254,309 results match your criteria: "University College London; 1-19 Torrington Place[Affiliation]"

Sebaceous free fatty acids are metabolized by multiple skin microbes into bioactive lipid mediators termed oxylipins. This study investigated correlations between skin oxylipins and microbes on the superficial skin of pre-pubescent children (N = 36) and adults (N = 100), including pre- (N = 25) and post-menopausal females (N = 25). Lipidomics and metagenomics revealed that Malassezia restricta positively correlated with the oxylipin 9,10-DiHOME on adult skin and negatively correlated with its precursor, 9,10-EpOME, on pre-pubescent skin.

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Cheek swabs, heterogeneous samples consisting primarily of buccal epithelial cells, are widely used in pediatric DNA methylation studies and biomarker creation. However, the decrease in buccal proportion with age in adults remains unexamined in childhood. We analyzed cheek swabs from 4626 typically developing children 2-months to 20-years-old.

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Ethnic and racial discrimination in maternal health care in Mexico: a neglected challenge in the search for universal health coverage.

Int J Equity Health

January 2025

Center for Health Equity in Latin America, Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, Louisiana, USA.

Background: Ethnic and racial discrimination in maternal health care has been overlooked in academic literature and yet it is critical for achieving universal health coverage (UHC). There is a lack of empirical evidence on its impact on the effective coverage of maternal health interventions (ECMH) for Indigenous women in Mexico. Documenting progress in reducing maternal health inequities, particularly given the disproportionate impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on ethnic minorities, is essential to improving equity in health systems.

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Point of view: Challenges in implementation of new immunotherapies for Alzheimer's disease.

J Prev Alzheimers Dis

January 2025

Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, BioClinicum, 171 64 Solna, Sweden; Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden.

The advancement of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) for Alzheimer's disease (AD), along with the approval of three amyloid-targeting therapies in the US and several other countries, represents a significant development in the treatment landscape, offering new hope for addressing this once untreatable chronic progressive disease. However, significant challenges persist that could impede the successful integration of this class of drugs into clinical practice. These challenges include determining patient eligibility, appropriate use of diagnostic tools and genetic testing in patient care pathways, effective detection and monitoring of side effects, and improving the healthcare system's readiness by engaging both primary care and dementia specialists.

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Maintaining level of modifiable dementia risk scores is associated with better cognitive outcomes than increasing risk scores: A population-based prospective cohort study.

J Prev Alzheimers Dis

January 2025

School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2057, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia, Margarete Ainsworth Building, 139 Barker St, Randwick NSW 2031, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: A brain healthy lifestyle, consisting of good cardiometabolic health and being cognitively and socially active in midlife, is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline years later. However, it is unclear whether lifestyle changes over time also affect the risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/dementia, and rate of cognitive decline.

Objectives: To investigate if lifestyle changes over time are associated with incident MCI/dementia risk and rate of cognitive decline.

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There is growing consensus in the Alzheimer's community that combination therapy will be needed to maximize therapeutic benefits through the course of the disease. However, combination therapy raises complex questions and decisions for study sponsors, from preclinical research through clinical trial design to regulatory, statistical, and operational considerations. In January 2024, the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation convened an expert advisory board to discuss the key considerations in each of these areas.

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Background: There are no approved oral disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of blarcamesine (ANAVEX®2-73), an orally available small-molecule activator of the sigma-1 receptor (SIGMAR1) in early AD through restoration of cellular homeostasis including autophagy enhancement.

Design: ANAVEX2-73-AD-004 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 48-week Phase IIb/III trial.

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Stewarding COVID-19 health systems response in Pakistan: what more can be done for a primary health care approach to future pandemics?

BMJ Glob Health

January 2025

Pakistan Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination, Islamabad, Pakistan.

