Vaccines are highly effective, but rare or delayed adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) require post-licensure surveillance beyond clinical trials. Korea lacks a comprehensive, active, database-based framework, yet key assets exist: nationwide claims databases (National Health Insurance Service/Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service), the national immunization registry (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Immunization Registry Information System) for National Immunization Program (NIP) and non-NIP vaccines, and increasingly standardized hospital electronic health records.We propose a federated, code to data architecture with data linkages between these data.Implementation should adopt a common data model (CDM), standardized case definitions, latency accounting, and transparent public reporting under strong privacy governance. Major challenges include multi step administrative approvals for data linkage, incomplete capture of adult non-NIP vaccinations, heterogeneous hospital data structures, and strict data protection constraints. Strategic priorities are to streamline statutory and administrative processes for public health use, mandate or enable claims-based capture of adult vaccinations, enhance CDM based interoperability, and develop secure hubs for aggregated outputs. With these measures, Korea will be well positioned to establish a scalable active surveillance system capable of detecting rare AEFIs, supporting transparent and evidence-based communication, and ensuring equitable injury compensation grounded in domestic data.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the acute effects of isometric handgrip (IHG) and wall squat (IWS) exercise on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and related indices in young men with prehypertension. Methods: Ten young men with prehypertension (aged 25.0±2.3 years) completed three randomized crossover conditions: IHG, IWS, and control. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP monitoring was used to assess 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime mean BP, BP variability (BPV; average real variability and standard deviation), morning BP, and nocturnal dipping pattern. Office BP was measured at baseline, 30 minutes, and 90 minutes after each condition. Results: Twenty-four hour, daytime, and nighttime systolic and diastolic BP did not differ significantly among conditions. BPV indices also showed no significant between-condition differences across 24-hour, daytime, or nighttime periods. Nocturnal systolic BP dipping averaged 5%–8% and did not differ among conditions, indicating a nondipper pattern in all trials. Morning systolic BP, sleep-trough surge, and prewaking surge were similar across conditions. Office BP showed no significant condition or interaction effects; however, both IHG and IWS tended to lower BP at 90 minutes compared with control session. Conclusion A single bout of IHG or IWS did not elicit significant changes in 24-hour ambulatory BP, BPV, morning BP, or dipping pattern in young men with prehypertension. Nonetheless, the small acute reductions in office and morning BP suggest that isometric exercise may have potential as a time-efficient adjunctive strategy for early BP management. Larger and longer-term studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Purpose: Inspiratory muscle strength training is a time-efficient strategy for lowering blood pressure, but the acute vascular effects and its hemodynamic characteristics remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the acute effects of inspiratory muscle strength exercise (IMSE) on vascular function and shear patterns. Methods: In a single-arm acute trial, 12 young adults (aged 26±2 years) performed a single bout of IMSE (about 8 minutes) consisting of 30 breaths (6 breaths×5 sets) at 60% of maximal inspiratory pressure. Vascular function indices were assessed as endothelial function and arterial stiffness. Measurements of endothelial function via flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the brachial artery and arterial stiffness by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) were taken at baseline, 10 minutes, and 40 minutes post-IMSE. Shear rate (SR) responses were continuously obtained throughout the IMSE session at the brachial artery and were analyzed as mean SR, anterograde SR, and retrograde SR. Results: Compared to baseline, cfPWV significantly decreased (7.95±0.9 m/sec to 7.49±0.9 m/sec, p=0.033) and FMD increased (4.76%±1.0% to 6.26%±1.1%, p＜ 0.001) at post-10 min. Both cfPWV and FMD returned to baseline levels at post-40 min. During IMSE, mean SR and anterograde SR significantly increased (both, p＜ 0.05), whereas retrograde SR decreased (p=0.032) during inter-set rest periods. In addition, rhythmic fluctuations in SR were observed corresponding to inspiration and expiration phases. Conclusion These findings suggest that an acute bout of IMSE is associated with improved endothelial function and arterial stiffness. IMSE may elicit distinct hemodynamic responses during exercise, which may be linked to improvements in vascular function.

