Diagnostics leader delivers new fertility service for UK
Diagnostics leader delivers new fertility service for UK
- UK-based diagnostics firm supporting call for responsible use of antibiotics in conjunction with European and International Antibiotics Awareness initiatives
- New molecular diagnostic multiplex assays hold the key to first-time, accurate diagnosis of infectious diseases
- Assays have the power to diagnose primary, secondary and asymptomatic co-infections to inform appropriate antibiotic prescribing
UK-based diagnostics company, Randox Laboratories, is supporting the call for patients and prescribers to ‘resist and desist’ antibiotic use in the fight against antimicrobial resistance this European Antibiotics Awareness Day. Coinciding with international awareness weeks in Australia, Canada and the USA, the concerted efforts of health authorities around the world to curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance is testimony to the global reach of the issue.
Now declared a ‘major threat’ by the World Health Organisation, Randox has been working at the forefront of this global challenge to deliver effective diagnostic solutions to arm against this growing problem. Developed over two decades of research and an investment of £200m, Randox’s innovative Biochip Array Technology (BAT) is the latest weapon in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, with the ability to simultaneously detect multiple pathogens in a single test for rapid and accurate diagnosis.
Randox’s range of molecular assays within infectious disease enable the detection of primary, secondary and asymptomatic co-infections for a more comprehensive understanding of the drivers of infection in individual patients. The Randox STI Multiplex Array simultaneously detects up to 10 pathogens from a single patient sample, whilst the Randox Respiratory Multiplex Array rapidly screens for 22 bacterial and viral upper and lower respiratory tract infections, with same day result reporting, for rapid diagnosis.
As Randox Managing Director Dr Peter FitzGerald CBE FREng explains, screening for all potential pathogens in infectious disease is vital in ensuring accurate diagnoses can be made; “Even after a confirmed diagnosis, many patients who haven’t been tested for a wider range of pathogens may harbour co-infections, impeding the effectiveness of therapeutic treatment and prolonging exposure to infection.
“Through a more comprehensive screening strategy at initial presentation, a complete patient profile can be obtained which will give clinicians greater understanding of the working of the disease and allow them to diagnose and prescribe correctly, ruling in or out the need for antibiotics, and helping to control their appropriate use.”
Antibiotic resistance has largely been fuelled by patient and prescriber overreliance on using antibiotics to treat disease. Once considered to be ‘magic bullets’ for curing infections, antibiotics are now firing blanks as they become ineffective against many common and treatable infectious diseases, such as the sexually transmitted infection, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and respiratory tract infections such as staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus pneumoniae, which have been shown to be acquiring increasing levels of resistance to antibiotic treatment.
“First-time, accurate diagnosis of infection through molecular testing is key to treating infections correctly. The availability of these assays provides a powerful weapon in the fight against antimicrobial resistance and we would encourage health providers around the world to utilise this technology to help curb the spread of the problem.”
For more information visit Randox: www.randox.com.
Randox calls for patients and prescribers to ‘resist and desist’ antibiotic use
- UK-based diagnostics firm supporting call for responsible use of antibiotics in conjunction with European and International Antibiotics Awareness initiatives
- New molecular diagnostic multiplex assays hold the key to first-time, accurate diagnosis of infectious diseases
- Assays have the power to diagnose primary, secondary and asymptomatic co-infections to inform appropriate antibiotic prescribing
UK-based diagnostics company, Randox Laboratories, is supporting the call for patients and prescribers to ‘resist and desist’ antibiotic use in the fight against antimicrobial resistance this European Antibiotics Awareness Day. Coinciding with international awareness weeks in Australia, Canada and the USA, the concerted efforts of health authorities around the world to curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance is testimony to the global reach of the issue.
Now declared a ‘major threat’ by the World Health Organisation, Randox has been working at the forefront of this global challenge to deliver effective diagnostic solutions to arm against this growing problem. Developed over two decades of research and an investment of £200m, Randox’s innovative Biochip Array Technology (BAT) is the latest weapon in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, with the ability to simultaneously detect multiple pathogens in a single test for rapid and accurate diagnosis.
Randox’s range of molecular assays within infectious disease enable the detection of primary, secondary and asymptomatic co-infections for a more comprehensive understanding of the drivers of infection in individual patients. The Randox STI Multiplex Array simultaneously detects up to 10 pathogens from a single patient sample, whilst the Randox Respiratory Multiplex Array rapidly screens for 22 bacterial and viral upper and lower respiratory tract infections, with same day result reporting, for rapid diagnosis.
As Randox Managing Director Dr Peter FitzGerald CBE FREng explains, screening for all potential pathogens in infectious disease is vital in ensuring accurate diagnoses can be made; “Even after a confirmed diagnosis, many patients who haven’t been tested for a wider range of pathogens may harbour co-infections, impeding the effectiveness of therapeutic treatment and prolonging exposure to infection.
