People with obesity maintain low levels of inflammation; therefore, their exposure to foreign antigens can trigger an excessive immune response. In people with obesity or allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), symptoms are exacerbated by a reduction in the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and IL-10/TGF-β–modified macrophages (M2 macrophages) at the inflammatory site. Benefits of intermittent fasting (IF) have been demonstrated for many diseases; however, the immune responses regulated by macrophages and CD4+ T cells in obese ACD animal models are poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated whether IF suppresses inflammatory responses and upregulates the generation of Tregs and M2 macrophages in experimental ACD animal models of obese mice. The IF regimen relieved various ACD symptoms in inflamed and adipose tissues. We showed that the IF regimen upregulates Treg generation in a TGF-β-dependent manner and induces CD4+ T cell hypo-responsiveness. IF-M2 macrophages, which strongly express TGF-β and inhibit CD4+ T cell proliferation, directly regulated Treg differentiation from CD4+ T cells. These results indicate that the IF regimen enhances the TGF-β-producing ability of M2 macrophages and that the development of Tregs keeps mice healthy against ACD exacerbated by obesity. Therefore, the IF regimen may ameliorate inflammatory immune disorders caused by obesity.

Background: The Korean government is implementing policy to reduce medical costs and improve treatment related for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. The level of cost reduction and the benefits provided vary depending on how individuals with HIV utilize the system. This study aims to determine exact HIV prevalence by analyzing healthcare utilization patterns and examining differences in healthcare usage based on how individuals pay for their medical expenses. Materials and Methods: We analyzed National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) claims data from 2002 to 2021. From a total of 106,675 individuals with at least one HIV-related claim, 22,779 participants were selected for this study. Results: Data from Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency annual reports indicated that 93% of HIV patients were male, while NHIS data showed 84%. In the analysis of those exempted from registration, it was found that the registration rate for female patients is notably low, with adults between the ages of 20 and 40 making up 80% of the total. The registration rate in Gangwon State was lower than Seoul. The treatment experience rate was much higher in the registered group (93.0%) than the unregistered group (4.9%). Also, there was a big difference in treatment continuity rates: 76.2% for registered individuals and 2.8% for non-registered individuals. Conclusion The exempt calculation system for health insurance improves HIV care. However, those diagnosed anonymously or with reduced medical costs may be less likely to continue HIV treatment, so a new policy is needed to ensure anonymity and treatment continuity.

Purpose: This study aims to find ways to reduce the reality shock of newly graduated nurses by exploring the relationship between nursing practice readiness, social support from clinical nurse educators, and reality shock. Methods: From August 24 to September 13, 2023, data were collected from 134 newly graduated nurses with less than 12 months of clinical experience, who were trained by clinical nurse educators at one general hospital and two tertiary hospitals in I City and G Province. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and hierarchical multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 28.0 program. Results: Reality shock was negatively correlated with nursing practice readiness (r=-.50, p<.001) and social support (r=-.19, p=.03), while nursing practice readiness was positively correlated with social support (r=.37, p<.001). Nursing practice readiness was identified as a significant predictor of reality shock in newly graduated nurses (β=-.46, p<.001), accounting for 31% of the variance in reality shock (F=18.82, p<.001). Conclusion To alleviate the reality shock of newly graduated nurses, it is important to improve their practice readiness and ensure systematic, continuous education for clinical nurse educators.

Background: The Korean government is implementing policy to reduce medical costs and improve treatment related for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. The level of cost reduction and the benefits provided vary depending on how individuals with HIV utilize the system. This study aims to determine exact HIV prevalence by analyzing healthcare utilization patterns and examining differences in healthcare usage based on how individuals pay for their medical expenses. Materials and Methods: We analyzed National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) claims data from 2002 to 2021. From a total of 106,675 individuals with at least one HIV-related claim, 22,779 participants were selected for this study. Results: Data from Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency annual reports indicated that 93% of HIV patients were male, while NHIS data showed 84%. In the analysis of those exempted from registration, it was found that the registration rate for female patients is notably low, with adults between the ages of 20 and 40 making up 80% of the total. The registration rate in Gangwon State was lower than Seoul. The treatment experience rate was much higher in the registered group (93.0%) than the unregistered group (4.9%). Also, there was a big difference in treatment continuity rates: 76.2% for registered individuals and 2.8% for non-registered individuals. Conclusion The exempt calculation system for health insurance improves HIV care. However, those diagnosed anonymously or with reduced medical costs may be less likely to continue HIV treatment, so a new policy is needed to ensure anonymity and treatment continuity.

