Which is the Better Choice For Your Research Serum or Plasma

Which is the Better Choice For Your Research – Serum or Plasma?

When it comes to biomedical research and diagnostic testing, the choice between using serum or plasma as a sample type can significantly influence the outcome and accuracy of your study. Both serum and plasma are derived from blood, a vital fluid that courses through our veins, carrying a plethora of information about our health status. Despite their common origin, there are critical differences between plasma and serum that could impact the results of biological experiments and analyses. We’ll discuss these differences, shedding light on the better choice for various research applications, with insights into plasma and serum.

pointUnderstanding Serum and Plasma

Before going into which sample type might be more suitable for your research, it’s essential to understand what serum and plasma are and how they are obtained. Human plasma is what we call the matrix that carries circulating blood in our system. When blood is removed, without any attempt to maintain plasma, such as by including chemicals that impede clotting (EDTA, heparin, citrate) or by keeping the blood draw cold to slow the coagulation process the sample clots and the plasma now becomes serum.

On the other hand, serum is obtained by removing both the cellular components and the clotting factors from blood, leaving behind a fluid rich in proteins, hormones, electrolytes, and antibodies, but greatly reduced in clotting factors. Human serum samples are often used in immunological studies due to the presence of antibodies. I’m not sure this is true aren’t antibodies still in the plasma?–perhaps a more general statement here telling the researcher to examine the literature to see what chemicals are still in serum after clotting has occurred. The book–”The Plasma Protein– by FW Putnam is an excellent place to start.

pointSerum vs. Plasma: Key Differences and Applications

Navigating the biomedical research arena requires a nuanced understanding of the materials at our disposal, particularly when it comes to the fluids derived from human blood. There are fundamental distinctions between the two essential components of plasma and serum. Below, we shed light on their unique properties, the methods by which they are obtained, and their respective roles within various research and diagnostic contexts. This exploration not only illuminates the critical differences that set serum and plasma apart, but also guides researchers in making informed decisions about which is most suitable for their specific scientific inquiries, ensuring the accuracy and efficacy of their work.

Clotting Factors
The presence or absence of clotting factors is the primary distinction between plasma and serum. Plasma retains these factors, making it invaluable for research into coagulation disorders, developing clotting factor therapies, and understanding blood’s clotting mechanics.

With serum, on the other hand, coagulation is noticeably reduced and is better suited for biochemical analyses and serological testing, where clotting factors might interfere with the results.

Collection and Processing
The collection and processing of these samples also differ, impacting their suitability for certain types of research. Plasma is collected using anticoagulant agents to prevent clotting, then centrifuged to separate it from blood cells. This process preserves its clotting factors, making plasma crucial for therapeutic applications and research involving coagulation. Serum collection, however, involves allowing the blood to clot naturally before centrifugation, making serum samples particularly useful for diagnostic assays and vaccine development, where the presence of antibodies is critical.

Research Applications
When deciding between serum and plasma for research, consider the study’s goals. For investigations into the body’s immune response, human serum samples might be preferable due to their rich antibody content. Serum’s lack of clotting factors simplifies the analysis of certain biomarkers and reduces the potential for clotting interference in assays.

Conversely, studies focusing on blood coagulation, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic protein assessments may benefit more from human plasma samples. Plasma’s preservation of clotting factors provides a more comprehensive snapshot of the blood’s physiological state, making it ideal for translational research that aims to bridge laboratory findings with clinical applications.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Uses
Beyond research, the choice between serum and plasma extends to diagnostic and therapeutic contexts. Blood plasma donation serves as a lifeline in the production of plasma-derived therapies, such as immunoglobulins for immune disorders and clotting factors for hemophilia. Plasma is also pivotal in transfusion medicine, highlighting its critical role in saving lives beyond the laboratory.

Serum, with its concentration of antibodies, finds its niche in diagnostic serology, where it aids in detecting and quantifying antibodies against various pathogens, thereby diagnosing infections and immune status.

pointConsiderations for Your Research

Choosing between serum and plasma hinges on several factors, including the nature of your research, the specific biomarkers of interest, and the potential effects of clotting factors on your assays. Here are some considerations to guide your decision:

  • Study Focus: If your research delves into coagulation or requires a complete profile of blood components, including clotting factors, plasma is your go-to. For immunological or infectious disease studies focusing on antibody detection, serum may be more appropriate.
  • Assay Compatibility: Some assays may specifically require either serum or plasma based on the presence or absence of clotting factors. Ensure your choice aligns with the assay requirements to avoid skewed results.
  • Availability and Ethical Considerations: Consider the availability of samples and the ethical implications of your choice. Human plasma and serum samples must be collected following strict ethical guidelines, with informed consent from donors. The source of your samples, whether from plasma biological services or other repositories, should adhere to these standards.

pointConclusion

The decision between using serum or plasma in research is not one-size-fits-all; it requires a nuanced understanding of each sample type’s properties and how they align with your research objectives. Whether through the lens of plasma biological services, blood plasma donation, or the use of human serum samples, each choice carries implications for the study’s design, execution, and outcomes. By carefully considering these factors, researchers can make informed decisions that enhance the validity and reliability of their findings.

As the field of biomedical research continues to evolve, the importance of selecting the appropriate sample type—be it serum or plasma—cannot be overstated. This choice impacts not only the integrity of research data but also the potential to translate findings into meaningful clinical advancements. For studies aimed at understanding complex biological processes or developing new therapeutics, the distinction between serum and plasma becomes even more pronounced.

Moreover, the growth of personalized medicine and biomarker discovery further underscores the need for precision in selecting serum or plasma. The biomolecular composition of these samples can provide critical insights into individual health statuses, disease progression, and response to treatment, making the right choice paramount for the success of such endeavors.

As we look to the future, the role of quality control in laboratory testing, including the handling and analysis of serum and plasma samples, will remain a cornerstone of scientific rigor and research excellence. By embracing the complexities and nuances of working with these biological fluids, researchers can harness their full potential, contributing to the ever-expanding tapestry of biomedical science.

