FEATURE ARTICLES

In this first of a series of articles on individual aspects of the assessment of uncertainty of measurement, Stephen MacDonald begins with consideration of the measurand.

Sarah Copsey-Mawer evaluates testing for glutamate dehydrogenase, toxin A/B and the tcdB gene, compared to the gold standards of toxigenic culture and cell cytotoxin neutralisation assay.

A small sample of research interest on Clostridium difficile infection, colorectal cancer and Mohs micrographic practice to be found in the current literature.

There are strict regulations governing how biological samples are packaged for mailing and it is vital that all staff understand the legislation and how to be fully compliant. If not, there could be serious consequences.

Through the rapid, smooth and seamless implementation of new automated equipment and systems, Beckman Coulter supported a South West London Pathology redesign across three large hospital sites. This article discusses how this was achieved and some of the efficiencies delivered.

Since 1992, the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, has been pioneering Mohs micrographic surgery, providing optimal patient care and rapid skin cancer treatment. Central to fast treatment time is cryosectioning, which, in Cardiff, is provided by the Thermo Scientific Cryostar NX70.

Functionally polarised CD4-positive T-cell responses based on their profile of cytokine secretion are seen in many chronic autoimmune inflammatory diseases. The focus in this review is the disease-triggering role of a T-helper subset of lymphocytes.

Quantitative faecal immunochemical testing looks set to reassure patients and clinicians concerned about colorectal cancer. Reducing referrals, colonoscopy investigations and overall waiting times, FIT enables GPs to manage patients confidently in primary care.

With the increasing trend towards centralisation of pathology services, it is important to consider carefully the type of swab and transport medium used when there is the potential for significant delay to sample processing.

The autoimmune coeliac disease results from ingestion of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. The inflammatory damage caused to the mucosal lining of the small intestine gives rise to malabsorption and associated nutrient deficiency, and has been linked to a wide range of other medical conditions.

Interference due to haemolysis, icterus and lipaemia is a significant issue in automated coagulation testing, but technology from Stago now provides confidence in laboratory results in such cases.

Femi Saleh and colleagues assess the value of a new chemiluminescence method to detect antibodies to human tissue transglutaminase in coeliac disease.

Capillary electrophoresis is an analytical technique that separates ions based on their electrophoretic mobility and has found laboratory application in the assessment of a number of clinical conditions, as Jean Deenmamode explains.

Mark Reed and Charlotte Duncan from Pro-Lab offer a brief insight into the changing world of laboratory testing, and focus on current antibiotic sensitivity testing.

Guy Orchards reports on preliminary work to assess the benefits of the latest equipment designed to facilitate frozen section preparation and staining in a laboratory supporting a Mohs micrographic surgery service.

The success enjoyed by the biennial Microbe conferences spans almost three decades, and the 14th event returns to Sheffield later in September. Alan Pease reports.

Jason Cunningham looks at the connection between allergy and asthma, and the benefits provided by the allergy identification and management (AIM) initiative.

The latest automated testing system and sample collection device makes faecal sampling easy and convenient for patients, provides timely diagnosis of significant bowel disease, and ensures consistency for the laboratory.

Major investment by Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust is set to bring benefits to more than a million patients it treats every year.

Elite specialist haemostasis unit in the NHS partners with Stago UK to improve patient outcomes through innovation, workflow efficiency and confidence in results reporting.