bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Axillary osmidrosis treated by partial removal of the skin and subcutaneous tissue en bloc and apocrine gland subcision
Authors: Fan Yi‐Ming , Wu Zhi‐Hua , Li Shun‐Fan , Chen Qiu‐Xia 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground  Axillary osmidrosis can be treated with many methods, but local surgery is the treatment of choice.Methods  Forty‐three patients (32 females and 11 males, average age 20.3 years) were treated by partial removal of the skin and subcutaneous tissue en bloc and follicular clipping of the adjacent area. All operations were performed with local anesthesia in an outpatient setting.Results  Follow‐up ranged from 2 to 47 months (mean: 13.4 months). Forty‐one patients (95%) had good results, two (5%) were fair, and none were poor. No recurrences were seen. The wound complication rate was 3.5% for axillae and 7% for patients. There were no scar contractures or limitations of arm abduction.Conclusion  This combined surgical method can eliminate malodor and has a low wound complication and recurrence rate. Though the transient and conspicuous scar is the chief drawback of this method, it is a simple, safe, effective and inexpensive method for treating axillary osmidrosis.
Dermatology practice in primary health care services: where do we stand in the Middle East?
Authors: Al‐Hoqail Ibrahim A. , Gad Ashry , Crawford Richard I. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground  There has been a distinct expansion of the primary health care services in the Middle East over the past two decades. As a consequence, the exposure of primary care physicians (PCPs) to skin disorders has increased. However, information is lacking regarding the level of proficiency of PCPs in this field.Objective  The purpose of our study is to assess the ability of the primary care physicians, with or without training in dermatology, to identify, diagnose and manage skin disorders.Material and methods  Physicians at university‐hospital primary‐care clinics were asked to answer a multiple‐choice questionnaire regarding various dermatoses. These were grouped into: common, infrequent and rare. Questions included identification of the correct description of the skin lesion, diagnosis, treatment and the desirability of referral. Demographic characteristics of the physicians were also assessed.Results  Nineteen PCPs were included. The eight PCPs who had had specific training in dermatology showed performance superior to that of the PCPs who did not (P = 0.04). Not surprisingly, PCPs were able to make the correct diagnosis more frequently for the common dermatoses than for the infrequent or rare dermatoses (P = 0.001). On the other hand, when asked to recognize a correct description of the skin lesion, the PCPs were most often correct with rare dermatoses, and least often correct with common dermatoses (P = 0.04).Conclusion  PCPs with a short period of specific clinical training in dermatology perform better in identifying, diagnosing and managing skin disorders than those without. Such training for PCPs should be considered to provide more effective delivery of health care.
Dyskeratosis congenita with isolated neutropenia and granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor treatment
Authors: Yilmaz Kutluhan , Serhat İnalöz H. , Ünal Bünyamin , Güler Elif 
Published: March 2003

