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        <title>British Journal of Biomedical Science | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/journals/british-journal-of-biomedical-science</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for British Journal of Biomedical Science | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
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        <pubDate>2026-04-20T17:35:47.538+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.14745</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.14745</link>
        <title><![CDATA[The Molecular Pathology of Blood Cancer: A Comprehensive Review of Chromosome and Genetic Abnormalities and Their Clinical Utility]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>N. McCaul</author><author>R. J. Bingham</author><author>A. D. Blann</author>
        <description><![CDATA[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.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15884</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15884</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Age-Related Loss of GPR68 and Calretinin Immunoreactive Neurons Within the Mucosa, Not the Myenteric Plexus of Human Colon]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Nicholas Baidoo</author><author>Enrica De Rasis</author><author>Luke Paine</author><author>David C. Bulmer</author><author>Gareth J. Sanger</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundThe 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.MethodsMacroscopically 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.ResultsAgeing 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.ConclusionGPR68 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.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15960</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15960</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Carbon Quantum Dots as Versatile Nanosystems for Biomedical Innovation: Mechanisms, Applications, and Translational Prospects]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-02T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Jasdev Singh Maan</author><author>Milind Kuruvath Santhosh</author><author>Stevelyn Jia Xin Lee</author><author>Nicole Zi Yu Leow</author><author>Anis Sofia binti Mohd Adli</author><author>Charlotte Jia Qi Tai</author><author>Jia Hui Lim</author><author>Yasheni Muniandy</author><author>Chun-Wai Mai</author><author>Tong Ling Tan</author><author>Soi Moi Chye</author><author>Rhun Yian Koh</author><author>Chooi Ling Lim</author>
        <description><![CDATA[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.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.16119</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.16119</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Challenges in Diagnosis of Lepidic Subtype in Lung Cancer According to W.H.O Classification: A Case Report]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-02T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Case Report</category>
        <author>Cuong Pham Nguyen</author><author>Long Thien Phan</author><author>Phuong Thi Phan</author><author>Do Quyen Thi Phan</author><author>Tuong Pham Nguyen</author><author>Thoi Van Dang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundLepidic 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.Case presentationA 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.ConclusionThis 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.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.16013</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.16013</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Breast Cancer Disparities in African and African-Ancestry Populations: Genetics, Epigenetics, Structural Barriers and Technology-Enabled Solutions]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-27T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Chika Eze</author><author>Rasha Swadi</author><author>Kehinde Ross</author><author>Vijay Sharma</author>
        <description><![CDATA[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.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15743</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15743</link>
        <title><![CDATA[High-Fat Diet Anticipates Age-Related Sarcopenia Through Increased Oxidative Stress and Inflammation]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-26T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Fabiano Cimmino</author><author>Lidia Petrella</author><author>Gina Cavaliere</author><author>Mariarosaria Negri</author><author>Claudia Pivonello</author><author>Giuliana Napolitano</author><author>Marianna Crispino</author><author>Giovanna Trinchese</author><author>Annamaria Colao</author><author>Maria Pina Mollica</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundAgeing, 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.MethodsMale 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.ResultsOur 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.ConclusionIn 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.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15687</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15687</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Alternative Polyadenylation Signatures Distinguish Maladaptive Right Ventricular Remodeling in Pulmonary Hypertension: Implications for RNA-Based Diagnostics and Therapeutics]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Janani Subramaniam</author><author>Venkata Jonnakuti</author><author>Scott D. Collum</author><author>Sandra Martineau</author><author>Kai-Lieh Huang</author><author>Sandra Breuils-Bonnet</author><author>Andrea L. Frump</author><author>Bindu H. Akkanti</author><author>Jayeshkumar A. Patel</author><author>Manish K. Patel</author><author>Ismael Salas de Armas</author><author>Isabella N. Lefebvre</author><author>Rajko Radovancevic</author><author>Elvin Blanco</author><author>Eric J. Wagner</author><author>Igor Gregoric</author><author>Sriram Nathan</author><author>Biswajit Kar</author><author>Steeve Provencher</author><author>Sebastien Bonnet</author><author>François Potus</author><author>Hari Krishna Yalamanchili</author><author>Harry Karmouty-Quintana</author>
