bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hypomelanosis of Ito with ileal atresia
Authors: Kaya Tamer Irfan , Kokturk Aysin , Nayci Ali , Aksoyek Selim , Dusmez Duygu 
Published: March 2003

A 1‐year‐old girl was referred to our dermatology clinic by the Pediatric Surgery clinic for hypopigmented macular lesions over her trunk and proximal parts of the extremities. Physical examination revealed bilateral streak and whorl shaped hypopigmented macular lesions which had developed gradually since birth and were distributed along Blaschko's lines (Fig. 1). Some of the lesions, particularly the ones located in the gluteal region, gave a ‘‘splashed water’' appearance (Fig. 2). The majority of these macular lesions measured between 1–3 cm in diameter. They were asymptomatic. There was neither a history of preceding lesions nor a history of trauma at the sites of the lesions. The patient was otherwise healthy.Streak and whorl shaped hypopigmented macular lesions along Blaschko’s linesimageThe lesions located in the gluteal region gave a "splashed water’’ appearanceimageThe history of the patient revealed congenital ileal atresia. The patient was presented to the Pediatric Surgery clinic with abdominal distension, bilious vomiting, and lack of meconium passage at the second day after birth. Surgery was performed upon diagnosis of ileus and an ileal atresia (type II) was detected at the operation. The congenital defects of the small bowels were removed and the intestines were repaired with end to end anastomosis. The diagnosis of the congenital ileal atresia was confirmed by a histopathologic examination of the removed tissue specimens. The child was the product of a normal pregnancy, routine ultrasound was normal and there was no history of exposures to medications, infections or X‐rays during the pregnancy. She was the fourth child of nonconsanguineous parents. There was no family history of a congenital anomaly or similar cutaneous lesions.A biopsy specimen was obtained from a trunk lesion. Although areas of focal pigmentation were observed, histopathological examination of the biopsy specimen showed a decrease in the pigmentation of the basal cell layer. Pigment incontinence was not observed in the dermis. A full blood count, routine urinalysis, liver and renal function tests, serum electrolyte levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were within normal limits.Upon consideration of these findings we diagnosed the patient as suffering from hypomelanosis of Ito (HI) with ileal atresia.
A simple surgical technique for the treatment of steatocystoma multiplex
Authors: Kaya Tamer Irfan , Ikizoglu Guliz , Kokturk Aysin , Tursen Umit 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground  Since steatocystoma multiplex is an uncommon disorder, its treatment has not been discussed in detail in the textbooks and surgical excision is the most commonly mentioned method. In this article, we describe a very simple surgical technique, which was developed by modifying previous reports.Methods  A 29‐year‐old woman, diagnosed clinically and histologically as steatocystoma multiplex, was treated with this modified technique. We punctured the cysts under local anesthesia with a sharp‐tipped cautery point and evacuated the contents by squeezing the cyst with a fine forceps. Then, the cyst wall was grasped by the forceps and the sacs were extracted through small holes. More than 50 cysts were treated.Results  The treatment was well tolerated by the patient. No complications developed during or after the procedure. After 14 months follow up no recurrences were observed and the results were cosmetically excellent.Conclusions  This modified technique is very simple and time saving. Its cosmetic and long‐term results are successful. We believe that it must be considered as the treatment of choice for steatocystoma multiplex.
