This study aimed to determine whether certain lifestyle factors, specifically alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, sleep duration and sleep quality, are associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to assess how changes in lifestyle behaviours over time influence MetS prevalence in the middle-aged Korean population.
Community-based, prospective cohort study.
South Korea, baseline in 2017–2019 and follow-up in 2020–2022.
The study included 1436 adult individuals aged ≥30–59 years.
The primary outcome of this study was the prevalence of MetS at follow-up, determined according to established diagnostic criteria. Secondary outcomes included the association between MetS and five key lifestyle factors: alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, sleep quality and sleep duration. Lifestyle changes were categorised into four groups based on stability between baseline and follow-up assessments. Outcome measures remained consistent with the study’s initial protocol, with no modifications to the planned variables or measured criteria.
The prevalence of MetS increased from 15.3% at baseline to 19.6% at follow-up. At follow-up, insufficient physical activity (OR=1.42, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.92) and poor sleep quality (OR=1.37, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.84) were significantly associated with MetS. Among lifestyle change patterns, long-term unhealthy physical activity (OR=1.57, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.39) and sleep quality (OR=1.50, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.24) behaviours were associated with an increased risk of MetS. Poisson regression analyses of incident cases showed that only unfavourable changes in sleep duration were significantly associated with incident MetS (rate ratios=1.74, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.95). However, no significant associations were observed for other lifestyle change patterns, including behaviours that improved or worsened over time, and no meaningful associations were identified for non-significant lifestyle factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
The prevalence of MetS was associated not only with individual lifestyle factors but also with long-term patterns of unhealthy behaviours, with persistent shortage of physical activity, poor sleep quality and inadequate sleep duration identified as significant contributors to increased MetS risk. Future research should explore a broader range of risk factors over longer follow-up periods to better understand the long-term impact of lifestyle modifications on MetS development.
by Jin-Hwa Kim, Ji-Soo Jeong, Jeong-Won Kim, Eun-Hye Chung, Su-Ha Lee, Je-Won Ko, Youn-Hwan Hwang, Tae-Won Kim
Moutan Cortex (MC), the dried root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa, is used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine to treat enteritis for its anti-inflammatory properties. This study compared the pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of paeonol and paeoniflorin in normal and dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced colitis rats, and to determine how repeated low-dose MC [MC(L), 0.5 g/kg] or high-dose MC [MC(H), 2.5 g/kg] alters PK and disease severity. Using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, we found that DNBS modestly increased paeonol AUClast (NC: 247.8 ± 63.7 vs DNBS: 337.0 ± 120.8 hr*ng/mL) and decreased paeoniflorin (NC: 474.1 ± 11.7 vs DNBS: 463.7 ± 106.8 hr*ng/mL) compared to controls (ns). After repeated dosing, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of paeonol was higher in the MC(H) than that in the MC(L) group (MC(L): 63.81 ± 29.74 vs MC(H): 4221.5 ± 1579.2 ng/mL, p max in the MC(H) group was also higher than MC(L) group (MC(L): 60.5 ± 15.3 vs MC(H): 164.7 ± 74.7 ng/mL, pTo create a healthy nursing environment and protect human health in response to climate change, it is essential to encourage behaviour change among nurses. Although numerous studies have been conducted on nurses to address climate change, few studies have explored the relationships of factors that influence and promote nurses' climate health behavioural behavioural change, making it difficult to determine how nurses should act and prioritise regarding climate health behaviours.
To investigate influential environmental factors on climate health behaviours among nurses through the causal relationships between environmental information, environmental beliefs and environmental self-efficacy using the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills (IMB) model.
A cross-sectional study.
This study recruited 186 nurses working in hospitals nationwide in July 2023. Self-reported questionnaires (Climate, Health, and Nursing Tool; National Environmental Consciousness Survey; New Ecological Paradigm Scale; Personal Efficacy Scale) were used to collect the data. Path analysis was performed.
The factors influencing nurses' climate health behaviours were environmental information, environmental beliefs and environmental self-efficacy. Environmental self-efficacy was found to be more influenced by the exogenous variables of environmental information than environmental beliefs and to be the most significant factor affecting climate health behaviours.
It is more important for nurses to obtain environmental information than environmental beliefs to achieve the goal of climate health behaviours. This in turn, will lead to personal self-efficacy that nurses can mitigate the climate crisis. Their strong self-efficacy affects their climate health behaviours.
