A Five-Year Analysis of Market Share and Sales Growth for Original Drugs after Patent Expiration in Korea.

Introduction: The sales patterns of original drugs after patent expiration in Korea show a relatively high market share and continuous sales growth differently from those in the U.S. and European countries.

Frequency comb measurements for 6G terahertz nano/microphotonics and metamaterials.

Next-generation 6G communication holds the potential to revolutionize data transfer, enabling the realization of eXtended Reality (XR) with enhanced sensory experiences. To achieve this, advanced components such as high-performance intensity/phase modulators, waveguides, multiplexers, splitters, combiners, and filters operating in terahertz (THz) regime, specifically within the frequency range of 0.1-1 THz, are essential.

-labeled pulp progenitor cells are main contributors to postnatal odontoblasts and pulp cells in murine molars.

Regeneration of dentin and odontoblasts from dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) is essential for permanent tooth maintenance. However, the identity and role of endogenous DPSCs in reparative dentinogenesis are elusive. Here, using pulp single-cell analysis before and after molar eruption, we revealed that endogenous DPSCs are enriched in GFP coronal papilla-like cells with Cre labeling.

Regulatory role of N-myc downregulated genes in amelogenesis in rats.

Cytodifferentiation of odontogenic cells, a late stage event in odontogenesis is based on gene regulation. However, studies on the identification of the involved genes are scarce. The present study aimed to search for molecules for the cytodifferentiation of ameloblastic cells in rats.

Dental Pulp Stem Cells and Current in vivo Approaches to Study Dental Pulp Stem Cells in Pulp Injury and Regeneration.

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have garnered significant interest in dental research for their unique characteristics and potential in tooth development and regeneration. While there were many studies to define their stem cell-like characteristics and osteogenic differentiation functions that are considered ideal candidates for regenerating damaged dental pulp tissue, how endogenous DPSCs respond to dental pulp injury and supply new dentin-forming cells has not been extensively investigated in vivo. Here, we review the recent progress in identity, function, and regulation of endogenous DPSCs and their clinical potential for pulp injury and regeneration.

Multimodal E-Textile Enabled by One-Step Maskless Patterning of Femtosecond-Laser-Induced Graphene on Nonwoven, Knit, and Woven Textiles.

Personal wearable devices are considered important in advanced healthcare, military, and sports applications. Among them, e-textiles are the best candidates because of their intrinsic conformability without any additional device installation. However, e-textile manufacturing to date has a high process complexity and low design flexibility.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Public Perceptions of the Roles and Functions of Community Pharmacies in South Korea: Updated Cross-Sectional Self-Reported Web-Based Survey.

Background: Community pharmacists confronted dual burdens in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by expanding the scope of pharmaceutical practices.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the perceived roles and functions of community pharmacies during the pandemic and to explore their updated roles after the pandemic began.

Methods: We conducted a self-reported web-based survey in October 2022.

Ultra-thin light-weight laser-induced-graphene (LIG) diffractive optics.

The realization of hybrid optics could be one of the best ways to fulfill the technological requirements of compact, light-weight, and multi-functional optical systems for modern industries. Planar diffractive lens (PDL) such as diffractive lenses, photonsieves, and metasurfaces can be patterned on ultra-thin flexible and stretchable substrates and be conformally attached on top of arbitrarily shaped surfaces. In this review, we introduce recent research works addressed to the design and manufacturing of ultra-thin graphene optics, which will open new markets in compact and light-weight optics for next-generation endoscopic brain imaging, space internet, real-time surface profilometry, and multi-functional mobile phones.

Advances and challenges in intravital imaging of craniofacial and dental progenitor cells.

Craniofacial and appendicular bone homeostasis is dynamically regulated by a balance between bone formation and resorption by osteoblasts and osteoclasts, respectively. Despite the developments in multiple imaging techniques in bone biology, there are still technical challenges and limitations in the investigation of spatial/anatomical location of rare stem/progenitor cells and their molecular regulation in tooth and craniofacial bones of living animals. Recent advances in live animal imaging techniques for the craniofacial and dental apparatus can provide new insights in real time into bone stem/progenitor cell dynamics and function in vivo.

Sclerostin in periodontal ligament: Homeostatic regulator in biophysical force-induced tooth movement.

Aim: To study the role of sclerostin in periodontal ligament (PDL) as a homeostatic regulator in biophysical-force-induced tooth movement (BFTM).

