Support Center Research Articles

Asymptomatic and oligosymptomatic states of dysferlinopathy

Dysferlinopathy is a phenotypically heterogeneous, inherited, progressive muscular dystrophy caused by mutations in the DYSF gene. Dysferlinopathy is marked by elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) and can in some cases manifest as hyperCKemia in asymptomatic or low-symptom states. Here, we describe the clinical signs and symptoms and laboratory and imaging results with quantitative MRI analysis of eight pediatric patients at asymptomatic and oligosymptomatic states of dysferlinopathy (aged 3–14 years). Seven of them with a same homozygous mutation and one with a compound heterozygous mutation in the DYSF gene. Based on this case series, we propose two stages of dysferlinopathy disease progression. The first state is asymptomatic hyperCKemia laboratory syndrome of myocytolysis, which is marked by an increase in CK (>1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN)) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). Second state (oligosymptomatic): increasing CK (2.7–12.6 × ULN), LDH, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and myoglobin; minimal or moderate signs of fatty muscle infiltration, displacement of the center of support to the back of the foot during plantography; slight afterload fatigue of the calf muscles; slight decrease in muscle strength (imperceptible to the patient) and decrease in Achilles reflexes. Taken together, isolated hyperCKemia (asymptomatic stage) and oligosymptomatic patients form a single continuum of pre-manifest cases.

인천광역시교육청학교지원단에 대한 교원의 인식 및 요구사항 분석

This study aimed to analyze teachers' perceptions and demands for school support focused on Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education School Support Center. A self-reported survey was conducted among elementary and secondary school educators (principals, vice principals, and teachers) within the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education. A total of 653 participants responded to the survey. The results of this study were as follows. First, 62.56% of respondents prioritized the reduction of unnecessary works commonly assigned to all schools as the primary meaning of school support. Only 21.57% of respondents reported having experience with school support center. Those with experience expressed general satisfaction and positive outcomes from the support received. However, more than half of those (78.43%) without experience in receiving support were unaware of the existence or role of school support center. Second, teachers generally demanded human resource support and administrative assistance from school support center. The desired works varied depending on their position, such as homeroom teachers, department heads, and (vice) principals. Based on these findings, this study suggested policy implications to explore the development of school support center.

다문화 이해교육 커리큘럼과 모듈의 활용

This study aimed to enhance the utilization of the Korea Healthy Family Support Center’s standardized multicultural education curriculum by incorporating the needs of professional instructors and analyzing the modular curriculum to propose key topics for different target groups. Professional instructors emphasized the importance of structuring education to help individuals recognize multiculturalism, including self-awareness. They also stressed the need to base the entire lecture process on cultural diversity, sensitivity, and acceptance while emphasizing content placement and examples that promote mutual relationships, coexistence in society, and civic actions. The main target groups in the field were divided into four categories (children, adolescents, adults, including military personnel, and employees and public officials), highlighting the necessity of guidelines for efficient lecture planning. The common theme proposed was ‘Civic Action in a Multicultural Society,’ with key topics tailored to the characteristics, educational duration, and environment of each group.

How do dialogical group sessions work for mothers of young children with parenting challenges in Japan?

ABSTRACT Purpose Parenting support is a pressing issue in Japan. The application of open dialogue (OD)—an alternative treatment for mental illnesses—to parenting support has generated considerable interest. This study aimed to describe the participants’ experiences shared during a dialogic group session based on OD principles for mothers of young children facing parenting challenges. Methods Five mothers with parenting concerns participated in five continuing group sessions over a half-year at a parenting support centre in Japan. The data comprised participants’ utterances and feedback in each session, along with semi-structured individual interviews conducted after all sessions. Results Qualitative descriptive analysis revealed six themes: “From initial surprise to growing ease with dialogue without a theme,” “Talking and listening without interruption or judgement,” “Reflections by the facilitators: insightful or uncomfortable?,” “Learning to talk about difficult things,” “Offering empathic advice without imposing opinions,” and “Multiple voices helped deepen their thoughts and reflections.” Conclusions The participants discovered how to listen to others without judgement and verbalize thoughts that would otherwise have remained unvoiced. The sessions also enabled them to understand their families and themselves better. The dialogical group sessions demonstrated new possibilities for more open, mutually supportive communication.

