This study examined sleep-related characteristics among university students and the associations between sleep quality, dietary habits, and diet quality.Three hundred and ninety-three university students (206 men and 187 women) enrolled at universities in the Chungcheong region of Korea participated in this study between November and December 2023. Data on the general characteristics, dietary habits, sleep status, and the Nutrition Quotient (NQ) for adults were collected using a structured questionnaire. The sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index– Korean version (PSQI-K). The participants were classified into a good sleeper group (PSQI-K≤5) and a poor sleeper group (PSQI-K≥6). The dietary habits and NQ scores were compared according to the sleep quality. Compared with good sleepers, poor sleepers had a significantly higher prevalence of eating alone at least once per day (P<0.01) and higher scores for unhealthy dietary behaviors, including overeating, eating quickly, a preference for salty food, skipping meals, and irregular meal timing (P<0.05). Although the total NQ scores and balance and practice domain scores did not differ according to sleep quality, the moderation domain scores were significantly lower among poor sleepers, particularly in men (P<0.05). In conclusion, poor sleep quality among university students was associated with unhealthy dietary habits and lower diet quality related to dietary restraint. These findings highlight the importance of improving sleep quality as a part of health education and dietary intervention programs for university students.

Background: We aimed to determine whether carotid and vertebral duplex sonography can predict adverse outcomes in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: A total of 207 stroke patients with AF were analyzed. The key metrics included the carotid plaque score (CPS, 0–24), mean carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), and high-risk features of sonography (HRFS). HRFS were defined as the presence of ulcerative, irregular, heterogeneous, or hypoechoic plaques; >50% carotid steno-occlusion; or abnormal Doppler spectra in the V2 vertebral artery segment. Predictors of future vascular events and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were identified using Cox regression, with adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated. The integrated time-dependent area under the curve for HRFS, CHA2DS2-VASc score, mean cIMT, and CPS was also assessed. Results: HRFS (aHR 4.86, 95% CI 1.41–16.77) were independently associated with future vascular events. Age (aHR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02–1.11), chronic kidney disease (aHR 2.03, 95% CI 1.00–4.12), admission National Institutes of Health stroke scale (aHR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00–1.08), and HRFS (aHR 2.45, 95% CI 1.18–5.08) were independently associated with MACE. Adverse outcomes were significantly more frequent in patients with HRFS (p<0.001, log-rank test). HRFS demonstrated a significantly better discriminatory ability than mean cIMT in predicting outcomes. Conclusion Duplex ultrasonography of the carotid and vertebral arteries is crucial for predicting MACE in stroke patients with AF. HRFS, rather than CPS or mean cIMT, may be a better marker for predicting MACE in this population.

Ultrasound is used as a primary diagnostic approach to evaluate musculoskeletal disorders and as a guide for treatment. Recently, elastography ultrasound technology has been introduced to complement the limited information conventional ultrasound provides.Elastography is a non-invasive, ultrasound-based technology that evaluates tissue elasticity and stiffness, providing quantitative information on various musculoskeletal disorders. This technology provides more detailed information on conditions such as tendinopathy, muscle injuries, cartilage changes, and soft tissue tumors, contributing to early detection, treatment, and prognosis determination. This review examines the advances in the latest elastography technology and its clinical application cases, evaluating studies on the utility of elastography in musculoskeletal disorders.

The impact of age on the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and all-cause mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients is not clearly understood. Using data from the Korean Renal Data System (2001–2022), we analyzed 66,129 HD patients, stratified into young (<65 years, n = 24,589), younger-old (65–74 years, n = 17,732), and older-old (≥75 years, n = 23,808) groups. Patients were categorized into BMI quartiles, and survival outcomes were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and event time ratios for the relative change in the survival time. During the follow-up period, 14,360 of the patients (21.7%) died, with a median follow-up of 3.4 years. Kaplan-Meier curves revealed poorer outcomes in lower BMI quartiles across all age groups. The lowest BMI quartile was significantly associated with a shorter survival time compared to the highest BMI quartile, with a 15% reduction in the young group (p = 0.001) and a 12% reduction in the older-old group (p = 0.002). Predicted survival time increases with rising BMI in the young group, but the rate of increase slows in the younger-old group and plateaus in the older-old group after a BMI of 25 kg/m2. Lower BMI correlates with higher mortality, particularly in younger HD patients.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic role of lymphadenectomy in patients surgically treated for clinically early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods: This retrospective, multicenter study included patients with clinically earlystage EOC based on preoperative abdominal-pelvic computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging findings between 2007 and 2021. Oncologic outcomes and perioperative complications were compared between the lymphadenectomy and non-lymphadenectomy groups. Independent prognostic factors were determined using Cox regression analysis.Disease-free survival (DFS) was the primary outcome. Overall survival (OS) and perioperative outcomes were the secondary outcomes. Results: In total, 586 patients (lymphadenectomy group, n=453 [77.3%]; nonlymphadenectomy groups, n=133 [22.7%]) were eligible. After surgical staging, upstaging was identified based on the presence of lymph node metastasis in 14 (3.1%) of 453 patients.No significant difference was found in the 5-year DFS (88.9% vs. 83.4%, p=0.203) and 5-year OS (97.2% vs. 97.7%, p=0.895) between the two groups. Using multivariable analysis, lymphadenectomy was not significantly associated with DFS or OS. However, using subgroup analysis, the lymphadenectomy group with serous histology had higher 5-year DFS rates than did the non-lymphadenectomy group (86.5% vs. 74.4%, p=0.048; adjusted hazard ratio=0.281; 95% confidence interval=0.107–0.735; p=0.010). The lymphadenectomy group had longer operating time (p<0.001), higher estimated blood loss (p<0.001), and higher perioperative complication rate (p=0.004) than did the non-lymphadenectomy group. Conclusion In patients with clinically early-stage EOC with serous histology, lymphadenectomy was associated with survival benefits. Considering its potential harm,