We apply a primary healthcare (PHC) perspective to gauge Pakistan's health systems response to COVID-19, to identify stewardship lessons for integrating the PHC pandemic response. Analysis of Pakistan's response against the Astana PHC framework shows that the imperative for national survival helped mobilise an agile response across a fragmented health security context. The findings show effective multisector governance in responding to the health and social aspects of the pandemic, as well as the rapid roll-out of several public health functions and emergency care.

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Aims: Compare the prevalence of age-related cataract and the cataract surgical coverage rate between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and explore differences in these estimates across location and time.

Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute guidance for systematic reviews of prevalence studies was followed. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, Web of Science and grey literature from database inception to June 2022 was performed.

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In-depth Computational Analysis Reveals The Significant Dysregulation of Key Gap Junction Proteins (GJPs) Driving Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Development.

Hellenic J Cardiol

January 2025

Department of Cardiac Surgery Research, Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Main Line Health, Wynnewood, PA, 19096, USA; Department of Cardiac Surgery, Lankenau Heart Institute, Main Line Health, Wynnewood, PA, 19096, USA. Electronic address:

Objective: Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA) represents an aortic pathology that is caused by the deranged integrity of the three layers of the aortic wall, and is related to severe morbidity and mortality. Consequently, it is crucial to identify the biomarkers implicated in the pathogenesis and biology of TAA. The aim of the current computational study was to assess the differential gene expression profile of the gap junction proteins (GJPs) in patients with TAA in order to identify novel potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

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Background: Sexual exploitation of children and adolescents (SECA) is a mostly invisible phenomenon, having negative impacts on adolescents' health and well-being.. There is increasing awarenessof preventative strategies to reduce sexual exploitation of children and adolescents, but limited evidence on their effectiveness and mechanisms.

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Background: Delirium is a common and serious syndrome of acute brain dysfunction associated with negative outcomes. Melatonin may have a role in delirium prevention for critically ill adults based on data from non-critically ill patient populations. Our objective was to assess the feasibility of a multi-centre, randomized, placebo-controlled trial testing the hypothesis that low-dose melatonin prevents delirium in critically ill adults.

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Purpose: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect and safety of up to two bimatoprost implant administrations versus selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT).

Design: Phase 3 (Stage 2), randomized, 24-month, multicenter, patient- and efficacy evaluator-masked, paired-eye clinical trial (NCT02507687).

Participants: Patients (n=183) with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension inadequately managed with topical IOP-lowering medication for reasons other than efficacy.

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Symptom Evolution in Individuals with Ongoing Symptomatic COVID-19 and Post COVID-19 Syndrome After SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Versus Influenza Vaccination.

J Infect

January 2025

MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, Department of Population Science and Experimental Medicine, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK; School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Computer Science, Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK. Electronic address:

Background: COVID-19 symptoms may persist beyond acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, as ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 [OSC] (symptom duration 4-12 weeks) and post-COVID syndrome [PCS] (symptom duration ≥12 weeks). Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 decreases OSC/PCS in individuals subsequently infected with SARS-CoV-2 post-vaccination. Whether vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, or any other vaccinations (such as against influenza) affects symptoms in individuals already experiencing OSC/PCS, more than natural symptom evolution, is unknown.

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Background: The prevalence and clinical implications of chronic cough (CC) in patients with severe asthma receiving asthma treatment remain relatively unknown.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between CC and asthma control and quality-of-life (QoL) in patients with severe asthma through longitudinal analysis.

Methods: Baseline and 6-month follow-up data from the Korean Severe Asthma Registry were analyzed.

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Introduction: Children's consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) may contribute to inequalities in obesity and wider health. Socioeconomic patterning in younger UK children's UPF intake is unknown.

Objective: To investigate socioeconomic patterning of UK toddlers' (21-months) and children's (7-years) UPF intake across several household and neighbourhood indicators.

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Molecular biomarkers of glial activation and injury in epilepsy.

