Protein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Monoclonal Antibodies (PCSK9mab) in Clinical Practice at Secondary Care - Real World Multicentre Experience.

Background and Aims Protein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type 9 monoclonal antibodies (PCSK9mab) are a novel addition to the therapeutic options for managing hyperlipidemia. Various guidelines have advocated the addition of these agents if the target low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( LDL-C) is not achieved by maximum lipid-lowering therapy. They have shown a robust and consistent reduction in LDL-C in clinical trials.

Comparison of four high-throughput, automated immunoassays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Background: A number of immunoassays have been developed to measure antibodies specific to SARS-CoV-2. More data is required on their comparability, particularly among those with milder infections and in the general practice population. The aim of this study was to compare four high-throughput automated anti-SARS-CoV-2 assays using samples collected from hospitalized patients and healthcare workers with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers in a large teaching hospital in the North West of England: a period prevalence survey.

Objectives: Since its emergence in late 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic that has significantly challenged healthcare systems. Healthcare workers have previously been shown to have experienced higher rates of infection than the general population. We aimed to assess the extent of infection in staff working in our healthcare setting.

Verification of placental growth factor and soluble-fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 assay performance in late pregnancy and their diagnostic test accuracy in women with reduced fetal movement.

Background: Placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble-fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) are biomarkers of placental function used to aid the diagnosis and prediction of pregnancy complications. This work verified the analytical performance of both biomarkers and provides preliminary diagnostic accuracy data to identify adverse pregnancy outcome in women with reduced fetal movement.

Methods: Verification of sFlt-1 and PlGF assays included a comparative accuracy assessment of 24 serum samples analysed at six different sites and laboratory-specific precision estimates.

Predicting short term mortality after investigation for venous thromboembolism.

Introduction: Deaths following diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) often result from another concurrent illness. The specificity of mortality markers predicting death from pulmonary embolism is unknown. The aim of this analysis was to compare blood predictors of death in patients with confirmed VTE to patients with negative investigations for VTE.