British Journal of Biomedical Science最新文献

{"title":"Clinical Utility of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Titers in the Management of Patients With Long COVID Infected With the Omicron Variant.","authors":"Marina Kawaguchi, Yasue Sakurada, Kazuki Tokumasu, Yuki Otsuka, Yasuhiro Nakano, Yui Matsuda, Hiroyuki Honda, Daisuke Omura, Nobuyoshi Matsuki, Masanori Furukawa, Akihito Higashikage, Fumio Otsuka","doi":"10.3389/bjbs.2026.16255","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/bjbs.2026.16255","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Long COVID (LC) presents persistent symptoms that pose a major clinical challenge. Identification of reliable biomarkers to evaluate LC pathophysiology is needed.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate whether serum S- and N-antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins reflect the clinical features of LC.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective observational study included patients diagnosed with Omicron variant-related LC who attended a post-COVID-19 outpatient clinic between July 2023 and November 2024 and provided informed consent for antibody testing.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 275 patients (129 men and 146 women), 57 (21%) were unvaccinated. Median S- and N-antibody titers in vaccinated versus unvaccinated patients were 20,963 U/mL and 24.8 cut-off index (COI) versus 24 U/mL and 44.5 COI, respectively. S-antibody titers were associated with the number of vaccine doses received, whereas N-antibody titers correlated with disease severity during the acute phase of COVID-19 infection, with females having higher titers by multivariable analysis. N-antibody titers in unvaccinated patients with LC were negatively correlated with time interval from infection to clinic visit, with an estimated daily decline of 0.34% in measured N-antibody levels. Patients with LC having memory impairment had low S-antibody titers by multivariable logistic regression analysis, and low S-antibody levels were associated with reduced quality of life (QOL). Additionally, N-antibody titers positively correlated with lymphocyte counts and immunoglobulin levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Serum N-antibody titers reflect immune responses to COVID-19, although they are affected by gender differences and interval between infection and evaluation. Lower S-antibody titers were associated with brain fog symptoms and reduced QOL in patients with LC.</p>","PeriodicalId":9236,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":"83 ","pages":"16255"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13143840/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147833512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of Somatic and Germline Mutations Influencing Treatment Outcomes and Disease Susceptibility in Tunisian Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Using Next-Generation Sequencing.","authors":"Asma Mehri, Ahmed Baligh Laaribi, Ichraf Jbir, Emna Chelbi, Beya Chelly, Abir Chaabane, Salwa Nechi, Hadda-Imen Ouzari","doi":"10.3389/bjbs.2026.15988","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15988","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype characterized by marked molecular heterogeneity and limited targeted therapeutic options. Its incidence is rising in many low- and middle-income countries, where genetic profiling of affected patients remains largely unexplored despite evident clinical disparities. This study aimed to characterize, for the first time in a Tunisian cohort, the spectrum of germline and somatic mutations in TNBC patients and to assess their potential impact on therapeutic response. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of hotspot regions across 50 cancer-related genes was performed in twelve patients using the AmpliSeq for Illumina Cancer Hotspot Panel v2, applied to both tumor tissues and matched adjacent non-tumoral tissues. Bioinformatics analysis revealed recurrent germline variants present in all samples, notably in TP53 (rs1042522), CSF1R (rs2066933), FGFR3 (rs7688609), RET (rs1800861), KDR (rs7692791), and PDGFRA (rs1873778). In tumor tissues, 32 deleterious somatic variants were detected across 20 oncogenes, with TP53 emerging as the most frequently mutated gene (58%). Distinct mutational patterns were observed in relation to treatment response. Notably, the co-occurrence of AKT1 (rs121434592) and TP53 (rs876660754) was observed in a patient with treatment resistance, whereas an in-frame deletion in NOTCH1 (p.Val1578del) was uniquely detected in patients who subsequently experienced disease recurrence. These findings provide the first comprehensive characterization of germline and somatic alterations in Tunisian TNBC patients, representing a North African cohort. They reveal the heterogeneity of mutation patterns linked to treatment response, and emphasize the importance of genomic profiling into clinical practice and guide personalized therapeutic strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":9236,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":"83 ","pages":"15988"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13143849/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147833528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Molecular Pathology of Blood Cancer: A Comprehensive Review of Chromosome and Genetic Abnormalities and Their Clinical Utility.","authors":"N McCaul, R J Bingham, A D Blann","doi":"10.3389/bjbs.2025.14745","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/bjbs.2025.14745","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Molecular pathology has, without a doubt, transformed the field of blood cancer. Thanks to pioneers such as Sanger and Mullis, techniques such as next- and third-generation sequencing, and whole exome sequencing have, alongside a revolution in bioinformatics, determined abnormalities in chromosomes and genes with exquisite sensitivity and specificity. These have contributed considerably not just to our understanding of the cell biology, aetiology, classification, and pathophysiology of blood cancer, but also to its diagnosis and management. Good examples of this include the ability to recognise and treat cases of aberrant tyrosine kinase activity with targeted inhibitors and the recognition that certain abnormalities are linked to a more severe outcome, so that focused treatment can begin. This review catalogues these discoveries and describes how they contribute to our understanding of, and thus the treatment of, lymphoma, leukaemia, myeloma, and other myeloproliferative, erythroid, megakaryocytic, and lymphoid neoplasms. Inevitably, as new techniques are developed, we can expect further advances in biomedical science in all aspects of blood cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":9236,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":"82 ","pages":"14745"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13136041/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147833456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Age-Related Loss of GPR68 and Calretinin Immunoreactive Neurons Within the Mucosa, Not the Myenteric Plexus of Human Colon.","authors":"Nicholas Baidoo, Enrica De Rasis, Luke Paine, David C Bulmer, Gareth J Sanger","doi":"10.3389/bjbs.2026.15884","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15884","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The G protein-coupled receptor 68 (GPR68) detects variations in extracellular pH, and has potential roles in homeostasis and responses to ischaemia and inflammation within different organs, including the gastrointestinal tract. However, in the human colon the distribution of GPR68 remains unclear. We examined the localization and density of GPR68 within the ascending (AC) and descending (DC) human colon from younger and older adults.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Macroscopically normal AC and DC were obtained from patients undergoing lower bowel cancer resection (aged 22-91 years; grouped into younger (≤60 years) and older (≥67 years) populations). Immunolabelling was performed using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections and antibodies against GPR68, protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) and calretinin to identify the presence and density of GPR68-immunoreactive (IR) expressing cells.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Ageing did not change the density of total PGP9.5-IR enteric neuronal fibres in the AC or DC. For the myenteric plexus (MP) of both age groups, the densities of calretinin-IR neurons were similar in both the AC (younger: 1.2 ± 0.3 × 10^-3; older: 0.9 ± 0.2 × 10^-3 per mm² plexus) and DC (1.4 ± 0.2 × 10^-3; 1.3 ± 0.3 × 10^-3 per mm² plexus), but reduced in the mucosa of older adults for both AC (respectively, 9.8 ± 0.5 vs. 3.2 ± 0.1/pixel) and DC (11.5 ± 0.9 vs. 7.4 ± 0.3/pixel). Similar reduction of calretinin-IR enteric neurons was found in the SMP of AC but not clearly in the DC in the older adults. GPR68 was widely expressed in the mucosa, circular muscle and myenteric plexus of both the AC and DC. The density of GPR68-IR in the muscle and myenteric plexus was similar in both age groups, but smaller in the mucosa of older adults for both AC and DC.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>GPR68 is widely distributed within the enteric nervous system of the human colon, with potential roles for GPR68 suggested in the muscle and MP, and in the functions of calretinin-IR neurons within the mucosa. Further, the concomitant loss of GPR68 and calretinin-IR neurons in the mucosa of older adults suggests selective vulnerability of mucosal sensory and homeostatic mechanisms of the ageing colon.