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Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepam, clonazepam and lorazepam, are a class of drugs used to relieve symptoms of anxiety, panic attacks and seizures. They are usually safe when taken as prescribed and directed under a health professional’s supervision. However, benzodiazepines can sometimes cause adverse effects – especially if used improperly or in combination with substances like opioid pain relievers or alcohol. A new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that 32 percent of hospital emergency department visits involving benzodiaz..

Workforce Drug Test Positivity Rate Increases for the First Time in 10 Years, Driven by Marijuana and Amphetamines, Finds Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index™ Analysis of Employment Drug Tests   Madison, N.J., September 11, 2014 – The percentage of positive drug tests among American workers has increased for the first time in more than a decade, fueled by a rise in marijuana and amphetamines, according to an analysis of 8.5 million urine, oral fluid and hair workplace drug test results released today by Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world’s leading provider of diagnost..

Hospital emergency department visits related to the use of the illicit drug methamphetamine rose from 67,954 in 2007 to 102,961 in 2011 according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).   Overall, there were 1,252,500 visits to hospital emergency departments linked to the use of all illicit drugs.   Methamphetamine, or meth, has a high potential for abuse and addiction and can cause a wide array of potentially harmful intoxicating effects, including altered judgment and reduced inhibitions, leading to unsafe behaviors. T..

Advantages and Disadvantages of Polyclonal and Monoclonal Antibodies Polyclonal antibodies Monoclonal antibodies Inexpensive to produce Expensive to produce Technology required is low High technology required Skills required are low  Training is required for the technology use Time scale is short ..

Lateral flow tests also known as Lateral Flow Immunochromatographic Assays are simple devices intended to detect the presence (or absence) of a target analyte in sample (matrix) without the need for specialized and costly equipment, though many lab based applications exist that are supported by reading equipment. Typically, these tests are used for medical diagnostics either for home testing, point of care testing, or laboratory use. A widely spread and well known application is the home pregnancy test. The technology is based on a series of capillary beds, such as pieces of porou..

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a test that uses antibodies and color change to identify a substance. ELISA is a popular format of a "wet-lab" type analytic biochemistry assay that uses a solid-phase enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to detect the presence of a substance, usually an antigen, in a liquid sample or wet sample. The ELISA has been used as a diagnostic tool in medicine and plant pathology, as well as a quality-control check in various industries. Antigens from the sample are attached to a surface. Then, a further specific antibody is applied over the surface so it ..