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the influence of teamwork and grit on job adaptation and intention to remain among advanced beginner nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive research design employing a survey method was used. The study involved 203 advanced beginner nurses with 13~36 months of experience working at a tertiary hospital. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and hierarchical regression analysis. Results: Job adaptation positively correlated with teamwork (r=.58, p<.001) and grit (r=.65, p<.001). Intention to remain was also positively correlated with teamwork (r=.32, p<.001) and grit (r=.59, p<.001). A hierarchical multiple regression model including control variables, teamwork, and grit accounted for 64% of the factors influencing job adaptation. Another hierarchical multiple regression model, incorporating control variables, teamwork, and grit, explained 44% of the factors influencing the intention to remain. Among the related factors, grit emerged as the most influential in regarding job adaption and intention to remain. Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of establishing a support system to bolster grit, enhancing adaptation to the job and fostering intention to remain among advanced beginner nurses.

Purpose: This study aimed to understand and describe the experiences of patients and their families who have received medical services from advanced practice nurses in tertiary general hospitals in Korea. Methods: Data were collected through four focus group interviews with 20 patients and their families who had received medical services from advanced practice nurses for more than six months at four tertiary hospitals from November 29 to December 28, 2023. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The four themes extracted from the experiences of patients and their families were as follows: unfamiliar medical personnel encountered during the treatment process, healthcare professionals who exhibited excellence, companions to light my way through the tunnel of illness, and an advanced practice nurse system that must be activated urgently. Conclusion The study’s findings indicate that patients and their families view the care provided by advanced practice nurses as excellent, reliable, and holistic. Research suggests that advanced practice nurses are valuable healthcare professionals in team-based care. The findings suggest that hospitals should utilize an advanced practice nurse system to improve patient outcomes and ensure the quality of care.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the influence of teamwork and grit on job adaptation and intention to remain among advanced beginner nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive research design employing a survey method was used. The study involved 203 advanced beginner nurses with 13~36 months of experience working at a tertiary hospital. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and hierarchical regression analysis. Results: Job adaptation positively correlated with teamwork (r=.58, p<.001) and grit (r=.65, p<.001). Intention to remain was also positively correlated with teamwork (r=.32, p<.001) and grit (r=.59, p<.001). A hierarchical multiple regression model including control variables, teamwork, and grit accounted for 64% of the factors influencing job adaptation. Another hierarchical multiple regression model, incorporating control variables, teamwork, and grit, explained 44% of the factors influencing the intention to remain. Among the related factors, grit emerged as the most influential in regarding job adaption and intention to remain. Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of establishing a support system to bolster grit, enhancing adaptation to the job and fostering intention to remain among advanced beginner nurses.

Purpose: This study aimed to understand and describe the experiences of patients and their families who have received medical services from advanced practice nurses in tertiary general hospitals in Korea. Methods: Data were collected through four focus group interviews with 20 patients and their families who had received medical services from advanced practice nurses for more than six months at four tertiary hospitals from November 29 to December 28, 2023. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The four themes extracted from the experiences of patients and their families were as follows: unfamiliar medical personnel encountered during the treatment process, healthcare professionals who exhibited excellence, companions to light my way through the tunnel of illness, and an advanced practice nurse system that must be activated urgently. Conclusion The study’s findings indicate that patients and their families view the care provided by advanced practice nurses as excellent, reliable, and holistic. Research suggests that advanced practice nurses are valuable healthcare professionals in team-based care. The findings suggest that hospitals should utilize an advanced practice nurse system to improve patient outcomes and ensure the quality of care.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the influence of teamwork and grit on job adaptation and intention to remain among advanced beginner nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive research design employing a survey method was used. The study involved 203 advanced beginner nurses with 13~36 months of experience working at a tertiary hospital. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and hierarchical regression analysis. Results: Job adaptation positively correlated with teamwork (r=.58, p<.001) and grit (r=.65, p<.001). Intention to remain was also positively correlated with teamwork (r=.32, p<.001) and grit (r=.59, p<.001). A hierarchical multiple regression model including control variables, teamwork, and grit accounted for 64% of the factors influencing job adaptation. Another hierarchical multiple regression model, incorporating control variables, teamwork, and grit, explained 44% of the factors influencing the intention to remain. Among the related factors, grit emerged as the most influential in regarding job adaption and intention to remain. Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of establishing a support system to bolster grit, enhancing adaptation to the job and fostering intention to remain among advanced beginner nurses.