bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acne in Becker's nevus
Authors: Agrawal Sudha , Garg Vijay Kumar , Sah Shatrughan Prasad , Agarwalla Arun
Published: March 2003

An 18‐year‐old man presented with a progressively enlarging, asymptomatic, well‐demarcated, irregular, hyperpigmented patch, 13 cm × 11 cm, on the anterior aspect of the chest below the left clavicular region, with a few small macules at the periphery, of 2 years duration. After 18 months, multiple, discrete, erythematous papules and comedones developed over the patch (Fig. 1). A few melanocytic nevi were present in and around the patch. A clinical diagnosis of Becker's nevus with acne vulgaris was made. A skin biopsy from the patch showed acanthosis, elongated rete ridges, increased pigmentation in the basal layer, and a mild perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate in the upper and lower dermis with few melanophages in the dermis. Histopathology of the comedone revealed slight acanthosis, irregular elongation of the rete ridges, and hyperpigmentation of the basal layer of the epidermis. Multiple melanophages were seen in the upper dermis. In the mid‐dermis, a ruptured closed comedone was seen. The follicular lumen contained a plug of loosely arranged keratinized cells, sebaceous material, and bacterial colonies. Aggregates of neutrophils were found at the site of rupture of the follicular wall. There was a mild perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate in the upper and lower dermis (Fig. 2). These features confirmed the diagnosis of Becker's nevus with acne vulgaris. The acne was treated with 0.05% tretinoin and 2% erythromycin creams. After 2 months of treatment, all the acne lesions subsided. On further follow‐up, the patient had relapse of the acne lesions over the patch with the discontinuation of treatment. A few new lesions also appeared on the face. The treatment was restarted, but the patient was lost to follow‐up.

Multiple, discrete, erythematous papules and comedones over Becker's nevus with a few melanocytic nevi in and around the lesion

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Slight acanthosis, irregular elongation of the rete ridges, and hyperpigmentation of the basal layer of the epidermis, multiple melanophages in the upper dermis, and a ruptured closed comedone in the mid‐dermis (hematoxylin and eosin, × 40)

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Temporary henna tattoo reactions in children
Authors: Önder Meltem , Atahan Çiğdem Asena , Öztaş Pinar , Öztaş Murat Orhan
Published: March 2003

Case 1 A 9‐year‐old girl applied a temporary henna tattoo to her right arm and 1 week later repeated the same process. In the following 2 days, erythema and papulovesicular eruptions developed at the application site (Fig. 1). Patch tests were performed with the European Standard Series, specific hairdressing agents, and commercial and natural henna. The patient showed a 3+ reaction to both natural henna and ‘‘para‐phenylenediamine (PPD)’' 1% and a 3+ reaction to nickel sulfate 5% at 48, 72, and 96 h (Fig. 2). She was treated with topical steroid cream (beclomethasone dipropionate), applied twice daily. A slight postinflammatory hypopigmentation was observed at the time of the patch test. The hypopigmentation has gradually decreased in severity over time (Fig. 3).

Case 1: temporary henna tattoo reaction with papulovesicular eruptions

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Case 1: patch test results. (A) 3+ reaction to nickel sulfate 5%; (B) 3+ reaction to para‐phenylenediamine (PPD) 1%; (C) 3+ reaction to natural henna

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Case 1: postinflammatory hypopigmentation

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Case 2 An 11‐year‐old boy was admitted to our outpatient clinic with itchy, erythematous, papulovesicular eruptions on the left arm. These lesions appeared after application of a temporary henna tattoo with a ‘‘do‐it‐yourself’' kit to the left arm. Patch tests were performed with the European Standard Series and commercial tattoo products. The patient showed only a 1+ reaction to commercial henna. He was treated with topical steroid cream (beclomethasone dipropionate), and 2 weeks later his lesions had totally disappeared.

Case 3 A 12‐year‐old girl applied a temporary henna tattoo to her left arm. Several hours later, erythema, edema, and itching developed. Patch tests were performed as for Case 2. The patient showed a 2+ reaction to commercial henna. Topical steroid cream (beclomethasone dipropionate) was effective, and 3 weeks later the lesions had healed with slight hypopigmentation. The postinflammatory hypopigmentation traced the tattoo design exactly, which was in the form of a fish (Fig. 4). On follow‐up, the hypopigmentation was not permanent.

Case 3: fish‐shaped postinflammatory hypopigmentation

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Detection of cytomegalovirus infection in a patient with febrile ulceronecrotic Mucha‐Habermann's disease
Authors: Tsai Kau‐Sung , Hsieh Hsu‐Jung , Chow Kuan‐Chih , Lin Tze‐Yi , Chiang Shu‐Fen , Huang Hsuan‐Hua
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background  Febrile ulceronecrotic Mucha‐Habermann's disease (FUMHD) is a severe and very rare variant of pityriasis lichenoides et varilioformis acuta, which is characterized by large coalescing, and ulceronecrotic maculopapules or plaques. Morphological changes of the skin accompanied by persistent high fever and several constitutional symptoms have suggested virus infection in patients with FUMHD. However, the available information of viral origin is limited. In this study we investigated the relationship of cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), type I human T‐cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV‐I), and parvovirus B19 (PVB19) with FUMHD in a Taiwanese patient.