Multiple pilomatricoma with perforation
Authors: Fetil Emel , Özkan Şebnem , İlknur Turna , Erdem Yasemin , Lebe Banu , Güneş Ali Tahsin 
Published: March 2003

A 22‐year‐old woman presented to our clinic with a complaint of masses on various parts of her body. A mass on her right forearm had appeared 5 years ago and had enlarged during the past 6 months. Two lesions on the back of her neck had a 3‐year history, one lesion on her eyebrow had a 2‐year history, and one lesion on her left forearm had a 1‐year history. The lesion on her left forearm was discharging purulent material.Dermatologic examination revealed a 15 × 16 mm tumor on the right forearm, 11 × 6 mm and 10 × 5 mm tumors on the back of the neck, and a 20 × 20 mm tumor on the eyebrow; they were flesh‐colored, well‐defined, firm tumors. On her left forearm, there was a 12 × 10 mm, well‐defined, firm, blue–red tumor discharging chalky white granules; purulent material was detected (Fig. 1).Firm, blue–red tumor discharging chalky white granulesimageThere was no regional lymphadenopathy. Systemic examination was normal. Laboratory examination of hematologic, biochemical, and urinalysis tests was normal. There was no family history of similar lesions.Total excision of all the tumors was performed. Histopathologic examination of the material revealed clusters of eosinophilic shadow cells surrounded by a fibrous capsule. There were also foreign body giant cells. Areas of calcification, cholesterol clefts, and ossification were detected. An intraepidermal perforating area was detected from the biopsy material of the left forearm (Fig. 2). There were no recurrences after 1 year of follow‐up.Intraepidermal perforating area and clusters of shadow cells (hematoxylin and eosin, × 200)image
Rejuvenating facial massage – a bane or boon?
Authors: Khanna Neena , Datta Gupta Siddhartha 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground Facial massage is an extremely popular form of beauty treatment and is thought to rejuvenate the skin. We decided to study the benefits and untoward effects of this form of facial beauty treatment.Methods One hundred and forty‐two women (aged 17–63 years), who had received facial beauty treatment in three well‐established beauty parlours in New Delhi, were entered into the study and observed for a period of 12 weeks after the facial beauty treatment. Twenty‐seven of the subjects had a repeat facial beauty treatment 4–6 weeks after entry into the study, giving a total of 169 massage episodes observed. Immediate and delayed effects of the beauty treatment were examined.Results Facial beauty treatment generally consists of three steps: vigorous massaging of the face with creams, steaming (using a hot towel or a steaming gadget), and application of a face mask containing adsorbents and astringents. In our study, the creams used for massage included “off the shelf” creams manufactured by standard cosmetic companies in 95 (56.3%) subjects, herbal creams in 61 (36.1%), and creams containing exotic ingredients, such as gold salts, in 13 (7.7%). Sixty‐one (36.1%) patients developed erythema and puffiness within 15 min to 2 h after the beauty treatment. This lasted for 2–6 h. Forty‐one (24.3%) women underwent the procedure of comedone extraction after steaming. In 12 (7.1%) of these women, persistent erythema was noticed at the site of comedone extraction. Eight (4.7%) women developed mild dermatitis on the face, 2–7 days after the facial beauty treatment. Patch testing with constituents used in the facial beauty treatment was positive in four patients (herbal cream, 1; witch hazel, 1; orange face pack, 1; and gold cream, 1). In 47 (33.1%) subjects, an acneiform eruption was observed 3–10 weeks after the facial beauty treatment (mean, 6.1 ± 3 weeks). Thirteen (27.7%) of these subjects had taken the facial beauty treatment for the first time, whereas 34 (72.3%) developed an acneiform eruption after every facial massage. The predominant lesions were deep‐seated nodules, although a few comedones, especially closed ones, were present in some patients. Lesions were always present on the cheeks, an area of focus during the facial massage, and healed with hyperpigmentation. The benefits of facial beauty treatment, as mentioned by the subjects, included a feeling of freshness and rejuvenation in 84 (59.1%), keeping the skin supple in 76 (53.5%), feeling of warmth and tightening of the skin in 71 (50%), and delaying the onset of wrinkles in 21 (14.8%).Conclusions Although there are several subjective benefits with facial beauty treatment, there may be immediate side‐effects, such as erythema and edema, as well as delayed problems, such as dermatitis and acneiform eruption, in about one‐third of patients.
