1.Healing Through Loss: Exploring Nurses’ Post-Traumatic Growth After Patient Death
YongHan KIM ; Joon-Ho AHN ; Jangho PARK ; Young Rong BANG ; Jin Yong JUN ; Youjin HONG ; Seockhoon CHUNG ; Junseok AHN ; C. Hyung Keun PARK
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(1):40-46
Objective:
This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to post-traumatic growth (PTG) among nurses who experienced patient death during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to evaluate the necessity of grief support is required.
Methods:
An online survey was conducted to assess the experiences of nurses at Ulsan University Hospital who lost patients during the past year of the pandemic. In total, 211 nurses were recruited. We obtained information on the participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics. For symptoms rating, we used the following scales: the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemic-9 (SAVE-9), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS), and Utrecht Grief Rumination Scale (UGRS), and Grief Support in Healthcare Scale (GSHCS). Pearson’s correlation coefficients, linear regression, and mediation analysis were employed.
Results:
PTGI scores were significantly correlated with the SAVE-9 (r=0.31, p<0.01), PHQ-9 (r=0.31, p<0.01), PGS (r=0.28, p<0.01), UGRS (r=0.45, p<0.01), and GSHCS scores (r=0.46, p<0.01). The linear regression analysis revealed the factors significantly associated with PTGI scores: SAVE-9 (β=0.16, p=0.014), UGRS (β=0.29, p<0.001), and GSHCS (β=0.34, p<0.001). The mediation analysis revealed that nurses’ stress and anxiety about COVID-19 and grief rumination had a direct impact on PTG, with grief support serving as a significant mediator.
Conclusion
PTG was promoted by increases in the medical staff’s anxiety and stress related to COVID-19, grief rumination, and grief support. For the medical staff’s experience of bereavement to result in meaningful personal and professional growth, family members, colleagues, and other associates should provide thoughtful support.
2.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
3.Healing Through Loss: Exploring Nurses’ Post-Traumatic Growth After Patient Death
YongHan KIM ; Joon-Ho AHN ; Jangho PARK ; Young Rong BANG ; Jin Yong JUN ; Youjin HONG ; Seockhoon CHUNG ; Junseok AHN ; C. Hyung Keun PARK
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(1):40-46
Objective:
This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to post-traumatic growth (PTG) among nurses who experienced patient death during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to evaluate the necessity of grief support is required.
Methods:
An online survey was conducted to assess the experiences of nurses at Ulsan University Hospital who lost patients during the past year of the pandemic. In total, 211 nurses were recruited. We obtained information on the participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics. For symptoms rating, we used the following scales: the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemic-9 (SAVE-9), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS), and Utrecht Grief Rumination Scale (UGRS), and Grief Support in Healthcare Scale (GSHCS). Pearson’s correlation coefficients, linear regression, and mediation analysis were employed.
Results:
PTGI scores were significantly correlated with the SAVE-9 (r=0.31, p<0.01), PHQ-9 (r=0.31, p<0.01), PGS (r=0.28, p<0.01), UGRS (r=0.45, p<0.01), and GSHCS scores (r=0.46, p<0.01). The linear regression analysis revealed the factors significantly associated with PTGI scores: SAVE-9 (β=0.16, p=0.014), UGRS (β=0.29, p<0.001), and GSHCS (β=0.34, p<0.001). The mediation analysis revealed that nurses’ stress and anxiety about COVID-19 and grief rumination had a direct impact on PTG, with grief support serving as a significant mediator.
Conclusion
PTG was promoted by increases in the medical staff’s anxiety and stress related to COVID-19, grief rumination, and grief support. For the medical staff’s experience of bereavement to result in meaningful personal and professional growth, family members, colleagues, and other associates should provide thoughtful support.
4.Healing Through Loss: Exploring Nurses’ Post-Traumatic Growth After Patient Death
YongHan KIM ; Joon-Ho AHN ; Jangho PARK ; Young Rong BANG ; Jin Yong JUN ; Youjin HONG ; Seockhoon CHUNG ; Junseok AHN ; C. Hyung Keun PARK
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(1):40-46
Objective:
This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to post-traumatic growth (PTG) among nurses who experienced patient death during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to evaluate the necessity of grief support is required.
Methods:
An online survey was conducted to assess the experiences of nurses at Ulsan University Hospital who lost patients during the past year of the pandemic. In total, 211 nurses were recruited. We obtained information on the participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics. For symptoms rating, we used the following scales: the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemic-9 (SAVE-9), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS), and Utrecht Grief Rumination Scale (UGRS), and Grief Support in Healthcare Scale (GSHCS). Pearson’s correlation coefficients, linear regression, and mediation analysis were employed.
