Biocompatible DNA hydrogel composed of minimized Takumi-shaped DNA nanostructure exhibits sustained retention after in vivo administration.

Our previous studies showed that DNA hydrogels containing unmethylated CpG motifs effectively induced antigen-specific immune responses when combined with the appropriate antigens. A potential drawback of existing DNA hydrogels for further applications is the need for many oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) types. Therefore, in this study, we attempted to optimize and minimize the nanostructured DNA units for DNA hydrogels to reduce the preparation cost, design difficulty, and possible risk of sequence-dependent off-target effects, and prepare DNA hydrogels with sustained retention ability.

Meta-analyses of epigenetic age acceleration and GrimAge components of schizophrenia or first-episode psychosis.

Schizophrenia is a common chronic psychiatric disorder that causes age-related dysfunction. The life expectancy in patients with schizophrenia is ≥10 years shorter than that in the general population because of the higher risk of other diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases. Aging studies based on DNA methylation status have received considerable attention.

Preliminary development of a risk predictor for severe complication in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is life-threatening because of many physical complications, hence a quantitative indicator for early therapeutic intervention through hospitalization is needed. Here, we compared the demographics of 21 patients with AN who required intensive treatment in the internal medicine ward and those of 61 patients with AN who directly admitted to the psychiatric ward. We developed a risk score for severe physical complications in patients with AN, by using six items with significant differences between two groups; body mass index, blood urea nitrogen, corrected calcium, albumin, aspartate transaminase, and C-reactive protein (area under the curve = 0.

Comprehensive analysis including in-game spending and violent game playing in patients with internet gaming disorder.

Aim: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is receiving increasing attention. In particular, violent gameplay or in-game spending affects the psychiatric conditions and economic difficulties of patients. We conducted regression analysis and path analysis to investigate the associations between a comprehensive list of factors in patients with IGD, including the degree of internet or gaming dependence, developmental problems, family background, severity of depression, sleeping habits, in-game spending, and first-person shooter (FPS) and third-person shooter (TPS) game playing.