Biomedical subjects

S Noh

Publications and source records attributed to S Noh.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Caregiver's burden, depression and support as predictors of post-stroke depression: a cross-sectional survey.

To examine the effects of caregiver's burden, depression, and support on post-stroke depression (PSD), cross-sectional data were obtained from an epidemiologic survey of 225 stroke survivors and their caregivers living in Seoul, Korea. Multivariate analyses showed that, taking the clinical status of patients into account, caregiver's burden, depression and support were related to higher PSD. Perceived burden exerts adverse effects on PSD through its influence on the depression in caregivers. Hence, the care of stroke survivors that incorporates the care of caregivers is likely to reduce the risk of post-stroke depression in patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

Current status of water reuse systems in Korea.

In Korea, the current water resources will fall short by 2.6 billion tons to meet the 38 billion ton water demand in the year 2020. To overcome the future water shortage, it is desirable to minimize water consumption and to reuse treated wastewater. There are a total of 99 on-site water-recycling systems in the country. The potential capacity of the 99 systems is 429 thousands tons/day, which is 3.6% of the total service water. Compared to other industrialized countries, the number of the water recycling systems in Korea is extremely small. This is mainly due to the following reasons. First, in Korea, any building with more than 60,000 m2 of total floor space is required to install a water reuse system by law. However, only less than 0.5% of the total buildings have more than 10,000 m2. Therefore, the regulation is ineffective and merely nominal. Second, service water is supplied at low charge (0.20 US-dollar/m3 water). The inexpensive service water often discourages people to recycle treated wastewater. Third, people still think recycled water is not clean enough and can cause diseases. Therefore, they should be informed that a well-maintained recycling system does not fail to produce water with high quality.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗

PubMed2001

Leaching of Mn, Co, and Ni from manganese nodules using an anaerobic bioleaching method.

An anaerobic bioleaching of a manganese nodule by anaerobic Mn-reducing bacteria was evaluated for the leaching of metals, Mn, Co, and Ni. Insoluble Mn4+ in the nodule could be reduced to soluble Mn2+ by dissimilatory Mn-reducing bacteria that use a carbon source and Mn4+ as an electron donor and acceptor, respectively. As a result of the Mn reduction, Co and Ni could be leached from the loosed Mn matrix. Leaching experiments were carried out to optimize various process parameters, such as inoculation, pH, temperature, mineral salts, and particle size of the nodule used. The leaching efficiencies of Mn, Co, and Ni increased from 18, 7, and 10% to 77, 70, and 75%, respectively by the inoculation of the Mn-reducing enrichment culture broth. Metals could be efficiently recovered from the nodule in the ranges of pH from 5.0 to 6.5 and temperature from 30 to 45 degrees C by anaerobic bioleaching. External addition of mineral salts was not necessary for Mn, Co, and Ni leaching from the nodule. The optimum ratio of nodule to glucose was 0.1 (w/w). To obtain a leaching efficiency above 70%, the particle size of the nodules must be less than 0.6 mm.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Cdkn2a encodes functional variation of p16INK4a but not p19ARF, which confers selection in mouse lung tumorigenesis.

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2a (Cdkn2a) locus encodes two distinct tumor suppressors, p16INK4a and p19ARF, whose functions interrelate in the regulation of cell proliferation as key components of the retinoblastoma and p53 pathways, respectively. In many types of cancer, alterations of Cdkn2a abrogate the functions of both suppressors, implying that both are integral to the genesis of certain cancer types. While this has been observed in mouse lung adenocarcinogenesis, recent observations also suggested that naturally occurring variation at the Cdkn2a locus is probably operative in the development of these tumors. Firstly, two common haplotypes of mouse Cdkn2a have been identified, each of which encodes cosegregating variants of p16INK4a and p19ARF. The p16INK4a variants differ at amino acids 18 (histidine or proline) and 51 (valine or isoleucine), whereas the p19ARF variants differ only at amino acid 72 (histidine or arginine). Secondly, genetic resistance to lung tumor formation appears to segregate with one particular haplotype, which also is deleted preferentially in lung adenocarcinomas of Cdkn2a heterozygous mice. Here we attempt to explain these observations and to characterize further the roles of p16INK4 and p19ARF in mouse lung tumorigenesis by examining the function and expression of each of the variants of Cdkn2a. Functional analysis showed that the proline 18/isoleucine 51 p16INK4a variant was diminished in cdk6 binding, cdk6 inhibition and NIH/3T3 fibroblast growth suppression compared with the histidine 18/valine 51 variant, whereas both of the p19ARF variants suppressed growth with similar potencies. Also, the different alleles for p16INK4a and p19ARF were transcribed equally in the normal lungs of Cdkn2a heterozygotes, as determined by comparative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-single-stranded conformation polymorphism analysis. These results indicate that strain-specific variation in p16INK4a function is exploited in mouse lung tumorigenesis and strongly implicate a role for p16INK4a in lung cancer predisposition and development.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1999

Perceived racial discrimination, depression, and coping: a study of Southeast Asian refugees in Canada.

