Objectives: This study aimed to explore factors influencing satisfaction with medical services among medically underserved populations at the free medical clinic, providing data to improve free medical services for these populations. Methods: We employed a descriptive correlational study design involving 112 individuals (aged 19 years and older) from medically underserved populations who visited the clinic. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys from September to October 2023, and statistical analyses (t-tests, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression) were used to identify key predictors of satisfaction. Results: Perceived support from healthcare providers emerged as the strongest predictor ofsatisfaction with medical services, demonstrating a significant positive association. While socialsupport was positively correlated with perceived support from healthcare providers, it did not independently predict satisfaction. Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of healthcare provider and social supportin increasing satisfaction with medical services among medically underserved populations.Developing tailored healthcare programs and specialized healthcare provider training are essential strategies to improve healthcare access and outcomes for these vulnerable groups.

To investigate the relationship between depression and AD, water avoidance stress (WAS) was induced for 10 days in both Tg2576 mice and wild-type (WT) mice. After WAS, memory function and depressive-like behavior were investigated in Tg2576 mice. Tg2576 WAS mice exhibited more depressive-like behaviors than WT WAS and Tg2576 control (CON) mice. Strikingly, Tg2576 CON mice showed more depressive-like behaviors than WT mice. Moreover, corticosterone and phospho-glucocorticoid receptor (p-GR) levels were also higher in Tg2576 WAS mice in comparison to Tg2576 CON mice. Spinster homologue 2 (SPNS2) is a member of non-ATP-dependent transporter. The role of SPNS2 was widely known as a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) transporter, which export intracellular S1P from cells. Using GEO database to analyze SPNS2 gene expression changes in patients with AD and depression, we show that SPNS2 gene expression correlates with AD and depression. Interestingly, Tg2576 WAS mice displayed significantly increased levels of SPNS2 w1hen compared to Tg2576 CON counterparts. SPNS2 levels were also higher in Tg2576 CON mice in comparison with WT CON mice. Remarkably, we found a decrease in S1P brain levels and an increase in S1P serum levels of Tg2576 WAS mice in comparison with Tg2576 CON mice. Accordingly, WAS induced group further decreased S1P levels in the brains. However, the level in the serum further increased in comparison with non-induced group. Therefore, these results suggest that AD and depression could be associated, and that Tg2576 transgenic mice are more susceptible to stress-induced depression through the release of S1P by SPNS2 up-regulation.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore factors influencing satisfaction with medical services among medically underserved populations at the free medical clinic, providing data to improve free medical services for these populations. Methods: We employed a descriptive correlational study design involving 112 individuals (aged 19 years and older) from medically underserved populations who visited the clinic. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys from September to October 2023, and statistical analyses (t-tests, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression) were used to identify key predictors of satisfaction. Results: Perceived support from healthcare providers emerged as the strongest predictor ofsatisfaction with medical services, demonstrating a significant positive association. While socialsupport was positively correlated with perceived support from healthcare providers, it did not independently predict satisfaction. Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of healthcare provider and social supportin increasing satisfaction with medical services among medically underserved populations.Developing tailored healthcare programs and specialized healthcare provider training are essential strategies to improve healthcare access and outcomes for these vulnerable groups.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore factors influencing satisfaction with medical services among medically underserved populations at the free medical clinic, providing data to improve free medical services for these populations. Methods: We employed a descriptive correlational study design involving 112 individuals (aged 19 years and older) from medically underserved populations who visited the clinic. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys from September to October 2023, and statistical analyses (t-tests, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression) were used to identify key predictors of satisfaction. Results: Perceived support from healthcare providers emerged as the strongest predictor ofsatisfaction with medical services, demonstrating a significant positive association. While socialsupport was positively correlated with perceived support from healthcare providers, it did not independently predict satisfaction. Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of healthcare provider and social supportin increasing satisfaction with medical services among medically underserved populations.Developing tailored healthcare programs and specialized healthcare provider training are essential strategies to improve healthcare access and outcomes for these vulnerable groups.

To investigate the relationship between depression and AD, water avoidance stress (WAS) was induced for 10 days in both Tg2576 mice and wild-type (WT) mice. After WAS, memory function and depressive-like behavior were investigated in Tg2576 mice. Tg2576 WAS mice exhibited more depressive-like behaviors than WT WAS and Tg2576 control (CON) mice. Strikingly, Tg2576 CON mice showed more depressive-like behaviors than WT mice. Moreover, corticosterone and phospho-glucocorticoid receptor (p-GR) levels were also higher in Tg2576 WAS mice in comparison to Tg2576 CON mice. Spinster homologue 2 (SPNS2) is a member of non-ATP-dependent transporter. The role of SPNS2 was widely known as a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) transporter, which export intracellular S1P from cells. Using GEO database to analyze SPNS2 gene expression changes in patients with AD and depression, we show that SPNS2 gene expression correlates with AD and depression. Interestingly, Tg2576 WAS mice displayed significantly increased levels of SPNS2 w1hen compared to Tg2576 CON counterparts. SPNS2 levels were also higher in Tg2576 CON mice in comparison with WT CON mice. Remarkably, we found a decrease in S1P brain levels and an increase in S1P serum levels of Tg2576 WAS mice in comparison with Tg2576 CON mice. Accordingly, WAS induced group further decreased S1P levels in the brains. However, the level in the serum further increased in comparison with non-induced group. Therefore, these results suggest that AD and depression could be associated, and that Tg2576 transgenic mice are more susceptible to stress-induced depression through the release of S1P by SPNS2 up-regulation.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore factors influencing satisfaction with medical services among medically underserved populations at the free medical clinic, providing data to improve free medical services for these populations. Methods: We employed a descriptive correlational study design involving 112 individuals (aged 19 years and older) from medically underserved populations who visited the clinic. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys from September to October 2023, and statistical analyses (t-tests, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression) were used to identify key predictors of satisfaction. Results: Perceived support from healthcare providers emerged as the strongest predictor ofsatisfaction with medical services, demonstrating a significant positive association. While socialsupport was positively correlated with perceived support from healthcare providers, it did not independently predict satisfaction. Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of healthcare provider and social supportin increasing satisfaction with medical services among medically underserved populations.Developing tailored healthcare programs and specialized healthcare provider training are essential strategies to improve healthcare access and outcomes for these vulnerable groups.

