bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biology and management of Phalaris minor in wheat under a rice/wheat system
Authors: Hari O M , Dhiman S D , Hemant K , Sajjan K
Published: March 2003

Summary Germination of Phalaris minor declined with the increase in duration of imbibition in water from 30 min to 72 h at temperatures above 22 °C. Germination was reduced down to 10 cm and 2 cm soil depth by wheat straw burning in puddled and non‐puddled soil, respectively, with maximum reduction near the soil surface. The dormancy of P. minor seed was not more than 60 days under field conditions. In puddled soil, 38–60% of the viable seeds of P. minor remained concentrated in the upper 5‐cm layer. Germination decreased with an increase in soil depth. In total, 15% of seeds stored in the laboratory emerged from 10‐cm depth, whereas seeds did not germinate below 4.2‐cm depth under field conditions. Depth of emergence of P. minor was shallower in zero tillage compared with the conventional method of wheat sowing. The seeds retrieved from rice soils kept under continuous submergence for 60 days exhibited 26% and 57% loss of germination over semi‐submergence and semi‐wet conditions respectively. There was 100% loss of germination in 10‐month‐old seeds retrieved from the soil under rice‐growing conditions. Plant density of P. minor was lower in zero tillage than with the conventional method of wheat sowing. Cross‐ploughing in the upper 2–5 cm of soil (shallow tillage) and drill‐sowing of wheat 1 week after shallow tillage reduced germination of P. minor by 44% and 37% and increased grain yield by 21% and 47% over zero‐tillage and conventional methods respectively.
Pharmacoeconomic analysis of topical treatments for tinea infections
Authors: Shear Neil H. , Einarson Thomas R. , Arikian Steven R. , Doyle John J. , Van Assche Daniel
Published: March 2003

Background A payor‐perspective economic analysis of the topical creams ciclopirox, clotrimazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, and terbinafine (TER) used to treat dermatophytosis has been made. This pharmacoeconomic evaluation was conducted in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

Methods A four‐phase approach was used. Phase 1: experts were assembled to identify the standard approach for management of fungal infections and a decision tree was constructed to model the process. Phase 2: meta‐analysis was used to determine success, failure, and relapse rates. Phase 3: economic analyses performed included cost of regimen, total expected cost, and cost‐effectiveness. Phase 4: sensitivity analyses (robustness analysis) were also executed to determine the validity of the assumptions.

Results In the total expected cost analysis, TER demonstrated the lowest overall cost of treating patients. Terbinafine also provided the highest number of disease‐free days during the analytic time horizon and, consequently, the lowest cost per disease‐free day. Sensitivity analyses suggest that TER is the most cost‐effective topical product for treating dermatophytosis in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

Conclusions All analytic scenarios suggest that TER therapy demonstrates lower expected costs and generates more DFDs when compared with the fungistatic topical therapies included in this pharmacoeconomic analysis. Terbinafine is expected to be the most cost‐effective choice in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland for treatment of dermatophytosis minor.
Immunophenotypic analysis of normal human dendritic cells isolated from epidermis and dermis
Authors: Prignano, MD, PhD Francesa , Gerlini, MD Gianni , Pimpinelli, MD, PhD Nicola , Giannotti, MD Benvenuto , Romagnoli, MD Paolo
Published: March 2003

Background The skin immune system comprises two types of dendritic cells, i.e. CD1a‐positive Langerhans cells in the epidermis and CD36‐positive dendritic macrophages in the dermis. Dendritic cells can migrate from skin explants into a culture medium.

Methods We have examined the morphology and immunophenotype of the dendritic cells migrating from epidermal and dermal sheets in vitro. The epidermis and dermis of keratomes of normal human skin were separated with dispase and cultured for 72 h. At this time, the non‐adherent cells in the medium were removed, enriched on a metrizamide or Lymphoprep gradient, counted, prepared by cytospin, and labeled for CD1a, CD36, and HLADr.

ResultsCells migrating from the epidermis and dermis show many thin projections or a few veils from the cell surface. Approximately four times more cells migrate from epidermal than dermal sheets from the same keratome.

ConclusionsUsing methods to separate the epidermis from the dermis, both CD1a‐positive Langerhans cells and CD36‐positive dendritic macrophages can be obtained from both tissues, although in different numbers.
Diagnostic value of IgM deposition at the dermo–epidermal junction
Authors: Kulthanan MD Kanokvalai , Pinkaew MSc Sumruay , Suthipinittharm MD Puan
Published: March 2003

BackgroundGranular immunoglobulin M (IgM) deposits at the dermo–epidermal junction (DEJ) are common in lupus erythematosus (LE); however, weak, interrupted, linear and granular patterns of IgM at the DEJ have been reported in sun‐exposed skin in normal adults and in a heterogeneous group of diseases.

Materials and methodsWe analyzed 200 patients with positive IgM direct tissue immunofluorescence deposition at the DEJ, alone or in combination with other immunoreactants, in order to determine the diagnostic significant of IgM deposition at the DEJ.

