Improving stroke diagnoses with Randox Biosciences
Improving stroke diagnoses with Randox Biosciences
A stroke can happen to anyone at any time. It is a serious life-threatening medical condition which occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. It causes the brain cells to die resulting the abilities controlled by the brain such as memory and muscle control to become damaged. 1
According to the Stroke Association, strokes are considered the fourth biggest killer in the UK. There are more than 100,000 strokes each year which equals around one stroke every five minutes.2 Some people recover from the condition; however, two thirds of the survivors will have some sort of disability. 3
There are two mains types of strokes which are defined as “Ischemic strokes” and “Hemorrhagic stroke”.
Ischemic Stroke
Ischemic stroke is by far the most common kind of stroke, accounting for about 88% of all cases4. Ischemic strokes occur when there is an artery blockage which cuts off the blood supply to certain areas of the brain, which then results in brain cells being unable to make energy and dying. The arteries are vital for the brain as they bring fresh blood from the heart and lungs carrying oxygen and nutrients and taking away carbon dioxide and cellular waste. 4
Hemorrhagic Stroke
The hemorrhagic stroke is less common but is more severe as there is a higher risk of dying within the first three months. It is when a blood vessel ruptures causing a bleed inside the brain, resulting in the death of brain cells. They are responsible for 40% of all stroke deaths.5
Symptoms of Stroke
The most commons symptoms of a stroke are:
- Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body
- Loss of vision or dimming in one or both eyes
- Loss of speech, difficulty talking, or understanding what others are saying
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
- Loss of balance or unstable walking, usually combined with another symptom
Many risk factors can increase your chance of having a stroke. Some life style factors include being obese/overweight, not exercising enough, heavy drinking, use of illegal drug such as cocaine, cigarette smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, disruptive sleeping pattern and family history of having stroke or heart attack.
Preventing Stroke
Up to 80% of strokes are preventable. 3 There are simple healthy lifestyle recommendations that could decrease your chances of developing a stroke in the future which include:
- Controlling your blood pressures as it is one of the biggest preventions of developing a stroke.
- Maintaining a healthy weight through a well-balanced diet involving rich fruit and vegetables as well as decreasing the amount of cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium intake.
- Exercising regularly and staying within a good routine will also reduce your risk of having a stroke.
- Quitting tobacco usage and decreasing alohcal intake will help as well as regular usage increases the risk of having high blood pressure.
- Avoid taking illegal drugs such as cocaine as it reduces your blood flow which narrows the arteries.
Randox Biosciences offers a stroke array which works quickly to determine which type of stroke a person has experienced. Ischaemic stroke can be treated by thrombolysis and, with early usage, it can help limit stroke damage and disability.
However, inappropriate administration of thrombolytic therapy can cause serious adverse effects, including intracranial haemorrhage. Hence, there is an unmet clinical need for a rapid and highly sensitive testing that complements existing CT scanning approaches and facilitate the definitive identification of ischaemic stroke patients.
Randox’s innovative Biochip Array Technology enables simultaneous detection of eight stroke biomarkers from a single blood sample.
The eight biomarkers that can be detected in a single blood sample are:
- Glutathione S-Transferase-Pi (GSTP-Pi)
- Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase A (NDKA)
- Parkinson Protein 7 (PARK7)
- Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP)
- D-Dimer
- Interleukin 6 (IL-6)
- sNFR1
- Heart Fatty Acid Binding Protein (H-FABP)
For more information email us at info@randoxbiosciences.com or visit our newly improved website: https://goo.gl/8qkYkg
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stroke/
- https://www.stroke.org.uk/system/files/sotn_2018.pdf
- https://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/what-is-stroke/stroke-facts/
- http://www.strokecenter.org/patients/about-stroke/ischemic-stroke/
- https://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/what-is-stroke/hemorrhagic-stroke/
Randox Sepsis innovation hailed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock
An innovative new tool for quickly diagnosing the often deadly infection Sepsis, will save lives, the Health Secretary has said.
The bedside test, being developed by healthcare diagnostics company Randox, will slash the 24 hours usually taken to identify the correct antibiotic for sepsis treatment. Currently, more than a third of those with sepsis die. Every hour that patients are not diagnosed increases the chance of death by 8%.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Instead of having to give people huge amounts of antibiotics across the board, which causes other problems, both medical and problems with resistance and super bugs, instead we will be able to work out exactly what the right treatment is for that individual person and do it fast enough to get the treatment in to save lives.”
