Molecular Detection and Subtyping of Blastocystis in Korean Pigs

Blastocystis is one of the most commonly detected genera of protozoan parasites in the human intestines as well as the intestines of many other species such as pigs in several geographical regions worldwide. However, no studies have examined Blastocystis in pigs in Korea. In this study, PCR and nucleotide sequencing were performed to evaluate the genetic diversity and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis using pig fecal samples. We obtained 646 stool samples from groups of piglets, weaners, growers, finishers, and sows in Korea. A total of 390 Blastocystis-positive samples were identified, and the infection rate was 60.4%. The infection rates were significantly related to age and region. The 4 subtypes (STs) of Blastocystis confirmed by phylogenetic analysis were ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST5, indicating the high genetic diversity of Blastocystis in Korean pigs. ST5 was highly distributed in Korean pigs among detected STs in this study. Some sequences were closely related to those of Blastocystis isolated from humans. This is the first study of Blastocystis in pigs in Korea. Based on the results, Blastocystis is prevalent in Korean pigs. Although a small number of samples were obtained in some areas, the clinical development of Blastocystis infection in pigs and potential for human transmission should be further examined.

Factors Influencing the Well-being of the Aged in Rural Areas

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate factors influencing the well-being of the aged in rural areas. METHOD: The subjects consisted of 250 elders living in rural areas of Kyungsangbuk-do. Data were collected by questionnaire surveys using convenience sampling. The instruments used in this study were the Well-being Scale by Chang (1999), the perceived health status developed by Speake, Cowart, and Pellet (1989), and the Social Support Scale developed by Song (1991). Data were analyzed using the SPSS program through descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Duncan's multiple-range test, Pearson Correlation Coefficient and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: The most powerful predictor of well-being was social support, and then religion, health status, living expenses, and habitation accounted for 42.95% of variance in the well-being of the aged in rural areas. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that perceived health status and social support can be potential risk factors in the well-being of the aged. The findings of this study provide the basis of program development to improve the well-being of the aged in rural areas.

Nursing Students' Perceptions on Diet and as Environmental Factors Related to Cancer Risk Factors / 간호학회지

The purpose of this study was to identify how students majoring in nursing perceive cause of cancers and the effects of diet for preventing cancers. Data for the study were collected by 651 nursing students, who were registered in the second and third year in three technical colleges and third and fourth year in two universities. The research instruments included items on general characteristics of subjects, items about the degree of perception of the frequency of cancer onset and items on the perception of mortality, risk factors, preventive diets, knowledge, and high risk factor for cancer in specific body areas. The findings of this study are as follows : 1. Almost all subjects(92.8%) reported that the frequency of cancer onset increases and that it is 93.9% for people over 40. Degree of perception about cancer mortality was low at 33.0%. 2. As far as the perception of risk factors for cancer onset was concerned, smoking, stress, heredity, family history, and alcohol were rated high, over 80.0%. Risk factor in clouding, virus, hormones, pesticides were rated as low. 3. As to the perception of risk factor for body area as associated with diet salted and scorched food were rated at 44.5% for stomach cancer, alcohol, 50.4% for liver cancer, smoking, 72.8% for lung cancer, pregnancy times, 25.3%, and marriage age, 23.0% for uterine cancer, and no delivery experience, 40% for breast cancer. 4. The knowledge score for cancer was between 12 and 36, with a mean score of 26.75(SD=4.13). There was a statistically significant difference between experience in caring for cancer patients during clinical practice and knowledge score(t=3.09, p=.002).