Results
- Showing results for:
- Reset all filters
Search results
-
Journal articleTam KMM, Brown NC, Bronstein M, et al., 2026,
Learning constrained static equilibrium for thrust network inverse form-finding via physics-informed geometric deep learning on CW complexes
, Advanced Engineering Informatics, Vol: 70, ISSN: 1474-0346This work integrates Geometric Deep Learning (GDL) with physics-informed modelling to approximate solutions to a constrained, ill-conditioned, and nonlinear inverse shell form-finding problem across diverse geometries and patterns. Given a target geometry and pattern design as meshes, the proposed neural framework predicts a funicular shell—defined by edge forces and vertex positions—that satisfies static equilibrium and closely matches the target form. Three main contributions are introduced: (1) a relaxed, numerically stable physics objective using efficient differentiable graph operators to mitigate the ill-conditioning of the nonlinear problem; (2) a stochastic augmentation strategy that enriches training with geometries of varying funicular feasibility, enhancing generalisation to infeasible inputs; and (3) a hierarchical GDL architecture that learns directly from irregular n -gon surface meshes, modelled as cell complexes to incorporate vertex, edge, and face features in both inputs and outputs. This approach eliminates the need for simplification of graph datastructures common in existing methods, improving mesh modelling versatility. Extensive studies examine the numerical stability of physics formulations, robustness for out-of-distribution designs, and the expressivity of the GDL architecture. While focused on a specific inverse form-finding task, this work offers general insights into addressing ill-posed inverse problems, showing how physics-based learning can support optimisation of mesh-based architectural structures under variable connectivity and design constraints.
-
Journal articleKong E, Cucco A, Custovic A, et al., 2026,
Machine learning in allergy research: A bibliometric review
, IMMUNOLOGY LETTERS, Vol: 277, ISSN: 0165-2478 -
Journal articleFeng Q, Manousou P, Izzi-Engbeaya CN, et al., 2026,
Unveiling the Burden of Steatotic Liver Disease: Mortality Risks by Subtype and Fibrosis Stage in a Nationwide Cohort.
, Liver Int, Vol: 46BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We investigated the associations between SLD, fibrosis stage, and all-cause and cause-specific mortality, with a focus on SLD subtypes. METHODS: We analysed 486 156 UK Biobank participants. SLD cases were identified using fatty liver index ≥ 60. Causes of death were confirmed via death registries. Multivariable Cox models estimated associations between SLD, SLD subtypes, FIB4 score and mortality outcomes, including all-cause mortality, mortality from liver-related diseases, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and extrahepatic cancers. RESULTS: SLD was identified in 178 336 participants (36.7%): 73.5% with MASLD, 19.0% with MetALD and 6.4% with ALD. Over a median follow-up of 13.8 years, 20 766 (11.6%) deaths occurred among people with SLD and 21 754 among those without (307 820; 7.1%), suggesting a higher mortality rate in SLD than in non-SLD (8.78 vs. 5.25/1000 person-years). All SLD subtypes were associated with higher all-cause mortality: MASLD (HR (95% CI): 1.32 (1.29-1.35)), MetALD (1.16 (1.12-1.20)) and ALD (1.36 (1.29-1.44)). Excess mortality was primarily driven by extrahepatic cancer (42.5%) and cardiovascular disease (24.2%), while liver-related deaths were concentrated among those with ALD and fibrosis. A strong dose-response relationship was observed between FIB4 stratification and mortality, particularly for liver-related deaths. These associations were independent of socioeconomic status, lifestyle and cardiometabolic risk factors. CONCLUSION: SLD is independently associated with increased all-cause and cause-specific mortality, with substantial variation across subtypes and fibrosis severity. Extrahepatic cancer and cardiovascular disease are the leading contributors to excess mortality. These findings underscore the need for integrated care strategies targeting metabolic risk, fibrosis progression and cancer prevention in the SLD population.
-
Journal articleCaravaca-Fontán F, Fakhouri F, Licht C, et al., 2026,
Delphi Consensus on Surrogate End Points in C3 Glomerulopathy and Primary Immune Complex-Mediated Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis.
