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31 Pages·2001·1.84 MB·English

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The Association of Clinical Biochemists • Issue 454 • 20th February 2001
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ACB News
About ACB News
The monthly magazine
for Clinical Science
The Editor is responsible for the final Number 454 • February 2001
content. Views expressed are not
necessarily those of the ACB.
Editor General News 4
Dr Jonathan Berg
Department of Clinical Biochemistry
Sandwell District General Hospital MRCPath Short Questions
West Bromwich
West Midlands B71 4HJ Test Your Skills with Deacon’s Challenge 10
Tel: [phone]
Fax:[phone] Disposable Laboratory Tips 11
Email: [email protected]
Associate Editor
Dr Richard Spooner Tooley Street News 12
Biochemistry Department
Gartnavel General Hospital IT Links
Glasgow G12 0YN
Tel: [phone] Electronic Submission of Clinical Trials
Fax:[phone]
is the Future 17
Email: [email protected]
Situations Vacant Advertising Meeting Report
Please contact the ACB Office:
Tel: [phone]
ACB Northern Region ValedictoryMeeting 20
Fax:[phone]
Email: [email protected] Point of Care with the Mayo Team Approach 23
Focus Handbook Editor
The International Congress of Endocrinology 26
Dr Sandra Rainbow
Central Middlesex Hospital
Display Advertising & Inserts Forthcoming Meetings 28
PRC Associates
The Annexe, Fitznells Manor
Chessington Road New Members 29
Ewell Village
Surrey KT17 1TF
Tel: [phone] Council Nomination Form 31
Fax:[phone]
Email: [email protected]
Situations Vacant 32
ACB Administrative Office
Association of Clinical Biochemists
130-132 Tooley Street
London SE1 2TU
Tel: [phone]
Fax:[phone]
Email: [email protected]
ACB Chairman Front cover:
Mr Mike Hallworth The new Gonda Building at the Mayo Clinic. Photo by Joan Pearson.
Department of Clinical Biochemistry ƒ
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
ocus
Mytton Oak Road
Shrewsbury SY3 8XQ
2001
Tel: [phone]
Fax:[phone]
Email: [email protected]
ACB Secretary
Dr Peter Wood
Regional Endocrine Unit, Level D, South Block LONDON • APRIL 30 – MAY 4
Southampton General Hospital
Tremona Road, Southampton SO166YD
The Association of Clinical
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone] Biochemists National Meeting
ACB Home Page
http://www.acb.org.uk ExCeL, London Docklands
Printed by Piggott Printers Ltd, Cambridge Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
ISSN 0141 8912
© Association of Clinical Biochemists 2001 Email: [email protected] Web: www.focus-acb.org
February 2001 •ACB News Issue 454 •3
General News General News General News General News General News
Godber Take on O’Connor Prozac No Substitute
Mantle for Carcinoid Diagnosis
After three busy years, John O’Connor has handed on This letter from USA Today caught the eye of a reader
the work of ACB.org.uk webmaster to Dr Ian Godber of on the long flight home from Florida:
Nottingham City Hospital. John has enjoyed his time
building up the ACB site which has become a very Diagnosis Aware ……
important stopping-off place for everyone who is Like another USA Today reader my wife went through unnec-
‘switched on’ to the Internet in clinical chemistry. essary surgeries, years of pain, debilitation and improper
Perhaps more than anything else John’s time is marked medication before her carcinoid cancer was diagnosed and
by the way the site has been turned into a portal for modern medicine was able to provide hope and relief.
information on all areas of the ACB and the wider This rare disease strikes a few thousand Americans each
world of clinical chemistry around us. (cid:2) year, and you can almost bet that many physicians will spend
years trying to make the symptoms fit more familiar afflic-
tions such as Crohn’s disease.
One of the more ironic errors was that my wife was placed
on Prozac for several months, as it was assumed that the
illness was imagined. It’s unfortunate, but maybe someday a
famous person will be afflicted with carcinoid cancer, and the
publicity will bring about better education, and shorten the
average diagnostic cycle by a few years, since the disease can
be identified with a couple of simple tests.
