FEATURE ARTICLES

Following on from the research undertaken in Cardiff on the impact of telomere length in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia progression (see page 7), a search of the current literature on this important element of chromosome structure, and its complementary enzyme, illustrates the diverse effects they have in health and disease.

First appearing over four decades ago, the viral haemorrhagic disease that takes its name from a river in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to blight the region of sub-Saharan Africa. The following selection of free-to-access papers found in the recent literature provide a flavour of current research efforts.

Next month, the International Convention Centre in Birmingham will host one of the largest gatherings of biomedical and life science companies held anywhere in the world. The following selection of brief exhibitor previews provides a taste of what IBMS Biomedical Science Congress delegates and visitors may find to interest them on individual stands in the exhibition.

Next month, the biennial IBMS Congress series returns to the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. Delegates and visitors to the event will find the very best that biomedical science and commercial colleagues have to offer. Here, Pathology in Practice provides a preview of the scientific programme and the supporting exhibition.

The CliniSys national conference was given an update on pathology networks and the roll-out of the Getting It Right First Time programme, heard the latest thinking from NHSX, and an opportunity to debate why innovation is vital. Matthew Fouracre reports from The Belfry.

In all aspects of 21st-century healthcare, cyber security is critical. In this brief overview, Ram Vaidhyanathan explores the impact of cyber threats on the healthcare environment and shares his tips for better protection.

An innovative vacuum packing solution has been adopted in order to reduce formalin use and exposure throughout the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board in Wales, as the following overview of progress illustrates.

In addition to the changing technology used by the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programmes, FIT is rapidly becoming more popular as a triage tool for patients presenting with abdominal symptoms, reducing the immediate need for colonoscopy investigations. Here, Callum G Fraser explores the need for low faecal haemoglobin concentration estimates.

The first multi-site installation of a new modular automated haematology platform is enabling efficient, secure cross-city haematology working. Fully validated and networked, the new system supports a future-proofed, integrated approach to service planning and delivery.

With the increasing reliance on complex and expensive technology, and the loss of highly qualified personnel, Daniel Chapman explores how outsourcing can help solve the challenges faced by diagnostics.

The 34th Annual Scientific Symposium of the British Society for Microbial Technology took place in May at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon. On behalf of the BSMT committee, Mark Wilks reports on a day of inspiration and excellence.

In this sixth article in a series on internal quality control, Stephen MacDonald moves on from the detection of potentially medically important errors, to focus this month on the rules applied to monitor the control of assay performance.

Order communications and results transfer have now been facilitated between different electronic patient record systems in Cambridge. Here, staff from Addenbrooke’s and Papworth hospitals discuss this digital revolution.

Siobhan Fairgreaves explores the development and use of large-format tissue processing technology and the benefits that it can bring to the service, staff and patients.

A report from the Roche ‘Excellence in Lung Cancer Diagnosis: Impact on the Patient Pathway’ meeting held in Nottingham last February, an event supported by a wide range of experts from across the UK.

Diabetes mellitus, in particular type 2 disease, is an increasing health problem associated with poor diet, lack of exercise and the resulting trend towards obesity, especially in the young. Monitoring glycaemic control is of vital importance, and new evidence suggests that fructosamine testing has an importance part to play.

Cytopathology practical microscopy workshops are a popular feature of the IBMS Biomedical Science Congress, and will be repeated at the forthcoming event in Birmingham this September. The focus this year is on non-gynaecological cytopathology. This diagnostic branch of cytopathology covers an eclectic mix of interest, as current literature confirms.

Neal Aplin discusses how the introduction of point-of-care testing to Swindon's Great Western Hospital Ambulatory Care Unit eased pressure on staff, leading to improved patient flow and shorter waiting times. In addition, this has been the catalyst for the introduction of further POC testing in the hospital to support patient triage.

The autoimmune condition coeliac disease results from ingestion of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. It is, however, more than a pain in the abdomen as the following overview, and update on current research, indicates.

In this fifth article in a series on internal quality control, Stephen MacDonald focuses on the importance of the methods to detect, at an early stage, potentially medically important errors, which is the cornerstone of what is hoped to be achieved.