The Critical Role of Quality Control in Laboratory Testing Insights from Solomon Park

The Critical Role of Quality Control in Laboratory Testing: Insights from Solomon Park

Laboratory testing serves as the backbone of diagnosis and treatment in the healthcare industry, playing a vital role in the early detection of diseases, monitoring patient progress, and guiding therapeutic decisions. The integrity of these tests is non-negotiable. This is where the critical role of quality control in laboratory testing comes into sharp focus. Solomon Park, a leader in medical laboratory services, underscores the importance of stringent quality control measures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of test results.

pointUnderstanding Quality Control in Laboratory Testing

Quality control in laboratory testing refers to the set of procedures undertaken by laboratories to ensure that test results are both accurate and reliable. These procedures help in identifying and minimizing errors in the testing process, which can stem from various sources such as faulty equipment, human error, or the use of contaminated reagents. As Solomon Park illustrates, lab quality control is not just a regulatory requirement. It is a fundamental aspect of laboratory operations that safeguards patient health and enhances healthcare outcomes.

pointThe Pillars of Lab Quality Control

In the world of medical diagnostics, the assurance of accuracy and reliability in laboratory results is paramount. This assurance is underpinned by a rigorous framework known as lab quality control, a cornerstone of medical laboratory operations that safeguards the integrity of testing processes and outcomes. As we look at the critical components that constitute this framework, it becomes evident that lab quality control is not merely a set of procedures. It is a comprehensive approach to maintaining excellence in healthcare diagnostics. Every test conducted must not only meet, but exceed, the standards expected by both healthcare professionals and patients alike.

Solomon Park’s approach to medical laboratory quality control rests on several key pillars:

Standardization of Procedures
The foundation of reliable lab testing lies in the standardization of procedures. This involves the use of validated methods and protocols for every test performed. By standardizing how tests are conducted, laboratories can reduce variability in results, ensuring that outcomes are consistent over time and comparable across different settings.

Calibration and Maintenance of Equipment
Sophisticated laboratory instruments require regular calibration and maintenance to function at their optimum. Calibration ensures that equipment is producing accurate measurements, while maintenance prevents the deterioration of these instruments over time. Solomon Park emphasizes the importance of a systematic schedule for both activities, as even the most minor deviation in equipment performance can lead to significant inaccuracies in test results.

pointUse of Control Samples

A crucial aspect of lab quality control involves the use of control samples. These are specimens known to contain specific substances at definite concentrations. By running control samples alongside patient samples, laboratories can verify that tests are working as expected. Any discrepancy in the results of control samples triggers an investigation into potential issues within the testing process.

Proficiency Testing
Proficiency testing involves the external evaluation of a laboratory’s testing accuracy. Laboratories receive blinded samples from an external agency and are required to analyze them as they would patient samples. The results are then compared with those from other laboratories. Solomon Park participates in proficiency testing programs to benchmark our performance and identify areas for improvement.

Continuous Training of Personnel
The competence of laboratory personnel is crucial to ensuring quality in laboratory testing. Continuous training programs keep staff updated on the latest testing methodologies, quality control measures, and technological advancements. Solomon Park prioritizes the ongoing education and certification of our team to maintain a high standard of expertise.

pointThe Impact of Quality Control on Healthcare

The implementation of quality control within laboratory settings extends far beyond the confines of ensuring accurate test results; it fundamentally transforms the landscape of healthcare. By weaving together the threads of rigorous standards, technological advancements, and skilled personnel, quality control acts as the backbone of medical diagnostics, ultimately shaping the efficacy of treatments and the well-being of patients worldwide.

The rigorous implementation of quality control measures in laboratories like Solomon Park has a profound impact on healthcare:

Enhancing Diagnostic Accuracy
The primary benefit of stringent quality control is the enhancement of diagnostic accuracy. Accurate test results lead to correct diagnoses, which are essential for effective treatment. This reduces the likelihood of misdiagnosis, unnecessary treatments, or delays in providing the right intervention.

Increasing Patient Safety
Quality control measures directly contribute to patient safety by minimizing the risk of errors that could lead to adverse outcomes. This is especially critical in high-stakes testing, where errors could have life-threatening consequences.

Building Trust in Healthcare
When patients and healthcare providers can trust the results provided by medical laboratories, it builds confidence in the healthcare system as a whole. Solomon Park’s commitment to quality control not only ensures the reliability of its testing services but also reinforces the trust placed in it by the medical community and patients alike.

Cost-Effectiveness
By preventing errors and ensuring accurate diagnoses, quality control in laboratory testing also contributes to the cost-effectiveness of healthcare. It reduces the need for repeat testing, unnecessary treatments, and the management of complications arising from incorrect diagnoses.

pointConclusion

Quality control in laboratory testing is an indispensable part of healthcare, ensuring that every test result from a laboratory is accurate, reliable, and timely. Solomon Park’s dedication to excellence in lab quality control exemplifies the commitment required to uphold the highest standards in medical laboratory testing. As we continue to navigate the complexities of healthcare, the role of quality control in laboratories remains paramount, safeguarding patient health and enhancing the efficacy of medical treatments across the globe. Through meticulous attention to quality control processes, laboratories like Solomon Park are not just performing tests; they are preserving the integrity of healthcare itself.

Equipment Manufacturer - Understanding the Lab Equipment Certification Process

Equipment Manufacturer – How Does the Lab Equipment Certification Process Work?

In the world of manufacturing, the importance of certification can’t be understated. A certificate is more than just a piece of paper; it is an endorsement of quality, safety, and reliability. When it comes to laboratory equipment, the significance of certification is even more crucial, given that the data derived from these instruments can influence major medical or scientific decisions.

