• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.11-24
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide comprehensive measures for the development of public health care through a survey on consumers' awareness of health care use from the point of view of local residents. Research design, data and methodology: For about one week from January 07 to January 14, 2021, questionnaires were distributed to 800 local residents and analyzed. For statistical analysis of collected data, frequency analysis and cross-analysis were performed. Results: Regarding public health service, 'providing medical services that can be used by all citizens and protect and promote health' had the highest response rate of 95.2% of total respondents. Regarding health care system satisfaction, 'Accessibility to general treatment' had the highest score with an average of 3.31 points. Regarding comprehensive measures for the development of public health care, 'Establishment of an infection and patient safety system' had the highest score with an average of 3.91 points. Conclusions: The direction of public health care and services should include management of infectious diseases during national disasters, reduction of gaps in medical use by region and class, improvement of access to emergency medical care, and quality improvement of specialized medical care.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.47-55
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• 2019

Purpose: This study tries to propose the dimensions and area related to patient bed and surroundings in ICU considering nurses' observation and medical care. Methods: Literature survey, 11 Case studies, some Interviews with nurses and measuring of medical equipments' dimension in ICU have been mobilized in order to deepen the ICU bed area standards. Results: 0.3m clearance between head wall and patient bed is necessary for emergency cases. The minimum distance at the foot of the bed should not be less than 0.9m for EMR cart and medical tray. The clear floor area of one bed and surroundings in open ward is $10.2m^2(3m{\times}3.4m)$. In a single-bed patient room, the minimum clear floor area is $16.0m^2(4m{\times}4m)$. Considering the control of cross infection in ICU, Single bed patient room is recommended. Implications: The result of this study can be applied to the design of ICU and legislation of ICU standard.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.596-616
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• 2021

A global increase in fish consumption has led to a rapid expansion of aquaculture production, which has been linked to enhancing the spread of infectious diseases. Viral diseases can cause high mortality in many cultured fish species, posing a serious threat to the aquaculture industry. Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is one of the primary threats to aquacultured salmonid species, causing huge economic losses. Since the first report in cultured sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka during the 1950s in North America, IHNV has spread to other regions, including Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa by transportation of infected fish and eggs, causing disease and increasing mortality in a wide variety of salmonid species. Here, we review existing information relevant to IHNV: its phylogenetic characteristics, origin, infection history, virulence determinants, susceptible hosts, vectors, and vaccine development. This review also addresses a possible cross-species transmission of IHNV to a new host, olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, a cultured fish of economic importance in East Asian countries.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.257-263
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• 2021

Human gnathostomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Gnathostoma nematode infection. A rapid, reliable, and practical immunoassay, named dot immuno-gold filtration assay (DIGFA), was developed to supporting clinical diagnosis of gnathostomiasis. The practical tool detected anti-Gnathostoma-specific IgG4 in human serum using crude extract of third-stage larvae as antigen. The result of the test was shown by anti-human IgG4 monoclonal antibody conjugated colloidal gold. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were both 100% for detection in human sera from patients with gnathostomiasis (13/13) and from healthy negative controls (50/50), respectively. Cross-reactivity with heterogonous serum samples from patients with other helminthiases ranged from 0 (trichinosis, paragonimiasis, clonorchiasis, schistosomiasis, and cysticercosis) to 25.0% (sparganosis), with an average of 6.3% (7/112). Moreover, specific IgG4 antibodies diminished at 6 months after treatment. This study showed that DIGFA for the detection of specific IgG4 in human sera could be a promising tool for the diagnosis of gnathostomiasis and useful for evaluating therapeutic effects.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.369-376
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• 2021

Several factors presumed to facilitate the transmission of Taenia spp. were reported in Vietnam. We conducted a cross-sectional study taking questionnaires from 1,185 participants, and collecting 1,151 sera and 1,036 stool samples in northern Vietnam. Sera were examined for circulating antigens of Taenia solium cysticerci using ELISA, stools for Taenia eggs by Kato-Katz smear, and copro-antigens by ELISA. Ag-ELISA revealed 4.6% antigen positivity, indicating infection with viable cysticerci. Taenia eggs were detected in 1.5% of participants. Copro-antigens were found in 2.8% of participants. Eating raw meat and/or vegetables was significantly associated with the presence of copro-antigen (OR=8.6, 95% CI: 1.16-63.9, P=0.01). Considering the high taeniasis prevalence and the associated threat, public health attention should be given to treat the tapeworm carriers in the projected areas.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2022