He paid a visit to Randox’s new headquarters, the Randox Science Park, in Antrim, Northern Ireland on Thursday 21st March.
He added: “I can see a very clear application across the health service for how we can use the technology that is being developed here in Northern Ireland, both across the UK and indeed around the world.”
Sepsis can develop from infections caused by a simple cut or minor medical procedure. The body’s white blood cells fight the infection but the reaction can escalate and also damage healthy tissue.
Many who survive face amputations because of this tissue damage, Randox’s Molecular Diagnostics Manager Dr Martin Crockard said.
Dr Crockard highlighted that the traditional sepsis testing method, which involves sending blood samples to laboratories, takes too long. The problem is worsened by the fact that doctors are then forced to initially prescribe broad spectrum antibiotics which are not specific enough for individual patients. This encourages resistant strains.
To speed up the process, the new technology from Randox’s Biosciences division will allow clinicians in hospital emergency departments to check multiple samples simultaneously, at the press of a few buttons on a smart pad.
Dr Crockard said it is imperative that appropriate antibiotic treatment is administered as quickly as possible.
He said: “We can deal with the exact organism causing the problem in less than four hours, allowing you to tailor the treatment for that individual patient very quickly.”
The UK Sepsis Trust’s Chief Executive Ron Daniels said: “Randox is leading the way around molecular technologies.
“No other system brings this so close to the clinician on the shop floor.”
For further information please contact the Randox PR team by emailing randoxpr@randox.com or phoning 028 9442 2413
Kidney Testing on the Randox Biosciences Evidence Series
March is National Kidney Month, a full month dedicated to raising awareness about kidney disease.
There are two kinds of kidney disease; Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Acute Kidney Injury (AKI).
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects 3 million people in the UK1. Chronic Kidney is defined as a condition that causes damage and stress on the kidneys, therefore decreasing the ability to keep your body healthy.
The kidneys play a vital role of removing any waste and extra water from the blood to form urine. The kidneys also make hormones that help control your blood pressure, make red blood cells, and keep your bones strong and healthy.2
It is crucial to look after your kidneys. If kidney disease gets worse, the excess waste can build to high levels in your blood, resulting in complications such as high blood pressure, anemia, weak bones, poor nutritional health and nerve damage, as well as increasing the risk of developing heart and blood vessel disease.
Chronic Kidney Disease if often caused by diabetes or having a high blood pressure, which can both be prevented by early detection and treatment. Without treatment the kidney disease will worsen resulting in kidney failure which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life.
Chronic Kidney Disease I:
- Fatty Acid Binding Protein I – FABPI
- Soluble Tumour Necrosis Factor Receptor I – sTNFR I
- Soluble Tumour Necrosis Factor Receptor II – sTNFR II
- Macrophage Inflammatory Protein Iα – MIP-Iα
- Interleukin-8 – IL-8
- Epidermal Growth Factor – EGF
- D-Dimer
Chronic Kidney Disease II:
- Complement C3a Des Arginine – C3a des Arg
- C-Reactive Protein – CRP
- Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin – NGAL
- Cystatin C
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is when your kidneys stop working properly. This is caused by reduced blood flow to the kidneys, which often happens as a complication of another serious disease.3 AKI affects one in five people admitted to hospital as an emergency, and is considered deadlier than a heart attack 2.
AKI can be reversible if found and treated quickly. Therefore, it is important, if someone has signs of having AKI, to get it treated promptly. Abnormal levels of salt and chemicals can build up in our bodies which causes organs to fail, resulting in the need for dialysis, or can even cause death. 3
- Osteopontin – OPN
- Serum creatinine – Creatinine
- Serum cystatin-C – Cystatin-C
- Kidney injury Molecule-I – KIM-I
- Urinary neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin – NGAL
The Evidence Series of Immunoassay analysers contains four revolutionary Biochip Array Technology platforms including the Evidence, Evolution, MultiSTAT and the Investigator.
Randox’s renal panel is available on our Evidence Investigator Immunoassay Analyser, which is a multiplex testing platform allowing for the simultaneous quantitative or qualitative detection of a wide range of analytes from a single sample. It provides a unique platform for assessment of biological samples in a rapid, accurate and easy-to-use format.
For more information on any of the Evidence Series analysers, please visit https://www.randoxbiosciences.com/ or contact us at info@randoxbiosciences.com
- https://www.kidneycareuk.org/news-and-campaigns/facts-and-stats/
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidneys-how-they-work
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acute-kidney-injury/
Why Choose the Randox RX series?
Why Choose the RX series?
