Covid inquiry says hearings into the firm, led by Michelle Mone's husband, must be held in closed session.

Covid inquiry says hearings into the firm, led by Michelle Mone's husband, must be held in closed session.

Covid inquiry says hearings into the firm, led by Michelle Mone's husband, must be held in closed session.

Her departure comes less than a month after two House of Commons committees discussed her suitability to lead the NHS.

Laws in the Isle of Man to let terminally ill adults end their own lives are in the last stages of debate.

Elen Wyn says endometriosis pain is like being stabbed in the stomach as she faces wait for surgery.

Increasing numbers of young people are using the drug, experts say. The health impacts can be catastrophic.

Laws in the Isle of Man to let terminally ill adults end their own lives are in the last stages of debate.

One in five epilepsy patients has uncontrolled seizures due to brain abnormalities too subtle for doctors to spot.

Brenton Marriott died in August 2022, less than a year before the Nottingham attacks.

A vital drug which allows Beatrice, 5, to live relatively normally may become unavailable on the NHS.

Annals of Clinical Biochemistry, Ahead of Print.
BackgroundThiopurine metabolites, 6-thioguanine (6TG) and 6-methylmercaptopurine (6MMP), are monitored to aid therapeutic management of thiopurine drugs. At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), thiopurine metabolites are measured by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV). Whole blood samples are lysed and subjected to hydrolysis with derivatisation of 6MMP before HPLC-UV detection at 304 nm for the 6MMP-derivative and 342 nm for 6TG. For some samples, 6MMP cannot be reported due to a chromatographic interference at 304 nm co-eluting with the 6MMP peak. An investigation was performed to identify the interfering compound.MethodsPatient medication histories were examined to identify candidate compounds for the interference. Candidate compounds were spiked into blood at supraphysiological concentrations and tested on the assay.ResultsMetronidazole was identified as being prescribed to all patients whose samples demonstrated the interference. Metronidazole and its metabolite, hydroxymetronidazole, were spiked into blood. HPLC-UV analysis of spiked blood demonstrated similar UV absorbance patterns to those seen in patient samples with the interference. Hydroxymetronidazole co-eluted with 6MMP causing interference in the measurement.ConclusionMetronidazole and its major metabolite can interfere with 6MMP measurement by HPLC-UV analysis at 304 nm.

Four toddlers born with a rare eye condition have seen "life-changing improvements", say UK doctors.

More than 1,100 patients a day ill in hospital with vomitting bug last week in England.

Annals of Clinical Biochemistry, Ahead of Print.
Immunoassays, which are used ubiquitously in clinical practice, are inherently vulnerable to distortions arising from endogenous immunoglobulins, particularly heterophilic antibodies. While many studies have explored interference in substances measured using chemiluminescence or electrochemiluminescence methods based on the double-antibody sandwich principle, there are limited data on interference in immunoturbidimetric assays, particularly for type IV collagen. This article presents the first report of a noteworthy increase in serum type IV collagen levels stemming from heterophilic antibody interference detected through an immunoturbidimetric assay. The present study investigated the mechanisms of this interference and the differences introduced by heterophilic antibodies between the two methodologies. Additionally, it outlines strategies for identifying and mitigating such interference, and discusses the principles, limitations, and considerations of each corrective approach. The objective is to raise awareness among clinical laboratory professionals concerning the potential interference of heterophilic antibodies in immunoturbidimetric assays. Increased awareness will aid in the prompt detection and correction of this issue, ensuring the provision of accurate and reliable laboratory data for informed clinical decision-making and the prevention of adverse medical outcomes.

Newcastle doctors use donated tissue to help save Paul Laskey's eyesight.

In just a year and a half, at least eight victims of drug misuse have been buried in Oban's Pennyfuir cemetery.

Emma found out she had a little-known condition and "wasn't obese" after watching a reality show.

Experts highlight particular problems with prostate, kidney and colon cancer in England and Wales.

Emma found out she had a little-known condition and "wasn't obese" after watching a reality show.