ResultsIgM deposition at the DEJ, commonly in combination with other immunoreactants, was associated with LE in 57.5% of patients. In cases with IgM deposition alone at the DEJ, only 12% had LE (strong intensities). IgM deposition at the DEJ was associated with other dermatoses in 42.5% of patients. In non‐lupus patients, IgM deposition was the sole finding in 59% of cases, and was weaker and more focal than in LE patients.

ConclusionsIgM deposition at the DEJ in patients with LE tends to exhibit a strong intensity and is commonly detected in combination with other immunoreactants. IgM deposition alone at the DEJ, especially of weak intensity or focal in pattern, is noted in non‐lupus patients, and has less diagnostic significance.
Oral–facial–digital syndrome (OFDS) type I in a patient with Werdnig–Hoffman disease
Authors: Hashimoto Yoshio , Kashiwagi Takayuki , Takahashi Hidetoshi , Iizuka Hajime
Published: March 2003

An infant with various craniofacial anomalies was referred to our department at the age of 10 days. She was born as a floppy infant with a symmetrical muscle weakness that was more extensive in the proximal part of the limbs. Her brother had Werdnig–

Hoffman disease and died of respiratory failure at the age of 4 months. No family history of malformations was detected.

Physical examination revealed the following abnormalities: a high arched palate, micrognathia, a medial cleft of the upper lip, cleft palate, and low set ears (Fig. 1). She also had clinodactyly and partial syndactyly of toes II–III, III–IV on the right foot (Fig. 2). Radiographs of the right foot revealed polydactyly of the first toe. Nail hypoplasia was observed on the bilateral second toes (Fig. 2). No abnormalities were seen on both hands. The face, trunk, and limbs were symmetrical. There was no evidence of abnormalities of the genitalia.

Wrinkled skin was conspicuous on the neck and four extremities (Fig. 1). The hair was sparse and brittle. Fine scale and dry skin were conspicuous on the scalp and the upper part of the trunk. Numerous milia were seen on the face. Skin biopsy could not be performed. Hypohidrosis was not found clinically. Because of the accompanying skin manifestations, she was given a diagnosis of oral–facial–digital syndrome (OFDS) type I.

Chromosome analysis revealed a normal female karyotype. Chest roentgenogram and a computerized tomographic (CT) scan of the brain detected no abnormal findings. No malformations of the cardiovascular, gastro‐intestinal, or urinary systems were detected. Because of the craniofacial anomalies and general muscle weakness, she had feeding problems and had stopped gaining weight at the age of 3 months. She had considerable difficulty in breathing because of chest muscle weakness.

Electromyogram (EMG) showed a typical neurogenic pattern. Because of the progressive muscle weakness, typical EMG findings, and a family history, she was diagnosed as having Werdnig–Hoffman disease. Her clinical course was complicated by recurrent pneumonia, apnea, and difficulty with feeding. At the age of 7 months, she died of respiratory failure.
Dermatology in southwestern Ethiopia: rationale for a community approach
Authors: Figueroa Jose I. , Fuller Lucinda C. , Abraha Aynalem , Hay Roderick J.
Published: March 2003

Background Skin diseases represent one of the most frequent causes of morbidity in developing countries; however, little is known about the dermatologic needs of the population. The prevalence of skin disease in two different rural communities in southwestern Ethiopia was determined using descriptive epidemiologic techniques.

Methods A household survey, designed to ascertain demographic information and dermatologic needs, was given to all households in both communities827. The point prevalence of skin diseases was determined after examination by dermatologists of 768 self‐selected individuals (40% of individuals were invited to attend dermatologic examination, either those self‐reporting skin disease or identified as positive cases during the household survey); an individual survey form was given to all of these patients.

Results Although 47% (S/UO) and 59% (Kishe) of the households in the two communities reported skin symptoms, the true dermatologic needs of these settlements were far greater than the expressed values, as examination by dermatologists of randomly selected households revealed that 67% of householders not reporting dermatoses had significant skin disease. During the point prevalence study, the commonest complaints were parasitic (scabies, pediculosis, and onchocerciasis) infestations (46% of diagnoses), followed by bacterial and fungal infections (33%); other conditions included endemic nonfilarial elephantiasis. Overcrowding was the main risk factor for infection. Thirty‐two per cent (S/UO) and 39% (Kishe) of examined individuals had received previous treatments, which were ineffective in 74% and 63% respectively.

Conclusions Subsistence farmers spend a high proportion of their limited cash income on ineffective treatment. Simple schemes of management for the most common dermatoses, which local health workers could be trained to recognize and manage, could do much to redress the burden of skin disease in this population.
Aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of chronic venous ulcers
Authors: Brook Itzhak , Frazier Edith H.
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background The role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of chronic venous leg ulcers (CVLU) is unclear. The objective of the study was to establish the aerobic and anaerobic bacteriology of CVLU.

Methods A retrospective review was carried out of the clinical and microbiological laboratory records obtained from patients with CVLU. Microorganisms were grown from 43 specimens obtained from 41 patients.

Results Aerobic or facultative bacteria alone were present in 18 (42%) specimens, anaerobic bacteria only in three (7%), and mixed aerobic–anaerobic flora in 22 (51%).

