Automation of tacrolimus measurement on volumetric absorptive microsampling devices by tandem mass spectrometry.

An automated method for the measurement of blood tacrolimus on volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) devices was developed. VAMS devices prepared by the automated method were compared with those prepared by the existing manual method (n = 284; mean concentration: 8.0 μg/l; range: 0.

Validation of a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of hydroxychloroquine and metabolites in human whole blood.

Objectives Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an anti-malarial and immunomodulatory drug reported to inhibit the Corona virus, SARS-CoV-2, in vitro. At present there is insufficient evidence from clinical trials to determine the safety and efficacy of HCQ as a treatment for COVID-19. However, since the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorisation to allow HCQ and Chloroquine (CQ) to be distributed and used for certain hospitalised patients with COVID-19 and numerous clinical trials are underway around the world, including the UK based RECOVERY trial, with over 1000 volunteers.

Challenging the status quo: A comparison of ion exchange chromatography with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods for the measurement of amino acids in human plasma.

Background: Plasma amino acid analysis is key to the diagnosis and monitoring of inherited disorders of amino acid synthesis, catabolism and transport. Ion exchange chromatography (IEC) is widely accepted as the gold standard method of analysis, but with the introduction of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods, this should now be questioned.

Methods: The analytical performance of three commercially available reagent kits, Waters AccQ Tag™ ULTRA LC-MS, SpOtOn Amino Acids LC-MS/MS and Chromsystems MassChrom® Amino Acid Analysis LC-MS/MS, were evaluated and compared with Biochrom Physiological Amino Acids ion exchange chromatography.

The child's experience of single room isolation: a literature review.

Studies have shown that people who require single room isolation while in hospital often feel lonely, sad, worried, bored and in need of information. A literature review identified only 16 papers reporting on the child's experience of isolation. Findings indicate that children feel lonely, are scared of the personal protective equipment and feel bored.

The psychophysiological effects of music therapy in intensive care units.

This article reviews the evidence for using music therapy with young people who are supported by mechanical ventilation. The author argues that music therapy is essential for developing a holistic approach focusing on the developmental level of a child or young person, as well as being an inexpensive, non-pharmacological, non-invasive therapy, with significant physiological and psychological benefits. She argues that more research is needed in this area to develop a sound evidence base on which guidelines to inform practice could be based.