OBJECTIVES: Low handgrip strength (HGS) in children and adolescents might be associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance. This study prospectively evaluated the association between HGS in childhood and MetS in adolescence. METHODS: Based on data from the Ewha Birth and Growth Study, this study analyzed HGS at ages 7 to 9 and metabolic indices at ages 13 to 15. In total, 219 participants were analyzed. The risk of MetS was evaluated using the continuous metabolic syndrome score (cMetS), and insulin resistance was assessed using fasting blood insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Relative HGS in childhood was determined by dividing HGS by body weight and categorized as sex-specific quartiles. RESULTS: This study found an inverse association between relative HGS levels in childhood and MetS and insulin resistance in adolescence. For each 1-group increase in relative HGS quartiles, cMetS (standarard [Std] β=-0.64, p<0.01), HOMA-IR (Std β=-0.21, p<0.01), and fasting blood insulin (Std β=-0.21, p<0.01) all decreased on average. These associations remained significant even after adjusting for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed a prospective association between HGS in childhood and the risk of MetS and insulin resistance in adolescence. It provides significant epidemiological evidence, emphasizing the importance of efforts to increase muscle strength from a young age to mitigate the risk of MetS and insulin resistance in adolescence.

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is recognized as a reliable option for inhibiting caries progression without tooth removal and for preventing new lesions. However, most studies have focused on the management of dentin caries, and few studies have explored the use of SDF in conjunction with light curing for enamel caries. This study evaluated the effects of SDF and potassium iodide (KI) with additional light curing on the remineralization of artificially induced enamel caries. Sixty-four specimens were prepared from 32 primary molars. Of these, two were used to observe polished sound enamel surfaces, whereas the remaining 62 were demineralized to artificially induce caries. After excluding two specimens to observe the carious enamel surface, 60 specimens were randomly divided into four groups: Group I (SDF for 60 s), Group II (SDF for 10 s), Group III (SDF for 10 s + light curing for 3 s), and Group IV (SDF for 10 s + KI + light curing for 3 s). After the allocated interventions, all specimens were subjected to pH cycling for 8 days. The Vickers microhardness, surface morphology, and chemical composition of enamel were analyzed using a microhardness tester, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. Group IV exhibited the greatest increase in microhardness, followed by Group III, with significant differences between the groups. Groups I and II showed smaller increases, without significant differences between the groups. SEM-EDS analysis revealed higher silver deposition in the lightcured groups, and iodine peaks were observed in Group IV, confirming the formation of silver iodide. The combination of SDF, KI, and light curing could enhance enamel remineralization and shorten the application time compared with that for SDF alone.

OBJECTIVES: Low handgrip strength (HGS) in children and adolescents might be associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance. This study prospectively evaluated the association between HGS in childhood and MetS in adolescence. METHODS: Based on data from the Ewha Birth and Growth Study, this study analyzed HGS at ages 7 to 9 and metabolic indices at ages 13 to 15. In total, 219 participants were analyzed. The risk of MetS was evaluated using the continuous metabolic syndrome score (cMetS), and insulin resistance was assessed using fasting blood insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Relative HGS in childhood was determined by dividing HGS by body weight and categorized as sex-specific quartiles. RESULTS: This study found an inverse association between relative HGS levels in childhood and MetS and insulin resistance in adolescence. For each 1-group increase in relative HGS quartiles, cMetS (standarard [Std] β=-0.64, p<0.01), HOMA-IR (Std β=-0.21, p<0.01), and fasting blood insulin (Std β=-0.21, p<0.01) all decreased on average. These associations remained significant even after adjusting for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed a prospective association between HGS in childhood and the risk of MetS and insulin resistance in adolescence. It provides significant epidemiological evidence, emphasizing the importance of efforts to increase muscle strength from a young age to mitigate the risk of MetS and insulin resistance in adolescence.

