BACKGROUND: Stratum corneum lipids serve as a water retainer as well as permeability barrier by forming a multi-lamellae structure in the stratum corneum. The major constituent of these lipids, ceramides, have been shown to be predominantly associated with both functions. OBJECTIVE: Exposure of human epidermis to ultraviolet(UV) irradiation leads to changes in the physiologic and biochemical features of the skin. In order to investigate the effect of UVB irradiation on the skin barrier function in hairless mice, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and lipid composition of stratum corneum were evaluated in hairless mice. METHODS: Hairless mice were irradiated 3 times weekly for 3 weeks with suberythemal dose (0.6MED, Group I) and minimal erythemal dose(MED), Group II) of UB. The mice of Group III received high dose of UVB(3MED) on the back in a single exposure. The control was Group IV. TEWL measured by evaporimeter and lipid composition of stratum corneum appraised by high performance thin layer chromatography(HPTLC) were evaluated weekly for 3 weeks. RESULTS: 1. Each time it was measured, the values of TEWL in group I were lower than group IV, but the difference was not significant. The peak value of TEWL in group II was 8.2+/-1.56 g/cm/h on the 7th day. The increase in TEWL was markedly significant at this point(P<0.001). Although the values of TEWL on the 14th and 21th day in group E increased compared with those of the control group, the significance of the values decreased (P<0.05). 2. The peak value of TEWL in group III was 9.88+/-1.13 g/cm/h on the 2nd day, showed a markedly significant increase compared with that of the control group(P<0.001). The values of TEWL decreased to the level of the control group on the 14th day. 3. The lipid(cholesterol sulfate, ceramide and neutral lipid) and total lipid mass in group 1 were insignificantly larger than that of the group IV measured each time. On the 7th and 14th day, the amount of each three lipid and total lipid mass significantly increased (P<0.05). On the 21th day, the amount of ceramide and neutral lipid showed a significant increase(P<0.05), furthermore the total lipid mass increased pronouncedly(P<0.01) in group II. 4. The amount of the 3 kinds of lipid and total lipid mass in group III significantly increased compared with those of the control group on the 2nd day(P<0.05). After the 7th day, no significant difference of the lipid mass except neutral lipid compared with that of the control group was seen. Comparing the 2nd and 14th day, there was a significant decrease in the amount of ceramide and total lipid mass(P<0.05) CONCLUSION: These results results suggest that considerable amount of UVB irradiation given in single or repeated exposure causes the disruption of skin barrier function, but a compensatory increase of skin lipid, especially ceramide, protests it from further damage and also improves skin barrier function.
Animals ; Ceramides ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless* ; Permeability ; Skin*

Background: Concern regarding physical and mental burden of young carers is increasing. This study aimed to determine the physical, mental, and social difficulties of young adults living with dementia patients. Methods: The analysis was based on the 2019 community health survey of Korea. Adults under 30 years living with dementia patients were compared with those having a dementia family member, but not living with them. Suspected difficulties were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Objective short sleep duration (OSSD) was higher in those living with dementia patients (odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–2.40). There was no significant difference in lack of physical activity between the two groups for men, however, for women, lack of physical activity was higher in those living with dementia patients (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.31–3.68). Social activity was slightly lower among those living with dementia patients compared to those not living with dementia patients, with borderline significance (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.55–1.02). Conclusion Results suggest that young carers may have certain difficulties such as OSSD, and lack of physical activity. Further studies are required to specify young carer’s physical, mental, and social profile to provide proper support for them.

