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Journal articleFeary J, Yu Y, Kabir T, et al., 2025,
Assessment of cancer biomarkers in the Grenfell firefighter cohort study
, Scientific Reports, Vol: 15Firefighters are exposed to a diverse range of harmful substances, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, and other carcinogens. These toxic compounds induce DNA damage, often causing the formation of DNA adducts and other lesions that can contribute to the development of various diseases, including cancer. Recent advancements in molecular diagnostics have shown that circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in plasma is a valuable biomarker for detecting DNA damage and disease states. In this study, we explored whether changes in the quantity and quality of plasma cfDNA might reveal DNA lesions or serve as early markers for diseases such as cancer in UK firefighters. Whilst there are few published epidemiological studies of risk of cancer in UK firefighters, there are none on molecular markers in this population. All the 685 firefighters who participated in the study were employed by the London Fire Brigade in 2017; many of them also attended the Grenfell Tower fire, the most devastating fire to occur in the UK in modern history. In this exploratory analysis, we sought to gain insights into the potential long-term health impacts of toxic smoke exposure on these first responders by analysing both the concentration of cfDNA present and specific genetic alterations in cfDNA. Using next-generation sequencing and a panel that detects pathogenic DNA variants linked to various cancers, we analysed a subset of 261 firefighters. Our findings revealed that 11 firefighters carried pathogenic DNA variants associated with cancer, but we found no association between fire smoke exposure and the presence of these variants.
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Journal articleDebabèche NB, Wagner M, Jiang Q, et al., 2025,
Stiffened cellulose sandwich composites
, Composites Part A Applied Science and Manufacturing, Vol: 198, ISSN: 1359-835XPulp fibre foams are a potential alternative to porous polymers; however, their poor mechanical properties limit their application to packaging materials. We utilised the sandwich composite approach to produce panels (370 mm x 300 mm x 20 mm) comprising of pulp fibre foams and kraft liner papers to improve the mechanical properties of such foams. Two types of sandwich structures are produced: foam core sandwich panels and stiffened sandwich composites. The resulting sandwich structures materials have apparent densities ranging from 80 kg/m<sup>3</sup> to 161 kg/m<sup>3</sup>. The mechanical properties are assessed in compression, three-point bending and double lap shear loading conditions. We show that pulp fibre foam sandwich structures possess significantly higher compression and flexural moduli and strengths when compared to pure pulp fibre foams. Stiffening the pulp fibre foam core further by incorporation of kraft liner paper stiffeners results in even higher mechanical, including lap shear, properties.
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Journal articleTay TR, Pang PH, Liew MF, et al., 2025,
Ethnic variation in South East Asian patients with severe asthma: A first look at the Singapore Severe Asthma Registry (SSAR) and implications on clinical practice
, Respiratory Medicine, Vol: 245, ISSN: 0954-6111Background: Real world severe asthma registries in Asia are limited but important for understanding severe asthma in Asian populations. Objective: To describe the characteristics of a multi-ethnic cohort in the Singapore Severe Asthma Registry (SSAR), and examine differences between the 3 major ethnic groups (Chinese, Malay and Indian). Methods: Adult patients with severe asthma from 4 public hospitals in Singapore were enrolled into SSAR. The registry collected anonymized data including demographics, asthma control, comorbidities, investigations, and medication use. Results: 254 patients were recruited between 2022 and 2024. Patients were predominantly female (55.9 %) and Chinese (57.5 %). Median number of exacerbations in the past year was 2 (0–3); 61 patients (24 %) had ≥1 emergency department visit and 94 (37 %) had ≥1 hospital admission. 97.5 % of patients had a type 2 high inflammatory profile. 21.7 % and 17.7 % of patients were on biologics and maintenance oral corticosteroids, respectively. Ethnic differences were observed: Non-Chinese patients had the lowest Asthma Control Test scores (Chinese 18 ± 5, Malay 16 ± 5, Indian 16 ± 5, p = 0.011); Non-Chinese patients were more likely to have obesity (Chinese 17.7 %, Malay 50.9 %, Indian 40.9 % p < 0.001); Indian patients were most likely to have diabetes mellitus (Chinese 16.6 %, Malay 18.2 %, Indian 38.6 %, p = 0.006)) while Chinese patients were most likely to have osteoporosis (Chinese 14.5 %, Malay 0 %, Indian 2.3 %, p = 0.001). Cluster analysis identified 4 distinct clusters with different comorbidity profiles and exacerbation outcomes. Conclusion: This study provided the first look into data from the Singapore Severe Asthma Registry; ethnic differences were observed, especially in comorbidity risks.