In total, there were 97 isolates, 64 aerobic or facultative and 33 anaerobic, an average of 2.3 isolates per specimen (1.5 aerobes and 0.8 anaerobes). The predominant aerobic organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (26 isolates), group D streptococci (5), and Escherichia coli (5). The predominant anaerobes were Peptostreptococcus spp. (15), Bacteroides fragilis group (6), Propionibacterium acnes (4), and Prevotella spp. (3).

Conclusions CVLU have a polymicrobial aerobic–anaerobic flora.
A pilot study on bacterial viability in acne. Assessment using dual flow cytometry on microbials present in follicular casts and comedones
Authors: Arrese Jorge E. , Goffin Véronique , Avila‐Camacho Mabel , Greimers Roland , Piérard Gérald E.
Published: March 2003

Background Antibiotic therapy is one of the main methods of acne treatment; however, bacterial resistance is on the rise and can affect the treatment outcome. Quantitative bacteriologic cultures are the gold standard methodology for the assessment of such a problem; however, certain important biological aspects remain uncovered.

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the antibacterial activity of minocycline and lymecycline in sebaceous follicle infundibula and comedones of acne patients.

Method We used a recently introduced flow cytometric method, allowing a distinction to be made between viable, injured (presumably resistant), and dead microorganisms.

Results Minocycline (100 mg) proved to be superior to lymecycline (600 mg) in abating the microflora harboring in the sebaceous follicles of acne patients.

Conclusions The dissimilar bioavailability and antimicrobial efficacy between the two bacteriostatic agents may impart different clinical efficacy.
Dermatography as a new treatment for alopecia areata of the eyebrows
Authors: Van Der Velden Eddy M. , Drost Brigitte H. I. M. , RD . , Ijsselmuiden Otto E. , Baruchin Avraham M. , Hulsebosch Hendrik Jan
Published: March 2003

Background Alopecia areata is considered to be an autoimmune disease. It consists of patchy hair loss of the scalp and the eyebrows, making it a disfiguring condition. This 10‐year study was designed to assess the usefulness of the treatment of the eyebrows with dermatography as a relatively quick and simple method to obtain a cosmetically satisfactory result.

Materials and methods The eyebrow areas were covered with a halftone pattern of tiny dots of color pigments, using a Van der Velden Derma‐injector, without anesthesia. On average, two to three dermatography sessions of 1 h were required. The follow‐up was 4 years.

Results Thirty three patients, most of whom had been previously treated with a sensitizer such as dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), were treated with dermatography. Four patients had also been treated by a beautician with a crude form of tattooing. The results in 30 patients were excellent. In three patients the results were good.

Conclusions Dermatography is a technique offering a good alternative for time‐consuming, troublesome treatment modalities that often have considerable side‐effects. With dermatography, no side‐effects were found.
Response of segmental vitiligo to 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream
Authors: Khalid Muhammad , Mujtaba Ghulam
Published: March 2003

Forty patients with a definite clinical diagnosis of segmental vitiligo (SV) were treated with 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream to the vitiliginous areas twice daily. Patients with any doubt regarding the type of vitiligo were not included. Twelve (30%) patients were 5–10 years, 19 (47.5%) were 11–20 years, six (15%) were 21–30 years, and three (7.5%) were 31–34 years of age. The duration of the disease ranged from 1 month to 12 years (mean, 16.3 months); 11 (27.5%) patients presented within 6 months, 13 (32.5%) from 6 to 12 months, nine (22.5%) from 12 to 18 months, and seven (17.5%) after 18 months of the onset of the disease. Eighteen (45%) patients were male and 22 (55%) were female. The face and/or neck were affected in 16 (40%), trunk in 17 (42.5%), and extremities in seven (17.5%) patients. Therapy was interrupted for 2 weeks after every 6‐week course, unless the severity of the side‐effects dictated longer or earlier intervals. Patients were assessed every 2 weeks. Treatment was stopped after two courses in those patients who did not show any signs of recovery during this period. The remaining patients received three courses of treatment. No adjuvant therapy was used.
The in vitro effect of hydroxychloroquine on skin morphology in psoriasis
Authors: Wolf Ronni , Lo Schiavo Ada , Lombardi Maria Luisa , PhD . , De Angelis Francesca , Ruocco Vincenzo
Published: March 2003

Background In earlier papers, we suggested that the aggravation of psoriasis by antimalarial drugs (analogous to hypolipidemic drugs) could be initiated by a break in the epidermal barrier. We suggested that these drugs exerted their effect by inhibiting epidermal transglutaminase activity, and supported this hypothesis by demonstrating the effect of hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQS) on the morphology of cultured skin and on liver transglutaminase activity. In the present article, we describe, for the first time, the morphologic changes induced by HCQS on cultured skin of psoriatic patients.

Methods Uninvolved (apparently normal) skin explanted from the back of two psoriatic patients was cultured in the presence of 9.2 and 13.8 m
m of HCQS for 3 days. The morphologic changes were evaluated in a blind manner. The experiment was repeated twice.

Results Significant changes in the epidermal morphology of psoriatic skin cultured in the presence of HCQS, compared with skin cultured without the presence of the drug, were observed. The most striking changes were enhanced and irregular keratinization and dermo–epidermal detachment and cleft formation. No parakeratosis or other characteristics of psoriasis were observed.

