• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.87-102
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• 2024

This study aims to compare the chemical composition, quality, and muscle fiber characteristics of cull sows and commercial pigs, investigating the effect of changes in muscle fiber characteristics on pork quality. The proximate composition, color, pH, water-holding capacity (drip loss and cooking loss), protein solubility, total collagen content, and muscle fiber characteristics of cull sows (n=20) and commercial pigs (n=20) pork were compared. No significant differences were found between cull sows and commercial pigs in terms of proximate composition, drip loss, protein solubility, or total collagen content of their meat (p<0.05). However, cull sow pork exhibited a red color and a higher pH (p<0.05). This appears to be the result of changes in muscle fiber number and area composition (p<0.05). Cull sow meat also displayed better water-holding capacity as evident in a smaller cooking loss (p<0.05), which may be related to an increase in muscle fiber cross-sectional area (p<0.05). In conclusion, muscle fiber composition influences the pork quality; cull sow pork retains more moisture when cooked, resulting in minimal physical loss during processing and can offer more processing suitability.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated hand-washing practice among community-dwelling older adults during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and aimed to identify the impact of COVID-19-related concerns and depression on hand-washing practice. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data extracted from the 2020 Community Health Survey. The primary data were collected through self-reporting from August 10 to September 8, 2020 in a cross-sectional study. The subjects comprised of 1,350 adults aged 65 or older living in Jeju Province who participated in the 2020 Community Health Survey. Results: The factors affecting hand-washing practice among older adults were male older adults (β = -.18, p < .001), age (β = -.07, p = .001), no education (β = -.20, p < .001) and elementary, middle, and high school graduation (β = -.15, p < .001) compared to a college or higher education, poor health perception (β = -.13, p < .001), COVID-19-related concerns (β = .08, p = .005), and depression (β = -.07, p = .001). To summarize, the factors negatively affecting hand-washing practice included male gender, lower education level, poor health perception, and depression. In contrast, factors positively associated with hand-washing practice included COVID-19-related concerns. Conclusion: These findings show the importance of considering these multifaceted determinants when designing targeted interventions and educational programs to promote hand-washing among older adults. Additionally, based on the relationship between hand-washing practice and COVID-19-related concerns and depression, interventions that can alleviate mental problems along with providing proper education are required.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.46.1-46.11
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• 2024

