1. Effects of dance-based exercise on health indicators in cancer patients : a systematic review and meta-analysisSara Zgonc, Aleksandra Ilić, Matej Plevnik, Žiga Kozinc, Saša Jovanović, 2026, review article Abstract: Introduction:Dance-based exercise has been increasingly explored as a complementary intervention in oncology, with potential benefits for physical, psychological, and social health. However, evidence remains inconsistent, and the overall strength of evidence has not been clearly established. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of dance-based exercise on health indicators in individuals with cancer. Methods:A systematic search of the literature was conducted in April 2025. Randomized controlled trials investigating dance-based interventions in adults with cancer were included. Outcomes of interest were quality of life, depression, and stress. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale, and certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. Where outcome measures were comparable, random-effects meta-analyses were performed using standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals. Results:Meta-analytic results indicated that dance-based exercise significantly improved physical aspects of quality of life (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.61, 95% CI [0.07, 1.15], P = .03). A positive but non-significant trend was observed for the social/family component of quality of life (SMD = 0.87, 95% CI [−0.21, 1.95], P = .11). Heterogeneity across studies was high for both analyses. For depression and stress, pooled results did not reach statistical significance, although several individual trials reported improvements, particularly among participants with higher baseline stress levels. Evidence was very low to low quality. Conclusions:Overall, findings suggest that dance-based exercise represents a feasible and beneficial complementary intervention that can enhance selected dimensions of quality of life among cancer patients. Further research employing standardized intervention protocols and consistent outcome measures is needed to better characterize the magnitude and specificity of effects across psychological and physical health domains.
Keywords: cancer, dance interventions, quality of life, physical activities, stress, depression
Published in RUP: 30.06.2026; Views: 149; Downloads: 8
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2. Physical activity, body appreciation, and perceived stress in relation to life satisfaction among university studentsVojko Vučković, Tanja Kajtna, Klemen Širok, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: first_pagesettingsOrder Article Reprints Open AccessArticle Physical Activity, Body Appreciation, and Perceived Stress in Relation to Life Satisfaction Among University Students by Vojko Vučković 1,*ORCID,Tanja Kajtna 1ORCID andKlemen Širok 2ORCID 1 Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia 2 Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, 6310 Izola, Slovenia * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Healthcare 2026, 14(11), 1572; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14111572 Submission received: 31 March 2026 / Revised: 29 May 2026 / Accepted: 2 June 2026 / Published: 4 June 2026 (This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Physical Activity and Sports in Enhancing Psychological Well-Being and Quality of Life) Downloadkeyboard_arrow_down Versions Notes Abstract Background: University students experience increased psychological distress during academic transitions, yet modifiable lifestyle determinants of their subjective well-being remain incompletely understood within integrated analytical frameworks. Methods: A cross-sectional survey (N = 194 undergraduates; 52.6% women; M age = 21.9 years) used validated instruments: the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Body Appreciation Scale-2 Short Form (BAS-2SF), Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and single-item measures of financial security and screen time. Physical activity (PA) was log-transformed (MET_log). Multiple simultaneous regression and structural equation modelling (SEM) were conducted. Results: Perceived stress was the strongest negative predictor of life satisfaction (B = −0.561, p < 0.001), while financial security was a significant positive predictor (B = +0.171, p = 0.023). SEM showed that body appreciation was associated with life satisfaction primarily through lower perceived stress (indirect effect = 0.107; consistent with indirect-only association pattern), while PA showed a significant direct association with life satisfaction (β = +0.143, p = 0.030), independent of the stress pathway. The indirect effect of PA via stress was not significant in the SEM. Model fit was acceptable (CFI = 0.951; RMSEA = 0.067). Conclusions: Perceived stress was statistically associated with the relationship between body appreciation and subjective well-being, while PA showed a direct statistical association with well-being that was independent of the stress pathway. Given the cross-sectional nature of this study, these findings suggest that university health promotion programmes may consider integrating positive body image and stress management components alongside PA promotion to support student psychological well-being.