Notorious for quality and reliability, the Randox RX series delivers on precision, reliability and accuracy, revolutionising patient testing in a variety of laboratory types including Clinical Laboratories, University & Research Institutes and Veterinary Laboratories.
The RX series is world renowned for delivering superior performance, our comprehensive test menu comprises over 113 clinical chemistry assays – 22 more than our nearest competitor. In addition to this we offer superior methodology for many assays with excellent correlation to gold standard methods. Our test menu is constanty expanding and currently covers routine chemistry, specific proteins, lipids, cardiac markers, therapeutic drugs, drugs of abuse, antioxidants and diabetes testing including direct HbA1c testing capabilities. Designed to meet the needs of your laboratory, our range of novel tests allow laboratories to expand their test menu without expanding their lab ultimately reducing costs, labour and the risk of error without the need for additional / specialised equipment.
With a versatile range of semi-automated and automated analysers, the RX series offers flexibility to suit the needs of all laboratory requirements. Built on the foundations of robust hardware and intuitive software, the RX series will reduce costly test re-runs and potential misdiagnosis. With minimal analyser downtime significant cost and time savings are a reality.
Our prominent reputation of providing laboratories with unrivalled customer and technical support across the globe surpasses that of any of our competitors complementing our extensive and world leading test menu. We pride ourselves in both the delivery and functionality of high quality clinical chemistry analysers, dedicated reagents and support ensuring accuracy and reliability in reporting patient results.
Offering the World’s Largest Clinical Chemistry Test Menu
Most recently the RX series welcomed the addition of Direct HbA1c to our testing panel, available to be run on the RX Daytona +, RX imola and RX modena. If you are interested in running your assays on a routine biochemistry analyser, Randox offers a large range of high quality routine and niche protein assays that can be run on most automated analysers.
Click to discover more about our world leading RX series Testing menu or contact us today @theRXseries to find out how we can improve your laboratories testing capabilities.
Choose from the RX misano, RX monaco, RX daytona+, RX imola and RX modena to start your journey with the RX series today.
Randox Alzheimer’s Array on the Evidence Investigator
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It is defined as an irreversible, progressive brain disorder, in which parts of the brain are damaged over time. As this happens symptoms develop, but also get worse.
Dr. Alois Alzheimer discovered that in Alzheimer’s disease the connections between the cells and brain tissue are lost because proteins build up and form abnormal structures called “plaques” and “tangles”. 1 A healthy brain contains important chemicals which send signals between the cells, however, those who suffer with Alzheimer’s have less “chemical messengers.” Therefore, the signals don’t get passed on. 1
Risk factors
Age is the biggest risk factor. Alzheimer’s disease is more common amongst older adults. In the UK there are over 40,000 people under the age of 65 who suffer with some form of dementia. 2 Studies also state that women over the age of 65 are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than men – although there is no clear evidence as to why.
There are two different types of Alzheimer’s. The early on-set variant of the condition is very uncommon but strikes people younger than 65. Often people with early-onset Alzheimer’s develop symptoms in their 40s or 50s. Whereas, late-onset Alzheimers is more common and affects people age 65 and older. 2
Symptoms
The disease slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. The earliest symptoms are memory lapses where they may struggle to remember recent events or learn new information, or even forget important items for day-to-day life for example, their keys, glasses or mobile phone. Memory loss due to the disease can increasingly interfere with their life as often the ability to carry out simple tasks can become a struggle. As a result, the person suffering can become anxious, irritable and can even be depressed.
In the later stages of Alzheimer’s, the symptoms become more severe. The individual will become less aware of what’s happening around them. They may have difficulties eating, walking and will require additional help and support with their daily activities from their loved ones or from a carer.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, although, there is treatment that can help manage the symptoms.
The Randox Apolipoprotein E4 Array
Randox offers The Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) Array.
The Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) Array is a research use-only product developed for the Evidence Investigator, which is a semi-automated benchtop immunoassay analyser which can process up to 2376 test per hour as well as up to 44 analytes screened per biochip.
The ApoE4 Array measures both total ApoE protein levels and ApoE4 protein levels directly from plasma samples and by using a ratio it can classify patients as negative or positive for ApoE4. In turn we can then assess their risk for the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
For further information about the Randox Alzheimer’s Array or our Evidence Investigator, please email info@randoxbiosciences.com
- https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/types-dementia/alzheimers-disease-symptoms
- https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-alzheimers-disease
Meeting Your Drug and Alcohol Testing Needs with RTS
Workplace drug and alcohol testing
At Randox Testing Services, workplace drug and alcohol testing is one part of the services we provide. Our aim is to raise awareness around the dangers of substance misuse and help companies make their workplaces safer. However, our service offering also extends to other sectors.