False positive VDRL (BFP‐STS) and systemic lupus erythematosus; new data in clinico‐laboratory associations
Authors: Al Attia Haider M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim To investigate the relationships between clinical features and serological parameters in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with false positive venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test (BFP‐STS) and those without.Methods The records of 74 patients with SLE were reviewed. These were divided on the basis of the presence of a biologically fase positive serological test (BFP‐STS) (n = 18) or its absence (n = 56). The clinical features and serological parameters were subsequently evaluated in each group.Results A biologically fase positive serological test was found in 18 patients (24.5%). Clinically, they had a significantly higher frequency of malar rash (P < 0.02), hemolytic anaemia (P < 0.02) and SLE‐related antiphospholipid (APL) syndrome (P < 0.02). Neuropsychiatric lupus was more frequent in the group without BFP‐STS. Moreover, subacute cutaneous LE (SCLE), Raynaud's phenomenon, livedo reticularis (LR) and cardiopulmonary complications were present only in the latter group. There was no significant association between BFP‐STS and other autoantibodies including Extractable nuclear antigen (ENAs), however, there was a significant association with C3 hypocomplementemia (P < 0.05). Half of the patients with BFP‐STS were positive for anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL Abs) vs. 28% in the negative group (P = NS).Conclusions The study suggests that the clinical and serological relevance of BFP‐STS in lupus patients may vary from those described in relation to other antiphospholipid determinants. Our patients appeared to have sparing of certain major organ systems, yet there was a greater tendency to developing Antiphospholipid (APL) syndrome and hemolytic anaemia.
Review of fexofenadine in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria
Authors: Kawashima Makoto , Harada Shotaro , Tango Toshiro 
Published: March 2003

AbstractChronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), characterized by the appearance of itchy wheals of unknown etiology, can be extremely debilitating and can significantly reduce a patient's quality of life (QOL). Fexofenadine, a non‐sedating, H1‐receptor selective, long‐acting antihistamine, is licensed worldwide for the treatment of CIU. A number of dose‐ranging studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of fexofenadine for the the treatment of CIU. In two similar North American studies, patients received either fexofenadine HCI (20, 60, 120, or 240 mg bid) or placebo. All four doses of fexofendine were statistically superior to placebo at reducing pruritus and reducing the number of wheals (P 0.0238). A dose‐finding study undertaken in Japanese patients confirmed that fexofenadine HCI (60 mg and 120 mg bid) is an effective treatment for CIU. A similar dose response was shown in all three studies when the results were compared. Furthermore, health outcome analyses of the North American studies indicated that fexofenadine HCI 60 mg bid significantly improved patient's QOL. In these studies, fexofenadine had a consistently comparable safety profile to placebo, with no dose‐related trends in the incidence of adverse events. In conclusion, fexofenadine is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment for CIU, with a wide therapeutic window. Importantly, the lack of ethnic differences between the studies from North America and Asia indicate that the efficacy and safety of fexofenadine demonstrated in these studies are cross‐culturally applicable.
Sweet's syndrome in an infant – report of a rare case
Authors: Prasad Pullbatla Venkata Siva , Ambujam Sreedevi , Priya Kota , Padma Kamalamma , Rehana Tipoo 
Published: March 2003

A 35‐day‐old baby girl presented with a history of sudden onset of skin lesions of 4 days’ duration. The skin lesions initially appeared on the cheeks, but progressed to involve the trunk and limbss within 4 days. There was a history of upper respiratory tract infection 10 days prior to the onset of the skin lesions. The skin lesions were associated with fever. There was no history or symptoms suggestive of systemic involvement. The child was not on any drugs prior to the onset of the skin lesions.On examination, the child was febrile with a temperature of 100 °F and a pulse rate of 120 beats/min, and weighed 3.8 kg. Cutaneous examination revealed multiple, erythematous, nodular lesions on the face (Fig. 1). A few large bullous lesions were present on the thighs and gluteal region. Multiple tender nodules and a few annular lesions with well‐defined discrete papules at the margins and central erythema were also seen on the trunk and limbs. There was no involvement of the mucous membranes. Systemic examination was within normal limits.Face showing erythematous nodular lesionsimageThe investigations revealed a hemoglobin of 7.2 g%, a total count of 30,000 cells/mm3 with a differential count of 79% neutrophils, and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 50 mm at 1 h.Urine examination, USG, and pus culture were normal. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening in the baby and mother was negative. The histopathologic section revealed a dense inflammatory cell infiltrate involving the epidermis and upper dermis, composed mainly of neutrophils. The epidermis also showed edema and spongiotic vesicles. The inflammatory cell infiltrate was distributed around small blood vessels, as well as the entire upper dermal tissue, together with leukocytoclasis (Fig. 2).Histopathology of a nodule showing perivascular and upper dermal neutrophilic infiltrate with leukocytoclasis and spongiosis of the epidermis (× 40)imageThe baby was treated with oral prednisolone, at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight, and oral potassium iodide (100%), five drops, three times daily. With this regimen, the skin lesions regressed in 4 weeks. Steroids were gradually tapered and oral potassium iodide was continued for four more weeks and then stopped. The lesions resolved with secondary cutis laxa. There was no relapse at the end of a follow‐up period of 12 months.