What goes into the lab equipment certification process? How do manufacturers ensure that their equipment adheres to international standards? How does Solomon Park Research Laboratories, a key player in the industry, fit into this picture with their commutable quality control and calibration materials? Let’s take an in-depth look into the world of equipment manufacturing and unravel the intricacies of the certification process.a

pointThe Need for Certification in Laboratory Equipment

Laboratory equipment is integral to the accuracy of experiments, tests, and analyses. With stakes this high, it is vital that each piece of equipment functions optimally and reliably. Certification acts as a stamp of assurance for professionals that the equipment they use is of high quality, ensuring accurate results.

Apart from ensuring quality, certifications:

  • Maintain Safety: Lab equipment often deals with potentially hazardous substances. Laboratory equipment certifications ensure that these tools are built to handle such materials safely.
  • Facilitate International Trade: Certified products often have a wider acceptance in international markets. Certifications based on international standards can help manufacturers tap into global markets.
  • Reduce Operational Costs: Certified equipment tends to be more efficient and less prone to malfunctions, thereby reducing costs associated with repairs or replacements.

pointThe Certification Process

How does an equipment manufacturer get their products certified? The process generally involves:

  • Pre-assessment: Before undergoing a formal evaluation, manufacturers can opt for a pre-assessment. This is a preliminary evaluation where potential pitfalls are identified.
  • Testing: The equipment undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets specific standards. These tests check for efficiency, safety, and accuracy.
    Evaluation: Once the testing phase is complete, a comprehensive evaluation is undertaken to assess if the equipment meets the stipulated standards.
  • Certification: If the evaluation is successful, the equipment is certified. Regular surveillance audits may follow this to ensure ongoing compliance.
  • Recertification: Certifications are not forever. After a specified period, the equipment will need to be recertified, ensuring it remains up-to-date with evolving standards.

pointSolomon’s Role in the Certification Process

Solomon Park is renowned for providing commutable quality control and calibration materials for laboratory instruments, a pivotal part of the certification process. Our expertise in custom quality control materials ensures that laboratory equipment is calibrated accurately, a key step in achieving certification.

Our commutable quality measures (CQM) service provides materials that mimic patient samples, enabling realistic testing scenarios during the lab equipment certification process. This ensures that equipment tested with SPRL’s CQMs will provide reliable results in real-world situations.

Moreover, our comprehensive laboratory quality control services further support manufacturers by ensuring that instruments continuously adhere to the highest standards, even post-certification.

pointThe Importance of ISO Certification

One of the most sought-after certifications for laboratory equipment is the ISO certification. An ISO-certified lab, as detailed by TotalScope, guarantees a standardized level of quality and reliability.

For equipment manufacturers, having their products certified by ISO standards ensures:

  • Global Recognition: ISO certifications are internationally recognized, giving products a competitive edge in global markets.
  • Consistent Quality: Adhering to ISO standards ensures consistent quality, boosting trust among end-users.
  • Risk Mitigation: ISO standards often encompass safety protocols, thereby reducing risks associated with equipment malfunctions.

Concluding Thoughts

In the realm of equipment manufacturing, especially for laboratory instruments, certification isn’t a mere luxury; it’s a necessity. The process, while rigorous, ensures that equipment is safe, reliable, and of top-tier quality.

For manufacturers aiming to get their products certified, collaborating with industry experts like Solomon Park Research Laboratories can make the journey smoother. Our provision of top-quality control materials and services ensures that the equipment not only gets certified but also stands the test of time in delivering accurate and reliable results. After all, in the world of scientific and medical research, there’s no room for error, and laboratory equipment certification is the first step toward ensuring precision.

About Solomon Park Research Laboratories

Solomon Park Research Laboratories excels in the realm of hematology manufacturing, storage, and distribution with a distinct medical-grade professionalism. We are specialists in providing frozen serum and plasma, ensuring known levels of various analytes. With Lipid Reference Kits (LRC) kits trusted by over a thousand labs, SPRL guarantees accurate calibration and configuration of medical equipment. Furthermore, we offer extensive cryogenic storage, retrieval, and delivery services irrespective of the client’s size. Choosing Solomon Park Research Laboratories signifies a commitment to accuracy and prioritizing the health and wellness of patients, as we are renowned for our precisely calibrated hematology products crucial for life-saving test results. Contact us today to learn more.

How Diabetes Puts You at Risk for Kidney Failure

How Diabetes Puts You at Risk for Kidney Failure

Diabetes, a global health concern affecting millions worldwide, is well-known for its wide range of complications. One such critical association is the relationship between diabetes and kidney failure. This blog delves into the interconnected nature of these two conditions and underscores the vital importance of awareness and prevention.

pointUnderstanding Kidney Function

The kidneys, bean-shaped organs located below the rib cage, play an indispensable role in maintaining our overall health. Their primary function is to filter waste products, excess fluids, and electrolytes from the bloodstream, which are then excreted in the urine. Keeping these organs healthy is paramount for the body’s balance and overall function.

pointDiabetes and Kidney Health

Chronic elevated blood sugar levels, a hallmark of diabetes, can progressively impair kidney function. This detrimental process is termed “diabetic nephropathy.” Over time, this can reduce the kidneys’ ability to filter out toxins efficiently, leading to a myriad of health issues.

pointLink Between Diabetes and Kidney Failure

High blood sugar levels, when sustained over extended periods, can damage the intricate network of blood vessels within the kidneys. This damage impairs the kidneys’ filtration mechanism and, without timely interventions, can escalate from mere kidney damage to total kidney failure.

