Background and Objectives: Beta-blockers (BBs) improve prognosis in heart failure (HF), which is mediated by lowering heart rate (HR). However, HR has no prognostic implication in atrial fibrillation (AF) and also BBs have not been shown to improve prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) with AF. This study assessed the prognostic implication of BB in HFpEF with AF according to discharge HR. Methods: From the Korean Acute Heart Failure Registry, 687 patients with HFpEF and AF were selected. Study subjects were divided into 4 groups based on 75 beats per minute (bpm) of HR at discharge and whether or not they were treated with BB at discharge. Results: Of the 687 patients with HFpEF and AF, 128 (36.1%) were in low HR group and 121 (36.4%) were in high HR group among those treated with BB at discharge. In high HR group, HR at discharge was significantly faster in BB non-users (85.5±9.1 bpm vs. 89.2±12.5 bpm, p=0.005). In the Cox model, BB did not improve 60-day rehospitalization (hazard ratio, 0.93;95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.35–2.47) or mortality (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.22– 2.74) in low HR group. However, in high HR group, BB treatment at discharge was associated with 82% reduced 60-day HF rehospitalization (hazard ratio, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.04–0.81), but not with mortality (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.20–2.98). Conclusions In HFpEF with AF, in patients with HR over 75 bpm at discharge, BB treatment at discharge was associated with a reduced 60-day rehospitalization rate.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the clinical outcome and safety of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) following transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TR biopsy) in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 556 patients who underwent HoLEP between 2014 and 2021. The patients were categorized into six groups: Group 1-A (n=45) underwent HoLEP within four months post TR biopsy. Group 1-B (n=94) underwent HoLEP more than four months post TR biopsy. Group 1-C (n=120) underwent HoLEP after a single TR biopsy. Group 1-D (n=19) underwent HoLEP after two or more TR biopsies. Group 1-total (n=139, group 1-A+group 1-B or group 1-C+group 1-D) underwent HoLEP post TR biopsy. Group 2 (control group, n=417) underwent HoLEP without prior TR biopsy. We examined perioperative parameters, safety, and functional outcomes. Results: The age, body mass index, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, and comorbid diseases between group 1-total and group 2 were comparable. However, group 1-total exhibited significantly elevated prostate-specific antigen levels and larger prostate volumes (p<0.01). Perioperative factors like enucleation time, enucleation weight, and catheterization duration were notably higher in group 1-total (p<0.01). All groups showed significant improvements in IPSS, postvoid residual urine, and maximum flow rate during the 1-year postoperative period (p<0.05). The rates of postoperative complications were similar between group 1-total and group 2. Conclusions Enucleation time and catheterization duration were significantly longer in the TR biopsy group. However, postoperative complications were not significantly different between TR biopsy and non-TR biopsy groups.

Various strains can be found in emphysematous prostatic abscesses (EPAs), but the most frequent causative organism is Klebsiella pneumoniae . Hypervirulent K. pneumoniae can disseminate to distant sites by forming a muco-polysaccharide network outside the capsule. Here, we present the first case of K. pneumoniae in an EPA accompanied by a spinal cord infarction. A 65-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to sudden-onset paraplegia after a 5-day history of fever, myalgia, and voiding difficulty. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a collection of air pockets in the prostate, and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed high signal intensity in the thoracic spinal cord. The patient was initially treated with antibiotics and surgical drainage. On the third hospital day, therapeutic heparin was added after discussion with a neurologist. The patient had no inflammatory symptoms, experienced some improvement in paraplegia, and was discharged on the 14th hospital day. This study adhered to the case report guidelines.

Various strains can be found in emphysematous prostatic abscesses (EPAs), but the most frequent causative organism is Klebsiella pneumoniae . Hypervirulent K. pneumoniae can disseminate to distant sites by forming a muco-polysaccharide network outside the capsule. Here, we present the first case of K. pneumoniae in an EPA accompanied by a spinal cord infarction. A 65-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to sudden-onset paraplegia after a 5-day history of fever, myalgia, and voiding difficulty. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a collection of air pockets in the prostate, and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed high signal intensity in the thoracic spinal cord. The patient was initially treated with antibiotics and surgical drainage. On the third hospital day, therapeutic heparin was added after discussion with a neurologist. The patient had no inflammatory symptoms, experienced some improvement in paraplegia, and was discharged on the 14th hospital day. This study adhered to the case report guidelines.

