bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sudden onset of melanuria in a patient with metastatic melanoma and toxic epidermal necrolysis
Authors: Saghari Sogol , Bakshandeh Haleh , Kerdel Francisco 
Published: March 2003

A 46‐year‐old man presented to our institution with blisters and eruption on the body and oral mucosa. He had a history of metastatic melanoma to the brain and had undergone radiation therapy to the head and chemotherapy with temozolomide. He was then started on dexamethasone and phenytoin. One month later, he developed a fever of 39.5 °C and an eruption in the axilla and groin. He was admitted to another hospital with a presumptive diagnosis of disseminated herpes zoster and was started on acyclovir, vancomycin, methylprednisolone, and fluconazole. The phenytoin was discontinued. Three days after admission, the eruption progressed and the patient developed respiratory distress. Biopsies from several lesions showed focal necrosis of keratinocytes with minimal superficial perivascular inflammation, consistent with toxic epidermal necrolysis. He was intubated and transferred to our medical center.On physical examination, the patient had exfoliation of over 70% of his body surface area (Fig. 1), and scattered blisters were observed on the hands, chest, abdomen, and back. He also had crusted hemorrhagic plaques on the lips and conjunctiva. The patient was admitted with a diagnosis of toxic epidermal necrolysis, secondary to phenytoin.Extensive desquamation over the patient&rsquo;s flank and thighimageAt the time of admission, the patient was noted to have black urine (Fig. 2). His urine analysis showed moderate proteinuria, 8.0 mg/dL of urobilinogen (normal range, 0.2–1 mg/dL), coarse granular casts, amorphous phosphate crystals, and was nitrate positive. The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels were within normal limits. A urine sample was sent to the laboratory for cytospin and cell block analysis. Melanin was present in macrophages as detected by Fontana–Masson stain (Fig. 3). A heme stain for iron was negative. The patient was treated with supportive therapy and high‐dose intravenous immunoglobulin (1 g/kg/day × 4). The patient’s skin slowly improved over the 6‐week hospital course with full re‐epithelialization by the end of his hospital stay. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the head showed the presence of multiple hemorrhagic metastases involving the brain bilaterally, edema and compression of the left ventricle, and a midline shift, which was consistent with metastatic melanoma. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a large low‐density focus within the right lobe of the liver, also consistent with metastatic involvement. There was no evidence of metastatic disease in the kidneys or the urinary tract. Given the extent of his disease, he was discharged to a hospice facility.Patient’s urine (melanuria) at the time of admissionimageUrine cytospin showing melanin within macrophagesimageThis case is presented because melanuria is a rare complication of metastatic melanoma and, unlike this case, most cases of melanuria have been associated with diffuse melanosis and/or metastasis to the genitourinary tract.
