Benchtop centrifugation: An effective method for reducing lipaemia associated interference in grossly lipaemic samples?

Background: Grossly lipaemic samples are a significant cause of analytical errors, potentially impacting patient care. The causes of lipaemia are varied and often unavoidable, while methods to reduce lipaemia through gold-standard ultracentrifugation are limited by availability, transportation and cost. Benchtop centrifugation has been proposed as an alternative method to reduce lipaemia.

Interpretation of ferritin concentrations in the dermatology clinic.

Ferritin measurement is a common laboratory test in dermatology. Ferritin is a marker of iron storage in the human body but can also be -elevated in inflammatory states. Therefore, changes in ferritin are nonspecific, and correlation of specific clinical findings and risk factors with ferritin concentration and other biomarkers, e.

Pitfalls in the diagnosis and management of acid-base disorders in humans: a laboratory medicine perspective.

Diagnostic errors affect patient management, and as blood gas analysis is mainly performed without the laboratory, users must be aware of the potential pitfalls. The aim was to provide a summary of common issues users should be aware of.A narrative review was performed using online databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar and reference lists of identified papers.

Pitfalls in the Diagnosis and Management of Hypercortisolism (Cushing Syndrome) in Humans; A Review of the Laboratory Medicine Perspective.

Biochemical confirmation of a diagnosis of hypercortisolism (Cushing syndrome) is vital to direct further investigations, especially given the overlap with non-autonomous conditions, such as pseudo-Cushing, and the morbidity associated with missed diagnoses. A limited narrative review was performed focusing on the laboratory perspective of the pitfalls of making a biochemical diagnosis of hypercortisolism in those presenting with presumed Cushing syndrome. Although analytically less specific, immunoassays remain cheap, quick, and reliable in most situations.

Giant parathyroid tumours in primary hyperparathyroidism: a systematic review.

Purpose: Giant parathyroid adenoma (GPA) can present with severe biochemical derangement similar to the clinical presentation of parathyroid carcinoma (PC). This study aims to present the current evidence on surgical management of GPAs in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature on GPAs was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines.

Real-world experience of SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays in UK healthcare workers.

Background: The seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers is variable throughout the world. This study compares the use of two antibody assays among large cohorts of healthcare workers in southern England.

Methods: This cohort study includes data obtained from staff at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WSHT) and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals (BSUH) during voluntary antibody testing, using Abbott and Roche SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays at each Trust respectively.

Development of fracture liaison services: What have we learned?

Due to dramatic improvements in life expectancy we are seeing a rapidly growing population of older people. Increasing frailty and susceptibility to fragility fractures are becoming pressing issues for both the individuals that suffer them as well as society, through pressures on health and social care budgets. The success of fracture liaison services, co-ordinated programmes enhancing the management of the fracture, osteoporosis, frailty and falls risk, is undisputed.

Greater preclinical atherosclerosis in treated monogenic familial hypercholesterolemia vs. polygenic hypercholesterolemia.

Background And Aims: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common inherited disorder of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) metabolism. It is associated with higher risk of premature coronary heart disease. Around 60% of patients with a clinical diagnosis of FH do not have a detectable mutation in the genes causing FH and are most likely to have a polygenic cause for their raised LDL-C.

Use of fibrates in the metabolic syndrome: A review.

The use of fibrates in the treatment of dyslipidaemia has changed significantly over recent years. Their role appeared clear at the start of this century. The Helsinki Heart Study and Veterans Affairs High-Density Cholesterol Intervention Trial suggested significant benefit, especially in patients with atherogenic dyslipidaemia.

Acromegaly Presenting as Erectile Dysfunction: Case Reports and Review of the Literature.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common yet complex condition. The authors report two cases of acromegaly presenting with ED and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Surgical cure of the acromegaly was associated with either an improvement or resolution of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism-associated ED.

A Novel 'Dilute-and-Shoot' Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for the Screening of Antihypertensive Drugs in Urine.

Arterial hypertension is one of the most preventable causes of premature morbidity and mortality with resistant hypertension reported to be present in 5-30% of the total hypertensive population. Despite the poor prognosis, as many as 53% of those with resistant hypertension are reported to be nonadherent to their prescribed medication. An objective test of adherence, which is easy to administer, quick, inexpensive and reliable, is therefore needed to identify patients with true resistance to antihypertensive drugs to optimize their treatment.

Metabolic syndrome: A review of the role of vitamin D in mediating susceptibility and outcome.

Despite the well-recognised role of vitamin D in a wide range of physiological processes, hypovitaminosis is common worldwide (prevalence 30%-50%) presumably arising from inadequate exposure to ultraviolet radiation and insufficient consumption. While generally not at the very low levels associated with rickets, hypovitaminosis D has been implicated in various very different, pathophysiological processes. These include putative effects on the pathogenesis of neoplastic change, inflammatory and demyelinating conditions, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes.

Ethnic/racial determinants of glycemic markers in a UK sample.

Objective: To investigate possible causes for previously reported glycemia-independent South Asian-white differences in HbA1c.

Methods: Demographic and laboratory data on non-diabetic patients from primary care were analyzed. Linear regression models measured the association between race/ethnicity and three glycemic measures (HbA1c, fructosamine and fasting plasma glucose), adjusted for a range of hematological, biochemical and demographic factors.