2nd EFLM-UEMS European Joint Congress in Dubrovnik, Croatia, October 2012
Fourth EFCC Generaly Assembly in Berlin, Germany, 15 May 2011
1st EFCC-BD Conference on Preanalytical Phase
First European Joint Congress of EFCC and UEMS and 1st Congresso Nacional do Laboratório Clínico Lisbon 2010: Laboratory Medicine in Health Care
SBCC: Where laboratory and toxicology meet clinical pathology
The Norvegian society of medical biochemistry and the Nordic society for clinical chemistry
Professor David W Holt – 40 years of Drug Use and Abuse
12th International Congress of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring & Clinical Toxicology
Balkan award for Clinical laboratory research 2010
General Assembly Corfu 2010
Euromedlab Innsbruck 2009
2nd EFLM-UEMS European Joint Congress
10 – 13 October 2012, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Click here for a Slideshow from the Dubrovnik Congress 2012
2nd EFLM-UEMS European Joint Congress “Laboratory medicine at the clinical interface” was held in Dubrovnik (10-13 October 2012) under the auspices of IFCC and member of the European Parliament Bernadette Vergnaud, Rapporteur for the EU Directive for regulation of the professions. Congress organizers were EFLM, UEMS LM-SMB and CSMBLM as this congress was organized jointly with the 7th Congress of the Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine. International program of the congress was preceded by pre-congress CSMBLM symposium organized by the Croatian center for quality assessment in laboratory medicine.
598 participants from 50 different countries have attended the congress. English was official spoken language. Besides classic plenary lectures, symposia and industry sponsored workshops, congress educational sessions were supplemented by interactive pro-con sessions with themes like accreditation, pharmacogenetics, thrombophilia screening etc. More information about congress topics can be found on official congress web pages (www.dubrovnik2012.com). Lecture and poster abstracts are published in the latest issue of Biochemia Medica (http://www.biochemia-medica.com/node/497).
Among 263 submitted abstracts, 10 best posters were awarded. Interactive poster walk was organized as a way of poster evaluation; one of the poster authors was expected to stand by the poster and to shortly present her/his work to the Poster Committee. It is important to stress out that, besides international competition, Croatian authors won respectable number of awards. Congratulations!
First prize (1000 EUR) won poster entitled:
Mirošević Skvrce N, Božina N, Pejnović L, Barišić I, Zibar L, Macolić-Šarinić V
ABCG2 gene variant and fluvastatin adverse drug reactions in renal transplant recipients
Second prizes (500 EUR each) were equally awarded to the following posters:
1. Tendle K
Performance of Nova StatStrip point of care blood glucose meter in a neonatal intensive care unit
2. Vučić Lovrenčić M, Božičević S, Radišić Biljak V, Mesić R, Poljičanin T, Metelko Ž
Implications of variable preanalytical procedures for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in Croatia
3. Schenk P, Romijn F, Kolb R, Cobbaert C
Sodium measurements in urine by the patient at home: primary limitations overcome
4. Kristoffersen A, Stavelin A, Vannes S, Berge Kristensen GB
Pre-analytical routines in coagulation testing: are guidelines followed?
5. Mikulić I, Petrik J, Čepelak I, Tomić M, Baković V, Mikulić V
Nitric oxide and homocysteine in patients with chronic kidney disease
6. Somborac Bačura A, Rumora L, Šribar D, Popović-Grle S, Čepelak I, Žanić Grubišić T
MMP-9 and TIMP-1 concentrations in plasma of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
7. Konderak J, Elmardi A, Farkas B, Pinter E
Screening for the urinary tract infections using Sysmex UF 1000i flow cytometer
8. Štefanović M, Delić R, Krivec Š
Standard and new laboratory markers and their usefulness in prediction of preeclampsia
9. Silva N, Martins S, Tuna D, Lourenço P, Bettencourt P, Guimaraes J
Vitamin D status in heart failure patients is dependent on the assay method used
By combining up-to-date and interesting themes from the field of laboratory medicine and clinical practice and highly efficient congress organization, this conference has made a substantial contribution to the promotion of laboratory medicine across Europe. It also sets up high standards to the hosts of the next EFLM-UEMS conference which will be held in Liverpool in 2014.
Fourth EFCC Generaly Assembly in Berlin, Germany
15 May 2011
Agenda:
- Welcome
- Apologies for absence
- Minutes of previous General Assembly – 17 April 2010, Corfu
- Matters arising from the Minutes not otherwise considered: None.
