicate that concentrations of mercury and silver in the extracts do not exceed the EPA's maximum allowable concentrations. It was concluded that amalgam scrap is not a hazardous solid waste. Proper handling of amalgam scrap disposal by recycling is, however, highly recommended.

Copper↗
PubMed1992

Transamidase and collagenase activity in healthy and diseased human gingival tissues.

Transamidases are a class of calcium-dependent mammalian enzymes which cross-link proteins by catalyzing the formation of (gamma-glutamyl)-epsilon-lysine bonds. It is possible that these enzymes play an important anabolic role in tissue healing. This study was to quantitate transamidase activity in human gingival tissue and examine the relation between transmidase activity and degree of inflammation. Forty-four out of a total 120 collected human gingival specimens from healthy and diseased patients were selected based on histometric and microbiologic criteria. Specimens were minced and homogenized in 10 mM CaCl2 and then extracted for 30 min, in 50 mM tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.5) containing 100 mM CaCl2. Following low speed centrifugation at 4 degrees C, the supernatant solution was assayed for both transamidase and collagenase activities by radioactive amine incorporation, and digestion of tritiated collagen, respectively. Appreciable levels of transamidase and collagenase activities in healthy gingivae were found. These enzyme activities were significantly elevated in the diseased and healing tissues. Unlike other transamidases, calcium was required in the enzyme extraction process.

Acyltransferases↗
PubMed1992

Factors affecting blood mercury concentrations in practicing dentists.

It has been suggested that mercury vapor may be transformed into highly toxic organomercury compounds by micro-organisms in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. If this hypothesis is correct, practicing dentists might be expected to have concentrations of organic mercury in their blood higher than that found in non-dentists. Blood mercury concentrations of practicing dentists and non-dentists were determined by means of cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Potential sources of mercury exposure were identified in both dentists and non-dentists through a questionnaire completed at the time of sampling. Concentrations of total and inorganic blood mercury were significantly higher in dentists than in non-dentists. The organomercury concentrations of the two groups were not statistically different (p greater than or equal to 0.05). The high concentration of inorganic mercury in the blood of dentists was not related to the organomercury level, suggesting that biotransformation of inorganic mercury to organomercury does not occur in vivo. However, the concentration of blood organomercury was positively correlated with the frequency of fish consumption. There was no correlation between the number of amalgam restorations and the concentration of inorganic blood mercury for both groups. Accidental mercury spills in the dental operatory may contribute most to the concentration of inorganic blood mercury in the blood of dentists.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1992

Human immunodeficiency virus type I. Infection among dentists.

The largest collection yet assembled of year-to-year data on the seroprevalence of antibody to HIV in practicing dentists confirms that dentists--along with other health care workers--remain at low risk for occupationally acquired HIV infection.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1990

[Factors influencing sexual satisfaction in women who have had a hysterectomy: a comparative group study].

This descriptive study was done to identify factors influencing sexual satisfaction in women who had had a hysterectomy and to compare these women who had not had a hysterectomy. The purpose was to contribute theoretical understanding on which to base nursing care planning. One group of subjects were 156 women who had had a hysterectomy, between one and 18 months post surgery, living with their spouse, having no complications, and menstruating before surgery. The other group of subjects were 282 healthy women who were living with their husbands and menstruating. The study tool consisted of 108 items including item concerning personal characteristics, characteristics related to the hysterectomy, husband's support, body image, emotions, attitude toward the sexual relationship, knowledge of sexuality, sexual behavior, and sexual satisfaction. Sexual satisfaction was measured by a tool based on Derogatis Sexual Function Inventory. The range of the internal level of the study tool was from .5208 to .9462. Data collection was done during the period from June 20 to Aug. 20, 1989. The same questionnaire was used of data collection for both groups, but a mail survey method was used for the women who had had a hysterectomy, and an interview method was used for the women who had not had a hysterectomy. Data analysis was done using frequency, ratio, mean and S.D. for the characteristics of the subjects and level of sexual satisfaction. t-test or ANOVA was used for the differences between the groups with regard to the general and hysterectomy related characteristics. The relationship between the score for sex life related factors and the level of sexual satisfaction was analyzed using the Pearson Correlation, and the influencing factors on sexual satisfaction were analyzed by stepwise multiple regression. The results of this study were as follows; 1. Mean age and income level were the only general characteristics for the two groups that were significantly different. The mean age, and income level of the group who had had a hysterectomy were 45 years, and 1,150,000 won respectively, and for those who had not had a hysterectomy, 41 years and 999,000 won. 2. There was no statistical difference of the sexual satisfaction score between the two groups. 3. There was differences in the factors influencing sexual satisfaction between the two groups. Factors influencing sexual satisfaction for the group who had had a hysterectomy were husband's support (R = .5793, P = .000) and the women's Knowledge of sexuality (R = .6670, P = .000) (total variance: 33.56).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[A study on the relationship between pre- and post-hysterectomy sexual behavior differences and the sexual satisfaction of women who have had a hysterectomy].