, Kidney Int Rep, Vol: 11INTRODUCTION: C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) and primary immune complex-mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) are rare kidney diseases driven by complement dysregulation. Proteinuria is a commonly used clinical end point in trials involving these conditions. However, its recognition as a validated end point by regulatory bodies remains limited, despite growing evidence supporting its prognostic value as a surrogate biomarker for the development of kidney failure. The aim of this study was to establish consensus on the clinical relevance of proteinuria as a prognostic and treatment end point in C3G and primary IC-MPGN. METHODS: A 2-round modified Delphi process was conducted, informed by literature review and expert input. A steering committee composed of 4 European nephrologists, 1 Canadian nephrologist, and 1 European rheumatologist developed 31 statements covering the following 3 domains: (i) treatment efficacy end points, (ii) current assessment end points, and (iii) the role of proteinuria. Statements formed part of an online survey using a 4-point Likert scale, distributed to a broader panel of nephrologists and kidney pathologists across Europe. RESULTS: Fifty-one and 50 responses were received in rounds 1 and 2. Of the 31 statements, 29 reached consensus (≥ 75% agreement). Key consensus points included the following: (i) reduction in proteinuria preserves long-term kidney function and is a treatment goal; (ii) longitudinal monitoring of proteinuria, alongside other markers is valuable for guiding treatment; (iii) a ≥ 50% proteinuria reduction over 6 months indicates meaningful therapeutic benefit; and (iv) proteinuria < 1 g/d is associated with improved outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates consensus supporting proteinuria as a meaningful treatment end point for C3G and primary IC-MPGN.
-
Journal articleHay CD, Mahutanattan SM, Pilkington CP, et al., 2026,
Affordable, cleanroom-free millifluidic production of targeted lipid nanocarriers via additive manufacturing.
, Lab ChipLipid nanocarriers utilise the self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules to generate particle formulations capable of drug encapsulation and dynamic interactions with user-defined cell types, enabling applications within targeted therapeutic delivery. This offers increased bioavailability, stability, and reduced off-target effects, with the promise of application to numerous cell types and consequently, diseases. Here, we have developed a highly accessible, cleanroom-free method for the fabrication of poly(methyl methacrylate) millifluidic vertical flow focusing (VFF) devices via laser cutting, multilayered solvent and heat-assisted bonding. We demonstrate that these can be used for one-step production of targeted lipid nanocarriers via the production of cardiomyocyte-targeting vesicle nanoparticles loaded with the hydrophobic drug menadione. We characterise vesicle size using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), whilst also probing the membrane viscosity of vesicles produced via flow-focusing for the first time using molecular rotors. Finally, we apply cardiomyocyte-targeting, menadione-loaded vesicles to H9C2 tissue culture demonstrating significant inhibition of cell viability via targeted delivery, showcasing the potential of our device to produce formulations for therapeutic delivery. As a flow-based method, VFF can facilitate rapid formulation investigation and produce large sample volumes for cell-based validation studies, whilst avoiding inter-batch sample variation. Furthermore, the accessible nature of this VFF approach will help to democratise millifluidics, facilitating the wider adoption of flow-based production methods to develop nanomedical formulations.
-
Journal articleEfthymiadis A, Tsikopoulos K, Mills EG, et al., 2026,
Pharmacological Interventions to Improve Bone Density in Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.
, J Clin Endocrinol MetabCONTEXT: Women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) are at high risk of poor bone health. When lifestyle measures fail to restore menses, pharmacological interventions are needed for bone health, but comparative efficacy remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of available pharmacological interventions to improve bone mineral density (BMD), in women with FHA, employing network meta-analysis (NMA). DATA SOURCES: Medline, Embase, Emcare, Cochrane CENTRAL, ISRCTN, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched up to 20th September 2025. STUDY SELECTION: Eligible randomized-controlled trials evaluated pharmacological interventions for lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), or total hip (TH) BMD in women with FHA. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and texts. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently extracted data following PRISMA-NMA guidelines. Outcomes were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random-effects NMA. Evidence certainty was assessed with CINeMA. DATA SYNTHESIS: Thirteen RCTs (897 women) were included (LS BMD: n=897; FN BMD: n=370; TH BMD: n=750). Transdermal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was superior to control (placebo or no intervention) for LS BMD with SMD 0.34 (0.03, 0.64) and FN BMD with SMD 0.57 (0.04, 1.10). Oral HRT and the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) showed no significant benefit in any BMD site. Teriparatide was superior to transdermal HRT and COCP for LS BMD with SMDs 1.48 (0.38, 2.59) and 1.75 (0.66, 2.83), but not FN or TH BMD. INTERPRETATION: Transdermal HRT and teriparatide improve LS BMD in women with FHA, with transdermal HRT also improving FN BMD. STUDY REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42024576872).