Glenn McGinnis, St Petersburg, Florida (cid:2)
Bristol Laboratory Fingers
Samples
www.acb.org.uk Some time ago we showed a urine sample that had been
placed by the patient directly into the plastic bag of a
For those who forget to put “uk” at the end of the combined request form/sample bag. Peter Astley came
website address given above, they will visit the across this interesting alternative way of ‘hands-free’
American Council of the Blind (www.acb.org) which transmission of samples for blood lead analysis.
can be very informative and can give a subtle form If you have an even better sample arrive in your
of irony! (cid:2) laboratory, do please take it down to your medical
illustration department and send it to us. (cid:2)
ACB News Articles on
World Wide Web
An increasing number of readers are coming on-line at
work and surely it will not be long before we all have
our own workplace email address and Internet access.
ACB News is aiming to increase the amount of editorial
on the use of information technology, and the world
wide web in particular, in the coming months. No
longer is this an area for a few - we all need to get on
board this one now. If you would like to contribute an
article on any area of the Internet and IT practice as it
applies to clinical chemistry, then do contact theEditor. (cid:2)
4•ACB News Issue 454 •February 2001
General News General News General News General News General News
Focus 2001 Posters Look Randox Award West Midlands
Interesting . . .
The December meeting of the ACB West Midlands
One advantage of electronic transmission of posters this included the annual Randox prize given for the best
year has been the ability for nosy laboratory staff to presentation of a clinical case. This year the award was
keep an eye on abstract submissions. All the poster titles won by Dr Pippa Goddard from Heartlands Hospital. (cid:2)
have appeared on the web after they have been received
so that authors can see that they are in the system.
This year poster submission by electronic means has
worked extremely well. Of a total of 266 posters
received 258, or 97% were received electronically using
the Focus 2001 website. Looking through the titles,
there are lots of great research ideas to be presented at
Focus in London’s ExCeL conference centre. Make sure
you register now to ensure your place at this meeting
and especially at the roundtables of your choice. (cid:2)
West Midlands Trainees
Professor Tim Reynolds, ACB West Midlands Chairman, presents Pippa with
With career opportunities now seeming better than for her award with Chris Garnett of Randox in attendance.
many years, there is a lot of interest in those in training
around the country. Here the West Midlands trainees
Read ACB News Early on
were snapped by our roving photographer Eddie Legg in
a break from lectures with Professor Swaminathan. (cid:2) the Internet
The publication date for ACB News on the ACB website
(www.acb.org.uk) is the 10th of the month of publica-
tion. You can read the full magazine on screen or print
out the pages you want to read. You need the Adobe
PDF reader installed on your computer to be able to do
all this. The PDF reader is also required to read many
other documents, particularly when using NHS www
pages. It can be downloaded to your computer free
from the Adobe website and there is a link to this
download on the home page of the ACB site.
For those readers who are interested in articles in
back issues of ACB News, all copies since July 1998 are
Back row: Spencer Campbell, Hannah Delaney, Becky Pattenden, located in the ACB News section of www.acb.org.uk.
Rachel Boultby, Julian Waldron, Catherine Prout, Peter Prinsloo.
The Editor now refers requests for reprints for these
Front Row: Loretta Ford, Sara Calvert, John Monaghan, Peter and Kay Manning.
editions to the website files. (cid:2)
Focus Helpers Apply Now!
Volunteers are sought to help with Focus 2001 at ExCeL for the period
30th April - 4th May. To find out more about this work please contact:
Dr Mike Thomas, Conference Chairman on Tel: [phone],
Fax: [phone] or Email: [email protected]
February 2001 •ACB News Issue 454 •5
General News General News General News General News General News
ACB Southern Region says Thank You to Stan Evans
Reported by Dr Gwyn McCreanor This was followed by Dr Martin Schwartz, from
Southern Region meetings make wonderful excuses for Manchester Children’s Hospital, who reviewed
a get together and are occasions to recognise the DNA-based testing in cystic fibrosis. He concluded that
achievements of special members, both young and old. there is no single method of analysis which can be used
The Southern Region meeting held at Northampton in all situations and the molecular geneticist needs to
General Hospital on 27th September 2000 was a good utilise several different, but complementary, assays in
excuse to say thank you to Stan Evans for his years of order to provide a comprehensive DNA-based service of
dedication to the ACB. cystic fibrosis testing.
