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Biomedical subjects

N Y Ko

Publications and source records attributed to N Y Ko.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Detection of elevated serum beta-chemokine levels in seronegative Chinese individuals exposed to human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

The mutations in the CCR5 coding region, such as CCR5Delta32 and CCR5m303, that suppress the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 do not exist in Chinese people. However, 9 Chinese subjects in Taiwan with histories of multiple sexual exposures to HIV remained uninfected, suggesting that certain anti-HIV factors do indeed exist. Experiments were therefore designed to investigate the immune mechanism that protects this cohort against HIV infection. Peripheral blood samples from these 9 subjects and 7 healthy people who had not been exposed to HIV were obtained for the quantitation of the levels for beta-chemokines and interleukin 16 (IL-16) in serum samples or secreted by peripheral blood lymphocytes. Significantly higher serum levels for nearly all 3 beta-chemokines, regulation on activation, normal T cell-expressed and secreted, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, and MIP-1beta (P<.05, P<.05, and P=.05, respectively), but not IL-16, were detected in the 9 HIV-uninfected subjects as compared with control subjects. The result suggests that among the host genes and cellular factors thus far identified, beta-chemokines are the major HIV-suppressive factors that protect Chinese people from infection with HIV.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Cancer symptom control: feasibility of a tailored, interactive computerized program for patients.

This study evaluated the feasibility of an innovative computerized symptom assessment tool, SymptomReport, and a computerized, tailored education tool, SymptomConsult, in a sample of 41 outpatients with cancer. After patients completed the computerized programs, an audiotaped telephone interview was conducted to assess patients' impressions. The study found that patients required less than 40 minutes on average to complete SymptomReport. The mean acceptability score was high 11 +/- 2. The 12 patients who completed SymptomConsult did so in an average of 20 minutes. The majority of participants indicated that the computer programs were easy, enjoyable, and informative tools. Initial formative research supports further study of these feasible computerized programs.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Comparison of sexual behaviors between male homosexuals and male heterosexuals in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Homosexuality and sexual behavior have attracted great attention in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic. This study primarily explores the risky behaviors and patterns of sexual behavior of male homosexuals in Taiwan. METHODS: Comparison study methodology was adopted. Ninety-two male homosexuals, as the study group, were recruited from gay bars and gay organizations, and 91 male heterosexuals, with similar ages and educational levels, were recruited as a control group for comparison. Semi-structured interviews were carried out and anonymous questionnaires were self-administered. RESULTS: (1) The mean age at the time of first sexual intercourse of the study group was younger than that of the control group. (2) The rate of having two or more sexual partners in the study group was significantly higher. (3) However, the rate of condom use during recent intercourse was higher in the control group than in the study group. (4) Sexual knowledge and attitudes toward sexuality in the study group were more open, but their sexual desires, as rated by the questionnaire, were more suppressed than those of the control group. (5) In terms of courtship, the study group was less constrained by the social values of marriage and tended to separate sex from love. CONCLUSION: Similar to western studies, our study found that the study group in Taiwan adopted more risky sexual behaviors. Each group had its particular sexual behavioral pattern and subculture of sexuality. However, a longitudinal follow-up study with ethnographic perspective is necessary for a more sophisticated understanding of the trends and changes of sexual behavior in homosexuals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Concerns and nursing care of a family living with AIDS].

AIDS is not solely a medical issue but also has profound implications for family relationships. This case report using the concepts of family nursing and case management presents the concerns of a family living with AIDS. The data was collected through continuous contacts with a patient during December 1994 to August 1996. This report's findings indicate that the concerns of the family living with AIDS fall into seven categories: The reasons for HIV infection, how to meet the patient's sexual needs, suffering during health care seeking, the effectiveness and side-effects of anti-viral drugs, home care skills, the light of hope, death issues. Professional nurses should provide care to both the AIDS patient and the family members. Using social resources and cooperating with other health professionals can promote the quality of life for families living with AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1997

[Informational needs and information-seeking behaviors of recently diagnosed HIV seropositive gay man].

In recent years, substantial changes in doctor-patient relations and consumer oriented attitudes have occurred. Many patients need more information regarding their diagnosis and treatment for developing positive coping strategies to face their disease. This case report uses an informational needs theoretical framework to present the informational needs and information-seeking behaviors of a recently diagnosed HIV seropositive gay man. The data was collected through continuous contacts with the patient during October 1994 to January 1995. This report's findings indicated that need for information after diagnosis fall into eight categories of concern: process in hospitalization, physical symptoms related to HIV/AIDS, side effects of anti-viral drugs, death, insurance, future planning, self care and how to disclose to others. Information seeking behaviors included actively or passively gathering information, asking others' experience and counseling with caregiver. Non-judgmental and supportive attitudes were significant factors for reducing the effects of social stigmatization as an obstacle to the patient during the information seeking process.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Assessing the effect of health belief, knowledge, and social support on compliance behaviors in chronic hemodialysis patients].

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of hemodialysis patients' health belief, knowledge on uremia, and social support upon their compliance behavior. The convenience sample of 330 hemodialysis (HD) patients was obtained at HD centers in southern Taiwan. With the use of a questionnaire developed by the researcher, all subjects were interviewed during hemodialysis. Data analyses were processed by a personal computer with SPSS/PC. Pearson correlation, ANOVA, chi-square, multiple regression and factor analysis were selected as the analysis methods for this study. The results indicated: (1) The average overall rate of compliance was 72.1% by patient self report for fluid limit, diet restriction and taking PBM. (2) Two factors of subject's health belief were identified by factor analysis. (3) Those who had more positive motivation for compliance with therapeutic regiments, more knowledge on uremia and stronger social support were positively correlated with compliance behaviors. (4) The best predictive variables of compliance behaviors of HD patients included positive motivation, knowledge on uremia, educational level, current daily urine amount and age; these five variables explained 23% of variance in compliance behaviors. (5) The instruments with a satisfactory validity and reliability developed by the researcher could provide a valuable basis for relevant future research. Implications of these findings for nursing practice are also discussed.

Adult↗