OBJECTIVES: Low handgrip strength (HGS) in children and adolescents might be associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance. This study prospectively evaluated the association between HGS in childhood and MetS in adolescence. METHODS: Based on data from the Ewha Birth and Growth Study, this study analyzed HGS at ages 7 to 9 and metabolic indices at ages 13 to 15. In total, 219 participants were analyzed. The risk of MetS was evaluated using the continuous metabolic syndrome score (cMetS), and insulin resistance was assessed using fasting blood insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Relative HGS in childhood was determined by dividing HGS by body weight and categorized as sex-specific quartiles. RESULTS: This study found an inverse association between relative HGS levels in childhood and MetS and insulin resistance in adolescence. For each 1-group increase in relative HGS quartiles, cMetS (standarard [Std] β=-0.64, p<0.01), HOMA-IR (Std β=-0.21, p<0.01), and fasting blood insulin (Std β=-0.21, p<0.01) all decreased on average. These associations remained significant even after adjusting for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed a prospective association between HGS in childhood and the risk of MetS and insulin resistance in adolescence. It provides significant epidemiological evidence, emphasizing the importance of efforts to increase muscle strength from a young age to mitigate the risk of MetS and insulin resistance in adolescence.

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is recognized as a reliable option for inhibiting caries progression without tooth removal and for preventing new lesions. However, most studies have focused on the management of dentin caries, and few studies have explored the use of SDF in conjunction with light curing for enamel caries. This study evaluated the effects of SDF and potassium iodide (KI) with additional light curing on the remineralization of artificially induced enamel caries. Sixty-four specimens were prepared from 32 primary molars. Of these, two were used to observe polished sound enamel surfaces, whereas the remaining 62 were demineralized to artificially induce caries. After excluding two specimens to observe the carious enamel surface, 60 specimens were randomly divided into four groups: Group I (SDF for 60 s), Group II (SDF for 10 s), Group III (SDF for 10 s + light curing for 3 s), and Group IV (SDF for 10 s + KI + light curing for 3 s). After the allocated interventions, all specimens were subjected to pH cycling for 8 days. The Vickers microhardness, surface morphology, and chemical composition of enamel were analyzed using a microhardness tester, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. Group IV exhibited the greatest increase in microhardness, followed by Group III, with significant differences between the groups. Groups I and II showed smaller increases, without significant differences between the groups. SEM-EDS analysis revealed higher silver deposition in the lightcured groups, and iodine peaks were observed in Group IV, confirming the formation of silver iodide. The combination of SDF, KI, and light curing could enhance enamel remineralization and shorten the application time compared with that for SDF alone.

OBJECTIVES: Low handgrip strength (HGS) in children and adolescents might be associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance. This study prospectively evaluated the association between HGS in childhood and MetS in adolescence. METHODS: Based on data from the Ewha Birth and Growth Study, this study analyzed HGS at ages 7 to 9 and metabolic indices at ages 13 to 15. In total, 219 participants were analyzed. The risk of MetS was evaluated using the continuous metabolic syndrome score (cMetS), and insulin resistance was assessed using fasting blood insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Relative HGS in childhood was determined by dividing HGS by body weight and categorized as sex-specific quartiles. RESULTS: This study found an inverse association between relative HGS levels in childhood and MetS and insulin resistance in adolescence. For each 1-group increase in relative HGS quartiles, cMetS (standarard [Std] β=-0.64, p<0.01), HOMA-IR (Std β=-0.21, p<0.01), and fasting blood insulin (Std β=-0.21, p<0.01) all decreased on average. These associations remained significant even after adjusting for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed a prospective association between HGS in childhood and the risk of MetS and insulin resistance in adolescence. It provides significant epidemiological evidence, emphasizing the importance of efforts to increase muscle strength from a young age to mitigate the risk of MetS and insulin resistance in adolescence.