Conclusions The first changes caused by HCQS on the cultured skin of psoriatic patients are not characteristic of psoriasis, and include hyperproliferation and enhanced and irregular keratinization. The present experimental study gives further support to the hypothesis that HCQS causes an initial break in the barrier function of the epidermis (probably by inhibiting transglutaminase activity), which is followed by a physiologic response of the epidermis aimed at barrier restoration. This rather nonspecific stimulus to epidermal proliferation is probably sufficient to trigger psoriasis, in vivo, among genetically predisposed patients.
Basis of occlusive therapy in psoriasis: correcting defects in permeability barrier and calcium gradient
Authors: Hwang Sang Min , Ahn Sung Ku , Menon Gopinathan K. , Choi Eung Ho , Lee Seung Hun
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background  Although occlusive dressings have great potential in the management of psoriasis vulgaris, the therapeutic mechanism is not completely understood. Occlusion artificially restores and corrects the defective barrier in psoriasis plaques. Additionally, occlusion is know to normalize the epidermal calcium gradients in hyperproliferative murine skin models.

Methods  To investigate the basis of the therapeutic effect of occlusion on psoriatic plaques, we investigated the ultrastructural morphology of intercorneocyte lipid layers, lamellar bodies, and calcium gradient in chronic plaque‐type psoriasis after occlusion with a water vapor‐impermeable membrane. The specimens were processed for electron microscopy using: (i) ruthenium tetroxide postfixation; and (ii) ion‐capture cytochemistry for calcium localization.

Results  Occlusion for 7 days resulted in a nearly mature pattern of intercellular multilamellar structures, re‐establishment of the near‐normal epidermal calcium gradient, and disappearance of calcium precipitates from the stratum corneum interstices.

Conclusions  The normalization of the permeability barrier and epidermal calcium gradient may play important roles in the therapeutic effects of occlusive dressings in chronic plaque‐type psoriasis.
Post‐kala‐azar dermal leishmaniasis in Nepal
Authors: Garg Vijay Kumar , Agrawal Sudha , Rani Sudha , Joshi Arun , Agarwalla Arun , Das Murari Lal , Koirala Shekhar
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background  Post‐kala‐azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) manifests as a skin eruption after healing of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), either spontaneously or as a result of treatment. This study was undertaken to describe the demographic, clinical, and histopathologic features of PKDL in Nepal.

Methods  Demographic, clinical, microbiologic, and histopathologic features and response to treatment were studied in 22 patients with PKDL from April 1998 to March 2000.

Results  PKDL accounted for 0.13% of all new dermatologic cases. There were 13 (59.1%) males and nine (40.9%) females. A past history of kala‐azar was present in all but one patient. A family history of kala‐azar was noted in eight (36.4%) patients. All patients presented with multiple types of lesion, except for two in whom only macular lesions were seen. Oral lesions in the form of nodules and plaques were seen in four patients. Generalized lymphadenopathy was present in five patients. Slit skin smears revealed Leishman–Donovan bodies (LDBs) in nine (40.9%) patients. In macular lesions, there was a sparse infiltrate of plasma cells, lymphocytes, or histiocytes in the upper dermis. There was a dense chronic inflammatory infiltrate comprising plasma cells, lymphocytes, histiocytes, and epithelioid cells in the entire dermis from papules, plaques, or nodules. Giemsa staining of biopsy specimens revealed LDBs in seven (38.9%) patients only. Fine needle aspiration from epitrochlear lymph nodes in two patients demonstrated LDBs. All patients responded well to treatment with minimal side‐effects.

Conclusions  This study emphasizes the need to be aware of the possibility of cases of PKDL in endemic regions of leprosy, as the conditions may be difficult to distinguish clinically and histopathologically.
Faun tail: a rare cutaneous stigma of spinal dysraphism
Authors: Kaya Tamer Irfan , Kokturk Aysin , Guleryuz Adil , Bagdatoglu Celal , Ikizoglu Güliz
Published: March 2003

A 13‐year‐old girl was referred to our dermatology outpatient clinic for the treatment of a congenital, circumscribed, hypertrichotic area on the lumbosacral region because it was cosmetically embarrassing. Dermatologic examination revealed a 25 × 15 cm circumscribed hypertrichotic area on the lumbosacral region. Coarse, dark, terminal hairs were observed, but the underlying skin was normal (Fig. 1). The lesion had been present since birth. Her history also revealed back pain, which developed by 3 years of age, and a long history of urinary incontinence. On neurologic examination, no motor weakness or sensory changes were observed. On orthopedic examination, minimal atrophy and 2 cm shortening of the right leg were detected, and the right foot was smaller than the left. There was an accentuation of lumbar lordosis. There was no history of a similar lesion in the family. There was no consanguinity in the relatives.

Clinical appearance of the patient 6 months after operation

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Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography findings included diastematomyelia between T10 and L2 levels, minimal spina bifida at L2–L3 levels, mild tethered cord, and a fat density mass at L1 level behind the left lamina. Complete blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and blood chemistry were within the normal ranges.