We provide comprehensive testing for those in the medico-legal market and private individuals. The testing requirements for these markets differ significantly, with unique circumstances that need to be taken into consideration.
Medico-legal testing for drugs and alcohol may be required by various professional bodies involved in child custody cases, care proceedings or child protection cases. In cases regarding divorce and children, a dispute may arise during the process of discussions involving the custody of the child. Drug and alcohol testing may be sought if there has been a substance abuse claim against a parent fighting for custody or visitation.
Drug and alcohol testing is important to ensure child protection from the detrimental effects of parental substance misuse and to ensure they have a quality of life they deserve. In addition, it is also important to enable parents the opportunity to get the help and support they need and begin rehabilitation treatment.
In some cases, customers will require a one-off test as part of a job application, court order or for abstinence monitoring as part of an agreed programme with their employer. These various scenarios highlight the importance that drug and alcohol testing can play on a person’s life.
Our Expertise
At Randox Testing Services we provide drug and alcohol testing services to all professionals within the family law sector and private individuals. Our hair drug testing service utilises fully accredited testing methods and is made more cost effective through the patented testing methods we have developed.
We understand the impact a positive result can have on a parent, child, and extended family and ensure results of the highest accuracy. With over 35 years’ experience in the diagnostic industry, we have gained reputation as a trusted provider.
Randox Testing Services
We can supply individuals with a drug and alcohol service without the need to enter into any contracts. This service is available to anyone and can be facilitated by Randox Testing Services from sample collection to laboratory analysis; or with point of care kits to carry out drug and alcohol testing for instant results.
Visit our website today for more information:
Medico-legal Testing: https://www.randoxtestingservices.com/medico-legal-testing/
Private Individuals: https://www.randoxtestingservices.com/private-individuals/
Contact Us: https://www.randoxtestingservices.com/contact-us/
Phone: +44 (0) 161 741 2760
Randox Toxicology Highly Sensitive ELISA kits
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or ELISA, has been utilised as a screening tool for some time. The immunoassay technique is a popular choice for the evaluation of various research and diagnostic targets including drugs of abuse testing.
As primary manufacturer of the Biochip Array Technology, Randox Toxicology also provide highly sensitive ELISA kits that are compatible with all microplate processing instruments. Our test menu covers a broad range of drugs of abuse and metabolites including new psychoactive substances, stimulants, analgesics and sedatives. With low specificity, our ELISA kits are available across whole blood, urine and oral fluid matrices. Randox Toxicology develop the highest quality 96-well microtitre plates available on the market, with results providing excellent correlation with confirmatory methods.
Our range of ELISAs are precoated with our own antibodies which are cultivated in the UK. The ready to use reagent format facilitates optimum laboratory efficiency and allows up to 80 samples to be analysed in 2 to 3 hours with ELISA procedures.
* EXCLUSIVE to Randox Toxicology
For more information on our ELISA solutions email info@randoxtoxicology.com to be put in touch with a sales member in your area or visit www.randoxtoxicology.com.
Randox Food Diagnostics Screening for Coccidiostats
Feed additives are important in modern agriculture and a focus of the European Union (EU) framework. Whilst such products are used to improve the characteristics of feed, any company wanting to use feed additives for the EU market must obtain prior authorisation, during which the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluates the safety and efficacy of each additive. The European legislation on animal feed ensures that feedstuffs are suitable for human and animal consumption, whilst not damaging the environment.
Coccidiosis is a disease caused by coccidian, which multiplies in the intestines. In the acute form death of a bird can occur in five to seven days, whilst the chronic type does not kill immediately but persists for a long period of time. To prevent infection, farmers may administer prophylactic antiprotozoal coccidiostats in feed, which increases the chance that coccidiostat residues are retained in both poultry meat and eggs.
However, coccidiostat levels in poultry have increased significantly over the past 3-4 years, causing concern among various groups including Save Our Antibiotics. To reduce the risk of toxicity to consumers, regulatory authorities have set Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) recommending an appropriate withdrawal period prior to slaughter.
The Randox Food Diagnostics coccidiostats array utilises Biochip Array Technology to quantitatively test for multiple analytes including lasalocid, nicarbazin and imidocarb simultaneously. Revolutionising screening practices, Biochip Array Technology is designed to work across a wide variety of matrices and provides up to 44 results in under 3 hours, saving the user both time and money compared to other screening methods.