Results:
PTGI scores were significantly correlated with the SAVE-9 (r=0.31, p<0.01), PHQ-9 (r=0.31, p<0.01), PGS (r=0.28, p<0.01), UGRS (r=0.45, p<0.01), and GSHCS scores (r=0.46, p<0.01). The linear regression analysis revealed the factors significantly associated with PTGI scores: SAVE-9 (β=0.16, p=0.014), UGRS (β=0.29, p<0.001), and GSHCS (β=0.34, p<0.001). The mediation analysis revealed that nurses’ stress and anxiety about COVID-19 and grief rumination had a direct impact on PTG, with grief support serving as a significant mediator.
Conclusion
PTG was promoted by increases in the medical staff’s anxiety and stress related to COVID-19, grief rumination, and grief support. For the medical staff’s experience of bereavement to result in meaningful personal and professional growth, family members, colleagues, and other associates should provide thoughtful support.
5.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
6.Healing Through Loss: Exploring Nurses’ Post-Traumatic Growth After Patient Death
YongHan KIM ; Joon-Ho AHN ; Jangho PARK ; Young Rong BANG ; Jin Yong JUN ; Youjin HONG ; Seockhoon CHUNG ; Junseok AHN ; C. Hyung Keun PARK
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(1):40-46
Objective:
This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to post-traumatic growth (PTG) among nurses who experienced patient death during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to evaluate the necessity of grief support is required.
Methods:
An online survey was conducted to assess the experiences of nurses at Ulsan University Hospital who lost patients during the past year of the pandemic. In total, 211 nurses were recruited. We obtained information on the participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics. For symptoms rating, we used the following scales: the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemic-9 (SAVE-9), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS), and Utrecht Grief Rumination Scale (UGRS), and Grief Support in Healthcare Scale (GSHCS). Pearson’s correlation coefficients, linear regression, and mediation analysis were employed.
Results:
PTGI scores were significantly correlated with the SAVE-9 (r=0.31, p<0.01), PHQ-9 (r=0.31, p<0.01), PGS (r=0.28, p<0.01), UGRS (r=0.45, p<0.01), and GSHCS scores (r=0.46, p<0.01). The linear regression analysis revealed the factors significantly associated with PTGI scores: SAVE-9 (β=0.16, p=0.014), UGRS (β=0.29, p<0.001), and GSHCS (β=0.34, p<0.001). The mediation analysis revealed that nurses’ stress and anxiety about COVID-19 and grief rumination had a direct impact on PTG, with grief support serving as a significant mediator.
Conclusion
PTG was promoted by increases in the medical staff’s anxiety and stress related to COVID-19, grief rumination, and grief support. For the medical staff’s experience of bereavement to result in meaningful personal and professional growth, family members, colleagues, and other associates should provide thoughtful support.
7.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
8.Healing Through Loss: Exploring Nurses’ Post-Traumatic Growth After Patient Death
YongHan KIM ; Joon-Ho AHN ; Jangho PARK ; Young Rong BANG ; Jin Yong JUN ; Youjin HONG ; Seockhoon CHUNG ; Junseok AHN ; C. Hyung Keun PARK
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(1):40-46
Objective:
This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to post-traumatic growth (PTG) among nurses who experienced patient death during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to evaluate the necessity of grief support is required.
Methods:
An online survey was conducted to assess the experiences of nurses at Ulsan University Hospital who lost patients during the past year of the pandemic. In total, 211 nurses were recruited. We obtained information on the participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics. For symptoms rating, we used the following scales: the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemic-9 (SAVE-9), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS), and Utrecht Grief Rumination Scale (UGRS), and Grief Support in Healthcare Scale (GSHCS). Pearson’s correlation coefficients, linear regression, and mediation analysis were employed.
Results:
PTGI scores were significantly correlated with the SAVE-9 (r=0.31, p<0.01), PHQ-9 (r=0.31, p<0.01), PGS (r=0.28, p<0.01), UGRS (r=0.45, p<0.01), and GSHCS scores (r=0.46, p<0.01). The linear regression analysis revealed the factors significantly associated with PTGI scores: SAVE-9 (β=0.16, p=0.014), UGRS (β=0.29, p<0.001), and GSHCS (β=0.34, p<0.001). The mediation analysis revealed that nurses’ stress and anxiety about COVID-19 and grief rumination had a direct impact on PTG, with grief support serving as a significant mediator.
Conclusion
PTG was promoted by increases in the medical staff’s anxiety and stress related to COVID-19, grief rumination, and grief support. For the medical staff’s experience of bereavement to result in meaningful personal and professional growth, family members, colleagues, and other associates should provide thoughtful support.
