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(1) Background/objectives: This study aims to systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis of factors influencing fertility intentions among South Koreans. This research is crucial given South Korea's lowest-in-the-world fertility rate of 0.72 in 2023, necessitating rapid and effective policies to address this demographic challenge; (2) Methods: Articles published from database inception through April 2024 were collected from five Korean databases using keywords based on the PEO (Population, Exposure, Outcome) framework. Following PRISMA guidelines, 35 articles were selected. The effect sizes and network of predictors related to fertility intention were analyzed using the R statistical package; (3) Results: A meta-analysis of the effect sizes of factors influencing fertility intentions revealed that the husband's involvement in parenting (ESr = 0.131), women's education level (ESr = 0.127), socioeconomic status (ESr = 0.116), and the expected gender of the child (ESr = 0.068) showed statistically significant positive effects. Conversely, women's age (ESr = −0.175), parental stress (ESr = −0.146), and household labor ratio (ESr = −0.117) showed statistically significant negative effects. The network analysis further elucidated the complex interrelationships among these factors; (4) Conclusions: This study suggests the need for multifaceted policy approaches to address Korea's low fertility, emphasizing promoting men's participation in parenting, supporting women's education and career development, reducing parenting stress, supporting work–family balance, and ensuring economic stability. These findings provide important insights for policymakers and researchers addressing the complex issue of low fertility in South Korea and may inform more effective interventions to boost fertility rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options. Parishin A, a natural compound derived from Gastrodia elata, possesses multiple therapeutic properties. However, its effects on OSCC remain unexplored. Purpose: This study explores the anti-cancer potential of Parishin A on OSCC and its mechanisms. Methods: OSCC cell lines YD-10B and Ca9-22 were treated with varying Parishin A concentrations. Cell viability was detected using the CCK-8 assay, and colony formation was evaluated in agarose gel. Migration and invasion ability were assessed through wound healing and Matrigel invasion assays. The protein expression levels involved in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were examined via Western blotting. Results: Parishin A inhibited OSCC cell viability in both dose- and time-dependent manners, with significant reductions at 20, 40, 60, and 80 μM, without affecting normal human gingival fibroblasts. Colony formation decreased substantially at ≥40 μM higher Parishin A concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. Also, migration and invasion assays showed significant suppression by Parishin A treatment concentration ≥40 μM in a dose-dependent manner, as evidenced by decreased wound closure and invasion. Western blot analyses revealed increased E-cadherin levels and decreased N-cadherin and vimentin levels, suggesting EMT inhibition. Parishin A also decreased the phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR. Conclusion: Collectively, these findings support the potential of Parishin A as an anti-OSCC agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective and Background: This research aimed to examine the role of C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5) and C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8; also known as IL‐8) in neutrophilic inflammation triggered by peri‐implantitis and to shed light on the underlying mechanisms that link them to the development of this condition. Materials: This study included 40 patients who visited the Department of Periodontology at Kyungpook University Dental Hospital. They were divided into two groups based on their condition: healthy implant (HI) group (n = 20) and peri‐implantitis (PI) group (n = 20). Biopsy samples of PI tissue were collected from the patients under local anesthesia. HI tissue was obtained using the same method during the second implant surgery. To construct libraries for control and test RNAs, the QuantSeq 3′ mRNA‐Seq Library Prep Kit (Lexogen, Inc., Austria) was used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Samples were pooled based on representative cytokines obtained from RNA sequencing results and subjected to Reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). Hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis were performed to visually assess expression levels and analyze tissue histology. Student's t‐test was employed to conduct statistical analyses. Results: Initially, heatmaps were used to examine gene expression variations between the HI and PI groups based on the results of RNA sequencing. Notably, among various cytokines, CXCL5 and CXCL8 had the highest expression levels in the PI group compared with the HI group, and they are known to be associated with inflammatory responses. In the gingival tissues, the expression of genes encoding cytokines such as interleukin (IL)‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6, and CXCL5/CXCL8 was assessed via RT‐qPCR. The mRNA expression level of CXCL5/CXCL8 significantly increased in the PI group compared with the HI group (p <.045). Contrarily, the mRNA expression level of interleukin 36 receptor antagonist (IL36RN) significantly decreased (p <.008). IHC enabled examination of the distribution and intensity of CXCL5/CXCL8 protein expression within the tissue samples. Specifically, increased levels of CXCL5/CXCL8 promote inflammatory responses, cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion within the peri‐implant tissues. These effects are mediated through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/NF‐κB signaling pathway. Conclusions: This study found that the PI sites had higher gene expression level of CXCL8/CXCL5 in the soft tissue than HI sites, which could help achieve more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the mediating effects of career motivation and job-esteem and the effect of the nursing work environment on intention to stay among hospital nurses. Methods: Data were collected from 289 nurses working at an advanced general hospital. The research model design was based on the PROCESS macro proposed by Hayes and analyzed using SPSS 24.0 program. Results: The results showed a positive correlation between intention to stay and nursing work environment (r = .19, p = .001), career motivation (r = .34, p < .001), and job-esteem (r = .37, p < .001). Nursing work environment (B = 0.34 [.09-.59]) and job-esteem (B = 0.27 [.04-.49]) had a direct effect on intention to stay. There was a two-mediator sereal mediation effect of career motivation and job-esteem. The nursing work environment