Biomedical subjects

Yung-Chieh Yen

Publications and source records attributed to Yung-Chieh Yen.

4 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↗

PubMed2005

Suicidal ideation and associated factors among community-dwelling elders in Taiwan.

The purpose of the present study was to explore the suicidal ideation of community-dwelling elderly and the factors associated with their intention to commit suicide. Using a multilevel stratified sampling strategy, 1000 elderly subjects were recruited (aged 65-74 years old) in Taiwan during the year 2001. The degree of depression and its correlates were assessed. Suicidal ideation was measured by asking respondents if they had had any suicidal thoughts in the previous week. In all, 16.7% of respondents reported suicidal ideation within the past week; its occurrence was related to sex, religious belief, employment status, marital status, average family monthly income, physical health status, depressive symptoms, and community activity participation. Further multivariate logistic regression revealed that, aside from depressive symptoms and a lower level of education, no community participation in the past 6 months was significantly associated with the appearance of suicidal ideation. The prevalence of suicidal ideation among the elderly in Taiwan is higher than in Western countries. Participation in social activities is negatively associated with elderly suicidal ideation. The dimension of social participation deserves further exploration and should be considered in community mental health promotion interventions for elderly people.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Cognitive impairment and associated risk factors among aged community members.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors associated with cognitive impairment in a community-dwelling elderly population. METHODS: 1000 community residents aged 65-74 years were recruited in the cross-sectional survey of associated factors of cognitive impairment in southern Taiwan. We employed a multilevel stratified sampling strategy and conducted this interview survey from April to June 2001. The survey questionnaire included background information and the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire. The relationship between cognitive impairment and each individual variable in personal attributes and social participation were explored. RESULTS: Eight hundred and ninety-four (89.4%) subjects completed the interview and questionnaires. The cognitive impairment rate among all subjects was 4.92%. Of those surveyed, 54.98% were male and 45.02% were female, and the average age was 69.37 (SD 2.73) years. Most survey respondents (72.05%) were married, and 68.90% of the subjects did not participate in any social activities in the last 6 months. Females, those who were illiterate or did not attend school, those who had an average family income below US$860 per month, and persons who did not participate in any social activities had a significantly higher rate of cognitive impairment. CONCLUSION: The educational level and participation in social activities were associated with the cognitive impairment among the aged community dwellers.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Adverse effects of risperidone and haloperidol treatment in schizophrenia.

PURPOSE: Side effects of pharmacological treatment in schizophrenia continue to be a major issue in spite of the development of new antipsychotics. The aim of this study is to explore the adverse effects of conventional and atypical antipsychotic drugs and their associated factors. METHODS: Over 3 months, 41 patients with schizophrenia were randomized to treatment with risperidone 1-12 mg (n=21) or haloperidol 2-20 mg (n=20) daily. Efficacy was assessed by improvement of psychotic symptoms, measured on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The safety and tolerability were assessed with the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale, the UKU Side-Effect Rating Scale and clinical laboratory assessments. RESULTS: Each treatment reduced psychotic symptoms. PANSS total scores, positive scores, and general psychopathology scores declined as trial went on without significant differences between the two groups. While PANSS negative scores improved better in the risperidone group than in the haloperidol group. The tolerability of antipsychotics was statistical significantly better in the risperidone than in the haloperidol-treated patients. The most frequent adverse effects for both groups were tremor and rigidity. Antipsychotics, their doses, and hyperprolactinemia predict short-term extrapyramidal side effects. Serum prolactin levels could predict parkinsonism and dyskinesia severity. However, dyskinesia was best predicted by the doses of neuroleptics. The predictive factor of dystonia was the antipsychotic drug itself. After adjusting drug doses and concomitant medications, side effects could be markedly improved. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that risperidone was superior to haloperidol in improving negative symptoms and better tolerated during the 12 weeks' treatment of schizophrenia. Serum prolactin levels could predict the severity of parkinsonism and dyskinesia.

Adult↗