Screening for cancer: are biomarkers of value?

– February/March 2011 32
Product News
Incubator with O 2
and N 2
control
The MCO-19M CO 2
incubator provides
extremely accurate control of
the environment within the incubation
chamber. CO 2
concentration
is measured using a dual infra red
solid state sensor that is not affected
by humidity or temperature changes
when the incubator door is opened. In
addition, the CO 2
sensor remains calibrated
continually without the need
for timed recalibration procedures.
O 2
concentration is measured using a solid state zirconium sensor
that is maintenance-free, thereby removing the need for constant
recalibration. CO 2
and O 2
levels are controlled using a PID controller
to ensure rapid recovery without excessive overshoot of the
chosen gas-level set-points. A stable and uniform temperature is
provided within the chamber using Sanyo’s Direct Heat Air Jacket
system, which is PID controlled to ensure rapid recovery after a
door opening. The even distribution of temperature throughout
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Harmonisation of Blood Sciences
Emerging Technologies
Cancer: Meeting the Needs of
the Patient
Laboratory Automation
Clinical Biochemistry and the
Coroner
Point of Care Testing
Clinical Chemistry in the Age
of Austerity
Research in Clinical Biochemistry
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the chamber contributes to the shelf-to-shelf reproducibility of
conditions. The interior of the chamber is manufactured from
InCu saFe, a copper-enriched stainless steel antimicrobial alloy,
which inhibits the growth of fungi, mycoplasma and bacteria. For
critical applications the SafeCell UV system automatic decontamination
systems can be incorporated; this optional UV Illuminated
air duct automatically maintains contamination-free air
and humidity within the chamber. For applications which require
additional decontamination, the hydrogen peroxide decontamination
system is extremely effective and fast: a complete cycle only
takes 130 minutes. This system is also safe, since the H 2
O 2
vapour
is contained within the incubator and is broken down to water and
oxygen at the end of the cycle. The door interlock and alarm also
ensure that the system is safe.
Sanyo BiomedicaL
Etten-Leur, The Netherlands
www.cli-online.com & search 25512
Midkine ELISA
Midkine (MK) — also
known as neurite growth
promoting factor 2
(NEGF-2) — is a cytokine
that is expressed during
embryonic development.
In healthy adults MK is
expressed at only low levels.
However, MK levels are found to be elevated in the blood and
urine of patients with carcinomas including oesophageal, stomach,
colon, pancreatic, thyroid, lung, urinary, hepatocellular, neuroblastoma,
glioblastoma, and Wilm´s tumour. MK levels can be
measured in the early stage of cancer development, making MK
an optimal marker for screening and preventive healthcare. The
determination of MK in blood even detects organ-located solid
tumour malignancy. High MK levels are associated with poor
prognosis in some types of cancer. The combination of MK detection
together with established oncologic markers improves cancer
diagnosis. The Human Midkine ELISA kit extends BioVendor’s
portfolio of diagnostic kits for oncology. Suitable for serum and
plasma samples, the 96 well-microtitre plate format is suitable for
use with standard ELISA equipment or robotic systems.
Biovendor
Modrice, The Czech Republic
www.cli-online.com & search 25511
Clinical chemistry analyser
Designed for small- to mid-sized
hospitals and laboratories, the
BioMajesty 6010 is a very compact
fully automatic chemical
analyser which can handle up to
1200 tests per hour. With 43 reagents
and 84 sample positions,
it provides the flexibility needed
for routine use. Both photometric
and immunoturbidimetric
assays can be performed as well as Na, K and Cl electrolyte
determination using indirect ISE methods. Special emphasis has
been given to the software, which combines a high degree of user