News & Blog
Anti GAD ELISA in Diabetes Research
Friday 4th November 2016
Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is an auto antigen which is thought to be one of the main factors involved in triggering specific autoimmune reactions towards pancreatic beta cells, the cells which produce Insulin within the pancreas. Around 80% of patients with recent onset type I diabetes mellitus have anti GAD antibodies within the serum, and it can also be found in those patients defined as 'pre diabetic'. [Jun et al. 2002, Sørgjerd et al. 2015]. Although Anti GAD can be found in individuals who are not diabetic and have no signs of being likely to develop diabetes, a study in 2015 [Sørgjerd et al.] looked at the presence of anti GAD in patients who are 'persistently non diabetic' and found that…
Evidence of VivaChek accuracy published in Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology
Thursday 6th October 2016
We are pleased to hear that a paper has been published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology demonstrating the accuracy of the VivaChek Blood Glucose Monitoring System (SMBG). Samples from 104 patients were tested with three different lots of VivaChek Ino test strips versus the gold standard laboratory YSI2300 STAT PLUS system. (1) The study concludes that the VivaChek Ino SMBG system exceeds the minimum analytical and clinical accuracy requirements stipulated by ISO 15197:2013 across the range of low, medium and high levels of blood glucose. (1) Bernd Hehmke, PhD, Sabine Berg, PhD, and Eckhard Salzsieder, PhD (2016) Accuracy Evaluation of a CE-Marked Glucometer System for Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose With Three Reagent Lots Following ISO 15197:2013. J Diabetes Sci…
Insulin resistance and adiponectin
Wednesday 21st September 2016
Adiponectin is one of the "bioactive molecules" which is released by adipose tissue, its role is in the regulation of glucose and lipids. [Aleidi et al. 2015] It is known that obesity often accompanies insulin resistance and so initial studies looked at secretory proteins related to adipose tissue in order to understand further the links between central obesity and problems such as insulin resistance. The study by Arita et al.[1999] found that the mean "plasma concentration of adiponectin in non obese subjects was 8.9 ±5.4 mg/ml, whereas the mean in obese subjects was much lower at 3.7± 3.2 mg/ml. A strong negative correlation was observed between plasma adiponectin levels and body mass indices (BMIs) in both men and women". Early research…
Self monitoring of blood glucose in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Wednesday 17th August 2016
The most recent guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on the management of type 2 diabetes in adults recommends that there are specific patient groups who would benefit from self monitoring of their blood glucose levels in order to appropriately manage their condition. These patients include; those who are being treated with insulin, patients who have suffered hypoglycaemic episodes, if a patient is on oral medication which may increase their risk of hypoglycaemia during operating machinery or whilst driving, and also patients who are pregnant or planning on falling pregnant. Self testing is also recommended if a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus is started on corticosteroids, or to confirm suspected hypoglycaemia. [NICE 2015] Additional guidance has…
Brexit, Clinical Commissioning Groups and Medical Devices
Tuesday 2nd August 2016
The impact of the UK's vote to leave the EU could have major implications on the commissioning of health and social care by the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in England and Health Boards in Wales. The NHS is currently in deficit for the second year running; an analysis published in May by the regulator NHS Improvement showed the amount health trusts overspent by has gone from £0.85 billion in 2014/15 to £2.45 billion in 2015/16. CCGsBefore the referendum, HM Treasury stated that a vote to leave the EU would result in 'an immediate and profound economic shock, creating instability and uncertainty' and that in the longer term the UK 'would be permanently poorer' (HM Treasury 2016a, 2016b). This economic and political…
JRBiomedical at ABCD Driving Quality Outcomes in Diabetes Care
Thursday 23rd June 2016
JRBiomedical attended the Driving Quality Outcomes in Diabetes Care national workshop at the Kegworth Hotel and Conference Centre on the 24th June 2016. Four venues were linked through Skype which worked well and saved travelling time for many delegates in the North of England that would have had to travel to London. The event was attended by commissioners, clinicians, diabetes specialist nurses and other key stakeholders. The workshop topics included; Driving quality outcomes in type 1 diabetesDriving quality outcomes in type 2 diabetesCo-morbidity and frailty in people with diabetes: Why should you careWhat are the challenges and solutions for commissioners in diabetesCase examples of how to commission quality outcomes and value in diabetesDeveloping a service specification for type 1 diabetesHow to redefine integrated…
VivaChek Singapore and VivaChek India were established
Friday 8th April 2016
Recently, VivaChek Singapore and VivaChek India were established. VivaChek blood glucose meters were launched last year, and are available in over 30 countries around the world. The foundation of the VivaChek Singapore branch and VivaChek India branch will speed up the global reach of the VivaChek company. Most importantly, the positive feedback from customers all over the world regarding the reliability is very encouraging. From now on, with the foundation of new branch companies in Singapore and India, VivaChek will provide an even better service to its customers in these two countries. Since the establishment of VivaChek Inc, our quality system and production management are carried out in strict accordance with GMP, ISO and FDA QSR requirements. VivaChek takes advantage of…
JRBiomedical at the Pharmacy Show NEC Birmingham
Saturday 31st October 2015
In October 2015, JRBiomedical exhibited our range of pharmacy products at the Pharmacy Show located at the NEC in Birmingham. As well as speaking with current and prospective customers, wholesalers and pharmacy buyers we also had the opportunity to talk to other manufacturers and suppliers. Also visiting our stand was the Sales Director of Motility Count ApS, who flew in from Denmark for the day to support the UK launch of their SwimCount male fertility test. Our thanks to the organisers of the show and the helpful team on site that provided the resources required to make our visit a success.