Background: Concern regarding physical and mental burden of young carers is increasing. This study aimed to determine the physical, mental, and social difficulties of young adults living with dementia patients. Methods: The analysis was based on the 2019 community health survey of Korea. Adults under 30 years living with dementia patients were compared with those having a dementia family member, but not living with them. Suspected difficulties were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Objective short sleep duration (OSSD) was higher in those living with dementia patients (odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–2.40). There was no significant difference in lack of physical activity between the two groups for men, however, for women, lack of physical activity was higher in those living with dementia patients (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.31–3.68). Social activity was slightly lower among those living with dementia patients compared to those not living with dementia patients, with borderline significance (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.55–1.02). Conclusion Results suggest that young carers may have certain difficulties such as OSSD, and lack of physical activity. Further studies are required to specify young carer’s physical, mental, and social profile to provide proper support for them.

Background: Concern regarding physical and mental burden of young carers is increasing. This study aimed to determine the physical, mental, and social difficulties of young adults living with dementia patients. Methods: The analysis was based on the 2019 community health survey of Korea. Adults under 30 years living with dementia patients were compared with those having a dementia family member, but not living with them. Suspected difficulties were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Objective short sleep duration (OSSD) was higher in those living with dementia patients (odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–2.40). There was no significant difference in lack of physical activity between the two groups for men, however, for women, lack of physical activity was higher in those living with dementia patients (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.31–3.68). Social activity was slightly lower among those living with dementia patients compared to those not living with dementia patients, with borderline significance (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.55–1.02). Conclusion Results suggest that young carers may have certain difficulties such as OSSD, and lack of physical activity. Further studies are required to specify young carer’s physical, mental, and social profile to provide proper support for them.

Background: Concern regarding physical and mental burden of young carers is increasing. This study aimed to determine the physical, mental, and social difficulties of young adults living with dementia patients. Methods: The analysis was based on the 2019 community health survey of Korea. Adults under 30 years living with dementia patients were compared with those having a dementia family member, but not living with them. Suspected difficulties were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Objective short sleep duration (OSSD) was higher in those living with dementia patients (odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–2.40). There was no significant difference in lack of physical activity between the two groups for men, however, for women, lack of physical activity was higher in those living with dementia patients (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.31–3.68). Social activity was slightly lower among those living with dementia patients compared to those not living with dementia patients, with borderline significance (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.55–1.02). Conclusion Results suggest that young carers may have certain difficulties such as OSSD, and lack of physical activity. Further studies are required to specify young carer’s physical, mental, and social profile to provide proper support for them.

The United States has implemented various payment system reforms to strengthen primary care. Since there is no universal healthcare coverage, individuals are enrolled in private insurance or public programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Following the enactment of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, the number of uninsured individuals was halved. To reform the payment system, incorporating multiple payers is essential. Fee-for-service alone makes it difficult to provide multidisciplinary care and high-quality, comprehensive primary care, leading to the implementation of various hybrid payment models, such as capitation and performance-based payment systems. Value-based payment is a performance-based incentive that is typically provided as an additional incentive rather than a standalone payment method. Early physician-focused, value-based payment models included the “Physician Value-Based Payment Modifier,” which was later improved with implementation of the “Merit-based Incentive Payment System” and “Alternative Payment Model.” For primary care institutions, performance-based payments are provided based on rating evaluations, with up to 5% in incentive payments. Hybrid payment approaches have proven to be more effective than single-payment methods. Performancebased incentives are particularly effective when tied to specific conditions, such as per patient visit, per medical service, or improvement over previous performance.

The United States has implemented various payment system reforms to strengthen primary care. Since there is no universal healthcare coverage, individuals are enrolled in private insurance or public programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Following the enactment of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, the number of uninsured individuals was halved. To reform the payment system, incorporating multiple payers is essential. Fee-for-service alone makes it difficult to provide multidisciplinary care and high-quality, comprehensive primary care, leading to the implementation of various hybrid payment models, such as capitation and performance-based payment systems. Value-based payment is a performance-based incentive that is typically provided as an additional incentive rather than a standalone payment method. Early physician-focused, value-based payment models included the “Physician Value-Based Payment Modifier,” which was later improved with implementation of the “Merit-based Incentive Payment System” and “Alternative Payment Model.” For primary care institutions, performance-based payments are provided based on rating evaluations, with up to 5% in incentive payments. Hybrid payment approaches have proven to be more effective than single-payment methods. Performancebased incentives are particularly effective when tied to specific conditions, such as per patient visit, per medical service, or improvement over previous performance.