        <description><![CDATA[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.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15810</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15810</link>
        <title><![CDATA[An Analysis of the Career Pathway of Clinical Laboratory Scientists: Identifying Access Barriers and Best Practice to Increase Diversity in the Workforce]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>James A. O’Connor</author>
        <description><![CDATA[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.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15242</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15242</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Assessing the Impact of Mesoporous, Co-Amorphous, and Polymer-Based Systems on Cefdinir’s Dissolution and Stability Via Predictive Modeling]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Raghad Al Nuss</author><author>Mohamad Anas Al Tahan</author><author>Hind El-Zein</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The poor solubility and permeability of Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class IV drugs pose major challenges to achieving sufficient oral bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. Improving drug dissolution is a key strategy to enhance bioavailability, which in turn can enable more effective targeting of drugs to their site of action. To address this, we formulated cefdinir, a model BCS Class IV compound, using three amorphisation strategies; solid dispersions, mesoporous silica dispersions, and co-amorphous systems to assess the impact of formulation on stability and dissolution. Formulations were prepared via spray drying and solvent immersion using different drug-to-polymer ratios, with miscibility predicted using Flory–Huggins theory. The amorphous nature of each system was confirmed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarised light microscopy (PLM), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Dissolution studies revealed significantly enhanced drug release from all formulations compared to crystalline cefdinir. Among them, solid dispersion and co-amorphous systems exhibited the greatest improvement in dissolution rates, attributed to their ability to maintain supersaturation and inhibit crystallisation via kinetic stabilisation. These systems also showed better physical stability under non-sink aqueous conditions. However, mesoporous silica dispersions demonstrated superior long-term stability, retaining over 95% drug content and preserving their amorphous structure across three storage conditions (25 °C/0% RH, 40 °C/0% RH, and 40 °C/75% RH) for 6 months. This was attributed to the confinement of the drug within silica pores and the absence of hygroscopic excipients. Overall, this study highlights the distinct advantages of each approach, emphasising the importance of balancing dissolution enhancement with solid-state stability, and supports the use of theoretical modelling to guide rational formulation design for poorly soluble drugs to improve oral bioavailability and enable more targeted therapeutic outcomes.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15559</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.15559</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Antimicrobial Resistance: The Answers]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-06T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Beverley C. Millar</author><author>Mary J. Cates</author><author>Marco S. Torrisi</author><author>Amanda J. Round</author><author>Aisling Warde</author><author>Colm J. Lowery</author><author>John E. Moore</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has caused a global public health crisis, contributing to approximately five million deaths in 2019 and predicted deaths of approximately ten million annually by 2050. This equates to approximately 1.4-fold more deaths annually from AMR in 2050 than the entire COVID-19 pandemic to date. To tackle this AMR pandemic, regulatory and policy frameworks have been prepared at local, national and international levels with multi-faceted proposals and advances encompassing surveillance, diagnostics, infection prevention, antibiotic prescribing and variation of existing and novel treatment approaches. This narrative review primarily focuses on research and development which have been documented over the last five years in relation to therapeutic approaches at various stages in clinical development and the potential role that vaccines can play in the fight against AMR. This review provides an overview on antibacterial drugs, including novel classes of antibiotics, which have been recently approved, as well as combination antibiotic therapy and the potential of repurposed drugs. The potential role of novel antimicrobial, antibiofilm and quorum sensing inhibitors, such as antimicrobial peptides, nanomaterials and compounds from the extreme and natural environments, as well as ethnopharmacology including the antimicrobial effects of plants, spices, honey and venoms are explored. Novel therapeutic approaches are critically discussed in terms of their realistic clinical potential, detailing recent and ongoing trials to highlight the current interest of these approaches, including immunotherapy, bacteriophage therapy, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), antimicrobial sonodynamic therapy (aSDT), nitric oxide therapy and microbiome manipulation including faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The potential of predatory bacteria as living antimicrobial agents is also discussed. Importantly, there have been many technological developments which have enhanced bioprospecting and research and development of novel antimicrobials which this review draws attention to, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and Organ-on-a-Chip devices. Finally, key messages from the recent World Health Organization report into the role of vaccines against AMR provides an interesting perspective relating to prevention which can be of significance in tackling the AMR burden.