Results
- Showing results for:
- Reset all filters
Search results
-
Journal articleHarvey C, Leedham-Green KE, Koppel C, et al., 2025,
Improving medical students’ learning strategies, management of workload and wellbeing: a mixed methods case study in undergraduate medical education
, BMC Medical Education, Vol: 25, ISSN: 1472-6920Background:The transition from secondary education to university challenges students’ learning strategies and academic performance, especially in self-directed, problem-based environments like medical school. Passive study methods often fail, while evidence-based strategies like retrieval practice, active learning, and growth mindset foster success. We evaluate a novel academic support programme (Academic Tutoring- (AT)) to enhance study skills, feedback use, and self-directed learning.Methods:We developed and implemented AT for 1st year medical students, informed by the psychology of learning and behaviour change, AT aimed to support the development of self-efficacy and effective learning strategies during the transition into university. The programme involved meeting an Academic Tutor one-to-one once per term, and also as a group once per term. Academic Tutors engaged students in learner-centred conversations on study skills and professional development plus their wellbeing and welfare. A Likert questionnaire was designed to measure students’ responses to the experiences and perceived outcomes of AT. We also measured self-efficacy and mindset. Qualitative data was gathered through open-ended response items. Demographic and socioeconomic data was also gathered.Results:AT positively impacted time-management and learning strategies. ‘Learning from successes and failures’ and ‘thinking how to achieve goals’ were associated with a growth mindset. All outcome measures were associated with self-efficacy. We noted that students from a widening participation (WP) background tended to show higher growth mindset relative to those from a non-WP background (r = -0.223, p = 0.08) and female students reported higher engagement with the programme (r-0.294, p < 0.001). Students reported changes in behaviours and attitudes, and improved wellbeing.Conclusions:Providing medical students with the tools to
-
Journal articleOqua AI, Chao K, El Eid L, et al., 2025,
Molecular mapping and functional validation of GLP-1R cholesterol binding sites in pancreatic beta cells
, eLife, Vol: 13, ISSN: 2050-084XG protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are integral membrane proteins which closely interact with their plasma membrane lipid microenvironment. Cholesterol is a lipid enriched at the plasma membrane with pivotal roles in the control of membrane fluidity and maintenance of membrane microarchitecture, directly impacting on GPCR stability, dynamics, and function. Cholesterol extraction from pancreatic beta cells has previously been shown to disrupt the internalisation, clustering, and cAMP responses of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), a class B1 GPCR with key roles in the control of blood glucose levels via the potentiation of insulin secretion in beta cells and weight reduction via the modulation of brain appetite control centres. Here, we unveil the detrimental effect of a high cholesterol diet on GLP-1R-dependent glucoregulation in vivo, and the improvement in GLP-1R function that a reduction in cholesterol synthesis using simvastatin exerts in pancreatic islets. We next identify and map sites of cholesterol high occupancy and residence time on active <jats:italic>vs</jats:italic> inactive GLP-1Rs using coarse-grained molecular dynamics (cgMD) simulations, followed by a screen of key residues selected from these sites and detailed analyses of the effects of mutating one of these, Val229, to alanine on GLP-1R-cholesterol interactions, plasma membrane behaviours, clustering, trafficking and signalling in INS-1 832/3 rat pancreatic beta cells and primary mouse islets, unveiling an improved insulin secretion profile for the V229A mutant receptor. This study (1) highlights the role of cholesterol in regulating GLP-1R responses in vivo; (2) provides a detailed map of GLP-1R - cholesterol binding sites in model membranes; (3) validates their functional relevance in beta cells; and (4) highlights their potential as locations for the rational design of novel allosteric modulators with the capacity to fine-tune GLP-1R responses.
