Multiclass Steroid Profiling in Short-Finned Pilot Whale Blubber Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Rationale: Wildlife scientists are quantifying steroid hormones in a growing number of tissues and employing novel methods that must undergo validation before application. This study tested the accuracy and precision of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods for use on blubber samples from short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus). We expanded upon a method for corticosteroid quantification by adding analytes and optimizing internal standard (IS) application.

Commutability assessment of new standard reference materials (SRMs) for determining serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D using ligand binding and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assays.

Commutability is where the measurement response for a reference material (RM) is the same as for an individual patient sample with the same concentration of analyte measured using two or more measurement systems. Assessment of commutability is essential when the RM is used in a calibration hierarchy or to ensure that clinical measurements are comparable across different measurement procedures and at different times. The commutability of three new Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) for determining serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], defined as the sum of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], was assessed through an interlaboratory study.

Real life retrospective study of cannabidiol therapy in alternating hemiplegia of childhood.

Background: Many alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) patients have received Cannabidiol (CBD) but, to our knowledge, there are no published data available.

Goals: Test the hypothesis that CBD has favorable effects on AHC spells.

Methods: Retrospective review of available data of AHC patients who received CBD.

Characteristics of non-sleep related apneas in children with alternating hemiplegia of childhood.

Background: Non-sleep related apnea (NSA) has been observed in alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) but has yet to be characterized.

Goals: Investigate the following hypotheses: 1) AHC patients manifest NSA that is often severe. 2) NSA is usually triggered by precipitating events.

Development and testing of methods to record and follow up spells in patients with alternating hemiplegia of childhood.

Background: Developing methods to record Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC) spells is essential for clinical trials and patient care.

Objectives: Test the following hypotheses: 1) Video-library training improves participants' ability to correctly identify AHC spells. 2) A custom-designed event-calendar with weekly reviews results in consistent documentation of such events over time.