Dimethyl fumarate in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) inhibits inflammasome-mediated inflammation and has been proposed as a treatment for patients hospitalised with COVID-19. This randomised, controlled, open-label platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing multiple treatments in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 (NCT04381936, ISRCTN50189673). In this assessment of DMF performed at 27 UK hospitals, adults were randomly allocated (1:1) to either usual standard of care alone or usual standard of care plus DMF. The primary outcome was clinical status on day 5 measured on a seven-point ordinal scale. Secondary outcomes were time to sustained improvement in clinical status, time to discharge, day 5 peripheral blood oxygenation, day 5 C-reactive protein, and improvement in day 10 clinical status. Between 2 March 2021 and 18 November 2021, 713 patients were enroled in the DMF evaluation, of whom 356 were randomly allocated to receive usual care plus DMF, and 357 to usual care alone. 95% of patients received corticosteroids as part of routine care. There was no evidence of a beneficial effect of DMF on clinical status at day 5 (common odds ratio of unfavourable outcome 1.12; 95% CI 0.86-1.47; p = 0.40). There was no significant effect of DMF on any secondary outcome

Linking DNA structure and sequencing using model based learning

Such is the iconic status of DNA in modern life that we are used to seeing the double helix depicted in sculptures and paintings. In 2003 a set of UK postage stamps celebrated 50 years since the discovery of this structure, and in the same year DNA even graced the two pound coin. For students of biological disciplines, however, it is important that their understanding of this pivotal molecule runs rather deeper than this. Experience shows that some of the fundamental principles involved in the molecular biology of DNA are actually quite difficult for students to grasp when taught via either conventional lectures or practical classes. Successful acquisition of such knowledge is, however, crucial for the comprehension of more complex DNA processes. This workshop will offer the opportunity to participate in two interlinked ‘hands-on’ tutorials that have been designed to increase students’ understanding of both DNA structure and the importance of this structural knowledge in strategically significant technologies such as DNA sequencing. We also offer an evaluation of the exercise when piloted with second year undergraduates at the University of Leicester