Biobanks and biomarkers: Their current and future role in biomedical research.

The importance and utility of biobanks has increased exponentially since their inception and creation. Initially used as part of translational research, they now contribute over 40% of data for all cancer research papers in the United States of America and play a crucial role in all aspects of healthcare. Multiple classification systems exist but a simplified approach is to either classify as population-based or disease-oriented entities.

Research surveys and their evolution: Past, current and future uses in healthcare.

Research surveys are believed to have originated in antiquity with evidence of them being performed in ancient Egypt and Greece. In the past century, their use has grown significantly and they are now one of the most frequently employed research methods including in the field of healthcare. Modern validation techniques and processes have allowed researchers to broaden the scope of qualitative data they can gather through these surveys such as an individual's views on service quality to nationwide surveys that are undertaken regularly to follow healthcare trends.

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis: Diagnostic approaches for this uncommon pathology.

A case report entitled "Primary gastroduodenal tuberculosis presenting as gastric outlet obstruction" recently published in the presented a rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction and highlighted the atypical manner in which gastrointestinal tuberculosis (TB) can present. The literature with regards to this rare pathology is limited to case reports and case series with the largest being published using data from between 2003 and 2013. However, since then the diagnostic tools available have significantly changed with more modern and increasingly accurate tests now available.

Biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease: a practical guide.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is a costly condition in terms of morbidity and healthcare utilization, with an increasing prevalence now approaching 1% in the Western world. Endoscopic assessment of IBD remains the gold standard for diagnosis, evaluation of treatment response and determination of post-operative recurrence, but is expensive and invasive. Biomarkers can facilitate non-invasive disease assessment, with C-reactive protein and faecal calprotectin as the most widely available biomarkers in current clinical practice.

Using clinical cases to guide healthcare.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) has been the gold standard in healthcare for nearly three centuries and aims to assist physicians in providing the safest and most effective healthcare for their patients. The well-established hierarchy of evidence lists systematic reviews and meta-analyses at the top however these methodologies are not always appropriate or possible and in these instances case-control studies, case series and case reports are utilised to support EBP. Case-control studies allow simultaneous study of multiple risk factors and can be performed rapidly and relatively cheaply.