Methods  The existence of CMV, EBV, HHV8, HTLV‐I, and PVB19 was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The presence of CMV in the endothelial cells was characterized by in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results  Serologic immunoglobulin to CMV and IHC identification of CMV late gene in the biopsy specimen indicated that the patient was infected with CMV. Detection of CMV was confirmed by PCR and ISH.

Conclusions  These results indicate that FUMHD is associated with dermal CMV manifestation. Nonetheless, the induction mechanism of FUMHD with CMV infection has yet to be determined.
Pancreatic panniculitis in a kidney transplant recipient
Authors: Echeverría Cristina M. , Fortunato Lucrecia P. , Stengel Fernando M. , Laurini Javier , Díaz Carlos
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background  Pancreatic panniculitis is a rare complication of pancreatic disease. Histopathologic findings are pathognomonic and may be helpful for early diagnosis.

Methods  We present a female kidney transplant recipient, with systemic lupus erythematosus on immunossuppresive therapy, who developed panniculitis.

Results  Histological features strongly suggested pancreatic panniculitis and this was confirmed by clinical, laboratory and image findings.

Conclusion  The characteristic histologic features of pancreatic panniculitis may help to uncover undiagnosed pancreatic disease. Early therapy may avoid ensuing serious complications.
Scrofuloderma and Sweet’s syndrome
Authors: Mahaisavariya Punkae , Chaiprasert Angkana , Manonukul Jane , Khemngern Supakan
Published: March 2003

Background In recent years, the rare association of Sweet’s syndrome with nontuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis has been reported.

Objective To report the clinical, demographic, and bacteriologic data and association with Sweet’s syndrome of 18 patients with scrofuloderma and scrofuloderma‐like condition caused by nontuberculous mycobacterial infections seen during the past 7 years (1994–2000).

Methods In all patients, a biopsy specimen was obtained for histopathologic and microbiologic studies. Patients from whom Mycobacterium tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria were isolated from the culture of skin biopsy specimens were included. Deep fungal infection was excluded by the lack of a fungal element in histologic section and cultural methods. The patients were treated with antimicrobials or antituberculous drugs according to the causative species.

Results Eighteen cases of scrofuloderma (nine male, nine female; mean age, 36.9 years) were found among 104 patients with cutaneous tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial cutaneous infections. Sixteen of the 18 cases had lymphadenitis as the underlying focus of scrofuloderma: 15 cases occurred in the cervical group and one case in the inguinal area. One case drained from the soft tissue and one from the paranasal air sinus. Five cases had multiple episodes of Sweet’ s syndrome during the course of treatment. Most cases in this group (four of the five) were middle‐aged women with cervical lymphadenitis, and the most common species were rapid growers.

Conclusions Age, sex, and the site of infection may have some influence on the association with Sweet’s syndrome in nontuberculous mycobacterial infections.
Rapid response of Trichophyton tonsurans‐induced onychomycosis after treatment with terbinafine
Authors: Aly Raza , Hafeez Zeba Hasan , Rodwell Carmen , Frieden Ilona J , Abrams Beatrice
Published: March 2003

We describe an 8‐year‐old Hispanic female who presented with distal subungual onychomycosis and tinea capitis. Both foci of infection yielded Trichophyton tonsurans upon culture, and were clinically and mycologically cured with terbinafine 62.5 mg twice daily for 1 week. This aspect of treatment with terbinafine has not previously been reported.
Multiple subcutaneous angiolipomas associated with new‐onset diabetes mellitus
Authors: Levitt Jacob , Lutfi Ali Suad A. , Sapadin Allen
Published: March 2003

A 44‐year‐old Hispanic man, with a past medical history of diabetes mellitus type 2 and cerebrovascular accident, presented to the Mount Sinai Department of Dermatology with sudden, fast‐growing nodules over both of his shins. Approximately 2 months before the appearance of the nodules, the patient was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2 with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 8.5%. The patient was taking metformin orally, 500 mg three times daily, at the time of presentation. Six nodules appeared over a period of days. They caused a burning, throbbing pain upon ambulation. Over a period of 6 months, the lumps decreased in size, and two totally disappeared. The resolution of the nodules coincided with the control of the patient's diabetes, as demonstrated by HbA1c of 5.5%. The patient denied trauma to the sites of the nodules. The patient denied any associated purpura or ecchymoses over the nodules. The past medical history was significant for a stroke with residual right hemiparesis at 42 years of age. The family history was negative for similar lesions, but an aunt did have diabetes mellitus type 2. The patient denied alcohol use, smoking, or intravenous drug use.

Physical examination was positive for six soft, tender, freely mobile, symmetrical, well‐demarcated, round masses, 1–2 cm in diameter and skin colored, over the anterior aspects of both legs. The patient was obese (body mass index, 38.5). Laboratory tests (barring the initially elevated HbA1c) were normal.

One lesion was excised. Histopathology revealed features typical of an angiolipoma (see Fig. 1a,b). A karyotype of the angiolipoma was not performed.