Importance: Rabies is a neglected tropical viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Objective: This study assessed the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the Shone Ttown community toward rabies. Methods: A survey-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Shone town, Ethiopia, from November 2022 to April 2023. Woreda was selected purposefully, while Kebeles and the study populations were selected by simple random sampling. Four hundred and sixteen respondents were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: All respondents had heard about rabies from different sources, with the majority hearing from informal sources (62%). Approximately 51.9%, 0.7%, and 47.4% of individuals were aware of saliva contact, rabid animal bites, and both as means of transmission, respectively. The survey showed that 64.4% of participants knew the 100% fatal nature of rabies once the clinical signs developed, and 35.6% did not. Approximately 51.4% of respondents agreed that killing stray dogs was an effective method for rabies prevention. In this study, 72.6% of the respondents had contact with pets, and 36.8% of the interviewees had vaccinated their dogs. Only the educational level (p = 0.03) was associated with knowledge of the transmission route. Age (p = 0.04) and educational level (p = 0.01) had a statistically significant association with knowledge of the risk of not vaccinating dogs. Conclusions and Relevance: A lack of formal education in the communities, low levels of education, and the majority of respondents acquiring their knowledge from unofficial sources are important contributors to the low levels of awareness.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.140-148
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the impacts of alternative clinical practice on nursing professionalism in nursing students during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was used for this study. Data were collected from 178 junior and senior nursing students from December 28, 2022 to January 6, 2023. The nursing students' characteristics, nursing professionalism, clinical competence, extent of alternative clinical practice, and satisfaction with alternative clinical practice were self-reported through an on-line survey. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to examine the impacts of alternative clinical practice on nursing professionalism along with the confounding variables. Results: The nursing students reported that they performed alternative clinical practice for more than half of their clinical practice throughout 2022. The extent of alternative clinical practice (β=-.11, p=.028), satisfaction with content (β=.14, p=.045), and evaluation of the alternative clinical practice (β=.17, p=.007) were found to have impacted nursing professionalism. These variables explained 55.6% of the variance in nursing professionalism. Conclusion: The study results suggest that the alternative nursing practice could impact nursing students' professionalism. However, it would be possible to develop nursing professionalism if the students' satisfaction with the alternative clinical practice were increased. Nurse educators need to improve the content and evaluation methods of alternative clinical practice to promote nursing professionalism during the implementation of such alternative clinical practice.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.113-123
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of learning immersion in clinical simulations on the relationship between nursing student learning motivation and achievement in clinical simulation. Methods: This study was conducted using a cross-sectional survey with 184 nursing students from two universities who participated in clinical simulation between September and December 2022. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, and the collected data were analyzed using independent an independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis to identify the mediating effects of learning immersion on the relationship between nursing student learning motivation and achievement. Results: Among the subvariables of nursing student learning motivation, task value and self-efficacy for learning and performance had a significant effect on learning immersion (respectively, β=.36, p=.001; β=.31, p<.001) and learning achievement (respectively, β=.48, p<.001; β=.38, p<.001). With the input of learning motivation variables, the direct effect of learning immersion on learning achievement was significant (β=.20, p=.003), and the effects of learning motivation and task value and self-efficacy on learning achievement was reduced after controlling for learning immersion, which is a mediating variable (respectively, β=.41, p<.001; β=.32, p<.001). The bootstrapping test to confirm the mediating effect of learning immersion was also significant (task value 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.02~0.20; self-efficacy 95% CI, 0.01~0.12). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that simulation educators should consider learners' motivation and immersion when organizing and operating clinical simulations.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.160-169
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the career decision profiles for nursing students and analyze their career barriers, preparation behaviors, decision-making self efficacy, and adaptability according to the career decision profiles. Methods: This cross-sectional study used content analysis. A total of 219 nursing students enrolled in two private Korean universities participated in this study. The data were collected in person and via email between December 8 and 31, 2020. Results: The decidedness and comfort results were statistically significant. Four clusters were identified: undecided-uncomfortable, decided-uncomfortable, decided-comfortable, and undecided-comfortable. Most participants were found to be decided-uncomfortable, followed by decided-comfortable, undecided-uncomfortable, and undecided-comfortable. The self efficacy scores were higher for the decision-comfortable profile than for the undecided-uncomfortable and decided-uncomfortable profiles. The mean adaptability scores were higher for the decision-comfortable profile than for the undecided-comfortable profile. Career barriers were negatively correlated with preparation behavior, decision-making self efficacy, and adaptability, while preparative behaviors were positively correlated with decision-making self efficacy and adaptability. Decision-making self efficacy was positively correlated with adaptability. The mean career barriers, preparation behaviors, decision-making self efficacy, and adaptability scores differed significantly across profiles. The mean career barrier score was higher for the undecided-uncomfortable than for the decided-comfortable profile; preparation behaviors exhibited no significant differences. Conclusion: Tailored career coaching and counseling programs based on personal characteristics and areas of interest are needed for freshmen and senior nursing students to reduce career barriers and to improve preparation behaviors, decision-making self efficacy, and adaptability.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.41.1-41.12
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• 2024

Importance: Equines are indispensable in reducing the huge burden on children and women and income generation. On the other hand, minimal attention is given to improving their health and welfare. Objective: This study examined the prevalence and associated risk factors of helminth parasites of equine in the Gamo Gofa Zone. Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed from June 2019 to March 2020. The study districts and Kebeles were selected purposively based on agroecology whereas selection of study households and animals were performed based on simple random sampling techniques. Identification of nematode, trematode parasite ova and larvae of D. arnfieldi were done by floatation, sedimentation, and Baermann techniques respectively. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression was applied to estimate the prevalence and association of risk factors with helminth parasites. Results: The overall helminth parasite prevalence in the study area was 90.4%, 425/470 (95% [CI], 87.16-92.9). The prevalence of Strongyle, Fasciola, O. equi, P. equorum, D. arnfieldi, and mixed parasite infections were 65.1%, 21.7%, 17.4%, 34%, 34%, and 58.1%, respectively. Infections from Fasciola species and D. arnfieldi infection were four ([AOR], 4.4; 95% CI, 2-9.4) and two times (AOR, 2; 95% CI, 1.1-3.6) respectively more likely occur in donkeys than in mules. The occurrence of Strongyle species in midland agroecology was two times (AOR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.4-4.7) more likely than lowland agroecology. Conclusions and Relevance: The present study identified diverse species of equine helminth parasites that necessitate urgent disease control and prevention measures.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.279-287
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• 2024

