• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.102-111
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• 2024

Objective: Given the noteworthy implications of alcohol consumption and its association with male infertility, there has been a notable focus on investigating natural alternatives to mitigate its adverse effects. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the potential protective effect of phycocyanin extract derived from the blue algae Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis against ethanol-induced oxidative stress, disturbances in testicular morphology, and alterations in sperm production. Methods: Male rats were divided into four groups (five rats each): the control group received a saline solution, the ethanol exposed group (EtOH) was subjected to intraperitoneal injections of 10 mL/kg of ethanol solution at a concentration of 38% (v/v), the phycocyanin alone treated group (P) received oral administration of phycocyanin at a dosage of 50 mg/kg, and the phycocyanin-cotreated group (PE) was given oral phycocyanin followed by ethanol injections. All treatments were administered over a period of 14 days. Results: Our findings demonstrated that ethanol exposure induced reproductive toxicity, characterized by reduced sperm production and viability, alterations in testicular weight and morphology, increased lipid peroxidation levels, and elevated oxidative enzyme activity. In addition, the ethanol-intoxicated group showed perturbations in serum biochemical parameters. However, the simultaneous exposure to ethanol and phycocyanin exhibited a counteractive effect against ethanol toxicity. Conclusion: The results showed that supplementation of phycocyanin prevented oxidative and testicular morphological damage-induced by ethanol and maintained normal sperm production, and viability.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.195-204
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• 2015

Several researches are focused on improving the value of fine chemicals based on biomass resources due to environmental and other concerns associated with the use of petroleum-based products. Therefore, the synthesis and application of estolides derived from plant-based waste oil materials and their application as lubricants and as processing oil for butyl rubber products have been studied. Four kinds of estolide were prepared with conversions of 71~92% over 24h using various vegetable oils, as determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. FT-IR spectroscopy determines the esterification of estolides using 2-ethylhexyl alcohol. The estolides have iodine values of 35~90, α-ester/α-acid ratios of 0.45~0.55, and total acid number of 114~134 mg KOH g^–1. Four ball wear tests show that the wear scar diameters (WSDs) of estolides as base oil significantly decreased to 0.328~0.494 mm, compared to WSDs of 0.735 and 0.810 mm of WSD for 150N and Yubase 6, respectively, as general base oil. Thus, the estolides have better wear resistance and satisfying design objectives for the engineering of a variety of lubricant base oils.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was done to examine the effect of an integrated care service which included a combination of oriental and western care on health outcomes in elderly patients with degenerative arthritis. Methods: A prospective comparative design was used. Data were collected from May 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 from 85 elderly patients with degenerative arthritis in the lower extremities who were followed in a hospital out-patient department for 8 weeks. The integrated care service group (n=36) received a combination of physical therapy, acupuncture, western medicines or herbal medicines, and the western care group (n=49) received physical therapy or western medicines. Functional independence, walking speed, rotation balance, pain intensity, service satisfaction and total medical costs for the two groups were compared at 8 weeks. Results: Functional independence (t=2.14, p=.036) and walking speed (t=2.51, p=.014) improved significantly in the integrated care group while pain intensity improved significantly in the western care group (t=3.35, p=.002). The integrated care group reported higher scores for service satisfaction (t=2.09, p=.041) and higher medical costs than the western care group (t=2.15, p=.035). Conclusion: The results suggest that integrated care services are effective modalities to improve mobility and quality of life for elders with degenerative arthritis.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.283-291
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was done to evaluate the persistency of effects of an integrated nursing simulation program on interest in learning, recognition of importance of communication, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities. Method: Forty-seven nursing students were recruited for this quasi-experimental design research. The experimental group (n=23) performed the simulation program for two weeks, and the control group (n=24) performed traditional clinical nursing practice for two weeks. Data were collected at baseline, immediately after the intervention, at 4 weeks, and finally at 8 weeks. Results: With respect to all variables, no significant differences were found between the experimental group and the control group. Interest in learning showed a significant increase in the control group (F=3.59, p=.018) at 4 weeks, and there was a significant increase in problem-solving abilities in the experimental group (F=4.98, p=.004) immediately after the intervention. Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest that the integrated nursing simulation program is as effective as the traditional clinical nursing practice, and the integrated nursing simulation program could be used as an alternative.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2021