(a) Prominent vessels filled with fibrin thrombi at the periphery of mature fat lobules. (b) At higher magnification

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Because excision of one angiolipoma produced scarring with a poor cosmetic result, intralesional triamcinolone, 5 mg/mL, was tried without success.
Modulation in vitro of keratinocyte integrins by interferon‐α and interferon‐γ
Authors: Tenaud Isabelle , Leroy Sabine , Chebassier Nathalie , Dreno Brigitte
Published: March 2003

Background Interferon‐α and ‐γ are glycoproteins with antiviral and immunoregulatory properties. In vitro studies have shown a role for these cytokines in the regulation of epidermal keratinocyte growth and differentiation. In the same way, integrins are adhesion molecules which regulate keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation.

Aim To determine whether the regulatory activity of interferons on keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation is related to a modulation of keratinocyte integrins.

Methods Two different methods were used: monolayers and reconstituted skin, incubated either with 1200 U/mL interferon‐α or 500 U/mL interferon‐γ or control medium for 48 h. The integrin expression was assessed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry.

Results In monolayers, only the α3 subunit was significantly inhibited by interferon‐γ. In reconstituted skin, where keratinocytes are differentiated, both interferons had an inductive effect on β1 expression and interferon‐α had an inhibitory effect on α6 expression.

Conclusion Interferon‐α and ‐γ induce a modulatory effect on α3, α6 and β1 which appears to be related to the state of differentiation. Moreover, the decreased expression of α6 and α3 could be one of the mechanisms involved in the formation of bullous lesions during long‐term interferon therapy.
Nevus comedonicus with hidradenoma papilliferum and syringocystadenoma papilliferum in the female genital area
Authors: Lee Hye Jung , Chun Eun Young , Kim You Chan , Lee Min‐Geol
Published: March 2003

Background Nevus comedonicus is an uncommon malformation of the pilosebaceous unit. Association of nevus comedonicus with tumors originating from the apocrine gland has not previously been reported.

Method We present a case of nevus comedonicus associated with hidradenoma papilliferum (HAP) and syringocystadenoma papilliferum (SCAP) in the female genital area.

Results Histological features strongly suggested nevus comedonicus associated with HAP and SCAP.

Conclusion Although the association of nevus comedonicus with HAP and SCAP is very rare, the possibility of coexistence cannot be excluded.
Condition-dependent asymmetry is fluctuating asymmetry
Authors: Møller
Published: March 2003

Asymmetry has been demonstrated to play a role in signalling systems such as sexual selection and pollination, with receivers showing a preference for symmetrical signals. Large signals often have the smallest degree of asymmetry, a finding that is consistent with signal asymmetry being condition-dependent. The kind of asymmetry displayed by signals was supposed or shown to be fluctuating asymmetry, and signals revealing individual differences in the ability to stabilize developmental processes, despite a hostile developmental environment, was supposed to be the basis for the preference for symmetric signals. Recently, it has been suggested that condition-dependent signals display antisymmetry rather than fluctuating asymmetry, based on analyses of the relationship between asymmetry and mean length of the left and the right character in a few published graphs of absolute asymmetry of signals. Here I demonstrate on the basis of a much larger number of data sets, including those previously published, that the previous results are biased because of the methods used for the analyses, and that characters with condition-dependent asymmetry show fluctuating asymmetry rather than antisymmetry. In particular, frequency distributions of signed left-minus-right character values display leptokurtosis, as predicted if asymmetry distributions reflected individual differences in developmental precision, rather than platykurtosis. Platykurtosis is predicted if the traits are antisymmetric. The preponderance of leptokurtic distributions is consistent with recent modelling showing that inherent differences in the ability of individuals to control developmental processes invariably leads to leptokurtic distributions of signed left-minus-right character values.
Molecular phylogeny of cuckoos supports a polyphyletic origin of brood parasitism
Authors: Aragón  , Møller  , Soler  , Soler
Published: March 2003

We constructed a molecular phylogeny of 15 species of cuckoos using mitochondrial DNA sequences spanning 553 nucleotide bases of the cytochrome b gene and 298 nucleotide bases of the ND2 gene. A parallel analysis for the cytochrome b gene including published sequences in the Genbank database was performed. Phylogenetic analyses of the sequences were done using parsimony, a sequence distance method (Fitch-Margoliash), and a character-state method which uses probabilities (maximum likelihood). Phenograms support the monophyly of three major clades: Cuculinae, Phaenicophaeinae and Neomorphinae-Crotophaginae. Clamator, a strictly parasitic genus traditionally included within the Cuculinae, groups together with Coccyzus (a nonobligate parasite) and some nesting cuckoos. Tapera and Dromococcyx, the parasitic cuckoos from the New World, appear as sister genera, close to New World cuckoos: Neomorphinae and Crotophaginae. Based on the results, and being conscious that a more strict resolution of the relationships among the three major clades is required, we postulate that brood parasitism has a polyphyletic origin in the Cuculiformes, with parasite species being found within the three defined clades. Evidence suggests that species within each clade share a common parasitic ancestor, but some show partial or total loss of brood parasitic behaviour.
Model fitting and hypothesis testing for age-specific mortality data
Authors: Pletcher
Published: March 2003