- President’s annual report
- Treasurer’s report
- Reports from EFCC Committees
- Report from IFCC Representative
- Election of new EFCC Board 2011-13
- Presentation of the EC4 Distinguished Officer Awards 2010 and 2011
- EuroMedLab 2015 – selection of host city by secret ballot
Downloads
2011-05 Berlin – Minutes of the EFLM General Assembly.pdf
2011-05 – Treasurer’s report (Schuff-Werner).pdf
2011-05 – IFCC report (Laitinen).pdf
2011-05 – C-S report (Sandberg).pdf
2011-05 – C-P & EC4-RC reports (Zerah).pdf
2011-05 – C-ET & WG-DL reports (Topic).pdf
2011-05 – C-PPR report (Wootton).pdf
2011-05 – C-QM report (Libeer).pdf
2011-04 – President’s Report (Horvath).pdf
1st EFCC-BD Conference on Preanalytical Phase
1 – 2 April 2011, Parma, Italy
Conference Presentations may be dowloaded for a fee of 50 Eur.
Download is free of charge for all conference participants. Please register to access conference presentations.
First European Joint Congress of EFCC and UEMS and 1st Congresso Nacional do Laboratório Clínico Lisbon 2010: Laboratory Medicine in Health Care
13 – 16 October 2010, Lisbon, Portugal
The European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFCC), the European Union of Medical Specialists – Specialist Section and Board of Medical Biopathology (UEMS-MBS&B) and Jornadas Internacionais da Qualidade em Laboratórios de Análises Clínicas (JIQLAC) are organising the First European Joint Congress of EFCC and UEMS with the 1st Portuguese Joint Congress of Laboratory Medicine, entitled “Laboratory Medicine in Healthcare”. This conference aims to be “different” by having sessions and speakers focusing on clinically oriented topics that highlight the importance of the interface between clinical and laboratory medicine. This aim is reflected in our conference slogan as well: “Laboratory Medicine at the Clinical Interface”. This conference intends to be “different” in other ways too, as we wish to learn your views and opinion as well by making the majority of the conference sessions interactive. To achieve this, there will be “Pros and Cons” Sessions that present opposing views on contradictory topics and which are expected to generate professional debates in relation to the use of diagnostic tests in clinical practice. We will also provide Educational Sessions and Interactive Case Discussions where participants may express their views by voting. The program will be of high professional standards with active participation of the audience in a friendly and collegial atmosphere. We invite all of you, clinicians, laboratory professionals and other health care workers, who are interested in learning more about the use of laboratory investigations in clinical practice, to join us in Lisbon on 13 – 16th October 2010. We guarantee that you will be involved in a highly stimulating and interactive conference where your voice can also be heard and that you will enjoy exciting social programs and the warm hospitality of the organisers. Looking forward to seeing you in Lisbon in 2010!
Downloads
LMHC Lisbon 2010 – Presidents report.pdf
SBCC: Where laboratory and toxicology meet clinical pathology
Founded in 1957, this society has always been active as a liaison between the Belgian clinical biologists and international affairs concerning clinical biology and clinical chemistry. A society like this one can only exist and function during such a long period by means of the selfless and untamed efforts of numerous volunteers who, despite their tight schedules, make time to guarantee the functioning of this society. On May 15 2008 the BVKC-SBCC was granted the title of “Royal Society” following the 50th anniversary.
The annual symposium 2010 of the Royal Belgian Society of Clinical Chemistry is entitled: “Where laboratory and toxicology meet clinical pathology”As usual, the program is a mix of recent clinical updates completed with state of the art clinical chemistry. This year, we invited our colleagues from the Toxicological Society of Belgium and Luxembourg (BLT). Select topics are:
- A critical synopsis of current meta-analyses in the field of subclinical thyroid disease. (Prf. Dr. I. B. Velckeniers; Brussels)
- COD in allergy… from lab to patient. (Prof. dr. M. Hagendorens; Antwerp)
- EC4… our lab into European context. (Prof; dr. P. Wallemacq; UCL)
- From MGUS to pathology… (Prof. Dr. X. Bossuyt and Prof. Dr. M. Delforge; KUL)
- Triple Quad Mass spectrometers… tomorrow in our labs!?
- CDT… from lab to lawyers (Prof. Dr. M. Ygles; Luxembourg)
- At the end of the program there is a workshop on validation in MS technics.