The patient underwent lumbar laminectomy with excision of the lipoma and release of the tethered cord, and a type II diastematomyelia was detected at operation.

A diagnosis of faun tail with underlying spinal dysraphism was made. There was also associated foot deformity and urinary incontinence as late sequelae of spinal dysraphism. The patient had been shaving the lesion periodically. We recommended laser epilation.
Pattern of admissions to a tertiary dermatology unit in South Africa
Authors: Jessop Sue , McKenzie Rowena , Milne James , Rapp Solveig , Sobey Glenda
Published: March 2003

Background There is worldwide recognition of the need to control the rising costs of health‐care. As a result there is a trend away from inpatient treatment of people with non‐life‐threatening skin disorders. In the developing world there is a conflict between the inadequacy of home and community facilities and the need to limit expenditure.

Aim The aims of this study were to assess the current indications for admission to a dermatology ward, the level of domestic and community facilities among those admitted, and the apparent benefits obtained from such admissions.

Methods Over a 6‐month period all patients admitted to the tertiary dermatology unit at Groote Schuur Hospital were recruited and a questionnaire was completed by the admitting doctor. On discharge, patients and doctors were asked to assess the level of improvement in the patient's skin disorder.

Results There were 133 people admitted, with a mean age of 34.1 years (range 1–88). Diagnoses recorded most often were atopic dermatitis (44), other forms of dermatitis (18), psoriasis (21), severe drug reaction (10), leg ulcer (7), skin infection (7) and bullous disease (6). Overall, the extent and severity of the skin involvement was the major indication for admission, although psychosocial problems and a lack of home facilities were contributing factors. A group of 25 people had been admitted to the ward on 2 or more occasions over the preceding 2 years. This group did not differ from the rest of the patients in terms of diagnosis, home circumstances or level of employment.

Conclusions Most admissions to a tertiary dermatology unit in Cape Town are for extensive eczema or psoriasis. Most people experience great short‐term benefit from inpatient care. The group of people who require repeated admissions do not appear to differ from the total group by diagnosis or available facilities, but may represent a psychosocially vulnerable subset.
Cell cycle in sporadic melanoma
Authors: Czajkowski Rafał , Drewa Tomasz , Woźniak Alina , Krzyżyńska‐Malinowska Ewa
Published: March 2003

Sporadic melanoma is a neoplasm whose etiology has not been fully investigated. Contemporary achievements in molecular biology have made it possible to localize the genes whose damage can contribute to the initiation of neoplastic transformation of melanocytes and lead to a progression of the disease. The majority of these genes are responsible for the correct progression of phase G1 of the cell cycle. Phase G1 of the cell cycle is subject to control by many protooncogenes and antioncogenes, which constitute the pRb or p53 pathway, damage to which can lead to the development of malignant melanoma. The present paper discusses disorders in the control of phase G1 of the cell cycle in sporadic melanoma.
Linear IgA bullous dermatosis in a diabetic patient with chronic renal failure
Authors: Serwin Agnieszka Beata , Myśliwiec Hanna , Laudańska Halina , Chodynicka Bożena
Published: March 2003

A 60‐year‐old woman was admitted in October 2000 for disseminated polymorphic papular and vesiculobullous skin lesions with a herpetiform pattern (Fig. 1). The eruption occurred 1 month prior to admission and was accompanied by intense itching and burning. A few vesicles in the oral mucosa appeared 6 months after the onset of the skin lesions. The patient's history was notable for noninsulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus since the age of 32 years, complicated by arterial hypertension, neuropathy, and nephropathy with subsequent renal failure. The patient started hemodialysis 20 years after the onset of diabetes and was hemodialyzed three times a week for 4 h (index of dialysis adequacy (Kt/v) ≈ 1.3). She had received insulin since the age of 55 years. Furosemide, started in 1998, was withdrawn in October 2000, a few days after admission.

Papules, blisters, and erosions with a partial herpetiform pattern (popliteal region)

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Histopathologic examination of the skin lesions revealed subepidermal blisters with an infiltrate of polymorphonuclear cells within the tips of dermal papillae (Fig. 2). A diagnosis of linear immunoglobulin A (IgA) bullous dermatosis was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence assay of perilesional skin showing linear IgA (++) and IgG (+) deposits within the basement membrane zone (Fig. 3). No antiepidermal basement membrane zone or antiendomysial IgA antibodies were detected in the patient's serum. Abnormal laboratory values were as follows: hemoglobin concentration, 10.6 g/dL; red blood cell count, 3.1 × 106/µL; platelets, 99.0 × 103/µL; glucose concentration, 228.0 mg/dL; creatinine concentration, 5.3 mg/dL; glycosuria and proteinuria.

