Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a progressive complication among patients with diabetes and the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are known to play a role in kidney disease, thus this study aimed to determine their role in the development of diabetic kidney disease using diabetic murine models. Results: Protein and histological analyses revealed that db/db mice and streptozotocin DN models expressed no significant NET-related proteins, myeloperoxidase, citrullinated histone H3 (citH3), neutrophil elastase, and lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus G6D (Ly6G). However, the inflamed individuals in the DN model showed that citH3 and Ly6G were highly deposited in the renal system based on immunohistochemistry images. In vitro, NET treatment did not induce apoptosis in glomerular endothelial and renal tubular epithelial cells. NET inhibition by DNase administration demonstrated no significant changes in cell apoptosis. Conclusions NET-related proteins were only expressed in the DN model with tubulointerstitial inflammation. Our study revealed that NETs are only induced in mice with hyperglycemia-induced inflammation.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore whether there are differences in smoking status between two regions of Wonju-City and Chuncheon-City, Gangwon State, and to determine whether the experience of smoking cessation programs in the region affects quit attempts. Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional study in which adults aged 19 and older living in two cities were surveyed using a pre-developed mobile app to investigate social capital for smoking cessation, and a total of 600 citizens were participated, including 310 in Wonju-City and 290 in Chuncheon-City.The statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Wonju-City had a higher prevalence of current smoking than Chuncheon-City. Among smoking cessation programs operated by local public health centers, Wonju-City had a lower odds ratio for experience with smoking cessation education than Chuncheon-City (OR=0.52, 95% CI=0.33 to 0.81). When examining the effect of smoking cessation program experience on quit attempts, in Wonju-City, citizens who had completed smoking cessation education and used a smoking cessation clinic were more likely to attempt to quit than those who had not (OR=2.31 and OR=2.29, respectively). In Chuncheon-City, citizens who were aware of smoking cessation support services were 2.26 times more likely to attempt to quit smoking than those who were not, but statistical significance was not reached due to the small sample size. Conclusion Therefore, healthcare organizations in both regions should develop more practical intervention strategies to increase smokers' quit attempts, reduce smoking rates in the community, and address regional disparities.

Background: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is difficult to characterize and classify on simple radiographs. Therefore, we attempted to evaluate intraobserver and interobserver reliability of simple radiography and computed tomography (CT) for detecting and classifying HO after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). It was hypothesized that CT would provide more reliable results than simple radiography. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 30 patients who underwent RSA performed by a single surgeon. Patients were included if they had both postoperative simple radiographs and CT images taken immediately after surgery and at 1 year after surgery and if they had completed clinical assessment at least 1 year after surgery. We first evaluated the intraobserver and interobserver reliability for the detection of the presence of HO and Modified Brooker’s classification both on simple radiographs and CT scans with the use of Kappa statistics. Then, we analyzed the correlation of HO observed in simple radiographs and CT scans with clinical outcomes. All radiographic evaluations were performed by 2 independent reviewers in random orders with 3 weeks of intervals. Results: The intraobserver reliability outcomes of both reviewers in simple radiography and CT were almost perfect or perfect for the detection of HO and classification. However, CT images improved the interobserver reliability for the detection of HO (kappa value for simple radiographs [KXR ] = 0.6018 and kappa value for CT [KCT ] = 0.8316) and classification (KXR = 0.5300 and KCT = 0.6964).At a mean follow-up of 25 months (range, 12–54 months), clinical scores were not significantly different according to the presence of HO based on simple radiographs. However, when CT images were used, the University of California, Los Angeles score and physical component score of short-form 36-item health survey were significantly lower in patients with HO than in patients without HO (27.0 vs. 30.4, p = 0.045 and 57.6 vs. 70.7, p = 0.034, respectively). Conclusions Both simple radiography and CT provided excellent intraobserver reliability for detecting and classifying HO after RSA. Compared to simple radiography, CT tended to improve interobserver reliability and defined the presence and severity of HO more clearly.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a progressive complication among patients with diabetes and the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are known to play a role in kidney disease, thus this study aimed to determine their role in the development of diabetic kidney disease using diabetic murine models. Results: Protein and histological analyses revealed that db/db mice and streptozotocin DN models expressed no significant NET-related proteins, myeloperoxidase, citrullinated histone H3 (citH3), neutrophil elastase, and lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus G6D (Ly6G). However, the inflamed individuals in the DN model showed that citH3 and Ly6G were highly deposited in the renal system based on immunohistochemistry images. In vitro, NET treatment did not induce apoptosis in glomerular endothelial and renal tubular epithelial cells. NET inhibition by DNase administration demonstrated no significant changes in cell apoptosis. Conclusions NET-related proteins were only expressed in the DN model with tubulointerstitial inflammation. Our study revealed that NETs are only induced in mice with hyperglycemia-induced inflammation.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a progressive complication among patients with diabetes and the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are known to play a role in kidney disease, thus this study aimed to determine their role in the development of diabetic kidney disease using diabetic murine models. Results: Protein and histological analyses revealed that db/db mice and streptozotocin DN models expressed no significant NET-related proteins, myeloperoxidase, citrullinated histone H3 (citH3), neutrophil elastase, and lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus G6D (Ly6G). However, the inflamed individuals in the DN model showed that citH3 and Ly6G were highly deposited in the renal system based on immunohistochemistry images. In vitro, NET treatment did not induce apoptosis in glomerular endothelial and renal tubular epithelial cells. NET inhibition by DNase administration demonstrated no significant changes in cell apoptosis. Conclusions NET-related proteins were only expressed in the DN model with tubulointerstitial inflammation. Our study revealed that NETs are only induced in mice with hyperglycemia-induced inflammation.

