1.Superior Efficacy of Bismuth-Containing Rifabutin Quadruple Therapy over Rifabutin Triple Therapy as Salvage Treatment
Hannah LEE ; Jun-Won CHUNG ; Kyoung Oh KIM ; Kwang An KWON ; Jung Ho KIM
Gut and Liver 2026;20(1):69-76
Background/Aims:
Helicobacter pylori is a pathogen that causes chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer diseases and is a carcinogen responsible for the development of malignancies, including gastric cancer. In the current era of high antimicrobial resistance, rifabutin-based triple therapy is recommended as a salvage therapy. Bismuth has not only a strong bacteriostatic effect but also a synergic effect when combined with antibiotics. Our study aimed to compare and evaluate the eradication rates between rifabutin-based triple therapy and rifabutin with bismuth-containing quadruple therapy as salvage treatments.
Methods:
In this single-center study, patients who received rifabutin-based triple therapy and rifabutin with bismuth-containing quadruple therapy after failure of conventional therapy, including first- and second-line treatment, between January 2016 and July 2024, were retrospectively investigated. A total of 53 patients who received rifabutin-based triple therapy and 50 who received bismuth-containing quadruple therapy were included.
Results:
In the rifabutin-based triple therapy group, eradication was achieved in 32 out of 53 patients (60.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 46.8% to 74.0%). In the bismuth-containing quadruple therapy group, eradication was achieved in 40 out of 50 patients (80.0%; 95% CI, 68.5% to 91.5%), demonstrating significant therapeutic benefit (p=0.030). Adverse events, including nausea, epigastric discomfort, and lethargy, were significantly more frequent in the bismuth-containing quadruple therapy group (p=0.007), but they were mild and tolerable enough not to affect compliance (p=0.329).
Conclusions
Rifabutin with bismuth-containing quadruple regimen as a salvage treatment achieved significantly superior eradication efficacy over the rifabutin-based triple regimen. Further multicenter prospective studies are needed to provide additional supporting evidence.
2.Korean Thyroid Association Guidelines on the Management of Differentiated Thyroid Cancers; Part II. Follow-up Surveillance after Initial Treatment 2026
Eun Kyung LEE ; Seung Heon KANG ; Bon Seok KOO ; Mijin KIM ; Min Joo KIM ; Bo Hyun KIM ; Ji Won KIM ; Dong Gyu NA ; Sohyun PARK ; Ji-In BANG ; Kyorim BACK ; Youngduk SEO ; Young-Ik SON ; Young Shin SONG ; Dong Yeob SHIN ; Jong-Hyuk AHN ; Hwa Young AHN ; So Won OH ; Ho-Ryun WON ; Won Sang YOO ; Min Kyoung LEE ; Sang-Woo LEE ; Jeongmin LEE ; Ji Ye LEE ; Dong-Jun LIM ; Ki-Wook CHUNG ; Ari CHONG ; Jin Hyang JUNG ; Sun Wook CHO ; Yoon Young CHO ; Chae Moon HONG ; Young Joo PARK ;
International Journal of Thyroidology 2026;19(1):1-40
In patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), initial recurrence risk stratification based on clinical, histopathological, and perioperative data remains the key determinant for guiding management strategies during the first 1-2 years post-treatment. However, the adoption of ongoing risk stratification (ORS), which dynamically reassesses risk by integrating longitudinal clinical data and treatment response, enables more precise long-term prognostic assessment and facilitates highly individualized management. Building upon recent guidelines, the 2026 KTA guideline has been further refined by incorporating robust evidence from large-scale national cohorts and comprehensive systematic reviews. These updated recommendations outline contemporary concepts of ORS, risk-adapted TSH suppression targets, optimized surveillance modalities for recurrence detection, and disease-specific long-term follow-up strategies. Reflecting the paradigm shift toward de-escalated treatment, this revision integrates evolved perspectives on TSH suppression intensity, the clinical interpretation of thyroglobulin levels, and tailored follow-up intervals. These evidence-based recommendations aim to minimize unnecessary treatment and excessive surveillance in the large proportion of patients with excellent prognosis after initial therapy, while ensuring that each patient receives appropriately tailored and effective long-term management.
