RECENT FEATURE ARTICLES
Cell-free DNA and testing for cancer: a brief look in the literature
Recent national news focused on the role that cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing may have in detecting many different types of cancer. Here, a small selection from the current literature highlights future possibilities and some potential problems.
Coronaviruses in the literature: another beast from the Orient
Over the past decade, infections caused by coronaviruses have resulted in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome. Now, a new coronavirus is causing worldwide concern, and is exercising the research community, as this small selection of very recently published articles illustrates.
A glass act: adhesion and clarity in the modern histopathology laboratory
Although often taken for granted, modern glass microscope slides, their characteristics and features can have an impact on test performance, diagnosis and laboratory workflow. Here, Mark Wilson looks at some of the features offered by Epredia products.
Clinical flow cytometry: advances in techniques and instrumentation
Clinical flow cytometry continues to feature in an eclectic range of applications in routine laboratory medicine and in the research environment. In addition to its use in haematology and immunology, flow cytometry has a cutting-edge role in investigating diverse biological processes, and the latest system developments offer innovation and increasing ease of use.
Point-of-care paediatric urine microscopy: a quality training model
Point-of-care testing is finding ever greater application outside the conventional medical laboratory. Here, audit of the use of phase contrast urine microscopy in paediatrics is explored in terms of training and quality, as Michelle Payne and Vikki Booth explain.
Blood culture audit: does transport time have an impact on positivity?
Alexander Mobbs and colleagues examine the effect that pre-analytical delay may have on the subsequent processing of blood cultures, and compare results obtained from two hospitals – one with an on-site laboratory, the other remote from the pathology service.
Use of beads to meet auditing requirements in histopathology
There is a surprising, yet cost-effective tool on the market that offers a solution to the issue of labelling tissue samples during the embedding process. And it is one that might remind you of days gone by, as Nicola Forsdyke explains.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia: impact of the Curetis Unyvero system
The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and the burden of disease due to hospital-associated pneumonia prompted Emma Jones and colleagues to investigate a molecular alternative to microbiological culture.
IBMS Congress highlights: education and training, quality and management
Following the two-part review of the comprehensive IBMS Biomedical Science Congress scientific lecture programme, published in the October and December issues, Pathology in Practice now turns the spotlight on other equally important areas of the laboratory service.
Cardiac biomarkers: from harmonisation to hormones over the past decade
Cardiac biomarker assays are an important feature of laboratory support of patients attending the accident and emergency department. Their use and harmonisation remain a focus of attention and new insights may change the perceived value of these markers.
Microbial technology: review and preview of an annual conference
Mark Wilks looks forward to the 35th Annual Scientific Conference of the British Society for Microbial Technology, which is due to take place on Thursday 14 May at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, in north London.
Statistical quality control: IQC management and troubleshooting errors
In this final article in his series focusing on internal quality control, Stephen MacDonald concludes by providing an overview of the methods used in troubleshooting the causes of QC failures when they are detected.
Biomedical Science Congress: highlights from laboratory accreditation to virology
Summaries of lectures on the comprehensive IBMS Biomedical Science Congress scientific lecture programme are requested from individual speakers. In this final review, Pathology in Practice selects programme highlights from alphabetically laboratory accreditation to virology.
EasyScreen flavivirus/alphavirus kit applied to a dengue outbreak
Crystal Garae and colleagues report on validation of the EasyScreen Flavivirus/Alphavirus Detection Kit and its application during the 2016–17 outbreak of dengue virus infection across the islands of Vanuatu.
Learning from haematology external quality assessment: case of a ‘split’ HbA2 peak
Laboratory external quality assessment is more than simple participation in an EQA scheme, as the following case study illustrates. Here, Nikki Emodi and colleagues also consider the limitations inherent in methodology.
Implementation of a new storage solution in a busy virology laboratory
Reliable storage and guaranteed traceability of serum samples is paramount in today’s laboratories. With the ever-increasing pressures on time and productivity, this can prove difficult. Here, James Hudson explains the benefits of the NEO Sample Manager over a previous track-based method used in his laboratory.
Using molecular LAMP to curtail the global threat of carbapenem resistance
Molecular specialist Bradley Horn looks at the application of LAMP technology to combat the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance, particularly in Gram-negative bacteria that increasingly demonstrate multidrug resistance.
Mutation of the BAP1 gene in malignant mesothelioma: a diagnostic evaluation
Evaluation of the identification of a genetic mutation and its association with malignant pleural mesothelioma suggests diagnostic utility, as Justine Ellis and colleagues from East Lancashire and MMU explain.
Statistical quality control: further assessment of more-complex QC charting
In this eighth article in the series on internal quality control, Stephen MacDonald continues his review of the various ways that control can be charted. Here, he focuses on more-complex QC charting.
Snail mucus: antimicrobial properties found in common species of mollusc
The search for novel antibiotic agents, and those that exert their antimicrobial effect in different ways, is currently high on the research agenda. Here, Sarah J Pitt and Alan Gunn review an innovative approach using mucus from common molluscs.
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