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The presence of illegal dyes such as the Sudan reds in spices is a well-recognised problem, and numerous methods of analysis have been described for their determination. However, some spice-derived matrices present particular problems. Oleoresins, complex extracts of spices containing phenolic natural pigments and terpene-like lipids, are used in the formulation of oriental sauces, pickles and processed spiced meals and hence likely to penetrate far into the food chain. Described herein is a case in which a false positive finding of one of the less commonly used illegal dyes in an oleoresin had the potential to trigger a costly food recall. Rapid resolution of the false positive by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) came at the cost of subsequent decontamination of the instrument, incurring significant downtime. The analytical difficulties posed by the presence of a surfactant to improve oleoresin dispersive properties with other foods are discussed. We conclude that as LC-UV methods cannot deal with the possible matrix interferences, they must not be used for the analyses of illegal dyes in spice oleoresins. A combination of gel permeation chromatography with liquid–liquid and solid-phase cleanup is described that enables facile deployment of LC-MS/MS to an oleoresin–surfactant matrix for the forensically robust determination of dimethyl yellow at concentrations below the current “action limit” for illegal dyes of 500 μg kg−1.

Bronchial anthracofibrosis characterized by bronchostenosis associated with anthracotic pigmentation in bronchoscopic finding without a relevant history of pneumoconiosis or smoking has been recently described as a clinical entity. Radiologic finding of bronchial obstructive lesion and mediastinal lymph nodes in bronchial anthracofibrosis can be mimicking cancer. However, the metabolic characteristics of bronchial anthracofibrosis have hardly been reported. Here, we report a case of bronchial anthracofibrosis which showing hypermetabolism on F-18 FDG PET.

Laparoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are competetive tools in the diagnostic of non-palpable testis. Advantages and disadvantages of this methods will be demonstrate. 29 boys investigated for this indication with MRI. In case MRI failed to locate the testis laparoscopy was performed with a new miniaturized set of pediatric instruments (1.9 mm optic). The aim of laparoscopy was the identification of the spermatic duct and vessels and their topographic relation to the internal inguinal ring. All findings were verified by open surgical procedures. MRI revealed 10 inguinal and 7 abdominal testis. There was no false positive finding. In 12 boys MRI showed no testis. 4 cases were correct negative, 8 cases were false negative (32 %). In these 8 MRI-negative patients laparoscopy revealed 7 inguinal and 1 abdominal testis. The optical quality of the mini-telescope was sufficient for a 100 % correct diagnosis. Laparoscopy related complications did not occur. Laparoscopy proved to be a powerful low risk diagnostic method in non- palpable testis with high senitivity and specifity (100 % correct positive, 0 % false negative). Therefore lapraroscopy is recommended as primary diagnostic access for this indication. In the same anesthesia a optimal therapy is possible. Nevertheless a positive MRI-finding locates the testis reliably, whereas a negative finding always needs further exploration because testis might have been missed.

False positive findings are a common problem in whole genome association studies. In this commentary we show that nothing is gained by randomly splitting a data sample to two equal sized subsets, where the first data subset is used for explorative purposes and the other sub set is used to confirm the findings in the first subset. We compare the random splitting procedure to using the full data sample for analysis, by using a Bayesian perspective with consideration taken to prior probability of a false positive finding.

The specificity of radioimmunoassay of aflatoxin B1 was tested. Relative cross-reactivity of used antiserum with aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and M1 was found to be 100%, 24%, 44.2%, 10.3%, and 1.4%, respectively. The interference of coumarin, albumins, steroids and ethylvanilin was estimated also in radioimmunoassay of aflatoxin B1. Thus these compounds may cause a false positive finding of aflatoxin B1.