However, Southern Region meetings are not only
about saying thanks to retiring members, they are also
occasions to congratulate our trainees by providing the
venue to award the Grade A trainees with their
certificates of competence. This year, certificates were
awarded to Rachel Bradbury, Hannah Craddock and
Nicola Marden. All the recipients have already secured
Grade B posts - Rachel is in Sheffield, Hannah is at
University College Hospital in London and Nicola has
moved to Bristol.
Dr Stan Evans (right) with colleagues Alan Penney and Geoff Lester.
Dalton and Bonham Double Act
Professor Tim Cox is always an interesting speaker and
he intrigued us with a detailed view of haemo-
chromatosis, its pathogenesis and the use of
biochemical and genetic screening procedures to
identify individuals and first-degree relatives at risk.
The concept of environmental-gene interactions on
molecular oncology was introduced by Professor
J. Jankowski from Birmingham. He discussed p- and
e-cadherin changes during proliferation and
Hannah Craddock receives her certificate from Charles Andrew. differentiation and the role of e-cadherin in modulation
of β-catenin, which is involved in tumourgenesis.
DNA Testing in Cystic Fibrosis The finale of this intriguing meeting was a double act
So apart from the awards and celebrations, these from Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Dr Jim Bonham
occasions also provide exceptional educational spoke of the clinical aspects of fatty acid oxidation
opportunities. This meeting was entitled ‘Impact of disorders. He stressed clinical awareness and the
Molecular Biology Techniques on Clinical Biochemistry’. importance of collecting the right sample at the right
The meeting lived up to its title by ranging from the time. Dr Ann Dalton rounded off the afternoon with
theoretical to the practical and included both clinical her discussion of the metabolism of fatty acids and
and analytical aspects. Dr A. Woodman from Cranfield other related pathways. She also described the various
University opened the day by reviewing the theoretical fatty acid oxidation defects and the mutations involved.
aspects of molecular biology techniques and set the It was a very informative and rewarding day and the
scene for the rest of the day. Dr Sue Price reviewed the organisers and sponsors are to be congratulated for
clinical genetics view of the utility of DNA analysis. their efforts. (cid:2)
6•ACB News Issue 454 •February 2001
General News General News General News General News General News
New ACB Computer-Aided Learning Publication
Building on the success of its first two CD-ROM and a cumulative assessment score being available on
products, ‘Thyroid Disorders’ and ‘Acid Base demand. It is possible to spend short periods of time on
Disorders’, the Association of Clinical Biochemists has a case using the facility to bookmark your position and
published ‘Protein Cases’. This computer-aided learning then return to that position at a later time.
programme was produced with the aid of an educa- A comprehensive reference section contains material
tional grant from Beckman Coulter. on laboratory tests and clinical conditions. It can be
A group of clinical biochemists and their medical accessed and searched at any time either directly or via
colleagues from Leeds and London, Rosamonde Banks, ‘hot words’ within the clinical cases. These clinical
David Oliveira, Jane Patmore, Pamela Riches, Joanna cases support educational needs of undergraduates,
Sheldon, Douglas Thompson and John Whicher, wrote postgraduates and qualify for Continuing Professional
this material which focuses on protein disorders. Development/Continuing Medical Education points.
The ‘Protein Cases’ CD-ROM presents two main The minimum hardware requirements are Pentium
clinical cases and ten short topics, based on a format of PC, 16 Mb RAM, 3 Mb hard disc space, colour
simulated patient encounters that emphasise the use 800x600 monitor, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5
and role of laboratory investigations in diagnosis and (supplied).
treatment. Consequences of wrong diagnosis and Copies are available from the ACB office at a price of
management are demonstrated. The programmes are £75 plus VAT and £1.95 p&p with an additional charge
interactive with questions posed throughout the cases of £3 for Air Mail outside Europe. (cid:2)
8•ACB News Issue 454 •February 2001
General News General News General News General News General News
Authorisation of Results by Election of ACB
Unregistered Clinical Scientists Officers 2001
In accordance with the provision of
Mike Hallworth, ACB Chairman & ACB Representative to ACS
Articles 12, 14 and Bye-Law 6.3,
I have been asked to clarify the position of unregistered (trainee) clinical nominations are now called for the
scientists with respect to authorisation of results. This is clearly a complex annually elected Honorary Officers,
issue, as what is meant by ‘authorisation’ varies from checking that results are Secretary, Assistant Secretary and
analytically valid and clinically feasible to providing an interpretative clinical Meetings Secretary.
