A recycling framework for the construction of Bonferroni‐based multiple tests

In this paper we describe Bonferroni‐based multiple testing procedures (MTPs) as strategies to split and recycle test mass. Here, ‘test mass’ refers to (parts of) the nominal level α at which the family‐wise error rate is controlled. Briefly, test mass is split between different null hypotheses, and whenever a null hypothesis is rejected, the part of α allocated to it may be recycled to the testing of other hypotheses. These recycling MTPs are closed testing procedures based on raw p‐values associated with testing the individual null hypotheses, and the class of such MTPs includes, for example, serial and parallel gatekeeping, fallback and Holm procedures. Graphical displays and a concise algebraic notation are provided for such MTPs. This recycling approach has pedagogical advantages and may facilitate the tailoring of MTPs for different purposes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

FIA—fluorimetric determination of thiamine

A flow injection-fluorimetric determination of thiamine is reported. The procedure is based on the oxidation of the analyte with potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) immobilized on an anionic exchange resin; the fluorescence is monitored in aqueous basic solution. Concentrations of the vitamin of 0.1–4 ppm have been determined; the relative standard deviation was 1.8%. The injection rate was 28 samples/h. The influence of other substances and the determination of the drug in a pharmaceutical formulation are also reported.     

Sonographic diagnosis of pylephlebitis in children

We present a case of inflammatory bowel disease in which the diagnosis of pylephlebitis was made by ultrasonography. The patient was treated with antibiotics and aspirin and had an uneventful recovery. The sonographic findings are described.     

Binding units (BU) and the area under binding isotherms (AUI) new indices of effector-target conjugation

New methods for simplified quantitation of effector-target conjugation have been developed. The binding unit (BU) is defined as the number of target cells required to bind a specified percentage of effector cells. The number of binding units is determined from binding isotherms in which effector conjugate frequencies are measured by holding constant the number of effector cells and by varying the number of target cells. Alternately, a binding unit can be defined as the number of effector cells required to bind a specified percentage of target cells. In this case, BU is computed from binding isotherms in which target conjugate frequencies are measured at different values of effector cells by holding constant the number of target cells. Also, the area under the curve (AUI) of these isotherms is another index that can be used as an overall measure of the binding capacity in an effector-target system. The experimental values of BU and AUI determined from effector and target isotherms agree well with theoretical predictions based on our previously developed binding model (J. Immunol. Methods (1992) 155, 133–147). The relationship between BU and AUI, and procedures to determine these parameters are shown. The value of these indices to express effector-target conjugation quantitatively has been confirmed by determining the values of BU and AUI for the NK-K562 effector-target system.     

Effect of elevated prolactin levels on the synthesis and release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla in female rats

Recent evidence suggests that increased plasma prolactin (PRL) levels could be modifying the synthesis and release of catecholamines (CA) from the adrenal medulla. In order to study this possibility, female rats bearing an anterior pituitary gland, from a litter-mate donor, under the right kidney capsule since day 30 of life and their sham-operated controls were sacrificed by decapitation 45 days after the transplant operation. Plasma PRL and CA levels and CA content in the adrenal medulla were analyzed. A significant increase in plasma PRL levels was shown in grafted (22 +/- 2 micrograms/l) when compared to control rats (6 +/- 0.3 micrograms/l), together with a significant increase in plasma norepinephrine (NE) (4.2 +/- 1.1 micrograms/l vs. 1.7 +/- 0.7 micrograms/l) and epinephrine (E) (2.9 +/- 0.6 micrograms/l vs. 1.6 +/- 0.2 micrograms/l). Similar plasma dopamine (DA) levels were found in both groups (0.6 +/- 0.2 micrograms/l vs. 0.8 +/- 0.3 micrograms/l). An increase in adrenal DA content (29.1 +/- 6.8 ng/mg protein), together with a decrease in NE (33.3 +/- 6.8 ng/mg protein) and E content (65.9 +/- 11.8 ng/mg protein) was detected in grafted as compared to control rats (DA: 12.0 +/- 3.6 ng/mg protein; NE: 79.3 +/- 22.1 ng/mg protein; E: 184.2 +/- 39.2 ng/mg protein). We can conclude from these data that the elevation of circulating PRL levels induced by a pituitary graft is able to increase the synthesis and release of CA from the adrenal medulla in female rats.