Purpose: Hair disorders, which are often attributed to conditions associated with a shortened anagen growth phase, oxidative stress, and hormonal dysregulation, especially during aging, have profound psychological implications. Currently, only minoxidil has been approved as a topical hair growth solution; thus, alternative therapies for treating hair loss and promoting hair health are urgently needed. Herein, we aimed to develop and assess a novel method to promote hair growth and health using mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) gum and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) extracts. Materials and Methods: After determining the optimal ratio of mastic gum and peppermint extracts, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to verify the efficacy of the 7:3 mastic gum-peppermint mixture (MP73; FHH-MG) for enhancing hair growth and health. Results: Mastic gum significantly promoted cell proliferation and demonstrated synergistic benefits when combined with peppermint extract. In vitro, FHH-MG increased human dermal follicle papilla cell proliferation and demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In vivo, treatment with FHH-MG dose-dependently enhanced hair growth and gloss and increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, β-catenin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 in C57BL/6 mice compared to the negative control. Conclusion The novel mixture exhibited hair growth-promoting effects in C57BL/6 mice; thus, FHH-MG may serve as a botanical alternative for hair growth and health promotion.

South Korea’s current vaccination policies leave a surveillance gap for non-National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines. In this study, we proposed a sentinel surveillance approach for monitoring the safety of non-NIP vaccines. Vaccination data were collected retrospectively among patients hospitalized with pre-defined adverse events of special interest (AESI) by reviewing electronic medical records in five university hospitals. This approach incorporates expert assessment to determine the causal relationship. We confirmed that 16 patients had received non-NIP vaccines among 860 patients diagnosed with AESI.We concluded one case of preeclampsia was possibly related to tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. We propose a multi-hospital-based, retrospective assessment system for predefined AESIs as an alternative to active vaccine safety monitoring method. These efforts are expected to enhance both the accuracy and timeliness of safety monitoring in South Korea.

South Korea’s current vaccination policies leave a surveillance gap for non-National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines. In this study, we proposed a sentinel surveillance approach for monitoring the safety of non-NIP vaccines. Vaccination data were collected retrospectively among patients hospitalized with pre-defined adverse events of special interest (AESI) by reviewing electronic medical records in five university hospitals. This approach incorporates expert assessment to determine the causal relationship. We confirmed that 16 patients had received non-NIP vaccines among 860 patients diagnosed with AESI.We concluded one case of preeclampsia was possibly related to tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. We propose a multi-hospital-based, retrospective assessment system for predefined AESIs as an alternative to active vaccine safety monitoring method. These efforts are expected to enhance both the accuracy and timeliness of safety monitoring in South Korea.

Purpose: Hair disorders, which are often attributed to conditions associated with a shortened anagen growth phase, oxidative stress, and hormonal dysregulation, especially during aging, have profound psychological implications. Currently, only minoxidil has been approved as a topical hair growth solution; thus, alternative therapies for treating hair loss and promoting hair health are urgently needed. Herein, we aimed to develop and assess a novel method to promote hair growth and health using mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) gum and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) extracts. Materials and Methods: After determining the optimal ratio of mastic gum and peppermint extracts, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to verify the efficacy of the 7:3 mastic gum-peppermint mixture (MP73; FHH-MG) for enhancing hair growth and health. Results: Mastic gum significantly promoted cell proliferation and demonstrated synergistic benefits when combined with peppermint extract. In vitro, FHH-MG increased human dermal follicle papilla cell proliferation and demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In vivo, treatment with FHH-MG dose-dependently enhanced hair growth and gloss and increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, β-catenin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 in C57BL/6 mice compared to the negative control. Conclusion The novel mixture exhibited hair growth-promoting effects in C57BL/6 mice; thus, FHH-MG may serve as a botanical alternative for hair growth and health promotion.

South Korea’s current vaccination policies leave a surveillance gap for non-National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines. In this study, we proposed a sentinel surveillance approach for monitoring the safety of non-NIP vaccines. Vaccination data were collected retrospectively among patients hospitalized with pre-defined adverse events of special interest (AESI) by reviewing electronic medical records in five university hospitals. This approach incorporates expert assessment to determine the causal relationship. We confirmed that 16 patients had received non-NIP vaccines among 860 patients diagnosed with AESI.We concluded one case of preeclampsia was possibly related to tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. We propose a multi-hospital-based, retrospective assessment system for predefined AESIs as an alternative to active vaccine safety monitoring method. These efforts are expected to enhance both the accuracy and timeliness of safety monitoring in South Korea.