Nurses should seek and draw on the appropriate environmental information related to climate health change and nurses with environmental self-efficacy become environmental nursing leaders, encouraging other health care workers to participate actively in climate health behaviours and continuously carry out the behaviours within daily life, hospital and community environments.
The study addressed the lack of relationship research on factors influencing nurses' climate health behaviours, emphasizing the importance of accessing environmental information to foster self-efficacy. Nurses with heightened self-efficacy can lead healthcare professionals in climate health actions.
This research has adhered to relevant EQUATOR and STROBE.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
The aim of this study is to identify the factors associated with nurses' perceptions and behaviours related to climate change and health (PBCH) according to their PBCH levels.
A cross-sectional study was used.
This study included a sample of 499 Korean nurses and adhered to the STROBE checklist. Data were collected from March 23 to May 10, 2023. Quantile regression analysis was performed, and PBCH levels were measured using the Korean version of the Climate Health and Nursing Tool.
Across all quantile groups, the experience of extreme weather events and awareness of climate change-coping facilitators were associated with PBCH. Differences were observed in factors associated with PBCH levels. Significant associations with PBCH were observed within the 75th percentile group, for having a religion, household income, and workplace climate friendliness. In the 25th percentile group, having a child, the number of sources for climate change–health-related information, and experience in setting climate change–health goals and strategies significantly influenced PBCH.
We propose a differentiated strategy by elucidating the factors associated with high and low quantiles of PBCH levels.
By verifying specific factors associated with PBCH levels, nurses can enhance their preparedness to respond to the health risks posed by climate change in their clients.
Identifying common factors associated with all quantiles of nurses is important for establishing universal PBCH characteristics. Recognising the distinctions between high and low PBCH levels can aid in developing tailored nursing strategies to enhance PBCH among nurses.
This study adhered to the STROBE guidelines.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
by Sunghoon Jeon, Keunho Kim, Cheolwon Choe, Juil Choi, Gun Lee, Chung-Do Lee, Hyeon-Jeong Moon, Jun-Gyu Park, Jin-kyung Kim, Namsoon Lee, Dongwoo Chang
Quick-soluble gelatin microparticles (QS-GMP) are emerging embolic agents under investigation for temporary vascular occlusion, offering reduced ischemic risk compared to permanent materials. The aim of this preclinical study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of QS-GMP for transarterial embolization in a rabbit model of urinary bladder embolization. Twelve male New Zealand White rabbits underwent bilateral umbilical artery embolization using QS-GMP. Animals were assigned to four time-points (immediately, 3, 7, and 14 days post-embolization), with comprehensive assessments including clinical observations, hematologic and serum biochemical analysis, angiography, and histopathology. The procedure was technically feasible in all animals without intraoperative complications. Temporary hematuria and a transient decrease in body weight were observed post-procedure, both of which resolved spontaneously. Complete occlusion of the cranial vesical artery and absence of bladder wall perfusion were achieved immediately after embolization, followed by full recanalization at 3 days. Angiographic imaging at 7 and 14 days revealed transient hypervascularization of the bladder wall. Histopathological analysis showed marked edema, epithelial necrosis, and inflammatory infiltration at 3 and 7 days, with full urothelial regeneration observed at 14 days. No signs of ureteral or renal injury, or adverse systemic responses were detected. These findings suggest that QS-GMP may serve as a feasible option for temporary arterial occlusion in future veterinary lower urinary tract applications, although further long-term evaluation is warranted.A growing number of community-dwelling older adults living alone face a range of physical, psychological and social challenges that negatively impact their well-being. Various technologies have been developed to support healthy ageing, with voice-activated technology (VAT) offering particularly promising opportunities to improve later life well-being. However, its effect on older adults living alone has not yet been systematically evaluated. Thus, this study aims to provide an evidence base for the effectiveness of VAT interventions in enhancing the physical, psychological and social well-being of older adults living alone.
We will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining the use of VAT interventions among older adults living alone. The eligible study designs include randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies. Primary outcomes will focus on physical, psychological and social well-being. A comprehensive search will be conducted across international (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ProQuest and Web of Science) and Korean databases (RISS, DBpia and KISS). Two reviewers will independently conduct study selection, risk-of-bias assessment and data extraction. A meta-analysis will be conducted to synthesise the effects of VAT interventions on psychological, physical and social domains of well-being.