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.Regenerative Therapy in Erectile Dysfunction:A Survey on Current Global Practice Trends and GAF Expert Recommendations
Manaf Al HASHIMI ; Germar-M PINGGERA ; Taymour MOSTAFA ; Amarnath RAMBHATLA ; Taha HAMODA ; Rupin SHAH ; Eric CHUNG ; Ahmed HARRAZ ; Mohamed ARAFA ; Tuncay TOPRAK ; Omer RAHEEM ; Carlo GIULIONI ; Ponco BIROWO ; Luca BOERI ; Yassir JASSIM ; Priyank KOTHARI ; Ranjit VISHWAKARMA ; Bahadir SAHIN ; Widi ATMOKO ; Safar GAMIDOV ; Cesar ROJAS-CRUZ ; Darren KATZ ; Adriano FREGONESI ; Nazim GHERABI ; Armand ZINI ; Christopher Chee Kong HO ; Mohamed S. AL-MARHOON ; Marlon MARTINEZ ; Giorgio Ivan RUSSO ; Ayman RASHED ; Gian Maria BUSETTO ; Edmund KO ; Hyun Jun PARK ; Selahittin CAYAN ; Ramadan SALEH ; Osvaldo RAJMIL ; Dong Suk KIM ; Giovanni COLPI ; Ryan SMITH ; Maged RAGAB ; Ates KADIOGLU ; Quang NGUYEN ; Kadir BOCU ; Ahmed EL-SAKKA ; Charalampos THOMAS ; Hussain M ALNAJJAR ; Hiva ALIPOUR ; Ashok AGARWAL
The World Journal of Men's Health 2025;43(2):359-375
Purpose:
This study aimed to examine current global practices in regenerative therapy (RT) for erectile dysfunction (ED) and to establish expert recommendations for its use, addressing the current lack of solid evidence and standardized guidelines.
Materials and Methods:
A 39-question survey was developed by senior Global Andrology Forum (GAF) experts to comprehensively cover clinical aspects of RT. This was distributed globally via a secure online Google Form to ED specialists through the GAF website, international professional societies, and social media, the responses were analyzed and presented for frequencies as percentages. Consensus on expert recommendations for RT use was achieved using the Delphi method.
Results:
Out of 479 respondents from 62 countries, a third reported using RT for ED. The most popular treatment was low-intensity shock wave therapy (54.6%), followed by platelet-rich plasma (24.5%) and their combination (14.7%), with stem cell therapy being the least used (3.7%). The primary indication for RT was the refractory or adverse effects of PDE5 inhibitors, with the best effectiveness reported in middle-aged and mild-to-moderate ED patients. Respondents were confident about its overall safety, with a significant number expressing interest in RT’s future use, despite pending guidelines support.
Conclusions
This inaugural global survey reveals a growing use of RT in ED treatment, showcasing its diverse clinical applications and potential for future widespread adoption. However, the lack of comprehensive evidence and clear guidelines requires further research to standardize RT practices in ED treatment.
5.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.