</p>","PeriodicalId":9236,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":"83 ","pages":"15884"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13095668/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147763001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Carbon Quantum Dots as Versatile Nanosystems for Biomedical Innovation: Mechanisms, Applications, and Translational Prospects.","authors":"Jasdev Singh Maan, Milind Kuruvath Santhosh, Stevelyn Jia Xin Lee, Nicole Zi Yu Leow, Anis Sofia Binti Mohd Adli, Charlotte Jia Qi Tai, Jia Hui Lim, Yasheni Muniandy, Chun-Wai Mai, Tong Ling Tan, Soi Moi Chye, Rhun Yian Koh, Chooi Ling Lim","doi":"10.3389/bjbs.2026.15960","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15960","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) represent a rapidly developing class of fluorescent nanomaterials with increasing relevance in biomedical research and application. Their tuneable photoluminescence (PL), favourable biocompatibility, and versatile surface chemistry has supported applications in bioimaging, biosensing, and therapeutic strategies. Advances in top-down, bottom-up, and green synthesis routes have improved control over emission profiles, heteroatom doping, and surface functionalisation. Recent work has begun to elucidate how synthesis conditions and surface states govern biological interactions, intracellular transport, and subcellular localisation. This review provides an updated, mechanistic evaluation of these developments, with particular emphasis on how defined structural attributes influence antimicrobial activity, organelle-specific targeting, and integrated imaging-therapy platforms. Despite these advances, significant challenges continue to hinder clinical translation. These include variability in synthesis protocols, inconsistent batch-to-batch reproducibility, and insufficient data on long-term toxicity and biodistribution. The absence of standardised characterisation frameworks and clear regulatory pathways further complicate translational progress. Through critically linking synthesis strategies to surface chemistry and biological behaviour, this review depicts key design considerations necessary for advancing CQDs toward clinical application in next-generation nanomedicine.</p>","PeriodicalId":9236,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":"83 ","pages":"15960"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13084170/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147721792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Challenges in Diagnosis of Lepidic Subtype in Lung Cancer According to W.H.O Classification: A Case Report.","authors":"Cuong Pham Nguyen, Long Thien Phan, Phuong Thi Phan, Do Quyen Thi Phan, Tuong Pham Nguyen, Thoi Van Dang","doi":"10.3389/bjbs.2026.16119","DOIUrl":"10.3389/bjbs.2026.16119","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Lepidic adenocarcinoma of the lung often presents with atypical radiological patterns mimicking pneumonia, posing significant diagnostic challenges, particularly from small cytology samples. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and advanced-stage presentation.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>A 57-year-old non-smoking female presented with a persistent cough, massive sputum production, and diffuse bilateral pulmonary lesions on computed tomography scan, resembling pneumonia. The patient's condition rapidly deteriorated into acute respiratory failure unresponsive to antibiotics. A sputum cell block confirmed lung adenocarcinoma (CK7+, TTF-1+). Liquid biopsy via Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) identified an EGFR L858R mutation (VAF 80%). First-line Osimertinib induced a dramatic clinical and radiological response within days. However, disease progression occurred after 9 months. A repeat biopsy and NGS re-evaluation revealed a persistent L858R mutation with an increased VAF (89%), without secondary resistance mutations (T790M, C797S) or bypass alterations, suggesting non-genetic resistance mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case underscores the critical difficulty of diagnosing lepidic-patterned tumors in an oncological emergency. It highlights the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach, combining cytology, radiology, and early molecular testing as a surrogate for traditional histopathology to guide urgent targeted therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":9236,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":"83 ","pages":"16119"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13083043/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147721824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Breast Cancer Disparities in African and African-Ancestry Populations: Genetics, Epigenetics, Structural Barriers and Technology-Enabled Solutions.","authors":"Chika Eze, Rasha Swadi, Kehinde Ross, Vijay Sharma","doi":"10.3389/bjbs.2026.16013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/bjbs.2026.16013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Breast cancer remains a leading cause of mortality among women globally, with disproportionately high incidence, aggressive subtypes and poor outcomes in African and African-ancestry populations. While inherited BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations drive hereditary risk, recent evidence highlights the critical role of BRCA1 promoter methylation especially in sporadic and triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC), which disproportionately affect African-descended women. This review synthesises the genetic and epigenetic landscape of breast cancer susceptibility in African and diaspora cohorts, emphasising unique mutation spectra, elevated BRCA1 methylation frequencies and their prognostic/treatment implications. Systemic barriers including limited