Improving care of melanoma patients through efficient, integrated cellular-molecular pathology workflows using tissue samples with low tumour nuclear content.

Aims: The aim of this quality improvement project was to improve the turnaround time of B-raf proto-oncogene (BRAF) mutation testing in patients with malignant melanoma to support oncologists in making timely treatment decisions.

Methods: This is a prospective in-house verification of the Idylla BRAF test as compared with DNA panel next-generation sequencing (NGS) performed at an external laboratory.

Results: The Idylla BRAF test had an overall concordance of 95% compared with NGS.

Integration of rapid PCR testing as an adjunct to NGS in diagnostic pathology services within the UK: evidence from a case series of non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with follow-up.

Aims: Somatic genetic testing in non-squamous, non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients is required to highlight subgroups eligible for a number of novel oncological therapies. This study aims to determine whether turnaround times for reporting epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) by next-generation sequencing (NGS) alone is sufficient to meet the needs of lung cancer patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective case series with follow-up.

Verification and Validation of Digital Pathology (Whole Slide Imaging) for Primary Histopathological Diagnosis: All Wales Experience.

Aims: The study is aimed to verify Aperio AT2 scanner for reporting on the digital pathology platform (DP) and to validate the cohort of pathologists in the interpretation of DP for routine diagnostic histopathological services in Wales, United Kingdom.

Materials Methods And Results: This was a large multicenter study involving seven hospitals across Wales and unique with 22 (largest number) pathologists participating. 7491 slides from 3001 cases were scanned on Leica Aperio AT2 scanner and reported on digital workstations with Leica software of e-slide manager.

Ready, steady, go! What do histopathology trainees think they need from training to enable them to develop autonomy in surgical pathology reporting?

Aims: This is a qualitative study of the perceived learning needs of trainees for graded responsibility in histopathological training in the UK.

Methods: A focus group with trainees and interviews with consultants was carried out. Participants were asked 'What do you perceive are the learning needs of histopathology trainees to develop skills for safe and confident independent reporting in surgical histopathology?' Data was analysed using open coding content analysis for items relating to training content and structure.

Trainers' perceptions of the direct observation of practical skills assessment in histopathology training: a qualitative pilot study.

Aims: This pilot study of the direct observation of practical skills (DOPS) assessment of histopathology trainees is needed in the absence of existing information on histopathology in the UK. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of trainers in using the DOPS tool with histopathology trainees.

Methods: A qualitative approach was taken using paper-based questionnaires to consultants in a single teaching hospital histopathology department.

Outcomes of cervical liquid-based cytology suggesting a glandular abnormality.

Objective: To ascertain the positive predictive value of both ?glandular neoplasia (national standard code 6) and borderline change (national standard code 8) in glandular cells in liquid-based cervical cytology specimens in Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust and to outline the histological outcomes of these cases.

Method: Eighty-nine liquid-based (Surepath) cervical cytology cases were retrospectively identified from a 2-year period (January 2005 to December 2006) and correlated with histopathological diagnoses.

Results: Initial punch biopsy histology revealed 18 cases (21%) of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia (CGIN).

Surfactant phospholipid DPPC downregulates monocyte respiratory burst via modulation of PKC.

Pulmonary surfactant phospholipids have been shown previously to regulate inflammatory functions of human monocytes. This study was undertaken to delineate the mechanisms by which pulmonary surfactant modulates the respiratory burst in a human monocytic cell line, MonoMac-6 (MM6). Preincubation of MM6 cells with the surfactant preparations Survanta, Curosurf, or Exosurf Neonatal inhibited the oxidative response to either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and zymosan or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) by up to 50% (P < 0.