2N ANALYST, JANUARY 1993, VOL. 118 Conference Reports Fourth European Conference on Electroanalysis, ESEAC IV: May 314une 3, 1992, Leeuwenhorst Congress Centre, Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands Organized under the auspices of the European Society for Electroanalytical Chemistry (ESEAC) and the Royal Netherlands Chemical Society, this was the fourth in a series of meetings that began in Dublin in 1986, and were held subsequently in Turku and Gijon in 1988 and 1990 respcctively, and was attended by approximately 180 participants. The main aim of this series of meet- ings is to promote greater exchange of ideas and results relating to the theory and application of electroanalytical met hods (potentiometry , volt ammetry, coulometry, etc.) in the chemical, bio- logical, industrial and environmental sciences.At this particular meeting, keynote lectures were prcsented by Dr. C. M. G. van den Berg (UK) on metal speciation studies, Dr. C. Amatore (France) on ultramicroelectrodes, Dr. L. Gorton (Sweden) on amperometric biosensors, Dr. H. W. van Leeuwen (The Nether- lands) on environmental electroanaly- sis, Professor J.-M. Kauffmann (Bel- gium) on pharmaceutical and biomed- ical applications and Professor K. Stulik (Czechoslovakia) on electrochemical detection in flow analysis. The pro- gramme also included 21 other oral presentations and over 100 posters. This attests to the great interest and technol- ogical developments in this field of analytical science throughout Europe, and particular praise should be paid to the Conference Chairman, Dr.W. M. van Bennekom and his co-workers for organizing such a scientifically stimulat- ing meeting. The choice of location allowed for many informal discussions among the participants and the social programme, which included a trip to The Hague and a dinner cruise in Rotterdam harbour, complemented well the scientific fare. At the biannual meeting of ESEAC held during this conference, it was decided that the Society should remain ‘a loose associa- tion of electroanalytical chemists in Europe’, and it was decided to start a newsletter under the editorship of Dr. W. Frenzel (Technical University of Berlin). The next meeting of this series will be held in May/June, 1994, in association with the Analytical Division of the Ttalian Chemical Society, at a location to be decided. Malcolm R.Smyth School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland Focus ‘92 Association of Clinical Biochemists National Meeting: June 8-12, 1992, Blackpool, UK One practical expression of analytical biochemistry, of unquestionable impor- tance, is the medical analytical service provided by the clinical biochemist. This largely hospital-based group of analysts serves as the diagnostic reference point for a wide range of diseases, and its contribution of biochemical data is of a scale, quality and versatility that is a match for any other application area. Analysis of ‘clean’ samples is usually not feasible, as contemporary medicine demands a rapid turnaround of data using non-ideal biological specimens often assayed under non-ideal analytical conditions.The annual National Meet- ing of the Association of Clinical Bio- chemists constitutes the major calendar occasion for the profession, and accord- ingly, provides one of the best means of divining current rcsearch themes and development areas. At the Meeting held in Blackpool this year, delegates numbered over 1000, with an ambitious scientific programme comprising a complement of five ple- nary lectures, eight scientific symposia, along with over 250 posters, 27 breakfast workshops, member’s short paper presentations and competitive scientific presentations for trainees. I n addition, there were ‘expert workshops’, com- mercially sponsored seminars and trainee teaching sessions. Although this short report cannot do justice to such an extensive meeting, something of the scientific flavour is presented, which might help define the role of the clinical biochemist.The Meeting was opened by Dr. K. Calman, the Chief Medical Officer, who set the scene on the needs and expecta- tions placed upon clinical biochemistry, and the relevance of research. The traditional ‘light’ topic opening lecture was presented by Dr. G . H. Dodd (Warwick) who gave a comparative description of the natural and artificial (electronic) nose, and the future diag- nostic possibilities of sniffing thc pat- ient; in the general sense, this served as an interesting redefinition of the term non-invasive monitoring. The Boehr- inger Mannheim Award lecture this year was by Professor S. Lieberman (New York) who challenged established con- cepts of adrenal steroid synthesis, and concluded that