Histopathology of lesional skin (upper leg): subepidermal blister and infiltrate of polymorphonuclear cells within the dermal papillae (hematoxylin and eosin, × 400)

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Immunopathology of perilesional skin (buttock): linear immunoglobulin A (IgA) deposits within the basement membrane zone. Fluorescein‐labeled anti‐IgA antibodies (magnification, × 600)

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The administration of dapsone at a daily dose of 100 mg resulted in a rapid improvement of the skin lesions. The dose had to be decreased after 3 weeks, however, because of a worsening of the patient's blood morphology and an increase in the proportion of methemoglobin (MetHb) up to 3%. Erythropoietin at a weekly dose of 6000 U was administered. Treatment with tetracycline (1.5 g/day), followed by prednisone (40 mg/day, gradually tapered) and sulfasalazine (4.5 g/day), did not influence the clinical picture of the skin lesions. Finally, dapsone (50 mg/day), together with prednisone (35 mg every second day), was started. With this treatment regimen, almost complete clearing of the skin lesions was achieved and maintained for 1 year. A few small blisters develop periodically and the concentration of MetHb remains within the normal range.
Atypical pityriasis rosea or psoriasis guttata? Early examination is the key to a correct diagnosis
Authors: Eslick Guy D.
Published: March 2003

Pityriasis rosea is a self‐limited, mild, inflammatory skin disease characterized by scaly lesions, possibly due to an unidentified infectious agent. It may occur at any age, but is seen most frequently in young adults. This paper reports a patient who presented with a skin condition which was initially diagnosed as pityriasis rosea; however, due to the persistence and change in appearance of the lesions, the diagnosis was later altered to psoriasis guttata. Changes in pityriasis rosea lesions over the course of the disease may make a correct diagnosis difficult, unless the patient is seen during the early stages of lesion formation. The final diagnosis in this case was of the rare variant known as pityriasis rosea irritata. This case highlights the importance of an excellent patient history in order to correctly diagnose the disease.
A case of adult colloid milium with chronic sun exposure
Authors: Kirtak Necmettin , Inaloz H. Serhat , Karakok Metin , Ozgoztasi Orhan
Published: March 2003

A 57‐year‐old woman presented with a sudden onset of skin‐colored papules, mainly on the forehead (Fig. 1), around the eyes, and on the dorsum of the hands (Fig. 2). The papules had grown in number and size over 1 month. The papules were discrete, shiny, and dome‐shaped, varying in size between 1 and 5 mm. The patient was a farmer and had commonly been exposed to UV radiation in her work in the fields for a period of more than 45 years. She was fair‐skinned and admitted that she was reluctant to use sun protection during her outdoor work. No lesions were observed on the covered areas of the body. The diagnosis was uncertain and clinical differential diagnoses were those of primary cutaneous amyloidosis, senile sebaceous hyperplasia, adult colloid milium (ACM), and papular mucinosis.

Skin‐colored papules on the forehead

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Skin‐colored papules on the dorsum of the hand

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The patient was otherwise healthy and there was no history of similar lesions in her family. Results of routine laboratory investigations, including a complete blood count, blood chemistry, and urinalysis, were found to be within normal limits. Bence‐Jones proteinuria was not detected. Serum immunelectrophoresis examination revealed no abnormal finding.

A punch biopsy specimen of the lesion stained with hematoxylin and eosin revealed subepidermal, eosinophilic, fissured amorphous masses abutting the epidermis without a grenz zone (Fig. 3). The amorphous masses stained positive with periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) both before and after diastase digestion. Negative staining was observed with Alcian blue at pH 2.5, Congo red, AE1/AE3, collagen type 4, and Thioflavine‐T. A diagnosis of ACM was made after clinicopathological correlation.

Subepidermal, eosinophilic, fissured amorphous masses abutting the epidermis without a Grenz zone (hematoxylin and eosin stain, magnification × 52)

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Genotypic diversity of asexual Ostracoda from a low arctic site
Authors: Havel John E. , Hebert Paul D. N. , Delorme L. Denis
Published: March 2003

The crustacean subclass Ostracoda shows an exceptionally high incidence of transitions from sexual to asexual reproduction, whose cause remains uncertain. In the current study, patterns of allozymic variation were examined in 12 species of asexual ostracodes at a low arctic site. Populations of 11 species had genotypic frequencies consistent with apomixis, having gross departures from Hardy‐Weinberg expectations and non‐random associations between loci. Allozyme phenotypes suggest that polyploidy is common in most asexual ostracode species in arctic ponds. Although most species had low clonal diversity, 3 had unusually high diversity, with a maximum of 18 clones detected per pond. Asexual species belonging to genera with sexual relatives had higher clonal diversities than those from genera without sexuals, suggesting that sexuals may serve as the source of this clonal diversity.
Tail length in birds in relation to tail shape, general flight ecology and sexual selection
Authors: Fitzpatrick
Published: March 2003

Relative tail length (longtailedness) of Palearctic birds was assessed by the standardized residuals of log–log regressions of tail length on wing length and tarsus length. The mean degree of tail shortening was greater than mean degree of tail lengthening, but there was a greater frequency of extreme long-tailed than short-tailed species. Longtailedness was greater in ornamental pin, lyre, deep forked and graduated shaped tails. These shapes (except graduated, for which data were lacking) were also relatively long-tailed according to shortest-rectrix lengths, this extra length potentially contributing compensatory lift. In forked tails, tail ratio increased linearly with longtailedness to above the aerodynamic optimum, and thus the most elongated forked tails were also more deeply forked. Tail shortening was marked for rounded tails, a surprising result in view of their slightly ornamental shape. Phylogenetically independent contrasts showed significantly greater longtailedness in graduated than square-tailed species, confirming the species-wide analysis. In phylogenetically independent contrasts of longtailedness and ecological factors, short-tailed species had significantly greater flight distances than medium-tailed species, but long- and medium-tailed species did not differ in migratory distance, foraging distance, overall flight distance or importance of aerial foraging. The data suggest that ecological factors, i.e. natural selection, are more important in the evolution of short-tailedness than longtailedness in birds, and that an additional influence of sexual selection on tail length and shape is also widespread.
Kleptoparasitism as an explanation for paradoxical oviposition decisions of the parasitoid Asobara tabida
Authors: Kraaijeveld
Published: March 2003