Demographic studies focusing on age-specific mortality rates are becoming increasingly common throughout the fields of life-history evolution, ecology and biogerontology. Well-defined statistical techniques for quantifying patterns of mortality within a cohort and identifying differences in age-specific mortality among cohorts are needed. Here I discuss using maximum likelihood (ML) statistical methods to estimate the parameters of mathematical models, which are used to describe the change in mortality with age. ML provides a convenient and powerful framework for choosing an adequate mortality model, estimating model parameters and testing hypotheses about differences in parameters among experimental or ecological treatments. Simulations suggest that experiments designed to estimate age-specific mortality should involve at least 100-500 individuals per cohort per treatment. Significant bias in the estimation of model parameters is introduced when the mortality model is misspecified and samples are too small to detect the true mortality pattern. Furthermore, the lack of simple and efficient procedures for comparing different mortality models has forced the use of the Gompertz model, which specifies an exponentially increasing mortality with age, and which may not apply to the majority of experimental systems.
Genetic differentiation and phylogeny of beech on the Balkan peninsula
Authors: Gömöry  , Paule  , Brus  , Zhelev  , Tomović  , Gračan
Published: March 2003

Genetic differentiation of 57 beech populations originating from a wide geographical space from the foothills of the Eastern Alps over the Balkan peninsula was investigated employing isozyme markers. Pooled datasets of European beech populations originating from four adjacent regions and Eastern beech populations originating from Thrace and Western Asia Minor were compared. Considerable differences of allele frequencies among regions were found in several marker loci. The highest level of genetic multiplicity and differentiation was found in the populations from the southern Balkans; however, the north-western populations showed higher genetic diversity. The pattern of genetic differentiation based on multilocus genetic distances is a clinal one. The populations belonging to the putative taxon Fagus moesiaca Czeczott seem to form an independent group. Three hypotheses of the evolutionary origin of this taxon are discussed: selection, introgressive hybridization and continuous evolution.
Molecular phylogeny and plumage evolution in gulls (Larini)
Authors: Crochet  , Bonhomme  , Lebreton
Published: March 2003

We used DNA sequence data of the mitochondrial control region and cytochrome b gene to assess phylogenetic relationships among 32 gull species and two outgroup representatives. We tentatively estimated divergence times from transversional substitutions calibrated against DNA–DNA hybridization data. Several strongly supported species groups are identified, but the relationships between these species groups and the rooting of the gull tree remain unresolved. Geographical range extension appears as a factor of speciation, but several related, well-differentiated species seem to have evolved within comparatively restricted areas. Some plumage characters used in the past for delimiting species groups appear inappropriate. The dark hooded species, for instance, do not constitute a natural assemblage. Molecular data also allowed the identification of several striking plumage convergences that had obscured the true relationships between gull species until now. For example, the dark tropical gulls analysed here each belong to totally different clades and are independent examples of convergent plumage evolution under common environmental constraints. The reverse situation also happened, with two arctic-distributed species, the ivory gull (Pagophila eburnea) and the Sabine’s gull (Xema sabini), appearing as sister taxa despite completely different plumage features. Molecular data have thus significantly improved our understanding of gull evolution.
How to compare fluctuating asymmetry of different traits
Authors: Windig  , Nylin
Published: March 2003

Comparing fluctuating asymmetry (FA) between different traits can be difficult because traits vary at different scales. FA is generally quantified either as the variance of the difference between left and right (σ2L−R) or the mean of the absolute value of this difference (μ|R−L|). Corrections for scale differences are obtained by dividing by trait size mean. We show that a third index, one minus the correlation coefficient between left and right (1 − rL,R), is equivalent to σ2L−R standardized by trait size variance. The indices are compared with Monte-Carlo simulations. All achieve the expected correction for scale differences. High type I error rates (false indication of differences) occur only for σ2L−R and μ|R−L| if trait sizes close to or below 0 occur. 1 − rL,R with a bootstrap test has always low error rates. Recommendation of the index to be used should be based on whether standardization of FA by trait size mean or trait size variance is preferred. A survey of 36 traits in the Speckled Wood Butterfly (Pararge aegeria) indicated that σ2L−R is slightly higher correlated to trait size variance than to trait size mean. Thus 1 − rL,R seems to be the superior index and should be reported when FA of different traits is compared.
Genetic and environmental effects on morphology and fluctuating asymmetry in nestling barn swallows
Authors: Cadée
Published: March 2003

A barn swallow Hirundo rustica partial cross-fostering experiment with simultaneous brood size manipulation was conducted in two years with contrasting weather conditions, to estimate heritable variation in tarsus, tail and wing size and fluctuating asymmetry. Environmental stress had contrasting effects depending on trait type. Significant heritabilities for tarsus, tail and wing size were found only in enlarged broods irrespective of year effects, while tarsus asymmetry was significantly heritable in the year with benign weather conditions irrespective of brood size manipulation effects. Tail, wing and composite (multicharacter) asymmetry were never significantly heritable. The environment with the higher heritability generally had higher additive genetic variance and lower environmental variance, irrespective of trait type. Heritability was larger for trait size than for trait asymmetry. Patterns of genetic variation in nestlings do not necessarily translate to the juvenile or adult stage, as indicated by lack of correlation between nestling and fledgling traits.
Selection favours low hsp70 levels in chronically metal-stressed soil arthropods
Authors: KÖhler  , Zanger  , Eckwert  , Einfeldt
Published: March 2003

