The rapid breakdown of glucose (glycolysis) in venous blood samples is very significant for the diagnosis of both diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes which should be detected at an early stage to avoid complications such as infections, premature births and long-term effects for the mother and child. In order to have a reliable diagnosis, it is necessary to inhibit glucose breakdown immediately after collecting blood. Various institutions have drafted guidelines, which recommend the addition of a citrate-fluoride additive to maintain the “in vivo glucose level”. The special feature of the new VACUETTE FC Mix tube from Greiner Bio-One is the powder additive. It stabilizes the glucose level immediately after collection for 48 hours. This allows for reliable diagnosis of diabetes conditions and avoids false negatives. The stabilization is carried out in the whole blood and therefore does not require immediate centrifugation. Unlike in tubes where liquid is added, the finely granulated additive does not cause a dilution effect. There is no need to convert the measurement result. The citrate/citric acid buffer reduces the pH value in the sample. As a result, the enzymes needed for the glycolysis process are inhibited and the actual “in vivo level” is stabilized from the start. The additive is completely dissolved, and therefore optimally mixed with the sample, after swivelling ten times. In the case of storage between 4°C and room temperature, a further sodium fluoride additive ensures long-term stabilization for 48 hours. The VACUETTE FC Mix tube is available with both a grey and pink security cap and therefore allows for differentiation from standard glucose tubes. The cap is particularly easy to open and allows for hygienic working in the laboratory. The VACUETTE FC Mix tube is made of highly-transparent PET plastic and is shatter-proof.
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Urine analysis is an integral part of laboratory routine and constitutes a first window to assess the individual physiological and metabolic state.  All kinds of parameters have been progressively included in urine analysis, many of them present both in serum and in urine. Problems may arise when assessing the accuracy of results, because the user often only has serum matrix controls. So matrix commutability (analysis results independently from matrix type) is not guaranteed. Currently, general recommendations advocate the use of control material with identical (or similar) matrix to the one of the analysed sample whenever possible. Aware of this situation, Biosystems S.A. has developed a Multiparametric Urine Control specific for biochemistry tests (Albumin, alpha Amylase, alpha Amylase Pancreatic, Calcium, Chloride, Citrate, Creatinine, Glucose, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Protein Urine, Sodium, Urea and Uric Acid).  Values have been assigned using the recommended International Reference standards. This ensures traceability of results and comparison between laboratories. The urine control is lyophilized to guarantee maximum stability (expiration date of 24 months, 1 month at -20ºC after reconstitution) without matrix interferents. Along with this Biochemistry Urine Control, BioSystems also offers a specific Urine Contol for the analysis of metabolites (5-ALA, 5-HIIA, 17-OH, 17-KETO, VMA, Metanephrines), which completes its range for routine urine analysis in all kind of laboratories.

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Leptin, the product of the ob (obese) gene, is a single-chain 16 kDa protein consisting of 146 amino acid residues. Leptin is produced mainly in the adipose tissue, and is considered to play an important role in appetite control, fat metabolism and body weight regulation. It targets the central nervous system, particularly the hypothalamus, affecting food intake. The primary effect of leptin appears to be mediated by leptin receptors expressed mainly in the hypothalamus. In humans, leptin levels correlate with body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat, and are elevated even in obese individuals. Leptin has a dual action; it decreases the appetite and increases energy consumption, causing more fat to be burned. Leptin is secreted in circadian fashion with nocturnal rise in both lean and obese patients. Mutations of the ob gene resulting in leptin deficiency are the cause of obesity in the ob/ob mice. Endogeneous leptin can normalize their body weight. In contrast, high levels of leptin in obese human subjects point to an insensitivity to endogeneous leptin. Other factors in addition to the amount of body fat appear to regulate leptin action: insulin, glucocorticoids, catecholamines and sex hormones. Studies have shown that leptin may be linked to reproductive function.
The BioVendor Leptin ELISA is CE-marked, allowing in vitro diagnostic use in the European Union (research use only in the rest of the world). This sandwich ELISA uses a HRP-labelled antibody and has a total assay time of less than 2.5 hours. The kit measures total leptin in a 96-well assay format. Quality controls are human serum-based and standards are recombinant protein-based. Components of the kit are provided ready to use, concentrated or lyophilized.
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Now available to laboratories, the Atellica NEPH 630 System is a low- to mid-volume nephelometric protein testing solution that simplifies laboratory operations by unifying instrument, assay, IT connectivity and remote service disciplines to deliver advancements in protein testing. Nephelometry is a laboratory technique used to quantify specific levels of proteins found in blood and other bodily fluids. Information on the concentration of these proteins is important in assessing and monitoring cardiovascular risk, kidney diseases, neurological disorders, nutritional status and other diseases, such as multiple myeloma. While many systems only support protein level assessment on plasma or serum, the Atellica NEPH 630 System offers the broadest menu of protein tests for assessment of urine, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma and serum, enabling enhanced quantification of certain health conditions. Proven nephelometric technology provides high precision, reproducibility and pre-reaction protocols for high antigen-excess security. These are essential components for result accuracy and minimize the need for repeat testing. Because advanced antigen-excess checks, single-use cuvettes and kinetic curve displays are incorporated into the instrument, labs can report
results with confidence. To accommodate different testing volumes, the Atellica NEPH 630 System offers multiple reagent package sizes, resulting in less waste for laboratories. Additionally, lot-to-lot reagent consistency ensures concordance between results, providing physicians with greater insight into the patients’ disease progression. The Atellica NEPH 630 System streamlines workflow with highly intelligent software for secure, smart and simple testing. The instrument’s ability to integrate with the company’s process-management software—Atellica PM 1.0 Software—will minimize operator intervention, while providing insight into individual and multi-site lab workflow, enabling labs to spot trends and implement process changes for enhanced clinical, financial and operational efficiencies. The system also connects to Siemens Remote Service to help labs minimize downtime via remote monitoring and to provide rapid, efficient technical support when needed. To support multi-site labs, the Atellica NEPH 630 System offers result correlation with the company’s BN II System. Standardized reagents and consumables across both platforms enable high-volume and multisite labs to realize significant improvements in labour efficiency and cost savings.

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Randox is launching Acusera 24.7 Live Online Version 1.6, now featuring the automatic calculation of Measurement Uncertainty, Total Error and Sigma Metrics as part of our ongoing growth and development. Created to help labs monitor and interpret their QC data, Acusera 24.7 provides instant access to an unrivalled range of features including QC multi-rules, interactive charts, real-time peer group data and a unique dashboard interface, all designed to speed up the review process and provide at-a-glance performance assessment. The new Measurement Uncertainty Report automatically generates and displays the Measurement Uncertainty (UM) of all QC tests currently in use helping labs to easily meet ISO 15189:2012 requirements. Additionally the Statistical Metrics Report facilitates enhanced performance assessment by incorporating several new metrics including: %Bias, Total Error (TE) and Sigma, helping labs to produce accurate and reliable results.

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