Purpose: This study aims to find ways to reduce the reality shock of newly graduated nurses by exploring the relationship between nursing practice readiness, social support from clinical nurse educators, and reality shock. Methods: From August 24 to September 13, 2023, data were collected from 134 newly graduated nurses with less than 12 months of clinical experience, who were trained by clinical nurse educators at one general hospital and two tertiary hospitals in I City and G Province. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and hierarchical multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 28.0 program. Results: Reality shock was negatively correlated with nursing practice readiness (r=-.50, p<.001) and social support (r=-.19, p=.03), while nursing practice readiness was positively correlated with social support (r=.37, p<.001). Nursing practice readiness was identified as a significant predictor of reality shock in newly graduated nurses (β=-.46, p<.001), accounting for 31% of the variance in reality shock (F=18.82, p<.001). Conclusion To alleviate the reality shock of newly graduated nurses, it is important to improve their practice readiness and ensure systematic, continuous education for clinical nurse educators.

Purpose: This study aims to find ways to reduce the reality shock of newly graduated nurses by exploring the relationship between nursing practice readiness, social support from clinical nurse educators, and reality shock. Methods: From August 24 to September 13, 2023, data were collected from 134 newly graduated nurses with less than 12 months of clinical experience, who were trained by clinical nurse educators at one general hospital and two tertiary hospitals in I City and G Province. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and hierarchical multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 28.0 program. Results: Reality shock was negatively correlated with nursing practice readiness (r=-.50, p<.001) and social support (r=-.19, p=.03), while nursing practice readiness was positively correlated with social support (r=.37, p<.001). Nursing practice readiness was identified as a significant predictor of reality shock in newly graduated nurses (β=-.46, p<.001), accounting for 31% of the variance in reality shock (F=18.82, p<.001). Conclusion To alleviate the reality shock of newly graduated nurses, it is important to improve their practice readiness and ensure systematic, continuous education for clinical nurse educators.

Background: The Korean government is implementing policy to reduce medical costs and improve treatment related for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. The level of cost reduction and the benefits provided vary depending on how individuals with HIV utilize the system. This study aims to determine exact HIV prevalence by analyzing healthcare utilization patterns and examining differences in healthcare usage based on how individuals pay for their medical expenses. Materials and Methods: We analyzed National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) claims data from 2002 to 2021. From a total of 106,675 individuals with at least one HIV-related claim, 22,779 participants were selected for this study. Results: Data from Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency annual reports indicated that 93% of HIV patients were male, while NHIS data showed 84%. In the analysis of those exempted from registration, it was found that the registration rate for female patients is notably low, with adults between the ages of 20 and 40 making up 80% of the total. The registration rate in Gangwon State was lower than Seoul. The treatment experience rate was much higher in the registered group (93.0%) than the unregistered group (4.9%). Also, there was a big difference in treatment continuity rates: 76.2% for registered individuals and 2.8% for non-registered individuals. Conclusion The exempt calculation system for health insurance improves HIV care. However, those diagnosed anonymously or with reduced medical costs may be less likely to continue HIV treatment, so a new policy is needed to ensure anonymity and treatment continuity.

Purpose: This study aims to find ways to reduce the reality shock of newly graduated nurses by exploring the relationship between nursing practice readiness, social support from clinical nurse educators, and reality shock. Methods: From August 24 to September 13, 2023, data were collected from 134 newly graduated nurses with less than 12 months of clinical experience, who were trained by clinical nurse educators at one general hospital and two tertiary hospitals in I City and G Province. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and hierarchical multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 28.0 program. Results: Reality shock was negatively correlated with nursing practice readiness (r=-.50, p<.001) and social support (r=-.19, p=.03), while nursing practice readiness was positively correlated with social support (r=.37, p<.001). Nursing practice readiness was identified as a significant predictor of reality shock in newly graduated nurses (β=-.46, p<.001), accounting for 31% of the variance in reality shock (F=18.82, p<.001). Conclusion To alleviate the reality shock of newly graduated nurses, it is important to improve their practice readiness and ensure systematic, continuous education for clinical nurse educators.