Teaching -Learning Process as a Strategy to Recover and Strengthen the Shuar Culture

This study examines the impact of the teaching-learning process on the preservation of the Shuar culture in Ecuador, specifically in the Morona Santiago Support Center. The main objective is to analyze how the Bilingual Intercultural Educational Model (MOSEIB) contributes to the rescue of the Shuar cultural identity among children and young people. The methodology is quantitative and descriptive, using surveys to obtain data on the perception and experiences of teachers and students. The population includes 51 people, including 33 teachers and 18 students, who answered questions about the use of cultural resources in the classroom and the relevance of Shuar customs as myths, legends, and mother tongue. The results indicate a positive acceptance of the MOSEIB model, as both students and teachers express that teaching based on the Shuar culture reinforces their identity. A high percentage of students enjoy cultural activities and value the use of traditional language and dress. In conclusion, the Intercultural Bilingual Educational Model has a positive impact, promoting the continuity of Shuar traditions and generating a space of respect and appreciation of their culture both in the educational field and in daily life.

Đánh giá tỷ lệ và mức độ nhận thức của sinh viên y khoa về trầm cảm chủ yếu tại Trường Đại học Nam Cần Thơ

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mental illness, with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 12%, significantly impacting public health. The prevalence of depression among students in demanding fields, such as medical students, has not been thoroughly assessed. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and awareness of MDD among medical students. Methods: First and fifth-year medical students at Nam Can Tho University were invited to participate in this study. Participants completed the PHQ-9 questionnaire via Google Forms. The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design. Result: Between May and June 2024, 593 eligible students were recruited. The mean age of participants was 22.08 ± 2,3% years, with 44,5% being male. The findings revealed that 244 students (44.1%) self-reported depressive symptoms based on the PHQ-9 scale. Specifically, 48.7% of first-year and 29.8% of fifth-year reported having major depressive disorder. Additionally, major depressive disorder affects the quality of life for 83.8% of students. Furthermore, 525 students (88.5%) expressed a need for mental health support centers. ConclusionThe prevalence of self-reported depressive symptoms among students, primarily assessed using the PHQ-9 scale, was notably high. Students also acknowledged the substantial impact of mental health on their quality of life. However, there remains a limited understanding and attention from social resources regarding this issue.

Deux cents ans d’histoire des usages et mésusages du protoxyde d’azote

Deux cents ans d’histoire des usages et mésusages du protoxyde d’azote

VISUAL ARGUMENTATIVITY FOR DEAF PEOPLE: THE IMAGE MEDIATING WRITING IN PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE

Argumentativeness and discourse are interconnected and reveal persuasive power through the linguistic actions performed. From the theoretical perspectives of Visual Pedagogy and the relationship between argumentativeness and image, we investigated the relevance of these components for correlation, comprehension and writing in Portuguese Language (PL) in the education of deaf people. Such skills require the establishment of a connection of meanings between images and the texts related to them for the exercise of visual argumentativeness. We analyzed reports and activities applied in Portuguese Language classes at the Pedagogical Support Center of Ipiaú – CAPI using the methodology of document analysis. The collected data were subjected to content analysis as a heuristic function, verifying the content in a qualitative approach by delimiting the presence or absence of characters common to the writing process of deaf people in PL. We hope that these results contribute to the effective participation of deaf people in the various literate environments in which they live.

INTEGRATIVE COMMUNITY THERAPY: REPERCUSSIONS ON WORKERS IN A MUNICIPALITY IN PARAÍBA

Objective: To understand the repercussions of integrative community therapy (ICT) on professionals in a city in Paraíba. Methodology: This is an exploratory-descriptive study with a qualitative approach, using Bardin's content analysis technique. Workers from the Specialized Social Assistance Reference Center, Social Assistance Reference Center, Family Health Support Center, and Popular Education Center in the city of Nova Palmeira, Paraíba, participated in the research. Results: After analyzing the speeches, the following empirical categories emerged: Benefits of ICT: Redefining the way of being, in which it was observed that there were positive repercussions on both the personal and professional lives of workers; and ICT Circles and their main limitations according to the participants. Conclusion: The activity enables new ways of relating collectively to others. It is noticeable that the use of this tool provides the development of empathy, resilience, self-esteem, among others. Therefore, it is necessary to promote TCI circles more widely among workers and the community in general, thus allowing them to become a means of social inclusion.