To investigate the relationship between depression and AD, water avoidance stress (WAS) was induced for 10 days in both Tg2576 mice and wild-type (WT) mice. After WAS, memory function and depressive-like behavior were investigated in Tg2576 mice. Tg2576 WAS mice exhibited more depressive-like behaviors than WT WAS and Tg2576 control (CON) mice. Strikingly, Tg2576 CON mice showed more depressive-like behaviors than WT mice. Moreover, corticosterone and phospho-glucocorticoid receptor (p-GR) levels were also higher in Tg2576 WAS mice in comparison to Tg2576 CON mice. Spinster homologue 2 (SPNS2) is a member of non-ATP-dependent transporter. The role of SPNS2 was widely known as a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) transporter, which export intracellular S1P from cells. Using GEO database to analyze SPNS2 gene expression changes in patients with AD and depression, we show that SPNS2 gene expression correlates with AD and depression. Interestingly, Tg2576 WAS mice displayed significantly increased levels of SPNS2 w1hen compared to Tg2576 CON counterparts. SPNS2 levels were also higher in Tg2576 CON mice in comparison with WT CON mice. Remarkably, we found a decrease in S1P brain levels and an increase in S1P serum levels of Tg2576 WAS mice in comparison with Tg2576 CON mice. Accordingly, WAS induced group further decreased S1P levels in the brains. However, the level in the serum further increased in comparison with non-induced group. Therefore, these results suggest that AD and depression could be associated, and that Tg2576 transgenic mice are more susceptible to stress-induced depression through the release of S1P by SPNS2 up-regulation.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore factors influencing satisfaction with medical services among medically underserved populations at the free medical clinic, providing data to improve free medical services for these populations. Methods: We employed a descriptive correlational study design involving 112 individuals (aged 19 years and older) from medically underserved populations who visited the clinic. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys from September to October 2023, and statistical analyses (t-tests, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression) were used to identify key predictors of satisfaction. Results: Perceived support from healthcare providers emerged as the strongest predictor ofsatisfaction with medical services, demonstrating a significant positive association. While socialsupport was positively correlated with perceived support from healthcare providers, it did not independently predict satisfaction. Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of healthcare provider and social supportin increasing satisfaction with medical services among medically underserved populations.Developing tailored healthcare programs and specialized healthcare provider training are essential strategies to improve healthcare access and outcomes for these vulnerable groups.

Background: This study aims to investigate the trend of doctor shopping among patients with rotator cuff tear (RCT) before undergoing surgery and to examine the relevance of these findings to the public. Methods: A survey was conducted of 326 patients from 10 hospitals (male, 176; female, 150) who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) for symptomatic RCT between September 2019 and February 2020. A questionnaire was used to obtain data regarding the type of medical care service, medical institutions visited before surgery, number of treatments received, and cost of treatment. Results: A total of 326 patients (87%) received treatment at least once at another medical institution before visiting the hospital where the surgery was performed. Patients visited an average of 9.4 health providers or physicians for shoulder pain before visiting the hospital where surgery was performed. Among the 326 patients, 148 (45%) visited more than two medical institutions and spent an average of 641,983 Korean won (KRW; $466, 50,000–5,000,000 KRW) before surgery. Medical expenses before surgery were proportional to the number of medical institutions visited (P=0.002), symptom duration (P=0.002), and initial visual analog scale (VAS) pain score (P=0.007) but were not associated with sex, age, VAS pain score immediately before surgery, or RCT size. Conclusions Medical expense before ARCR was associated with the severity of preoperative pain and duration of symptoms. After onset of shoulder symptoms, patients should visit as soon as possible a hospital that has surgeons who specialize in shoulder repair to prevent unnecessary medical expense and proper treatment.Level of evidence: IV.

Purpose: To report a case of suprasellar Rathke's cleft cyst accompanying visual field defect found in a patient complaining of decreased visual acuity after cataract surgery.Case Summary: A 62-year-old male patient who showed a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 0.6 after left eye cataract surgery visited our hospital two months after surgery with decreased vision. He showed a best corrected visual acuity of 0.2, did not have relative afferent pupillary defect, and there were no specific findings on fundus examination. In the full field perimetry test, partial visual field loss in superior temporal quadrants were found in both eyes, being more prominent in left eye. In ganglion cell layer measurements using optical coherence tomography, a symmetric thinning in the thickness of the nasal ganglion cell layer was observed in both eyes, which was consistent with the visual field test. It was discovered that a liquid solid mass with a diameter of 21 mm in the upper part of the pituitary gland was compressing the optic chiasm in orbit magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was then referred to neurosurgery for pituitary surgery using transsphenoidal approach and diagnosed with Rathke's cleft cyst on histopathologic examination. Three months after surgery, the BCVA has increased to 0.5 and the visual field test showed no scotoma. Conclusions We report a case that Rathke's cleft cyst above the sella turcica inducing visual disturbances, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment through neuroophthalmological evaluation in a patient presenting with unexplained visual impairment.