-
Journal articleMakrufardi F, Peng S-W, Chung KF, et al., 2025,
Extreme temperatures modulate gene expression in the airway epithelium of the lungs in mice and asthma patients
, FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE, Vol: 12- Cite
- Citations: 1
-
Journal articleSiegal EZ, Schoevers JMH, Terstappen J, et al., 2025,
Risk analysis for outpatient experimental infection as a pathway for affordable RSV vaccine development
, NPJ VACCINES, Vol: 10 -
Journal articleHopkinson N, Polkey M, Price L, et al., 2025,
Dietary nitrate supplementation enhances exercise capacity in WHO Group 3 pulmonary hypertension: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised crossover study (EDEN-OX2)
, Thorax, Vol: 80, Pages: 335-338, ISSN: 0040-6376Dietary nitrate supplementation, which improves skeletal muscle oxygen utilisation, vascular endothelial function and exercise capacity in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, may benefit other lung conditions. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, in 19 adults with Group 3 pulmonary hypertension who desaturated during exercise, 140 mL of nitrate-rich beetroot juice improved endurance shuttle walk time compared with nitrate-depleted beetroot juice placebo (median (IQR) ESWT NR-BRJ 197 (140–273) s vs PL-BRJ 174 (107–229) s; median difference (MD) (95% CI) 30 (6.19 to 91.07) s, p=0.0281), endothelial function, flow-mediated dilatation (+3.40±5.47% vs −1.33±4.78; MD (95% CI) 4.73 (1.44 to 8.02), p=0.007) and lowered mean arterial blood pressure (−3.9 (−7.4 to −0.4) mm Hg, p=0.028).
-
Journal articleHaines J, Belvisi MG, Dubuis EC, et al., 2025,
Protocol for a double-blind crossover randomised controlled trial to investigate inhalation challenge to assess inducible laryngeal obstruction: CH-ILO
, ERJ Open Research, Vol: 11, ISSN: 2312-0541IntroductionInducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) remains a poorly understood condition in part due to lack of understanding about the underlying neuronal mechanisms. Many suffer delayed confirmed diagnosis as no standardised assessment exists. Based on previous work, we propose citric acid (CA) is the most appropriate inhalation agent for inducing upper airway reflex responses, with a view to developing an inhalation challenge test for ILO.Methods and analysisThis is a single-centre, double-blind crossover study. The primary objective is to identify if CA inhalation challenge provokes laryngeal obstruction in patients with confirmed ILO. We will recruit 10 participants with ILO, 10 with refractory chronic cough (RCC) and 10 healthy controls. Each participant will undergo two inhalation challenges during laryngoscopy, with ascending concentrations of CA or saline control; they will be randomised sequentially by a computer-generated schedule to determine order of delivery. Follow-up is a telephone consultation. Randomisation and preparation of challenge agents will be by an unblinded study team member not involved in data analysis. Challenge agents will only be unblinded on study completion. Log10 concentration of CA evoking ILO will be compared between patient groups using a one-way ANOVA, comparing participants with ILO and participants with RCC to healthy controls.ConclusionThis will be the first randomised controlled trial to investigate the role of inhalation challenge as an assessment tool to evoke laryngeal obstruction in patients with confirmed ILO. If results prove CA inhalation challenge agent provokes ILO, it will provide new insights into neuronal mechanisms and support development of a standardised diagnostic test.
-
Journal articleAgache I, Adcock IM, Baraldi F, et al., 2025,
Personalised therapeutic approaches for asthma
, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, ISSN: 0091-6749Differences in host susceptibility and environmental exposures result in significant heterogeneity in asthma clinical expression, natural evolution and response to treatment. These differences are influenced by many factors including genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, many of which are modified by environmental and allergic exposures. The complex and multiple characteristics that interact in asthma development and progression pose significant challenges for personalized management. This review aims to guide the clinician in its management decisions by reviewing each of the components important in developing this therapeutic paradigm and by providing several integrated goals for precision or personalized medicine for asthma. Biologic characteristics of asthma in relation to the genomics, exposome and hypersensitivity reactions (allergic responsiveness) resulting in the asthma diathesis are discussed. Further insights including the use of targeted biologics and allergen immunotherapy are provided, while discussing the importance of targeting the epithelium, mucus production, airway smooth muscle and the small airways. We examine the value of multivariate cluster analyses as a new paradigm that can inform treatment decisions and the potential of adaptive trial design to evaluate known and novel predictive biomarkers and characterize disease heterogeneity.