Using data obtained from personal interviews with 647 Southeast Asian refugees in Canada, this study tests hypotheses regarding both the association between perceived racial discrimination and depression, and the roles of coping and ethnic identity in conditioning the nature of the discrimination-depression relation. Refugees who reported that they had experienced racial discrimination had higher depression levels than their counterparts who reported no such experiences. Responding to discrimination through confrontation was not significantly associated with depression. Study findings support the effectiveness of forbearance in diminishing the strength of the association between discrimination and depression. The moderating effect of forbearance was conditioned by the level of ethnic identity: The beneficial effect of forbearance was significantly greater among those holding stronger ethnic identification. Cultural and situational interpretations of the findings are presented.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1996

Isolation and characterization of p19INK4d, a p16-related inhibitor specific to CDK6 and CDK4.

Cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 are complexed with many small cellular proteins in vivo. We have isolated cDNA sequences, INK4d, encoding a 19-kDa protein that is associated with CDK6 in several hematopoietic cell lines. p19 shares equal similarity and a common ancestor with other identified inhibitors of the p16/INK4 family. p19 interacts with and inhibits the activity of both CDK4 and CDK6 and exhibits no detectable interaction with the other known CDKs. p19 protein is present in both cell nuclei and cytoplasm. The p19 gene has been mapped to chromosome 19p13.2, and the level of its mRNA expression varies widely between different tissues. In contrast to p21 and p27 whose interaction with CDK subunits is dependent on or stimulated by the cyclin subunit, the interaction of p19 and p18 with CDK6 is hindered by the cyclin protein. Binary cyclin D1-p18/p19 or cyclin D1-CDK6 complexes are highly stable and cannot be dissociated by excess amounts of cyclin D1 or p19/p18 proteins, suggesting that p16 inhibitors and D cyclins may interact with CDKs 4 and 6 in a competing or potentially mutually exclusive manner.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Asian immigrants and the stress process: a study of Koreans in Canada.

The stress process paradigm is one of the most widely held perspectives in the sociology of mental health. While this model has been applied to a large number of research problems, relatively little work has examined whether the paradigm can assist in understanding the link between socially induced stressors and their consequences for the mental health of immigrants. In this paper, we employ a stress process formulation to examine the interplay among stressors, psychological and social resources, and psychological distress among a large sample of Korean immigrants living in Toronto, Canada. Data from a longitudinal study of over 600 respondents indicate that the stress process paradigm provides a useful perspective for understanding how chronic stressors associated with the immigration experience manifest themselves in psychological distress. Our results suggest that social and psychological resources have important deterrent effects on the experience of stressors and their subsequent distressful consequences. Ethnic social support and mastery are especially important factors in this process.

Acculturation↗

PubMed1995

Clinical applicability and test-retest reliability of an external perturbation test of balance in stroke subjects.

We address the test-retest reliability and clinical applicability of an adapted external perturbation balance assessment, ie, the Postural Stress Test (PST). Repeated-measures were designed to assess the clinical features of a component of balance disorder in stroke. Twenty ambulatory stroke patients and 20 age-, gender-, height-, and weight-matched healthy control subjects participated in this study. Stroke patients were tested (using the adapted PST) on 4 separate days; matched control subjects were tested on one occasion. With the subject standing, backward perturbation forces were applied at the level of the center of gravity. Postural reactions to the test were scored in real-time and from videotape, from two different viewing angles, ie, 45 degrees and 90 degrees to the saggital plane. Scores (out of a maximal of 81) were ascertained using a 10-point subjective-observational scale. None of the control subjects fell during testing; four of the hemiplegic subjects fell. Subjects were protected from potential injury by a custom-designed safety harness system. For the hemiplegic subjects, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), calculated as the reliability of any one occasion, ranged from 0.71 to 0.77, whereas those calculated as the reliability of the mean of the first two occasions ranged from 0.83 to 0.93. Although scores on the fourth occasion were significantly greater than those on the third occasion, both being significantly greater than those on the first and second test occasions (p < .05), differences were less than 5 points on the 81-point scale.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗

PubMed1995

A clinical trial of the process-oriented treatment approach for children with developmental co-ordination disorder.