Drug Discov Today

January 2025

Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich London, Chatham Maritime, ME4 4TB, UK; Faculty of Medicine, Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi 0179, Georgia. Electronic address:

Increasing evidence from fluid biopsies suggests activation and injury of glial cells in epilepsy. The prevalence of clinical and subclinical seizures in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and others merits review and comparison of the effects of seizures on glial markers in epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases with concomitant seizures. Herein, we revisit preclinical and clinical reports of alterations in glial proteins in cerebrospinal fluid and blood associated with various types of epilepsy.

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The paradox of the self-studying brain.

Phys Life Rev

January 2025

Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK; VERSES AI Research Lab, Los Angeles, CA, 90016, USA.

The paradox of a brain trying to study itself presents a conundrum, raising questions about self-reference, consciousness, psychiatric disorders, and the boundaries of scientific inquiry. By which means can this complex organ shift the focus of study towards itself? We aim at unpacking the intricacies of this paradox. Historically, this question has been raised by philosophers under different frameworks.

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Radiotherapy Quality Assurance in the SCOPE2 Trial: What Lessons can be Learned for the Next UK Trial in Oesophageal Cancer?

Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol)

December 2024

South West Wales Cancer Centre, Swansea, UK; National Radiotherapy Trials Quality Assurance (RTTQA) Group, National Institute for Health and Care Research, UK; Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, UK.

Aims: The SCOPE2 trial evaluates radiotherapy (RT) dose escalation for oesophageal cancer. We report findings from the accompanying RT quality assurance (RTQA) programme and identify recommendations for PROTIEUS, the next UK trial in oesophageal RT.

Maetrials And Methods: SCOPE2's RTQA programme consisted of a pre-accrual and on-trial component.

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IL-7 promotes integrated glucose and amino acid sensing during homeostatic CD4 T cell proliferation.

Cell Rep

January 2025

School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. Electronic address:

Interleukin (IL)-7 promotes T cell expansion during lymphopenia. We studied the metabolic basis in CD4 T cells, observing increased glucose usage for nucleotide synthesis and oxidation in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Unlike other TCA metabolites, glucose-derived citrate does not accumulate upon IL-7 exposure, indicating diversion into other processes.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the prevalence and factors related to depression and anxiety among individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the UK, revealing that significant portions experience these mental health issues.
  • Participants completed an online survey that assessed mental health history and treatment preferences, finding that over half had a history of diagnosed depression and many preferred in-person support.
  • The results indicated that certain demographics, including age and gender, as well as factors like self-efficacy and current treatment, were significantly related to the levels of depression and anxiety symptoms, but differences in symptoms were not influenced by the kidney service centers’ location or size.
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Objectives: Robust evidence highlights the crucial role of nutrition for people with cancer, and international organizations recognize it as a basic human right linked to health and food. Within this context, we aim to emphasize the critical role of nutrition care for cancer patients and to highlight the essential contributions of nurses in providing patient-centered nutrition care.

Methods: This opinion paper synthesizes evidence and perspectives from peer-reviewed articles and position papers.

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Emerging models to study competitive interactions within bacterial communities.

Trends Microbiol

January 2025

Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, London, UK; Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, UK. Electronic address:

Within both abiotic and host environments, bacteria typically exist as diverse, multispecies communities and have crucial roles in human health, agriculture, and industry. In these communities, bacteria compete for resources, and these competitive interactions can shape the overall population structure and community function. Studying bacterial community dynamics requires experimental model systems that capture the different interaction networks between bacteria and their surroundings.

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The potential of large language models (LLMs) in medical applications is significant, and Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) can address the weaknesses of these models in terms of data transparency and scientific accuracy by incorporating current scientific knowledge into responses. In this study, RAG and GPT-4 by OpenAI were applied to develop GuideGPT, a context aware chatbot integrated with a knowledge database from 449 scientific publications designed to provide answers on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). A comparison was made with a generic LLM ("PureGPT") across 30 MRONJ-related questions.

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