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Journal articleKhan AA, Vernugopan V, Wallis G, et al., 2025,
Artificial stone silicosis presenting as suspected Tuberculosis: A series of 3 cases at a district general hospital
, Clinical Infection in Practice, Vol: 27Silicosis is an ancient condition re-emerging globally due to outbreaks of accelerated disease related to the use of artificial stone. The initial presentations of three patients with silicosis due to artificial stone exposure at a district general hospital in London, all of whom presented with clinical symptoms and radiological features assumed to be tuberculosis, are reported. The associations between silica exposure and this infection are also described. This series aims to highlight that artificial stone silicosis is now a significant occupational lung disease in the UK of which clinicians working in infectious diseases should be aware of.
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Journal articleFisher MC, 2025,
Origins of the ‘vampire fungus’ that causes white-nose syndrome in bats
, Nature, Vol: 642, Pages: 869-870, ISSN: 0028-0836 -
Journal articlePlackett ARG, Bowman JL, Raissig MT, et al., 2025,
Exploring the diversity of plant model organisms
, Developmental Cell, Vol: 60, Pages: 1665-1668, ISSN: 1534-5807Increasing plant genome research, together with advanced transformation technology, enables researchers to address their research questions more effectively in various models beyond Arabidopsis. In this collection of Voices, we asked researchers from different fields to discuss what model organisms they are using and why this helps answer their research questions.
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Journal articleKotta-Loizou I, 2025,
DiscMycoVir: a user-friendly platform for discovering mycoviruses in fungal transcriptomes
, BMC Bioinformatics, ISSN: 1471-2105 -
Journal articleLee CT, Ghandi SA, Elmrayed S, et al., 2025,
Inhalational exposures associated with risk of interstitial lung disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
, Thorax, ISSN: 0040-6376RationaleInhalational exposures are associated with risk of developing interstitial lung disease (ILD), yet the relationship between specific exposures and ILD is poorly characterized. ObjectiveIdentify inhalational exposures associated with ILD and estimate the effects of exposures on ILD risk.MethodsMEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched from 1990 until 2022 to identify inhalational exposures associated with ILD diagnosis. ILDs where causality is well-established (hypersensitivity pneumonitis, pneumoconiosis) and sarcoidosis were excluded. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts with full-text review and data extraction of eligible studies. Where possible, data were pooled and multi-level meta-analysis was specified using a random effects model. Sources of heterogeneity and risk of bias were assessed. Main ResultsNinety-six studies were included in the systematic review, representing 40,819,116 subjects (295,167 had ILD, 40,523,949 controls). For the meta-analysis, fifty-four studies were included (40,490,793 subjects: 273,899 ILD, 40,216,894 controls). Exposures associated with significantly increased ILD risk included smoking (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.47-1.94), organic exposures (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.12-2.16), metals (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.07-2.16), dust (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.20-1.76), and asbestos (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.08-2.15). Silica and fumes had positive associations with ILD that trended toward significance. ConclusionsThis systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis is the first to comprehensively assess the effect of inhalational exposures on overall risk of ILD, with multiple putative exposures identified. Future work should investigate novel occupational exposures associated with ILD, characterize the gene-environment interaction, and develop preventative strategies.