For more information on our extensive test menu and coccidiostats array email us directly at: info@randoxfooddiagnostics.com
Randox Biosciences and Metabolic Syndrome
The Evidence Evolution is a fully automated immune-analyser with random access. The machine has the capability to process up to 2640 tests per hour with up to 44 analytes screened per biochip. With a wide range test menu Randox can offer the market the service they expect with state-of-the-art intuitive touchscreen software and advanced precision bio-drive robotics.
Metabolic syndrome is described as a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. As result of three health conditions going on, it puts the individual at greater risk of developing coronary heart disease, stroke and many other risks. 1 As well as developing additional health conditions it can cause damage to the blood vessels, the blood pressure damages the blood vessels, the obesity causes a lot of strain on the blood vessels and the heart.2 Therefore, can result in serious long-term risks.
Metabolic disease is very common. Studies state that the serious health condition affects about 23% of adults. 3One in four adults in the UK are currently living with metabolic syndrome and often becomes more common with age2.
Usually it affects those who are overweight or considered obese, have an unbalanced diet containing high levels of sugar and fat and have high cholesterol and extremely high blood pressure2 therefore, the condition can be prevented by reducing the risks.
1 According to the NHS, metabolic syndrome occurs when a person has three or more of the following measurements:
- Abdominal obesity (Waist circumference of greater than 40 inches in men, and greater than 35 inches in women)
- Triglyceride level of 150 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or greater
- HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dL in men or less than 50 mg/dL in women
- Systolic blood pressure (top number) of 130 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or greater, or diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) of 85 mm Hg or greater
- Fasting glucose of 100 mg/dL or greater
There are many ways to prevent metabolic syndrome from developing, making lifestyle changes for example, ensuring their weight is healthy by increasing physical exercise, eating a well-balanced healthy diet containing whole grains, fruit, vegetables and fish and finally, visiting the GP to monitor and manage blood glucose, blood cholesterol and blood pressure, quit smoking and managing your stress.
Randox offers the Evidence Evolution including two Metabolic Syndrome Arrays which allows multiplex testing from a single sample allowing rapid turnaround time and are suitable for both serum and plasma samples.
Metabolic Syndrome Array I
- Ferritin
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
- Insulin
- Leptin
- Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)
- Resistin
- Tumour Necrosis Factor α (TNFα)
Metabolic Syndrome Array II
- Adiponectin
- C-reactive Protein (CRP)
- Cystatin C
For more information on our Evidence Series or Metabolic Syndrome Range of Assays, contact us at EvidenceSeries@randox.com
The Gift of Health: FREE Specialised Test with every Everyman or Everywoman purchased in December
This December, treat your friends and family to the greatest gift of all. The gift of health.
Throughout the month, Randox Health are offering a free Specialised Test, Cough, Cold & Flu, with every Everyman or Everywoman Programme purchased.
Examining up to 150 different indicators of health in your body! The programmes are among the most advanced in the world with our Signature Programme being the most advanced, examining up to 350 different indicators of disease and ill-health. This is due to our advanced technology.
The perfect gift, or perhaps Christmas treat for yourself? These 12-month programmes are guaranteed to give you the most advanced picture available of your current health status.
This month, each programme also comes with a free Cough, Cold & Flu check worth £100.
What is the Cough, Cold and Flu check?
In a world where warnings about antibiotic resistance make daily headlines, Randox Health is helping people take back control.
Antibiotics are used to prevent and treat antibiotic infections. But they don’t work for everything. Taking them when we don’t need them can enable dangerous bacteria that lives inside us to become resistant. That means if you need antibiotics in the future, they may not work. As the NHS says, this puts you and your family at serious risk.
Only bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, so finding out what’s behind your infection is essential.
With the Randox Health Cough, Cold and Flu test one swab can detect and identify the cause of 21 respiratory infections in just five hours. With this knowledge, you will find out what’s treatment is going to be appropriate for you.
Take the guesswork out of getting better and book your Cough, Cold and Flu test either as a standalone check or for free with or Everyman or Everywoman Programme.
Specialised tests are available at our clinics in London, Liverpool, Holywood and Crumlin, and also through our innovative mobile health clinic. Gift cards can be purchased from as little as £20.
To find out more about the offer or to purchase the most thoughtful of Christmas presents – a gift card for the ‘gift of health’ – please phone our team on 0800 2545 130. You can also drop them an email. info@randoxhealth.com