screening infrastructure, workforce shortages, structural racism, and cultural challenges exacerbate late diagnosis and inequities. We evaluate emerging solutions such as telemedicine, AI-enhanced diagnostics, and mobile platforms, alongside the need for context-specific research and investment to integrate molecular insights with innovative health system interventions. This synthesis underscores the urgency of addressing biological and structural drivers to close breast cancer outcome gaps in Africa and similar low- and middle-income settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":9236,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":"83 ","pages":"16013"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12982158/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147467006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High-Fat Diet Anticipates Age-Related Sarcopenia Through Increased Oxidative Stress and Inflammation.","authors":"Fabiano Cimmino, Lidia Petrella, Gina Cavaliere, Mariarosaria Negri, Claudia Pivonello, Giuliana Napolitano, Marianna Crispino, Giovanna Trinchese, Annamaria Colao, Maria Pina Mollica","doi":"10.3389/bjbs.2026.15743","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15743","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ageing, a physiological process, and obesity, a pathological condition, are both associated with several metabolic alterations including energy imbalance, altered body composition, chronic low-grade inflammation, lipotoxicity, glucotoxicity, insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunctions. During ageing mitochondrial capacity declines and oxidative stress increases. However, the biphasic model of age-associated mitochondrial functions indicates that, before the ageing-associated decrease in mitochondrial respiration, this parameter increases in the transition from young adult to middle-aged, with a concomitant mild increase in ROS production that stimulates an antioxidant response, limiting the ageing-associated damages. Ageing-associated body composition changes can lead to sarcopenia, one of the most debilitating dysfunctions in the elderly. The sarcopenia is a known geriatric syndrome characterized by the loss of muscle mass and strength and mitochondria dysfunctions. These alterations of the disease can be exacerbated by obesity. Here, in an experimental animal model of diet-induced obesity, we evaluated the time-course changes in body composition, inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters, mitochondrial functions and antioxidant responses.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Male Wistar rats at 60 days of age were divided into two experimental groups: the first group received a standard diet; the second group received a high-fat diet (HFD). The animals from both groups were fed with the appropriate diet for 1, 3, 6, 12, or 24 weeks (n = 6 for each group and time point). At each time point, the animals were sacrificed and dissected to obtain the organs and tissues needed for analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our results clearly showed the contribution of high-fat diet in anticipating and worsening the metabolic and inflammatory alterations associated with age, in particular, highlighting the role of mitochondria in attempting the regulation of physiological alterations typical of aging.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In the HFD group the antioxidant defences fail their job because of the additional inflammation and oxidative stress due to the diet. HFD is related to decreased animals' activity. Thus, cannot be excluded that the reduced physical activity may contribute, at least in part, to the impaired mitochondrial functions in the skeletal muscle of HFD rats. Altogether, our results clearly highlighted the contribution of HFD in anticipating and worsening the metabolic and inflammatory alterations associated with aging, including sarcopenia.</p>","PeriodicalId":9236,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":"83 ","pages":"15743"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12979236/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147467011","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Alternative Polyadenylation Signatures Distinguish Maladaptive Right Ventricular Remodeling in Pulmonary Hypertension: Implications for RNA-Based Diagnostics and Therapeutics.","authors":"Janani Subramaniam, Venkata Jonnakuti, Scott D Collum, Sandra Martineau, Kai-Lieh Huang, Sandra Breuils-Bonnet, Andrea L Frump, Bindu H Akkanti, Jayeshkumar A Patel, Manish K Patel, Ismael Salas de Armas, Isabella N Lefebvre, Rajko Radovancevic, Elvin Blanco, Eric J Wagner, Igor Gregoric, Sriram Nathan, Biswajit Kar, Steeve Provencher, Sebastien Bonnet, François Potus, Hari Krishna Yalamanchili, Harry Karmouty-Quintana","doi":"10.3389/bjbs.2026.15687","DOIUrl":"10.3389/bjbs.2026.15687","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Increased pulmonary vascular pressures due to vascular remodeling, elevated vascular resistance, and vasoconstriction characterize Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). The narrowing of the pulmonary arteries and obstruction of blood flow increase