👋🏾 Hello, my little Gang of Nasties! I’m really glad you’re here. This space was made specifically for students and future lab professionals who are trying to study smarter, stay motivated, and finally pass the ASCP exam without losing their minds. Whether you’re still in school, prepping for boards, or coming back after a break—this is your space. 👇 Introduce yourself to our FREE Community: 1. What’s your name? 2. Where are you in your lab journey (Student? Graduated already?) 3. Which department is your biggest struggle? 4. Which department is your favorite? I’ll go first… My name is Marilyn, aka @marilynthescientist 👩🏾‍🔬 I’m a Clinical/Medical Laboratory Scientist with 10 years of experience in the field. 💉 I’ve worked everywhere—from tiny Critical Access Hospitals to busy Level 1 Trauma Centers. 🧳 6 of those years were spent traveling across the U.S. 🩸 Currently, I’m holding it down as a Blood Bank Supervisor in California. This space is here for us to learn, laugh, rant, and master the lab world together. No dumb questions, EVER! 📲 Follow me on socials if you want extra lab tips, rants, and ratchet breakdowns: Instagram | TikTok 🧬 If you ever have questions—even the “silly” ones—DM me or post them in the group. 😤💅🏾

FREE LIVE STUDY SESSION EVENING📚🧪 - December 19 VIEW RECORDING - 162 mins (No highlights) Meeting Purpose Review the coagulation cascade and practice ASCP exam questions. Key Takeaways - Coagulation Cascade Basics: The intrinsic pathway (12, 11, 9, 8) handles internal vessel damage and is monitored by aPTT/PTT. The extrinsic pathway (3, 7) handles external tissue damage and is monitored by PT/INR. Both converge at the common pathway (10, 5, 2, 1). - Vitamin K-Dependent Factors: Factors II, VII, IX, and X require vitamin K for synthesis. Warfarin inhibits vitamin K, blocking these factors. Proteins C and S, natural anticoagulants, are also vitamin K-dependent. - Key Diagnostic Tests:Mixing Studies: Differentiate factor deficiencies (corrects) from inhibitors (does not correct).Bethesda Assay: Quantifies inhibitor strength after a mixing study indicates an inhibitor is present.Reptilase Time: Distinguishes heparin contamination (normal result) from a fibrinogen disorder (prolonged result) when thrombin time is prolonged. - Complex Concepts for Memorization:Lupus Anticoagulant (LA) Detection: Tests using low-phospholipid reagents (KCT, DRVVT, DTT) are more sensitive to LA because the antibody has fewer targets to bind, causing a larger effect.Time-Temperature-Dependent Inhibitors: These inhibitors (e.g., Factor VIII inhibitors) cause a mixing study to correct immediately, but then prolong again after incubation as the inhibitor activates. Topics Coagulation Cascade Fundamentals - Purpose: Form a blood clot to prevent hemorrhage. - Intrinsic Pathway (Internal Damage):Triggered by blood contact with a damaged vessel or foreign surface.Factors: XII → XI → IX → VIII.Monitored by: aPTT/PTT.Inhibited by: Heparin. - Extrinsic Pathway (External Damage):Triggered by tissue damage.Factors: III (Tissue Factor) → VII.Monitored by: PT/INR.Inhibited by: Warfarin. - Common Pathway:Convergence point for both pathways.Factors: X → V → II (Prothrombin) → IIa (Thrombin) → I (Fibrinogen) → Ia (Fibrin) → XIIIa (Stabilized Fibrin). - Vitamin K-Dependent Factors:Require vitamin K for synthesis: II, VII, IX, X.Proteins C and S (natural anticoagulants) are also vitamin K-dependent.Warfarin inhibits vitamin K, blocking these factors. - Factor XIII (Fibrin-Stabilizing Factor):Stabilizes the final fibrin clot.Deficiency is indicated by a clot dissolving in a 5 molar urea test.

Hi, I'm studying for ASCP EXAM, I REALLY WANTS TO PASS IT THIS TIME!

Greetings Gang 😈🤪 HERE IS THE RECAP OF MONDAY'S LIVE STUDY SESSION ‼️✨There is another one tomorrow evening at 3PM PST/4PM MST/5PM CST/6PM EST https://fathom.video/share/DTxwmHy1sLVpYaFTAkb53canXdH-9NMC VIEW RECORDING - 88 mins (No highlights) Meeting Purpose Review ASCP practice questions across multiple lab disciplines. Key Takeaways - Lewis Antigens are Adsorbed: Lewis antigens are unique because they are not intrinsic to RBCs; they are passively adsorbed from plasma. This key distinction from other blood groups is a common exam point. - Yersinia enterocolitica is a Transfusion Risk: This organism's ability to grow at 4°C (blood storage temperature) makes it a critical cause of transfusion-related septicemia, a high-yield exam fact. - MDS Cytopenia is from Apoptosis: Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) cause low cell counts (cytopenia) because the bone marrow produces abnormal cells that are destroyed via apoptosis before they can be released into circulation. - PCR Steps are Denaturation, Annealing, Extension (DAE): This is the correct sequence for PCR. "Hot start" methods prevent non-specific reactions by keeping the polymerase inactive until the optimal temperature is reached. Topics Molecular Biology & Genetics - DNA Nucleotide Composition:A DNA nucleotide consists of deoxyribose, phosphate, and a nitrogenous base (A, T, C, or G).Ribose and Uracil (U) are components of RNA only. - Huntington's Disease:Caused by a trinucleotide repeat: CAG.CGG is associated with Fragile X syndrome. - Second Messengers (cAMP vs. cGMP):cAMP is generated from ATP by adenyl cyclase.cGMP is generated from GTP by guanylyl cyclase.Clinical Relevance:cGMP → Blood vessel relaxation (vasodilation), explaining the action of drugs like nitroglycerin and .cAMP → Bronchodilation, explaining the action of drugs like albuterol.Lab Takeaway: High hormone levels with no expected effect can indicate a signal transduction problem (e.g., Type 2 Diabetes), not a hormone production issue. - PCR Steps & Hot Start PCR:Standard PCR Sequence: Denaturation → Annealing → Extension (DAE).Hot Start PCR: Prevents non-specific reactions by keeping the polymerase inactive until the optimal temperature is reached.Methods:Keeping the reaction on ice until the thermal cycler heats.Separating polymerase and primers with a wax bead that melts at high temperature.Using modified polymerases that are only activated at high temperatures. - MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry:Mechanism: Identifies bacteria by measuring the mass-to-charge ratio of molecules.Process: A laser vaporizes the sample, and the "time of flight" of the molecules is compared to a database for identification.Key Point: The laser does not amplify bacteria; it vaporizes them.

Troponin study tip that up in our Private Microscope Views study session when reviewing Chemistry sections in LabCE exam simulator. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AGVhQ68fo/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://youtube.com/shorts/qpqg609Ifnk?si=dywAl3DJjAEROEZI