Occupational allergies and respiratory health issues are an increasing concern across various industries, significantly impacting worker productivity, well-being and long-term health outcomes. These health problems are primarily triggered by exposure to airborne allergens such as pollen, mold and chemical irritants commonly found in workplace environments. Climate change exacerbates these issues by altering environmental conditions that influence allergen distribution and intensity. Rising temperatures, increased humidity, worsening air pollution and extreme weather events contribute to prolonged pollen seasons, greater mold proliferation, increased volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and heightened respiratory health risks among workers. VOCs are chemical pollutants emitted from a range of indoor and outdoor sources, further aggravating air quality in workplace environments.

An emerging concern is the relationship between climate change and thunderstorm asthma, a phenomenon where allergens are dispersed during thunderstorms, leading to acute asthma events. Ongoing research continues to examine how environmental changes contribute to the frequency and intensity of asthma-related health issues, particularly in occupational settings.

Both outdoor and indoor workers face distinct challenges due to climate-driven changes in allergen exposure. Agricultural, forestry and construction workers are especially vulnerable to longer pollen seasons and higher concentrations of air pollutants. In contrast, office, healthcare and industrial workers face increased exposure to indoor allergens due to poor ventilation, rising VOC concentrations and other environmental stressors. Low-income workers, older adults and those in developing countries face disproportionate risks due to limited access to healthcare and protective measures.

This viewpoint article explores the relationship between climate change and occupational respiratory allergies, emphasizing the need for effective workplace adaptation strategies such as improving ventilation systems, using air filtration technology and creating allergen-free zones. It also examines the socioeconomic barriers to implementing these measures, mental health impacts of occupational allergies (including stress, anxiety and absenteeism) and the emergence of new allergens due to changing environmental conditions. Furthermore, technological solutions such as AI-driven air quality monitoring systems and wearable sensors hold promise in mitigating allergen exposure by providing real-time data, enabling proactive health measures and supporting policy development to protect worker health. Addressing these challenges is critical to ensuring workers’ health, well-being and productivity in the face of ongoing climate change.

OBJECTIVES

This study explored the interplay of three Filipino cultural values—hiya (modesty/self-restraint), pakikisama (conflict-avoidance dimension of social harmony), and pakikipag-ugnayan (professional engagement, characterized by vigor, dedication, and absorption)—among Generation Z nurses in Quezon City. Specifically, it assessed their levels, examined interrelationships through correlation and path analysis, and developed a framework to illustrate their influence on nursing practice. In the Filipino context, hiya encompasses both positive dimensions, such as conscientiousness, moral accountability, and social responsibility, and constraining dimensions, including excessive self-restraint, fear of criticism, and inhibition. Pakikisama, while fostering harmony, may discourage assertiveness and limit open communication. Pakikipag-ugnayan, conceptualized here as engagement, reflects dedication, vigor, and absorption, which are vital for performance, patient safety, and workforce retention.

A descriptive–correlational design was utilized to assess the relationships among hiya, pakikisama, and pakikipag-ugnayan. Data were gathered through a structured, self-administered questionnaire comprising validated scales for each construct, distributed in online formats to accommodate participants’ availability and work schedules. The purposive sample consisted of 115 Filipino Generation Z nurses engaged in direct patient care in various healthcare facilities in Quezon City. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics to summarize variable scores, Spearman’s rho to examine bivariate correlations, and path analysis to determine the direct and indirect effects among the variables. The results of the path analysis were used to develop a proposed framework illustrating the interplay of these cultural values in nursing practice.

Path analysis revealed distinct patterns in the interplay of hiya, pakikisama, and pakikipag-ugnayan among Generation Z nurses in Quezon City. Very high hiya scores (mean = 5.32) reflected both moral accountability and restraint-oriented tendencies. Despite these positive indicators, hiya showed a negative correlation with pakikipag-ugnayan, suggesting that its inhibiting side—marked by fear of criticism and avoidance of mistakes—may overshadow its constructive moral aspects. In contrast, the path analysis identified a moderate positive direct effect between hiya and pakikipag-ugnayan (β = 0.400, pCONCLUSION

Among Generation Z nurses, hiya demonstrates a dual role: while its ethical and conscientious aspects can strengthen pakikipag-ugnayan, its inhibiting side may suppress pakikipag-ugnayan. Pakikisama, operationalized as conflict avoidance and withholding dissent, emerged as a barrier to pakikipag-ugnayan by discouraging open communication. These findings informed the development of the Hiya–Pakikisama– Pakikipag-ugnayan Cultural Dynamics Framework, which illustrates how cultural values can simultaneously enable and constrain professional engagement. The framework has potential applications in nursing education and organizational practice, particularly in designing reflective learning, mentorship, and communication strategies that balance cultural sensitivity with assertiveness. Further validation across generations and healthcare settings is recommended to refine its applicability.