It is known that the braconid Asobara tabida, a parasitoid of Drosophila larvae, takes oviposition decisions in accordance with survival probabilities in several host species. Nevertheless, larvae of D. simulans, in which the survival probability is virtually zero, are readily accepted for oviposition by searching females. This even happens when they are offered together with D. melanogaster larvae, in which the parasitoid can develop. Here I show that A. tabida can act as a kleptoparasitoid in D. simulans larvae: it can develop in D. simulans larvae, once these larvae are parasitized by another parasitoid, the eucoilid Leptopilina boulardi. Analysis with an optimal foraging model suggests that the increase in survival probability and the occurrence of L. boulardi in the field are high enough to make this kleptoparasitic behaviour of A. tabida pay.
Immigration and gene flow in a northern willow tit (Parus montanus) population
Authors: Orell  , Lahti  , Koivula  , Rytkönen  , Welling
Published: March 2003

To study quantitatively the relationship between immigration rate and gene flow we used 9-year data from a willow tit Parus montanus population in a continuous forest habitat. We compared components of lifetime reproductive success, and parental survival rate between immigrant and resident (‘status’) birds by taking individual age into consideration also. Of the fitness components, survival was independent of status and sex, averaging 0.60 annually. Of the male and female breeders, on average 63.1% and 75.6%, respectively, originated from unknown natal areas, implying extensive immigration. Pair formation was nonassortative with respect to the origin of partners. The effect of status on reproductive success was significant only for females: immigrants produced larger clutches and hatched more young in all age classes studied. However, the difference between the groups diminished until fledging and the offspring produced by the immigrant females showed lower local survival rate (4.6% of the young) than did those by the residents (5.9%). Therefore, the contribution of immigrant females to the local gene pool was lower than expected on the basis of immigration rate. However, we propose that the result implies differential propensities to long-distance dispersal rather than overall survival prospects, since we detected no quality differences suggesting reduced survival chances among descendants of immigrant females. Therefore, gene flow into the population was slightly lower than immigration rate. It is possible that immigrant females are more prone to invest in progeny that effectively disperse further to search for new vacancies. The conditions prevailing during nestling growth may be crucial in determining whether an individual will later become a resident or leave the natal area, but the genetic component of this trait should also be considered. We suggest that widespread propagules is a better strategy than philopatry for a short-lived species to minimize the risk of losing all descendants in temporally and spatially varying conditions.
Food availability and parasite infection influence the correlated responses of life history traits to selection for age at pupation in the mosquito Aedes aegypti
Authors: Koella  , Offenberg
Published: March 2003

We selected six lines of mosquito Aedes aegypti for earlier or later pupation and measured the correlated responses of several life history traits: adult size, two fecundity measures and pre-adult survival. We further examined the influence of two environmental parameters – larval food availability and infection by the microsporidian parasite Edhazardia aedis– on the correlated responses. Pre-adult survival did not respond to selection for age at pupation in any environment. For all of the other traits, the environment influenced the correlated response, though the contribution of the different environmental aspects differed among traits. While the correlated response of adult size was influenced only by larval food availability, the likelihood that a female laid eggs was influenced by parasite infection, and the correlated response of the number of eggs was influenced by the interaction of the two environmental parameters. Generally, a deteriorating environment moved the correlated response from one favouring later pupation to one favouring earlier pupation. Larval food availability and parasite infection also influenced the association between the mean wing length and fecundity of the selected lines. At high food availability, there was a positive relationship between adult size and fecundity, while infected mosquitoes reared at low food availability showed the opposite trend. We discuss these results in light of the coevolutionary potential of the host–parasite interaction.
Evolution of oviposition strategies and speciation in the globeflower flies Chiastocheta spp. (Anthomyiidae)
Authors: Després  , Jaeger
Published: March 2003