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is recognized as a reliable option for inhibiting caries progression without tooth removal and for preventing new lesions. However, most studies have focused on the management of dentin caries, and few studies have explored the use of SDF in conjunction with light curing for enamel caries. This study evaluated the effects of SDF and potassium iodide (KI) with additional light curing on the remineralization of artificially induced enamel caries. Sixty-four specimens were prepared from 32 primary molars. Of these, two were used to observe polished sound enamel surfaces, whereas the remaining 62 were demineralized to artificially induce caries. After excluding two specimens to observe the carious enamel surface, 60 specimens were randomly divided into four groups: Group I (SDF for 60 s), Group II (SDF for 10 s), Group III (SDF for 10 s + light curing for 3 s), and Group IV (SDF for 10 s + KI + light curing for 3 s). After the allocated interventions, all specimens were subjected to pH cycling for 8 days. The Vickers microhardness, surface morphology, and chemical composition of enamel were analyzed using a microhardness tester, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. Group IV exhibited the greatest increase in microhardness, followed by Group III, with significant differences between the groups. Groups I and II showed smaller increases, without significant differences between the groups. SEM-EDS analysis revealed higher silver deposition in the lightcured groups, and iodine peaks were observed in Group IV, confirming the formation of silver iodide. The combination of SDF, KI, and light curing could enhance enamel remineralization and shorten the application time compared with that for SDF alone.

We analyzed the manner and cause of death in 1,193 forensic autopsies from the Jungbu province (central part of South Korea) conducted by the National Forensic Service Daejeon Institute in 2022. Analysis of the manner of deaths revealed that 43.1% (514/1,193 cases) were natural deaths; 42.8% (511/1,193 cases) were unnatural deaths; and 14.1% (168/1,193 cases) were unknown. Among the unnatural deaths, the major manner of death was 44.6% (228/511 cases) by accidents, 34.1% (174/511 cases) by suicide, 13.5% (69/511 cases) undetermined, and 7.8% (40/511 cases) by homicide. Among the unnatural deaths, the major causes of death was 38.4% (196/511 cases) by trauma, 20.4% (104/511 cases) by poisoning, and 17.6% (90/511 cases) by asphyxia. Falling was the major cause of death by trauma (58.7%, 115/196 cases), and strangulation was the major cause of death by asphyxia (75.6%, 68/90 cases). Among the natural deaths, heart disease was the major cause (46.7%, 240/514 cases), followed by endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (14.0%, 72/514 cases). A time-series statistical analysis and comparison of the manner and cause of deaths in this province may facilitate more advanced interpretations relating to both public safety and healthcare in the future.

We analyzed the manner and cause of death in 1,193 forensic autopsies from the Jungbu province (central part of South Korea) conducted by the National Forensic Service Daejeon Institute in 2022. Analysis of the manner of deaths revealed that 43.1% (514/1,193 cases) were natural deaths; 42.8% (511/1,193 cases) were unnatural deaths; and 14.1% (168/1,193 cases) were unknown. Among the unnatural deaths, the major manner of death was 44.6% (228/511 cases) by accidents, 34.1% (174/511 cases) by suicide, 13.5% (69/511 cases) undetermined, and 7.8% (40/511 cases) by homicide. Among the unnatural deaths, the major causes of death was 38.4% (196/511 cases) by trauma, 20.4% (104/511 cases) by poisoning, and 17.6% (90/511 cases) by asphyxia. Falling was the major cause of death by trauma (58.7%, 115/196 cases), and strangulation was the major cause of death by asphyxia (75.6%, 68/90 cases). Among the natural deaths, heart disease was the major cause (46.7%, 240/514 cases), followed by endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (14.0%, 72/514 cases). A time-series statistical analysis and comparison of the manner and cause of deaths in this province may facilitate more advanced interpretations relating to both public safety and healthcare in the future.

The emergence of the omicron variant and its sub-lineages has necessitated vaccine updates for coronavirus disease 2019. In September 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an updated BNT162b2 vaccine targeting the omicron XBB.1.5 variant, which was initiated in Korea in October 2024. This study demonstrates the adverse events reported through active nationwide surveillance after XBB.1.5 vaccination in Korea. Since October 19, 2023, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has conducted daily Short Message Service surveys to collect data on health issues, fever, vaccination site reactions, systemic symptoms, impact on daily life, and healthcare visits. Among 20,180 respondents, 27.9% reported health issues. Adverse reactions peaked on day 1 (28.7%), including pain at the vaccination site, muscle pain, fatigue, and fever. These findings elucidate the short-term safety of the XBB.1.5 vaccine and support its co-administration with the influenza vaccine, reducing vaccine hesitancy and achieving herd immunity.