Purpose: While MRI-based tumor regression grade (mrTRG) has shown promise in evaluating pathologic response to concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in rectal cancer, its ability to predict pathologic complete response remains limited.This study aimed to enhance mrTRG’s diagnostic performance in predicting ypT0–1N0 status, a key factor in considering non-radical management after CCRT for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Methods: This retrospective study included 430 patients with LARC who underwent radical resection following CCRT at a single referral hospital between April 2018 and September 2024. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictive factors associated with achieving ypT0–1N0 status. The diagnostic performances of mrTRG1–2 alone and in combination with other factors were assessed by comparing sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value (PPV), negative-predictive value, and area under the curve (AUC). Results: Ninety-three patients (21.6%) achieved ypT0–1N0. In the multivariable analysis, fungating type, cT1–2, and mrTRG1–2 were independent predictors for ypT0–1N0. Integrating mrTRG with gross tumor type yielded the highest AUC of 0.689 among the combined models. For predicting ypT0–1N0, the combination of mrTRG and gross tumor type improved PPV (79.2% vs. 41.5% for mrTRG alone) while also demonstrating enhanced sensitivity compared with ycT0–1N0, the conventional MRI-based predictor (40.9% vs. 22.6%). Conclusion This study demonstrated that combining mrTRG and gross tumor type improved the PPV of mrTRG in predicting ypT0–1N0 after CCRT in LARC. Further studies are warranted to validate the role of gross tumor type in refining predictive systems for selecting candidates for non-radical treatment.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effects of a discharge nursing intervention program on hip function, exercise self-efficacy, and self-care in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Methods: A randomized controlled pretest–posttest design was used with 54 patients (27 experimental and 27 control) hospitalized for total hip arthroplasty at Chungbuk National University Hospital in Cheongju, South Korea. The experimental group received a discharge nursing intervention consisting of two face-to-face education sessions before discharge, telephone counseling after discharge, and instructions for completing an exercise diary. The control group received routine discharge education on the day of discharge and a follow-up telephone call two weeks later providing outpatient appointment information. The effects of the intervention were evaluated by measuring hip function, exercise self-efficacy, and self-care at two time points: before the intervention and six weeks after surgery. Results: The experimental group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in hip function (t= -3.81, p<.001) and self-care (t= -7.93, p<.001) compared with the control group. Although exercise self-efficacy also increased in the experimental group, the difference was not statistically significant (t= -1.00, p=.324). Conclusion The discharge nursing intervention program effectively enhanced hip function and self-care after total hip arthroplasty. These findings support the development of standardized discharge education guidelines and their integration into clinical nursing practice.

This study aimed to evaluate item-level reporting compliance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist among cross-sectional studies published in the Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science (JKBNS) between 2011 and 2024, and to identify both strengths and gaps in reporting practices. Methods: A descriptive methodological review was conducted. Using the official JKBNS online archive, 192 cross-sectional survey studies published between 2011 and 2024 were identified and included in the analysis. Reporting compliance was evaluated using the STROBE checklist, and item-level mapping was performed between STROBE items and the Joanna Briggs Institute and National Institutes of Health (NIH) critical appraisal critical appraisal tools. Results: The mean overall STROBE compliance rate was 74.0%. Reporting of study objectives, outcome data, and interpretation was generally adequate across the included studies. However, substantial deficiencies were observed in the Methods domain. In particular, sample size justification, reporting of bias, handling of missing data, description of sampling strategies, sensitivity analyses, and inclusion of participant flow diagrams were rarely reported. Conclusion: The reporting quality of cross-sectional studies published in JKBNS was moderate, with notable weaknesses in methodological transparency. These deficiencies may limit the interpretability and applicability of research findings in nursing practice and policy contexts. Systematic and explicit application of the STROBE reporting guidelines, supported by guideline-based education and strengthened editorial policies, is essential for improving reporting transparency and methodological rigor in nursing research.