-
Journal articleSaul H, Deeney B, Swaithes L, et al., 2025,
Schoolchildren with asthma face different risks at different ages
, BMJ, Pages: q2534-q2534<jats:title>The study</jats:title> <jats:p> Khalaf Z, Bush A, Saglani S, et al. Influence of age on clinical characteristics, pharmacological management and exacerbations in children with asthma. <jats:italic>Thorax</jats:italic> 2024;79:112-119. </jats:p> <jats:p> To read the full NIHR Alert, go to: <jats:ext-link xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/schoolchildren-with-asthma-face-different-risks-at-different-ages/">https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/schoolchildren-with-asthma-face-different-risks-at-different-ages/</jats:ext-link> </jats:p>
-
Journal articleTran HM, Tsai F-J, Lee K-Y, et al., 2025,
Response to letter to editor re: Tran et al. 2024 (Huang et al.).
, Sci Total Environ, Vol: 972 -
Journal articleHopkinson N, 2025,
Effective public health requires “deep prevention”
, BMJ: British Medical Journal, Vol: 389, Pages: r646-r646, ISSN: 0959-535X -
Journal articleShort E, International Consortium for the Classification of Ageing-Related Paathologies, Gil J, et al., 2025,
Defining an ageing-related pathology, disease or syndrome: International Consensus Statement
, GeroScience, Vol: 47, Pages: 1713-1720, ISSN: 2509-2723Around the world, individuals are living longer, but an increased average lifespan does not always equate to an increased health span. With advancing age, the increased prevalence of ageing-related diseases can have a significant impact on health status, functional capacity and quality of life. It is therefore vital to develop comprehensive classification and staging systems for ageing-related pathologies, diseases and syndromes. This will allow societies to better identify, quantify, understand and meet the healthcare, workforce, well-being and socioeconomic needs of ageing populations, whilst supporting the development and utilisation of interventions to prevent or to slow, halt or reverse the progression of ageing-related pathologies. The foundation for developing such classification and staging systems is to define the scope of what constitutes an ageing-related pathology, disease or syndrome. To this end, a consensus meeting was hosted by the International Consortium to Classify Ageing-Related Pathologies (ICCARP), on February 19, 2024, in Cardiff, UK, and was attended by 150 recognised experts. Discussions and voting were centred on provisional criteria that had been distributed prior to the meeting. The participants debated and voted on these. Each criterion required a consensus agreement of ≥ 70% for approval. The accepted criteria for an ageing-related pathology, disease or syndrome were (1) develops and/or progresses with increasing chronological age; (2) should be associated with, or contribute to, functional decline or an increased susceptibility to functional decline and (3) evidenced by studies in humans. Criteria for an ageing-related pathology, disease or syndrome have been agreed by an international consortium of subject experts. These criteria will now be used by the ICCARP for the classification and ultimately staging of ageing-related pathologies, diseases and syndromes.
-
Journal articleDaud T, Roberts S, Zounemat Kermani N, et al., 2025,
The role of WNT5a and TGF-β1 in airway remodelling and severe asthma
, Allergy, Vol: 80, Pages: 1025-1037, ISSN: 0105-4538BackgroundAirway remodelling is a feature of severe asthma with airway epithelial damage observed frequently. We evaluated the role of WNT5a and TGF-β1 in asthmatic airway biopsies and in sputum and bronchial brushings assessed their role in remodelling.MethodsWNT5a and TGF-β1 protein expression were assessed in the lamina propria epithelium of people with asthma (GINA 1–3, n-8 and GINA 4–5, n-14) and healthy subjects (n-9), alongside relevant remodelling markers. The effects of WNT5a and TGF-β1 on BEAS-2B epithelial cell wound healing and differentiation were assessed in vitro. Replication was performed in the Unbiased Biomarkers for the Prediction of Respiratory Disease Outcomes (U-BIOPRED) study in sputum (n = 120) and bronchial brushes (n = 147).ResultsWNT5a and TGF-β1 protein expression were significantly increased in the airway epithelium and lamina propria in asthma patients with concurrent airflow limitation or severe disease. Furthermore, WNT5a protein expression in the lamina propria correlated with tissue eosinophils and vascular remodelling. Airway epithelial WNT5a was co-localised predominantly to airway basal cells and correlated with Th17 gene expression (r = 0.40, p = 0.025) and both the % intact (rs = 0.54, p = 0.001) and % denuded epithelium (rs = −0.39, p = 0.003). Experiments in BEAS-2B cells confirmed that WNT5a at maximal physiological concentrations (1 μg/mL), promoted epithelial wound healing, independently of TGF-β1, as well as induction of EMT-like morphology. WNT5a mRNA was associated with severe asthma, airflow limitation, sputum eosinophilia and Th2, and Th17 and neutrophil activation transcriptomes in sputum in U-BIOPRED.ConclusionWNT5a is associated with both airway remodelling and severe asthma.