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.14887</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.14887</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Empowering Students to Identify Their Own Skill Sets Through a Final Year Biomedical Science Job Interview Assessment]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Kayleigh Wilkins</author><author>Amreen Bashir</author><author>James Heritage</author><author>Kathleen Pritchard</author><author>Ross Pallett</author><author>Karan Singh Rana</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionThe final year Professional Development for Biomedical Scientists module at Aston University strives to create competent practitioners upon graduation. Recent research identified that 93% of NHS pathology employers within the United Kingdom, do not believe that new Biomedical Scientist graduates possess the skills required for a Band 5 interview. Additionally, 73% of these employers believed students were not fully prepared for the NHS interview process. Therefore, Aston University redeveloped an existing mock interview component to align directly with NHS interview processes. This research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the redesigned “Job interview” assessment upon student understanding of their own transferable skills and readiness for future laboratory employment.MethodsResearchers evaluated the effectiveness of the assessment through a mixed-method approach survey. The survey was launched to students following their completion of the Medical Laboratory Assistant video interview, using the interview software Interview360. The survey sought to identify if after the interview assessment students felt they could demonstrate with examples, using the STAR technique, several key skills sought by employers.ResultsData was collected from both the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 final year Biomedical Science cohort. Collected data has been overwhelmingly positive, with 97% of students agreeing that they “understand the types of questions they would be asked in an NHS interview” (p < 0.0001). In terms of the key skills sought for by employers, 93% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they felt they could communicate within a specific situation example their understanding of “Basic equipment skills” (p < 0.0001) and their “understanding of laboratory results” (p < 0.0001). Whilst 99% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they could demonstrate their “understanding of laboratory health and safety” (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, respondents reported that the job interview assessment assisted them to demonstrate their transferable skills, including teamwork (81.6%) and organisational skills (71.05%).DiscussionStudent responses identify a positive change to their job interview skills and understanding of the NHS interview process. Here, researchers present the re-modelled graded job interview assessment with the NHS aligned mark scheme, along with four pre-assessment workshops as a process to embed employability into the Biomedical Science curriculum.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.14947</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2026.14947</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Investigating the Barriers Faced by Biomedical Science Undergraduates in Completing a Placement Year]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Kathryn Dudley</author><author>Amreen Bashir</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionResearch shows completing a placement year is associated with improved academic and employment outcomes. For Biomedical science courses, pathology placements allow completion of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) registration training portfolio and obtaining Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration post-graduation. This study sought to identify the barriers biomedical science students across the West Midlands region of England face when completing a placement year, to identify strategies which promote inclusivity to overcome these barriers.Materials and MethodsLevel 5 and Level 6 students from Aston, Coventry, Keele and Wolverhampton universities were invited to complete a questionnaire which included a mixture of Likert scale and free-text responses. A range of questions assessed student perceptions on the importance of placement opportunities, as well as identifying factors which were important when pursuing a placement year. Likert scale data was analysed quantitatively, and a Mann Whitney U or Kruskal Wallis test were used to infer significance, whereas free text responses were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsA total of 107 students completed the questionnaire. Students who declared a disability were less likely to undertake an unpaid placement compared to their peers (p = 0.013). Of those students who declared caring responsibilities, 33.3% chose not to apply for a placement year compared to 18.2% of those who did not have caring responsibilities (p = 0.020). Participants reported that funding was important when deciding whether to pursue a placement (88.8%). Thematic analysis revealed several recurring themes deterring student placement applications, including financial support and placement availability within their geographical area. Students valued the importance of professional recognition following the placement and the development of technical and transferable skills.DiscussionMany of the barriers are fuelled by financial constraints which deter students from applying to placement positions. Despite the need to increase the Biomedical Scientist workforce, the strategies to increase training opportunities are not well established. Equity in placement funding from centralised sources is key to ensuring Biomedical Scientists can excel in their professional careers. Through availability of funding, marginalised populations will have the same opportunities as their peers therefore producing more employable graduates to meet pathology workforce demands.