Evaluation of dietary intake of vitamin E in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: a study of the clinical course and evaluation of the immunoglobulin E serum levels
Authors: Tsoureli‐Nikita Evridiki , Hercogova Jana , Lotti Torello , Menchini Giovanni 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackgroundVitamin E (VE) is a potent antioxidant that can improve the immune macrophage‐mediated response, decrease the production and/or release of prostaglandins in humans, and decrease the serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in atopic subjects.AimTo compare the effects of placebo (PL) and VE intake (400 IU/day) on subjective symptoms and serum IgE levels in 96 subjects with atopic dermatitis.Materials and methodsA single‐blind clinical analysis was performed on 96 subjects randomly divided into two groups. Fifty subjects were given orally 400 IU (268 mg) of VE of natural origin, once a day for 8 months, and 46 took PL for the same period. Complete blood count, serum IgE levels, radioallergosorbent test (RAST) score, antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and biochemical analysis were obtained at the time of enrollment and every 15 days during the 8 months of the study. To evaluate VE therapy, a questionnaire was sent to each subject for completion at the end of the study.ResultsThe results were as follows: (A) four subjects treated with VE worsened, compared to 36 in the PL group; (B) six subjects in the VE group and five in the PL group showed no change; (C) slight improvement was observed in 10 subjects in the VE group and four in the PL group; (D) 23 of the 50 subjects treated with VE showed great improvement, compared to only one in the PL group; and (E) there was almost complete remission of atopic dermatitis in seven of the 50 subjects in the VE group, but none in the PL group. Females showed less progression of atopic dermatitis than males in both groups and a higher percentage of almost complete remission (five females and two males). The range of serum IgE levels varied markedly from 1005 to 490 IU/mL in the VE group and from 1239 to 812 IU/mL in the PL group over 8 months. Subjects with great improvement and near remission of atopic dermatitis in the VE group demonstrated a decrease of 62% in serum IgE levels based on initial conditions, while, in subjects taking PL, the difference was approximately 34.4%. No complications were observed in either group. A remarkable improvement in facial erythema, lichenification, and the presence of apparently normal skin was reported. Eczematous lesions healed mostly as a result of decreased pruritus.ConclusionsThe correlation between VE intake, IgE levels, and the clinical manifestations of atopy indicates that VE could be an excellent therapeutic tool for atopic dermatitis.
Are infantile seborrheic and atopic dermatitis clinical variants of the same disease?
Authors: Moises‐Alfaro Celia B. , Caceres‐Rios Hector W. , Rueda Monica , Velazquez‐Acosta Alvaro , Ruiz‐Maldonado Ramon 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground  The relationship between infantile seborrheic dermatitis (ISD) and infantile atopic dermatitis (IAD) is controversial.Methods  Ninety‐six children aged 2–12 months diagnosed with atopic dermatitis and a comparable control group of healthy children were evaluated. Demographic data, personal history of ISD and personal or family history of atopy was considered in both groups.Results  A personal history of ISD was found in 49% of IAD cases and in 17% of controls (P < 0.05).Conclusions  Our result and those of the literature do not demonstrate a relationship between ISD and IAD. However, a number of cases of AD have an ISD‐like clinical picture. It is probable that ISD is a syndrome and not a disease.
Extranodal NK/T‐cell lymphoma with extensive subcutaneous involvement, mimicking subcutaneous panniculitis‐like T cell lymphoma
Authors: Kim You Chan , Kim Soo‐Chan , Yang Woo‐Ick , Go Jai‐Hyang , Vandersteen Daniel P. 
Published: March 2003