Trollius europaeus (Ranunculaceae) is involved in an intimate interaction with several species of Chiastocheta flies (Anthomyiidae) that are both seed predators and pollinators. In this paper, we analyse the oviposition strategy of the six Chiastocheta species found to coexist on T. europaeus in 19 populations from the French Alps. We show that the species are not equivalent in their oviposition behaviour: C. rotundiventris usually deposits no more than one egg per flower in first-day flowers whereas C. dentifera aggregates its eggs on fruits and thus does not contribute to pollination at all; the four remaining species deposit eggs sequentially during the flowering period from the 2nd to the 7th day. Hence, the outcomes of the interaction in terms of net seed production for the plant greatly depend on the Chiastocheta species visiting it, ranging from a mutualistic to a purely parasitic interaction. We assessed mitochondrial divergence between Chiastocheta spp. by sequencing a 1320-bp mitochondrial DNA fragment. The low divergence observed between species (0–4.15%) suggests that genus diversification took place recently. Unlike in other plant–insect systems where diversification is usually thought to be driven by cospeciation or host shifts, we propose that Chiastocheta speciation took place within the host plant. Basal separation of a particularly mutualistic species provided favourable conditions for plant specialization on this seed-parasite as a pollinator early in the evolution of the association. The parasitic species ovipositing on fruits derived from a species ovipositing on flowers. Diversification of the intermediate strategies probably occurred in relation with the Pleistocene climatic events, reproductive isolation between species being reinforced by niche partitioning for oviposition and/or sexual selection.
The comparative evolution of lizard claw and toe morphology and clinging performance
Authors: Zani
Published: March 2003

In this study, I utilize the expected functional relationships between claw and toe morphology and clinging performance as a basis for examining evolutionary trends across 85 lizard taxa from 13 families. After controlling for body size and phylogeny, multivariate comparisons indicate that several aspects of claw and toe morphology are correlated with clinging performance. Specifically, evolutionary increases in claw curvature, toe width and adhesive lamella number are correlated with increases in clinging performance on smooth substrates. Furthermore, evolutionary increases in claw height and decreases in toe length are correlated with increases in clinging performance on rough substrates. Sensitivity analyses revealed that changes in both branch lengths and procedural order of correction for body size and phylogeny do not generally have an effect on phylogenetic comparisons. These results demonstrate that the evolution of claw and toe morphology is correlated with the evolution of clinging performance across a wide range lizard taxa.
Does inbreeding affect the extinction risk of small populations?: predictions from Drosophila
Authors: Bijlsma  , Bundgaard  , Boerema
Published: March 2003

A fundamental assumption underlying the importance of genetic risks within conservation biology is that inbreeding increases the extinction probability of populations. Although inbreeding has been shown to have a detrimental impact on individual fitness, its contribution to extinction is still poorly understood. We have studied the consequences of different levels of prior inbreeding for the persistence of small populations using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. To this end, we determined the extinction rate of small vial populations differing in the level of inbreeding under both optimal and stress conditions, i.e. high temperature stress and ethanol stress. We show that inbred populations have a significantly higher short-term probability of extinction than non-inbred populations, even for low levels of inbreeding, and that the extinction probability increases with increasing inbreeding levels. In addition, we observed that the effects of inbreeding become greatly enhanced under stressful environmental conditions. More importantly, our results show that the impact of environmental stress becomes significantly greater for higher inbreeding levels, demonstrating explicitly that inbreeding and environmental stress are not independent but can act synergistically. These effects seem long lasting as the impact of prior inbreeding was still qualitatively the same after the inbred populations had been expanded to appreciable numbers and maintained as such for approximately 50 generations. Our observations have significant consequences for conservation biology.
Complementary sex determination in the genus Diadegma (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)
Authors: Butcher  , Whitfield  , Hubbard
Published: March 2003

In the evolution of sexual reproduction we would expect to see a close association between mating systems and sex determination mechanisms. Such associations are especially evident in the insect order Hymenoptera which shows great diversity with respect to both of these characteristics. The ancestral sex determination mechanism in this order is thought to be single-locus complementary sex determination (sl-CSD), which is inbreeding sensitive, and where inbreeding results in the production of sterile diploid males rather than daughters. Presently, however, there is insufficient data to give strong support to the hypothesis that sl-CSD is truly the ancestral condition in the Hymenoptera, principally because of the difficulty of reliably determining the degree of male ploidy. Here we show that six ichneumonid parasitoids from the polyphyletic genus Diadegma are subject to sl-CSD, using neuronal cell DNA flow cytometry to distinguish ploidy levels. The presence of sl-CSD in these six species, together with earlier evidence from the authors for D. chrysostictos, provides considerable support for the notion that sl-CSD was ancestral in the Aculeata/Ichneumonoidea clade, which contains all eusocial Hymenoptera. Moreover, because flow cytometry discriminates reliably between haploid and diploid males, and is independent of the maternal sex allocation or the need for genetic markers, it has considerable potential for the determination of ploidy more generally.
Diversity of age-specific reproductive rates may result from ageing and optimal resource allocation
Authors: Cichoń M.
Published: March 2003

This paper reports the results of a dynamic programming model which optimizes resource allocation to growth, reproduction and repair of somatic damage, based on the disposable soma theory of ageing. Here it is shown that different age-dependent patterns of reproductive rates are products of optimal lifetime strategies of resource partitioning. The array of different reproductive patterns generated by the model includes those in which reproduction begins at the maximum rate at maturity and then declines to the end of life, or increases up to a certain age and then drops. The observed patterns reflect optimal resource allocation shaped by the level of extrinsic mortality. A continuous decline in the reproductive rate from the start of reproduction is associated with high extrinsic mortality, and an early increase in the reproductive rate occurs under low extrinsic mortality. A long-lived organism shows a low reproductive rate early in life, and short-lived organisms start reproduction at the maximum rate.