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.14989</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.14989</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Maternal Toxoplasma gondii Infection Perturbs Foetal and Maternal Foetal Interface Metabolism, Exposing the Foetus to Kynurenine]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-04T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Hafiz Arshad</author><author>Gareth Westrop</author><author>Natércia Teixeira</author><author>Margarida Borges</author><author>Craig W. Roberts</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionToxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy can result in abortion or congenital infection. Events in the maternal-foetal interface, which form a selective barrier between the maternal and foetal circulations and where critical immunological adaptations occur, are critical in determining the pregnancy outcome. Recent studies have demonstrated that T. gondii infection can alter host metabolism, but how T. gondii infection alters the placenta or the foetus metabolome has not been reported.MethodsHerein, for the first time, we use liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) in the BALB/c murine model of congenital T. gondii to address this shortcoming.ResultsMaternal infection resulted in dysregulation of free amino acids with significant decreases in the levels of arginine, proline, threonine, methionine, leucine, glycine and glutamine detected in the decidua. Similar changes were noted in the placenta, although differences were less pronounced. In contrast, amino acid levels were not significantly altered in the foetal extracts. Results demonstrate that T. gondii infection induces the highest number of metabolite changes in the maternal serum. However, a subset of these changes was also found in the maternal-foetal interface and in the developing foetus. Maternal infection resulted in changes to arginine metabolism and downregulation of the urea cycle. Specifically, ornithine, arginosuccinate and citrulline were significantly decreased in all three tissues following maternal infection. Increased levels of spermidine were evident in the placenta and foetal extracts and not in the decidua from maternally infected mice. This indicates that maternal T. gondii infection downregulates the urea cycle, while increasing flux into polyamine biosynthesis in the decidua, placenta and foetus. Maternal infection resulted in an alteration to the tryptophan degradation pathway. Significantly decreased levels of kynurenine were seen in the decidua and placenta of maternally infected mice in comparison with the uninfected controls. In contrast, there was a significant increase in kynurenine in foetal extracts from maternally infected mice. Some metabolites from microbiome origin, including indoxylsulfate and 4-guanidinobutanoate, were changed compared with the controls, suggesting the potential of T. gondii to change the host microbiome.DiscussionThe data presented herein demonstrate that T. gondii infection during pregnancy alters the metabolome of the maternal-foetal interface and developing foetus. Notably increased kynurenine and decreased tryptophan levels were found in the foetal tissue. As kynurenine is known to be produced during maternal immune activation and has been implicated in the development of psychoneurological diseases these changes could have important implications for the offspring over their lifetime.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.15378</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.15378</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Gut Microbiota of Sarawak’s “Orang Ulu” Indigenous Community in East Malaysia Reveals Vanish Microbes: A Comparison With Urban Communities]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-21T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Farhat Abjani</author><author>Yi Xian Er</author><author>Soo Ching Lee</author><author>Priya Madhavan</author><author>Anthony Rhodes</author><author>Yvonne Ai Lian Lim</author><author>Pei Pei Chong</author><author>Karuthan Chinna</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionUrbanization often correlates with reduced diversity in human gut microbiota, with notable variations observed between the gut microbiota among the Indigenous communities in rural villages and urban citizens residing in modern settings. Although research has been conducted on the gut microbiota of healthy adults in Malaysia, there has been no study characterising the gut microbiota of Sarawak’s Indigenous communities to date. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the gut microbiota profile of the Sarawak Indigenous groups (specifically Orang Ulu subethnic groups Kayan and Kenyah), comparing them with semi-urbanized Selangor Indigenous communities from Peninsular Malaysia (represented by Proto Malay subtribe Temuan) and Urban communities from Kuala Lumpur.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study and collected stool samples from 86 Indigenous participants from Sarawak and compared them with published data from 45 Malaysian Indigenous participants from Selangor and 18 Urban citizens living in Kuala Lumpur City. DNA was extracted from the stool samples, and subsequently, the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced. The raw sequence data were analyzed using the Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology 2 (QIIME2) bioinformatics platform.Results and DiscussionAnalysis revealed that the Sarawak Indigenous community exhibited the highest gut microbial diversity, followed by the Peninsular Indigenous and Urban groups. The Prevotella/Bacteroides (P/B) ratio revealed that the Sarawak Indigenous community showed the highest presence of Prevotella at 88.3%, while Kuala Lumpur Urban residents had a predominantly Bacteroides composition at 61%. The Selangor Indigenous community also exhibited a Prevotella-dominant profile at 75.5%. VANISH microbes (Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, and Succinivibrio) were identified as dominant genera in the Sarawak Indigenous gut microbiota, contrasting with the BIoSSUM microbe (Bacteroidaceae) found in the Kuala Lumpur cohort.ConclusionThis study sheds light on the distinct gut microbiota composition of Sarawak’s Indigenous community, which has not been previously explored. It highlights the impact of urbanization on gut microbiota composition during lifestyle transitions.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.15355</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.15355</link>
