Newborn screening for sickle cell disorders using tandem mass spectrometry: three years' experience of using a protocol to detect only the disease states.

Background Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has recently become an alternative method for the newborn screening of sickle cell disorders (SCD), as it is able to detect haemoglobin (Hb) peptides following digestion of bloodspots with trypsin. Using the SpOtOn Diagnostics Reagent Kit, we previously developed a screening protocol to detect only the disease states of SCD, using action values based on the ratio between the variant Hb peptide to wild-type peptide abundances for the HbS, C, D, O, E and Lepore peptides. Methods Action values using the ratios between the wild type HbA (ßT1-3) peptides and the foetal Hb (γT2) peptide were developed to identify bloodspot samples from premature and transfused infants.

Newborn blood spot screening for sickle cell disease by using tandem mass spectrometry: implementation of a protocol to identify only the disease states of sickle cell disease.

Background: The currently recommended technologies of HPLC and isoelectric focusing for newborn blood spot screening for sickle cell disease (SCD) identify both the disease and carrier states, resulting in large numbers of infants being followed up unnecessarily. Analysis of blood spot tryptic peptides performed by using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is an alternative technology to detect hemoglobin (Hb) variant disorders.

Methods: We analyzed 2154 residual newborn blood spots and 675 newborn blood spots from infants with Hb variants by using MS/MS after trypsin digestion.

Measurement of urinary free cortisol by tandem mass spectrometry and comparison with results obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and two commercial immunoassays.

Background: Determination of urinary free cortisol (UFC) is an important adjunct for the assessment of adrenal function. In this study, we have analysed cortisol concentrations in urine samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and two immunoassays. The results were compared with GC-MS.

A pilot study of complementary and alternative medicine use in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Unlabelled: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex disorder, with primary symptoms of sleep disturbances, pain, and fatigue. FMS is one of the most common reasons for patient visits to a rheumatologist. Previous studies have suggested that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in patients with rheumatic diseases is common, but such data specific to FMS patients is limited.