A 3‐year‐old Turkish boy with a history of chronic cough, recurrent bronchopneumonia, and a borderline sweat chloride test (40 mEq/L) was referred for further evaluation to our department. He was born at term (2100 g) to a marriage with no consanguinity. His mother and father were 40 and 46 years old, respectively.Physical examination (Fig. 1) revealed hypopigmented, atrophic, and hyperkeratotic skin lesions surrounded by reticulate hyperpigmentation on the entire body, predominantly on the face, neck, arms, shoulders, and legs, which had been noticed initially at the age of 18 months. Dystrophic toenails, sparse and thin hair, and phimosis were also observed. Laboratory tests disclosed an isolated neutropenia (white blood cell count, 1800/mm3). Bone marrow (BM) aspiration showed a decreased myelopoiesis without myelodysplastic changes, but normal erythropoiesis, megakaryopoiesis, and normal stroma. Lymphocyte subgroups containing CD4, CD5, CD6, CD8, CD19, CD23, and CD25, and immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, IgA, and IgE, were in the normal range; hemoglobin F (HbF), 2.8%. Spontaneous and clastogen‐induced chromosome breaks were not increased. A skin biopsy showed increased pigmentation at the basal layer, dyskeratotic epidermal cells, and marked IgM deposition and cytoid bodies and mild IgA and IgG deposits at the dermo‐epidermal junction. Lactate response to glucose challenge, amino acid chromatography, and urine organic acid analysis were normal.Hypopigmented, atrophic, and hyperkeratotic skin lesions surrounded by reticulate hyperpigmentation involving predominantly the face, neck, arms, shoulders, and legs, dystrophic toenails, and sparse and thin hairimageA diagnosis of dyskeratosis congenita (DC) was made with typical skin lesions, dystrophic toenails, thin and sparse hair, and neutropenia with decreased myelopoiesis in BM. Treatment with granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) was considered for the neutropenia. As the increase in neutrophil count at a dose of 5 µg/kg was not adequate, 10 µg/kg G‐CSF was tried (Fig. 2). With 10 µg/kg once to three times a week, a 1.8–4.8‐fold increase in the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was achieved with no side‐effects. Treatment was more frequent during infection (days 22–28).Response of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) to granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) administration (5 µg/kg on days 1 and 3; 10 µg/kg on days 5, 10, 16, 23, 26, 28, 34, 40, 48, 54)image
A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of clobetasol propionate 0.05% foam in the treatment of nonscalp psoriasis
Authors: Lebwohl Mark , Sherer Daniel , Washenik Ken , Krueger Gerald G. , Menter Alan , Koo John , Feldman Steven R. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground Topical corticosteroids are the primary treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis. Foam preparations of corticosteroids offer potential cosmetic and pharmacodynamic advantages over cream and ointment vehicles. A clobetasol propionate foam product is as effective as clobetasol propionate solution in the treatment of scalp psoriasis.Aim To evaluate the safety and efficacy of clobetasol propionate foam in the treatment of psoriasis involving sites other than the scalp.Methods Eighty‐one subjects with mild to moderate psoriasis were randomized in a 3 : 1 ratio to receive clobetasol propionate foam vs. placebo foam treatment in this double‐blind study of psoriasis involving nonscalp sites. The investigator's and subject's global assessment of the response at week 2 (or at the end of treatment) and at week 4 (follow‐up) and the severity of erythema, scaling, and plaque thickness were assessed. Safety was assessed from reported adverse events.Results After 2 weeks of treatment, there was significantly greater improvement with clobetasol propionate foam compared with placebo foam in both investigator's and subject's global assessment of the response (P < 0.0005). The improvement with clobetasol propionate foam was still present at the 4‐week follow‐up visit. Adverse effects were generally limited to mild to moderate application site reactions. No subjects withdrew because of adverse events.Conclusions Clobetasol propionate foam is more effective than placebo in the treatment of nonscalp psoriasis. Twice‐daily applications are well tolerated, compliance exceeds 90%, cosmetic characteristics are acceptable, and the medication may eliminate the need for separate scalp and body prescriptions.
Anonychia congenita totalis: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Al Hawsawi Khalid , Al Aboud Khalid , Alfadley Abdullah , Al Aboud Daifullah 
Published: March 2003

A 27‐year‐old man presented with a history of the absence of the nails of all the fingers and toes since birth. His parents were first‐degree cousins and there was no other case in the family. The past medical history was unremarkable. Examination revealed the absence of all the nails of all the toes and fingers (Fig. 1). The teeth and hair were normal and there were no significant skin lesions. Other systemic examinations were normal. X‐Ray of the hands and feet showed the presence of terminal phalangeal bones. The patient was diagnosed with anonychia congenita totalis simplex.Hands showing the absence of all the fingernailsimage
Large cell acanthoma
Authors: Mehregan Darius R. , Hamzavi Fasahat , Brown Karl 
Published: March 2003

The large cell acanthoma presents as a slightly scaly tan macule on photodamaged skin. Clinically, it may be difficult to differentiate from a lentigo senilis, pigmented actinic keratosis, or a flat and pigmented seborrheic keratosis.We have studied 19 cases of large cell acanthoma. Large cell acanthomas were identified histologically as having epidermal keratinocytes with nuclei roughly twice the size of adjacent epidermal or adnexal keratinocytes, and as having minimal nuclear pleomorphism.Histologic findings were compared with actinic keratosis and lentigo senilis. Melanocyte density and cellular proliferation were compared using HMB‐45 staining of melanocytes and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining of epidermal keratinocytes.Lentigo senilis and large cell acanthoma both showed increased numbers of melanocytes, as identified by HMB‐45 staining. Actinic keratosis shows a statistically increased proliferation rate, as identified by PCNA staining. On the basis of clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical staining similarities, we believe that large cell acanthoma should be considered as a reaction pattern, possibly related to lentigo senilis.
Psychological benefits of prostate cancer screening: the role of reassurance
Authors: Cantor Scott B. , Volk Robert J. , Cass Alvah R. , Gilani Jawaria , Spann Stephen J. 
Published: March 2003

Objectives  The role of reassurance in decision‐making about screening for health problems is largely unknown. We examined the reassurance value of prostate cancer screening in primary care patients. Setting and participants  One hundred and sixty eight men, aged 45–70 years, who had no history of prostate cancer, from three family medicine practices in southeast Texas. Methods  A hypothetical scenario was developed where men were asked to assume they did not have prostate cancer, and then to rank three predefined screening states with regard to reassurance value: (A) unknown (no screening), (B) normal by screening [a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) test and a digital rectal examination (DRE)] and (C) normal by biopsy (abnormal PSA test and DRE results but a negative ultrasound‐guided prostate biopsy). Results  Most of the men (96.8%) associated some reassurance value with screening, considering health state A to be the worst possible health state. Results from a multivariate analysis showed that preference for screening state C was associated with a family history of prostate cancer and perceived greater risk for prostate cancer compared with other men. Conclusion  These findings suggest that prostate cancer screening may have some reassurance value for men, and that increased risk status may explain why some men prefer the added reassurance afforded by screening.
Colony size, social complexity and reproductive conflict in social insects
Authors: Bourke  
Published: March 2003