The process-oriented treatment (POR chi) approach is a time-limited programme aimed at increasing the kinaesthetic performance of children with mild motor problems in order to improve their motor performance. The approach was compared with a traditional or general motor approach and with no treatment in a randomized clinical trial of 75 children with developmental co-ordination disorder. The children were assessed before and after treatment and after a six-week follow-up period. The results were mixed. The study provides evidence of the severity of so-called 'mild' motor problems of children referred to occupational therapy. The data suggest that these children do not improve spontaneously, and that their motor problems are very resistant to treatment. The data also suggest that an appropriate treatment strategy might be one that involves direct, repetitive training of a specific skill.

Apraxias↗

PubMed1994

Measuring perceived self-efficacy in occupational therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Occupational therapists sometimes observe an alarming discrepancy between the occupational performance skills developed in the clinical setting and the degree to which the client willingly puts these skills to use outside the clinical environment. The literature strongly suggests that perceived self-efficacy partially explains this discrepancy; however, an understanding of perceived self-efficacy has not yet been integrated into the practice of occupational therapy. Both a lack of awareness of the construct and a lack of ability to assess perceived self-efficacy within the occupational performance domain are responsible for this lack of integration into practice. This article presents the development, reliability, and validity testing of a measure of perceived self-efficacy developed particularly for use by occupational therapists, the Self-Efficacy Gauge. METHOD: Reliability and validity testing was performed through use of a mailed survey (n = 126). Test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and alternate form reliability were examined. In addition, the subjects' scores on the Gauge were compared to actual performance and a hopelessness scale. RESULTS: The Self-Efficacy Gauge has a reasonable degree of reliability when used on a clinical sample whose perceived self-efficacy for occupational performance activities is unlikely to change. The results also provide preliminary support for the validity of the instrument. CONCLUSION: It is recognized that without a gold standard for comparison, validity testing will be an ongoing need.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1993

Anxiety and depression in patients with abdominal bloating.

Eighteen patients with a syndrome of abdominal bloating and discomfort were examined to explore the relationship between their symptoms and their emotional problems. They were compared with 33 patients with Crohn's disease and 38 normal, healthy volunteers. Using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, patients with bloating were found to resemble patients with Crohn's disease. Both groups showed increased anxiety and depression. After controlling for age, sex, education, occupation, personality variables and childhood experience, there was a trend towards more anxiety in the bloating group compared with normal subjects and a significant difference for depression. These characteristics appear to be related to the effects of the illness or to selection, but not to personality or childhood experience. Although psychiatric problems are common among patients with abdominal bloating and pain who stay in touch with a clinic, they are not the primary cause of the disorder.

Abdominal Pain↗

PubMed1993

Job turnover and regional attrition among physiotherapists in northern Ontario.

Results of an initial study indicated that the most significant factor affecting retention for Physiotherapists in Northern Ontario was perceived opportunity for career development. A follow-up study was completed two years later to determine: 1) actual job turnover and regional attrition among physiotherapists in Northern Ontario; and 2) the predictive validity of variables identified in the first study regarding job turnover and regional attrition. Job turnover occurred in 29.5% of those sampled and the regional attrition rate was 12%. Discriminant function analysis revealed factors affecting job turnover and regional attrition including professional experience, practice location, opportunity for career development and size of community of residence. Based on previous intention, indicated by participants, follow-up revealed that the initial study correctly predicted 77.5% of those who changed their jobs and 74.1% of those who left Northern Ontario. Identified factors provide direction for the development of strategies for recruitment and retention of physiotherapists.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

An overhead harness and trolly system for balance and ambulation assessment and training.

Safe assessment of standing balance and gait is often jeopardized by the potential for falls, which may have major physical and legal consequences. This article describes the design and use of a system that enhances the safety of the patient and clinician during balance and gait assessment and training. The system consists of an overhead track and moveable trolly that allows the patient, while secured in a simple body harness, the freedom to ambulate, perform functional types of activities, and fall with minimal risk of injury. As a result, a single therapist can more readily assess balance and ambulation, as well as provide training for these skills. In addition, the therapist is free to observe the patient's movements from any position, without direct physical contact. Practically, the system described may allow ambulation training sooner after injury or surgery, permit training in weight-bearing or partial weight-bearing activities with or without assistive devices, and allow the clinician to focus on assessment and training, rather than on patient safety.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed1992

Surviving childhood cancer, social support, and parents' psychological adjustment.