Keywords: physical activity, life satisfaction, perceived stress, body appreciation, university students, structural equation modelling, well-being
Published in RUP: 07.06.2026; Views: 271; Downloads: 8
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3. Impact of the invasive South African ragwort on germination and growth of radishKatarina Šoln, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: The South African ragwort Senecio inaequidens is among the most invasive plant species in Europe, especially in mountainous and Mediterranean regions, and is suspected to exert allelopathic effects (release of chemical inhibitors) on native vegetation. This study investigated the allelopathic potential of South African ragwort using radish Raphanus sativus as a model species. In laboratory experiments, I treated radish seeds with ragwort leaf extracts at varying concentrations. After three days, the extract reduced radish seed germination by up to 40% in a concentration-dependent manner. High extract concentrations significantly inhibited radish seedling root length, whereas lower concentrations rather stimulated root growth. Measurements of oxidative stress-related parameters, including lipid peroxidation and total antioxidative ca- pacity, showed no changes in treated roots. In a complementary pot experiment, I exposed radish seeds for 36 days to pul- verised ragwort leaves mixed with vermiculite. This treatment delayed, but did not suppress seed germination. Subsequent plant growth and physiological status remained unaffected. The results suggest that South African ragwort exerts moder- ate allelopathic effects, primarily influencing seedlings, whereas mature plants appear less sensitive to its allelochemicals.
Keywords: allelopathy, oxidative stress, phytotoxicity, Raphanus sativus, South African ragwort, Senecio inaequidens
Published in RUP: 04.06.2026; Views: 251; Downloads: 9
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4. Health and well-being of military nurses in high-reliability, high-stress environments : a qualitative study in the slovenian armed forcesZlatko Kvržić, Mirko Prosen, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Aim: To investigate how female military nurses experience high-reliability, high-stress environments and how these conditionsshape their well-being.Background: Military nursing involves complex demands that extend beyond clinical care, including dual professional roles,operational unpredictability, and gendered expectations. These pressures can undermine physical, psychological, and social well-being, yet the lived experiences of military nurses, particularly women, remain underexplored.Design: A qualitative descriptive design was used.Methods: Ten female military nurses were recruited through purposive sampling and interviewed individually in semi-structuredonline interviews. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Trustworthiness was ensured through reflexive coding,an audit trail, and adherence to COREQ guidelines.Results: Five overarching categories captured the factors shaping well-being: organisational and structural demands; high-stressoperational environments; emotional and psychological burden; coping and resilience; and gendered identity and work–familybalance. Participants described constrained autonomy, communication gaps, and role ambiguity within hierarchical structures.Psychological pressures were heightened by moral tensions, responsibility for colleagues, and expectations of emotional control.Coping relied mainly on informal peer support, as formal services were rarely used due to stigma. Gendered norms and familyresponsibilities further influenced well-being and career decisions.Conclusion: Military nurse well-being is shaped less by individual resilience and more by organisational culture, operationaldemands, and gendered expectations. Addressing these systemic factors is essential for sustaining the military nursing workforce.Implication for Nursing: Strengthening leadership support, communication, psychological safety, and professional autonomymay improve working conditions and support nurses’ well-being in demanding operational contexts.Implications for Health Policy: Policies should promote supportive organisational cultures, reduce stigma around help-seeking,and facilitate work–family reconciliation to sustain and retain the military nursing workforce.
Keywords: military medicine, occupational health, psychological stress, qualitative research, work–family conflict, work environment
Published in RUP: 17.04.2026; Views: 523; Downloads: 10
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6. Rezilientnost LGBTQ+ mladih v okviru vzgoje in izobraževanja : integrativni pregled literatureNika Ferbežar, Marko Gavriloski Tretjak, 2023, review article Abstract: Vzgojno-izobraževalne ustanove posedujejo velik potencial za zmanjševanje vpliva manjšinskega stresa na življenja mladih LGBTQ+. V članku se osredotočamo na rezilientnost mladih LGBTQ+ v okviru šolskega okolja. Opravljen sistematiziran integrativni pregled literature je zajel 57 empiričnih in teoretičnih kosov gradiva. Kvalitativna vsebinska analiza kaže, da lahko vzgojno-izobraževalne ustanove za učenke_ce LGBTQ+ predstavljajo pomemben vir skupnostnih procesov rezilientnosti, medtem ko je njihova vloga pri krepitvi individualnih procesov rezilientnosti manjša. Kot pomembna so se izkazala tudi področja, ki niso neposredno vezana na šolsko polje, a je v okviru le-teh za optimalen razvoj mladih LGBTQ+ zaželena zavzetost šolskega strokovnega osebja.