This study was performed to investigate the contamination status of microorganisms that cause food poisoning in shellfish distributed in the metropolitan area of South Korea. The analyses were conducted according to the sample type, season, and region. In particular, the genotype of food poisoning viruses that explosively cause collective food poisoning was analyzed. Total 483 each of four types of shellfish (Crassostrea gigas, Mytilus coruscus, Pectea albicans albicans, and Scapharca subcrenata) were collected from four distribution sites located in the metropolitan area. We investigated foodborne pathogen by multiplex PCR and RT/Nested PCR from shellfish. As a result, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Bacillus cereus were detected in 13 and 21 samples and Norovirus (NoV) GI and GII were detected in 7 and 12 samples, respectively. V. parahaemolyticus and NoV GI and GII showed differences in types of shellfish and seasons, and no correlation was confirmed with regional differences. Also, as a result of genotyping for the detected NoV GI and GII, they were confirmed as NoV GI.7, GI.5 and GII.3, which are causes of collective food poisoning. Therefore, cross-infection with shellfish can cause food poisoning. In particular, attention must be paid to the handling and cooking of shellfish in organizations that implement group feeding, and it is necessary to establish a management system for microorganisms that cause food poisoning in the process of shellfish farming and distribution.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.296-304
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the association of COVID-19 vaccine attitudes and cognitions of COVID-19-related stigma with vaccine hesitancy among college students. Methods: This cross-sectional study using a web-based survey was conducted with 242 college students in April 2021 before Korea's national COVID-19 vaccination program had begun. Data were analyzed using multinominal logistic regression analyses. Results: Of the participants who were unsure of their intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, 66.0% had less experience with flu vaccinations and were 1.43 times more likely to report a mistrust of vaccine benefits (OR=1.43, CI=1.22, 1.68). Those with no intention of receiving the vaccine were 25.0% less likely to be aware of COVID-19 stigma (OR=0.75, CI=0.65, 0.86), 2.08 times more likely to mistrust vaccine benefits (OR=2.08, CI=1.62, 2.68), and 1.53 times more likely to worry about an unforeseen future negative side effects from vaccination (OR=1.53. CI=1.16, 2.00). Conclusion: Nurses could play an important role in educating college students about vaccination benefits, including reviewing vaccines' side effects with evidence, to reduce vaccine hesitancy. College students who have less empathy for others regarding COVID-19 infection might have higher COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Accordingly, explaining to students the necessity of their vaccination in preventing transmission to the surrounding community and vulnerable populations is critical.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.350-356
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• 2022

Background: Although sick leave is a complex phenomenon, it is believed that there is potential for prevention at the workplace. However, little is known about this potential and what specific measures should be implemented. The purpose of the study was to identify perceived reasons to take work-related sick leave and to suggest preventive measures. The study was completed before the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, and the risk factors identified may have been amplified during the pandemic. Methods: An in-depth cross-sectional survey was conducted across a randomly selected sample of hospital nurses in Norway. The national sample comprised 1,297 nurses who participated in a survey about their sick leave during the previous 6 months. An open-ended question about perceived reasons for work-related sick leave was included to gather qualitative information. Results: Among hospital nurses, 27% of the last occurring sick leave incidents were perceived to be work-related. The most common reasons were high physical workload, high work pace, sleep problems, catching a viral or bacterial infection from patients or colleagues, and low staffing. Conclusions: Over a quarter of the last occurring sick leave incidents among Norwegian hospital nurses are potentially preventable. To retain and optimize scarce hospital nursing resources, strategies to reduce work-related sick leave may provide human and financial benefits. Preventive measures may include careful monitoring of nurses' workload and pace, optimizing work schedules to reduce the risk of sleep problems, and increasing staffing to prevent stress and work overload.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.389-394
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• 2023

Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is s significant viral pathogen affecting cultured rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Korea. In this study, five monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (IHNV-1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) were produced using purified IHNV. Reactivities of these mAbs were analyzed by western blot (WB), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). These mAbs recognized glycoprotein (69 kDa, IHNV-1), nucleocapsid protein (39 kDa, IHNV-3, 4, and 5), or phosphoprotein (27 kDa, IHNV-2) of IHNV by WB analysis. ELISA results indicated that these five mAbs were specific to IHNV without showing any cross-reactivity against other fish viruses (hirame rhabdovirus, infectious pancreatic necrosis virus, and viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus). IFAT demonstrated specific fluorescence signals of IHNV-infected epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) cells, whereas no reactivity of normal EPC cells was observed. These mAbs can be very useful for immuno-diagnosis of IHNV infection.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.32.1-32.15
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• 2023

Most influenza vaccines currently in use target the highly variable hemagglutinin protein to induce neutralizing antibodies and therefore require yearly reformulation. T cell-based universal influenza vaccines focus on eliciting broadly cross-reactive T-cell responses, especially the tissue-resident memory T cell (T_RM) population in the respiratory tract, providing superior protection to circulating memory T cells. This study demonstrated that intramuscular (i.m.) administration of the adenovirus-based vaccine expressing influenza virus nucleoprotein (rAd/NP) elicited weak CD8 T_RM responses in the lungs and airways, and yielded poor protection against lethal influenza virus challenge. However, a novel "prime-and-deploy" strategy that combines i.m. vaccination of rAd/NP with subsequent intranasal administration of an empty adenovector induced strong NP-specific CD8⁺ T_RM cells and provided complete protection against influenza virus challenge. Overall, our results demonstrate that this "prime-and-deploy" vaccination strategy is potentially applicable to the development of universal influenza vaccines.