Materials And Methods: BFTM was performed in rats, followed by microarray, immunofluorescence, in situ hybridization, and real-time polymerase chain reaction for the detection and identification of the molecules. The periodontal space was analysed via micro-computed tomography.

Perceived impact of the patent linkage system on pharmaceutical market from the viewpoint of the domestic manufacturers in South Korea.

Background: The United States requires a patent linkage system in other countries as part of free trade agreements. However, introducing a patent linkage system could be a significant barrier to the timely approval of generic drugs. This study aimed to evaluate the perceived impact of the patent linkage system in South Korea held by domestic manufacturers and analyze variations in evaluating the system according to the characteristics of domestic manufacturers.

Patent challenges and factors associated with successful patent challengers under the patent linkage system: recent evidence from South Korea after the Korea United States free trade agreement.

Objectives: The patent linkage system upgraded patent challenges to an important factor in granting timely market approval for generic drugs. We aim to understand patent challenges and identify the factors that are associated with successful patent challengers under the patent linkage system in South Korea.

Methods: We constructed a novel dataset that combined information on manufacturers with detailed data about their patent challenges after introduction of the patent linkage system.

SLPI in periodontal Ligament is not sleepy during biophysical force-induced tooth movement.

Aim: We aimed to identify a key molecule that maintains periodontal tissue homeostasis during biophysical force-induced tooth movement (BTM) by orchestrating alveolar bone (AB) remodelling.

Materials And Methods: Differential display-PCR was performed to identify key molecules for BTM in rats. To investigate the localization and expression of the identified molecules, immunofluorescence, real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed in rats and human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells.

Regulatory role of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins in odontogenic mineralization in rats.

Much information is currently available for molecules in early odontogenesis, but there is limited knowledge regarding terminal cytodifferentiation of ameloblasts and odontoblasts for the determination of normal crown morphology. The present differential display PCR (DD-PCR) revealed that insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) was differentially expressed in molar tooth germs between the cap (before crown mineralization) and root formation (after crown mineralization) stages. Real-time PCR confirmed that the expression levels of IGFBP1-4 were not significantly changed but those of IGFBP5-7 were upregulated in a time-dependent manner.

Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into diverse lineage cells by DNA demethylation followed by differentiating cultures.

Direct reprogramming, also known as a trans-differentiation, is a technique to allow mature cells to be converted into other types of cells without inducing a pluripotent stage. It has been suggested as a major strategy to acquire the desired type of cells in cell-based therapies to repair damaged tissues. Studies related to switching the fate of cells through epigenetic modification have been progressing and they can bypass safety issues raised by the virus-based transfection methods.

The health-related quality-of-life of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and disease-related indirect burdens.

Background/aims: Many chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients have physical limitations. We investigated EuroQol five-dimensions five-level (EQ-5D-5L) of COPD patients to assess quality of life, and assessed indirect burden including time expenditure to visit doctor, home care rate, and caregiver related burden.

Methods: We recruited 355 COPD patients according to severity of airflow limitation that severity was set at 10% mild, 40% moderate, 30% severe, and 20% very severe in two primary and 11 secondary/tertiary hospitals.

Synergistic alveolar bone resorption by diabetic advanced glycation end products and mechanical forces.

Background: The association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and bone diseases is acknowledged. However, the mechanistic pathways leading to the alveolar bone (AB) destruction remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate the mechanical forces (MF)-induced AB destruction in DM and its underlying mechanism.

Evaluation of a technology-enhanced integrated care model for frail older persons: protocol of the SPEC study, a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial in nursing homes.

Background: Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of the chronic care model for people with multimorbidity. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an information and communication technology- (ICT-)enhanced integrated care model, called Systems for Person-centered Elder Care (SPEC), for frail older adults at nursing homes.

Methods/design: SPEC is a prospective stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial conducted at 10 nursing homes in South Korea.

Correlations of Optical Absorption, Charge Trapping, and Surface Roughness of TiO2 Photoanode Layer Loaded with Neat Ag-NPs for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells.

We systematically investigated the effect of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) on the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Neat, spherical Ag-NPs at loading levels of 0.0, 0.

Morphological analysis of the occlusal surface of maxillary molars in Koreans.

Objective: To determine the diameter of the crown, total crown area, individual cusp area, and occlusal table area in Korean maxillary permanent molars, as well as dental characteristics relevant to the hypocone reduction trait.

Materials And Methods: Subjects included 121 dental school students in Korea (81 men and 40 women). A digital image analysis system was used for measurements and we relied on visual scoring to assign categories of hypocone expression.