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![](media/image2.emf){width="1.6465277777777778in"
height="0.7986111111111112in"} **EM News**

**Volume 1 Issue 5 September 1995**

**Instructions & forms for 1995 Annual EM report have been mailed**

Dr. Spargo retires end of June 1995

The recent retirement of Dr. **Benjamin H. Spargo** on June 30, 1995
brings to a reluctant close a very long and productive relationship with
the Department of Veterans Affairs Electron Microscopy Program. National
Headquarters of the Department of Veterans Affairs presented Dr. Spargo
with a Certificate of Appreciation for his professional contributions to
the success of the National Electron Microscopy Program. Dr. Spargo was
a very important member of the original small group of people which
launched and developed the Electron Microscopy Program in the Department
of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Spargo was Chairman of the Committee for
Diagnostic Use of Electron Microscopy of the Veterans Administration
from 1967 until 1990 and continued as a member of the Electron
Microscopy Ad Hoc Review Group until his retirement on June 30, 1995.
His superb accomplishments as consultant to the Director of Pathology
and Laboratory Medicine Service in the critique and evaluation of new EM
program applications were widely appreciated. His work and performance
on the continual annual quality assessment evaluations of existing
programs was always of the highest caliber and contributed immensely to
the efforts of providing state of the art diagnostic assistance in the
treatment of the Veteran patient. Dr. Spargo is an acknowledged expert
in Renal Pathology and an Editorial Board member of major scientific
magazines, including Clinical Nephrology, Ultrastructural Pathology,
American Journal of Kidney Disease, Seminars in Nephrology, Kidney
International, American Journal of Pathology, Human Pathology, and New
Trends(hypertension). He also published numerous scientific articles
related to his Renal Pathology diagnostic expertise in these and other
pathology journals. He also was the consultant in Renal Pathology to the
Regional Organ Bank of Illinois for a number of years and member of the
American Society of Nephrology and the United States and Canadian
Academy of Pathology.

***[Best wishes to you, Dr. Spargo upon your retirement.]{.underline}***

Version 5.2 EM workload capture

The last issue of the EM News presented certain information and "how-to"
instructions on implementing workload capture in the EM portion of the
Laboratory v5.2 DHCP software. Shortly after that issue was mailed, a
letter from Dr. Beals, Acting Director Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Service and Dr. Shelburne, National Electron Microscopy Coordinator
indicated that some inconsistent information about EM workload capture
implementation was presented in various documentation from apparently
non coordinated sources. Therefore, it was recommended that the local EM
Programs initially implement only the basic functionality of capturing
the "EM Specimen" workload code by logging specimens into the EM
accession area of the lab package.

To activate this basic functionality workload capture process in the EM
section, follow the concise instructions in the follow-up letter by Drs.
Beals and Shelburne or follow the detailed instructions in the "final"
version 5.2 lab package documentation. The deadline for having the basic
workload capture functionality activated in DHCP for LMIP purposes is
July 1, 1995. It is recommended that you delay implementing DHCP capture
of ***other*** EM workload codes until appropriate workload codes deemed
necessary by the National EM program have been identified, critically
reviewed for need, been standardized, and made available for normal use
by each EM Program via the mechanism of the national DHCP workload code
file distribution system. The use of other workload codes within the EM
Program for internal or local management use is the prerogative of each
site but is not currently a mandatory requirement for EM Program
reports.

It is anticipated that specific requests for software program revisions
to make the workload capture process less confusing and less
time-consuming in the routine use of the EM package, will be put on the
"to-do" list of the Anatomic Pathology package developers. However, due
to existent, ongoing facility integration issues for certain VA sites
which are being merged, the programmers and developers have been
mandated to make those required critical software changes a higher
priority and therefore anticipate [not]{.underline} being able to work
on the EM workload capture revisions until after the beginning of next
calendar year.

Any ideas or recommendations about revisions to the workload capture
process or to the EM workload code list for the national DHCP file would
be very welcome and are strongly encouraged. There have been some
discussions on the FORUM Electron Microscopy Mail group about this topic
and a few individuals have called with some ideas. The consensus so far
seems to be that most EM facilities will have a "default" number of
things (workload or procedures) that they normally do for typical EM
specimens depending on the specimen source, i.e., kidney vs. liver, vs.
brain. Therefore having a means of pre-defining workload to be captured
automatically according to specimen type(s) being logged in would be
least labor-intensive for most sites. On the other hand, for those few
cases where for some reason the "default" workload numbers on occasion
need to be adjusted up or down, a mechanism should be in place where the
"default" workload being captured for an accession or specimen can be
easily reviewed and adjusted if necessary by incrementing or
decrementing the numbers (multiples) associated with a default workload
code or by adding/deleting the appropriate workload codes themselves. If
any of your EM staff have prior experience or exposure to other
commercial software programs where some of these workload capture
functions were addressed successfully, please send any information you
have to us so that we may include those ideas in the proposals to the
DHCP programmers and developers.

