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NEQAS Annual Scientific Meeting The NEQAS Blood Coagulation Annual Scientific Meeting, held in Sheffield on 8th and 9th September 2010, was as usual very well attended and received. As a company it gave us a great opportunity to catch up with our customers and to sit in on the lectures to keep our knowledge fresh. Whilst all the lectures were excellent, two were of particular interest to us as they related to key product areas:'Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia' by Andreas Greinacher The mechanisms and complications associated with HIT were outlined. It was suggested that the best way to diagnose HIT is to combine the '4T' pretest probability score with laboratory testing. Laboratory diagnosis using Ag tests and functional assays were discussed. It was shown that the anti-PF4/Heparin IgG response occurs at the same time as the IgM response. These, along with the fact that the IgG isotype is the most clinically significant, means tests detecting IgG only are preferable. Whilst functional assays are the 'gold standard' laboratory test, anti-PF4/Heparin IgG EIA's are excellent for ruling out HIT. HIA Assay Information 'Monitoring New Anticoagulants' by Steve Kitchen The presentation focused on the new oral anticoagulants rivaroxaban and dabigatran, which are considered to be safer and more effective than existing anticoagulants in use. Whilst routine monitoring is agreed to be unnecessary for these newer drugs, some patients may need to have their clotting status or drug levels tested. The effects of these drugs on traditional clotting tests was shown, it was suggested that specific assays are needed to accurately determine the concentration of the drugs. Antithrombotic drug management flier In September 2010 amongst the dreaming spires of Oxford's Magdalen College the topic of 'Micro and Nanovesicles in Health and Disease' was explored. This two day meeting was organised by Professor Ian Sargent and Dr Paul Harrison of Oxford University. Delegates from around the world were present to listen to researchers and companies involved in this exciting area talking about what could be measured and how. Presentations were given on microparticles and tissue factor, exosome biology, various activity assays, flow cytometry, atomic force microscopy, microparticles in cancer and pre-eclampsia. It seems that measurement of particles by current methods may only be looking at the tip of the iceberg and many fascinating areas have yet to be explored with new sizing and activity assays on their way. Amongst a number of prestigious speakers Jean Amiral, from Hyphen Diagnostics, gave a presentation about Microparticles and ways to measure them. Jean Amiral Presentation It was a thoroughly enjoyable, if somewhat mind-bending meeting. Exhibitions and Meetings for 2011 2011is a landmark year for Quadratech as it is our 20th Birthday. The company was founded in 1991 and has continued to grow and thrive over the intervening years, to the company you know today. We plan to be around for many years to come, continuing to provide you with the high quality products and customer service you have come to expect.Our calender for 2011 is already filling up with meetings and exhibitions that Quadratech will either be attending or participating, so come along to say hello and have a chat. April 2011 1st - 3rd WAM, Southampton WAM 12th - 14th CVN, Harrogate CVN September 2011 26th - 28th IBMS Congress, Birmingham IBMS
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