Assessed whether the continuing emotional strain of parenting a child cancer survivor is associated with elevated levels of psychological distress (depression and anxiety) in parents. The role of social support in moderating this relationship was also evaluated. When parents of cancer survivors (63 mothers and 49 fathers) were compared to a matched sample of parents (64 mothers and 62 fathers) with healthy children there were no differences in levels of depression or anxiety overall but among parents experiencing low levels of social support, parents of cancer survivors were more depressed and anxious than parents of healthy children. Perceived social support has a significant inverse relationship with psychological distress for both parents but seems to be more important for mothers. The elevated risk for psychological distress noted for those experiencing low levels of support appears to be more generalized for fathers than mothers.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1992

Depression in Korean immigrants in Canada. I. Method of the study and prevalence of depression.

This study reports the prevalence and risk factors of depression in a large representative community sample of adult Korean immigrants in Toronto, Canada. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale was used to measure depression by applying DSM-III criteria. Results in general suggest few differences between the immigrant community and the larger communities in Canada and the United States. Depressive syndrome was present in 4.5% of the sample, a prevalence similar to rates reported by the Epidemiologic Catchment Area studies. The risk factors associated with depression in larger populations were also found to be related to depression in this sample. Gender, marital status, intention to re-migrate, and social support were the most powerful correlates of depressive syndrome. In summary, Korean immigrants in Toronto are not exceptionally vulnerable to depression, and the social support from informal ethnic networks at the time of arrival has long-lasting effects on their mental health. Future research should focus on how the informal social supports available at the time of arrival are maintained by immigrants and the precise ways in which they exert long-term protective effects.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Depression in Korean immigrants in Canada. II. Correlates of gender, work, and marriage.

The Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale was used to measure depression by applying DSM-III criteria to a community sample of 860 adult Korean immigrants residing in Toronto, Canada. A total of 2.6% of men (95% confidence interval, 1.1% to 4.1%) and 6.7% of women (95% confidence interval, 4.3% to 9.1%) manifested depressive syndrome, rates not substantially different from those reported in North American community populations. The study also identified the subgroups in which the gender differences in depression were the greatest. Both the role demand (or double burden) and power explanations of gender differences might be supported. The mental health implications of social roles, including gender role, may be better understood from cross-cultural or multicultural perspectives.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Assessing psychopathology in Korean immigrants: some preliminary results on the SCL-90.

The goal of this study was to respond to a pressing need for translated versions of existing measurement scales that can reliably and validly rate degree of psychopathology among various groups of Asian immigrants. Specifically, the study investigated the cross-cultural utility of the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) by examining scores of community and patient samples of Korean immigrants and comparing them with norms for Americans and for Koreans living in Korea. Several analyses were also performed to establish the cross-cultural utility of the SCL-90. First, the reliability of the Korean version of SCL-90 was compatible with that of the original scale. Second, the scores of patient samples were unequivocally escalated compared with the scores of community samples within each population (Koreans, Korean immigrants and Americans), providing a partial confirmation of the concurrent validity of the SCL-90. Third, the cross-cultural validity of the scale was assessed by examining the scores of the patient samples. As expected, both symptom profiles and symptom levels were virtually invariant in the three patient samples. However, results of the study were clear in demonstrating that the SCL-90 scores of the community sample of Korean immigrants were substantially higher than the community norms of both North American and Korean samples.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Retention factors for physiotherapists in an underserviced area: an experience in northern Ontario.

The purposes of this study were to establish baseline information about the extent of physiotherapy (PT) retention problems in Northern Ontario, and to identify potentially significant factors for retention. Potential correlates of retention were grouped into four domains: personal, professional experience, occupational and environmental factors. The questionnaire was sent to all PTs registered to practise in Northern Ontario; a response rate of 82 per cent was achieved. Multiple regression techniques were used to identify significant variables (p. less than 05) directly associated with intention to leave Northern Ontario. Path analysis was also completed to identify factors with indirect relationships to the outcome measure. The most significant factor was the perceived opportunity for career development, results have implications for health care administrators and planners in their development of strategic plans to increase employee retention.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