This study aims to examine the effect of integrated health and welfare(IHW) services on medical use and medical expenses in Korean Veteran Hospitals. Data on the volume of medical use and medical expenses were collected from two patient groups of 5 Veterans' Hospitals: the beneficiary group who has received IHW services and the non-beneficiary group who has not. Each group was composed of 265 patients respectively. The results of the study revealed that the volume of home nursing services, home rehabilitation services, ambulatory services have increased significantly, whereas the average length of stay, number of using emergency services, and average medical expenses have decreased after receiving integrated health services in the beneficiary group. In contrast, the non-beneficiary group showed much more increase both in the volume of inpatient and outpatient services, as well as the average medical expenses, compared to those of the beneficiary group. This results imply that the provision of IHW services have positive impacts on the enhancing the effectiveness of the medical resources utilization for the veteran patients.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.258-269
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of an integrated activity program on the self-efficacy and depression of underprivileged elderly women living alone. Methods: The participants recruited were fifty underprivileged elderly women living alone in D city. Data were collected from September 1 to October 1, 2015. To test the effects of the integrated activity program, the participants were divided into two matched groups, an experimental group (N=25) and control group (N=25). The data were analyzed with a ${\chi}^2-test$, Fisher's exact probability test, and t-test using the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. Results: After attending the integrated activity program, significant differences between the experimental group and control group were found for self-efficacy (t=9.19, p<.001) and depression (t=-18.31, p<.001). Conclusion: The results indicate that the integrated activity program enhances self-efficacy and reduces depression in underprivileged elderly women living alone. Therefore, this program is a good strategy that community mental health nurses can use to improve the mental health of underprivileged elderly women living alone.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.664-673
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• 2021

This study aimed to investigate the influence of Astragalus membranaceus (AM), Adenophora triphylla (AT), and Ulmus pumila (UP) extracts on the quality traits, palatability, and storage stability of sous-vide (SV) cooked chicken breasts. Chicken breasts were marinated in AM, AT, or UP extracts for 1 h, and then consistently cooked at a constant temperature of 60℃ for 2 h. SV cooked chicken breasts with the UP extract exhibited lower lightness and higher yellowness values on the surface region compared to those with the AM and AT extracts (p<0.05). The control and UP groups displayed a similar overall visual acceptability (p>0.05), although the UP group had lower color acceptability (p<0.01). The UP group also had higher flavor and lower off-flavor intensities compared to the control group (p<0.05), although similar scores were observed in tenderness attributes and juiciness among the groups (p>0.05). Owing to these results regarding overall sensory acceptability, samples from the UP group were more preferred by the trained panelists compared to samples from the control group (p<0.001). On 14 d of cold storage, all the groups with herbal medicinal extracts exhibited a lower concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances than the control group (p<0.05), and the AT and UP groups showed lower values compared to the AM group due to their higher flavonoid contents (p<0.001). Therefore, meat marination with herbal plant extracts before SV cooking can be effective for enhancing the overall quality of SV cooked chicken breast.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.420-426
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• 2005

Effect of pasture finishing on $\alpha$-tocopherol and $\beta$-carotene concentrations, drip loss, cooking loss, Warner-Bratzler shear force, fatty acid composition, meat color and metmyoglobin percentage of m. longissimus thoracis of Japanese Shorthorn steers was studied. Japanese Shorthorn steers (n=8), fattened indoors with a concentrate-based diet until they were 19 months of age were divided into two groups of four steers. Steers of the concentrate-fed group were fattened indoors with a concentrate-based diet until they were slaughtered. Steers of the pasture-fed group were fattened on pasture until they were slaughtered. The $\alpha$-tocopherol and $\beta$-carotene concentrations in the muscle of the pasture-fed group were higher (p<0.05) than those of the concentrate-fed group. The drip loss of the muscle of the pasture-fed group was lower (p<0.05) than that of the concentrate-fed group. Compared with the concentrate-fed group, the concentration of peroxidisable lipids (fatty acids with three or more unsaturated bonds) in the muscle of the pasture-fed group was high (p<0.05). The metmyoglobin percentage during display of the muscle of the pasture-fed group was higher (p<0.05) than that of the concentrate-fed group. These results suggested that pasture finishing decreased drip loss of the beef but lowered meat color stability.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.51-69
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• 2010

This research involved the conducting of an experiment in order to determine the relative effectiveness of constructivist science education when integrated with art experience and constructivist science education for young children. Forty-one children of five years of age in two daycare center classes were assigned to experimental and comparative groups. The experimental and comparative group participated in 15 units. The experimental group participated in science education integrated with art experience, while the comparative group participated in science education. The analysis of covariance revealed significant differences between the mean scores of the two groups on the posttests for science process skills and attitudes. This indicates that the children in the experimental group performed significantly better on the tests than the children in the comparative group. The results of this study suggest that incorporating constructivist science education activities with art experience are good activities for developing young children's science process skills and attitudes.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.32-45
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of an eight session integrated case management program for improvement of medication adherence, physical function, pain, and depression among medical aid beneficiaries with osteoarthritis. Method: A nonequivalent control group pre-posttest design was employed. Participants were 55 medical aid beneficiaries who agreed to participate in this study, and were assigned to an experimental group (n=28) or control group (n=27). The framework of this research derived from Cox's Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior guided the overall intervention and the components. The program led by a case manager with a medication calendar, motivating interviewing and coaching strategies and collaboration with a pharmacist. Analysis included change in scores, ${\chi}^2$-test, and t-test. Result: The results showed significant increase in medication adherence, physical function and decrease joint pain, joint stiffness and depression in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The eight session integrated case management program indicated an effect on medication adherence, pain, physical function, and depression. Partnership with a pharmacist is recommended for medication adherence and conduct of further studies will be needed in order to determine the long-term effect of an extended integrated program on health outcomes.