The Impact of Pre-Analytical Conditions on Human Serum Peptidome Profiling.

The successful use of proteomic technology for the discovery of clinically relevant, new candidate biomarkers, especially in the low molecular weight range (peptidome), calls for a careful consideration of standardized operating procedures (SOP) for pre-analytical variables, including samples handling and storage. The current lack of standardization, widely considered a relevant source of random and systematic errors, underlies the uncertainty of analytical results and poor comparability, especially in multi-centric or inter-laboratory studies. In their recent study, Tsuchida et al. used the MALDI-TOF/MS technique to investigate the effect of long-term storage at -20 °C, -80 °C, and in liquid nitrogen on serum samples obtained for peptidomic analyses. The authors have also evaluated the effects of different sample thawing modalities. By including results from the same series as that reported on in a previous publication, they have effectively defined some important requirements for the peptidomic analysis of serum samples (e.g., maximum time intervals between venepuncture and serum separation [1 h], minimum temperature for long-term sera storage temperature [-80 °C], ideal conditions for sample thawing).

Immunoanalytical characteristics of unconjugated estriol: indications and analytical performances.

After a short description of the structure and the physiological roles of unconjugated estriol, this paper points out pre-analytical conditions and performances of the serum unconjugated estriol immunoassay, essentially used for Down syndrome screening.

Need for gender-specific pre-analytical testing: the dark side of the moon in laboratory testing.

Many international organisations encourage studies in a sex-gender perspective. However, research with a gender perspective presents a high degree of complexity, and the inclusion of sex-gender variable in experiments presents many methodological questions, the majority of which are still neglected. Overcoming these issues is fundamental to avoid erroneous results. Here, pre-analytical aspects of the research, such as study design, choice of utilised specimens, sample collection and processing, animal models of diseases, and the observer's role, are discussed. Artefacts in this stage of research could affect the predictive value of all analyses. Furthermore, the standardisation of research subjects according to their lifestyles and, if female, to their life phase and menses or oestrous cycle, is urgent to harmonise research worldwide. A sex-gender-specific attention to pre-analytical aspects could produce a decrease in the time for translation from the bench to bedside. Furthermore, sex-gender-specific pre-clinical pharmacological testing will enable adequate assessment of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic actions of drugs and will enable, where appropriate, an adequate gender-specific clinical development plan. Therefore, sex-gender-specific pre-clinical research will increase the gender equity of care and will produce more evidence-based medicine.

Two cases of spuriously elevated cerebrospinal glucose concentration.

We present two cases of spuriously high cerebrospinal fluid glucose concentration with approximately normal blood glucose concentrations. The cause of these abnormal findings was the use of inappropriate collection tubes during the pre-analytical phase. Whilst no patient harm was identified following this error, significant time and effort were expended by both laboratory and clinical staff to explain the cause of these findings.

The influence of incubation time, sample preparation and exposure to oxygen on the quality of the MALDI-TOF MS spectrum of anaerobic bacteria.

With matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), bacteria can be identified quickly and reliably. This accounts especially for anaerobic bacteria. Because growth rate and oxygen sensitivity differ among anaerobic bacteria, we aimed to study the influence of incubation time, exposure to oxygen and sample preparation on the quality of the spectrum using the Bruker system. Also, reproducibility and inter-examiner variability were determined. Twenty-six anaerobic species, representing 17 genera, were selected based on gram-stain characteristics, growth rate and colony morphology. Inter-examiner variation showed that experience in the preparation of the targets can be a significant variable. The influence of incubation time was determined between 24 and 96 h of incubation. Reliable species identification was obtained after 48 h of incubation for gram-negative anaerobes and after 72 h for gram-positive anaerobes. Exposure of the cultures to oxygen did not influence the results of the MALDI-TOF MS identifications of all tested gram-positive species. Fusobacterium necrophorum and Prevotella intermedia could not be identified after >24 h and 48 h of exposure to oxygen, respectively. Other tested gram-negative bacteria could be identified after 48 h of exposure to oxygen. Most of the tested species could be identified using the direct spotting method. Bifidobacterium longum and Finegoldia magna needed on-target extraction with 70% formic acid in order to obtain reliable species identification and Peptoniphilus ivorii a full extraction. Spectrum quality was influenced by the amount of bacteria spotted on the target, the homogeneity of the smear and the experience of the examiner.