Language ; Pathology ; Speech ; Speech-language Pathology ; Weights And Measures

Objective: To evaluate the predictive performance of anthropometric indices for metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Chinese adolescents with different nutritional status. Methods: We recruited 9,513 adolescents aged 10-18 years from seven provinces in China during September 2014. Anthropometric indices and blood pressure were measured at recruitment, and blood samples were collected for determining fasting plasma glucose and lipid profile. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were used to assess the predictive performance of anthropometric indices, including body mass index (BMI) percentile, waist circumference percentile, waist-height ratio, and waist-hip ratio. Results: Overall, the four anthropometric indices showed good accuracy for predicting MetS with areas under ROC curves (AUCs) ranging from 0.86 to 0.94; similar AUCs ranging from 0.73 to 0.99 were observed for participants with normal weight. The performance of all four indices was poor in overweight and obese participants, with AUCs ranging from 0.66 to 0.77 and from 0.60 to 0.67, respectively. Waist circumference showed relatively better performance in all the subgroup analyses. Conclusions We suggest using anthropometric indices with the cutoff values presented here for predicting MetS in the overall and normal-weight adolescent population, but not in the overweight and obese adolescent population where more specific screening tests are required.
Adolescent ; Asians ; Body Weights and Measures ; Child ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome/diagnosis* ; Nutritional Status ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Robots are being used to assist the recovery of walking ability for patients with neurologic disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and functional improvement of training with robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) using the Morning Walk®, an end-effector type robot using footplates and saddle seat support. A total of 189 individuals (65.1% men, 34.9% women; mean age, 53.2 years; age range: 5–87 years) with brain lesions, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathies, and pediatric patients were involved in this retrospectively registered clinical trial. Each participant performed 30 minutes of RAGT, five times a week, for a total of 24 sessions. Failure was defined as an inability to complete all 24 sessions, and the reasons for discontinuation were analyzed. Parameters of Medical Research Council scales and Functional Ambulation Categories were analyzed before and after RAGT training. Among the 189 patients, 22 (11.6%) failed to complete the RAGT. The reasons included decreased cooperation, musculoskeletal pain, saddle seat discomfort, excessive body-weight support, joint spasticity or restricted joint motion, urinary incontinence from an indwelling urinary catheter, and fatigue. Comparison between the pre- and post-training motor and ambulatory functions showed significant improvement. The result of the study indicates that the Morning Walk® is feasible and safe and useful for functional improvement in patients with various neurologic disordersTRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0003627
Brain ; Fatigue ; Female ; Gait ; Humans ; Information Services ; Joints ; Male ; Muscle Spasticity ; Musculoskeletal Pain ; Nervous System Diseases ; Parkinson Disease ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Urinary Catheters ; Urinary Incontinence ; Walking ; Weights and Measures

This study investigated how physical and cognitive function and psychological factors affected the health-related quality of life (HRQoL, hereafter HQ) of stroke patients in South Korea. The study enrolled 32 right-handed subjects with chronic cerebral infarction with disability and preserved cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination ≥ 20). Physical disability was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Korean modified Barthel Index (KMBI). Quality of life was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Abbreviated form (WHOQOL-BREF, hereafter WB) and the 36-Item Short-form Health Survey (SF-36) in face-to-face interviews. Psychological distress was investigated using the Beck Depression Inventory Scale-II. The associations of each domain of WB and SF-36 were investigated using Pearson correlation analyses. Physical disability was negatively correlated with HQ in the SF-36. The physical function and bodily pain scales of the SF-36 were negatively correlated with physical disability. The general health domain of the SF-36 was negatively correlated with psychological scores. Emotional status was associated with physical health, social relationships, and general health in HQ. In summary, the severity of physical disability was associated with the patient's general and physical health and body pain. These findings suggest the importance of psychological, cognitive, and physiological interventions for improving the quality of life of patients after cerebral infarction.
Cerebral Infarction ; Cognition ; Depression ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Korea ; Psychology ; Quality of Life ; Stroke ; Weights and Measures ; World Health Organization

