Abstract: Methods are provided for simultaneously measuring hematocrit (hct) level and the concentration of a biomarker in a blood specimen. Thus, serum biomarker concentrations can be more accurately measured. The methods are particularly useful for newborn screening programs.

Abstract: Detection of expression of biomarkers (e.g., protein analytes) whose regulation is perturbed in COPD patients can be used to diagnose COPD, to confirm a diagnosis of COPD, and to assess or prognose progression of COPD. Test substances can be screened for the ability to affect levels of protein analyte expression, thereby identifying potential anti-COPD drugs.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying parameters in a smoothed normalized star diagram where parameters are received from a medical laboratory instrument and processed. The processing includes calculating a normalized parameter value for each parameter using a predetermined mean and standard deviation and scaling the resulting normalized parameter value using a range restricting function. Each scaled parameter is assigned to a spoke and rays are drawn between adjacent spokes at a small angular interval. The ends of the rays are then joined by line segments, thereby constructing a smooth overall diagram.

Abstract: The invention provides a very fast and reliable method and reagent composition for determining reticulocyte and erythrocyte counts, identification and characterization, as well as platelet counts, in a whole blood sample using fully automated hematology analyzers. The reagent composition includes a zwitterionic surfactant as sphering agent for reticulocytes and erythrocytes, an organic cationic dye, e.g., Oxazine 750, for staining the reticulocytes, and buffer solution components for maintaining a reagent pH of about 7.2 to 7.8, and an osmolarity of about 292.+-.5. On the basis of the particular pH, ionic strength, and dye concentration, the reagent composition of the present method improves upon previous methods, thus allowing fully automated blood sample analyses to be completed in less than about 30 seconds, with only about a 20 second incubation of sample in the reagent solution before analysis.