Just how high plasma glucose causes damage to the kidneys, although widely researched, is still not completely understood.  One hypothesis is that membrane fluidity is reduced. This could cause stress on the course of RBCs through the kidneys, which eventually would cause damage to the nephrons. Reduced fluidity could also affect the lateral diffusion and localization of ligand binding and signaling.

pointRisk Factors

Certain factors exacerbate the risk of kidney complications for diabetics. These include the duration of diabetes (long-standing diabetes poses a higher risk), inconsistent blood sugar control, persistent high blood pressure (however some studies do not find this correlation to be very strong), genetic factors, and certain ethnicities.

pointEarly Warning Signs

Kidney issues often present subtle symptoms initially. People with diabetes should remain vigilant for signs like swelling in the ankles, feet, or hands, reduced urine output, persistent fatigue, difficulty in concentrating, and nausea. Regular medical check-ups are crucial as they can detect these symptoms early, improving the prognosis.

pointPrevention and Management

For those with diabetes, the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” holds. To ward off kidney-related risks, it’s pivotal to maintain optimal blood sugar levels, adhere to prescribed medications, regularly monitor kidney function, and adopt a healthy lifestyle—including a balanced diet and regular exercise.

pointMedical Interventions

Several medical interventions can halt or slow down the progression of kidney damage. Medications, especially those that manage blood pressure, play a crucial role. Specific treatments target the underlying mechanisms of diabetic nephropathy, offering hope to many diagnosed with this condition.

pointThe Role of Research

Research is the beacon of hope in our understanding of diabetes-induced kidney complications. It offers insights into prevention, management, and potential cures. Continuous studies and breakthroughs in the field provide a roadmap for improved patient care and better outcomes.

Diabetes-induced kidney complications, often referred to as diabetic nephropathy, represent a significant medical challenge. As the prevalence of diabetes grows globally, understanding its ramifications on kidney health becomes paramount. Research plays a pivotal role in this journey, acting as a guiding light for clinicians, patients, and stakeholders.

Solomon’s Contribution

As a proactive advocate for health research, SPRL has been instrumental in contributing blood and serum samples for vital medical research. Such contributions have propelled advancements in our knowledge of kidney diseases, potentially paving the way for novel treatments.

The samples provided by SPRL have proven invaluable for studies on kidney diseases. Researchers, using these samples, have been able to:

  • Identify Biomarkers: Biomarkers play a crucial role in understanding the early signs and progression of kidney diseases. Solomon’s samples have been instrumental in recognizing potential biomarkers that can predict the onset or the progression of the disease.
  • Study Genetic Factors: By analyzing the genetic material from Solomon’s contributions, scientists have been able to delve deeper into understanding the genetic predispositions and mutations that might be responsible for certain kidney conditions.
  • Develop Potential Treatments: The insights gleaned from Solomon’s samples have also been foundational in the laboratory’s exploration of novel treatments. This has opened the door for experimental drugs and therapies that target the root causes or mitigate the symptoms of kidney diseases.

Encouraging Blood Donation

The act of donating blood is not just life-saving in emergencies. It also fuels medical research, potentially leading to groundbreaking discoveries about diabetes and kidney failure. By contributing to this cause, individuals can play a part in the broader effort to combat these conditions.

Conclusion

The connection between diabetes and kidney failure is profound and intricate. While the risks are real, knowledge and timely action can significantly reduce them. Prioritizing regular check-ups, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and considering acts like blood donation can make a world of difference in both personal health and the broader medical community.

Solomon Park Research Laboratories specializes in the provision of critical biological samples to research institutions. While our expertise does not focus directly on diabetes research, we play an integral role in supporting it. We supply laboratories with blood, plasma, serum, and urine samples and pools. These samples are instrumental for recipient labs, allowing them to benchmark experimental findings against materials derived from both diseased and normal donors. This is essential for studies on a multitude of disease states, including diabetes.

Our unique advantage lies in our sourcing and processing. The samples we provide are obtained directly from donors at our facility, ensuring both authenticity and quality. Once drawn, these samples are swiftly processed into a final product. Collaborating closely with research laboratories, we address specific needs, ranging from the meticulous processing of samples to the detailed analysis of desired analytes. In many cases, we offer specialized results emanating from accredited reference laboratories.

The materials we supply stand out in the research community. They grant researchers access to dependable and established results, often surpassing what’s obtainable from standard laboratories. In essence, Solomon Park Research Laboratories bridges the gap, equipping researchers with premium samples that drive forward groundbreaking scientific investigations.

Contact an SPRL representative today to learn more.

The Link Between Diabetes and Anemia Exploring the Connection

The Link Between Diabetes and Anemia: Exploring the Connection

In the labyrinth of human health, some paths cross more often than others. One such intersection exists between diabetes and anemia. Understanding this link is not just pivotal for those living with diabetes but also for anyone who advocates for better healthcare and wellness. In this article, we will take an in-depth look into the connection between diabetes and anemia, discussing how these conditions interact, affect the body, and how they can be managed.

Health is a complex mosaic of interconnected systems and functions, and sometimes, a problem in one area can have a ripple effect on another. This phenomenon is evident in the relationship between diabetes and anemia. Although they may seem unrelated, research indicates a significant correlation between them.

pointUnderstanding Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) due to the body’s inability to produce sufficient insulin (Type 1 Diabetes) or its failure to use insulin effectively (Type 2 Diabetes). Insulin is a hormone that allows cells to utilize glucose for energy. Without it, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, leading to potential long-term complications affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.

pointUnderstanding Anemia

Anemia, on the other hand, is a condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, the molecule within these cells that carries oxygen. When one has anemia, the body’s tissues receive insufficient oxygen, leading to fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Several types of anemia exist, with the most common being iron-deficiency anemia.

pointSymptoms of Anemia

Symptoms of anemia can often go unnoticed as they are relatively subtle. They include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, and cognitive problems. If you have diabetes and experience these symptoms, it may be a good idea to get checked for anemia.

pointHow to Prevent Anemia

Preventing anemia involves maintaining a healthy diet rich in iron and vitamins, especially vitamin B12 and folic acid, which are essential for red blood cell production. Regular screenings and monitoring can also help detect and address anemia early.

pointHow Are Anemia and Diabetes Related?

Studies suggest that up to one-third of people with diabetes also have anemia. This statistic far exceeds the prevalence of anemia in the general population. But how does diabetes contribute to anemia?

pointDiabetes Complications Contributing to Anemia

Diabetes can lead to conditions such as kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), which inhibits the production of erythropoietin, a hormone necessary for red blood cell production. Consequently, fewer red blood cells are produced, leading to anemia.

pointCan Diabetes Medications Cause Anemia?