the Right Ventricular (RV) afterload, forcing the RV to undergo structural and functional changes. While adaptive remodeling leads to RV compensation by maintaining function, maladaptive remodeling leads to RV decompensation, characterized by worsening function and eventual failure. At present, there is no effective treatment for these patients as therapies for left ventricular failure are ineffectual, and there are no therapies specifically targeting the RV. Therefore, there is a clear need to understand the pathophysiology of RV failure and to identify the differences between adaptive and maladaptive RV remodeling. This study analyzes changes in polyadenylation site usage, a process known as alternative polyadenylation (APA), in RV failure. APA is a mechanism used to regulate mRNA maturation that can result in either shortening or elongation of the mRNA 3'UTR. By analyzing APA patterns in RV tissue from donor controls and patients with compensated and decompensated RV failure, we demonstrate a pattern of 3'UTR elongation that is present in decompensated RV failure and not in compensated or control RVs. Further, altered APA was also detected in 3 distinct rat models of PH, where 15 transcripts had shared APA alterations across both rat models and human disease. Our study provides an unbiased approach to identifying the molecular changes leading to RV dysfunction while pinpointing novel therapeutic targets that can be leveraged for intervention. These APA signatures may serve as biomarkers to distinguish adaptive from maladaptive RV remodeling. In addition, the RNA-processing machinery that regulates APA, such as NUDT21 and CPSF6, represents potential therapeutic targets for RNA-based interventions. Together, our findings link RNA processing to diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities in right heart failure.</p>","PeriodicalId":9236,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":"83 ","pages":"15687"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12963017/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147375898","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Analysis of the Career Pathway of Clinical Laboratory Scientists: Identifying Access Barriers and Best Practice to Increase Diversity in the Workforce.","authors":"James A O'Connor","doi":"10.3389/bjbs.2026.15810","DOIUrl":"10.3389/bjbs.2026.15810","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Widening participation among the clinical laboratory scientific workforce is essential to meet future needs of healthcare systems. The advantages of more diversity in this clinically pivotal workforce include better decision making, improved diagnostics and a wider pool of appropriately trained applicants for new and advanced posts. This review summarises a sustainable \"trickle up approach\" to increase diversity and widen participation at all levels of the career pathway for clinical laboratory scientists with a focus on socioeconomically disadvantaged and minoritised scientists. Issues of access to appropriate degrees are present years in advance of university application and can be addressed through meaningful outreach programmes from universities and professional bodies. Interventions to broaden degree entry access including foundation routes have proven efficacy, whereas the role of degree apprenticeships in widening participation appears to be minimal, currently. There is a higher proportion of ethnic minorities, particularly black students, who don't complete their degree programme or attain lower awards than colleagues. Contributory factors include curriculum design along with psychosocial deficiencies in delivery. Decolonising and making biomedical science curricula and delivery more inclusive have proven effective in reducing these risks. Furthermore, socioeconomically disadvantaged students face a new challenge from generative artificial intelligence tools, where those that can pay get access to more powerful tools, creating a new gap, unless these tools are used judiciously and free at point of use. A graduate is required to complete training in a clinical laboratory to gain HCPC or equivalent registration, these places are competitive, and often unpaid. This appears to be a key barrier to widening participation, with a majority of graduates not pursuing careers as Biomedical Scientists. A state and financially supported training programme is required to broaden involvement at and post-registration. There is a paucity of information regarding the makeup of the workforce at promotional grades. However, an analysis of postgraduate study and research avenues reveals challenges for those from minoritised backgrounds and working mothers. These can be addressed through diversity in academic institutions and tailored, personalised approaches to research for working mothers to maximise participation at management and clinical leadership roles in the diagnostic laboratory.</p>","PeriodicalId":9236,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Biomedical Science","volume":"83 ","pages":"15810"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12960280/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147375966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}