Comparison of Statin With Ezetimibe Combination Therapy Versus Statin Monotherapy for Primary Prevention in Middle-Aged Adults.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lipid lowering therapy is essential to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events; however, limited evidence exists regarding the use of statin with ezetimibe as primary prevention strategy for middle-aged adults. We aimed to investigate the impact of single pill combination therapy on clinical outcomes in relatively healthy middle-aged patients when compared with statin monotherapy. METHODS: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, a propensity score match analysis was performed for baseline characteristics of 92,156 patients categorized into combination therapy (n=46,078) and statin monotherapy (n=46,078) groups. Primary outcome was composite outcomes, including death, coronary artery disease, and ischemic stroke. And secondary outcome was all-cause death. The mean follow-up duration was 2.9±0.3 years. RESULTS: The 3-year composite outcomes of all-cause death, coronary artery disease, and ischemic stroke demonstrated no significant difference between the 2 groups (10.3% vs. 10.1%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.022; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.980-1.064; p=0.309). Meanwhile, the 3-year all-cause death rate was lower in the combination therapy group than in the statin monotherapy group (0.2% vs. 0.4%; p<0.001), with a significant HR of 0.595 (95% CI, 0.460-0.769; p<0.001). Single pill combination therapy exhibited consistently lower mortality rates across various subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the statin monotherapy, the combination therapy for primary prevention showed no difference in composite outcomes but may reduce mortality risk in relatively healthy middle-aged patients. However, since the study was observational, further randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Information Density Enhancement Using Lossy Compression in DNA Data Storage.

This study develops two deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) lossy compression models, Models A and B, to encode grayscale images into DNA sequences, enhance information density, and enable high-fidelity image recovery. These models, distinguished by their handling of pixel domains and interpolation methods, offer a novel approach to data storage for DNA. Model A processes pixels in overlapped domains using linear interpolation (LI), whereas Model B uses non-overlapped domains with nearest-neighbor interpolation (NNI). Through a comparative analysis with Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) compression, the DNA lossy compression models demonstrate competitive advantages in terms of information density and image quality restoration. The application of these models to the Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology (MNIST) dataset reveals their efficiency and the recognizability of decompressed images, which is validated by convolutional neural network (CNN) performance. In particular, Model B2, a version of Model B, emerges as an effective method for balancing high information density (surpassing over 20 times the typical densities of two bits per nucleotide) with reasonably good image quality. These findings highlight the potential of DNA-based data storage systems for high-density and efficient compression, indicating a promising future for biological data storage solutions.

Observation of Ultrahigh Photoconductivity in DNA-MoS2 Nano-Biocomposite.

A nano-biocomposite film with ultrahigh photoconductivity remains elusive and critical for bio-optoelectronic applications. A uniform, well-connected, high-concentration nanomaterial network in the biological matrix remains challenging to achieve high photoconductivity. Wafer-scale continuous nano-biocomposite film without surface deformations and cracks plays another major obstacle. Here ultrahigh photoconductivity is observed in deoxyribonucleic acid-molybdenum disulfide (DNA-MoS2) nano-biocomposite film by incorporating a high-concentration, well-percolated, and uniform MoS2 network in the ss-DNA matrix. This is achieved by utilizing DNA-MoS2 hydrogel formation, which results in crack-free, wafer-scale DNA-MoS2 nano-biocomposite films. Ultra-high photocurrent (5.5 mA at 1 V) with a record-high on/off ratio (1.3 × 106) is observed, five orders of magnitude higher than conventional biomaterials (≈101) reported so far. The incorporation of the Wely semimetal (Bismuth) as an electrical contact exhibits ultrahigh photoresponsivity (2.6 × 105 A W-1). Such high photoconductivity in DNA-MoS2 nano-biocomposite could bridge the gap between biology, electronics, and optics for innovative biomedicine, bioengineering, and neuroscience applications.

M-State and N-Color (M-N = 1-1, 2-1, and 1-2) Turing Algorithms Demonstrated via DNA Self-Assembly.

The fast and extensive generation of patterns using specific algorithms is a major challenge in the field of DNA algorithmic self-assembly. Turing machines (TMs) are simple computable machines that execute certain algorithms using carefully designed logic gates. We investigate Turing algorithms for the generation of patterns on algorithmic lattices using specific logic gates. Logic gates can be implemented into Turing building blocks. We discuss comprehensive methods for designing Turing building blocks to demonstrate an M-state and N-color Turing machine (M-N TM). The M-state and N-color (M-N = 1-1, 2-1, and 1-2) TMs generate Turing patterns that can be fabricated via DNA algorithmic self-assembly. The M-N TMs require two-input and three-output logic gates. We designed the head, tape, and transition rule tiles to demonstrate TMs for the 1-1, 2-1, and 1-2 Turing algorithms. By analyzing the characteristics of the Turing patterns, we classified them into two classes (DL and DR for states grown diagonally to the left and right, respectively) for the 1-1 TM, three for the 2-1 TM, and nine for the 1-2 TM. Among these, six representative Turing patterns generated using rules R11-0 and R11-1 for 1-1 TM, R21-01 and R21-09 for 2-1 TM, and R12-02 and R12-08 for 1-2 TM were constructed with DNA building blocks. Turing patterns on the DNA lattices were visualized by atomic force microscopy. The Turing patterns on the DNA lattices were similar to those simulated patterns. Implementing the Turing algorithms into DNA building blocks, as demonstrated via DNA algorithmic self-assembly, can be extended to a higher order of state and color to generate more complicated patterns, compute arithmetic operations, and solve mathematical functions.

Water-resistant free-standing DNA-complexed films with antioxidant and H2O2-responsive activity.

Water-insoluble DNA complexes are suitable for producing free-standing DNA films due to their low water sensitivity, which prevents their rapid degradation in aqueous environments. Here, we proposed two types of free-standing films that exhibit low dissolution rates in water: low molecular weight chitosan (LCS)-DNA films and phosphatidylcholine (PC)-cetyltrimethylammonium (CTMA)-DNA films. The structure and binding characteristics of the LCS-DNA and PC-CTMA-DNA complexes were investigated with UV-Vis spectroscopy and via the fluorescent characteristics of daunorubicin bound to them. A simple drop-casting method was then adopted for both complexes to fabricate free-standing films. An increase in antioxidant activity and water-resistance of the LCS-DNA DNA film was observed when the molar ratio of LCS to DNA was increased, but the dissolution rate of the LCS-DNA film was also dependent on the ionic strength of the dissolving solution. Fourteen days were required to dissolve the LCS-DNA film in deionized water, whereas immediate dissolution was observed in 1× phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Deformation of the PC-CTMA-DNA film was accelerated by H2O2, such that the PC-CTMA-DNA film was degraded after 21 days of immersion in 1× PBS with H2O2. Due to the low dissolution rate in water and antioxidant activity, the free-standing LCS-DNA film should be able to store and protect embedded clinical materials, such as proteins and intercalating drugs, from moisture and enable localized delivery of treatments to designated sites. Also, the free-standing PC-CTMA-DNA film could be a biocompatible candidate for use as a membrane or sensor for detecting the levels of reactive oxygen species.

DNA lattice growth with single, double, and triple double-crossover boundaries by stepwise self-assembly.

Construction of various nanostructures with nanometre-scale precision through various DNA building blocks depends upon self-assembly, base-pair complementarity and sequence programmability. During annealing, unit tiles are formed by the complementarity of base pairs in each strand. Enhancement of growth of target lattices is expected if seed lattices (i.e. boundaries for growth of target lattices) are initially present in a test tube during annealing. Although most processes for annealing DNA nanostructures adopt a one-step high temperature method, multi-step annealing provides certain advantages such as reusability of unit tiles and tuneability of lattice formation. We can construct target lattices effectively (through multi-step annealing) and efficiently (via boundaries) by multi-step annealing and combining boundaries. Here, we construct efficient boundaries made of single, double, and triple double-crossover DNA tiles for growth of DNA lattices. Two unit double-crossover DNA tile-based lattices and copy-logic implemented algorithmic lattices were introduced to test the growth of target lattices on boundaries. We used multi-step annealing to tune the formation of DNA crystals during fabrication of DNA crystals comprised of boundaries and target lattices. The formation of target DNA lattices was visualized using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The borders between boundaries and lattices in a single crystal were clearly differentiable from AFM images. Our method provides way to construct various types of lattices in a single crystal, which might generate various patterns and enhance the information capacity in a given crystal.

Multidimensional Honeycomb-like DNA Nanostructures Made of C-Motifs.

Thanks to its remarkable properties of self-assembly and molecular recognition, DNA can be used in the construction of various dimensional nanostructures to serve as templates for decorating nanomaterials with nanometer-scale precision. Accordingly, this study discusses a design strategy for fabricating such multidimensional DNA nanostructures made of simple C-motifs. One-dimensional (1D) honeycomb-like tubes (1HTs) and two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb-like lattices (2HLs) were constructed using a C-motif with an arm length of 14 nucleotides (nt) at an angle of 240° along the counterclockwise direction. We designed and fabricated four different types of 1HTs and three different 2HLs. The study used atomic force microscopy to characterize the distinct topologies of the 1D and 2D DNA nanostructures (i.e., 1HTs and 2HLs, respectively). The width deviation of the 1HTs and height suppression percentage of the 2HLs were calculated and discussed. Our study can be provided to construct various dimensional DNA nanostructures easily with high efficiency.

Comparative analysis of scalp and gut microbiome in androgenetic alopecia: A Korean cross-sectional study.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a non-scarring and progressive form of hair loss occurring in both men and women. Although genetic predisposition and sex steroid hormones are the main causes, many factors remain unknown, and various extrinsic factors can negatively affect the lifespan of hair. We investigated skin-gut axis microorganisms as potential exogenous factors causing AGA, through comparative analyses of the scalp and gut microbiome in individuals with and without AGA in a Korean cohort. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we characterized the scalp and gut microbiomes of 141 individuals divided into groups by sex and presence of AGA. Alpha diversity indices in the scalp microbiome were generally higher in individuals with AGA than in healthy controls. These indices showed a strong negative correlation with scalp-inhabitant bacteria (Cutibacterium and Staphylococcus), indicating that the appearance of non-inhabitant bacteria increases as hair loss progresses. No significant differences in diversity were observed between the gut microbiomes. However, bacterial functional differences, such as bile acid synthesis and bacterial invasion of epithelial cells, which are related to intestinal homeostasis, were observed. The networks of the scalp and gut microbiome were more complex and denser with higher values of the network topology statistic coefficient values (i.e., transitivity, density, and degree centrality) and more unique associations in individuals with AGA than in healthy controls. Our findings reveal a link between skin-gut microorganisms and AGA, indicating the former's potential involvement in the latter's development. Additionally, these results provide evidence for the development of cosmetics and therapeutics using microorganisms and metabolites involved in AGA.

Multi-Domains in a Single Lattice Formed by DNA Self-Assembly.

Using sequence programmability and the characteristics of self-assembly, DNA has been utilized in the construction of various nanostructures and the placement of specific patterns on lattices. Even though many complex structures and patterns formed by DNA assembly have been reported, the fabrication of multi-domain patterns in a single lattice has rarely been discussed. Multi-domains possessing specifically designed patterns in a single lattice provide the possibility to generate multiple patterns that enhance the pattern density in a given single lattice. Here, we introduce boundaries to construct double- and quadruple-domains with specific patterns in a single lattice and verify them with atomic force microscopy. ON, OFF, and ST (stripe) patterns on a lattice are made of DNA tiles with hairpins (ON), without hairpins (OFF), and alternating DNA tiles without and with hairpins (formed as a stripe, ST). For double- and quadruple-domain lattices, linear and cross boundaries were designed to fabricate two (e.g., ON and OFF, ON and ST, and OFF and ST) and four (OFF, ST, OFF, and ON) different types of patterns in single lattices, respectively. In double-domain lattices, each linear boundary is placed between two different domains. Similarly, four linear boundaries connected with a seed tile (i.e., a cross boundary) can separate four domains in a single lattice in quadruple-domain lattices. Due to the presence of boundaries, the pattern growth directions are different in each domain. The experimentally obtained multi-domain patterns agree well with our design. Lastly, we propose the possibility of the construction of a hexadomain lattice through the mapping from hexagonal to square grids converted by using an axial coordinate system. By proposing a hexadomain lattice design, we anticipate the possibility to extend to higher numbers of multi-domains in a single lattice, thereby further increasing the information density in a given lattice.

DNA foams constructed by freeze drying and their optoelectronic characteristics.

The distinctive properties of DNA make it a promising biomaterial to use in nanoscience and nanotechnology. In the present study, DNA foam was fabricated into multi-dimensional shapes using a freeze drying process with liquid nitrogen and 3D printed molds. The physicochemical and optoelectronic properties of the fabricated DNA foams were investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum, X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectrum, and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics to understand the changes formed in the DNA structure and their effect on properties during the fabrication of DNA foam. The FTIR and XPS analyses confirmed that nitrogen was diffusing into the DNA structure during the DNA foam fabrication. The diffused nitrogen caused a decrease in bond lengths, strong chemical bonds, compaction of DNA structure, existence of additional carbon-nitrogen bonds, and variation in the electron density of the base elements in DNA. These changes in the DNA structure of the DNA foam were reflected in their chemical, optical, and electrical properties. Furthermore, the proper utilization of DNA foams as a template for functional materials by embedding carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and thermocolor was demonstrated.