Thirty-eight populations of woodlice (Oniscus asellus, Porcellio scaber) and millipedes (Julus scandinavius) from 28 differently metal-polluted field sites were analysed for their 70-kDa stress protein (hsp70) level. Although ANOVA revealed significant dependence of the hsp70 level on the concentrations of water-soluble lead, cadmium and zinc and the soil pH, each of these parameters accounted for at most 18% of the intersite variability of the stress protein level only. A multivariate model based on multiple regression analysis explained more than 96% of hsp70 variance and revealed both the pollution history of a site (strong metal contamination for more than 70 years) and invertebrate species identity to act as the most important parameters. The model accounted for the observation that most of the populations from long-term polluted sites exhibited comparatively low stress protein levels in response to their own (contaminated) habitats. In contrast, isopods (O. asellus) from a control site were not able to maintain a low hsp70 level when they were exposed to either an artificial metal cocktail or soil taken from one of the contaminated field sites. They did not acclimatize to the exposure conditions within 3 months. We propose that selection of insensitive phenotypes in long-term polluted soils has taken place so as to minimize the stress protein level which, in turn, is indicative of high intracellular protein integrity. Long-term selection for a high hsp70 level to compensate for adverse metal impact was not observed, which suggests that such a strategy may trade off against other fitness consequences. In this context, insensitivity to metal stress involved increased selectivity in food choice and reduced variability in stress response. Multiple regression models showed species-specificity in those abiotic factors which determined (1) high hsp70 levels in sensitive populations as well as (2) low hsp70 levels in insensitive ones. Therefore, abiotic factors can be assigned to act as the main components of selection: lead and cadmium for J. scandinavius and O. asellus, zinc for P. scaber.
Developmental instability and inbreeding in natural bird populations exposed to different levels of habitat disturbance
Authors: Lens L. , Van Dongen S. , Galbusera P. , Schenck T. , Matthysen E. , Van De Casteele T.
Published: March 2003

As habitat disturbance and inbreeding increasingly stress natural populations, ecologists are in urgent need of simple estimators to measure their impact. It has been argued that developmental instability (DI) could be such a measure. Observed associations between DI and environmental or genetic stress, however, are largely inconsistent. We here test whether an interaction between habitat disturbance and inbreeding could, at least partly, explain these discordant patterns. We therefore studied individual estimates of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and of inbreeding in three populations of the critically endangered Taita thrush that are differentially exposed to habitat disturbance following severe forest fragmentation. As predicted, the relationship between DI and inbreeding was pronounced under high levels of disturbance, but weak or nonexistent under less disturbed conditions. Examining this relationship with mean d2, an allelic distance estimator assumed to reflect ancestral inbreeding, did not reveal any significant trend, hence suggesting that inbreeding effects in the Taita thrush are fairly recent.
Purging of inbreeding depression and fitness decline in bottlenecked populations of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Miller P. S. , Hedrick P. W.
Published: March 2003

Drastic reductions in population size, or bottlenecks, are thought to significantly erode genetic variability and reduce fitness. However, it has been suggested that a population can be purged of the genetic load responsible for reduced fitness when subjected to bottlenecks. To investigate this phenomenon, we put a number of Drosophila melanogaster isofemale lines known to differ in inbreeding depression through four ‘founder-flush’ bottleneck cycles with flush sizes of 5 or 100 pairs and assayed for relative fitness (single-pair productivity) after each cycle. Following the founder-flush phase, the isofemale lines, with a large flush size and a history of inbreeding depression, recovered most of the fitness lost from early inbreeding, consistent with purging. The same isofemale lines, with a small flush size, did not regain fitness, consistent with the greater effect of genetic drift in these isofemale lines. On the other hand, the isofemale lines that did not show initial inbreeding depression declined in fitness after repeated bottlenecks, independent of the flush size. These results suggest that the nature of genetic variation in fitness may greatly influence the way in which populations respond to bottlenecks and that stochastic processes play an important role. Consequently, an attempt intentionally to purge a population of detrimental variation through inbreeding appears to be a risky strategy, particularly in the genetic management of endangered species.
Evolution of trophic transmission in parasites: the need to reach a mating place?
Authors: Brown S. P. , Renaud F. , Guégan J.-F. , Thomas F.
Published: March 2003

Although numerous parasite species have a simple life cycle (SLC) and complete their life cycle in one host, there are other parasite species that exploit several host species successively. From an evolutionary perspective, understanding the mix of adaptive and contingent forces shaping the transition from an ancestral single-host state to such a complex life cycle (CLC) has proved an intriguing challenge. In this paper, we propose a new hypothesis, which states that CLCs involving trophic transmission (i.e. transmission to a predator) evolved because they are an efficient way for parasites to meet a sexual partner, assuming that selective benefits are associated with cross-fertilization. Predators that eat a lot of prey in a relatively short time interval act to concentrate isolated parasites. We use an optimality model to develop our hypothesis and discuss further directions of potential research.
Geographical variation in calling song of the field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus: the importance of spatial scale
Authors: Zuk M. , Rotenberry J. T. , Simmons L. W.
Published: March 2003