9.Epidemiological characteristics of thyroid cancer in cancer registration areas of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 2020 and the trends from 2016 to 2020
Adila Sulidan ; Xiayida Wusimanjiang ; Shawulaxi Rejiafu ; Xiamusiye Muyiduli ; ZHANG Jun ; Danaguli Mala ; Yilixiati Kulaixi ; Abulimiti Muhetaer ; ZHANG Rong
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(10):1020-10,231,028
Objective:
To investigate the trends in incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer in cancer registration areas of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 2016 to 2020 and its epidemiological status in 2020, so as to provide the basis for improving prevention and control measures for thyroid cancer.
Methods:
The data of thyroid cancer incidence and mortality from 2016 to 2020 in four cancer registration areas of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were collected through the Tumor Registry. The crude incidence and crude mortality were calculated. The Chinese population-standardized rate and world population-standardized rate were calculated using the age structure of the standard population from the Fifth National Population Census in 2000 and Segi's world standard population. The incidence and mortality characteristics of thyroid cancer in different genders and ages in 2020 were described. The trends in the Chinese population-standardized incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous from 2016 to 2020 were assessed using the average annual percent change (AAPC).
Results:
In 2020, the crude, Chinese population-standardized and world population-standardized incidences of thyroid cancer in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were 32.91/100 000, 26.99/100 000, and 25.53/100 000, respectively. The crude, Chinese population-standardized and world population-standardized mortalities of thyroid cancer were 1.25/100 000, 0.96/100 000, and 0.98/100 000, respectively. The Chinese population-standardized incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer in females were 2.44 times and 2.20 times those in males, respectively. The crude incidence of thyroid cancer was increased after age of twenty years, with a peak at age of 55 to 60 years (76.73/100 000) before rapidly declining. In contrast, the crude mortality remained low across all age groups, with the highest rate observed at age of 70 to 75 years (13.70/100 000). From 2016 to 2020, the Chinese population-standardized incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer showed no significant changes (both P>0.05).
Conclusions
From 2016 to 2020, the trends in incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer in cancer registration areas of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were stable. The disease burden of thyroid cancer was higher in females than in males. The crude incidence first rised and then declined with age, peaks at age of 55-<60 years.
10.Effects of fine particulate matter exposure on acute myocardial infarction mortality and life lost
LIANG Haiqing ; RONG Sijing ; KANG Huili ; WANG Jun
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(11):1145-1150
Objective:
To investigate the effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) mortality and years of life lost (YLL).
Methods:
Mortality data in Haizhu District, Guangzhou City from 2020 to 2024 were collected by the China Population Death Information Registration Management System and Guangdong Death Certificate Management System. Air pollution and meteorological data of the same period were obtained from the national environmental monitoring sites on the National Real-time Air Quality Release Platform and the Guangzhou Observatory, respectively. The single-pollutant model and multi-pollutant model were established by distributed lag non-linear model to analyze the effects of PM2.5 on AMI mortality and YLL.
Results:
From 2020 to 2024, there were 2 466 AMI death cases in Haizhu District, including 949 males and 1 517 females. Among them, 530 cases were aged <65 years, 494 cases were aged 65-74 years, and 1 442 cases were aged >74 years. The median daily average number of deaths was 1.3 (interquartile range, 2.0) cases, and the median daily average YLL was 16.4 (interquartile range, 24.8) person years. The median daily average mass concentration of PM2.5 was 24.3 (interquartile range, 18.0) μg/m3. In single-pollutant models, the maximum effects of PM2.5 on AMI mortality and YLL were observed at a cumulative lag of 7 days. For per 10 μg/m3 increment in the daily average concentration of PM2.5, the excess risk of AMI mortality increased by 8.793% (95%CI: 4.201% to 13.588%), and YLL increased by 2.059 (95%CI: 1.081 to 3.037) person-years. Gender-stratified analyses showed that PM2.5 significantly affected AMI mortality in males and YLL in males and females (all P<0.05). Age-stratified analyses revealed that PM2.5 significantly affected AMI mortality and YLL among residents aged <65 years and 65-74 years (all P<0.05). However, the difference between genders or the two age groups was not statistically significant (both P>0.05). In multi-pollutant models, when NO2, SO2, or O3 were introduced respectively at a cumulative lag of 7 days, the effects of PM2.5 on AMI mortality and YLL were enhanced compared to the single-pollutant model (all P<0.05). When PM10 was introduced alone or in combination with PM10, SO2, NO2, and O3, the effects of PM2.5 on AMI mortality and YLL were not statistically significant (all P>0.05).
Conclusion
Exposure to PM2.5 may increase the risk of AMI mortality and YLL, with varying effects across populations of different genders and ages.


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