        <title><![CDATA[S100 Protein and Interleukin Biomarkers Among COVID-19 Subjects With and Without Pneumonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-08T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Haily Liduin Koyou</author><author>Vasudevan Ramachandran</author><author>Mohd Nazil Salleh</author><author>Wan Aliaa Wan Sulaiman</author><author>Mohd Hazmi Mohamed</author><author>Mohd Jaamia Qaadir Mohd Badrin</author><author>Caroline Satu Jelemie</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundThe global spread of COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has resulted in a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic cases to severe complications, such as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and multiple organ failure. Identifying effective biomarkers is essential for predicting disease severity and improving patient management.ObjectivesThis meta-analysis aims to assess the significance of S100 proteins (S100A4, S100A8, S100A9, S100A12, S100B, S100P) and interleukins (IL) (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IL-1β) in COVID-19 patients, comparing those with and without pneumonia or organ failure.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted on different databases, yielding 47 relevant studies published between 2020 and 2024. Data on the prevalence of IL and S100 protein levels were extracted and analyzed using pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) and heterogeneity (I2) to evaluate their associations with disease severity.ResultsIL-6 and IL-10 levels were significantly elevated in COVID-19 patients suffering from pneumonia or organ failure. IL-6 levels were notably higher in pneumonia patients compared to those without (SMD = 0.34 [95% CI: 0.17, 0.52], I2 = 29%). Similarly, elevated S100B levels were observed in severe cases (SMD = 0.51 [95% CI: 0.19, 0.83], I2 = 0%). While IL-10 levels showed high variability (I2 = 90%), they remained consistently linked with worse outcomes.ConclusionThis meta-analysis underscores the potential of IL-6, IL-10, and S100 proteins as important biomarkers in evaluating COVID-19 severity, offering valuable insights to help clinical management.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.15435</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.15435</link>
        <title><![CDATA[An Analysis of the Readability of Public-Facing Information Relating to Prevention of Infectious Diseases by Vaccination]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-12-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Beverley C. Millar</author><author>Callum Peters</author><author>John E. Moore</author>
        <description><![CDATA[PurposeThe readability of public-facing vaccine-related information is an important aspect of health literacy particularly regarding vaccine uptake. The aims of this study were to analyse the readability of such written literature and to provide recommendations, for improvement.MethodsReadability of vaccine-related information (ntotal = 240) from publicly available sources (n = 20 per category), including PubMed Abstracts, Expert Review of Vaccines (ERV) and Cochrane Reviews (CR), paired plain language and scientific abstracts, public health materials, clinical trial summaries and vaccine patient information leaflets, were assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease (FRE), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), SMOG and Gunning Fog readability metrics using the readability software tool readable.com.ResultsVaccine-related information for all sources had poor readability across all readability metrics with 90.8% and 94.6% not reaching the target FKGL (≤8) (mean 12 ± 3.2 sd) and FRE (≥60) (mean 34 ± 17 sd). Plain language summaries had improved readability, but did not reach reference targets. Scientific abstract and plain language scores for the CR were FRE (mean 25 ± 7.2 sd; median 25) versus (mean 37 ± 8.6 sd; median 36) p < 0.0001), respectively and for ERV FRE the scientific abstract (mean 18 ± 11 sd; median 17) versus the plain language score (mean 26 ± 11 sd; median 28) p = 0.002), respectively, indicating an improvement in readability scores for plain language summaries but again not reaching reference targets.ConclusionThe readability of public-facing vaccination materials is currently not optimum. The readability can be improved through the employment of readability calculators and ensuring, where possible, the use of mono-syllable words and less than fourteen words per sentence. The preparation of public-facing materials with improved readability scores will help aid in the promotion of health literacy and in turn promote vaccination uptake.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.15206</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.15206</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Molecular Effects of Glucose on MIR503HG-Regulated Genes in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-12-17T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Victoria A. Reid</author><author>Barbara Yang</author><author>Kyle Russo</author><author>Melina J. Sedano</author><author>Ramesh Choudhari</author><author>Enrique I. Ramos</author><author>Shrikanth S. Gadad</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype, characterized by a lack of key hormone receptors in tumor cells. As there are limited treatment options for these patients, it is crucial to understand the underlying mechanisms by which TNBC constantly evolves and evades treatments. In this regard, the pervasive nature of transcription provides a potential reservoir of transcripts, including both coding and noncoding, that TNBC leverages to sustain a proliferative advantage and support tumor growth. TNBC is affected by energy sources such as glucose, which can have a profound impact on gene expression regulation mediated by various molecules, including noncoding RNAs, at the cellular level. In this study, we demonstrate that glucose modulates the gene expression profile mediated by the microRNA-503 host gene (MIR503HG), which has been previously implicated in TNBC. To comprehensively characterize the impact of glucose on MIR503HG-regulated genes and cellular pathways, we sequenced total RNA, performed gene set enrichment analyses, and determined the relation between gene expression and patient outcomes. Analysis of gene subsets specific to various glucose environments identified clinical outcomes for breast cancer patients across different molecular subtypes. Our findings indicate that MIR503HG has potential as a diagnostic marker and may be useful in the clinical management of TNBC.