Gary R. McLean

Male factor infertility contributes to around half of all cases of couple infertility, and semen analysis remains the main first-line investigation of male fertility. However, conventional semen parameters do not always provide a complete picture of sperm quality, and there is growing interest in additional tests such as sperm DNA fragmentation analysis. A retrospective observational study was conducted using anonymised clinical data collected from men undergoing routine semen analysis between January 2024 and May 2026. Semen analyses were performed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Laboratory Manual for the Examination and rocessing of Human Semen using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Macroscopic and microscopic semen parameters were recorded alongside morphology, laboratory assessment and referral for sperm DNA fragmentation testing using the Halosperm sperm chromatin dispersion assay. The mean age of the cohort was 36.6 years (range 21–66 years). Although average semen parameters were generally above WHO lower reference limits, approximately 39–43% of men fell below the reference limits for key measures including sperm concentration, total sperm number, motility and morphology. Following review by the attending doctor, 61.0% (95% WI 56.04–65.71) of samples were classified as good, 30.0% (95% WI 25.62–34.72) as poor and 9.0% (95% WI 6.57–12.32) as very poor. Among the 170 men with available DNA fragmentation results, 25.6% (95% WI 14.9–40.2) of those classified as good were positive for increased DNA fragmentation, compared with 64.6% (95% WI 54.84 to 73.36) of the poor group and 82.1% (95% WI 64.4–92.1) of the very poor group. These findings show that conventional semen analysis remains valuable for identifying abnormalities and guiding further investigation. Importantly, sperm DNA fragmentation was also identified in a proportion of men whose routine semen assessment was considered satisfactory.

Male factor infertility contributes to around half of all cases of couple infertility, and semen analysis remains the main first-line investigation of male fertility. However, conventional semen parameters do not always provide a complete picture of sperm quality, and there is growing interest in additional tests such as sperm DNA fragmentation analysis. A retrospective observational study was conducted using anonymised clinical data collected from men undergoing routine semen analysis between January 2024 and May 2026. Semen analyses were performed according to the World Health Organization laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Macroscopic and microscopic semen parameters were recorded alongside morphology, laboratory assessment and referral for sperm DNA fragmentation testing using the Halosperm sperm chromatin dispersion assay. We retrospectively analysed data from 387 men who underwent routine semen analysis at Marylebone Diagnostic Centre, London, between January 2024 and May 2026. Samples were assessed according to WHO 6th Edition recommendations using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Macroscopic and microscopic semen parameters were recorded, together with clinical classification and subsequent sperm DNA fragmentation testing using the Halosperm® sperm chromatin dispersion assay where indicated. The mean age of the cohort was 36.6 years (range 21–66 years). Although average semen parameters were generally above WHO lower reference limits, approximately 39–43% of men fell below the reference limits for key measures including sperm concentration, total sperm number, motility and morphology. Following review by the attending doctor, 61.0% of samples were classified as good, 30.0% as poor and 9.0% as very poor. Among the 170 men with available DNA fragmentation results, 25.6% of those classified as good were positive for increased DNA fragmentation, compared with 64.6% of the poor group and 82.1% of the very poor group. These findings show that conventional semen analysis remains valuable for identifying abnormalities and guiding further investigation. Importantly, sperm DNA fragmentation was also identified in a proportion of men whose routine semen assessment was considered satisfactory, suggesting that selective DNA fragmentation testing may add useful information to the conventional diagnostic pathway.

Background: Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, with negligible potential for resistance development, excellent biocompatibility, and therefore, could be promising alternatives to conventional antimicrobials. However, their industrial-scale production relies on chemical synthesis that involves toxic reagents, imposing potential environmental hazards. In contrast, green synthesis offers an eco-friendly alternative, but our previous study found that green-synthesized IONPs (IONPs-G) exhibited a lower antibacterial activity and a higher cytotoxicity compared to chemically synthesized counterparts, likely due to nanoparticle aggregation. Objectives: To address this challenge, the current study presents a simple, effective, economic, scalable, and eco-friendly strategy to optimize the physicochemical properties of IONPs-G post-production without requiring extensive modifications to synthesis parameters. Methods: IONPs-G were dispersed in a solvent mixture containing Tween 80 (Tw80). Subsequently, in vitro antimicrobial and in vivo cytotoxicity studies on rabbits’ skin and eye were conducted. Results: The formed nanoparticles’ dispersion (IONPs-GTw80) had a particle size of 9.7 ± 2.1 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.111 ± 0.02, and a zeta potential of −11.4 ± 2.4 mV. MIC of IONPs-GTw80 values against S. aureus and E. coli were reduced by more than ten-fold compared to IONPs-G. MBC was twice MIC, confirming the bactericidal activity of IONPs-GTw80. In vivo studies of IONPs-GTw80 confirmed their biocompatibility with intact/abraded skin and eyes; this was further confirmed by histopathological and biochemical analyses. Conclusions: IONPs-GTw80 might be recommended as a disinfectant in healthcare settings or a topical antimicrobial agent for treatment of infected wounds. Nevertheless, further studies are required for their clinical translation.