A 22‐year‐old man had a subcutaneous nodule on the left thigh for 3 months. Physical examination showed an ulcerative nodule on the left thigh (Fig. 1). He suffered from a fever for 1 week. Laboratory tests revealed a white blood cell count of 7180/mm3, with 22.4% neutrophils, 68.5% lymphocytes, 8.4% monocytes, 0.3% eosinophils, and 0.4% basophils. Hemoglobin was 9.0 g/dL, hematocrit was 28.1%, and the platelet count was 202 × 109/L. Analysis of serum showed the following abnormal results: aspartate aminotransferase, 102 IU/L (normal, 13–37); alanine aminotransferase, 77 IU/L (normal, 7–43); alkaline phosphatase, 1296 (normal, 70–270); LDH, 1105 (normal, 120–520). Results of other laboratory tests including serum electrolytes, blood and tissue culture, and viral markers for hepatitis were negative or normal. Ultrasonography and computed tomography of abdomen and pelvis showed hepatosplenomegaly with ascites. Whole body bone scan showed an increased long bone activity of the left leg. Bone marrow aspiration was negative for neoplastic cells. Histologic examination from the thigh nodule revealed subcutaneous lymphoid infiltrates with involvement of the deep dermis. Examination at high power magnification showed small, medium, and large‐sized, pleomorphic lymphoid cells with hyperchromatic nuclei, nuclear debris, and phagocytic macrophages. Fat necrosis, partial rimming of fat spaces and clustering around blood vessels by pleomorphic lymphoid cells were also seen (Fig. 2). The immunohistochemical studies on paraffin sections revealed that most of the infiltrated lymphoid cells positively stained for CD56 (Fig. 3), granzyme B, TIA‐1, cytoplasmic CD3, and CD45RO, whereas CD4, CD8, CD20, and CD30 showed no immunoreactivity. Clonality of the infiltrate was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Nested PCR was performed using FR3A and VLJH as primers for IgH gene and Vγ – Jγ for T‐cell receptor γ chain gene. Polymerase chain reaction analysis showed a distinct band for TCR gene, confirming T‐cell monoclonality of infiltrating lymphocytes. EBV‐encoded small nuclear RNA was evident in lesional tissue by in situ hybridization. He was treated with two cycles of chemotherapy with CHOP‐BV (Cytoxan 735 mg, adriamycin 45 mg, vincristine 1.45 mg, prednisolone 75 mg, bleomycin 15 mg, VP‐16 150 mg). He died 5 days after chemotherapy.An ulcerative nodule on the left thighimage(a) Pleomorphic, small, medium and large‐sized lymphocytes with irregular hyperchromatic nuclei, nuclear debris, and phagocytic macrophages in the fat tissue. (b) A vascular involvement of pleomorphic lymphocytes and fat necrosis are seen (hematoxylin and eosin; original magnification × 100)imagePositive immunohistochemical staining for CD56 in atypical tumor cells (original magnification × 400)image
Scleromyxedema revisited
Authors: Pomann John J. , Rudner Earl J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractScleromyxedema is a rare disease characterized by papular mucinous deposits, dermal fibroblast proliferation, and a monoclonal paraproteinemia. Its chronic course tends to be complicated by gastrointestinal, muscular, pulmonary, and neurologic disorders. We review the literature to identify the common systemic manifestations and suggest a clinical approach to this disorder. This should include: identification of the characteristic lesions, a skin biopsy, and serum protein electrophoresis. A thyroid evaluation may help differentiate this condition from others. An early neurologic, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular evaluation should be considered.
An integrative analysis of phylogenetic relationships among newts of the genus Triturus (family Salamandridae), using comparative biochemistry, cytogenetics and reproductive interactions
Authors: Macgregor Herbert C. , Sessions Stanley K. , Arntzen J. W. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAll the currently available data with regard to morphology, palaeontology, biochemical genetics, reproductive interactions and behaviour have been collated and analysed with combinations of phenetic and numerical phylogenetic methods, and integrated into a consensus evolutionary tree for European newts of the genus Triturus.A range of cytogenetic data are presented including genome sizes (amount of DNA per haploid chromosome set), Giemsa C‐banded karyotypes for mitotic chromosomes, maps of lampbrush chromosomes and locations of nucleolus organisers (genes for ribosomal RNA). We have examined these data in search of evolutionary trends within the genus.The degree to which cytogenetic data accord with the consensus tree, and the general usefulness of cytogenetic data for the reconstruction of evolutionary history are discussed.A revised scheme for the taxonomy of Triturus is presented in which the genus is subdivided into two subgenera, Triturus and Palaeotriton is suggested. Subgenus Triturus should include all of the large bodied newts belonging to the T. cristatus species group as well as T. alpestris and T. vittatus. All other species are included in subgenus Palaeotriton.The elevation of the former subspecies of T. cristatus to full species status is recommended mainly on the basis of information from studies of mitochrondrial DNA.
