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Variations in the level of quality and extractive nitrogenous components were investigated in the fresh muscle and commercial dried products of rabbitfish Siganus fuscescens collected from Penghu, Taiwan. The respective freshness quality for fresh muscle is as follows: trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), 29.50 mg N/100 g; trimethylamine (TMA), 2.30 mg N/100 g; NH3, 6.61 mg/100 g; total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN), 13.32 mg/100 g; aerobic plate count, 1.53 log CFU/g; and K-value, 28.80%. The respective freshness quality for dried products is as follows: TMAO, 43.44 mg N/100 g; TMA, 25.56 mg N/100 g wet wt.; NH3, 52.00 mg/100 g wet wt.; TVBN, 149.98 mg/100 g; aerobic plate count, 4.16 log CFU/g; and K-value, 89.73%. The major fatty acids in the fresh muscle and dried products are C16:0, C18:1 n-9, C18:0, C16:1 C22:6 n-3, and C22:5 n-3. The major nucleotide compound is inosine 5ʹ-monophosphate (IMP) in the fresh muscle (68%) and hypoxanthine (Hx) in the dried products (79%). The level of total free amino acids in the dried products shows significant variation depending on the processing method of the plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) is through consumption of carnivorous fish and seafood to cause neurotoxicity. Carnivorous fish, especially fresh shark meat and its product are often used in Taiwan. This study is first to determine the shark species from fresh shark meats and smoked shark meats using genome sequencing. Additionally, the level of MeHg in a part of these shark meats was measured by using liquid chromatography/inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LC/ICP-MS). Based on these MeHg levels, the risk of MeHg exposure of the shark meat consumption was assayed by utilizing the estimated weekly intake (EWI) and hazard quotient (HQ) of MeHg for the children of 3–18 ages. The results indicate the major species of fresh shark meats is Prionace glauca , and the minor species includes critically endangered species Rhynchobatus australiae and vulnerable species Alopias superciliosus. The level of MeHg was below 2 mg/kg in most shark meats, which is consistent with the Taiwan standard limit. However, the level of MeHg in some samples of shark meats was more than 2 mg/kg. Importantly, higher level of MeHg was found in smoked shark meat than that in fresh shark meat. Another, the level of HQ was more than 1, which is a criterial risk point, for children to ingest a little shark meat for children of 3–12 ages. The results indicate that the dietary intake of shark meat or smoked shark meat is danger for 3–12 years old children. • The conserved species were found in fresh shark meats. • Methylmercury level in smoked shark meats was higher than in fresh one. • The dietary intake of shark meat or smoked shark meat is danger for children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Western values and culture have undermined concepts filial piety in Taiwan in recent decades. Extant literature has identified the strong influence of filial piety on the willingness of children to care for their parents when ill. Most elderly parents experience illness and suffer from various types and degrees of disabilities and thus need physical, psychological, social, and spiritual care. Less involvement by children in elderly care naturally impacts nursing care, social resource allocations, and economic support for disabled elderly., Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in filial piety in three-generation families who live together. Understanding children's filial piety behavior can help nurses understand their willingness to accept responsibility for parental care and can help nurses assist with arranging appropriate home or institutional care for elderly patients., Methods: The study used a cross-sectional research design and snowball sampling. The data set was collected in a township in Central Taiwan and involved 128 participants from 49 households. The questionnaires included demographics, filial piety affection, perceived filial self-efficacy, and filial behavior., Results: Predicted variables for filial behavior included the following: being a member of an older generation, marital status, having positive filial piety affection, and having positive perceived filial self-efficacy. This study found that adults in the youngest group (G3-2 subgroup) who received care and feeding three or more times a week from a grandparent when 0 to 6 years of age had higher scores for filial piety affection toward their parents than their youngest group peers (G3-1 subgroup). The G3-2 subgroup's parents also had higher positive scores for the Filial Piety Affection and Perceived Filial Self-efficacy scales relative to their own parents., Conclusions/implications for Practice: Filial piety is a basic virtue and a traditional cultural value that is worth retaining. There is a need to give positive reinforcement to filial piety values through school education, better parenting, and development of good family relationships. Furthermore, government policy should work to encourage improved filial behavior in youth.