This study evaluated the reporting quality of systematic reviews (SRs) published in the Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science (JKBNS) from 2011 to 2024 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guideline and examined conceptual alignment with A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2) and Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews (ROBIS). Methods: A methodological review was conducted using articles retrieved from the JKBNS archive. The literature search was performed between October 7 and October 24, 2025. Two reviewers independently screened all records, and reporting quality was assessed using the 27 PRISMA items and 42 associated sub-items, which were scored as fully reported (1), partially reported (0.5), or not reported (0). Compliance rates were calculated, and PRISMA items were mapped to corresponding AMSTAR-2 and ROBIS domains. Results: Twenty SRs and meta-analyses met the inclusion criteria. The mean score across PRISMA sub-items was 23.58 ± 7.34 (range, 15~38). Ten sub-items—including rationale, objectives, information sources, search strategy, data collection, study selection and exclusion, study characteristics, and key discussion elements—were consistently reported. In contrast, protocol registration, protocol access, and sensitivity analyses were rarely reported, while certainty assessment, certainty of evidence, and protocol amendments were not reported in any study. Overall adherence to the 27 PRISMA items was 64.7 ± 14.9% (range, 44.4~92.6). Conclusion: Conceptual mapping demonstrated strong alignment between PRISMA methodology and results items and the domains of AMSTAR-2 and ROBIS; however, transparency-focused components newly introduced in PRISMA 2020 showed limited correspondence. These findings provide practical guidance for improving reporting transparency in future SRs published in JKBNS.

Background/Aims: To determine the effectiveness of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) plus reduced-intensity therapy in adult patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph-positive ALL), this retrospective study compared treatment outcomes and induction mortality according to backbone regimen intensity. Methods: The data of 132 patients diagnosed with Ph-positive ALL were retrospectively collected from five centers. Patients received imatinib plus intensive chemotherapy (modified VPD, KALLA1407, or hyper-CVAD) or reduced-intensity chemotherapy (EWALL) for curative purposes. This study analyzed 117 patients, of which 35,22,46, and 14 received modified VPD, KALLA1407, hyper-CVAD, and EWALL, respectively. All patients used imatinib as a TKI. Results: The median age of the patients who received reduced-intensity chemotherapy was 64.4 years, while that of the patients with intensive regimens was 47.5 years. There was no induction death in the reduced-intensity group, while nine patients died in the intensive therapy group. Major molecular response achievement tended to be higher in the intensive chemotherapy group than in the reduced-intensity group. More patients in the intensive chemotherapy group received allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). There was no statistically significant difference in long-term survival between the two groups in terms of relapse-free survival and overall survival rates. Conclusions When imatinib plus reduced-intensity therapy was used as a frontline treatment, there was no inferiority in obtaining complete remission compared to imatinib plus intensive chemotherapy or significant difference in long-term survival. Since imatinib plus reduced-intensity therapy has limitations in obtaining a deep molecular response, proceeding to allo-SCT should be considered.

Background/Aims: Multiple myeloma (MM) predominantly affects elderly individuals, but studies on older patients with MM are limited. The clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with MM aged 80 years or over were retrospectively analyzed. Methods: This retrospective multicenter study was conducted to investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and survival outcomes of patients aged 80 years or over who were newly diagnosed with MM at five academic hospitals in Daegu, Korea, between 2010 and 2019. Results: A total of 127 patients with a median age of 83 years (range, 80–93 yr) were enrolled: 52 (40.9%) with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) > 2, 84 (66.1%) with International Staging System (ISS) stage III disease, and 93 (73.2%) with a Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) > 4. Chemotherapy was administered to 86 patients (67.7%). The median overall survival was 9.3 months. Overall survival was significantly associated with ECOG PS > 2 (HR 2.26, 95% CI 1.43–3.59), ISS stage III (HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.18–3.34), and chemotherapy (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.21–0.55). There was no statistically significant difference in event-free survival according to the type of anti-myeloma chemotherapy administered. The early mortality (EM) rate was 28.3%. Conclusions Even in patients with MM aged 80 years or over, chemotherapy can result in better survival outcomes than supportive care. Patients aged ≥ 80 years should not be excluded from chemotherapy based on age alone. However, reducing EM in elderly patients with newly diagnosed MM remains challenging.