Queen‐worker conflict over sex ratio: A comparison of primary and secondary sex ratios in the Argentine ant, Iridomyrmex humilis
Authors: Aron Serge , Passera Luc , Keller Laurent 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe compare the primary sex ratio (proportion of haploid eggs laid by queens) and the secondary sex ratio (proportion of male pupae produced) in the Argentine ant Iridomyrmex humilis with the aim of investigating whether workers control the secondary sex ratio by selectively eliminating male brood. The proportion of haploid eggs produced by queens was close to 0.5 in late winter, decreased to less than 0.3 in spring and summer, and increased again to a value close to 0.5 in fall. Laboratory experiments indicate that temperture is a proximate factor influencing the primary sex ratio with a higher proportion of haploid eggs being laid at colder temperatures. Production of queen pupae ceased in mid‐June, about three weeks before that of male pupae. After this time only worker pupae were produced. During the period of production of sexuals, the proportion of male pupae ranged from 0.30 to 0.38. Outside this period no males were reared although haploid eggs were produced all the year round by queens. Workers thus exert a control on the secondary sex ratio by eliminating a proportion of the male brood during the period of sexual production and eliminating all the males during the remainder of the cycle. These data are consistent with workers preferring a more female‐biased sex ratio than queens. The evolutionary significance of the production of male eggs by queens all the year round is as yet unclear. It may be a mechanism allowing queen replacement in the case of the death of the queens in the colony.
Proximate determination of male horn dimorphism in the beetle Onthophagus taurus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
Authors: Moczek  , Emlen  
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe existence of discrete phenotypic variation within one sex poses interesting questions regarding how such intrasexual polymorphisms are produced and modified during the course of evolution. Approaching these kinds of questions requires insights into the genetic architecture underlying a polymorphism and an understanding of the proximate mechanisms determining phenotype expression. Here we explore the genetic underpinnings and proximate factors influencing the expression of beetle horns – a dramatic sexually selected trait exhibiting intramale dimorphism in many species. Two relatively discrete male morphs are present in natural populations of the dung beetle Onthophagus taurus (Scarabaeidae, Onthophagini). Males exceeding a critical body size develop a pair of long, curved horns on their heads, while those smaller than this critical body size remain essentially hornless. We present results from laboratory breeding experiments designed to assess the relative importance of inherited and environmental factors as determinants of male morphology. Using father–son regressions, our findings demonstrate that horn length and body size of male progeny are not predicted from paternal morphology. Instead, natural variation in an environmental factor, the amount of food available to larvae, determined both the body sizes exhibited by males as adults and the presence or absence of horns. The nonlinear scaling relationship between the body size and horn length of males bred in the laboratory did not differ from the pattern of variation present in natural populations, suggesting that nutritional conditions account for variation in male morphology in natural populations as well. We discuss our results by extending ideas proposed to explain the evolution of conditional expression of alternative phenotypes in physically heterogeneous environments toward incorporating facultative expression of secondary sexual traits. We use this synthesis to begin characterizing the potential origin and subsequent evolution of facultative horn expression in onthophagine beetles.
Comparative evidence for costs of secondary sexual characters: adaptive vane emargination of ornamented feathers in birds
Authors: Møller  , Hedenström  
Published: March 2003

Abstract
We used a comparative approach, by comparing bird species with tail ornamentation with sister taxa without ornamentation, to deduce the aerodynamic function of extravagant feather ornaments and the costs of such ornaments in birds. First, the aerodynamic function of tail feather ornaments in birds can be deduced from asymmetry in the width of tail feather vanes, since flightless birds have symmetrical vanes while flying birds without feather exaggeration by sexual selection have asymmetrical vanes. Distal inner vanes at the tip of tail feathers were more narrow in ornamented as compared to nonornamented birds, and vane asymmetry at the tip of the feather was therefore reduced in ornamented species, suggesting marginal aerodynamic function of the distal part of extravagant feather ornaments. Second, the cost of feather ornaments due to parasite drag is proportional to the area of feathers extending beyond the maximum continuous width of the tail, and aerodynamic costs of long tails could therefore be diminished by a reduction in feather width. Consistent with this prediction, the outermost tip of feather ornaments was narrower than the homologous character in nonornamented sister taxa, while the base of the feather had similar width in the two groups of birds. These results suggest that the costs of extravagant ornamentation have been diminished by a reduction in feather width, leading to a reduction in drag. Costs of feather ornaments, as demonstrated by their fine morphology, thus appear to have been extensive during the evolution of these characters.