We measured the difference of sitting pressure between the affected and unaffected sides (DSPAU) using sitting pressure measured with a force platform to identify sitting imbalance. The aim of this study is to investigate the relations between sitting balance and functional status or parameters according to characteristics stroke patients. We examine changes in DSPAU and functional assessment before and after a 3 week of rehabilitation in hemiplegic stroke patients (n = 73). These pre- and post-treatment data according to stroke characteristics, and correlations between the DSPAU and functional scales were analyzed. The DSPAU was greater in the non-ambulatory group compared to the ambulatory group, in patients who scored lower in the Medical Research Council (MRC) scores, and in patients whose the MRC scores for the lower limbs were lower than of the upper limbs. We observed that a decrease in the DSPAU was associated with an improvement in functional assessment parameters following rehabilitation. Further, changes in DSPAU were significantly correlated to the Modified Barthel Index. We observed that a decrease in DSPAU was associated with an improvement in functional parameters following rehabilitation. In conclusion, repeated measurements of sitting balance using DSPAU may be helpful to predict motor and functional recovery in stroke patient with hemiplegia.
Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Postural Balance ; Recovery of Function ; Rehabilitation ; Stroke ; Upper Extremity ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: As risk of hemorrhagic stroke may have early life origins, we investigated associations of birth weight and childhood body mass index (BMI) with adult intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODS: We included 240,234 Danish schoolchildren, born 1936 to 1989, with information on birth weight and measured weights and heights from 7 to 13 years. We calculated hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between early life anthropometrics and ICH or SAH, identified through linkage with national registers. RESULTS: During the study period, 1,947 individuals (39% women) experienced an ICH and 797 individuals (64% women) experienced a SAH. Per 500 g increase in birth weight, women had a 10% decreased risk of SAH (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.83 to 0.97) and men had a 10% decreased risk of ICH (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.85 to 0.95). Birth weight was not associated with risks of ICH in women or SAH in men. In men, a childhood BMI below average (BMI z-score < 0) was associated with increased risks of ICH. The association was stronger at older childhood ages, and at 13 years a BMI z-score of –1 was associated with a HR of 1.17 (95% CI, 1.06 to 1.28), and a BMI z-score of –2 with a HR of 1.46 (95% CI, 1.17 to 1.82) for ICH. Childhood BMI was not associated with risks of ICH in women or with risks of SAH in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Early life body size is associated with ICH and SAH, and the associations differ by sex.
Adult ; Birth Weight ; Body Mass Index ; Body Size ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Child ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Origin of Life ; Stroke ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Radiopaque metal markers are required to improve X-ray absorption by self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) to enable precise stent placement. A new tantalum radiopaque marker was recently developed using an ultrasonic spray technique. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety and visibility of tantalum markers. METHODS: A total of three beagle dogs were used for a gastrointestinal tract absorption test. Five tantalum markers were placed in the stomach of each dog endoscopically. Excreted tantalum markers were collected, and their weights were compared to the original weights. In radiopacity tests, marker radiopacities on X-ray images were quantified using ImageJ software and compared with those of commercially available metal markers. Finally, the radiographic images of six patients who underwent biliary SEMS placement using tantalum marker Nitinol SEMSs (n=3) or gold marker Nitinol SEMSs (n=3) were compared with respect to marker brightness on fluoroscopic images. RESULTS: Absorption testing showed that the marker structures and weights were unaffected. Radiopacity tests showed that the mean brightness and total brightness scores were greater for tantalum markers (226.22 and 757, respectively) than for gold (A, 209 and 355, respectively; B, 204.96 and 394, respectively; C, 194.34 and 281, respectively) or platinum markers (D, 203.6 and 98, respectively). On fluoroscopic images, tantalum markers had higher brightness and total brightness scores (41.47 and 497.67, respectively) in human bile ducts than gold markers (28.37 and 227, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Tantalum markers were found to be more visible than other commercially available markers in X-ray images and to be resistant to gastrointestinal absorption.
Absorption ; Animals ; Bile Ducts ; Dogs ; Gastrointestinal Absorption ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Platinum ; Self Expandable Metallic Stents ; Stents ; Stomach ; Tantalum ; Ultrasonics ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are adult multipotent non-haematopoietic stem cells that have regeneration potential. The current study aimed to detect the ability of BM-MSCs to improve kidney and cardiac functions in adult rats with established chronic kidney disease. METHODS: Rats were divided into sham-operated control, untreated sub totally nephrectomised and treated sub totally nephrectomised groups. Body weight, kidney and cardiac tissue weights, plasma creatinine and urea levels and arterial blood pressure were measured. ECG was recorded, and an in vitro isolated heart study was performed. Results: Stem cell treatment decreased the elevated plasma creatinine and urea levels and decreased systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure values. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in glomerular hypertrophy with apparent normal renal parenchyma. Additionally, BM-MSCs shortened Q-To and Q-Tc intervals, all time to peak tension values, the half relaxation value at 30 min of reperfusion and the contraction time at 15 and 30 min of reperfusion. Moreover, stem cell treatment significantly increased the heart rate, QRS voltage, the peak tension at the 15- and 30-min reperfusion time points and the peak tension per left ventricle at the 30-min reperfusion time point compared to the pre-ischaemia baseline. BM-MSCs resolve inter muscular oedema and lead to the re-appearance of normal cardiomyocytes. This improvement occurs with the observations of BM-MSCs in renal and heart tissues. CONCLUSIONS: BM-MSCs can attenuate chronic kidney disease progression and the associated cardiac electrophysiological and inotropic dysfunction.
Adult ; Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Body Weight ; Creatinine ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Rate ; Heart Ventricles ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; In Vitro Techniques ; Kidney ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; Nephrectomy ; Plasma ; Rats ; Regeneration ; Relaxation ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Reperfusion ; Stem Cells ; Urea ; Weights and Measures