6.Regenerative Therapy in Erectile Dysfunction:A Survey on Current Global Practice Trends and GAF Expert Recommendations
Manaf Al HASHIMI ; Germar-M PINGGERA ; Taymour MOSTAFA ; Amarnath RAMBHATLA ; Taha HAMODA ; Rupin SHAH ; Eric CHUNG ; Ahmed HARRAZ ; Mohamed ARAFA ; Tuncay TOPRAK ; Omer RAHEEM ; Carlo GIULIONI ; Ponco BIROWO ; Luca BOERI ; Yassir JASSIM ; Priyank KOTHARI ; Ranjit VISHWAKARMA ; Bahadir SAHIN ; Widi ATMOKO ; Safar GAMIDOV ; Cesar ROJAS-CRUZ ; Darren KATZ ; Adriano FREGONESI ; Nazim GHERABI ; Armand ZINI ; Christopher Chee Kong HO ; Mohamed S. AL-MARHOON ; Marlon MARTINEZ ; Giorgio Ivan RUSSO ; Ayman RASHED ; Gian Maria BUSETTO ; Edmund KO ; Hyun Jun PARK ; Selahittin CAYAN ; Ramadan SALEH ; Osvaldo RAJMIL ; Dong Suk KIM ; Giovanni COLPI ; Ryan SMITH ; Maged RAGAB ; Ates KADIOGLU ; Quang NGUYEN ; Kadir BOCU ; Ahmed EL-SAKKA ; Charalampos THOMAS ; Hussain M ALNAJJAR ; Hiva ALIPOUR ; Ashok AGARWAL
The World Journal of Men's Health 2025;43(2):359-375
Purpose:
This study aimed to examine current global practices in regenerative therapy (RT) for erectile dysfunction (ED) and to establish expert recommendations for its use, addressing the current lack of solid evidence and standardized guidelines.
Materials and Methods:
A 39-question survey was developed by senior Global Andrology Forum (GAF) experts to comprehensively cover clinical aspects of RT. This was distributed globally via a secure online Google Form to ED specialists through the GAF website, international professional societies, and social media, the responses were analyzed and presented for frequencies as percentages. Consensus on expert recommendations for RT use was achieved using the Delphi method.
Results:
Out of 479 respondents from 62 countries, a third reported using RT for ED. The most popular treatment was low-intensity shock wave therapy (54.6%), followed by platelet-rich plasma (24.5%) and their combination (14.7%), with stem cell therapy being the least used (3.7%). The primary indication for RT was the refractory or adverse effects of PDE5 inhibitors, with the best effectiveness reported in middle-aged and mild-to-moderate ED patients. Respondents were confident about its overall safety, with a significant number expressing interest in RT’s future use, despite pending guidelines support.
Conclusions
This inaugural global survey reveals a growing use of RT in ED treatment, showcasing its diverse clinical applications and potential for future widespread adoption. However, the lack of comprehensive evidence and clear guidelines requires further research to standardize RT practices in ED treatment.
7.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.
8.Regenerative Therapy in Erectile Dysfunction:A Survey on Current Global Practice Trends and GAF Expert Recommendations
Manaf Al HASHIMI ; Germar-M PINGGERA ; Taymour MOSTAFA ; Amarnath RAMBHATLA ; Taha HAMODA ; Rupin SHAH ; Eric CHUNG ; Ahmed HARRAZ ; Mohamed ARAFA ; Tuncay TOPRAK ; Omer RAHEEM ; Carlo GIULIONI ; Ponco BIROWO ; Luca BOERI ; Yassir JASSIM ; Priyank KOTHARI ; Ranjit VISHWAKARMA ; Bahadir SAHIN ; Widi ATMOKO ; Safar GAMIDOV ; Cesar ROJAS-CRUZ ; Darren KATZ ; Adriano FREGONESI ; Nazim GHERABI ; Armand ZINI ; Christopher Chee Kong HO ; Mohamed S. AL-MARHOON ; Marlon MARTINEZ ; Giorgio Ivan RUSSO ; Ayman RASHED ; Gian Maria BUSETTO ; Edmund KO ; Hyun Jun PARK ; Selahittin CAYAN ; Ramadan SALEH ; Osvaldo RAJMIL ; Dong Suk KIM ; Giovanni COLPI ; Ryan SMITH ; Maged RAGAB ; Ates KADIOGLU ; Quang NGUYEN ; Kadir BOCU ; Ahmed EL-SAKKA ; Charalampos THOMAS ; Hussain M ALNAJJAR ; Hiva ALIPOUR ; Ashok AGARWAL
The World Journal of Men's Health 2025;43(2):359-375
Purpose:
This study aimed to examine current global practices in regenerative therapy (RT) for erectile dysfunction (ED) and to establish expert recommendations for its use, addressing the current lack of solid evidence and standardized guidelines.
