Key Issues at the Forefront of Diagnosis and Testing for Antiphospholipid Syndrome.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by antiphospholipid antibodies associated with thrombosis and pregnancy complications. Catastrophic APS is a severe form involving multiple organ systems with a high mortality rate. The pathogenesis involves antiphospholipid antibodies which target phospholipid-binding proteins and damage endothelial cells thus activating coagulation, triggering a pro-thrombotic state.

Hodgkin lymphoma: the role of EBV plasma viral load testing in an HIV-endemic setting.

South Africa has a high burden of human immune deficiency virus (HIV)-associated Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) which is typically Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infected, detected by histological stains. Circulating plasma EBV derived from apoptotic EBV infected tumour cells is a potential biomarker. This study aimed to evaluate the role of plasma EBV load testing in newly diagnosed HL patients and correlate pretreatment plasma EBV levels, HIV status and EBV tumour status with overall survival (OS).

From the marrow to the blood: optimising the diagnosis of iron deficiency in the setting of inflammation.

Iron deficiency (ID) is a common condition with readily available treatment but can be challenging to diagnose. Traditional biomarkers of ID are acute-phase reactants, which complicate diagnosis in patients with co-existent inflammation. This study aimed to establish optimal biomarker diagnostic thresholds for ID diagnosis using bone marrow (BM) iron stores as the gold standard and the C-reactive protein (CRP) as an inflammatory marker.

Understanding Lived Experience Organizations: A Systematic Scoping Review of Organizational Elements and Characteristics.

Objective: Mental health lived experience organizations (LEOs) and their lived experience workforce are increasingly recognized as invaluable. However, a deeper understanding of the elements that enhance or inhibit LEOs' efficacy is required to learn how to sustain LEOs and support their workforce. Rapid international expansion has resulted in significant LEO growth and change, challenging many LEOs to adapt.