The objective of this study was to provide a basis for sexual counselling and education for women who have had a hysterectomy. This was a cross sectional descriptive correlation study. There were 230 subjects in the study. The time period from the hysterectomy varied from one month to eighteen months. The subjects were selected by a convenient sampling method. The tool for this study was developed by the researcher through a literature review, consultation from 36 women who have had a hysterectomy and nursing faculty. A pilot study was done to determine the necessary modifications. Data collection was done between Sept. 1987 and Dec. 1987 using a mailed questionnaire. The results of this study are summarized as follows; 1. The differences between pre-post hysterectomy sexual behavior in frequency was that all the sexual behaviors were decreased; the decreased rate of coitus was 20.7%, of kissing or embracing 10.9%, of fondling of sexual organs 8.7%, of female prone-position 3.3%, of petting 7.7%, of sexual day dream 1.0%. 2. For the low income group, the sexual behavior with the most significant decrease in frequency was fondling the sex organs (t = 2.21, p less than .05). For the housewife group, it was a decrease in the one of the female prone position (t = -2.02, p less than .05). For the group under the age of 39, it was petting (t = -2.13, p less than .05). The housewife group showed an increase in sexual day dreams as compared to the group having a job (t = -3.12, p less than .01). The group that did not received the post-op information, showed a significant decrease in kissing or embracing behavior (t = 2.73, p less than .01), and male prone position (t = -2.46, p less than .01), and also the group that did not receive the pre-op information showed a significant decrease of male prone position (t = -2.19, p less than .05), and also of petting (t = -2.95, p less than .01). 3. The relationship between sexual behavior pre-post hysterectomy differences and sexual satisfaction only showed a significant correlation for the sexual behavior of coitus (r = -2.012, p less than .001), and fondling of sex organs (r = -.1121, p less than .05). In conclusion, although there were a decrease in all sexual behavior after the hysterectomy, the difference between the pre hysterectomy sexual behavior and the post hysterectomy sexual behavior correlated with sexual satisfaction for only of the two behaviors.

Coitus↗
PubMed1989

[An analytic study on influencing factors for sexual satisfaction in women who have had a hysterectomy].

This research was done to clarify the factors related to sexual satisfaction in women who have had a hysterectomy, and to identify which factors had statistically significant influence of sexual satisfaction of the subjects. The objective of this study was to identify the variables related to sexual adaptation which might be changed by nursing intervention. This was a cross-sectional descriptive correlation study. There were 230 subjects in the study, and they were selected by a convenient sampling method. The tool for this study was developed by the researcher through modification of the Dergatis Sexual Function Inventory (DSFI). A pilot study was done to determine the necessary modifications. Data collection was done between Sept. 1987 and Dec. 1987 using a mailed questionnaire. The characteristics of the subjects were as follows: The mean age of the subjects was 42.3 years and 204 (87.4%) of the subjects had nine or more years of education. The mean income of the subjects was 85.8870 won/month, and 179 (77%) of them were housewives. The mean number of pregnancies and children were 4.9 and 2.5 respectively. Oophorectomies were included in the surgery for 66 (28.7%) of the subjects. Only 12 (5.2%) were planning to have more children. Only 88 (38.3%) of the subjects had received information prior to the surgery regarding health problems related to the operation and less than half, 111 (48.3%), had received this kind of information before discharge. Lay persons were the source of information about the post-operation status for 196 (85.2%) of the subjects, but the content of the information did not significantly influence the sexual satisfaction score. Only 16 (7.0%) of the subjects said they regretted having a hysterectomy while 102 (44.3%) said they were pleased to have had a hysterectomy. Ninety (39.1%) of the subjects reported that their husbands had "stress" and 164 (71.3%) of the subjects reported "stress". The results of this study are summarized as follows: 1. The mean score for sexual satisfaction of the subjects was 34.24 with a possible maximum score of 50.00. Eighty two (35.8%) were responded that they were satisfied with their sexual life but 61 (26.5%) were responded that they were dissatisfied with their sexual life.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Phospholipids chiral at phosphorus: Fourier-transform infrared study on the gel-liquid crystalline transition of chiral thiophosphatidylcholine.