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.15625</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.15625</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Epidemiological Analysis of Antinuclear Antibodies Positivity and Pattern Distribution in a Taiwanese Hospital-Based Cohort]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-12-15T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yu-Wei Tseng</author><author>Cheng-Li Lin</author><author>Si-Yu Chen</author><author>Tze-Kiong Er</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundAutoimmune diseases pose an increasing global health burden. The detection of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) via indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) is central to diagnosing systemic autoimmune conditions. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and distribution of ANA patterns in a Taiwanese population.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study of 8,299 patients who underwent ANA testing at Asia University Hospital between January 2021 and December 2023. ANA patterns were classified based on fluorescence staining characteristics. Demographic variables, including age and gender, were analyzed.ResultsANA positivity was observed in 35.3% of patients. The most frequent pattern was homogeneous (33.0%), followed by speckled (24.1%). Female patients had a significantly higher positivity rate (female-to-male ratio 2.7:1), and the ≥66-year age group accounted for 34.6% of ANA-positive cases. Mixed ANA patterns were identified in 22.8% of ANA-positive patients, with homogeneous-speckled being the most common combination (27.4%).ConclusionThis large-scale study provides valuable epidemiological data on ANA prevalence and pattern distribution in Taiwan. The predominance of homogeneous and speckled patterns, particularly among older female patients, aligns with established trends in autoimmune diseases. The high proportion of mixed ANA patterns suggests the need for further investigation into their clinical significance and diagnostic value.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.15902</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.15902</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Southeast Asia: Current Landscape and Future Priorities]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-12-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Suat Ming Chan</author><author>Ian C. Paterson</author><author>Lee Fah Yap</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains a major public health concern with a geographically skewed distribution. The disease is endemic in East Asia (particularly China), Southeast Asia (SEA) and South-Central Asia. Although China contributes the largest share of global NPC cases, several SEA countries consistently report high incidence rates. Despite this substantial burden, NPC remains a neglected disease across much of the region. This review synthesizes and appraises the available evidence on the epidemiology, incidence trends and disease burden of NPC in SEA. High-incidence hotspots persist in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand, with particularly striking rates among indigenous populations of East Malaysia. Late-stage presentation is common and survival outcomes in many SEA countries lag behind those observed in better-resourced endemic regions. Socioeconomic disparities in many SEA communities also amplify exposure to key NPC risk factors. This review outlines key region-specific challenges and identifies priority areas for coordinated health system strengthening. We emphasize the urgent need for regionally tailored strategies to mitigate the growing burden of NPC throughout SEA.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.15354</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/bjbs.2025.15354</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Influence of Reference Gene Selection on miRNA Quantification by RT-qPCR in Human Placental Samples]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-12-04T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Ankica Sekovanić</author><author>Tatjana Orct</author><author>Adrijana Dorotić</author><author>Daria Pašalić</author><author>Zorana Kljaković-Gašpić</author><author>Sandra Stasenko</author><author>Tatjana Mioč</author><author>Martina Piasek</author><author>Jasna Jurasović</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The gold standard for assessing expression of miRNAs, small molecules involved in numerous biological processes, is reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The reliability of RT-qPCR analysis results largely depends on accurate data normalization and the selection of an appropriate reference gene. This study evaluated the stability of five candidate reference genes—miR-525, miR-520c, SNORD48, miR-135b, and miR-143—in human placental samples. GeNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and the delta Ct-method were used to evaluate gene expression stability. The effect of reference gene selection for normalization of target miRNAs (miR-1537, miR-190b, miR-16, miR-21, and miR-146a) expression in term placental samples from smokers and non-smokers was also investigated. All statistical tools identified miR-525, miR-520c, and SNORD48 as the three most stable reference genes, except for GeNorm, which recommends the combination of the first two genes. Normalization using SNORD48 and miR-525 produced comparable results for miR-21 expression in the placental samples, both in smokers and non-smokers, whereas normalization with miR-143 yielded markedly different outcomes compared to SNORD48 and miR-525. These findings highlight the considerable impact of reference gene selection on RT-qPCR results, emphasizing the importance of careful validation to avoid misinterpretation of gene expression data.]]></description>
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