“Through a more comprehensive screening strategy at initial presentation, a complete patient profile can be obtained which will give clinicians greater understanding of the working of the disease and allow them to diagnose and prescribe correctly, ruling in or out the need for antibiotics, and helping to control their appropriate use.”
Antibiotic resistance has largely been fuelled by patient and prescriber overreliance on using antibiotics to treat disease. Once considered to be ‘magic bullets’ for curing infections, antibiotics are now firing blanks as they become ineffective against many common and treatable infectious diseases, such as the sexually transmitted infection, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and respiratory tract infections such as staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus pneumoniae, which have been shown to be acquiring increasing levels of resistance to antibiotic treatment.
“First-time, accurate diagnosis of infection through molecular testing is key to treating infections correctly. The availability of these assays provides a powerful weapon in the fight against antimicrobial resistance and we would encourage health providers around the world to utilise this technology to help curb the spread of the problem.”
For more information visit Randox: www.randox.com.
Randox launches Data Management ‘Advisor’ to optimise lab quality control
Global clinical diagnostics firm Randox Laboratories has launched a new ‘Advisor’ application to complement its interlaboratory data management software Acusera 24•7 Live Online.
Acusera Advisor is an optional tool designed to help laboratories select an optimum QC strategy for each individual test in use. It will recommend and automatically apply QC multi-rules per parameter, as well as advising how frequently a laboratory should run IQC.
By automatically recommending optimised QC multi-rules, this lowers the Probability for False Rejection (Pfr) whilst maintaining high Probability for Error Detection (Ped). It helps labs reduce time spent troubleshooting anomalies, helping avoid unnecessary and costly QC repeats without affecting error detection.
Based on the performance limits selected by the customer Acusera Advisor will calculate the laboratory’s allowable imprecision (%CV) and allowable inaccuracy (%bias). These figures are then plotted on an Operating Specifications Chat (OPSpecs Chart) against the line equations for each strategy and from this the optimal QC multi-rules and frequency are selected.
The QC multi-rules and frequency are recommended based on the level of quality that the laboratory wishes to achieve. Before any recommendations can be made for any particular method, users must enter a minimum of 20 results for at least two levels of controls and set user defined performance limits.
A web-based system, Acusera 24•7 offers an easy-to-use and intuitive interface, direct connectivity to the laboratory’s LIS and the ability to produce fully interactive charts and comprehensive reports to meet individual laboratory requirements. Peer group data is updated every 24 hours, giving laboratories access to the most up to date information available. Statistics for Acusera 24•7 are generated from a peer data group of over 28,000 laboratory participants, the largest available in the market. This ensures a large database of results and analytical methods, therefore increasing statistical validity.
For more information visit www.randoxqc.com.
IL-6 and IL-18 Important in Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder
Rapid cycling bipolar disorder is identified as when a person experiences four or more distinct episodes of either mania or depression within a one year time period. Although not hugely common, it is estimated that 1 in every 100 people suffers with the disorder.
Previous studies have identified a link between immune dysregulation and cytokine levels within the condition; however these were based upon case control studies which were limited by methodological difficulties. New research published in October’s edition of ‘Brain, Behavior and Immunity’ (1) sought to identify varying cytokine levels when a person is in a state of rapid cycling bipolar disorder when compared to healthy control subjects.
Plasma samples were taken from 37 patients with rapid cycling bipolar disorder and measured for IL 6, IL 10, IL 18, IL 1b and TNFa and compared to 40 healthy aged and gender matched control patients in a 6-12 month longitudinally designed study. Adjustments were made for demographic, clinical and lifestyle factors.
When comparing manic and depressive states, investigators reported that levels of IL 6 (p<0.05) and IL 18 (p<0.05) were significantly elevated when the patient was experiencing a manic or hypomanic state. It was also found that when compared to healthy subjects, unadjusted levels of IL 6 (p<0.05) and IL 18(p<0.05) were elevated in manic/hypomanic bipolar disorder patients.
Researchers disclosed that levels of IL 10 and IL 1b were undetectable in the majority of samples, as well as finding high TNFa assay variability.
These results show clinical significance as they support the role of the immune response in rapid cycling bipolar and suggest that IL 6 and IL 18 could be markers of manic episodes meaning that a person with suspected bipolar can be more quickly diagnosed.
References:
1. Brain, Behavior and Immunity http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889159114004772
If you are interested in researching the effects that various cytokines have on the body, Randox Research offers numerous high quality multiplex cytokines arrays; allowing for a comprehensive panel of 35 cytokines, chemokines, cytokine receptors and growth factors, over five multi-analyte arrays to be simultaneously measured. Alternatively custom arrays can be created, allowing researchers to custom choose from over 180 immunology focused biomarkers. For more information, download our Immunology Research brochure or email: research@randox.com.