opinion. The current incumbents are
The question has recently been considered by the Liaison Committee of the eligible and willing to stand for a
CPSM Clinical Scientists Board and the Association of Clinical Scientists (ACS) – further term of office.
the ACS being the body established to provide professional advice to the Board.
The Liaison Committee unanimously agreed that authorisation of reports National Members
should be performed by a registered practitioner – that is, after all, what In addition, nominations are called
registration is all about. However, it was accepted that in some circum- for two National Members to be
stances it might be appropriate for an unregistered trainee Clinical Scientist elected for a term of three years.
to be involved in this work as part of their training. This is acceptable National Members may be asked to
provided it is carried out under the delegated authority of a registered take on additional roles during their
practitioner (medical or Clinical Scientist), who retains responsibility for what is term of office.
done by a trainee acting under their authority and direction. Such delegated authority Nominations for these positions,
would be expected to be on a fixed term basis for the period of training. duly countersigned, should be
Thus, if you are a trainee Clinical Scientist who is authorising reports, it made on the nomination form
is essential that you are clear under whose authority (named individual) on page 31 of this issue and sent to:
you are acting, and that there is clear (written) definition of what you are
able (and not able) to authorise. Similarly, registered practitioners need to ACB Administrative Office
have a clear understanding of what is being done under their delegated 130-132 Tooley Street
authority by trainees, as the responsibility will fall on the supervising London SE1 2TU
practitioner if anything goes wrong.
If you have any questions about the above, please contact me. (cid:2) before 16th March 2001. (cid:2)
For the third amazing year . . .
ACB Focus Jam Session
100 Club, 100 Oxford Street
Tuesday 1st May 2001
Following critical acclaim at The Jam House last year,
where better than the famous 100 club for this year’s session.
For more information on performing
please contact Hugh Mitchell on Email: [email protected]
February 2001 •ACB News Issue 454 •9
MRCPath Short Qestions MRCPath Short Questions MRCPath Short
Test Your Skills
With Deacon’s
Challenge
This month sees a new series which will be of great
interest to all those preparing for MRCPath examina-
tions. Maybe it will be of even greater interest to those
who emailed complaining that they missed the Christmas
Crossword - now you have something every month to do in
your coffee break!
Many of us have struggled with the MRCPath calculation
questions over the years and in the end seem to pass the
exams despite them. Now thanks to Sophie Barnes, trainee
clinical biochemist in London, you can test your skills. Each
month we will publish a question, with the model answer
provided the following month. The questions are all from
past Royal College of Pathologist’s papers and the model
answers have been written by Allan Deacon of King’s College
Hospital. We already have questions for the next six months
and Allan is at this moment working his way through the
next batch of questions. (cid:2)
Deacon’s Challenge No. 1
Sophie Barnes is working with ACB News to bring you Deacon’s
Challenge.
a. Calculate the hydrogen ion
concentration of blood with
a pH of 7.12.
b. Treatment with bicarbonate
halves the hydrogen ion
concentration, what is the
new pH?
(MRCPath, Nov 2000, Royal College of Pathologists)
10•ACB News Issue 454 •February 2001
Tips Disposable Laboratory Tips Disposable Laboratory Tips
February 2001 •ACB News Issue 454 •11
Tooley Street News Tooley Street News Tooley Street News Tooley
ACB Office Opening
December saw the official opening of the new Tooley Street ACB office. The opening was performed by
Professor John Lilleyman, President of the Royal College of Pathologists, and of course our previous
landlord at 2 Carlton House Terrace.
Past ACB Presidents and Chairmen arrived en masseand the trainees from London hospitals were also present
to give a balanced view of the Association’s membership both in age and gender! Anyway, for those who were
not able to attend, here are the ACB News photographer’s best efforts at recording the event. (cid:2)
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12•ACB News Issue 454 •February 2001