According to research presented at a scientific workshop hosted by Abbott Laboratories (Abbott Park, Illinois) at the annual meeting of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (Washington), a new diagnostic marker, called urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), for early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized patients, can distinguish AKI from other forms of kidney dysfunction and save lives by preventing kidney failure. AKI is a common and potentially devastating illness in hospitalized patients. Onset is rapid and can result from trauma, sepsis or administration of medications toxic to the kidneys. AKI also can occur following cardiothoracic surgery or as a complication of diabetes and other chronic conditions. AKI reduces the ability of the kidneys to filter waste and leads to renal failure. Urine NGAL is produced by the kidney tubules and appears in urine just two to four hours following AKI, up to 46 hours sooner than biomarkers detected by current testing methods. Abbott's diagnostic division specializes in in vitro diagnostics.

Atherotech (Birmingham, Alabama) said that its VAP cholesterol test is now included in Biophysical Corporation's newly released health assessment, BiophysicalCheck. This means that the VAP test, with its ability to identify far more areas of risk than the standard lipid panel, will now be available in Biophysical's biomarker-based health assessment. The BiophysicalCheck is based on the technology used in the company's test, the Biophysical250. This test has been called "The Ultimate Blood Test" by Scientific American and has been featured on highly-rated U.S. syndicated talk shows. The VAP test directly measures LDL and has been shown to identify a far greater number of patients with lipid abnormalities than the standard lipid panel (cholesterol and triglyceride test). The test also reports 15 separate components versus four in the standard cholesterol test. Artherotech is a cardio-diagnostic company.

Osteotech (Eatontown, New Jersey) reported that the FDA has cleared its 510(k) submission for Plexur M biocomposite for use in spinal applications. Plexur M may be used in conjunction with autograft as a bone void filler. Plexur Technology is designed to use bone tissue for procedure-specific surgical applications in combination with a variety of polymers. Osteotech makes biologic solutions for regenerative healing.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (Waltham, Massachusetts) showcased a range of solutions for clinical applications at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry's 2008 Annual Meeting. Among the technologies, products and capabilities featured to support Clinical Laboratory Excellence, were: MGC 240 Analyzer (compact bench-top analyzer offers a broad range of immunoassays with multiple channels of up to 24 two-reagent tests); PRIME Clinical Chemistry Analyzers (PRIME random access clinical chemistry analyzer); Quantitative Microsphere System (drugs-of-abuse screening and therapeutic drug management); NanoDrop 1000 Spectrophotometer (capable of carrying out full UV-Vis absorbance measurements with only 1 ul of undiluted sample); Fluoro-Max Fluorescent Streptavidin-Coated Particles (streptavidin fluorescent particles are monodisperse particles prepared by unique and proprietary emulsion polymerization methods). Thermo Fisher Scientific offers products in two brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific.