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Repetitive DNA represents over 50% of the human genome and is an abundant component of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA). We previously showed that cfDNA levels and integrity can predict survival in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease. Here, we aimed to clarify whether a low-pass next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach can characterize the repeat content of cfDNA. Considering the bimodal distribution of cfDNA fragment lengths, we examined the occurrence of repetitive DNA subfamilies separately in dinucleosomal (>250 bp) and mononucleosomal (≤250 bp) cfDNA sequences from 24 patients admitted for heart failure. An increase in the relative abundance of Alu repetitive elements was observed in the longer fraction, while alpha satellites were enriched in the mononucleosomal fraction. The relative abundance of Alu, ALR, and L1HS DNA in the dinucleosomal fraction correlated with different prognostic biomarkers, and Alu DNA was negatively associated with the presence of chronic kidney disease comorbidity. These results, together with the observed inverse correlation between Alu DNA abundance and cfDNA integrity, suggest that the composition of plasma cfDNA could be determined by multiple mechanisms in different physio-pathological conditions. In conclusion, low-pass NGS is an inexpensive method to analyze the cfDNA repeat landscape and identify new cardiovascular disease biomarkers.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms26146657 | DOI Listing |
J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol
September 2025
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
Eur J Med Res
September 2025
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt.
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are a superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors that regulate gene expression in response to metabolic, hormonal, and environmental signals. These receptors play a critical role in metabolic homeostasis, inflammation, immune function, and disease pathogenesis, positioning them as key therapeutic targets. This review explores the mechanistic roles of NRs such as PPARs, FXR, LXR, and thyroid hormone receptors (THRs) in regulating lipid and glucose metabolism, energy expenditure, cardiovascular health, and neurodegeneration.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSubst Abuse Treat Prev Policy
September 2025
Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is conceptualized as a dimensional phenomenon in the DSM-5, but electronic health records (EHRs) rely on binary AUD definitions according to the ICD-10. The present study classifies AUD severity levels using EHR data and tests whether increasing AUD severity levels are linked with increased comorbidity.
Methods: Billing data from two German statutory health insurance companies in Hamburg included n = 21,954 adults diagnosed with alcohol-specific conditions between 2017 and 2021.
Catheter Cardiovasc Interv
September 2025
Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Background: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been identified as a potential risk factor for cryptogenic stroke (CS). Although transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is considered the gold standard for PFO detection, false-negative results remain a clinical concern, particularly in CS patients with high suspicion of PFO-related etiology.
Aims: To evaluate the clinical utility of transcatheter PFO exploration (TPFOE) in CS patients with negative TEE findings but high suspicion of PFO-related etiology.
Ren Fail
December 2025
Department of Nephrology, Kidney Disease Medical Center, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Key Medical Discipline, Tianjin, China.
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between body roundness index (BRI) and deaths from all causes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in participants with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Materials And Methods: The data was sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2018. Cox proportional hazards regression along with restricted cubic splines were applied to assess the associations of BRI with deaths from all causes and CVD in individuals with CKD.