Stability of European natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster with regard to the P–M system: a buffer zone made up of Q populations
Authors: Bonnivard  , Higuet  
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Current natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster from Eurasia, Africa and Oceania were investigated with regard to the P–M system of hybrid dysgenesis, for both genetic properties (gonadal dysgenesis sterility analyses) and molecular characteristics (number of full-size elements and particular P element deletion-derivatives, the KP elements). Full-size and KP elements are, respectively, at the origin of two distinct regulation systems, the maternally transmitted P cytotype and the KP-mediated repression whose transmission is biparental. The results show both qualitative and quantitative differences in the geographical distribution of P elements. Comparison with distributions observed in 1980–1983 reveals a great stability of natural populations with regard to this system. In particular, the eastward gradient of P susceptibility previously described in Europe is still observed. This stability could result from the existence of a ’buffer zone’ made up of the French and bordering Q populations (with no P activity and completely regulating the transposition of active P elements). Indeed, in such populations repression mechanisms are redundant, as revealed by the study of repression inheritance. These populations are thus potentially able to limit the progression of P elements that occurs by step by step migrations. This distribution also allows us to enrich the P element invasion model, which can be divided into three steps: (1) a decrease in the number of full-size elements which coincides with an increase in the number of KP elements due to a regulatory role or a high transposition capacity; (2) an equilibrium, when the number of KP elements reaches a maximum and in which populations still have some full-size elements; (3) KP elements reduce in number in the absence of full-size elements allowing transposition, the populations losing their repression potential.
Adaptation to the laboratory environment in Drosophila subobscura
Authors: Matos  , Rose  , Pité M. T. Rocha , Rego  , Avelar  
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Adaptation to a novel environment is expected to have a number of features. Among these is a temporal increase in fitness and some or all of its components. It is also expected that additive genetic variances for these fitness characters will fall. Finally, it is expected that at least some additive genetic correlations will decrease, from positive toward negative values.
In a study of several life-history variables in a Drosophila subobscura population sampled from the wild and then cultured in the laboratory, we did not find any such longitudinal trends over the first 29 generations. However, a temporal comparison (over 14 generations) of the later generations of this laboratory-adapted population with a new population, derived from a more recent wild-caught sample, indicated clearly that laboratory adaptation was nonetheless occurring. This study suggests the need for extensive replication and control in studies of the features of adaptation to a novel environment.
Weak sinks could cradle mutualistic symbioses – strong sources should harbour parasitic symbioses
Authors: Hochberg  , Gomulkiewicz  , Holt  , Thompson  
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Using a population model of selection on an obligate symbiont and its host, we evaluate how demographic differences across geographical landscapes can produce selection mosaics in interacting species. The model assumes that the host populations vary geographically from demographic sources to sinks in the absence of effects by the symbionts, and that a virulent and a relatively avirulent form of the symbiont compete with one another across all habitats. Our results indicate that productivity gradients can create selection mosaics across habitats, resulting in complex fitness landscapes over which evolution occurs. We find that relatively virulent symbionts only persist if they have an advantage over avirulent strains or species in terms of interference (i.e. competition, and/or cross-transmission) interactions. When such a trade-off exists, we predict that the more virulent symbiont is most likely to be found in habitats where host population growth is highest, whereas the more avirulent symbiont should tend to persist in more marginal habitats or even habitat sinks for symbiont-free hosts. Demographic sinks may be the habitats most likely to favour the origin of new mutualisms. Very productive mutualisms can be exploited by hyperparasites or cheaters. We discuss our findings in terms of geographical scenarios for the emergence of mutualisms, and the long-standing debate about geographical patterns in the maintenance of sex.