showed a significant effect on the intention to stay among hospital nurses through career motivation and job-esteem. Conclusion: In order to increase the retention rate of hospital nurses, it is suggested that government and medical institutions provide multifaceted support that can increase nurses' motivation for career development and recognition of the nursing profession through improvement of the nursing work environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the characteristics, core variables, and their correlations in articles published in the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration (JKANA) from 2012-2021 and suggest future directions for nursing management research. Methods: A total of 506 articles were analyzed according to study design, participants and setting, statistical methods, keywords, and core concepts and variables. Results: Quantitative research accounted for 73.5%, and most participants were staff nurses (66.8%) and nursing students (9.1%). Furthermore, 318 studies (62.8%) conducted surveys, and settings were mainly acute hospitals(81.5%) and nursing schools (9.7%). Statistical methods for data analysis included independent t-test (81.2%), one-way ANOVA (77.2%), Pearson correlation coefficients (77.2%), post-hoc testing (74.3%), and linear regression(65.9%). Among 2,058 keywords, the most frequent were "nurses" (49.2%), "job satisfaction" (10.7%), and "personnel turnover" (9.1%). The most frequently core concepts were job satisfaction (10.5%), turnover intention(9.5%), organizational commitment (8.5%), and job stress (7.5%). The most frequently variables with significant correlations were turnover intention, work environment, job satisfaction, job stress, burnout, and emotional labor. Conclusion: Most JKANA studies examined nursing-related outcomes and performance. Future research should examine the effects of nursing practice and policy on patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the mediating effects of self-leadership and resilience on the relationship between preceptors' clinical teaching behavior and field adaptation of new graduate nurses. Methods: Data were collected from 184 new graduate nurses working at two advanced general hospitals. The research model was designed based on PROCESS macro (model 6) proposed by Hayes and analyzed using SPSS 26.0 program. Results: The results showed a positive correlation between preceptors' clinical teaching behavior and self-leadership, resilience, and field adaptation. Preceptors' clinical teaching behavior (β=.18, p<.001) and resilience (β=.14, p=.030) had a direct effect on the field adaptation of new graduate nurses. Self-leadership and resilience had a serial double mediating effect. Preceptors' clinical teaching behavior had a significant effect on the field adaptation of new graduate nurses through self-leadership and resilience. Conclusion: To improve the field adaptation of new graduate nurses, the government should expand the current education support project to provide sufficient manpower. Moreover, medical institutions and nursing organizations should develop and apply programs to strengthen preceptor's clinical teaching behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

6-Shogaol (SHO) and 6-gingerol (GIN), naturally derived compounds of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), have been found to have anti-allergic effects on dermatitis-like skin lesions and rhinitis. Although SHO and GIN have demonstrated a potential in various inflammatory diseases, their efficacy and mechanism in asthma have not been largely examined. Therefore, the present study demonstrated the anti-asthmatic effects of SHO and GIN on the T-helper (Th) 2 cell-mediated allergic response pathway in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model. The asthma mouse model was established with an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 50 µg OVA and 1 mg aluminum hydroxide with or without an i.p. injection of SHO and GIN (10 mg/kg) before treatment with OVA. In addition, the current study assessed mast cell degranulation in antigen-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells under different treatment conditions (SHO or GIN at 0, 10, 25, 50 and 100 nM) and determined the mRNA and protein levels of anti-oxidative enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD)1, SOD2, glutathione peroxidase-1/2, catalase] in lung tissues. SHO and GIN inhibited eosinophilia in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and H&E-stained lung tissues. Both factors also decreased mucus production in periodic acid-Schiff-stained lung tissues and the levels of Th2 cytokines in these tissues. GIN attenuated oxidative stress by upregulating the expression levels of anti-oxidative proteins. In an in vitro experiment, the degranulation of RBL-2H3 rat mast cells was significantly decreased. It was found that SHO and GIN effectively suppressed the allergic response in the mouse model by inhibiting eosinophilia and Th2 cytokine production. Collectively, it was suggested that SHO can inhibit lung inflammation by attenuating the Th2 cell-mediated allergic response signals, and that GIN can inhibit lung inflammation and epithelial cell remodeling by repressing oxidative stress. Therefore, SHO and GIN could be used therapeutically for allergic and eosinophilic asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was focused on determining survival and growth characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus on conventional (16.7 mg of sodium/g) and low‐sodium (10.7 mg of sodium/g) bacon. The two types of bacon were inoculated with the either L. monocytogenes or S. aureus stored at 4, 12, or 25°C for up to 7 days. Populations of L. monocytogenes and S. aureus did not change significantly on bacon stored at 4 and 12°C, regardless of sodium content. L. monocytogenes remained at 1.0–1.5 log cfu/g of conventional bacon stored at 25°C for 7 days but increased to 3.5 log cfu/g on low‐sodium bacon stored for 4 days. Within 1 and 3 days at 25°C, S. aureus increased, respectively, to 4.5 log cfu/g and 7.3 log cfu/g of low‐sodium bacon. Within 7 days at 25°C, populations increased to 8.1 log cfu/g of low‐sodium bacon and 3.7 log cfu/g of conventional bacon. This study shows that L. monocytogenes can grow on low‐sodium bacon stored at 25°C. S. aureus can grow on bacon stored at 25°C, regardless of sodium content, but the presence of 16.7 mg of sodium/g, compared to 10.7 mg/g, retards the rate of growth. Practical applications: At 25°C, L. monocytogenes and S. aureus grew more rapidly on low‐sodium bacon than on conventional bacon. Low‐sodium bacons increase concern for microbiological safety. Storage of conventional and low‐sodium bacon at 25°C enables growth of both pathogens. Appropriate temperature for storage is more critical to enhance the microbiological safety of bacons rather than amount of sodium added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]