A landmark genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 2005 led to a major discovery about the genetics of age-related macular degeneration. Since then, thousands of GWAS have been published and tens of thousands of genomic loci have been reported for association with human traits ranging from established ones (e.g. height, cardiovascular disease) to unconventional ones (e.g. same-sex sexual behavior, family income). While some claim that GWAS has already fulfilled its promises, we argue that it has yet to fully showcase its power in unraveling the secrets of the human genome and its links to phenotypes. The March 2025 bankruptcy of 23andMe serves as a stark reminder of the limited translational value of GWAS to the general public. The GWAS research community can achieve more only if we begin with a sober and objective assessment. Here, we first outline “ Four Persistent Obstacles” that continue to hinder GWAS progress and discuss how a “ Global Research Ecosystem” may be well-positioned to overcome them. We also highlight the transformative rise of artificial intelligence (AI) exemplified by AlphaFold’s unprecedented power in predicting protein structures. Finally, we introduce a novel concept, the “ trait efficiency locus (TEL)”, as a complement to the widely used quantitative trait locus (QTL) framework, providing a new lens for evaluating genetic discoveries. One could also term it “structural trait locus (STL)”, but “TEL” emphasizes the central idea that efficiency is what ultimately matters.

Vitamin D is the only vitamin that is conditionally essential, as it is synthesized from precursors after UV light exposure, whilst also being obtained from the diet. It has numerous health benefits, with deficiency becoming a major concern globally, such that dietary supplementation has more recently achieved vital importance to maintain satisfactory levels. In recent years, measurements made from blood have, therefore, become critical to determine the status of vitamin D levels in individuals and the larger population. Tests for vitamin D have routinely relied on laboratory analysis with sophisticated equipment, often being slow and costly, whilst rapid immunoassays have suffered from poor specificity and sensitivity. Here, we have evaluated a new rapid immunoassay test on the market (Rapi-D & IgLoo) to quickly and accurately measure vitamin D levels in small capillary blood specimens and compared this to measurements made using the standard laboratory method of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Our results show that vitamin D can be measured very quickly and over a broad range using the new method, as well as correlate relatively well with standard laboratory testing; however, it cannot be fully relied upon currently to accurately diagnose deficiency or sufficiency in individuals. Our statistical and comparative analyses find that the rapid immunoassay with digital quantification significantly overestimates vitamin D levels, leading to diminished diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency. The speed and simplicity of the rapid method will likely provide advantages in various healthcare settings; however, further calibration of this rapid method and testing parameters for improving quantification of vitamin D from capillary blood specimens is required before integration of it into clinical decision-making pathways.

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) previously focused mainly on multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, with less attention on viruses. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of controlling viral infections. Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) are among the viruses responsible for HAIs. HRVs are non-enveloped viruses that infect the upper airways after airborne or direct transmission. Due to their lack of a membrane envelope, HRVs exhibit moderate resistance to commonly applied alcoholic disinfectants. Therefore, there is a significant need to develop alternative disinfection and hand sanitation strategies to control HRV infections in healthcare settings without posing a risk to human health. The antimicrobial activity and safety of rhamnolipids and rhamnolipids nano-micelles (RMN) against MDR-bacteria and several viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, were confirmed recently. Also, we previously demonstrated the superior antimicrobial activity of RMN over rhamnolipids. In the current study, molecular docking demonstrated the weak interactions of rhamnolipids with HRV-1A (minor group) compared to HRV-14 (major group), suggesting a superior antiviral activity of rhamnolipids towards major group rhinoviruses. To biologically validate these data, RMN was prepared and characterized, and then antiviral activity against HRV-16 (major group) and HRV-1B (minor group) infection of HeLa cells was assessed. RMN showed a complete inhibition of HRV-16 infection with recovery of 100% of HeLa cell viability. In contrast, only partial inhibition of HRV-1B infection with approximately 50% protection against infection was observed. Therefore, RMN might be recommended as a disinfectant and/or a hand sanitizer component to control the spread of RVs in hospital care settings or elsewhere to reduce the incidence of respiratory infections.