BRAF melanoma cells secrete factors that activate stromal fibroblasts
BRAF mutations are thought to be a leading contributor to skin cancer which has been increasing year on year in the UK and the condition is now the most common form of cancer within the British population. In 2011, 13,348 people in the UK were diagnosed with malignant melanoma skin cancer (the most deadly form of the disease which is solely responsible for 80% of all skin cancer deaths).
Malignant melanoma is highly metastatic, reaching other organs by spreading through the lymph nodes. Previous studies have identified that the BRAF V600E gene is found to be mutated and results in constitutive activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.
In new research published in 2014’s edition of the British Journal of Cancer(2), genetically engineered melanoma cell lines and xenograft mouse models were used to investigate how BRAF V600E affected cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression in tumour cells and in human dermal fibroblasts.
Results suggested that BRAF V600E melanoma cells secreted higher levels of the cytokines and MMP-1 than their wild-type counterparts. It was also found that the conditioned medium from the BRAF V600E melanoma cells activated the stromal fibroblasts, inducing expression of SDF-1 and its receptor CXCR4. This increase was mitigated when the conditioned medium was taken from melanoma cells treated with the BRAF V600E specific inhibitor, vemurafenib.
These results show that BRAF V600E plays a key role in activating the stroma and supports the theory that there is a mechanistic link between BRAF V600E and MMP-1 in mediating melanoma progression and in activating adjacent fibroblasts in the tumour microenvironment.
References:
1. Cancer Research
2. British Journal of Cancer
If your research is focused on oncology, you may benefit from Randox’s Evidence Investigator and the KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA array. Find out more with our Oncology Research brochure or e-mail research@randox.com.
Randox launches world’s most comprehensive third party haematology control
Randox Laboratories has launched a third party multi-analyte haematology control; the most comprehensive haematology quality control (QC) solution on the market to date.
Recently CE marked, Randox’s Acusera Haematology control contains 45 parameters – more than any other haematology control on the market – enabling labs to completely cover the commonly tested full blood profile in a single control. It provides a true third party QC solution for Sysmex haematology analysers, with clinically relevant target values provided for instruments with 5-part differential technology guaranteeing an unbiased, independent assessment of analytical performance.
The new control is liquid ready-to-use for added convenience, with open vial stability for 14 days for all analytes when stored at +2 to +8°c. The tri-level controls have barcoded labels enabling quick and easy sample recognition and increased productivity.
Steven Jordan, Global Business Manager, Randox Quality Control said:
“This new control from Randox effectively trebles laboratory efficiency in blood testing by streamlining the quality controls process, helping laboratories to drastically cut the number of costly and time-consuming single controls they need to use to cover the full blood profile.”
Randox ‘falls’ for the lights, camera and action
County Antrim biotechnology firm Randox Laboratories, celebrated across the globe for its ground-breaking diagnostics has welcomed two famous faces, also recognised internationally…
The award winning firm, which has recently acquired the former army base at Massereene, has been putting the ‘A-list’ in Antrim, opening up the 42 acre site to actors Jamie Dornan, Gillian Anderson and the rest of the cast and crew of BBC2’s hugely successful series ‘The Fall’.
Parts of the site were transformed into a police station, custody suite and forensics laboratory, for filming of Season 2. David McCann of Randox who worked with the production team, said it was surreal seeing the well-known actors on the set:
“It was a fantastic experience to see stars like Jamie Dornan and Gillian Anderson in action on the set. The wider film crew were great to work with and very courteous to all involved. I believe Jamie liked to wind down with a kick about with the crew after filming. I’m happy he didn’t break any of the windows!”
Randox was called into kit out the forensics laboratory and even provided filming extras, Human Resources Executive, Hannah Hutchinson, was one of them:
“It was a great experience, I was asked to play the part of a lab technician – but I wasn’t nervous because everyone was really nice. Gillian Anderson is so professional, it was terrific to watch. I’m really looking forward to the new series – might even catch a glimpse of myself”.
Randox Laboratories owner and managing director Dr Peter FitzGerald was delighted to provide this location for the BBC Two production and hopes to work with similar projects in the future:
“Randox is an innovative, progressive company which is proud to support the growing Northern Ireland film and TV industry. We are pleased to see big production companies coming here to film, it can only be good news for Northern Ireland. We have had location scouts come to view our new site in Antrim and indeed our lands around the lough shore, but all I can say for now, is watch this space!”
Season 2 of ‘The Fall’, will air on BBC Two in November.