Cancer prevention in people experiencing homelessness: feasibility of the Health Navigator Model

Abstract Background The Health Navigator Model (HNM) is a newly developed skill-mixed model that may improve access to cancer prevention services for over 895,000 People who are currently Experiencing Homelessness (PEH) in Europe. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and implementation of the model in European settings. Methods A co-designed pilot implementation study was undertaken in Austria, Spain, Greece and the United Kingdom. A total of 20 trained health navigators were appointed at support centres for PEH and facilitated PEH’s access to cancer prevention activities based on a comprehensive and tailored needs assessment. The study duration was 19 months, with two follow-ups. Feasibility data (recruitment/retention/participation rates, barriers, facilitators) were monitored throughout the study. Results More than 1,981 PEH were informed about the study and 652 of them participated. Most participants were male (64%), with low or no income (42%) and had previously experienced homelessness (51.7%). The mean age of participants was 47.4 years old. Overall, 69% of participants completed the first, and 42.5% completed the second follow-up. Main dropout reasons were loss of contact, loss of interest or having other priorities. Participants undertook a range of cancer prevention activities, including education (n = 494), workshops (n = 280), health consultations (n = 251), referrals for specialist care (n = 212) and cancer screening tests (n = 169). Difficulties in accessing the healthcare system, de-prioritising cancer and PEH’s complex needs were identified as the main barriers. Building trusting relationships with PEH, increasing cancer awareness and coordinating social and health services were identified as the main facilitators. Conclusions Implementing the Health Navigator Model was a feasible and dynamic process leading to improved equity and inclusion of people experiencing homelessness in cancer preventive services. Key messages • The Health Navigator Model is a feasible model to enhance cancer prevention among people experiencing homelessness following a person-centred, destigmatising approach. • Effective liaison between health and social services under the Health Navigator Model plays a critical role in facilitating access to cancer preventive care among people experiencing homelessness.

Respiratory Support for Patients with Chronic Respiratory Failure: the Necessity of a Long-Term Homecare Ventilation Program

Severe respiratory failure, resulting from a wide range of acute and chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, obstructive sleep apnoea, obesity hypoventilation syndrome (Pickwickian syndrome), COVID-19, bilateral pneumonitis, kyphoscoliosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and others, poses a significant challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. Treating severe respiratory failure often requires long-term or lifelong respiratory support, which places a heavy burden on both patients and healthcare systems. Despite the availability of free comprehensive care for patients with chronic kidney failure and heart failure, those requiring long-term respiratory support are often deprived of adequate medical and social assistance. This gap in care leads to frequent hospitalizations, disability, and premature death of patients with severe respiratory failure, further straining healthcare resources and increasing social tension. The solution of the problem is an organisation of ambulatory centre for homecare respiratory support for patients with severe chronic respiratory failure. Homecare respiratory support demonstrated worldwide cost-effectiveness by significantly enhancing patients clinical and social outcomes, restoring their work capacity, and reducing the need for hospitalizations. This article emphasizes the necessity of a comprehensive homecare respiratory support system and highlights how inadequate assistance can result in frequent hospitalizations, increased disability, and premature death, thereby imposing an additional strain on the healthcare system.

The benefits and barriers of accessing cancer support services

IntroductionCancer is a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Ireland, rising cancer incidence means that the burden on society will continue to increase. Recent recognition of the large impact of psychological distress on patients with cancer has led to suggestions to use support centres to mitigate this distress. Thus, the benefits of participation and barriers to attendance must be explored. Aims & ObjectivesTo systematically review scientific literature and determine the: (i) Sociodemographic composition of cancer support centres. (ii) Benefits of support services to patients with cancer. (iii) Barriers/facilitators to support centre attendance. MethodsElectronic searches were carried out PubMed and the Cumulative Indexto Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAL) databases using key words addressing the research question. Ten articles were selected and critically appraised. ResultsA summary of article results showed that while various groups remain underrepresented in support centres, new evidence suggests this may be changing. Increased support service attendance was linked to greater benefits. No change in anxiety or depression with attendance were seen. Barriers to attendance were identified. ConclusionsThe literature showed benefits to support services, but long term benefits must be further investigated. Future research quantitatively assessing benefits of support services, using validated assessment instruments are necessary. Psychological benefits of participation are still unclear. Validated questionnaires to assess the barriers to attendance must be developed. Lastly, there is a lack of studies on the benefits of and barriers to support services participation in the Irish population.