Background: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is difficult to characterize and classify on simple radiographs. Therefore, we attempted to evaluate intraobserver and interobserver reliability of simple radiography and computed tomography (CT) for detecting and classifying HO after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). It was hypothesized that CT would provide more reliable results than simple radiography. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 30 patients who underwent RSA performed by a single surgeon. Patients were included if they had both postoperative simple radiographs and CT images taken immediately after surgery and at 1 year after surgery and if they had completed clinical assessment at least 1 year after surgery. We first evaluated the intraobserver and interobserver reliability for the detection of the presence of HO and Modified Brooker’s classification both on simple radiographs and CT scans with the use of Kappa statistics. Then, we analyzed the correlation of HO observed in simple radiographs and CT scans with clinical outcomes. All radiographic evaluations were performed by 2 independent reviewers in random orders with 3 weeks of intervals. Results: The intraobserver reliability outcomes of both reviewers in simple radiography and CT were almost perfect or perfect for the detection of HO and classification. However, CT images improved the interobserver reliability for the detection of HO (kappa value for simple radiographs [KXR ] = 0.6018 and kappa value for CT [KCT ] = 0.8316) and classification (KXR = 0.5300 and KCT = 0.6964).At a mean follow-up of 25 months (range, 12–54 months), clinical scores were not significantly different according to the presence of HO based on simple radiographs. However, when CT images were used, the University of California, Los Angeles score and physical component score of short-form 36-item health survey were significantly lower in patients with HO than in patients without HO (27.0 vs. 30.4, p = 0.045 and 57.6 vs. 70.7, p = 0.034, respectively). Conclusions Both simple radiography and CT provided excellent intraobserver reliability for detecting and classifying HO after RSA. Compared to simple radiography, CT tended to improve interobserver reliability and defined the presence and severity of HO more clearly.

Background: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is difficult to characterize and classify on simple radiographs. Therefore, we attempted to evaluate intraobserver and interobserver reliability of simple radiography and computed tomography (CT) for detecting and classifying HO after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). It was hypothesized that CT would provide more reliable results than simple radiography. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 30 patients who underwent RSA performed by a single surgeon. Patients were included if they had both postoperative simple radiographs and CT images taken immediately after surgery and at 1 year after surgery and if they had completed clinical assessment at least 1 year after surgery. We first evaluated the intraobserver and interobserver reliability for the detection of the presence of HO and Modified Brooker’s classification both on simple radiographs and CT scans with the use of Kappa statistics. Then, we analyzed the correlation of HO observed in simple radiographs and CT scans with clinical outcomes. All radiographic evaluations were performed by 2 independent reviewers in random orders with 3 weeks of intervals. Results: The intraobserver reliability outcomes of both reviewers in simple radiography and CT were almost perfect or perfect for the detection of HO and classification. However, CT images improved the interobserver reliability for the detection of HO (kappa value for simple radiographs [KXR ] = 0.6018 and kappa value for CT [KCT ] = 0.8316) and classification (KXR = 0.5300 and KCT = 0.6964).At a mean follow-up of 25 months (range, 12–54 months), clinical scores were not significantly different according to the presence of HO based on simple radiographs. However, when CT images were used, the University of California, Los Angeles score and physical component score of short-form 36-item health survey were significantly lower in patients with HO than in patients without HO (27.0 vs. 30.4, p = 0.045 and 57.6 vs. 70.7, p = 0.034, respectively). Conclusions Both simple radiography and CT provided excellent intraobserver reliability for detecting and classifying HO after RSA. Compared to simple radiography, CT tended to improve interobserver reliability and defined the presence and severity of HO more clearly.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore whether there are differences in smoking status between two regions of Wonju-City and Chuncheon-City, Gangwon State, and to determine whether the experience of smoking cessation programs in the region affects quit attempts. Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional study in which adults aged 19 and older living in two cities were surveyed using a pre-developed mobile app to investigate social capital for smoking cessation, and a total of 600 citizens were participated, including 310 in Wonju-City and 290 in Chuncheon-City.The statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Wonju-City had a higher prevalence of current smoking than Chuncheon-City. Among smoking cessation programs operated by local public health centers, Wonju-City had a lower odds ratio for experience with smoking cessation education than Chuncheon-City (OR=0.52, 95% CI=0.33 to 0.81). When examining the effect of smoking cessation program experience on quit attempts, in Wonju-City, citizens who had completed smoking cessation education and used a smoking cessation clinic were more likely to attempt to quit than those who had not (OR=2.31 and OR=2.29, respectively). In Chuncheon-City, citizens who were aware of smoking cessation support services were 2.26 times more likely to attempt to quit smoking than those who were not, but statistical significance was not reached due to the small sample size. Conclusion Therefore, healthcare organizations in both regions should develop more practical intervention strategies to increase smokers' quit attempts, reduce smoking rates in the community, and address regional disparities.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a progressive complication among patients with diabetes and the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are known to play a role in kidney disease, thus this study aimed to determine their role in the development of diabetic kidney disease using diabetic murine models. Results: Protein and histological analyses revealed that db/db mice and streptozotocin DN models expressed no significant NET-related proteins, myeloperoxidase, citrullinated histone H3 (citH3), neutrophil elastase, and lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus G6D (Ly6G). However, the inflamed individuals in the DN model showed that citH3 and Ly6G were highly deposited in the renal system based on immunohistochemistry images. In vitro, NET treatment did not induce apoptosis in glomerular endothelial and renal tubular epithelial cells. NET inhibition by DNase administration demonstrated no significant changes in cell apoptosis. Conclusions NET-related proteins were only expressed in the DN model with tubulointerstitial inflammation. Our study revealed that NETs are only induced in mice with hyperglycemia-induced inflammation.

Background: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is difficult to characterize and classify on simple radiographs. Therefore, we attempted to evaluate intraobserver and interobserver reliability of simple radiography and computed tomography (CT) for detecting and classifying HO after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). It was hypothesized that CT would provide more reliable results than simple radiography. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 30 patients who underwent RSA performed by a single surgeon. Patients were included if they had both postoperative simple radiographs and CT images taken immediately after surgery and at 1 year after surgery and if they had completed clinical assessment at least 1 year after surgery. We first evaluated the intraobserver and interobserver reliability for the detection of the presence of HO and Modified Brooker’s classification both on simple radiographs and CT scans with the use of Kappa statistics. Then, we analyzed the correlation of HO observed in simple radiographs and CT scans with clinical outcomes. All radiographic evaluations were performed by 2 independent reviewers in random orders with 3 weeks of intervals. Results: The intraobserver reliability outcomes of both reviewers in simple radiography and CT were almost perfect or perfect for the detection of HO and classification. However, CT images improved the interobserver reliability for the detection of HO (kappa value for simple radiographs [KXR ] = 0.6018 and kappa value for CT [KCT ] = 0.8316) and classification (KXR = 0.5300 and KCT = 0.6964).At a mean follow-up of 25 months (range, 12–54 months), clinical scores were not significantly different according to the presence of HO based on simple radiographs. However, when CT images were used, the University of California, Los Angeles score and physical component score of short-form 36-item health survey were significantly lower in patients with HO than in patients without HO (27.0 vs. 30.4, p = 0.045 and 57.6 vs. 70.7, p = 0.034, respectively). Conclusions Both simple radiography and CT provided excellent intraobserver reliability for detecting and classifying HO after RSA. Compared to simple radiography, CT tended to improve interobserver reliability and defined the presence and severity of HO more clearly.