Synthesising existing evidence, this review aims to inform the development of targeted interventions and support strategies to improve the well-being of older adults living alone. As no new data will be collected, ethical approval is not required. Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal to guide targeted intervention strategies and engage both academic and policy audiences.
CRD420251084621.
To systematically review and synthesise qualitative research on nurses' experiences of speaking up in various contexts and to identify factors facilitating or impeding such a behaviour.
This review was conducted as a qualitative metasynthesis, utilising the qualitative meta-ethnography approach.
A total of 6250 articles were screened. Two reviewers screened titles, abstracts and full texts. A total of 15 studies were included in this review. Researchers conducted a quality appraisal using the JBI critical appraisal checklist for qualitative research. An a priori protocol was created and registered on the Open Science Framework.
Literature searches were conducted in five international bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global) and five Korean databases (RISS, KISS, DBpia, KCI and NDSL).
Three main themes were identified from the 15 studies used in the metasynthesis: (1) decisional complexity of speaking up, (2) motivators for speaking up and (3) barriers to speaking up. Nurses experienced challenges in speaking up. They were, and continue to be, concerned about negative responses. Hierarchy structure and poor work environment were identified as barriers to speaking up; professional responsibility and a supportive atmosphere were identified as facilitators for speaking up.
This review synthesised nurses' experiences of speaking up and influencing factors. Speaking up is crucial for nurses to improve patient safety, as frontline nurses are ideally positioned to observe early indicators of unsafe conditions in healthcare delivery.
Identified motivators and barriers of nurses' speaking-up behaviour offer considerations and opportunities for healthcare leaders and managers. This could lead to improvement in patient safety through the establishment of a safety culture that facilitates nurses' speaking-up behaviour.
The review adhered to the ENTREQ guideline.
No patient or public contribution has been made in this review.
To identify the barriers and facilitators in the implementation of fertility preservation (FP) shared decision-making (SDM) in oncology care.
Qualitative descriptive study.
Qualitative interviews with 16 female patients with cancer and seven healthcare providers were conducted between July 2022 and April 2024. Data were analyzed using directed content analysis, guided by the implementation science framework.
We identified 22 categories comprising 38 codes as barriers to SDM implementation and 17 categories comprising 26 codes as facilitators. Findings revealed that, at the innovation level, accessibility, feasibility, interdisciplinary collaboration, and quality improvement efforts were decisive in the implementation of FP SDM. At the individual level, healthcare providers' awareness and attitudes towards FP and SDM, as well as patients' knowledge, attitudes, and capabilities in FP SDM, were crucial factors in the implementation of FP SDM. In social, economic, and organizational contexts, support from significant others, social awareness about FP, multidisciplinary care, financial assistance, and educational resources were determinants in implementing FP SDM.
Implementing FP SDM among female patients with cancer necessitates a strategic approach that considers barriers and facilitators. Educating and promoting FP SDM among the public and healthcare providers, combined with incentivizing policies, can enhance individual knowledge and awareness while achieving systemic improvements, facilitating its successful implementation.
This study provides insights into barriers and facilitators and proposes strategic approaches to enhancing FP SDM implementation, contributing to improved quality of life for cancer survivors and advancements in clinical practice.
To assess telehealth stoma care interventions' impact on stoma adjustment, self-efficacy, anxiety and ostomates' quality of life.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
Studies published until April 2025 were searched across eight databases—MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov and PQDT Global. Randomised controlled trials with individuals aged 18 and older who received telehealth stoma care interventions were included. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model, with the GRADE approach employed to evaluate evidence certainty. This systematic review and meta-analysis complied with the PRISMA guideline and PRISMA 2020 checklist.
Eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. Telehealth interventions significantly improved stoma adjustment (SMD: 1.44, 95% CI: 0.22–2.66) and self-efficacy (MD: 10.23, 95% CI: 3.01–17.44), but did not significantly affect anxiety, while results regarding the effect on quality of life were inconsistent. Three studies showed a high risk of bias, while five showed some concerns. Evidence certainty was moderate for stoma adjustment, self-efficacy and stoma quality of life, and low for anxiety.
Telehealth can enhance stoma adjustment and self-efficacy, thereby improving management. However, the limited and inconsistent findings on anxiety and quality of life outcomes underscore the need for further high-quality research.
This review demonstrates that telehealth stoma care can be vital in improving stoma adjustment and self-efficacy in ostomates.
The PRISMA 2020 checklist.
Not Applicable.