Evaluating the Impact of a Rebt-Based Suicide Prevention Program for Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorders

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a suicide prevention program based on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) for individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder. Theoretical Framework: The study is grounded in the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) framework, which aims to reduce irrational beliefs, one of the root causes of emotional disturbances, including depression and suicidal ideation. Methods: A nonequivalent quasi-experimental design was employed, involving participants from two Addiction Management Integrated Support Centers in K Province, South Korea. Forty-eight individuals were divided into two groups: 24 in the experimental group and 24 in the control group, each assigned to a different center. The experimental group underwent 10 REBT sessions over 5 weeks, in addition to standard interventions. The control group received only the usual interventions. Outcome variables measured included irrational beliefs, depression, suicidal ideation, and problem-solving ability. Data were collected at baseline and again five weeks after the program ended. Statistical analyses were conducted using chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and independent t-tests. Results: Prior to the intervention, no significant differences in demographic characteristics or baseline outcome variables were observed between the two groups. After the intervention, the experimental group exhibited a significant reduction in irrational beliefs (t=2.36, p=.023), depression (t=3.80, p<.001), and suicidal ideation (t=4.59, p<.001) compared to the control group. Additionally, the experimental group demonstrated a significant improvement in problem-solving ability (t=4.59, p<.001). Discussion/Implications: The study demonstrates that the REBT-based suicide prevention program was effective in reducing irrational beliefs, depression, and suicidal ideation, while also enhancing problem-solving ability in individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder. These results underscore the potential benefits of integrating cognitive-behavioral approaches like REBT into suicide prevention programs for this population. Originality/Value: This research contributes to the limited literature on suicide prevention programs tailored for individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder and offers valuable insights into the applicability of REBT in community-based mental health interventions. The findings suggest the importance of developing structured therapeutic programs that address both cognitive distortions and emotional well-being to prevent suicide in vulnerable populations.

Strengthening the role of primary care for the success of the community care system

Background: Globally, population aging is a widespread phenomenon. However, Korea is experiencing this demographic shift at the fastest rate globally. As the number of older adults increases, the local primary healthcare system has become increasingly important in supporting them to maintain their lives within the community.Current Concepts: The integrated medical support project is systematic and comprehensive, focusing on services provided by primary care providers. The project requires a tailored implementation plan specific to the community for long-term operations. Therefore, providers need to explore roles and collaborative measures to establish a sustainable system of primary care-centered supportive care for elderly patients.Discussion and Conclusion: Local governments must identify patients, establish a cooperative system, manage and entrust patient information and communications technology (ICT), educate ICT users, and secure a budget to integrate and provide medical care in the community effectively. The local medical association should establish and operate a medical and healthcare support center, coordinate a consultative body between medical institutions, and implement a 24-hour patient response system. The proposed medical and healthcare support center will facilitate cooperation and comprehensive evaluation during home visits by primary care doctors. This center can also connect patients needing care by collaborating with local care-related organizations. In addition to providing home-visit services, primary care institutions must establish a system for conducting comprehensive patient evaluations with medical care support teams. Additionally, the recommendation is to incorporate elements beyond home-visit treatment fees to facilitate the systematic and intensive management of patients.