We compared calling songs of the field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus from 15 sites within six regions of two continental areas, Oceania and Australia. The cricket was introduced to Hawaii, where it is subject to an acoustically orienting parasitoid fly not found elsewhere in its range. In a principal components analysis (PCA) of song from all populations combined, the first five components had eigenvalues greater than one, and collectively accounted for over 80% of the total variation. Means for all song components varied significantly among sites, and different components varied at the three levels of analysis (continent, region and site). The principal way in which sites differed was along a gradient in increasing song length, pulse duration and intervals between song elements. Crickets from Oceania had a significantly greater variance in their song than Australian crickets, driven largely by the high variance in Hawaii. Geography explained a substantial amount of variation in song, despite the likelihood of serial bottlenecks having occurred as the species moved from island to island. Because female crickets appear not to focus on the short chirp as a component of mate choice, a lack of selection may allow this song component to vary more widely.
Genetic and environmental factors affecting reproductive variation in Allium vineale
Authors: Ceplitis A.
Published: March 2003

Traits related to allocation of resources to sexual and asexual reproduction, together with seed production, were scored on Allium vineale plants sampled from five sites in southern Sweden during a period of 4 years. In addition, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting of the sampled plants allowed the identification of genets. Integration of genetic and phenotypic data from field and greenhouse provided for the analysis of among-year, among-site, and among-genet variance components. These variance components were taken to represent the influences of short-term environmental changes, persistent site divergence, and within-site genet differences, respectively.

It was shown that differences among sites and among genets explained a large part of the phenotypic variation of allocation traits, whereas among-year differences had a larger influence on the variation in seed production. Together, the results support the conclusions of a recent model on the evolution of mixed reproductive systems, that predicts a stable balance between sexual and asexual reproduction because of annual fluctuations in fecundity through the two modes.
Potential genetic benefits of mate selection in whitefish
Authors: Wedekind C. , Müller R. , Spicher H.
Published: March 2003

To test the potential of optimal mate selection with respect to offspring viability, we crossed 10 female and 10 male whitefish in all possible combinations and reared the resulting 100 sib groups in several replicates. We recorded two types of egg mortality, one that was correlated to developmental problems, and a later one that was correlated to a bacterial infection. We found strong maternal and paternal effects in both types of mortality. Early mortality also depended on which female was mated with which male, suggesting partial incompatibilities. The later mortality, but not the former, could be predicted by male breeding ornamentation. More strongly ornamented males sired offspring that better survived the epidemic during egg development. This ‘good genes’ effect was larger than expected from theory: optimal mate selection would have improved offspring survival during the epidemic by about 12% (or reduce mortality by about 66%) as compared with random mating.
Social situation, sperm competition and sex allocation in a simultaneous hermaphrodite parasite, the cestode Schistocephalus solidus
Authors: Schärer L. , Wedekind C.
Published: March 2003

Evolutionary theory predicts an influence of mating group size on sex allocation in simultaneous hermaphrodites. We experimentally manipulated the social situation during reproduction in a simultaneous hermaphrodite parasite, the tapeworm Schistocephalus solidus, by placing worms as singles, pairs or triplets into an in vitro system that replaces the final host. We then determined the reproductive allocation patterns after 24 h (i.e. before the start of egg release) and after 72 h (i.e. around the peak of egg release rate) using stereology. After 24 h, sex allocation strongly depended on worm volume (which is determined in the second intermediate host), but was not significantly affected by the social situation experienced during reproduction. After 72 h, worms in groups had less vesicular sperm (i.e. sperm to be used in future inseminations) than singles. They also stored significantly more received sperm in their seminal receptacles than singles, suggesting that more sperm had been transferred in groups. Moreover, worms in triplets stored significantly more received sperm than worms in pairs, suggesting that they either mated more often and/or transferred more sperm per mating. This suggests a behavioural response to the increased risk of sperm competition in triplets. We further discuss the relative importance of sex allocation decisions at different life-history stages.
Competitiveness and life-history characteristics of Daphnia with respect to susceptibility to a bacterial pathogen
Authors: Little T. J. , Carius H.-J. , Sakwinska O. , Ebert D.
Published: March 2003

Costs of resistance, i.e. trade-offs between resistance to parasites or pathogens and other fitness components, may prevent the fixation of resistant genotypes and therefore explain the maintenance of genetic polymorphism for resistance in the wild. Using two approaches, the cost of resistance to a sterilizing bacterial pathogen were tested for in the crustacean Daphnia magna. First, groups of susceptible and resistant hosts from each of four natural populations were compared in terms of their life-history characteristics. Secondly, we examined the competitiveness of nine clones from one population for which more detailed information on genetic variation for resistance was known. In no case did the results show that competitiveness or life history characteristics of resistant Daphnia systematically differed from susceptible ones. These results suggest that costs of resistance are unlikely to explain the maintenance of genetic variation in D. magna populations. We discuss methods for measuring fitness and speculate on which genetic models of host-parasite co-evolution may apply to the Daphnia-microparasite system.
Polystyrene derivatives as candidates for extracorporeal adsorption of Factor VIII antibodies in the management of haemophiliac patients
Authors: Boisson‐Vidal C. , Haouam M. , Lakhiari H. , Huguet H. , Dahri L. , Sultan Y. , Jozefonvicz J. , Siali R.
Published: March 2003

Background and Objectives This article presents a new approach for removing the Factor VIII inhibitors (anti‐FVIII) in haemophiliac patients by immunoadsorption using an affinity matrix.