The United States has implemented various payment system reforms to strengthen primary care. Since there is no universal healthcare coverage, individuals are enrolled in private insurance or public programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Following the enactment of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, the number of uninsured individuals was halved. To reform the payment system, incorporating multiple payers is essential. Fee-for-service alone makes it difficult to provide multidisciplinary care and high-quality, comprehensive primary care, leading to the implementation of various hybrid payment models, such as capitation and performance-based payment systems. Value-based payment is a performance-based incentive that is typically provided as an additional incentive rather than a standalone payment method. Early physician-focused, value-based payment models included the “Physician Value-Based Payment Modifier,” which was later improved with implementation of the “Merit-based Incentive Payment System” and “Alternative Payment Model.” For primary care institutions, performance-based payments are provided based on rating evaluations, with up to 5% in incentive payments. Hybrid payment approaches have proven to be more effective than single-payment methods. Performancebased incentives are particularly effective when tied to specific conditions, such as per patient visit, per medical service, or improvement over previous performance.

The United States has implemented various payment system reforms to strengthen primary care. Since there is no universal healthcare coverage, individuals are enrolled in private insurance or public programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Following the enactment of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, the number of uninsured individuals was halved. To reform the payment system, incorporating multiple payers is essential. Fee-for-service alone makes it difficult to provide multidisciplinary care and high-quality, comprehensive primary care, leading to the implementation of various hybrid payment models, such as capitation and performance-based payment systems. Value-based payment is a performance-based incentive that is typically provided as an additional incentive rather than a standalone payment method. Early physician-focused, value-based payment models included the “Physician Value-Based Payment Modifier,” which was later improved with implementation of the “Merit-based Incentive Payment System” and “Alternative Payment Model.” For primary care institutions, performance-based payments are provided based on rating evaluations, with up to 5% in incentive payments. Hybrid payment approaches have proven to be more effective than single-payment methods. Performancebased incentives are particularly effective when tied to specific conditions, such as per patient visit, per medical service, or improvement over previous performance.

PURPOSE: Following legal reform in 2013, the annual number of asylum seekers entering South Korea has increased from 1,143 in 2012 to 5,711 in 2015. We interviewed six African refugee mothers of young children regarding their health needs and barriers to access maternal child health services. METHODS: We recruited mothers who had visited a clinic for immigrants between July 2013 and August 2015. Participants were African refugee women, aged over 18 years, who had given birth in Korea within the previous 5 years and had come to Korea over a year before recruitment. Interview questions examined participants' experiences in pregnancy and childbirth and concerns regarding their child's health status. Initial data analysis involved all researchers' immersion in the entire collection of transcripts. We then noted recurrent topics and themes and identified similar issues. RESULTS: At the time of giving birth, 5 participants were asylum seekers and one had undocumented status. The following barriers impeded their access to maternal child healthcare: socioeconomic factors (unstable social identity, low economic status, difficulty obtaining health insurance), language barriers (lack of linguistically appropriate health information, limited access to translation services), and cultural barriers (religious and cultural differences). Weak social support also hindered access to healthcare soon after migration; however, social links with the community emerged as a key coping strategy following settlement. CONCLUSION: We identified barriers to maternal and child healthcare and coping strategies among African refugee mothers in Korea. Future research should assess refugees' health status and improve health access and literacy among refugee mothers.
Child ; Communication Barriers ; Delivery of Health Care* ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Female ; Health Services Accessibility ; Humans ; Immersion ; Infant ; Korea* ; Literacy ; Maternal-Child Health Services ; Mothers* ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Refugees* ; Social Identification ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Statistics as Topic