Materials and Methods:
A 39-question survey was developed by senior Global Andrology Forum (GAF) experts to comprehensively cover clinical aspects of RT. This was distributed globally via a secure online Google Form to ED specialists through the GAF website, international professional societies, and social media, the responses were analyzed and presented for frequencies as percentages. Consensus on expert recommendations for RT use was achieved using the Delphi method.
Results:
Out of 479 respondents from 62 countries, a third reported using RT for ED. The most popular treatment was low-intensity shock wave therapy (54.6%), followed by platelet-rich plasma (24.5%) and their combination (14.7%), with stem cell therapy being the least used (3.7%). The primary indication for RT was the refractory or adverse effects of PDE5 inhibitors, with the best effectiveness reported in middle-aged and mild-to-moderate ED patients. Respondents were confident about its overall safety, with a significant number expressing interest in RT’s future use, despite pending guidelines support.
Conclusions
This inaugural global survey reveals a growing use of RT in ED treatment, showcasing its diverse clinical applications and potential for future widespread adoption. However, the lack of comprehensive evidence and clear guidelines requires further research to standardize RT practices in ED treatment.
9.Powered Tool for the Removal of a Well-Fixed Acetabular Cup: A Comparative Experimental Study
Jun Young CHUNG ; Yonghan CHA ; Chang-Ho JUNG ; Jin-Woo KIM ; Jun-Il YOO ; Jung-Taek KIM ; Yongho JEON
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2025;17(3):372-380
Background:
The removal of a well-fixed acetabular cup is a challenging, labor-intensive, and time-consuming step during revision hip arthroplasty. Although the advent of the manual osteotome, Explant, has simplified the procedure, it is still a stressful process as it dissipates the surgeon’s strength and time and risks an iatrogenic pelvic fracture. Recently, EZX, a powered tool for extraction of well-fixed acetabular cups with semicircular blade was invented. This study aimed to compare Explant and EZX in an experimental condition for their efficacy and safety.
Methods:
Cementless acetabular cups were press-fitted to 20 hemipelvic polyurethane models using foam adhesives. Ten cups were removed with each tool for comparison of the elapsed time, loads on the entire hemipelvis, periacetabular strain and temperature, volume of periacetabular bone removed, and diameter of the remaining acetabular rim. Strains and loads were quantitatively assessed using strain gauges and load cells for precise and reliable measurements.
Results:
The mean duration required to remove a well-fixed cup with EZX was 38.5 seconds (range, 25–55), whereas that with Explant was 543.7 seconds (range, 214–1,051) (p < 0.001). The load on the entire hemipelvis with EZX (mean, 9.1 kgf; range, 6.4–11.3) was 33% lower than that with Explant (mean, 13.6 kgf; range, 9.2–17.1) (p < 0.001). The periacetabular peak strains at the 3 positions with EZX were significantly lower than those with Explant (p < 0.001). The temperature during the removal did not differ significantly between the 2 tools. Although the mean volume of bone loss with Explant was 2.4 mL more than that with EZX (p < 0.001), the mean diameters of the remaining acetabular rim were not significantly different, measuring 54.1 mm with both tools.
Conclusions
The present experiment revealed that a well-fixed cup could be removed using a powered tool with less strength and time and less load on the entire pelvis. Although the powered tool removed a larger volume of bone, the diameters of the remaining acetabular rims were equivalent. This tool may help surgeons remove well-fixed cups in a short time and reduce the deforming load on the bone around the cup without increasing the size of the subsequent reconstruction cup.
10.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.

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