Materials and Methods Ten blood samples from haemophiliac patients with anti‐FVIII were assayed for antibodies, total immunoglobulins, procoagulant proteins and complement C3 protein after circulation over one or two columns filled with the polymers under investigation.

Results These new synthetic sorbents are able to remove in vitro 90% of anti‐FVIII from haemophiliac plasma with inhibitors (up to 540 Bethesda Units/ml). Neither coagulation factor adsorption nor effects on complement system activation were observed.

Conclusions The data presented clearly show that these polymers allow a rapid and efficient reduction of inhibitor titre. In view of the parameters studied, these polymers fulfil the requirements for use in a blood purification process to decrease high inhibitor titres without losing essential proteins.
Circulation and distribution of autotransfused fresh, liquid‐preserved and cryopreserved baboon platelets
Authors: Valeri C. R. , Giorgio A. , Macgregor H. , Ragno G.
Published: March 2003

Background and Objectives Studies were carried out in five healthy male baboons to determine the 111indium oxine (111In‐oxine) survival of autologous fresh, liquid‐preserved and cryopreserved platelets. Simultaneous organ‐distribution studies were performed to determine the percentage uptake of platelets by the spleen and/or liver.

Materials and Methods Each of five baboons was transfused, on three different occasions, with autologous fresh platelets stored at 22 °C for 18 h, liquid‐preserved platelets stored at 22 °C for 5 days and washed previously frozen platelets, labelled with 111In‐oxine.

Results In vivo recovery at 2 h was 81% for the fresh platelets, 54% for the previously frozen platelets and 44% for the 5‐day‐old liquid‐preserved platelets. The weighted mean life span was 5·4 days for fresh platelets, 4·2 days for previously frozen platelets and 2 days for liquid preserved platelets. Increased radioactivity was detected over the liver 2 h after transfusion for both the previously frozen and liquid‐preserved platelets.

Conclusions Cryopreserved platelets and liquid‐preserved platelets stored at 22 °C for 5 days had reduced survival 2 h post‐transfusion and reduced life span values compared to fresh platelets. In addition, the finding of increased radioactivity over the liver in the baboons that received cryopreserved and liquid‐preserved platelets suggested that the liver was the site for removal of the non‐viable platelets.
Hautschutz‐ oder Hautregenerationscreme? Der Halbseitenversuch in der Bewertung eines hautpflegenden Externums
Authors: Löffler H. , Effendy I.
Published: March 2003

Zusammenfassung: Pflegende Externa genießen den Ruf, bei irritativen Einflüssen auf die Haut eine therapeutische sowie schützende Wirkung zu haben. Leider ist bei vielen Externa eine Überprüfung dieses Anspruches entweder gar nicht, oder nur ungenügend durchgeführt worden. Mit dem vorgestellten Testdesign wird versucht, am Beispiel einer Hautpflegecreme aufzuzeigen, ob ein Halbseitenversuch geeignet ist, die Eigenschaften eines Produktes (eher Hautschutz‐ oder Hautregenerationscreme) herauszuarbeiten.

 An 30 hautgesunden Probanden wurde ein Waschversuch mit Natriumlaurylsulfat an beiden Unterarmen durchgeführt. Eine Gruppe (15 Probanden) cremte sich 30 Minuten vor der Waschung einen Unterarm ein, und die andere Gruppe cremte sich 30 Minuten nach der Waschung einen Unterarm ein. Der andere Unterarm wurde in beiden Gruppen nicht eingecremt. Es zeigte sich bei den eingecremten Unterarmen eine geringere Schädigung der Wasserpermeabilitätsbarriere (evaluiert durch Messung des TEWL) sowie eine höhere Hautfeuchtigkeit als an dem nicht behandelten Arm. Die Behandlung nach der Waschung war dabei deutlich effektiver als die vor der Waschung. Mit diesem Testdesign ist es demnach möglich, den Unterschied zwischen dem protektiven und dem regenerativen Effekt eines Externums herauszuarbeiten. Die untersuchte Hautpflegecreme zeigte im Wesentlichen eine regenerative Wirkung.
Vakzinationstherapie kutaner T‐Zell‐Lymphome
Authors: Muche J. Marcus , Sterry Wolfram
Published: March 2003

