The use of whole blood capillary samples to measure 15 analytes for a home-collect biochemistry service during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A proposed model from North West London Pathology.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the delivery of secondary care services. Self-collection of capillary blood at home can facilitate the monitoring of patients with chronic disease to support virtual clinics while mitigating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the comparability of whole blood capillary and plasma venous samples for 15 routinely used biochemical analytes and to develop and pilot a user-friendly home-collection kit to support virtual outpatient clinical services. METHODS: To investigate the comparability of whole blood capillary and plasma venous samples for 15 routinely requested biochemical analytes, simultaneous samples of venous and capillary blood were collected in EDTA and lithium-heparin plasma separation tubes that were of 4-6 mL and 400-600 µL draw volume, respectively. Venous samples were analysed within 4 h of collection while capillary samples were kept at ambient temperature for three days until centrifugation and analysis. Analyte results that were comparable between the matrices were then piloted in a feasibility study in three outpatient clinical services. RESULTS: HbA1c, lipid profile and liver function tests were considered comparable and piloted in the patient feasibility study. The home-collect kit demonstrated good patient usability. CONCLUSION: Home collection of capillary blood could be a clinically-useful tool to deliver virtual care to patients with chronic disease.

Clinical roles in clinical biochemistry: a national survey of practice in the UK.

Background Using an online survey, we collected data to present a picture of how clinical authorization is performed in the UK. Methods A 21-question survey was uploaded to www.surveymonkey.com , and responses were invited via the mail base of the Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine. The questionnaire examined the intensity and function of the duty biochemist role and how different types of authorization are used to handle and release results. Results Of 70 responses received, 60 were suitable for analysis. Responses were received from every region of the UK. A typical duty biochemist shift started on average at 8:50, and finished at 17:25. The mean duration was 8 h 58 min. Clinical scientists are the most abundantly represented group on duty biochemist rotas. Higher banded clinical scientists and chemical pathologists covered out-of-hours shifts. Results were handled differently depending on the level of abnormality and the requesting area. Normal results tended to be released either directly from the analyser or after technical then autoauthorization (90%). A greater preference for clinical authorization was seen for abnormal and critical results originating from outpatients (49% and 69%, respectively) or general practice (51% and 71%) than for inpatients (33% and 53%) or A&E (25% and 37%). Conclusions The handling and authorization of biochemistry results varies greatly between laboratories. The role is clearly heterogeneous in the UK. Guidance from the Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Royal College of Pathologists may help to clarify the essential roles of the duty biochemist.

Gastrointestinal hormones and their role in obesity.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pandemic obesity is the most pressing health issue of this century. The most successful treatment so far is bariatric surgery, but for various reasons, surgery cannot be applied to all patients who require treatment. Gastrointestinal hormones are likely to play a key role in the success of bariatric surgery. This article examines in detail three of these gut hormones: peptide YY, oxyntomodulin and pancreatic polypeptide, and reviews how recent developments may offer new targets for therapy. RECENT FINDINGS: Both the free fatty acid 2 and the melanocortin 4 receptors have been discovered to regulate peptide YY and glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion, and drugs targeting these may represent new antiobesity therapies. Dual agonism of glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon receptors, for example with oxyntomodulin, has synergistic effects in reducing appetite and increasing energy expenditure. Plasma pancreatic polypeptide concentration correlates with visceral adiposity, and may serve as a biomarker for metabolic syndrome. SUMMARY: Gut hormones continue to show promise on an individual basis as anti-obesity treatments, but combination therapies are needed to achieve beneficial effects comparable to bariatric surgery. Innovative pathways for stimulating native gut hormone secretion may well provide an alternative method for weight loss without necessitating the administration of gut hormone analogues via injection.

One hand is better than two: conversion from pure laparoscopic to the hand-assisted approach during difficult nephrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of conversion from a laparoscopic to an open approach during nephrectomy is reported at 6-8%. Conversion to an open procedure may be necessary to control haemorrhage or allow progress in dissection but the well established benefits of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) are obviously lost. Hand-assisted laparoscopy (HAL) also offers the benefits to the patient of MIS. We have used HAL to convert from the pure laparoscopic approach during difficult nephrectomies, rather than converting to traditional open surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of our prospective database was carried out to identify any conversions from the pure laparoscopic approach during nephrectomy or nephroureterectomy for benign or malignant disease. RESULTS: A total of 87 laparoscopic nephrectomies (LNs) were identified over a 3-year period. There were five conversions to the HAL approach (5.7%) and no conversions to open surgery. The reason for conversion was failure to progress in all five cases. Operative times averaged 190 minutes with blood loss of 180 ml. Histology revealed xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in four cases and renal cell carcinoma in one case. The median postoperative stay was 4 days. CONCLUSIONS: Conversion to HAL during LN maintains the benefits of MIS in difficult nephrectomy and should be considered prior to converting to open surgery.