Abstract
The broad limits of mature colony size in social insect species are likely to be set by ecological factors. However, any change in colony size has a number of important social consequences. The most fundamental is a change in the expected reproductive potential of workers. If colony size rises, workers experience a fall in their chances of becoming replacement reproductives and, it is shown, increasing selection for mutual inhibition of one another's reproduction (worker policing). As workers’ reproductive potential falls, the degree of dimorphism between reproductive and worker castes (morphological skew) can rise. This helps explain why small societies have low morphological skew and tend to be simple in organization, whereas large societies have high morphological skew and tend to be complex. The social consequences of change in colony size may also alter colony size itself in a process of positive feedback. For these reasons, small societies should be characterized by intense, direct conflict over reproduction and caste determination. By contrast, conflict in large societies should predominantly be over brood composition, and members of these societies should be relatively compliant to manipulation of their caste. Colony size therefore deserves fuller recognition as a key determinant, along with kin structure, of social complexity, the reproductive potential of helpers, the degree of caste differentiation, and the nature of within-group conflict.
Evolution of resource allocation between growth and reproduction in animals with indeterminate growth
Authors: Heino  , Kaitala  
Published: March 2003

Abstract
We review the recent theoretical developments explaining the evolution of age-schedules of reproduction in animals with indeterminate growth. Indeterminate growth, i.e. growth that continues past maturation and may continue until the end of life, is characteristic for a large number of invertebrate taxa (e.g. clams, cladocerans and crayfish) and ‘lower’ vertebrate taxa (e.g. fish, amphibians, lizards and snakes). Many plants also exhibit indeterminate growth, and we liberally include studies focused on plants when they can be interpreted in terms of animal life histories. We focus on different measures used to determine the fittest life histories, on indeterminate growth as a problem of resource allocation and on the effects of environment to the evolution of the resource allocation schemes.
The evolution of threshold traits: effects of selection on fecundity and correlated response in wing dimorphism in the sand cricket
Authors: Roff  , Tucker  , Stirling  , Fairbairn  
Published: March 2003

Abstract
The quantitative genetic basis of traits can be determined using a pedigree analysis or a selection experiment. Each approach is valuable and the combined data can contribute more than either method alone. Analysis using both sib analysis and selection is particularly essential when there are likely to be nonlinearities in the functional relationships among traits. A class of traits for which this occurs is that of threshold traits, which are characterized by a dichotomous phenotype that is determined by a threshold of sensitivity and a continuously distributed underlying trait called the liability. In this case, traits that are correlated with the liability may show a nonlinear relationship due to the dichotomy of expression at the phenotypic level. For example, in wing dimorphic insects fecundity of the macropterous (long-winged) females appears in part to be determined by the allocation of resources to the flight muscles, which are almost invariably small or absent in the micropterous (short-winged, flightless) females. Pedigree analysis of the cricket Gryllus firmus has shown that wing morph, fecundity and the trade-off between the two have additive genetic (co)variance. It has also been shown that selection on proportion macroptery produced an asymmetric correlated response of fecundity. The present paper details the results of direct selection on fecundity and the correlated response in proportion macroptery. Selection for increased fecundity resulted in increased fecundity within both wing morphs and a correlated decrease in proportion macroptery. Similarly, selection for decreased fecundity resulted in a decrease within morphs and a correlated increase in the proportion of macropterous females. This provides additional evidence that the trade-off between fecundity and wing morphology has a genetic basis and will thus modulate the evolution of the two traits.
Genetic consequences of an introduction-colonization process in an endangered butterfly species
Authors: Barascud  , Martin  , Baguette  , Descimon  
Published: March 2003

