Imperial College London

Effects of maternal and paternal smoking on offspring cardiometabolic risk factors in adulthood: a multi-method intergenerational Mendelian randomization study

Abstract Background Parental smoking has been linked to several adverse offspring cardiometabolic outcomes; however, evidence is conflicting regarding the causal and long-term nature of these associations. Methods We investigated the effects of maternal and paternal smoking, capt...

The influence of hypoxia on cancer lipid metabolism: a scoping review

Abstract Background Hypoxia, a hallmark of solid tumours, profoundly alters cellular metabolism to enable survival in the harsh tumour microenvironment. Whilst effects on carbohydrate and protein metabolism are well characterised, the hypoxic regulation of lipid metabolism remain...

In-depth characterisation of the tumour microenvironment reveals HHV-8-dependent immune regulation in HIV-associated and classic Kaposi sarcoma

BACKGROUND: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most common malignancy occurring in people living with HIV (PLWH). The clinical course of KS in PLWH established on combined anti-retroviral therapy (cART) resembles that of classic KS. OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical and biological ch...

Ultrafast switching of optical properties in a doped semiconductor by intense femtosecond laser pulses

The rapid switching of materials when excited by ultrashort pulses of light is central for many optical technologies, and in particular to the developing field of time-varying metamaterials. These out-of-equilibrium interactions are difficult to capture with traditional theoretic...

Comparison of NICE criteria with the BOADICEA multifactorial risk model to guide breast cancer risk assessment and referral amongst women under age 50 within primary care

BACKGROUND: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that women at above-population-level risk of breast cancer (BC) are offered enhanced screening and risk-reducing interventions. Identification of these women largely relies on referral through pri...

Objective Measurement of the Learning Curve in Live Laparoscopic Surgery: A Scoping Review of Methods

Objective This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the methodology used when defining the learning curve (LC) in live laparoscopic surgery. Design This review was performed in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses extension for...

Nut consumption and the risk of hypertension: a systematic review and dose response meta-analysis of prospective studies

Abstract Previous studies have suggested that a high intake of nuts may reduce the risk of hypertension, however, the available data have been limited. Several additional studies have recently been published on the topic. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analys...

Screen Use and Emotional, Behavioral, and Social Development in Children

Importance: The association between electronic screen use and psychosocial development in children remains unclear. Few studies account for longitudinal associations or fully adjust for key covariates such as family functioning. Objective: To evaluate the cross-sectional associat...

Artificial intelligence awareness, usage, and readiness among fellows of the West African college of physicians

Abstract Background Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare globally, but its adoption remains limited in low- and middle-income countries, such as those in West Africa. Physician educators are central to AI uptake, making their awareness and readiness crucial. Th...

CK2 targeting potentiates antineoplastic effects of dual HER2/EGFR inhibitor lapatinib and attenuates growth factor-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition

CK2 is a pleiotropic, heterotetrameric kinase elevated in numerous cancers and, as such, has garnered much attention as a target for novel antineoplastic agents. Currently, silmitasertib, a selective CK2 inhibitor, has an orphan designation for medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma....

Sex differences in murine bone matrix maturation modulate osteoblast-endothelial interactions

Abstract Background Bone formation during skeletal growth and repair is divergently modulated by osteoblast-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which contributes to the sexual dimorphism of the bone vasculature. While the extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structu...

Employment and disability: societal ableism, serendipity, and universal design (1919)

Drawing on the author’s lived experience, qualitative research, and policy analysis, this article discusses some issues experienced by disabled workers. It critiques the limitations of existing initiatives, such as Access to Work and the Disability Confident scheme, highlighting...

A model for the epidemiological impact of tuberculosis policy options.

Objective: To develop a new tuberculosis transmission model, addressing the limitations of and building on the TB Impact Model and Estimates software tool, to enable decision-makers to assess the impact of various tuberculosis interventions and allocate resources more effectively...

Smoking cessation experiences during alcohol and cannabis treatment in substance use programmes in Catalonia: A qualitative study

Tobacco use remains disproportionately high among people receiving treatment for alcohol or cannabis use, yet it is rarely addressed in substance use services. This study explored the lived experiences of people who smoke while undergoing treatment for alcohol and/or cannabis use...

Adaptive intrathecal nanorobotics in mice and nonhuman primates for navigated CNS therapy

Intrathecal delivery for central nervous system (CNS) therapy lacks spatiotemporal control due to spinal canal anatomical constraints, especially at human scale. We developed an adaptive magnetic nanorobotic platform enabling multimode swarm mobility for in vivo spinal canal navi...

Drug stock-outs in HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria programs: a systematic review

Background Stock-outs of antiretroviral, anti-tuberculosis, and anti-malarial medicines remain a major challenge in low- and middle-income countries, affecting both health systems and patient outcomes. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on the causes, consequence...

Adoption of ‘decentralized’ clinical trial terminology: a systematic review of self-identified decentralized clinical trials

Abstract Importance In recent years, trials have leveraged digital tools and remote methods to improve patient access and diversity, streamline operations, enhance data collection, and reduce costs and timelines. Regulatory terminology has defined these as decentralized clinical...