-
Journal articleHiggins C, Redmond L, 2026,
Not quite naked: the bare necessities of human body hair evolution
, British Journal of Dermatology, ISSN: 0007-0963 -
Journal articleSerene LG, Buchanan R, McCarthy AJ, et al., 2026,
Unravelling mechanisms regulating Mincle activation.
, Commun BiolMincle is a C-type lectin and potent driver of inflammation. Given Mincle's ability to recognise a complex repertoire of endogenous and exogenous ligands, a network of regulatory mechanisms that precisely control Mincle activation is required to prevent excessive inflammatory responses. Here we discuss the mechanisms that govern Mincle-dependent cellular activation and the gaps in our current knowledge. Understanding the key mechanisms regulating Mincle activation could pave the way for the rational design of targeted immunotherapies and vaccines adjuvants.
-
Journal articleMalherbe ST, Chen RY, Yu X, et al., 2026,
Clinical testing of drug treatment shortening in patients with TB using PET/CT imaging of lung lesions.
, Sci Transl Med, Vol: 18Six months of drug treatment is standard of care for drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Understanding the factors determining the length of treatment required for durable cure would allow individualization of treatment durations. We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled noninferiority trial (PredictTB) of 4 versus 6 months of chemotherapy in patients with pulmonary TB in South Africa and China. Seven hundred and four participants with newly diagnosed, drug-sensitive TB were enrolled and stratified on the basis of radiographic disease characteristics assessed by FDG PET/CT imaging. Participants with less extensive disease (n = 273) were randomly assigned at week 16 to complete therapy after 4 months or continue receiving treatment for 6 months. This study was stopped early after an interim analysis revealed that patients assigned to the 4-month treatment arm had a higher risk of relapse. Among participants who received 4 months of chemotherapy, 17 of 141 (12.1%) experienced TB-specific unfavorable outcomes compared with only 2 of 132 (1.5%) who completed 6 months of treatment. In the nonrandomized arm that included participants with more extensive disease, only 8 of 248 (3.2%) experienced unfavorable outcomes. Total lung cavity volume and lesion glycolysis at week 16 were associated with the risk of unfavorable outcomes. PET/CT imaging at TB recurrence showed that bacteriological relapses predominantly occurred in active cavities originally present at baseline. Subsequent post hoc automated segmentation of serial PET/CT scans combined with machine learning enabled the classification of participants according to their likelihood of relapse.
-
Journal articleGrant B, de Silva NL, Gumssani M, et al., 2026,
Discordance Between Online Information and Male Hypogonadism Clinical Guidelines: A Global Multilingual Content Analysis.
, J Clin Endocrinol MetabCONTEXT: Testosterone prescriptions have increased up to 12-fold globally over the past 2 decades. EU and UK law tightly regulate the advertising of medical products. OBJECTIVE: To review the accuracy of publicly accessible information on websites offering testosterone treatment. DESIGN/SETTING: Content analysis methodology using concept- and data-driven strategies to develop a coding frame for data extraction. Publicly accessible websites offering testosterone prescriptions were identified using predefined search terms, conducted in English, Arabic, Hindi, and Spanish, across 3 search engines. Virtual private network searches within multiple geographical regions were used to reduce location bias. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Accuracy of extracted data determined using international guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 253/1138 websites were included (144 US/Canada; 48 Europe; 17 Australia; 12 Asia; 11 South America; 10 Middle East). The following non-guideline-based practices (with numbers/percentages of clinics) were identified: routinely use nontestosterone androgens or testosterone secretagogues (eg, gonadotrophins) to treat symptomatic low testosterone (61/253; 24.4%); testosterone treatment reduces cardiovascular risk (52/253; 20.6%); microdosing improves treatment effects (30/253; 11.9%); testosterone is prescribed for men with normal serum testosterone (>12 nmol/L; 25/253;9.9%); testosterone has antiaging effects (25/253; 9.9%). US-based clinics more frequently made non-guideline-based claims compared with other geographical locations. CONCLUSION: We identify serious and frequent breaches of advertising law and regulations by clinics around the world offering testosterone treatment, with the potential to cause harm to men. We recommend enforcement of existing laws by national regulators to address this widespread public health challenge and align patient expectations with clinical guidelines for the safe treatment of men.
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.