Randox launches White Paper on Quality Control in POCT
Randox has launched the first in a series of White Papers, focusing on the importance of quality control in point-of-care testing (POCT). The White Paper is free to download and will help laboratories define an appropriate QC procedure for all POCT devices.
Patient testing at the point-of-care has increased dramatically in recent years, as technology makes it more convenient to test patient samples at the bedside producing rapid results and allowing immediate action. However, the benefits of this are only true if the results are both accurate and reliable, making quality control vitally important in the POC setting, just as it is in the laboratory.
A recent survey* identified that POCT is the largest source of error when compared to other sources of laboratory testing errors. Furthermore, the most common phase for errors in POCT is in the analytical stage, whereas in laboratory-based testing this is the least common source for errors. This highlights how vital it is to have a robust QC procedure in place for POCT as the potential risk of harm to a patient appears to be far greater for POC tests compared to those performed in a laboratory.
The White Paper from Randox covers the fundamentals of developing a POCT QC strategy in line with ISO15189 requirements, looking at who is responsible for QC, what QC is appropriate for different types of POC devices and tips for choosing IQC material and an EQA scheme.
The Paper can be downloaded from the Randox website here.
Randox second White Paper, which studies the importance of using 100% human serum controls to avoid lot-to-lot variations in immunoassay testing, will be available in December.
Preventing Cancer- Various Effective Diets and Tests
People get confused about whether certain vitamins and foods prevent cancer? Cancer is not a single disease and can have many different causes that make it impossible for anyone nutrient to protect against all types of cancer. There is no guarantee that you’ll remain cancer free for your life time. But proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle like no smoking, not abusing alcohol, limited exposure to pollutants, eliminating food additives and exercise can lower your odds of developing cancer.
What is an anti-cancer diet?
Healthy food is like an anti-cancer agent, which helps people in reducing cancer growing properties. Some of the anti-cancer foods that people can add in their diet are:
- A variety of fresh, natural and less processed foods that lowers the risk of cancer production in humans.
- Fruits such as berries and kiwifruit are a good source of vitamins and nutrients.
- Fish and chicken (organic) lays the foundation of lowering the risk of cancer development.
- Fruits like nuts and whole grains are also a great source of anti-cancer diet.
- Tomatoes are antioxidant that is rich in lycopene. These have the capability to reduce the possibilities of prostate, lung and stomach cancers.
- Avoiding fast food, fried foods and packaged foods.
- Spinach is full of iron and other antioxidants that protect cells from the type of damage that can create cancerous mutations.
- You can also eat fish once or twice a week.
These are some of the anti-cancer precautions that people can add in their diet plan so as to prevent cancer developing agents.
Various tests for anti-cancer
There are only two main popular and effective tests for anti-cancer are
- In-virto
- In-vivo efficacy.
In-vitro anti-cancer efficacy testing
In-vitro anti-cancer is a test research that provides patients with various options and its effective capabilities include:
Medicines and drug radiation combination and scheduling studies
- Cell cycle analysis
- Apoptosis measurements
- Custom assay
- Angiogenesis assays
- Caco-2 assays
- Hollow fibre screening assay
- Enzyme and receptor binding assays
- Gene and protein expression
- Imaging and cellular localization
- Drug uptake/retention studies
In-vivo testing efficacy
This testing efficacy is the most clinically useful agents. Following are the In-vivo anti-cancer efficacy evaluations that are available to assist clients in advancing pharmaceutical products:
- Anti-cancer efficacy models
- Establishment of maximum tolerated dose
- Determination of schedule dependency
- Spectrum of activity analyses
- Radiation treatments
- Early vs. late-stage disease comparisons
- Evaluation to maximize compound effectiveness
- Cross-resistance profiles
Some cancers are treated primarily by a wide range of anti-cancer drugs, whereas many cancers are treated by a combination of surgery and radiotherapy.
Meggie is a niche writer who loves to write on hot and trending topics. She is currently writing for OnlineRxMEdicines.
Statement from Dr Peter FitzGerald on the passing of Lord Ballyedmond
I knew Lord Ballyedmond for many years. When I was endeavouring to start Randox Laboratories in the early 1980’s I went to him for advice. He was of great help to me in the early years of Randox. Eddie and I would frequently discuss business issues and the challenges of managing international business in Northern Ireland. I had great admiration for his courage and enterprise; he will be sadly missed.
Eddie Haughey played an integral part in contributing to economic development in Northern Ireland and to our constantly expanding biotechnology sector. His willingness to invest heavily in innovation and his tireless entrepreneurial efforts to create and grow Norbrook Laboratories into a global success has been an inspiration to businesses operating in the sector across the world. My thoughts are with his family, friends and his staff at Norbrook at this very sad time.