The evolution of spore size in Agarics: do big mushrooms have big spores?
Authors: Meerts  
Published: March 2003

AbstractAs a first attempt to investigate evolutionary patterns of spore size in Agarics, I tested whether this trait was correlated to the size of the fruit-body (basidiocarp). Based on phylogenetically independent contrasts, it was shown that big mushroom species had on average 9% longer, 9% wider and 33% more voluminous spores (all with P &lt; 0.05, one-tailed tests) than small congeneric species (a three-fold difference in cap diameter was used to discriminate big and small mushrooms). It is argued that larger spore size does not consistently confer higher fitness in fungi, owing to aerodynamic constraints. Surprisingly, the cap–spore correlation was strongly lineage-specific. Thus, spore volume correlated significantly with cap diameter in five of 16 large genera (four positive and one negative correlation). Positive cap–spore correlations are interpreted in terms of developmental constraints, mediated by hyphal swelling during cap expansion. The possible mechanisms which can account for the breakdown of this constraint in the majority of genera investigated are discussed.
Chromosomal differentiation through an Alpine hybrid zone in the grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus
Authors: Flanagan  , Mason  , Gosálvez  , Hewitt  
Published: March 2003

Abstract
The grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus is genetically differentiated over its range into at least five major geographical subdivisions. Two of these subdivisions, designated as subspecies, meet and form a hybrid zone in the Pyrenees. These subspecies differ for a wide range of morphological, behavioural and chromosomal characters, which vary clinally across the zone. A further geographical subdivision exists within Italy. Here we present the first evidence for chromosomal divergence between populations of the grasshopper north and south of the Alps. Across two Alpine cols (Col de Larche, between France and Italy; Passo de Resia, between Austria and Italy), these populations differ in both structural and functional components of the X-chromosome. Northern Alpine individuals possess an active nucleolar organizing region (NOR) at the distal end of the X-chromosome and an associated region of heterochromatin (C-band). Both these features are absent from individuals from the south of the Alps. However, all individuals examined carry distally located rDNA on the X-chromosome. Clinal transition was examined in the distal C-band in transects through the two cols. The cline centres are roughly coincident with the tops of the cols. Both clines were of similar widths (Col de Larche, 21.88 km; Passo de Resia, 24.05 km), and therefore much wider than those for an X-linked distal C-band in the Pyrenean hybrid zone. This suggests that there are different selective pressures on the cytogenetic characters in the Alps. The results are discussed in the context of the historical population dynamics of the species in relation to the climatic changes associated with the Pleistocene ice ages.