Zusammenfassung: Primär kutane T‐Zell‐Lymphome (CTCL) sind definiert als klonale Proliferation hautinfiltrierender T‐Lymphozyten. Unabhängig von der Heterogenität dieser Krankheitsgruppe besteht derzeit keine kurative Therapiemöglichkeit, was zur Entwicklung verschiedener Behandlungsstrategien, einschließlich der Vakzination, führte. Dieser Artikel gibt eine Übersicht über den Entwicklungsstand der Vakzinationstherapie für Lymphome mit besonderer Rücksicht auf die CTCL. Da bisher kein universelles Tumorantigen identifiziert wurde, sind verschiedenste antigene Agenzien (komplette Tumorzellen, Idiotypen, Cancer/Testis‐Antigene, Proteine aus tumorassoziierten Mutationen und Mimotope) hinsichtlich ihrer Eignung für die Vakzinationstherapie von CTCL untersucht worden. Die antigene Information dieser Präparationen kann dem körpereigenen Immunsystem über verschiedene Wege (Carrier) dargeboten werden, bisher sind dazu mit Tumorzellen fusionierte dendritische Zellen, Idiotyp‐Proteine oder ‐Peptide sowie DNA‐ und RNA‐Präparationen eingesetzt worden. Da die verwendeten Antigene allesamt schwache Immunogene darstellen, sind Adjuvanzien (dendritische Zellen, immunogene Peptide, Oligonukleotide, Zytokine, virale Vektoren) notwendig, um eine suffiziente Antigenpräsentation und Aktivierung des Immunsystems zu erreichen. Erste klinische Daten bestätigen die prinzipielle Wirksamkeit einer Vakzinationstherapie bei CTCL. Die große Anzahl bisher verwendeter Antigene, Carrier, Adjuvanzien und Applikationsschemen macht die Identifizierung eines optimalen Protokolls jedoch nahezu unmöglich. Da auch die Wechselwirkungen zwischen Lymphom und Immunsystem sehr komplex und nicht vollständig verstanden sind, ist bis zur Einführung der Vakzinationstherapie in die klinische Praxis noch großer Forschungsaufwand nötig.
Effect of Edaphic Factors on Technical Properties of Flax Fibre
Authors: Elhaak M. A. , El‐Shourbagy M. N. , El‐Nagar R.
Published: March 2003

Flax plants were studied at two old sites (Kafer El‐Sheikh and El‐Fayoum) and a new site (El‐Salhia). At the harvesting stage soil samples were collected and subjected to mechanical, physical and chemical analysis. The fibre yield, physical and chemical characteristics were studied and correlated with the major edaphic conditions of the old and new sites. The results indicate that the fibre yield and quality were quite high in the flax from the Kafer El‐Sheikh site because of suitable climatic conditions and high fertility of the soil. Soil build up of the old site at El‐Fayoum enhanced slightly high fibre strength and fineness, in spite of less fevourable climatic conditions compared to the El‐Salhia site. Low organic matter and availability of nutrients in addition to high calcium content were the main factors affecting the quantity and quality of the flax fibre in the new cultivated area at El‐Salhia.
Dry Matter Accumulation and Associated Changes in Biochemical Parameters during Wheat Grain Development
Authors: Chanda S. V. , Narmada K. , Singh Y. D.
Published: March 2003

Field experiments were conducted in Rajkot, Gujarat, India comparing three cultivars of wheat, viz. Raj‐1555, Lok‐1 and Sonera, all differing in their grain yield. Apical grain of the seventh spikelet from the main spike was selected as a representative grain in each cultivar and analyzed at 4‐day intervals from anthesis to maturity for dry matter, starch, sugars and protein content. The data for dry matter accumulation and starch content were fitted to a quadratic polynomial exponential which revealed a close correspondence between these two parameters. The absolute rates of starch and dry matter accumulation were highest in Lok‐1 followed by Sonera and Raj‐1555, respectively; however, the duration of the grain‐filling observed from these curves was highest in Raj‐1555. The maximum weight of the grain at harvest was in Lok‐1 (80 mg) followed by Raj‐1555 (71 mg) and Sonera (50 mg), respectively. Increase in the starch content coincided well with dry matter accumulation. Reducing and nonreducing sugars were high during early stage but declined with advances in growth up to almost middle of the grain growth; high levels were even found at later stages. Although protein increased with increasing grain growth in Raj‐1555 and Sonera, no clear trend was observed in Lok‐1 in relation to dry matter accumulation. The results are discussed in relation to the use of polynomial functions and the contribution of photosynthate supply from various plant parts in relation to grain growth and yield in wheat.
An Opportunity for Fast and Reliable Evaluation of Winter Oilseed Rape Frost Resistance Using in vitro Cultures
Authors: Rapacz M. , Dawid K.
Published: March 2003

An attempt has been made to work out a simple and reliable method of fast frost resistance evaluation of winter oilseed rape using in vitro cultures. In winter rape cv. Górczański, there was investigated cold acclimation ability of hypocotyle sections from 5‐days old seedlings and also of callus tissue formed on these sections after subsequent 4 weeks growth on induction medium. It has been found that hypocotyle sections are unable to cold‐acclimate. Winter rape calli acclimated well and optimum conditions for acclimation is fortnight’s growth at +2°C. Exposure to light during hardening was not necessary for acquiring maximum resistance. On five winter rape cultivars freezing tests were performed using the best cold acclimation conditions. The differences in resistance between hypocotyle sections did not match the differences in field survival or frost resistance of whole plants. As distinct from hypocotyle sections callus tissue appeared to be suitable for evaluation of frost resistance. However, to ensure the objectiveness of assessment in this method is not so easy. The testing temperature must be chosen carefully, because the results can be reliable only at sufficiently low temperature. For correct estimation of the frost resistance level, it is possible to use both the decrease of triphenyltetrazolium chloride reduction rate during freezing and the increase of callus dry weight during 14 days after freezing.

(Abbreviations: BAP — 6‐Benzylaminopurine; 2,4‐D — 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; LT50 — temperature at which 50 % of the plants (or plant material) has been frost killed; MS(0.5;2) — Moorashige and Skoog Basic Medium with addition of 0.5 mg 2.4‐D and 2 mg BAP; PPFD — photosynthetic photon flux density; TTC — 2,3,5 triphenyltetrazolium chloride)