For the measurement of fibrinogen concentration in plasma, Fibrinogen by BioSystems is a turbidimetry liquid bireagent method which is calibrated with a multipoint curve (lyophilized standard) and controlled with a lyophilized control plasma. Fibrinogen is a protein that is essential for blood clot formation. It is produced by the liver and released into the circulation as needed along with several other clotting factors. The concentrations of fibrinogen are increased in case of diabetes, obesity and inflammatory syndromes and are decreased in case of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), fibrinolysis and genetic deficiency. In addition, elevated concentrations of fibrinogen can be involved in the pathogenicity of different cardiovascular thrombotic events. In recent years, a large number of prospective studies have shown that the fibrinogen concentration is a predictor of a variety of cardiovascular events, including stroke, myocardial infarction, leg ischemia (in arterial disease) and postsurgical arterial re-occlusion.

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Designed for use on the Liaison Iam instrument, the Iam Parvo assay is a highly sensitive, rapid quantitative molecular assay for Parvovirus B19 diagnosis.  Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection is common and occurs worldwide, with epidemics following a 3-4 year cycle.  The virus is typically acquired in childhood when it causes the mild, self-limiting rash illness erythema infectiosum (commonly known as ‘slapped cheek’ or ‘fifth disease’).  It is transmitted through respiratory droplets and can vary in severity from asymptomatic to life-threatening illness.  B19V infection during pregnancy can have severe consequences. The infection can transfer from mother to fetus across the placenta and may cause fetal death or poor outcomes (including severe neurological disease) in surviving babies.  B19V is also problematic in immunocompromized patients and is the leading cause of pure red cell aplasia in AIDS patients.  In individuals with sickle cell anemia, B19V infection can result in transient aplastic crisis (TAC).  Chronic B19V infection can lead to persistent and severe anemia and is also associated with conditions such as arthropathy, glomerulonephritis and neurological disease. Calibrated against the WHO standard for B19V, Iam Parvo provides exceptional time-to-result benefits when compared to PCR, with equivalent specificity. The Liaison Iam instrument uses DiaSorin’s proprietary Q-LAMP technology.

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With a capacity of 728 litres, the Eco VIP KM-DU73Y1E -86°C upright freezer is the most energy-efficient of its size and is ideal for sample storage within hospitals, biomedical research institutes and biopharmaceutical laboratories. Energy savings lead to reduced running costs as well as environmental benefits, and so the KM-DU73Y1E provides a range of advantages to all users of ultra-low temperature freezers. In comparison with other widely used, -86°C freezers of this size, the KM-DU73Y1E can help to reduce electrical running costs by up to 50%. This efficiency is achieved with the use of natural refrigerants, advanced Panasonic refrigeration technology and VIP Plus vacuum panel insulation. As well as energy savings, VIP Plus insulation panels save 30% floor space compared to conventionally insulated upright freezers. The combination of the above features with Panasonic’s control technology provides improved cooling performance and excellent insulation characteristics and door-open recovery times. A streamlined cooling system provides even greater reliability for the security of valuable and often irreplaceable samples.

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Offering significant improvements in workflow optimization, particularly when multiple protocols are used, the Gemini AS advanced automated stainer has been intelligently designed to be easier to use than ever, with a new touch screen interface and intuitive software. The instrument has an all-new touchscreen interface that is intuitive to use and makes day-to-day operation simplicity itself. A glance is all that is needed to check the batch stain progress. New LED lighting allows the operator a clear view of what is going on inside the staining area. It is also fully compatible with the Thermo Scientific range of coverslippers to match the workflow of modern high-throughput laboratories. To maximize throughput, up to 12 slide racks can be processed at the same time. The control software automatically arranges the reagent positions for greatest speed and performance. Furthermore, duplicate reagents can be assigned automatically according to QC usage values to reduce downtime to change reagents. Gemini AS has 26 different reagent stations, catering for both H&H and Papanicolaou stains without changing reagent pots. Once the racks are loaded and the protocols are selected, the intelligent software does the rest. Furthermore, the instrument has been configured for more application-specific staining requirements such as those for cytogenetics and andrology. The instrument’s dual-layer configuration makes the most use of laboratory space. Also featured is a built-in power supply for protection of valuable samples. Protocols are easy to prepare and readily modified, and the manufacturer’s recommended protocols are pre-installed. A USB port allows data to be downloaded for off-line processing and analysis.

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