While not common, some diabetes medications can potentially contribute to anemia. Metformin, a popular drug for Type 2 diabetes, may interfere with vitamin B12 absorption, leading to anemia over time. However, this is typically seen only in long-term use.

pointHow Does Anemia Affect Blood Sugar Levels?

Anemia might make managing diabetes more challenging. Lack of oxygen in the body’s tissues can alter metabolism, potentially raising blood glucose levels. Therefore, controlling anemia can be a crucial part of managing diabetes.

pointHow Do You Treat Anemia With Diabetes?

Treating anemia in people with diabetes involves addressing the underlying cause. This could include supplementing iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid for nutritional anemia or erythropoiesis-stimulating agents for anemia related to chronic kidney disease. It’s essential that individuals with diabetes and anemia consult their healthcare provider for a personalized treatment plan.

pointThe Importance of Early Diagnosis

Identifying the link between diabetes and anemia at an early stage is crucial. The combination of these two conditions can increase the risk of hospitalizations, cardiovascular disease, and a decrease in physical capacity and quality of life. However, it’s often overlooked due to the overlapping symptoms of both diseases, making it even more essential to raise awareness and educate patients and healthcare providers alike about this connection.

pointUnderstanding the Risks

A deeper comprehension of the risks associated with having both diabetes and anemia can provide a clearer picture of why it’s vital to manage both conditions simultaneously. For instance, both diseases independently increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Together, their impact is even more profound, with studies suggesting that patients with both diabetes and anemia are more likely to experience heart failure and other cardiovascular complications.

Moreover, there’s evidence suggesting that the presence of anemia in people with diabetes can exacerbate other diabetic complications. For example, anemia can further compromise kidney function in patients with diabetic nephropathy, leading to a more rapid progression toward end-stage renal disease.

blood-testThe Diagnostic Process

Diagnosing anemia in diabetes is similar to diagnosing it in individuals without diabetes. It involves blood tests to check hemoglobin levels and other red blood cell indices. In addition, doctors may recommend tests to examine the kidneys’ function, as kidney disease is a common cause of anemia in those with diabetes.

However, because symptoms of anemia often overlap with the general symptoms of diabetes, such as fatigue and weakness, it’s vital that healthcare professionals maintain a high index of suspicion, especially when managing patients with poor diabetes control or those with diabetic complications.

Healthcare ProvidersThe Role of Healthcare Providers

Healthcare providers play a pivotal role in managing patients with both diabetes and anemia. They must ensure patients are educated about the importance of regular monitoring and the potential complications of both diseases. Additionally, healthcare providers should stress the significance of adhering to medication regimens and maintaining a balanced diet to prevent nutrient deficiencies that could lead to anemia.

patient empowermentPatient Empowerment

Empowering patients to participate actively in their healthcare can significantly enhance the management of diabetes and anemia. Encourage self-monitoring of blood glucose and provide education on recognizing anemia symptoms. In addition, promoting regular exercise, a healthy diet, and a strong support system can go a long way in helping patients better manage their health.

linkTakeaway/Helpful Resources

Understanding the connection between diabetes and anemia can empower individuals to manage their health better. Regular screenings for anemia, especially for those with diabetes, can lead to early detection and treatment, thus improving overall health and quality of life. Websites such as the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) offer an abundance of resources for those seeking more information about these conditions.

Diabetes and anemia, two seemingly distinct health issues, are intertwined. Addressing them holistically can pave the way for better health outcomes and improved quality of life. As science continues to unravel the intricate connections within our bodies, one thing becomes increasingly clear: our health is an interconnected web. Isolated treatment of symptoms without understanding their cause and interconnectedness leads to less effective healthcare. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the interplay between diseases like diabetes and anemia allows us to navigate the healthcare labyrinth more successfully, leading to improved patient outcomes and, ultimately, healthier lives.

Please visit the following links for more information:

external-link Diabetes and Anemia: Know Your Risks and the Warning Signs (webmd.com)
external-link Anemia and Diabetes: What You Should Know (healthline.com)
external-link Diabetes and Anemia: Are They Related? (thediabetescouncil.com)

blood-donationDonating Blood After a Diabetes Diagnosis

Receiving a chronic illness diagnosis can be a scary time for some, often leaving you with numerous worries and unanswered questions. A diabetes diagnosis can substantially influence your daily routines, so it’s crucial to take an active role, and contributing to research through blood donation is a practical and impactful step benefiting both you and others in similar situations.

Your participation in research studies aids clinicians and scientists in developing faster diagnostic methods to enhance patient outcomes and discover new treatments, aiming ultimately at preventing and curing the disease.

If you’re wondering how you can assist others suffering from the same illness as yours, the solution is straightforward – you can contribute to research advancements by donating blood today!

Biological Products for ResearchAbout Solomon Park Research Laboratories

Solomon Park has been supplying top-quality frozen serum and plasma products globally since 1984, procuring these from donors with known analyte values and shipping them fresh or frozen. Utilizing a process developed with the CDC, the products from their draw center in Burien, Washington, are highly accurate and used for quality controls, standards, proficiency testing, and white-label calibrators creation while also offering ultra-low temperature storage with redundant power protection for longitudinal studies.

Understanding whole blood, serum, and plasma

Understanding Whole Blood, Serum, and Plasma

Have you decided to donate blood for research? By donating blood for research purposes, you are contributing to the medical and scientific breakthroughs that may help patients who are suffering from heart diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancer in the future. Research institutions, biopharmaceutical companies, and hospitals rely on such donations for ongoing research.

Defining whole blood, plasma, and serum

The laboratory will take a sample of your whole blood when you donate blood for research. This contains plasma (the liquid component of the blood) and cellular elements including white blood cells and red blood cells (RBCs).

Human serum is the fluid that can be obtained when whole blood clots, which will spontaneously occur when it contacts a surface such as plastic or glass. Blood naturally clots to prevent excessive blood loss from minor wounds. Clotted blood and the cells are typically centrifuged to the bottom of a collection tube. This leaves the straw-colored liquid over the clot.