**VHA Directive VA Sharing Agreements**

Anew Directive (10-95-069) signed by the Under Secretary of Health, Dr.
Kenneth W. Kizer was issued on July 12, 1995 to clarify policy and
guidance for sharing agreements in which the VA provides specialized
medical resources to the health care community, and to revise and update
the costing methodology used in establishing these sharing agreements to
ensure that VA recovers the full costs of providing services. For EM
Programs which currently have sharing agreements or are planning to
initiate them, it should be noted that the formulas for determining cost
have been updated and the procedure for getting sharing agreements
approved has been slightly altered. Sharing agreements are under current
heightened visibility and people should be very careful that they comply
with the new directives when negotiating any new sharing agreements.
There is also a need to review ongoing sharing agreement contracts to
determine that they are reasonable and based on sound data and
principles. A copy of VHA Directive 10-95-069 including attachments of
cost analysis examples and forms will be sent along with this newsletter
to each EM Program Director.

Pathology Field Advisory Committee

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service Staff at National Headquarters
hosted a meeting of the Pathology Field Advisory Committee on August
22-23, 1995. Dr. Shelburne is on the current field advisory committee
and he presented an overview and status report on the Electron
Microscopy Program.. A copy of the printed material about the EM program
will also be distributed with this Newsletter.

Microscopy Calendar

M**eetings, courses and conferences listed.**

The Microscopy Society of America (**MSA**) and the Microbeam Analysis
Society (**MAS**) plan the following:

**1996 MSA/MAS**-Minneapolis,MN

**1997 MSA/MAS** - Cleveland, OH

**1998 MSA** - Atlanta, GA

**1999 MSA** - TBA

**NOTE: Additional Microscopy Calendar information is located at end of
Newsletter.**

(Membership application for **M**icroscopy **S**ociety of **A**merica
can be arranged by writing to MSA, Box MSA, Woods Hole, MA 02543 or
calling 1-800-538-3672 or FAX to 508-548-9053) regular annual
membership, \$40. Student membership, \$10. Corporate, \$350.

Any MSA member interested in technology and/or who considers themselves
a technologist is welcome to join the "Technologists' Forum" (TF); this
committee is chaired by Sandra Silvers (706-546-3471). An all day
scientific symposium is usually held during the annual MSA meeting on a
technology topic such as energy dispersive spectroscopy.

**Electron Microscopy Annual Report**

The deadline for the next annual Electron Microscopy Report is Monday,
Oct. 16, 1995. This report is for the time period of Oct. 1, 1994
through Sept. 30, 1995. The instruction letter and the required forms
have been mailed to each EM Director. If you have not received that
packet, please contact Alex Tuszynski at FTS 700 671-5218. The letter of
instruction indicates that the productivity standards for EM Program
have reverted to previous levels as approved by the EM Ad Hoc Review
Group. The productivity standards which will be used for this annual
report are listed below:

In M-2, Part VI, Chapter 6 (6.12 Operations of Electron Diagnostic
Microscopy Units) under d. Quality Assessment (2)

***The basic productivity/utilization standard for a program funded at
the full level is a minimum of 250 specimens examined annually with at
least 83 percent (208) of the 250 specimens examined by electron
microscopy. At least 67 percent (168) of the basic 250 specimens
examined per year will be patient-related material. At least 51 percent
(128) of the basic 250 specimens examined per year must come from VA
patients. Programs funded at the half level will be expected to examine
a minimum of 125 specimens annually with no less than 104 being examined
by EM.***

Please note the following instructions about EM case selection that were
included in the recent Annual Report packet mailing.

[**These should be cases in which you consider the diagnosis to be**
**dependent upon electron microscopy findings. Case selection is
important. Please include more than one picture in support of your
diagnosis for each case. Paraffin and autopsy cases can be of value and
are allowed.**]{.underline}

FYI - Another ***helpful hint*** in reference to making EM case
selections for this annual report is that last year the Reviewers two
most common minor criticisms of cases in general was that "thick"
section descriptions were inadequate or missing completely and the same
comments were made about clinical histories for a number of cases.

**Pathology on the internet**

We learn from Karlene Hewan-Lowe of Atlanta, writing for the Society for
Ultrastructural Pathology News (Vol. 8, No. 2, June 1995) the following:
**"Patho-L**, the Emory University on-line pathology discussion group is
alive and well. The discussion is informative and entertaining even
though none of the discussion topics are related to ultrastructural
pathology. Interesting serious topics include specimens exempted from
examination, examination of mamographically directed breast biopsies,
decedent affairs and smooth muscle tumors\...\...