This symposium will take place on April 22nd 2009 in Grimbergen, Salons de Romrée. From 09:00 onward, attendants are welcomed with coffee and croissants. An excellent walking-dinner (hot and cold buffet)will be offered between 12:00 – 14:00.
The Norvegian society of medical biochemistry and the Nordic society for clinical chemistry
The Nordic Society of Clinical Chemistry, The Norwegian Society of Medical Biochemistry and the Organizing Committee of LabMed 2010 has the pleasure of inviting you to the XXXII Nordic Congress in Medical Biochemistry in Oslo, June 1 – 4, 2010.The organizers are confident that we can maintain the high standard of the scientific programme and the warm atmosphere achieved by the organizers of previous congresses.
In addition to the traditional focus on new developments within the science of medical biochemistry, we also want to address the importance of research in the interface between medical biochemistry, clinical medicine and basic research fields. Medical biochemistry has the tools and the competence necessary for validation of biomarkers available for diagnostic and prognostic use and has therefore a unique position to develop and influence translational research.The program will be organized in plenary lectures and parrallelle sessions includind symposia, wokshops and selected abstracts for oral presentaions. Oslo is especially nice in June and makes a perfect background for meeting colleagues for both scientific discussions and social contact. We do look forward to seeing you in Oslo, in June 2010. The congress site is Oslo Congress Center situated in the middle of down-town Oslo, in short walking distance to all hotels, restaurants and sites of interest, both historical and cultural. The exhibition area is next to the entrance on the way to the lecture hails.
For further information, online registration and submission of abstracts please visit the congress web-site.
If you have any queries regarding the congess please do not hesitate to contact the congress secretariat: labmed2010@congrex.no.
Professor David W Holt – 40 years of Drug Use and Abuse
London 16th – 17th April 2010
St George’s University of London is pleased to be organising and hosting a two day symposium in honour of a long standing and well respected professor in the field of bioanalytics.We will celebrating Prof David Holts distinguished career spanning 40 years with many well known national and international speakers presenting on a range of subjects, reflecting his career path. Starting with digoxin and anti-arrhythmics, through immunosuppressive therapy and anti-retrovirals, proficiency testing, clinical toxicology and poisonings, and looking to the future with forensics and designer drugs.
We invite all colleagues and friends who have worked with David, past and present, to support this prestigeous event that will hopfully prove to be as successful as Davids career! We hope to attract a large number of delegates so book now to avoid missing out on the limited places and early-bird price.
12th International Congress of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring & Clinical Toxicology
Eberhard Wieland, chair
Christoph Hiemke, vice chair
On behalf of the organizing and scientific committees as well as of the city of Stuttgart we are very pleased to extend you a warm invitation to attend the 12th International Congress of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring & Clinical Toxicology. The congress will be held in Stuttgart, the state capital of Baden-Württemberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Since its first Congress held 1988 IATDMCT has dedicated its constant efforts to promote the interest and knowledge in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology internationally.We are aiming to organise a congress programme that will reflect the multidisciplinary character of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring & Clinical Toxicology and attract scientists and clinical practitioners from a variety of scientific and medical backgrounds.
We are confident that the meeting will further strengthen your international and interdisciplinary cooperation. It will create opportunities for you to exchange experiences, present and debate new directions and topics with experts from across the globe. And last but not least, it will be an excellent opportunity to meet your international colleagues in an inspiring atmosphere.
We will be happy to welcome you in Stuttgart 2011.
Location:
Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Liederhalle
Berliner Platz 1 – 3
D- 70174 Stuttgart Germany
Sunday October 2 to Thursday October 6, 2011
Balkan award for Clinical laboratory research 2010
In the knowledge that scientific progress achieved through research is very valuable for the sociocultural and economic development of a country, Biosystems SA has joined with local scientific societies to establish the best Balkan Award for Clinical Laboratory Research.
The deadline for the 2010 award will be april 30, 2010.
General Assembly Corfu 2010
The European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFCC) held its General Assembly in Corfu on 17 April 2010. Regrettably, due to the Icelandic volcanic eruption quite a number of national society representatives could not attend this important event in Corfu.
Attendees of the GA in Corfu 2010.
Results of a survey on the priorities of European National Societies for the strategic objectives and goals of EFCC were also presented in Corfu and the summary of all responses can be downloaded below.
We look forward to meeting you at forthcoming conferences in Lisbon on 13-16 October 2010 and at the next Euromedlab-Worldlab 2011 in Berlin.