Keywords: LGBTQ+ youth, education, resilience, minority stress, gender, sexual orientation, systematised integrative literature review
Published in RUP: 04.02.2026; Views: 520; Downloads: 7
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7. Qualitative content analysis of COVID-19’s role in suicide attempts leading to hospital careMartina Mravlja, Anthony Pisani R., Annamarie Bailey, Nicola Meda, Alexandre Paim-Diaz, Kristina Zurich, Kenneth Conner, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Introduction: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide risk has been documented during the acute phase, but less is known about people who attempted suicide during the post-acute period. This study investigates how adults who attempted suicide during the post-acute pandemic period (2021–2023) understood COVID-19’s role in their attempt. Method: We analyzed interview data from 329 adults (59% female; 41% male), enrolled following a recent suicide attempt between 2021 and 2023. Participants were asked about the general impact of COVID-19 on their lives and then specifically about whether stress related to COVID-19 was a primary reason for their attempt or contributed to their suicidal thoughts. Results: When asked about their recent attempt, 11% of participants identified stress related to COVID-19 as the primary reason for their attempt, and an additional 23% indicated it contributed to their suicidal thoughts. When describing general impacts, participants reported effects across multiple domains: social isolation, physical health concerns, mental health impacts, and economic effects. Discussion: The attribution of suicide attempts to COVID-19-related stress during the post-acute period highlights the extended impact of public health crises on vulnerable individuals. These findings emphasize the need for sustained, integrated medical and mental healthcare following such crises.
Keywords: suicide, COVID-19, pandemic mental health, loneliness, isolation, healthcare, stress, prevention
Published in RUP: 17.12.2025; Views: 644; Downloads: 5
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8. Redox state is similar in subjects following omnivorous, vegan, vegetarian, and low-carbohydrate high-fat dietNives Bogataj Jontez, Karin Šik Novak, Zala Jenko Pražnikar, Ana Petelin, Nina Mohorko, Saša Kenig, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Age-related noncommunicable diseases are a major health burden in developed countries, with oxidative stress being a key contributing factor. This cross-sectional study aimed to test the hypothesis that redox status among 88 participants with a particular interest in nutrition and habitually following 4 popular dietary patterns (vegan, vegetarian, low-carbohydrate high-fat, and omnivorous), is similar, but correlates with diet quality. Dietary intake was assessed using food diaries, and venous blood samples were collected to measure serum total antioxidative capacity (TAC), bilirubin, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺)/reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) ratio, and sirtuin 1 concentration, and the expression of antioxidative enzymes in leukocytes. TAC and the NAD⁺/NADH ratio were higher in the vegan group compared with the vegetarian group, whereas bilirubin concentration was higher in the omnivorous compared with the low-carbohydrate high-fat group. Other differences between the dietary groups were not significant. NAD+/NADH ratio and sirtuin 1 were positively correlated with diet quality, assessed with the Healthy Eating Index. Correlation analysis between dietary variables and redox markers revealed only a few weak to moderate associations. However, a hierarchical regression model including age, gender, and dietary variables explained 19.8% of the variance in TAC, 21.2% of the variance in the NAD⁺/NADH ratio, and 44.3% of the variance in sirtuin 1 concentration. Therefore, in healthy, relatively young participants with appropriate energy intakes, endogenous mechanisms are able to compensate for oxidative stress to a similar extent, regardless of dietary pattern. Nonetheless, overall diet quality and food selection appear to play a meaningful role in redox balance.
Keywords: oxidative stress, total antioxidative capacity, sirtuin 1, diet quality
Published in RUP: 02.12.2025; Views: 854; Downloads: 5
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9. The role of predictability of delivery, and stress and anxiety management in satisfaction with childbirth and postpartum depressionTina Goznik, Ajda Prah, Meta Lavrič, Vita Poštuvan, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: In an online cross-sectional study of 371 Slovenian women, depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Post- partum Depression Scale, and satisfaction with childbirth – in- cluding quality of care provision and stress and anxiety manage- ment – was measured with the Birth Satisfaction Scale. The prevalence of depression was 27.22% during pregnancy and 21.32% postpartum. Logistic regression identified significant predictors: stress and anxiety management of childbirth (sig- nificant in severe depression), a history of a depressive episode and depressive symptoms during pregnancy. More predictable deliveries were associated with higher satisfaction with childbirth. Results emphasize the importance of routine depression screening, support for stress and anxiety management, while predictable deliveries increase satisfaction with childbirth.
Keywords: postpartum depression, satisfaction with childbirth, depression history, stress and anxiety management, antepartum depression, predictability
Published in RUP: 28.10.2025; Views: 760; Downloads: 9
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