despite highly reliable analytical data, errors in biological interpretation have prevented us from appreciating true mechanisms and synthetic control points.The scientific symposia ran as twin parallel sessions; particular prominence (the second day) was given to analytical methods with Novel Analytical Tech- niques and Tissue Biochemistry occupy- ing a full day. Professor P. Rolfe (Keele) gave an overview of near infrared moni- toring of brain tissue oxygenation through quantitation of haem-protein spectra, particularly in the vulnerable neonate, and speculated on the further possibility of functional imaging with adaptation of tomographic techniqucs. Dr. K. M. Brindle (Manchester) explained how NMR was now being used to probe expressed intracellular proteins, and in particular how protein enzyme switching and kinetics has been followed.Professor P. J . Sadler (Birk- beck) described NMR with regard to more conventional diagnostic use in body fluid analysis; the clinical advan- tages of simultaneous, multi-metabolite analysis by NMR were not lost on an audience used to having to pre-target assay systems. Dr. R. D. Vaughan- Jones (Oxford) brought together his practial comparative experience of microelectrodes and fluorophore probes used to examine the intracellular and pericellular ionic environment. Dr. S. Sharma (Kodak Clinical Diagnostics) described principles and newer develop- ments in waveguide biosensors, par- ticularly based on surface plasmon res- onance, and realistically assessed future prospects in the context of outstanding,ANALYST.JANUARY 1993, VOL. 118 3N residual problems of biological interfac- ing. Direct sampling of the tissue com- partment by means of a dialysis mem- brane-tipped flow system (microdialy- sis) was reviewed from basics to clinical applications by Professor U. Ungerstedt (Stockholm) who provided some con- vincing evidence of its practical utility and suitability for routine use. Exten- sive, and relatively successful, experience of glucose monitoring by implantable enzyme electrodes, was aired in Professor U. Fischer’s (Karls- burg) presentation; documentation of in vivo data made a refreshing change from the standard rarefied description of in vivo hopes and aspirations of biosen- sors.Professor D . A. Eisner (Liverpool) outlined the latest in ionophore dye use and design to achieve more convenient and meaningful intracellular ion moni- toring. The parallel session in the morn- ing focused on vitamin D, which is undergoing a renaissance of biological interest well beyond the study of bone metabolism. Dr. E. B. Mawer (Man- Chester) presented a profile of vitamin D and its metabolites that illustrated its likely role in influencing cell prolifera- tion and differentiation generally. Some degree of osteoporosis is inevitable with ageing in all of us, so a description of its etiology, progress and management by Dr. W. D. Fraser (Liverpool) were of more than academic interest. Work into the wider biochemistry of vitamin D must be regarded as still being at an early stage, but what is known about calciudbone inter-relationships cer- tainly owes much to the achievements of the analyst.Analytical methods have done much to unravel the biochemistry of Paget’s disease of the bone, but as Dr. S. Ralston (Aberdeen) demonstrated, the precise cause of this quite common condition (considered by some to be viral) remains elusive. Newer markers of bone disease were described by Dr. D. A. Heath (Birmingham), who indi- cated the additional quantitative measure of bone activity these can provide. Biochemical investigation might of course need to begin in utero, especially for inborn errors of metabolism. The parallel session in the afternoon concen- trated on prenatal diagnosis. Genetic aspects were covered by Professor J.M. Connor (Glasgow) who highlighted the need for systematic genetic screening programmes in the identification of chromosomal disorders; inherited disorders giving rise to specific meta- bolic disease were described by Dr. G. T. W. Besby (Manchester). The use of chorionic villus biopsy samples as a source of foetal cells for such diagnostic work is an example of a sampling technique that has proved to be as important as any which might be used by the engineer in an industrial process. Diagnosis of deranged steroid produc- tion in foetuses leading to a failure of cortisol production was a specific disease example reviewed by Dr. M. G. Forest (Lyon). The powerful use of a multiple combination of analytical data (a-fetoprotein, estriol, chorionic gonad- otrophin) in Down’s screening was sur- veyed by Professor N.Wald (London) who showed the urgent need to institute wide use of these parameters. The third day