Preprocessing Text Data for the Doc2Vec Model in the Automatic Classification of Tickets in Support Centers of Software Providers

Leading software providers typically implement customer technical support functions, which are crucial for promoting and enhancing the competitiveness of their products and services in global markets. The high volume and heterogeneity of support tickets (functional, temporal, linguistic, etc.) highlight the importance of efficient classification systems. Effective classification optimizes the distribution of these tickets among support center specialists and automates their processing using an established knowledge base. However, classifying these tickets is a loosely formalized task. For companies that have accumulated substantial data on customer requests, automating classification through machine learning methods and natural language processing models, such as Word2Vec, FastText, BERT, and GPT, becomes feasible. It is generally accepted that classification effectiveness primarily depends on the model employed. Nevertheless, the quality of these models is significantly influenced by the nature of the training data. Literature review of the reveals significant research interest in methods for the automatic classification of tickets specifically tailored to the operational conditions of software provider support centers. However, there is a noticeable gap in the literature regarding the impact of data preprocessing on the quality of these models. The article aims to clarify the techniques of data preprocessing and analyze their impact on the effectiveness of text classification, considering the specificity of software provider support centers. This study examines the stages of the automatic classification process for tickets, accounting for the unique characteristics of the data (customer text requests). A relevant set of specified methodological and instrumental tools was developed and tested using open data from a global software provider (DevExpress). The testing involved a database of 165,000 tickets. The study's results indicate that preprocessing can improve classification metrics such as F-measure, Precision, and Recall from 77% to 79%. Additionally, preprocessing significantly reduces the dimensionality of text data (by 48.2%) and increases model training speed (by 26.5%) without loss of accuracy, ensuring cost-efficiency and operational efficiency in the use of computational resources.

O10-3 Characteristics and support of cancer patients receiving financial counseling at a Cancer Counseling and Support Center

O10-3 Characteristics and support of cancer patients receiving financial counseling at a Cancer Counseling and Support Center

Comparative Analysis of Sustainable Seafarers’ Employment and Welfare Systems in South Korea and China: Contemporary Issues and Improvements

Seafarers are recognized as essential workers responsible for maintaining the national logistics supply chain. This study analyzes the sustainable seafarers’ employment and welfare systems in South Korea and China using the comparative case study approach and presents relevant implications. In the era of the “New Normal” after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, which is marked by hyper-personalization, seafarers have become increasingly resistant to acquiring maritime education and performing onboard duties. Even though South Korea has recognized seafarers as key agents of national economic growth, the participation of the new generation in the shipping industry has recently been declining. Meanwhile, China has been developing its shipping industry since the Deng Xiaoping reforms and fosters skilled seafarers by providing rigorous maritime education. However, both countries have been experiencing difficulties in ensuring the legal and social protection of seafarers; hence, the challenge of providing sustainable employment and welfare to seafarers remains. In conclusion, this study proposes the establishment of the “Asia Maritime Education, Employment, and Welfare Support Center” to support seafarers’ employment and welfare with the cooperation of other countries in the Asian region.

Client-Centered and Multidisciplinary Approaches in School-Based Occupational Therapy: Perceptions of Therapists and Parents

This study aimed to explore the perspectives of occupational therapists and parents who receive therapeutic support services for their children with special needs in school. We focused on school-based occupational therapy (SBOT) service goals, delineating how participants prioritize necessary services and perceive multidisciplinary collaboration. In this cross-sectional study, we employed an online survey methodology. We used a purposive sampling method to reach all school-based therapists registered in therapeutic support centers and a snowball sampling method to recruit parents. The final sample included responses from 29 therapists and 120 parents. We found that parents reported a greater need for service provision and multidisciplinary collaboration compared to school-based occupational therapists. Although therapists felt competent in their service provision, there is an urgent need to address the service needs expressed by parents. The participating therapists reported working with lower-functioning students and prioritized goals such as “providing task skills through Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)” and “enhancing student participation in educational activities.” In contrast, parents reported supporting higher-functioning children and prioritized goals such as “therapeutic activities within school environments” and “helping with important learning activities in natural environments.” This study underscores the need for ongoing research to develop integrative occupational therapy services in the school environment.

Analysis of the Priority and Needs of the Role of Inclusive education Support: Focusing on Special Education Support Centers

Analysis of the Priority and Needs of the Role of Inclusive education Support: Focusing on Special Education Support Centers

An Analysis of Competency Requirements for Itinerant Special Education Teachers in Inclusive Education: Focusing on Special Education Support Center in Gyeonggi Province

An Analysis of Competency Requirements for Itinerant Special Education Teachers in Inclusive Education: Focusing on Special Education Support Center in Gyeonggi Province