To subscribe to Patho-L send email to: listserv@emuvm1.cc.emory.edu In
the body of the mail put: **SUB Patho-L FirstName LastName "**

There are also increasing numbers of web sites which have pathology
related material. These sites contain tutorials, cases, atlases of
histologic material and listings of current research. Ultrastructure
seems to be underrepresented on these sites. Therefore the Society for
Ultrastructural Pathology urges the development of web pages that
reflect the activities of the society.

The following list from a recent society newsletter shows a sample of
sites that have pathology related material:

**[University of Washington]{.underline}**

http://www.pathology.washington.edu./

**[University of Pittsburgh]{.underline}**

http://path.upmc.edu/

**[Uniformed Services University]{.underline}**

http://wwwpath.usuf2.usuhs/mil/

**[Virgil's Web]{.underline}**

http://virgil.mc.vanderbilt.edu/

**[GI and Liver Pathology]{.underline}**

http://www.pds.med.umich.edu/users/ greenson/

**[Osaka Medical College]{.underline}**

http://www.osaka-med.ac.jp/

**[Microscopy Society of America]{.underline}**

([not]{.underline} yet established, but should be available within the
next few month)

http://www.msa.microscopy.com/

***[MSA - FTP site address]{.underline}***

ftp.msa.microscopy.com

**[Emory University School of Medicine]{.underline} just developed a Web
page for the residency program**

http://www.emory.edu/PATHOLOGY/ RESIDENT/

For additional information on internet resources for pathologists and
laboratory professionals see "***A full menu for labs that navigate the
NET***" by Carl Graziano in **[CAP TODAY]{.underline}** (Vol. 9, No. 8,
August 1995). On page 40 of that issue, a table lists many additional
internet site addresses including details about signing up for pathology
related "mailing lists" on the internet.

**Comments/Suggestions for
future**![](media/image2.emf){width="0.2791666666666667in"
height="0.16944444444444445in"} **EM Newsletters:**

If you have any comments, suggestions, article submissions for use in a
future Newsletter, please send to: Alex Tuszynski (EM-QA/QM) Coordinator
via FAX 919-286-6818 or call 700-671-6925x5218

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  Microscopy Calendar                 continued\....

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

**1996 MICROWAVE WORKSHOP SERIES WITH PRIMARY EMPHASIS ON 3-HOUR
PROCESSING OF TISSUE FOR TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY.** CONTACT:
Rick Giverson or Kathy Stangenberg at Ted Pella, Inc. (800) 637-3526
(from CA) or (800) 237-3526 (except CA), or the contact person for the
desired workshop.

**3-5 JANUARY, 1996 UNIV. OF MARYLAND DEPT. OF ZOOLOGY**

**COLLEGE PARK, MD**

Tim Maugel

Telephone (301) 405-6898; FAX (301) 314-9358

E-Mail: maugel@zool.umd.edu

**10-12 JANUARY, 1996 YALE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE**

**NEW HAVEN, CT**

Paul Webster

Telephone (203) 785-3219; FAX (203) 785-7220

E-mail: paul_webster@quickmail.yale.edu

**1-3 JULY, 1996 NIH/ROCKY MOUNTAIN LABS, HAMILTON, MT**

Dave Dorward

Telephone (406) 363-9266; FAX (406) 363-9204

E-mail: dave_dorward@nih.gov

**7-9 AUGUST, 1996 MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE, MADISON, WI**

Michael Kostrna

Telephone (608) 246-6762; FAX (608) 246-6800

E-mail: msk5063@madison.tec.wi.us

**1996 WINTER SCHOOL ON HIGH RESOLUTION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY, ARIZONA
STATE UNIVERSITY, TEMPE, ARIZONA, 8-12 JANUARY, 1996**. CONTACT: Mrs.
Sharon Willison, CHREM/Center for Solid State Science, Arizona State
University, Box 871704, Tempe, AZ 85287-1704. Telephone (602) 965-4544;
FAX (602) 965-9004.

**14TH AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE ON ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (ACEM-14) & 1ST
MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETIES
(IUMAS), SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 5-9 FEBRUARY, 1996**. CONTACT: Maret Vesk;
Telephone 61 2 3512351; FAX 61 2 5521967.

**PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (PASEM), UNIVERSITY
OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK, MD, 18-22 AND 25-29 MARCH, 1996**. CONTACT:
Tim Maugel, University of Maryland, Department of Zoology, College Park,
MD 20742. Telephone (301) 405-6898; Fax (301) 314-9358; E-Mail:
maugel@zool.umd.edu.

