Topics in this clinically focused publication devoted to Cardiac Markers include: Overview of cardiac markers in heart disease; Methodologies for measurement of cardiac markers; Natriuretic peptides in HF and ACS; Tropoinins and high sensitivity troponins; Point-of-care testing for cardiac markers; ST-2 and galectin 3 in patients with heart failure; Cardiac markers following heart surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention; Cholesterol, lipoproteins, high sensitivity CRP and other risk factors for atherosclerosis; Myocarditis and cardiac transplant and rejection; New molecular genetic tests in the diagnosis of heart disease; Biomarkers for cholesterol balance.

Acute respiratory infections are responsible for an estimated 4 million deaths annually worldwide, and are the leading cause of death in children younger than 5 years. Over 1 million people in the United States are hospitalized each year with pneumonia. Mycobacterium tuberculosis infects one third of world’s population. There are more than 1 million tuberculosis-related deaths worldwide each year. Emerging resistance to multiple available antimicrobial agents has hampered the ability to treat tuberculosis and hospital-acquired respiratory infections. The laboratory diagnosis of respiratory infections is an important part of patient management and treatment. In addition to culture isolation of pathogens, advances have been made in a number of non-culture methods. This issue of Clinics in Laboratory Medicinee reviews state-of-the-art laboratory diagnosis of respiratory infections, as well as the testing of susceptibility to antibiotics and antiviral agents. Among some of the respiratory infections covered are: Cystic fibrosis infections; Pertussis; Pharyngitis; Fungal infections. Among the diagnostic tests are: Interferon gamma release assays; Molecuar diagnosis of TB; Urine antigen tests and discussion of Antibiotic resistance in nosocomial respiratory infections.

Topics in this clinically focused publication devoted to Anticoagulants are: Antithrombin clinical applications and anti-inflammatory effects; Pharmacology and laboratory testing of oral direct thrombin inhibitor Dabigatran; Pharmacology and laboratory testing of the oral Xa inhibitors; Clinical use of the new oral anticoagulants; Pharmacology and safety of new oral anticoagulants-the challenge of bleeding; Emergency reversal of Warfarin anticoagulation - prothrombin complex concentrate compared with plasma; Prothrombin complex concentrate as reversal agent for new oral anticoagulants - lessons from prelinical models; Bleeding with new oral anticoagulants - clinical presentation and management; Treatment of ICH with new oral anticoagulants - a neurologist's view; Management of anticoagulation agents in trauma patients; and Anticoagulation and pediatric patients.

Molecular pathology has significantly matured over the past decade to establish itself as a discipline in its own right. Patient diagnosis, prognosis, management and care have been influenced by molecular pathology testing algorithms on a global scale. Whether it pertains to carrier status of deleterious genes, diagnosis by molecular techniques, assessment of appropriate remission post treatment, parentage or forensics testing – molecular pathology continues to increase its presence and influence in the diagnostic laboratory armamentarium. Furthermore, intellectualization and proprietization of molecular pathology with respect to the discovery of new genes and or new techniques continues to pose new challenges of test ownership, legalities, liabilities, widespread acceptance and utility. This issue of Laboratory Clinics seeks to provide selective state of the art understanding of molecular pathology with respect to its relationship to key pathology disciplines as well as the current challenges and promise for the future.

The Human Biome is a complex and essential biological system within the human body. The adult human harbors some 100 trillion bacteria in his gut alone. Balance of this system is essential to good health. This issue of Clinics in Laboratory Medicine focuses on treatments to realign this balance as well as advances in understanding the system in general. Topics include: Changes in microbiome in GERD; The relationship of microbiome, inflammation, and colon cancer; Gut microbiome and host genetics in Crohn's disease; Association of oral microbiome with head and neck cancer; The vaginal microbiome-disease, genetics and the environment;, The human virome in children and its relationship to febrile illness; Gut microbiome in irritable bowel syndrome; The neonatal microbiome and necrotizing enterocolitis; Fecal microbiota transplantation for clostridium difficile Infection.