Evolutionary genetics of sex-limited traits under fluctuating selection
Authors: Reinhold K. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Ultimately based on the different gamete size and the resulting sex roles, most animal species have acquired traits that occur only in one of the sexes. For those sex-limited traits the impact of a single selection event is reduced, because the genes coding for these traits also occur unexpressed in the other sex and are therefore partly hidden to selection. All sex-limited traits thus show a storage effect analogous to a seed bank. This storage effect has to be considered when measuring the effect of fluctuating selection on sex-limited traits. Here, I develop appropriate equations to measure the ability of an allele to invade a population when fluctuating selection acts on sex-limited traits. A comparison of the equations for X-chromosomal and autosomal traits gives the following result: the evolution of traits limited to the heterogametic sex should preferentially involve X-chromosomal genes and the evolution of traits limited to the homogametic sex should preferentially involve autosomal genes. This difference between the sexes may contribute to explain (1) the large effect of X-chromosomal genes in causing hybrid sterility in the heterogametic sex and (2) the large effect of X-chromosomal genes on sexually selected traits in heterogametic males.
Functional mechanisms of an inducible defence in tadpoles: morphology and behaviour influence mortality risk from predation
Authors: Van Buskirk  , Mccollum  
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn many amphibian larvae a suite of morphological and behavioural characters varies together in an induced defence against predators, but it remains unclear which features are functionally related to defence. We independently manipulated behaviour and morphology in tadpoles of Hyla versicolor and assessed their consequences for swimming performance and predator escape. Data on burst swimming showed that tadpoles which accelerated rapidly were elongate, with shallow bodies and tails. Predator escape was measured by exposing tadpoles to predators (larval Anax dragonflies or larval Ambystoma salamanders) and recording time until death. Tadpoles were first reared for 30 days in ponds containing either caged Anax or no predators; individuals responded to predators by developing large brightly coloured tails and short bodies. We placed tadpoles of both morphological phenotypes into plastic tubs, and manipulated their behaviour using food and chemical cues from predators. Mortality risk experienced by the predator-induced phenotype was about half that of the no-predator phenotype, and risk increased with time spent swimming. An interaction between morphology and behaviour arose because increasing activity caused higher risk for tadpoles with deep tail fins but not shallow tail fins.
DNA evidence for morphological and cryptic Cenozoic speciations in the Anaspididae, ‘living fossils’ from the Triassic
Authors: Jarman  , Elliott  
Published: March 2003

Abstract
The speciation history of Anaspides tasmaniae (Crustacea: Malacostraca) and its close relatives (family Anaspididae) was studied by phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences. The phylogenetic analyses revealed that the Anaspides morphotype conceals at least three cryptic species belonging to different parts of its range. The occurrence of multiple cryptic phylogenetic species within one morphological type shows that substantial genetic evolution has occurred independently of morphological evolution. Molecular clock dating of the speciation events that generated both the cryptic and the morphological species of Anaspididae indicated continuous speciation within this group since the Palaeocene ~55 million years ago. This relatively constant rate of recent morphological and cryptic speciation within the Anaspididae suggests that the speciation rate in this group does not correlate with its low extinction rate or morphological conservatism.
Cultural niche construction and human evolution
Authors: Laland K. N. , Odling-Smee J. , Feldman M. W. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Organisms frequently choose, regulate, construct and destroy important components of their environments, in the process changing the selection pressures to which they and other organisms are exposed. We refer to these processes as niche construction. In humans, culture has greatly amplified our capacity for niche construction and our ability to modify selection pressures. We use gene-culture coevolutionary models to explore the evolutionary consequences of culturally generated niche construction through human evolution. Our analysis suggests that where cultural traits are transmitted in an unbiased fashion from parent to offspring, cultural niche construction will have a similar effect to gene-based niche construction. However, cultural transmission biases favouring particular cultural traits may either increase or reduce the range of parameter space over which niche construction has an impact, which means that niche construction with biased transmission will either have a much smaller or a much bigger effect than gene-based niche construction. The analysis also reveals circumstances under which cultural transmission can overwhelm natural selection, accelerate the rate at which a favoured gene spreads, initiate novel evolutionary events and trigger hominid speciation. Because cultural processes typically operate faster than natural selection, cultural niche construction probably has more profound consequences than gene-based niche construction, and is likely to have played an important role in human evolution.