plenary speaker, Professor R. H. Michell (Birmingham), gave a lucid account of the accelerating pace of research and knowledge in the field of secondary (intracellular) mes- senger systems, and of the kaleidoscope of such pathways that may modulate cell action. The morning symposia were on cytokines and free radicals. Cytokines are a very broad range of diffusible signal molecules that effect intercellular signalling and communication in tissue. Professor G. W. Duff (Sheffield) reviewed the general biochemical regu- lation of these agents and where measurement could be of value in diag- nosis. Acute life-threatening situations involve an orchestrated cellular meta- bolic response, and as indicated by Professor B.R. Bistrian (Boston), the major cytokines are intimately involved here. Such an involvement, with the associated breakdown of body protein, can also occur in cancer and as empha- sized by Mr. K. C. H. Fearon (Edin- burgh), is a basis for the cachexia seen in malignant disease. As ever, none of this patho-biology can be unravelled without the correct assay; and Dr. A. T. Meager (National Institute for Biological Stan- dards and Control) reminded the audience of the current state of the analytical art and outlined advances that have resulted in immunoassay super- seding bioassay. The free radical session dealt with the basics of the chemistry of redox reaction mechanisms between the vitamins and free radicals (Professor R.L. Willson, Brunel). The concept of the free radical as a ‘double edged sword’, indispensable in the oxygen economy of the body, yet lethal if out of balance with endogenous antioxidants, was emphasized by Dr. C. Rice-Evans (London). Later radiation induced bio- chemical damage with its mediation by reactive species [e.g., OH’ and ecaJ were discussed by Professor R. B. Can- dall (MRC), and the determination of reactive oxygen species in biological samples by Professor J. Lunec (Leices- ter). The Kone-Award lecture on the fourth day was by Professor 0. Sig- gaard-Anderson (Copenhagen), a pioneer of the assessment of respiratory gas status in the critically ill patient. His revisitation of this established field, but with emphasis on 02-supply problems rather than blood levels, gave many a blood gas expert pause for thought.The subsequent symposia were on intensive care medicine and NHS reforms and changes. Professor R. A. Little (Man- Chester) provided an update on our understanding of the general metabolic response to severe trauma and of the associated changes in energy balance, a classic example of thermodynamics in biology. Mr. J. Macfie (Scarborough) offered some ‘thermodynamic’ solu- tions, notably, the practical means of managing nutritional support and obli- gatory negative energy and nitrogen balance after trauma and sepsis. Just when it was deemed safe to rely upon a central measurement of oxygen to assess its general delivery, Dr.D. Bihari (Lon- don) reminded delegates of the need to determine local delivery, especially to vulnerable tissues, in the circulation ‘front line’ such as of the gut. The newborn have particular vulnerabilities, and Dr. M. L. Chiswick (Manchester) surveyed the instrumental techniques available for oxygen measurement, par- ticularly the transcutaneous Clark elec- trode that has done so much to aid titration of oxygen therapy. The NHS reform symposium, though of more parochial interest to the practising clin- ical biochemist, dealt with the powerful organizational issues of trust hospitals (Dr. T. A. Gray, Sheffield), the Audit Commission assessment on pathology services (Mr. D. Browning, London), future regulation and licensing of hospi- tal laboratories (Dr. D. Burnet, St. Albans) and the shape of things in USA health care (Mr. R. D. Jennings, Wash- ington). The fifth and final day Foundation Award Lecture was delivered this year by Professor J . Whicher (Leeds) on cytokine assays and their utility for research as well as clinical medical practice. Although refined analytical techniques have clearly helped to profile the multi-cytokine environment of the cell, full biological interpretation is clearly some way off and this area is set to expand further. The final session of the Meeting was a robust counter to convention and involved a none-too serious look at a vogue subject: clinical audit. While these meetings continue to satisfy the requirement of the practising clinical biochemist, there is also much that the analytical chemist could find of interest here, and with future participa- tion both scientific communities would receive substantially wider benefit. Pankaj Vadgama Department of Medicine, University of Manchester, Hope Hospital, Eccles Old Road, Salford, UK, M6 8HD