Meanwhile, plasma is the blood’s liquid component. It is obtained when an agent that prevents clotting is added to whole blood, then placed in a centrifuge. Plasma separation from blood occurs, particularly the cellular material from the layer of lighter liquid. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citrate, and heparin are the most commonly-used anticoagulant agents.

The main difference between serum and plasma is that plasma is liquid and serum is fluid. Most of their components are similar, but plasma has fibrinogen, a protein, which serum doesn’t have. Both can be extracted from blood using a centrifuge. However, serum is obtained only after the blood clots while plasma is obtainable before blood coagulates. Serum is often used for blood typing and diagnostic testing, while plasma helps address blood clotting issues.

How collected samples are used

Biological serum, plasma, and whole blood samples for lab analysis are usually collected in plastic or glass tubes that have been partially evacuated. This ensures that their internal air pressure is lower than the atmospheric pressure.

Color-coded polymer stoppers are used to indicate the contents of each tube. For example, plain tubes without anticoagulants have red stoppers. These are the tubes that are used to prepare serum after clotting and centrifugation.

Lavender or purple top tubes have EDTA in them and green tubes contain heparin. Collection tubes with blue stoppers contain citrate, but it’s more common to find citrate containing plasma as recovered plasma from blood donations.

When blood is donated for therapeutic purposes, the collecting agency ensures use within a month.

Outdated citrate plasma is an industrial commodity and it can be processed to provide components like the synthetic normal human serum, which is the starting point for most calibrators in commercial immunoassay products. Segments of tubing for transferring separated plasma from RBCs may be obtained from outdated plasma vendors. They have around 500 uL of plasma, which can be used for informal normal-range studies.

Laboratories typically set a time limit on how long plasma or serum remains in touch with RBCs before they’re physically separated, usually by pouring off into a different tube while maintaining the donor’s identity. This is necessary as RBCs can rupture down the line and the contents can interfere with many assays.

Donate blood for research

Solomon Park Research Laboratories supports the efforts of researchers and scientists by providing them with high-quality whole blood samples, picked carefully from our growing donor database.

We also provide the highest-quality pooled and individual human serum samples and plasma samples to the biotechnology and scientific industry, using fresh or immediately frozen samples. Our lab has the know-how and technology to formulate custom pooled batches of biological serum to ensure the perfect samples for any research application.

If you need blood for research, get in touch with us for our Same Day Whole Blood Acquisition Service.

If you would like to donate blood for research, make an appointment today.

check_to_see_if_your_thyroid_is_causing_you_problems

Check to See if Your Thyroid is Causing You Problems

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland found at the base of your neck. It’s responsible for producing the thyroid hormone, which is one of the most important hormones that influence how your body functions. An imbalance in thyroid hormone levels can impact many aspects of your body, such as your weight, energy level, mood, bowels, metabolism, bones, and cholesterol levels. It can also affect menstrual cycles in women.

More than 12 percent of Americans have a thyroid condition—but many of them don’t see the signs until it’s too late. You may already have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism and may not even know it.

There are two types of thyroid problems: hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism

All kinds of hyperthyroidism are caused by an overproduction of thyroid hormones. This overproduction can happen in several ways:

  • Toxic adenomas – Nodules grow in the thyroid gland and secrete thyroid hormones to upset the chemical balance of the body.
  • Graves’ disease – Overproduction of thyroid hormone
  • Subacute thyroiditis – An acute inflammatory disease caused by a viral infection. The thyroid where the gland ‘leaks’ excess hormones swells up, causing temporary hyperthyroidism for a few weeks or months.
  • Cancerous growths or pituitary gland malfunctions – Although rarely, hyperthyroidism may occur because of these reasons.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is the opposite of hyperthyroidism. It is characterized by underproduction of the thyroid hormone. Reduced levels of hormone production usually lead to low energy levels. Here are the causes of hypothyroidism:

  • Thyroid gland removal – Chemically destroyed or surgically removed.
  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – An autoimmune disorder where the body attacks the thyroid tissue, which eventually dies and ceases hormone production.
  • Exposure to too much iodine – Sinus and cold medicines, amiodarone (a heart medicine), and certain dyes for X-rays may introduce excessive amounts of iodine to your body and result in a hypothyroid, especially if you have had any thyroid issues before.
  • Lithium – Commonly used to treat bipolar disorder, which also inhibits thyroid release. This drug is also known to cause hypothyroidism.

If left untreated for extended periods, the condition could cause myxedema coma. Albeit rare, it’s a potentially fatal condition that calls for immediate hormone treatment.

Signs and symptoms

Most people don’t realize that they have a thyroid problem until they notice an enlargement at the base of their neck, difficulty swallowing, or discomfort. You might want to get yourself checked by a doctor if you experience these signs and symptoms:

  • Fatigue
  • Intolerance to cold
  • Weakness
  • Constipation
  • Muscle aches and cramps
  • Difficulty losing or gaining weight
  • Poor appetite
  • Dry, rough skin
  • Hair loss or coarse hair
  • Swelling of the face and eyes
  • A hoarse or deeper voice
  • Heavy or irregular menstrual periods
  • An enlarged tongue
  • Memory loss
  • Depression
  • Increased blood cholesterol levels
  • Slowed mental activity and thinking
  • Poor concentration
  • Irritability
  • Nervousness, agitation, or tremors
  • Palpitations
  • Reduced menstrual blood flow
  • Heat intolerance
  • Changes in bowel habits (e.g., more frequent)
  • Skin thinning
  • Increase in appetite
  • Brittle hair
  • Sweating

Were you recently diagnosed with a thyroid problem? Are you currently experiencing any of the signs and symptoms mentioned above? If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions, please consider reaching out to Solomon Park to donate and help our researchers find advanced cures and medications to treat thyroid conditions.