Vitamin D is vital for bone health, immune system support, and muscle function. Deficiency in Vitamin D is widespread, with up to 65% of individuals in certain populations, including Black students at London Metropolitan University, UK, being affected. This study focuses on the need for a deeper understanding of Vitamin D prescription patterns, specifically within an inner London borough, using advanced data analytics. Previous analysis, such as ones conducted by OpenPrescribing.net, has investigated NHS prescription data but lacked a focused examination on Vitamin D. Our study introduces a novel computational approach, integrating NHS datasets from 2013 to 2023. We developed a web‐hosted dashboard using Python, Flask, Cesium, PowerBI, and libraries such as Pandas, Scikit‐learn to provide real‐time data visualization and predictive analytics. Our methodology involved API‐driven ingestion of large‐scale data, focusing on Vitamin D prescriptions in a borough, and mapping this against patient numbers. We used feature manipulation and model training to gain insights into prescription counts, dosages, medication types, and formulations. This interactive platform supports dynamic reporting through PowerBI and Cesium. Our findings reveal significant variations in prescription patterns among GP surgeries influenced by socioeconomic factors. This interdisciplinary project, in future collaboration with local GP federations, United Kingdom, enhances computational health data analysis and aims to inform better prescription practices and healthcare policies, ultimately improving policy practice and public health outcomes.

The author makes extremely valid points regarding the language barriers faced by paramedics in the UK and how this can, in turn, affect the quality of healthcare. As a multicultural society, the UK population has individuals and families that speak n...

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are enveloped positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a genome that is 27–31 kbases in length. Critical genes include the spike (S), envelope (E), membrane (M), nucleocapsid (N) and nine accessory open reading frames encoding for non-structural proteins (NSPs) that have multiple roles in the replication cycle and immune evasion (1). There are seven known human CoVs that most likely appeared after zoonotic transfer, the most recent being SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Antivirals that have been approved by the FDA for use against COVID-19 such as Paxlovid can target and successfully inhibit the main protease (MPro) activity of multiple human CoVs; however, alternative proteomes encoded by CoV genomes have a closer genetic similarity to each other, suggesting that antivirals could be developed now that target future CoVs. New zoonotic introductions of CoVs to humans are inevitable and unpredictable. Therefore, new antivirals are required to control not only the next human CoV outbreak but also the four common human CoVs (229E, OC43, NL63, HKU1) that circulate frequently and to contain sporadic outbreaks of the severe human CoVs (SARS-CoV, MERS and SARS-CoV-2). The current study found that emerging antiviral drugs, such as Paxlovid, could target other CoVs, but only SARS-CoV-2 is known to be targeted in vivo. Other drugs which have the potential to target other human CoVs are still within clinical trials and are not yet available for public use. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment and vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 can reduce mortality and hospitalisation rates; however, they target the Spike protein whose sequence mutates frequently and drifts. Spike is also not applicable for targeting other HCoVs as these are not well-conserved sequences among human CoVs. Thus, there is a need for readily available treatments globally that target all seven human CoVs and improve the preparedness for inevitable future outbreaks. Here, we discuss antiviral research, contributing to the control of common and severe CoV replication and transmission, including the current SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. The aim was to identify common features of CoVs for antivirals, biologics and vaccines that could reduce the scientific, political, economic and public health strain caused by CoV outbreaks now and in the future.

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are enveloped positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a genome 27-31kbases in length. Critical genes include the spike (S), envelope (E), membrane (M), nucleocapsid (N) and 9 accessory open reading frames encoding for non-structural proteins (NSPs) that have multiple roles in the replication cycle and immune evasion (1). There are 7 known human CoVs that most likely appeared after zoonotic transfer, the most recent being SARS-CoV-2 responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic. Antivirals that have been approved by the FDA for use against Covid-19 such as Paxlovid can potentially target and successfully inhibit the main protease (MPro) activity of multiple human CoVs, however alternative proteomes encoded by CoV genomes have a closer genetic similarity to each other, suggesting that antivirals could be developed now that target future CoVs. New zoonotic introductions of CoVs to humans are inevitable and unpredictable. Therefore, new antivirals are required to control not only the next human CoV outbreak, but also the 4 common human CoVs (229E, OC43, NL63, HKU1) that circulate frequently and to contain sporadic outbreaks of the severe human CoVs (SARS-CoV, MERS and SARS-CoV-2). The current study found that emerging antiviral drugs, such as Paxlovid, have only been proven to target SARS-CoV-2. Other drugs which have the potential to target other human CoVs, are still within clinical trial and are not yet available for public use. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment and vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 can reduce mortality and hospitalisation rates, however they target the Spike protein whose sequence mutates frequently and drifts. Spike also is not applicable for targeting other HCoVs as these are not well conserved sequences among human CoVs. Thus, there is a need for readily available treatments globally that target all 7 human CoVs and improve the preparedness for inevitable future outbreaks. Here we discuss antiviral research contributing to the control of common and severe CoV replication and transmission, including the current SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. The aim was to identify common features of CoVs for antivirals, biologics and vaccines that could reduce the scientific, political, economic and public health strain caused by CoV outbreaks now and in the future.