Objectives: This study validated the Vietnamese version of the Disaster Adaptation and Resilience Scale (DARS) for use in vulnerable communities in Vietnam. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 595 adults from 2 identified communities. The original DARS assessment tool was translated, and the validity and reliability of the Vietnamese version of DARS (V-DARS) were assessed. The internal consistency of the overall scale and its subscales was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega reliability coefficients. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to evaluate its construct validity, building upon the factor structure identified in exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Construct validity was assessed based on convergent and discriminant validity. Results: Following the established criteria for EFA, 8 items were removed, resulting in a refined V-DARS structure comprising 35 items distributed across 5 distinct factors. Both alpha and omega reliability coefficients indicated strong internal consistency for the overall scale (α=0.963, ω=0.963) and for each of the 5 sub-scales (all>0.80). The CFA model also retained the 5-factor structure with 35 items. The model fit indices showed acceptable values (RMSEA: 0.072; CFI: 0.912; TLI: 0.904; chi-square test: <0.01). Additionally, the convergent and discriminant validity of the V-DARS were deemed appropriate and satisfactory for explaining the measurement structure. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the V-DARS is a valid and reliable scale for use within vulnerable communities in Vietnam to assess adaptive responses to natural disasters. It may also be considered for use in other populations.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2024

Purpose: Although the 24-hours urinary copper excretion is useful for the diagnosis of Wilson disease (WD), there are practical difficulties in the accurate and timed collection of urine samples. The purpose of this study was to verify if the spot morning urinary Copper/Zinc (Cu/Zn) ratio could be used as a replacement parameter of 24-hours urinary copper excretion in the diagnosis of WD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from June 2019 to May 2021 on 67 children over three years of age who presented with liver disease. Twenty-seven children who fulfilled the inclusion criteria for WD were categorized into the test group, and the remaining forty children were considered to have non-Wilsonian liver disease and were categorized into the control group. Along with other laboratory investigations, spot morning urinary samples were estimated for the urinary Cu/Zn ratio in all patients and were compared to the 24-hour urinary copper excretion. The diagnostic value of the Cu/Zn ratio was then analyzed. Results: Correlation of spot morning urinary Cu/Zn ratio with 24-hours urinary copper excretion was found to be significant (r=0.60). The area under ROC curve with 95% confidence interval of morning urinary Cu/Zn ratio measured using 24-hours urine sample was 0.84 (standard error, 0.05; p<0.001). Conclusion: Spot morning urinary Cu/Zn ratio seems to be a promising parameter for the replacement of 24-hours urinary copper excretion in the diagnosis of WD.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.8-17
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• 2024

Background: Sleep accounts for approximately one-third of a person's lifetime. It is a relaxing activity that relieves mental and physical fatigue. Pillows of different sizes, shapes, and materials have been designed to improve sleep quality by achieving an optimal sleep posture. Objects: This study aimed to determine which pillow provides the most comfortable and supports the head and neck during sleep, which may enhance sleep quality. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy adults (19 males and 9 females) with an average age of 29 years participated in this cross-sectional study. This experiment was conducted while the participants laid down for 5 minutes in four different pillow conditions: (1) no pillow (NP), (2) neck support foam pillow (NSFP), (3) standard microfiber filled pillow (SFP), and (4) hybrid foam pillow (HFP). The head-neck peak pressure, cranio-vertebral angle in supine (CVAs), cranio-horizontal angle in supine (CHAs), chin-sternum distance (CSD), and muscle tone of sternocleidomastoid were analyzed using one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: The head-neck peak pressure was the highest in the NSFP condition, followed by the NP, SFP, and HFP conditions. The CVAs, CHAs, and CSD of the SFP were lower than those of the other pillows. Muscle tone was the highest in the NP condition, followed by the of NSFP, HFP, and SFP conditions. The participants subjective comfort level in both the supine and side-lying postures was highest in the HFP condition, followed by the SFP and NSFP conditions. Conclusion: This study can be used to establish the importance of pillow selection for high-quality sleep. The results of this study, suggest that a hybrid pillow with a good supportive core and appropriate fluffiness can maintain comfort and correct cervical spine alignment during sleep.