Search

Background: Despite high smoking rate in people with depressive symptoms, there is ongoing debate about relationship between smoking and depressive symptoms. Methods: Study participants were 57,441 Korean men. We collected their baseline data between 2011 and 2012, and conducted follow-up from 2013 to 2019. They were categorized by smoking status (never: < 100 cigarettes smoking in life time, former: currently quitting smoking, and current smoker: currently smoking), smoking amount (pack/day and pack-year) and urine cotinine excretion. The development of depressive symptoms was determined in CES-D score ≥ 16. Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for depressive symptoms in relation to smoking status, smoking amount, and urine cotinine excretion. Results: During 6.7 years of median follow-up, the risk of depressive symptoms increased in order of never (reference), former (HR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01—1.15) and current smoker (HR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.16—1.32). Among current smoker, the risk of depressive symptoms increased proportionally to daily smoking amount (< 1 pack; HR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.13—1.29, and ≥ 1 pack; HR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.23 – 1.45). This pattern of relationship was consistently observed for pack-year in former smoker and current smoker. Additionally, urine cotinine excretion was proportionally associated with the risk of depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Exposure to smoking was associated with the increased risk of depressive symptoms. Dose dependent relationship was observed between smoking amount and the risk of depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: While a Desilets–Hoffman sheath rarely fractures, when it does, the presence of an intravenous foreign body can cause various complications. Case Presentation: A 74-year-old woman receiving hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease via a left forearm arteriovenous graft (AVG) was referred to the interventional radiology department following thrombotic occlusion of the AVG. A corrective procedure was initiated, and the 7F Desilets–Hoffman sheath fractured after the purse-string suture. A.035-inch guidewire was passed through the fractured sheath, and a 3.0-mm x 60-mm balloon catheter was inflated, allowing for the successful removal of the sheath fragment without complications. Conclusion: The fractured Desilets-Hoffman sheath was successfully removed in a patient with a loop arteriovenous graft using balloon-supported retrieval technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Optimal BP for stroke prevention in adults < 65: Stage 1 HTN linked to higher risk. • Significant risk of hemorrhagic stroke in men at Stage 2 HTN. • Stage 1 HTN linked to higher risk of ischemic stroke in women. • Maintaining BP below Stage 1 HTN crucial for overall stroke prevention. • Supporting the 2017 ACC/AHA HTN guidelines for stroke prevention. There have been few reports on the preventative value of intensive blood pressure (BP) management for stroke since the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) announced the new criteria for hypertension (HTN) in 2017. This study aimed to identify optimal BP for prevention of stroke in healthy adults under 65 years. We conducted a 10-year observational study on the risk of stroke, subclassified as hemorrhagic stroke (HS) or ischemic stroke (IS), according to BP categories (low-normal BP, high-normal BP, elevated BP, stage 1 HTN, and stage 2 HTN) using the National Health Insurance Service Database. In 2008, a health checkup was conducted for a total of 8,327,751 participants, and 949,551 of them enrolled in this study. The risk of HS increased from stage 2 HTN (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 3.036 [95 % confidence interval [CI], 2.159–4.252]) in men to stage 1 HTN (AHR, 2.972; 95 % CI, 2.256–3.897) in women. The risk of IS increased in both men (AHR, 1.404 [95 % CI, 1.164–1.693]) and women (AHR, 2.012 [95 % CI, 1.603–2.526]) with stage 1 HTN. The overall risk of stroke increased in men (AHR, 1.386; [95 % CI, 1.180–1.629]) and women (AHR, 2.363 [95 % CI, 1.973–2.830]) with stage 1 HTN. This study underscores the importance of maintaining BP below Stage 1 HTN to prevent stroke in healthy adults aged below 65 years. These findings highlight the significance of the new HTN guidelines established by the ACC/AHA in 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of its high conductivity, wide bandgap, and excellent photostability, tin oxide (SnO2) has long been recognized as an electron‐transport layer (ETL) in organic solar cells (OSCs). However, the energy‐level mismatch between the work function (WF) of SnO2 and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level of Y‐series nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs), along with the abundance of surface defects on SnO2, have limited its widespread application as ETLs in OSCs. Herein, a novel approach utilizing urea‐functionalized polyethyleneimine (PEI) materials called u‐PEIs for modifying SnO2 is introduced. This modification, which serves dual purposes of WF modulation and surface‐defect passivation, can mitigate the energy barriers of SnO2/Y‐series NFA and increase the conductivity of the SnO2 film. PM6:Y6‐based OSCs with u‐PEI‐modified SnO2 (SnO2:u‐PEI) ETLs exhibit a remarkable efficiency of 16%, which significantly exceeds that (13.5%) achieved with bare SnO2‐based OSCs, along with outstanding photo‐ and thermal stability. This study confirms the efficacy of urea‐functionalized PEI for efficient and stable OCSs, paving the way for SnO2 applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intramedullary (IM) nailing is the treatment of choice for femoral shaft fractures, but nonunion rates have been reported to be as high as 12%. Surgical interventions for nonunion involve exchange nailing or plate augmentation. Recently, a combined treatment of exchange nailing and plate augmentation has demonstrated good results, but its comparative effectiveness remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of three different surgical interventions for atrophic femoral shaft nonunion, and investigate the factors that affect bone healing after reoperation. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted at five university hospitals involving 149 patients with aseptic atrophic nonunion after IM nailing. These patients underwent reoperation with plate augmentation, exchange nailing, or combined treatment. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were assessed and compared according to reoperation procedure. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors affecting persistent nonunion after reoperation. Results: Of the cohort, 57 patients underwent plate augmentation, 64 underwent exchange nailing, and 28 received combined treatment. There were no significant differences in patient demographics among the groups. Exchange nailing produced a significantly lower union rate than did the combined treatment (82.8% vs. 100%, p = 0.016), whereas no significant difference was observed in the union rate and time to the union between plate augmentation and the combined treatment. Combined treatment showed the longest operative time and the greatest transfusion requirements. The risk factors for persistent nonunion included age, absence of autogenous bone grafts, and use of an exchange nailing technique. Conclusions: Exchange nailing as a treatment for atrophic femoral shaft nonunion after IM nailing resulted in a lower union rate. The efficacy of the combined treatment requires further study, and persistent nonunion may be influenced by age, bone grafting, and surgical techniques. A comprehensive approach targeting both biological environment and mechanical stability is crucial in the treatment of atrophic femoral shaft nonunion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]