Journal of clinical pathology
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To compare the reliability and relative costs of three international normalised ratio (INR) near patient tests. ⋯ All three near patient test systems are safe and efficient for producing acceptable and reproducible INR results within the therapeutic range in a primary care setting. All the systems were, however, subject to operator dependent variables at the time of blood letting. Adequate training in capillary blood sampling, specific use of the machines, and quality assurance procedures is therefore essential.
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To assess the value of immunophenotyping of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in routinely processed bone marrow trephine biopsy specimens and to establish a minimum panel of antibodies to assess lymphoid lineage and enable differentiation from acute myeloid leukaemia. ⋯ Immunohistochemical investigation of routinely processed bone marrow biopsy specimens enables reliable detection of ALL subtypes c-ALL and T-ALL. A minimum panel of antibodies, against TdT, CD34, myeloperoxidase, lysozyme, CD10, CD79a, and CD20, and the antibody beta F1, is proposed for the immunophenotyping of acute leukaemia.
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To determine the importance of tumour DNA ploidy and cell proliferation, as measured by the S phase fraction (SPF), in relation to other established clinicopathological indicators of prognosis in breast cancer. ⋯ DNA ploidy and SPF are strongly intercorrelated and have independent prognostic value for predicting the short term clinical outcome of breast carcinoma patients.
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Comparative Study
Is the international normalised ratio (INR) reliable? A trial of comparative measurements in hospital laboratory and primary care settings.
To determine the reliability of international normalised ratio (INR) measurement in primary care by practice nurses using near patient testing (NPT), in comparison with results obtained within hospital laboratories by varied methods. ⋯ No technical problems associated with INR testing within primary care were uncovered. Discrepant INR results are as problematic in hospital settings as they are in primary care. These data highlight the failings of the INR to standardise when different techniques and reagents are used, an issue which needs to be resolved. For primary care to become more involved in therapeutic oral anticoagulation monitoring, close links are needed between hospital laboratories and practices, particularly with regard to training and quality assurance.
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To evaluate whether endometrial pathology is more likely to be diagnosed in gynaecologically symptomatic rather than in gynaecologically asymptomatic postmenopausal breast cancer patients with tamoxifen treatment; and to evaluate the possible influence of various clinical factors on the incidence of endometrial pathology. ⋯ Endometrial pathology is more likely to be diagnosed in gynaecologically symptomatic postmenopausal breast cancer patients with tamoxifen treatment, and after a shorter duration of time, than in gynaecologically asymptomatic patients.