-
Journal articleKhoie ZR, Dezfuli NK, Varahram M, et al., 2025,
Serum Exosomal Expression of miR-155 and miR-221 in Moderate-to-severe Asthmatic Patients
, IRANIAN JOURNAL OF ALLERGY ASTHMA AND IMMUNOLOGY, Vol: 24, Pages: 153-163, ISSN: 1735-1502 -
Journal articleEdwards DA, Edwards A, Li D, et al., 2025,
Global warming risks dehydrating and inflaming human airways (vol 6, 193, 2025)
, COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT, Vol: 6 -
Journal articleUsmani OS, Al-Ahmad M, Allan K, et al., 2025,
Respiratory Effectiveness Group Position Statement: Inhaler Choice: Balancing Personalized Health Care and Environmental Responsibility
, JOURNAL OF AEROSOL MEDICINE AND PULMONARY DRUG DELIVERY, ISSN: 1941-2711 -
Journal articleTejwani V, Wang R, Villabona-Rueda A, et al., 2025,
Distinct single-cell transcriptional profile in CD4+T-lymphocytes among obese children with asthma
, AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LUNG CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY, Vol: 328, Pages: L372-L378, ISSN: 1040-0605 -
Journal articleTran HM, Tsai F-J, Lee K-Y, et al., 2025,
Corrigendum to 'Extreme temperature increases the risk of COPD morbimortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis [Science of The Total Environment, Vol 958 [2025] 178087'.
, Sci Total Environ, Vol: 971INTRODUCTION: This systematic review examines how extreme temperatures impact Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) morbidity and mortality, focusing on identifying vulnerable subpopulations. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search from January 1, 2000, to November 6, 2024, across databases like PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus, focusing on observational studies that quantitatively defined extreme temperatures and their impacts on COPD morbidity and mortality. Out of 3140 records, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. We extracted data on study characteristics, effect estimates, and confounders, employing methods to assess the risk of bias and synthesize results. RESULTS: We observed that extreme heat increased the relative risk (RR) for COPD morbimortality by 1.19-fold (95 % CI: 1.09-1.29; p < 0.05), and extreme cold increased the RR by 1.35-fold (95 % CI: 1.22-1.50; p < 0.05). Extreme heat was associated with a 1.23-fold (95 % CI: 1.11-1.35; p < 0.05) increase in COPD mortality. In contrast, extreme cold was associated with both COPD morbidity and mortality, with morbidity increasing by 1.47-fold (95 % CI: 1.26-1.71; p < 0.05) and mortality by 1.28-fold (95 % CI: 1.12-1.45; p < 0.05). Extreme heat poses a higher risk for female COPD patients compared to males. Moreover, extreme heat and cold were associated with morbimortality risk among older adults. Asian populations were sensitive to both temperature extremes, whereas Europeans were predominantly susceptible to extreme cold. CONCLUSION: This variability in response to extreme temperatures affects COPD morbidity and mortality, emphasizing the need for tailored medical and emergency responses to effectively mitigate health risks during extreme weather events.
-
Journal articleMortaz E, Velayati A, Adcock IM, 2025,
Do B-cell Subsets Play a Role in the Pathogenesis of Tuberculosis
, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MYCOBACTERIOLOGY, Vol: 14, Pages: 2-3, ISSN: 2212-5531 -
Journal articleWinck JC, Fonseca JA, Azevedo LF, et al., 2025,
To publish or perish: How to review a manuscript
, REVISTA PORTUGUESA DE PNEUMOLOGIA, Vol: 17, Pages: 96-103, ISSN: 0873-2159- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 12
-
Journal articlePowrie DJ, Wilkinson TMA, Donaldson GC, et al., 2025,
Effect of tiotropium on sputum and serum inflammatory markers and exacerbations in COPD
, REVISTA PORTUGUESA DE PNEUMOLOGIA, Vol: 14, Pages: 573-576, ISSN: 0873-2159- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 3
This data is extracted from the Web of Science and reproduced under a licence from Thomson Reuters. You may not copy or re-distribute this data in whole or in part without the written consent of the Science business of Thomson Reuters.