Haematological and biochemical pathology markers for a predictive model for ITU admission and death from COVID-19: A retrospective study.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has affected over 227 countries. Changes in haematological and biochemical characteristics in patients with COVID-19 are emerging as important features of the disease. This study aims to identify the pathological findings of COVID-19 patients at Bedford Hospital by analysing laboratory parameters that were identified as significant potential markers of COVID-19.

A UK national audit of the laboratory investigation of phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma.

Background: Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL) are catecholamine secreting tumours associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Timely diagnosis and management are essential. A range of laboratory tests can be utilised in the investigation of PPGL.

Steroid metabolism and excretion in anorexia nervosa.

Few organ systems are spared the progressive deterioration seen in critically ill patients with anorexia nervosa. Most of the endocrine disturbances discussed are due to starvation and represent appropriate metabolic adaptation of the body to food restriction and negative energy balance. In a starving patient, a lowered metabolic rate, increased cortisol and growth hormone level and reduced fertility are all appropriate adaptations to an abnormal and highly stressful state.

Steroid metabolism and excretion in severe anorexia nervosa: effects of refeeding.

Background: To our knowledge, changes in steroid metabolism in subjects with anorexia nervosa (AN) after weight gain have not been elucidated.

Objective: We characterized urinary steroid excretion and metabolism in AN patients and investigated the effects of refeeding.

Design: In an intervention study, we recruited 7 women with life-threatening weight loss upon admission and after a median [interquartile range (IQR)] of 95 d (88-125 d) of intensive refeeding; 15 age-matched women were recruited as control subjects.

Primary hyperparathyroidism in the older person.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common condition which may have few symptoms. One of the principal concerns in the older person with minimally symptomatic PHPT is restoration of bone mineral density and prevention of fracture. Other important considerations are cardiovascular risk and quality of life.

Involvement of the MEN1 gene locus in familial isolated hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Familial isolated hyperparathyroidism (FIHP) is a hereditary disorder characterised by uni- or multiglandular parathyroid disease. A subset of families are likely to be genetic variants of other familial tumour syndromes in which PHPT is the main feature, for example multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) and the hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumour syndrome (HPT-JT).

Objective: To investigate seven families diagnosed with FIHP, each with two to eight affected family members, to clarify the underlying genetic mechanism.