Reference Values for Blood Testing

The Evolving Role of Commutability & using Reference Values for Blood Testing

Laboratory measurements need to be accurate to ensure that patients receive the best care and disease management solutions. This is why material needs to be commutable before it is used as ‘reference’ material.

What does ‘reference’ mean?

The meaning of ‘reference’ will depend on how it is used:

  • Most laboratories perform medical testing, but if a requested test needs accuracy beyond its capabilities, they outsource the testing to a ‘reference’ laboratory. 
  • These ‘reference’ laboratories conduct tests that have high accuracy using what called a ‘reference’ procedure. These procedures are analyte specific, and recognized globally by the industry as yielding a reference value. For example, reference values for cholesterol are determined using the Abell-Kendall testing method. However, reference procedures can change; a method called mass spectrophotometry (or mass spec) is gradually replacing the Abell-Kendall method for testing cholesterol.  
  • ‘Reference’ value can also refer to the population’s usual analyte values. Using a large data set obtained from a diverse population, a lab can determine the typical analyte level in the healthy adult population. Ranges for these reference values may vary slightly among different laboratories due to slightly different methods and donor populations. 

What is commutability?

Commutability simply means that a sample will yield the same results using any procedure, instrument, reagent or method. As simple as this sounds, commutability remains a major problem for many analytes, especially lipids.

The importance of commutable quality measures

Lab results must be traced back to a reference system and standardized measurements to ensure accuracy. This is done by reference laboratory evaluations using commutable material. 

Fortunately, state-of-the-art laboratories are capable of providing commutable serum for blood research and for studying analytes via a process known as C37-A, the original procedure formulated by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. This procedure is also reported in many journals and is used in many different studies.

Solomon Park Research Laboratories (SPRL) is a major manufacturer of commutable materials. We produce truly commutable serum, plasma, whole blood and urine for testing using the C37-A procedure

Lyophilized calibrators and controls used to be the industry standard. However, these samples have been found to be unreliable in providing accurate results due to analytes not fully dissolving. Our commutable materials, in contrast, allow labs to produce more accurate results. 

Our mission is to manufacture quality calibrators and control measures to ensure all labs have the most accurate results as possible. SPRL prides itself in creating materials according to the highest quality standards. Please reach out to us to learn about how we can assist your studies.

What You Need to Know about Covid-19 variants

According to the results of Mayo Clinic’s study of more than 35,000 COVID-19 patients, those who received a convalescent plasma donation within 3 days of diagnosis only had an 8.7% death rate the following week. However, patients that received the transfusion 4 or more days after diagnosis, had an 11.9% death rate during the following week. This difference meets the standards for statistical significance, indicating that convalescent plasma donation is helpful in COVID-19 treatment.

This is why the FDA granted an Emergency Use Authorization for convalescent plasma as COVID-19 treatment in August 2020. But with the virus mutating, you may be wondering: Is antibody-rich convalescent plasma still effective?

SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants continue to emerge and circulate around the world. Learning about the existing COVID-19 variants can help you understand how they occur and how scientists determine the best possible detection methods, treatments, and preventive measures against them. One of the ways you can help scientists learn more about these variants and how they may evolve is donating blood for research.

Why mutations happen and how these are spreading quickly

It is in the nature of viruses to constantly mutate, especially those with RNA as their genetic material, like COVD-19.

Here’s how it happens: When SARS-CoV-2 goes into your body, it sticks to one of your cells and its RNA enters the cell where it can make copies of itself and hijack ample amounts of your cells without being removed by your immune system. Mutation occurs during the copying process of the virus.

Mutations are typically small and won’t significantly affect how the virus works. In fact, they can make the virus weaker in some cases. However, there are times when a mutation enables the virus to copy itself more quickly and get into cells more easily.

Types of COVID-19 variants

SARS-CoV-2 variants are currently grouped into three categories:

  • Variant of interest,
  • Variant of concern, and
  • The variant of high consequence.

A variant’s status may deescalate or escalate depending on the mutation, making continued research essential to identifying and controlling variants. As of writing, there are currently no variants that are considered ‘high consequence.’

Variants of interest

A variant of interest has specific genetic markers that may affect diagnostics, transmission, immune escape, or therapeutics. It has the potential to lead to unique outbreak clusters or cases, so it may require one or more suitable public health actions. This includes enhanced laboratory characterization and enhanced sequence surveillance to identify its spread patterns, its severity, efficacy of existing vaccines against it, and the efficacy of therapeutics.

These are the current variants of interest in the US that are being monitored:

  • Eta (20A/S:484K), first identified in UK and Nigeria in December 2020
  • Iota (20C/S:484K), first identified in New York (USA) in November 2020
  • Kappa (20A/S:154K), first identified in India in December 2020
  • 20A, first identified in India in October 2020

Variants of concern

These variants have evidence of high transmissibility and more severe disease, as well as a significant reduction in neutralization by antibodies from vaccination or previous infection. They also have a higher tendency to escape diagnostic detection:

  • Alpha (20I/501Y.V1), first identified in the UK
  • Beta (20H/501.V2), first identified in South Africa
  • Delta (21A/S:478K), first identified in India
  • Gamma (20J/501Y.V3), first identified in Japan/Brazil

Covid Variant

Can new variants undermine the vaccines?

The fast spread of COVID-19 variants continues to affect society, with governments attempting to contain them through heightened surveillance, border restrictions, and lockdowns. There is also a growing concern that they could reduce the immune responses triggered by a previous infection and by vaccines.

Researchers continue to probe the different variants and their constituent mutations in the cell and animal models of SARS-CoV-2, testing them against the antibodies induced by natural infections and vaccines. A preprint released by a virology team at the University of Texas Medical Branch on January 8, 2021 found that the mutation shared by the variants from UK and South Africa did not impact the effectiveness of the Pfizer or BioNTech vaccines.

How labs are working out

COVID-19 variants will continue to mutate. There is no definite answer on whether the current vaccines will continue to provide protection against these changes or not.