Abstract
From a theoretical point of view, the genetic consequences of foundation events are relatively well known but few field experimental data are available on this subject. At the beginning of the 1970s, a small number of Proclossiana eunomia females were released in a region where this glacial relict was absent. We report here the genetic aspects of the evolution of the populations generated by these translocations. Both enzyme electrophoresis and wing pattern morphometry disclosed a significant differentiation of the populations both with their mother population and within themselves. Field observations and enzyme data suggest a stepping-stone colonization process, but there is no significant isolation by distance at this stage of population establishment, as predicted by Slatkin’s 1993 model. Concerning phenotypic characters, there is a significant correlation between morphometric and geographical distances; this may be due to isolation by distance but the action of environmental gradients cannot be excluded. Our results show that this colonization, although induced with a low number of founders, was a success, despite a predicted loss of polymorphism.
The influence of parthenogenesis-inducing Wolbachia on the oviposition behaviour and sex-specific developmental requirements of autoparasitoid wasps
Authors: Hunter  
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Parthenogenesis-inducing (PI) Wolbachia are bacteria that cause incipient male eggs of parasitoid wasps to develop as females. These microbes may invade populations and lead to fixation of parthenogenesis. In this study, the consequences of fixation of PI Wolbachia on evolution of behaviour and development were addressed in three species of whitefly parasitoids in the genus Encarsia.
Most sexual Encarsia are obligate autoparasitoids. In these haplodiploid wasps, fertilized, female-producing eggs are laid in whitefly or scale insect nymphs, while unfertilized, male-producing eggs are laid in immature parasitoids within the homopteran integument. The oviposition behaviour and progeny developmental requirements of unmated females of a sexual autoparasitoid species were compared with two species that were fixed for PI Wolbachia. All species were treated with antibiotics, effectively ‘curing’ the asexual species of Wolbachia infection.
As expected, unmated females of the sexual species, E. pergandiella, laid few eggs in whiteflies relative to immature parasitoids, and males emerged exclusively from parasitoids. In contrast, females of one of the parthenogenetic species, E. formosa, laid few eggs in parasitoids relative to whiteflies, and male progeny emerged exclusively from whiteflies. Females of the second parthenogenetic species, E. hispida, were intermediate in their oviposition behaviour. Females laid eggs in both wasps and whiteflies. However, all of the males except one emerged from the whiteflies. The results suggest that the association of autoparasitoids and PI Wolbachia may result in dramatic evolutionary change of both host selection behaviour and developmental requirements of the infected wasps.
Locomotor impairment of gravid lizards: is the burden physical or physiological?
Authors: Olsson  , Shine  , Bak-Olsson  
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Pregnancy is associated with reduced locomotor performance in several reptile species, but the reasons for this reduction remain unclear. Previous authors generally have assumed that the decreased maternal mobility is due to the physical burden of the clutch, but our data on a viviparous Tasmanian scincid lizard (Niveoscincus microlepidotum) suggest a different interpretation. Running speeds of gravid female skinks decrease during gestation (as litter mass increases), but this locomotor impairment is due to physiological changes associated with pregnancy, rather than simple physical burdening. Maternal running speeds are unrelated to litter masses, and do not increase in the week after parturition. Females with very large abdominal fat-bodies (due to ad libitum feeding in the laboratory), equivalent in mass to the litter, nonetheless run rapidly. If the locomotor ‘costs’ of reproduction reflect all-or-none physiological changes associated with pregnancy, then the magnitude of such costs may correlate only weakly with the actual level of reproductive investment. Because life-history models predict that the relationship between fecundity and ‘cost’ has important evolutionary consequences, our results highlight the need to clarify the causal basis for locomotor impairment in gravid reptiles.
Trade-offs between growth and reproduction: an analysis of the quantitative genetic evidence
Authors: Roff  
Published: March 2003

Abstract
The assumption of a trade-off between development time and fecundity, resulting from a positive correlation between body size and fecundity and between body size and development time, is a common feature of life history models. The present paper examines the evidence for such a trade-off as indicated by genetic correlations between traits. The genetic covariances between traits are derived using a model in which maturation occurs when the organism achieves a genetically variable size threshold, and fecundity is an allometric function of body size with one genetically variable parameter (excluding body size itself). This model predicts that the heritabilities of the life history traits (growth rate, development time, fecundity) will not necessarily be less than the heritability of adult size (i.e. morphological traits). It is shown that if growth rate is genetically correlated with adult size then it is not possible, in general, to predict the sign of the genetic correlation between development time and fecundity. For particular cases the signs of the covariances between traits can be predicted. These predictions are tested using data drawn from the literature.
The balance between sexual and asexual reproduction in plants living in variable environments
Authors: Bengtsson  , Ceplitis  
Published: March 2003

Abstract
The balance between sexual and asexual propagule production is studied in an evolutionary model where plants produce the two kinds of propagules in genetically determined proportions. The male function of plants producing asexual propagules can be varied, and the sexual and asexual propagules carry different probabilities to turn into new reproductive individuals. These fitnesses may vary over years. The evolution of the population’s reproductive system is studied assuming modifier alleles with small effects.
In this setting a balanced, mixed reproductive system can evolve, but only if the difference in fitness between the sexual and asexual propagules varies over years. When the two kinds of propagules are very similar to each other, as is often the case with sexual and asexual seed formation, evolution will tend towards a state dominated by the one or the other reproductive system.