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Journal articleMaher TM, Assassi S, Azuma A, et al., 2025,
Nerandomilast in patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis
, New England Journal of Medicine, Vol: 392, Pages: 2203-2214, ISSN: 0028-4793BackgroundNerandomilast (BI 1015550) is an orally administered preferential inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4B with antifibrotic and immunomodulatory properties. Nerandomilast has been shown to slow the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, but an assessment of its effects in other types of progressive pulmonary fibrosis is needed.MethodsIn a phase 3, double-blind trial, we randomly assigned patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive nerandomilast at a dose of 18 mg twice daily, nerandomilast at a dose of 9 mg twice daily, or placebo, with stratification according to background therapy (nintedanib vs. none) and fibrotic pattern on high-resolution computed tomography (usual interstitial pneumonia-like pattern vs. other patterns). The primary end point was the absolute change from baseline in the forced vital capacity (FVC), measured in milliliters, at week 52.ResultsA total of 1176 patients received at least one dose of nerandomilast or placebo, of whom 43.5% were taking background nintedanib therapy at baseline. The adjusted mean change in the FVC at week 52 was −98.6 ml (95% confidence interval [CI], −123.7 to −73.4) in the nerandomilast 18-mg group, −84.6 ml (95% CI, −109.6 to −59.7) in the nerandomilast 9-mg group, and −165.8 ml (95% CI, −190.5 to −141.0) in the placebo group. The adjusted difference between the nerandomilast 18-mg group and the placebo group was 67.2 ml (95% CI, 31.9 to 102.5; P<0.001), and the adjusted difference between the nerandomilast 9-mg group and the placebo group was 81.1 ml (95% CI, 46.0 to 116.3; P<0.001). The most frequent adverse event was diarrhea, reported in 36.6% of the patients in the nerandomilast 18-mg group, 29.5% of those in the nerandomilast 9-mg group, and 24.7% of those in the placebo group. Serious adverse events occurred in similar percentages of patients in the trial groups.ConclusionsIn patients with progressive pulmonary
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Journal articleRicheldi L, Azuma A, Cottin V, et al., 2025,
Nerandomilast in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
, New England Journal of Medicine, Vol: 392, Pages: 2193-2202, ISSN: 0028-4793BackgroundNerandomilast (BI 1015550) is an orally administered preferential inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4B with antifibrotic and immunomodulatory effects. In a phase 2 trial involving patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, treatment with nerandomilast stabilized lung function over a period of 12 weeks.MethodsIn this phase 3, double-blind trial, we randomly assigned patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive nerandomilast at a dose of 18 mg twice daily, nerandomilast at a dose of 9 mg twice daily, or placebo, with stratification according to background antifibrotic therapy (nintedanib or pirfenidone vs. none). The primary end point was the absolute change from baseline in forced vital capacity (FVC), measured in milliliters, at week 52.ResultsA total of 1177 patients underwent randomization, of whom 77.7% were taking nintedanib or pirfenidone at enrollment. Adjusted mean changes in FVC at week 52 were −114.7 ml (95% confidence interval [CI], −141.8 to −87.5) in the nerandomilast 18-mg group, −138.6 ml (95% CI, −165.6 to −111.6) in the nerandomilast 9-mg group, and −183.5 ml (95% CI, −210.9 to −156.1) in the placebo group. The adjusted difference between the nerandomilast 18-mg group and the placebo group was 68.8 ml (95% CI, 30.3 to 107.4; P<0.001), and the adjusted difference between the nerandomilast 9-mg group and the placebo group was 44.9 ml (95% CI, 6.4 to 83.3; P=0.02). The most frequent adverse event in the nerandomilast groups was diarrhea, reported in 41.3% of the 18-mg group and 31.1% of the 9-mg group, as compared with 16.0% in the placebo group. Serious adverse events were balanced across trial groups.ConclusionsIn patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, treatment with nerandomilast resulted in a smaller decline in the FVC than placebo over a period of 52 weeks. (Funded by Boehringer Ingelheim; FIBRONEER-IPF ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05321069.)
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