**IONS IN CELLS: MICROSCOPICAL MEASUREMENTS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES,
THE DYFFRYN HOUSE CONFERENCE CENTRE, CARDIFF, WALES, UK, 31 MARCH- 2
APRIL, 1996**. CONTACT: Dr. A. J. Morgan, School of Pure and Applied
Biology, University of Wales College of Cardiff, P.O. Box 915, Cardiff
CF1 3TL, Wales UK. Telephone 01222 874000 ext. 5827; FAX 01222 874305;
E-mail: SABCW@UK.AC.CARDIFF.

**THIRD CONFERENCE ON MICROSCOPY OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS, ST. JOHN\'S
COLLEGE, OXFORD, UK, 1-3 APRIL, 1996**. CONTACT: The Royal Microscopical
Society, 37/38 St. Clements, Oxford )X4 1AJ, UK. Telephone 01 86
5248768; FAX 01 86 5792237; E-mail rms@vax.ox.ac.uk.

**SCANNING 96, EIGHTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING, MONTEREY
MARRIOTT HOTEL AND MONTEREY CONVENTION CENTER, MONTEREY, CA, 9-12 APRIL,
1996.** CONTACT: Mary K. Sullivan, FAMS, P.O. Box 832, Mahwah, NJ
07430-0832. Telephone (201) 818-1010; FAX (201) 818-0086; E-mail:
fams@holonet.net.

**SEMS 96, ANNUAL MEETING OF THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL ELECTRON
MICROSCOPY SOCIETY AND THE SOUTHEASTERN MICROSCOPY SOCIETY, HYATT
REGENCY, GREENVILLE, SC, 25-26 APRIL, 1996**. CONTACT: W. Gray Jerome,
Department of Pathology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Medical Center
Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27517-1092. Telephone (910) 716-4972; FAX (910)
716-6174. OR CONTACT: JoAn Hudson, Electron Microscopy Facility, 120
Kinard Lab, College of Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634.
Telephone (803) 656-2465; FAX: (803) 656-2466.

**FRONTIERS OF ELECTRON MICROSCOPY IN MATERIALS SCIENCE, HYATT REGENCY,
OAK BROOK, IL, 3-6 JUNE, 1996**. CONTACT: Wayne E. king, Chemistry and
Materials Science, Department L-356, Lawrence Livermeore National
Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550. Telephone (510) 423-6547; FAX (510)
423-7040.

**PROTOCOLS IN MICROSCOPIC IMAGING, IMMUNOCYTOCHEMISTRY AND IMAGE
ANALYSIS, THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR MICROSCOPY AND
IMAGE ANALYSIS, WASHINGTON, DC, 4-7 JUNE, 1996**. CONTACT: Mr. Fred. G.
Lightfoot, The George Washington University, Center for Microscopy and
Image Analysis, 2300 I St. NW, Washington, DC 20037. Telephone (202)
994-2881; FAX (202) 994-8885; E-mail: fredl@indy.cmia.gwumc.edu.

**MICRO 96 EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE, NOVOTEL, HAMMERSMITH, LONDON,
ENGLAND, 2-4 July, 1996.** CONTACT: Royal Microscopical Society, 37/38
St. Clements, Oxford, OX4 1AJ. Telephone 01 86 5248768; FAX 01 86
5792237; E-mail rms@vax.ox.ac.uk.

**1996 SUMMER COURSE ON 3D MICROSCOPY OF LIVING CELLS, UNIVERSITY OF
BRITISH COLUMBIA, VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 27 JULY- 4
AUGUST, 1996**. CONTACT: Prof. James Pawley, 1500 Johnson Dr., Madison,
WI 53706, USA. Telephone (608) 263-3147; FAX (608) 265-5315; E-mail:
JPAWLEY@macc.wisc.edu.

**MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA 54TH ANNUAL MEETING (JOINTLY WITH THE
MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY AND THE MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF CANADA),
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 11-15 AUGUST, 1996.** CONTACT: MSA Business Office, Box
EM, Woods Hole, MA. Telephone (800) 538-3672; FAX (508) 548-9053;
E-mail: lmaser@mbl.edu

**EUREM \'96, XI EUROPEAN CONGRESS ON MICROSCOPY, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
DUBLIN, DUBLIN, IRELAND, 26-30 AUGUST, 1996**. CONTACT: EUREM \'96
Office, Department of Botany, University College Dublin, Dublin 4,
Ireland. Telephone +353-1-7062254; FAX +353-1-7061153; E-mail:
JFLAH@macollamh.ucd.ie.

**MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA 55TH ANNUAL MEETING (JOINTLY WITH THE
MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY), CLEVELAND, OHIO, 10-14 AUGUST, 1997**.
CONTACT: MSA Business Office, Box EM, Woods Hole, MA. Telephone (800)
538-3672; FAX (508) 548-9053; E-mail: lmaser@mbl.edu