Downloads
2010-04 Corfu – Minutes of the EFLM General Assembly.pdf
Euromedlab Innsbruck 2009
Euromedlab 2009 held in the beautiful city of Innsbruck, it might have been difficult to get to, but it was worth the effort. The medieval square with its bars and restaurants was a popular haunt with the famous gold roof and the whole encased by spectacular mountains surrounding the city.
The opening ceremony
The meeting, bearing the slogan “In Vitro Veritas” was held in the Convention Centre and organised by the Austrian Society of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine under the auspices of IFCC and EFCC and led by Prof Mathias Muller and Andrea Griesmacher. The opening ceremony was interspersed with music by Austrian composers played by the Haydn Orchestra Bozen-Trient in between welcomes from the Presidents of the contributing organizations, and Awards from EFCC to Rob Jansen [Netherlands] for his outstanding work in EC4 and on the Registration of specialists within the European Union, and the IFCC Award to Eleftherios Diamandis [Canada]. A brief, but powerful speech by Severin Schwan CEO of Hoffman-La Roche sent a powerful message that the diagnostics industry is moving away from focussing just on technology towards the provision of systems and assays that positively impact on patient care as a guiding strategy. A partnership in knowledge provision is in prospect.
There was a suitably impressive exhibition scattered over several halls with some in marquees; exhibitors made the most of the floor space with large displays of current instrumentation.
A. Griesmacher and Andrea Rita Horváth at the closing ceremony
Rob Jansen receives award for his outstanding work in EC4
Innsbuck city center
The programme
There was a full scientific programme and parallel sessions and some very informative industry sponsored workshops such as the one on 5th generation Troponin T offering the opportunity to quantitate normal values for Troponin T and offering a cut-off of 0.014 ug/L which begs the question should we be reporting these in ng/L i.e. 14 ng/L. Investigation strategies would seem to suggest sequestial sampling on two or three occasions to differentiate chronic and acute changes.
A session on post-translational pathologies had Prof Gillery discussing amino acid modicifcations and the different effects these have, e.g. carbamylation in renal failure affecting receptor e.g. insulin and protein e.g. albumin binding, adversely affecting protein synthesis. Carbamylation worsens renal tubular function. There may be a case for measuring carbamylated haemoglobin which correlates with the time urea has been elevated. Dr Lapolla considered advanced glycation end-products [AGE] and their impact on cell function through cross-linking. In the laboratory we can measure various markers reflecting pathogenesis in the early, medium and long-term. Pentasodine stimulates cross-linking and reversal of its adverse effects takes years of very good diabetic control also in diabetics with renal failure more vigorous renal replacement therapies are needed as it is not cleared by current haemodialysis.
Repair of damage was considered by Dr van Schaftingen with fructosamine-3-kinase having a central role in potentially mitigating if not reversing protein damage.
Prof Tauber gave an excellent presentation on Glycomics and the cellular glycocalyx. There are for example a multitude of glycosylations possible for alpha-1 antitrypsin which enable the post-production of a required oligosaccharide. Glycans may be the product of a two-gene products and several hundred genes may potentially contribute. Glycan binding proteins, lectins recruit lymphocytes to areas of inflammation. Defects in glycosylation are being increasingly recognised as being associated with inherited disease and malignancy.
Prof Zinder with some retrospection gave an excellent presentation on the stress response and intracellular signalling.
A session on Evidence Based Laboratory Medicine was commenced with incoming EFCC President Prof Horvath’s presentation where she considered analytical and clinical validity, clinical utility and the ethical, legal and financial issues. Prof Christenson illustrated the principles with a discussion on cardiac biomarkers such as BNP. Prof Rothe illustrated the power of flow cytometry in enabling monitoring of progression of multiple myeloma by monitoring plasma cell proliferation, and showed evidence of progression in following MGUS. Genotyping in common diseases is a huge task but was addressed by Prof Whitfield emphasising how very difficult it was to use such typing predictatively.
There was an active cultural programme with an organ recital and concerts by the Haydn Orchestra Bozen-Trient. Right outside the convention centre was a funicular railway that led to the first of two cable cars that whisked you from the balmy valley to a cold 2200m mountain top where you could look down on the magnificent topography within which Innsbruck nestles.
While this is only a flavour of the many presentations and supporting programmes on offer, it is impossible to participate in everything, it augurs well for the next Euromedlabs: Berlin 2011 and Milan 2013. See you there!
