Events in 2023
CONGRESS 2023 - Pathogen detection & chronic lung infection underestimated in cystic fibrosis
28/09/2023
Chronic lung infection is the leading cause of morbidity and early mortality for people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). Microbiological surveillance to detect lung pathogens is recommended as best practise in CF patient care. Here we studied pathogen detection in forty pwCF over several years. We found that microbiological culture, the diagnostic gold standard, was significantly disparate to targeted culture-independent approaches for detection and determination of chronic infection status of two important pathogens in CF. Pathogen detection was significantly lower by culture and consequently infection status was also misclassified in the majority of cases.
In particular, the extent of chronic infection by both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus not realised with culture was striking. Our findings have implications for the development of infection and clinical care of pwCF. Future longitudinal studies with greater patient numbers will be needed to establish the full extent of the clinical implications indicated from this study.
In particular, the extent of chronic infection by both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus not realised with culture was striking. Our findings have implications for the development of infection and clinical care of pwCF. Future longitudinal studies with greater patient numbers will be needed to establish the full extent of the clinical implications indicated from this study.
CONGRESS 2023 - Returning to practice – everything you need to know
28/09/2023
This presentation will explain the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) return to practice process and the support offered by NHS England’s National Return to Practice programme to return skilled professionals back into the NHS workforce.
This presentation will cover the below content:
HCPC requirements to return to the register
Routes to returning to the HCPC register
NHS England’s Return to Practice programme support to returners and organisations and systems
Returner registration on the NHS England Return to Practice programme
Considerations for organisations wanting to support a returner to practice.
This presentation will cover the below content:
HCPC requirements to return to the register
Routes to returning to the HCPC register
NHS England’s Return to Practice programme support to returners and organisations and systems
Returner registration on the NHS England Return to Practice programme
Considerations for organisations wanting to support a returner to practice.
CONGRESS 2023 - Update on endocervical adencarcinomas
28/09/2023
Update on endocervical adencarcinomas
CONGRESS 2023 - Delegates attending this presentation will learn: Which androgens are tested for in sport The problems with current sample collection techniques Comparison of conventional urine with dried blood spots.
28/09/2023
Androgens are the naturally occurring or synthetic hormones which can increase lean body mass and decrease fat mass and are the most effective and widely abused ergogenic drugs in sport. The detection methodologies for the exogenous steroids is mostly based on the gas/liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, while detection of the exogenous administration of endogenous steroids requires more complex methodologies including the longitudinal monitoring of individual urinary steroid concentrations/ratios and isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Although, urine has always been the first choice of sample matrix to detect androgens in sports. However, blood matrix is also now paving its way towards a complementary matrix for detection of androgens in sports. Dried blood spots (DBS) analysis is the latest tool in sports drug testing. DBS testing has advantages in the collection, shipment, and storage compared to traditional urine and blood-based procedures.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has recently introduced DBS testing as an implementation for routine doping analysis during the recent Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo and Beijing. DBS samples can be obtained with relatively little training and require minimal invasion at the collection site. A variety of devices based on micro-lancet and micro-needle approaches have been applied in the DBS collection.
Most androgens in DBS are stable at room temperature, so there are no specific requirements during transport. Also, considering the small size and weight of DBS, the DBS-based technique is more cost-effective compared to urine or blood samples. However, as a microscale sample, DBS require more sensitive and accurate analytical methods. The Drug Control Centre, King’s College London (a WADA accredited lab), we are currently investigating the use of DBS testing in our systematic regular analysis as a new methodology.
This presentation will discuss the current situation, perspectives, and challenges of implementing DBS testing for detecting androgens in sports.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has recently introduced DBS testing as an implementation for routine doping analysis during the recent Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo and Beijing. DBS samples can be obtained with relatively little training and require minimal invasion at the collection site. A variety of devices based on micro-lancet and micro-needle approaches have been applied in the DBS collection.
Most androgens in DBS are stable at room temperature, so there are no specific requirements during transport. Also, considering the small size and weight of DBS, the DBS-based technique is more cost-effective compared to urine or blood samples. However, as a microscale sample, DBS require more sensitive and accurate analytical methods. The Drug Control Centre, King’s College London (a WADA accredited lab), we are currently investigating the use of DBS testing in our systematic regular analysis as a new methodology.
This presentation will discuss the current situation, perspectives, and challenges of implementing DBS testing for detecting androgens in sports.
CONGRESS 2023 - Gestational Trophoblastic Disease: What’s all the fuss about?
28/09/2023
Delegates will learn:
What Gestational trophoblastic disease is, including the different types and how they arise
How to handle a sample at the dissection bench including comparison with normal products of conception
How to distinguish between the different types of disease and mimics
What a diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease means for the patient
What the malignant entities of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease include
What Gestational trophoblastic disease is, including the different types and how they arise
How to handle a sample at the dissection bench including comparison with normal products of conception
How to distinguish between the different types of disease and mimics
What a diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease means for the patient
What the malignant entities of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease include
CONGRESS 2023 - Delivery of a virtual ward in East Kent: A clinical overview
28/09/2023
Delivery of a virtual ward in East Kent: A clinical overview
CONGRESS 2023 - Training of individuals undertaking dissection qualification
28/09/2023
Training for Biomedical Scientists is a fast-growing field and has become a crucial factor in the efficiency of histopathology departments. It has many benefits from improving turnaround times, career progression and utilising Pathologist’s time more effectively. As more Biomedical Scientists are performing dissection the responsibility to teach, and train is down to the already practicing BMS dissectors rather than the Pathologists. It is imperative that training is performed correctly and suitably for the individuals, the patients, and the department as a whole. Many aspects need to be considered to deliver effective training and being fully prepared and organised for training can make the process a successful one.
CONGRESS 2023 - The public health side of drug misuse
28/09/2023
The public health side of drug misuse
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