RECENT FEATURE ARTICLES
Research in brief
Research and the reporting of interesting cases provide publication opportunities both for the seasoned professional and also those in the early stages of their career. The work reported below reflects first on the ongoing research into the role of T follicular helper cell subset analysis in primary immunodeficiency, and second on a patient with undetectable HbA1c which proved to be due to blood loss from a tumour.- Feature
Identifying the ‘Big Four’ carbapenemases in the routine laboratory
The continued increase in the incidence of CPEs is creating workload issues for reference laboratories, but the diagnostics industry is responding with simple, more affordable identification methods that can be adopted by front-line microbiology laboratories, speeding confirmation and reporting.- Feature
Pre-emptively treating invasive aspergillosis: rapid diagnosis by PCR
The importance of treating Aspergillus before it has taken hold, and the challenges currently facing clinical diagnostics laboratories, cannot be over-emphasised. Here, Lewis White and Rosemary Barnes explain their approach to molecular testing and diagnosis.- Feature
Bacteriology: a selection of open-access articles in the current literature
A PubMed search using the terms ‘Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae’ and ‘Disk-diffusion testing’ found many recently published open-access articles, a small selection of which are included below.- Feature
Could standardisation of clinical LC-MS/MS transform delivery of patient care?
What impact could standardised clinical LC-MS/MS assays have on patient care? Here, Professor Brian Keevil talks with Thermo Fisher Scientific market development specialist Sarah Robinson.- Feature
Research in brief
Research in the medical laboratory provides opportunities both for the seasoned professional and also those in the early stages of their career. The work reported below focuses first on guidance provided to aid the establishment of defined reference intervals, and second reflects on the implementation and use of large, whole-mount sections and their value in the histopathological assessment of colorectal cancer.- Feature
Tissue block archiving and storage: security and traceability in Wales
The University Hospital of Wales, like other hospitals around the UK, experienced tissue block storage logistical problems and has now turned to a cost-effective system that offers assurance of quality and security.- Feature
External quality assessment in haematology: an update
Barbara Wild and colleagues from UK NEQAS Haematology examine the responses to a recent abnormal haemoglobin distribution, and also discuss findings from the Liquid Newborn Specimens Scheme.- Feature
Clinical and Laboratory Haemostasis 2017: a blood coagulation EQA update
Ian Jennings and Rob Jones report on proceedings of the first day of the UK NEQAS for Blood Coagulation annual scientific and participants’ meeting, which was held in Sheffield last year.- Feature
Where are we now in the fight to combat increasing antimicrobial resistance?
Following publication of Lord Jim O’Neill’s review on antimicrobial resistance, new guidance has been issued by NICE on antibiotic prescribing, and some progress has been achieved; however, there are many resistant infections that continue to pose a significant threat to public health.- Feature
Facilitating the prepared mind: highlights from the Congress science programme
The Biomedical Science Congress scientific programme once again provided a compelling reason to attend the twelfth biennial event, held last autumn at the ICC in Birmingham. Here, Pathology in Practice takes a brief look at some content highlights.- Feature
Automated HbA1c analysis: a UK first arrives in Leeds
Introduction of an ambitious managed service contract has allowed the Blood Sciences Service in Leeds to realise its ambition of delivering an automated HbA1c diagnostic service. Richard Liversidge and Stephanie Shaw explain.- Feature
Expression of uncertainty in measurement: combining standard uncertainties
The fifth in a series of articles on individual aspects of the assessment of uncertainty of measurement sees Stephen MacDonald consider some of the more difficult questions that may be faced in relation to measurement uncertainty- Feature
Microbiology collection device and ISO 15189: an appropriate selection
Loss of bacterial viability during any significant holding period following sampling compromises subsequent recovery by culture. Here, Jamie Laughlin assesses the performance of a range of swab collection devices.- Feature
Avoiding a nightmare: helping to meet the challenges of winter care
Automated molecular diagnostics is proving to be a valuable tool in the management of influenza and norovirus outbreaks. Here, the benefits of this approach are highlighted by the experiences of three district general hospitals.- Feature
Science of industry: review of a very specific Congress experience
The International Convention Centre in Birmingham recently hosted one of the largest gatherings of biomedical and life science companies held anywhere in the world. The following review provides a snapshot of a biennial event that combines the best that biomedical science and the in vitro diagnostics industry can offer.- Feature
Integrating diagnostics: not a takeover but fundamental to better care
The era of diagnoses based on incomplete datasets is at an end, Here, Dr Brendan Devlin explains why the ‘ologies’ must be connected and what integrated diagnostics is actually about.- Feature
Antimicrobial resistance: what are our future needs?
The fight against antimicrobial resistance is so important that it is the subject of the 21st-century equivalent of the Longitude Prize. Here, Sarah Wallis puts current commercial issues and developments into context.- Feature
Pathology and the NHS Five Year Forward View
Delegates from across the NHS pathology spectrum attended the annual national information technology conference, staged earlier in the year by CliniSys at The Belfry in the West Midlands. Donald Saum reports.- Feature
Macro digital imaging for advanced perinatal post-mortem investigations
Sarah Davis and colleagues at Birmingham Women’s Hospital are using the MacroVIEW DM system from Menarini Diagnostics. Here, they report on how the system has revolutionised routine mortuary practice.- Feature
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