Various strains can be found in emphysematous prostatic abscesses (EPAs), but the most frequent causative organism is Klebsiella pneumoniae . Hypervirulent K. pneumoniae can disseminate to distant sites by forming a muco-polysaccharide network outside the capsule. Here, we present the first case of K. pneumoniae in an EPA accompanied by a spinal cord infarction. A 65-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to sudden-onset paraplegia after a 5-day history of fever, myalgia, and voiding difficulty. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a collection of air pockets in the prostate, and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed high signal intensity in the thoracic spinal cord. The patient was initially treated with antibiotics and surgical drainage. On the third hospital day, therapeutic heparin was added after discussion with a neurologist. The patient had no inflammatory symptoms, experienced some improvement in paraplegia, and was discharged on the 14th hospital day. This study adhered to the case report guidelines.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lungs that results in airway inflammation and narrowing. BS012 is an herbal remedy containing Asarum sieboldii, Platycodon grandiflorum, and Cinnamomum cassia extracts. To elucidate the anti-asthma effect of BS012, this study analyzed the immune response, respiratory protection, and changes in metabolic mechanisms in an ovalbumininduced allergic asthma mouse model. Female BALB/c mice were exposed to ovalbumin to induce allergic asthma. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma were analyzed for interleukin and immunoglobulin E levels. Histological analyses of the lungs were performed to measure morphological changes. Apoptosis-related mediators were assayed by western blotting. Plasma and lung tissue metabolomic analyses were performed to investigate the metabolic changes. A T-helper-2-like differentiated cell model was used to identify the active components of BS012. BS012 treatment improved inflammatory cell infiltration, mucus production, and goblet cell hyperplasia in lung tissues. BS012 also significantly downregulated ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E in plasma and T-helper-2-specific cytokines, interleukin-4 and -5, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The lungs of ovalbumin-inhaled mice exhibited nerve growth factor-mediated apoptotic protein expression, which was significantly attenuated by BS012 treatment. Ovalbumin-induced abnormalities in amino acid and lipid metabolism were improved by BS012 in correlation with its anti-inflammatory properties and normalization of energy metabolism. Additionally, the differentiated cell model revealed that N-isobutyl-dodecatetraenamide is an active component that contributes to the anti-allergic properties of BS012. The current findings demonstrate the anti-allergic and respiratory protective functions of BS012 against allergic asthma, which can be considered a therapeutic candidate.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lungs that results in airway inflammation and narrowing. BS012 is an herbal remedy containing Asarum sieboldii, Platycodon grandiflorum, and Cinnamomum cassia extracts. To elucidate the anti-asthma effect of BS012, this study analyzed the immune response, respiratory protection, and changes in metabolic mechanisms in an ovalbumininduced allergic asthma mouse model. Female BALB/c mice were exposed to ovalbumin to induce allergic asthma. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma were analyzed for interleukin and immunoglobulin E levels. Histological analyses of the lungs were performed to measure morphological changes. Apoptosis-related mediators were assayed by western blotting. Plasma and lung tissue metabolomic analyses were performed to investigate the metabolic changes. A T-helper-2-like differentiated cell model was used to identify the active components of BS012. BS012 treatment improved inflammatory cell infiltration, mucus production, and goblet cell hyperplasia in lung tissues. BS012 also significantly downregulated ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E in plasma and T-helper-2-specific cytokines, interleukin-4 and -5, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The lungs of ovalbumin-inhaled mice exhibited nerve growth factor-mediated apoptotic protein expression, which was significantly attenuated by BS012 treatment. Ovalbumin-induced abnormalities in amino acid and lipid metabolism were improved by BS012 in correlation with its anti-inflammatory properties and normalization of energy metabolism. Additionally, the differentiated cell model revealed that N-isobutyl-dodecatetraenamide is an active component that contributes to the anti-allergic properties of BS012. The current findings demonstrate the anti-allergic and respiratory protective functions of BS012 against allergic asthma, which can be considered a therapeutic candidate.

Various strains can be found in emphysematous prostatic abscesses (EPAs), but the most frequent causative organism is Klebsiella pneumoniae . Hypervirulent K. pneumoniae can disseminate to distant sites by forming a muco-polysaccharide network outside the capsule. Here, we present the first case of K. pneumoniae in an EPA accompanied by a spinal cord infarction. A 65-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to sudden-onset paraplegia after a 5-day history of fever, myalgia, and voiding difficulty. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a collection of air pockets in the prostate, and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed high signal intensity in the thoracic spinal cord. The patient was initially treated with antibiotics and surgical drainage. On the third hospital day, therapeutic heparin was added after discussion with a neurologist. The patient had no inflammatory symptoms, experienced some improvement in paraplegia, and was discharged on the 14th hospital day. This study adhered to the case report guidelines.

Background: Kidney transplantation (KT) improves physical and psychological prognoses for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). However, few comparative studies have examined depression and suicide rates among patients with ESKD treated with dialysis versus KT. Methods: Data on 21,809 patients with ESKD were extracted from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, extending from January 2002 to December 2018.These patients exhibited no history of depression or insomnia before starting renal replacement therapy. Outcomes were compared between dialysis and KT recipients using 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM). Results: Of the patients, 17,649 received dialysis (hemodialysis, 15,537; peritoneal dialysis, 2,112), while 4,160 underwent KT. Of those on dialysis, 45.04% (7,949) experienced insomnia, compared to 25.72% (1,070) of KT recipients (P<0.001). Depression was more frequent among dialysis recipients (22.77%, 4,019) than KT recipients (8.61%, 358;P<0.001). Additionally, those on dialysis had a higher incidence of suicide (0.19%, 33) than recipients of KT (0.12%, 5; P=0.047). After PSM, the hazard ratio (HR) for depression in patients on dialysis compared to KT recipients was 1.76 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56–1.99). In subgroup analysis, the relative likelihood of depression among dialysis recipients was particularly high for residents of urban areas (HR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.80–2.44) and patients under 65 years old (HR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.62–2.09). Conclusions KT recipients exhibit a lower suicide rate than patients on dialysis. Furthermore, KT is associated with a lower prevalence of depression among Korean patients with ESKD, particularly urban residents and individuals under 65 years old.