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to study the structural properties of Rp, Sp, and Rp + Sp isomers of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-thiophosphocholine (DPPsC), in comparison with those of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC). For the vibrational modes of acyl chains, isomers of DPPsC show similar temperature and phase dependence to DPPC. However, the Rp isomer of DPPsC exhibits several unique properties: the CH2 symmetric stretching band is unusually weak, the CH2 asymmetric stretching band is unusually narrow, and the CH2 wagging bands do not disappear completely at temperatures above the main transition. These differences could imply a tighter packing and be responsible for the unique phase-transition property of (Rp)-DPPsC. For the vibrational modes of the thiophosphodiester group, the frequency of the P-O stretching mode of DPPsC suggests that the POS- triad exists predominantly in the mesomeric form. This is in contrast to the structure of nucleoside phosphorothioates where charge localization at sulfur has been demonstrated [Iyengar, R., Eckstein, F., & Frey, P. A. (1984) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106, 8309-8310]. This suggests that the different biophysical properties between isomers of DPPsC are not due to different charge distribution in the POS- triad or different geometry of charge distribution on the membrane surface. Instead, factors such as size or hydration property of oxygen and sulfur, as well as the different configuration at phosphorus, could be responsible for the differences in the conformation and packing of acyl chains, as revealed by the different properties in the CH2 stretching and wagging modes of DPPsC.

Fourier Analysis↗
PubMed1969

Polygalactolipids in spinach chloroplasts.

Two polygalactolipids, designated as components A and B, were isolated from spinach chloroplasts and were also obtained from glycolipid products synthesized with chloroplast enzymes using uridine diphosphate galactose as a galactose donor. These lipids were purified by column and thin layer chromatography. Chemical analysis of component A indicates that the lipid is trigalactosyl diglyceride, whereas component B behaves like tetragalactosyl diglyceride on a thin layer plate. The major fatty acid in trigalactosyl diglyceride was alpha-linolenic acid. Relative amount (molar ratio) of galactolipids in spinach chloroplasts was monogalactosyl diglyceride:digalactosyl diglyceride:trigalactosyl diglyceride:(tetragalactosyl diglyceride) = 60:30:5:1.

Chloroplasts↗
PubMed1968

A Study of Plastoquinones in Photochemical Reactions in the Chloroplasts of Euglena gracilis Strain Z.

Plastoquinone-9 (PQ-9) was isolated from the chloroplasts of Euglena gracilis Strain Z and spinach. The functional involvement and the structural specificity of PQ-9 in photochemical reactions was investigated in the isolated chloroplasts of Euglena gracilis. It was found that PQ-9 was required for both photoreduction of ferricyanide and photosynthetic phosphorylation in Euglena chloroplasts. The structural integrity of PQ-9 was not required to the same degree in the 2 photochemical reactions. Photosynthetic phosphorylation seemed to require the entire molecular structure of PQ-9 for the activity, whereas shortening in isoprenoid chain and modification of quinoid nucleus of PQ-9 do not seem to alter the photoreduction activity significantly. Addition of PQ-9 to the lyophilized Euglena chloroplasts inhibited the photoreduction of ferricyanide significantly, while it stimulated photosynthetic phosphorylation activity.

Journal Article↗