Background/Aims: To determine the effectiveness of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) plus reduced-intensity therapy in adult patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph-positive ALL), this retrospective study compared treatment outcomes and induction mortality according to backbone regimen intensity. Methods: The data of 132 patients diagnosed with Ph-positive ALL were retrospectively collected from five centers. Patients received imatinib plus intensive chemotherapy (modified VPD, KALLA1407, or hyper-CVAD) or reduced-intensity chemotherapy (EWALL) for curative purposes. This study analyzed 117 patients, of which 35,22,46, and 14 received modified VPD, KALLA1407, hyper-CVAD, and EWALL, respectively. All patients used imatinib as a TKI. Results: The median age of the patients who received reduced-intensity chemotherapy was 64.4 years, while that of the patients with intensive regimens was 47.5 years. There was no induction death in the reduced-intensity group, while nine patients died in the intensive therapy group. Major molecular response achievement tended to be higher in the intensive chemotherapy group than in the reduced-intensity group. More patients in the intensive chemotherapy group received allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). There was no statistically significant difference in long-term survival between the two groups in terms of relapse-free survival and overall survival rates. Conclusions When imatinib plus reduced-intensity therapy was used as a frontline treatment, there was no inferiority in obtaining complete remission compared to imatinib plus intensive chemotherapy or significant difference in long-term survival. Since imatinib plus reduced-intensity therapy has limitations in obtaining a deep molecular response, proceeding to allo-SCT should be considered.

Background/Aims: Multiple myeloma (MM) predominantly affects elderly individuals, but studies on older patients with MM are limited. The clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with MM aged 80 years or over were retrospectively analyzed. Methods: This retrospective multicenter study was conducted to investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and survival outcomes of patients aged 80 years or over who were newly diagnosed with MM at five academic hospitals in Daegu, Korea, between 2010 and 2019. Results: A total of 127 patients with a median age of 83 years (range, 80–93 yr) were enrolled: 52 (40.9%) with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) > 2, 84 (66.1%) with International Staging System (ISS) stage III disease, and 93 (73.2%) with a Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) > 4. Chemotherapy was administered to 86 patients (67.7%). The median overall survival was 9.3 months. Overall survival was significantly associated with ECOG PS > 2 (HR 2.26, 95% CI 1.43–3.59), ISS stage III (HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.18–3.34), and chemotherapy (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.21–0.55). There was no statistically significant difference in event-free survival according to the type of anti-myeloma chemotherapy administered. The early mortality (EM) rate was 28.3%. Conclusions Even in patients with MM aged 80 years or over, chemotherapy can result in better survival outcomes than supportive care. Patients aged ≥ 80 years should not be excluded from chemotherapy based on age alone. However, reducing EM in elderly patients with newly diagnosed MM remains challenging.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the factors influencing pregnancy and childbirth intention indicators among female university students in South Korea, where the lowest-worldwide fertility rate is a critical issue. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 646 female university students in Korea. The tools used in this study included measures of participants' demographic and physiological characteristics, pregnancy and childbirth intention indicators, right to self-determination, perceived stress, and intolerance of uncertainty. Results: Factors influencing pregnancy and childbirth intention indicators included age, expected pregnancy age, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination status, and self-determination, and the explanatory power of this model was 29.2%. Conclusion Pregnancy and childbirth intention indicators were influenced by age, HPV vaccination, expected pregnancy age, and self-determination. These findings suggest that health-related factors such as HPV vaccination and the right to self-determination are critical determinants. Based on these results, this study provides evidence regarding the need for policy and educational interventions that support decision-making related to pregnancy and childbirth.

This study aimed to identify the factors affecting dry eye syndrome and quality of life (QoL) among college students. Methods: This cross-sectional study administered a descriptive survey to 184 college students across Korea. Data collection was conducted from August 27 to 28, 2024, using an online survey platform (Google Forms). The self-reported survey comprised the Health-Related Quality of Life Instrument with 8 Items scale, the Dry Eye Questionnaire 5, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 27.0. Results: The participants had a mean age of 21.37 (standard deviation 1.96) years. Regression analysis identified sleep satisfaction, vision-related functions, and dry eye symptoms as statistically significant predictors of QoL, accounting for 18.4% of the variance (F = 14.71, p < .001). Dry eye symptoms were significantly influenced by the use of artificial tears, vision-related functions, and environmental factors, which accounted for 41.3% of the variance (F = 43.93, p < .001). Additionally, significant determinants of ocular surface disease included the use of vision correction tools, the presence of ophthalmic diseases, sleep satisfaction, and dry eye symptoms. These factors explained 45.7% of the variance, confirming the model's robustness (F = 31.84, p < .001). Conclusion: It is necessary to identify strategies to alleviate dry eye syndrome in college students and develop comprehensive prevention and management programs to improve their QoL.