However, scientists, researchers, laboratories, and vaccine manufacturers are working hard to detect and understand significant mutations and the best possible treatments and preventive measures against them. The scientific community is also working to design new diagnostic tests that can effectively detect and identify these new variants.

SPRL is supporting the research studies of those studying the new COVID-19 variants

You can help researchers study the new COVID-19 variants—particularly their behavior and genomes—with convalescent plasma donation. Convalescent plasma studies are also crucial in determining the antibody response of infected people to the virus, and ultimately, in finding a cure or an antidote.

Are you researching the COVID-19 variants? Feel free to reach out to us to get materials for your study. We would love to hear from you and help you with your research, so don’t hesitate to reach out. We are also encouraging those who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate blood for research at SPRL, so we can continue finding solutions that could help save more lives down the line.

Calibrators Controls

Calibrators Controls Analytes Proficiencies and C37a

No matter what field you are in, if you run an instrument that measures anything—the speed of a car on a radar gun, the heat of an oven that bakes perfect pizzas or, in our case, the amount of cholesterol (or other analytes) in a vial of serum; you need to do a few things to “prove” you are measuring what you think you are measuring correctly.

Calibrators: A calibrator does what it says—it calibrates an instrument. As a researcher in Germany, I used to set up experiments that measured how much of an analyte I had in a sample of pig’s brain (among other things). The first thing I had to do was to set up a calibration curve for my measuring instrument. I used to have three points of known analyte concentrations—why three? Well, I wanted an upper limit and a lower limit and somewhere in the middle. That way I could plot all three on a graph with readings along the vertical axis and amount of protein along the horizontal axis and hopefully get a straight line going through the readings.

I would usually get something like this: Chart, line chart Description automatically generated

  1. If you add a trendline, the data points will make a straight line (sort of).
  2. If you extend the line down to the “X” axis, it will not go through zero but more like 75 or so.

What can we learn from this? Well, not all readings, even with the best care and set up, will line up perfectly and even when they do, it is rare that they will do so all the way to zero. But still, if I keep the “unknowns” I am reading between say 200 and 450 on my reading scale, I will be close to getting the right answer.

So, does it surprise you that most modern clinical chemistry analyzers only use one calibrator to set their machines? The second reading is assumed to be zero! If we do this and use the high x, we get the graph below. Something to think about.

Chart, scatter chart Description automatically generated

OK—but if you are a clinical chemist or technician, you will want a nice high calibrator of the analyte you are looking to measure. Then all you must do is keep your concentrations in a range to give you readings of the calibrator and zero (preferably closer to the calibrator than to zero).

So—a calibrator is a solution that will give you a high reading of an analyte you want to measure. You use it to set the upper reading you can use in your work and in the case of most modern clinical chemistry analyzers will assume that the zero reading is OK.

Controls: A control is a sample with a known value that you run with your patients or donors’ samples. You now have an internal check of how close your unknown samples are to being correct when you compare your control readings with what they should be. If the controls all pass you can call your run, “in control.” If you go to the official US government CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment-88) website, it will give you a list of the analytes in most laboratories and what range of errors you are allowed to make when running patients or donors etc. for these different analytes. There are also rules on how many controls to run and how often etc.

Proficiency Testing: Still, with your own calibrators and your own controls, the government doesn’t completely trust you to give out the right answers (the power of the profit motive). So, in the US if you are running donor or patient serum or plasma or urine and report analyte values to them or their doctors for diagnostic purposes etc. you must also pass relevant proficiency surveys or proficiency tests. In these tests an outside organization sends you samples that are analyzed elsewhere and you test the samples as unknowns and submit your values to the agency that is testing you.

One of the barriers to standardizing results from different laboratories has been the variety of instruments and reagents that different laboratories use to generate patient results.

Early on, this forced proficiency testing and regulatory agencies to establish procedures to judge a laboratory’s results. One obvious method of comparison was to establish peer groups among laboratories being tested. The user of a particular instrument would be judged against other laboratories using the same instruments and reagents. However, laboratories with older or esoteric instruments would be graded with very small peer groups, sometimes only themselves, which made them essentially not graded. In addition, the differences between peer groups could vary widely depending on the analyte being tested. That is an individual tested on one instrument could vary by a significant amount when compared to that same individual being tested on another instrument.

Essentially, two things needed to happen before these surveys could be compared across all instruments and reagents.

Reference Procedures: First, there needed to be a clear method (a gold standard for setting a test’s value) for any analyte that would give a value that transcended any instrument or reagent. There are a few laboratories for some analytes that are certified as reference sites. A good example of this is the CRMLN (Cholesterol Reference Method Laboratory Network) laboratory system monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Commutable Source: Second, a commutable source of material that could be measured by all instruments and get the same result needed to be developed. Commutable simply means that all instruments or methods used to measure this analyte would get the same result when using the commutable source. This was provided for some time by the simple procedure of sending out fresh patient samples to laboratories by overnight or local delivery services. A good example of this would be the CDC’s Cholesterol Certification Program where 6 fresh patient samples exhibiting a wide range of cholesterol values were sent to laboratories and the analyses were graded by the CDC for each laboratory against the reference values set at the CDC by the reference procedure.

There were many practical problems with this method, most important being that only a limited number of laboratories could be serviced at any one time with fresh material. The only other source of samples for proficiency testing was lyophilized serum (serum that has been freeze-dried then rehydrated by the laboratory before use) which presented many problems such as mixing, solubility and correctly adding the specified amount of water to the lyophilized sample.

To solve these problems, in the late 1990s the CDC and Solomon Park Research Laboratories and several other agencies produced two pools with high and low levels of cholesterol processed by the method described in the CLSI C37-A procedure. Materials produced by this method are now used for the CDC’s LSP (Lipid Standardization Program) which evaluates approximately 100 laboratories worldwide. Serum produced by the C37-A procedure have also been used in several studies and reported in numerous journals.

Serum produced by the C37-A procedure is available at Solomon Park Research Laboratories.

If you have any questions, contact us today and we will be happy to answer.