This issue of Clinics in Laboratory Medicine on the topic of Laboratory Medicine in India will be Guest Edited by Tester F. Ashavaid, PhD, FACB, CSCi, and include the following article topics: Tuberculosis; Malaria; STIs and Dengue; Visceral Leishmaniasis; Neglected Tropical Diseases; Hepatitis; HIV; Diabetes; Cardiovascular diseases; Stroke; HPV / Cervical screening; Multiple congenital anomalies; Down Syndrome/Thalessemia; Muscle dystrophy; Spinal muscular atrophy; Wilson Disease; Hemophilia; National and International Accreditation; Blood Banking regulations; Distant Testing; Clinical Trials; Medical Tourism; International Reference labs; and Diagnostics in diet.

This issue of Physician Assistant Clinics, Guest Edited by Jane McDaniel of Yale University, is devoted to Laboratory Medicine. Articles in this issue include: Rheumatology; Sexually Transmitted Infections; Provider Performed Microscopy Procedures; New Methods in Dementia Testing; Cardiology Testing; Thyroid Testing; Renal Function Testing; Anti-Xa for Heparin Monitoring and other Coagulation Studies; ABG Interpretation; Transfusion Medicine; Diagnostics for WBC Abnormalities: Leukocytosis/Leukopenia; Anemia Diagnostics for Iron Deficiency, B12/Folate Deficiency, Thalassemias, and Anemia of Chronic Disease; Hematology Testing for Hemolytic Anemias; and Liver Function Testing.

This issue of Clinics in Laboratory Medicine provides approaches and diagnostic techniques relating to the assessment of small and exotic animals. Topics covered include: Clinical Approach to Advanced Renal Function Testing in Dogs and Cats; A Laboratory Diagnostic Approach to Hepatobiliary Disease in Small Animals; Diagnosis of Small Intestinal Disorders in Dogs and Cats; Practical Interpretation and Application of Exocrine Pancreatic Testing in Small Animals; Using Cardiac Biomarkers in Veterinary Practice; Use of Lactate in Small Animal Practice; Diagnosis of Disorders of Iron Metabolism in Dogs and Cats; Making Sense of Lymphoma Diagnostics in Small Animal Patients; Hematology of Domestic Ferret; Hematological Assessment in Pet Rabbits: Blood Sample Collection and Blood Cell Identification; Hematological Assessment in Pet Rats, Mice, Hamsters, and Gerbils: Blood Sample Collection and Blood Cell Identification; Hematological Assessments in Pet Guinea Pigs: Blood Sample Collection and Blood Cell Identification; Avian Hematology; Reptile Hematology; Fish Hematology and Associated Disorders; Evaluation of the Blood Film.

The field of Clinical Microbiology is evolving at a rapid pace, perhaps more so than any other arm of laboratory medicine. This can be attributed to new technology, including high throughput gene sequencing, multiplex molecular assays, rapid evolution of antimicrobial resistance, and discovery of new pathogens. In addition, modern medical procedures, such as solid organ and stem cell transplantation, have resulted in an explosion of infections with agents that historically have been considered to be of low virulence. This issue of Clinics in Laboratory Medicine will highlight some of the advances in diagnostic microbiology, including MALDI-TOF MS, pathogen discovery, and personalized antimicrobial chemotherapy. In addition, one of the papers will focus on implementation of new technologies and how to maximize patient impact of these new methods.

Clinical laboratory directors and staff working with blood samples will benefit from the essential information in this hematology focused publication in Clinics in Laboratory Medicine. Leading a field of expert authors are two renown physicians in the field - Dr Carlo Brugnara and Dr Alexander Kratz. They present topics such as White Blood Cell Counts: Reference Methodology; Integration of Automated Heme and Bone Marrow Analysis; Red Cell Dynamics; Red Cell Diagnosis other than Anemia; Laboratory and Genetic Assessment of Iron Deficiency in Blood Donors; Body Fluid Cell Counting; Platelets: The Few, the Young, and the Active; Reticulocytes; Quality Control of Automated Cell Counters; Digital Image Analysis of Blood Cells; Blood Cell Counters in Urgent Care Settings; Novel Parameters in Blood Cell Counters; and the Development and Future of Automated Blood Cell Counters.