Dec
09

Reproductive Immunoassays in IVF clinics

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In-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intra-uterine insemination (IUI) are the most common methods used by fertility clinics. The overall goal of IVF treatment is to increase the number of follicles, prevent premature ovulation (reduce LH) and create the conditions for successful implantation of a fertilized egg.

After the clinic has evaluated the couple for several male and female fertility factors, in addition to the woman’s age, they determine the most appropriate treatment option for the couple. One of the determining factors for egg quality is the Day-3 FSH value. A high FSH predicts poor egg quality. This determines the treatment protocol (GnRH agonist or antagonist protocol).
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Sep
21

Tosoh Extends Calibration Stability on Most Assays to 90 days

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Tosoh Bioscience, Inc. has announced that calibration curve stability for most Tosoh AIA assays has been extended to 90 days. Improved calibration curve stability is made possible through Tosoh’s AIA-Pack Unit Dose Test Cup reagent technology.
Tosoh test cup immunoassay reagents
Tosoh’s AIA-PACK test cups are single, unitized cups that utilize a dry reagent format which requires no pre-mixing, no pre-measuring, no on-board refrigeration and no waste. The test cup format is used on all Tosoh AIA automated immunoassay analyzers, including the AIA-2000 (200 tests per hour), AIA-1800 (180 tests per hour), AIA-600 II (60 tests per hour), and AIA-360 (36 tests per hour).
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Sep
21

Utility of the Beta-thalassemia mode on the G7

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The Beta-thalassemia analysis mode on the G7 analyzer is used to confirm the identity of a hemoglobin variant for an HbA1c result and to screen for Beta-thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies. For example, people with thalassemia can develop diabetes and a hemoglobin variant may interfere with their HbA1c result. Also, transfusion patients need to see a decrease in a specific hemoglobin variant. Furthermore, Hereditary Persistent Fetal Hemoglobin (HPFH) patients have high HbF above 20%.
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Sep
21

The Importance of CMV Monitoring of Transplant Patients

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In many hospitals across the country, coordinating transplant donors and recipients can be a difficult task. Another critical component of dealing with transplant patients is monitoring these patients post-transplant to optimize anti-viral therapy. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that is usually asymptomatic in most healthy individuals, occuring in a latent state. In transplant patients, however, CMV can be re-activated and could lead to fever, leucopenia, hepatitis, colitis, organ damage, psychomotor problems, deafness, as well as vision and neurological problems.
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Sep
21

Technical Support FAQ: When Should I Calibrate?

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Frequent AIA question:
When should I calibrate?

Calibrations should be performed:
- With each new lot number of AIA-PACK Test Cups.
- After the defined calibration period has expired.
- As QC dictates
- When major service has been completed and/or component changed that could affect calibration.
- Remember to review all flags

Tosoh Technical Support

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Sep
21

Technical Support FAQ: Is my SA1c Result Reportable?

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Frequent HPLC Question:
Is my SA1c result reportable?

It is important to review and question any chromatogram with the following characteristics:
- The SA1c is outside the normal range established by your laboratory.
- The SA1c peak is not detected
- Total Area is outside of the range for your Instrument
- An unidentifiable peak (e.g. P00) appears before the A0 peak

Tosoh Technical Support

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Sep
21

RBC Folate

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B12 and folate are typically ordered to help diagnose the cause of macrocytic anemia. It is usually ordered as a follow-up when there is a large number of RBCs and decreased hemoglobin during a routine CBC. A folate test may also help evaluate the general health and nutritional status of a patient with signs of significant malnutrition or malabsorption. Folate deficiency may be produced by several factors including, inadequate dietary intake, intestinal malabsorption, pregnancy, alcoholism and a variety of drugs, including oral contraceptives and anticonvulsants. Deficiencies of either folate or vitamin B12 may result in megaloblastic anemia and neuropathy. When being treated for a B12 or folate deficiency, a patient may occasionally be monitored to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. In a person with a nutritional deficiency, this may be done as a follow-up to treatment. In a person with a condition causing a chronic deficiency, this may be part of a long-term treatment plan. Either a serum or RBC folate test may be used to help detect a deficiency, but some doctors feel that the RBC folate test is more clinically relevant than serum folate.
rbc folate
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Sep
21

Contacting Tosoh Technical Support

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Q: What number do I call for instrument and reagent technical assistance?

A: Call the toll free number 800 24-TOSOH (800-248-6764). Normal business hours are Mon-Fri 6 AM – 5 PM Pacific Daylight Time. On weekends and after normal business hours, these calls are routed through an answering service, and the call is returned.

Q: Who do I call for periodic maintenance?

A: All requests for service or periodic maintenance should be placed with Tosoh Technical Support. To expedite the process, it is always helpful to have your customer number and instrument serial number available when you call.

Q: What number do I call for placing orders or checking on the status of orders?

A: To place an order or for questions about orders, please direct these calls to Customer Service (Order Processing) at 866-527-3587 or fax your order to 800-685-7595. If you do not buy directly from Tosoh, please place your order through your preferred distributor.

Our website www.tosohbioscience.us has all of the contact information under the Contact Us link at the top of the page.

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Sep
21

Tosoh Educational Series: Interferences in Immunoassays, Part 1

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Substances that alter the measurable concentration of the analyte or antibody (Ab) binding result in immunoassay interference. Interferences can be of 2 types – analyte dependent and analyte independent.

Analyte independent interferences refer to common interferences like hemolysis, lipemia, effects of anti-coagulant and sample storage. The term pre-analytical variables are commonly used for these types of interferences.
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