Estimation of the rate and effect of new beneficial mutations in asexual populations.

The rate and effect of available beneficial mutations are key parameters in determining how a population adapts to a new environment. However, these parameters are poorly known, in large part because of the difficulty of designing and interpreting experiments to examine the rare and intrinsically stochastic process of mutation occurrence. We present a new approach to estimate the rate and selective advantage of beneficial mutations that underlie the adaptation of asexual populations.

Disseminated cutaneous tuberculosis: an atypical presentation of reinfection (secondary) tuberculosis in an immunocompetent individual.

An atypical case of disseminated cutaneous tuberculosis in a young immunocompetent woman is presented. Salient recount of the natural history, clinical connotation, histopathological features, and the relevant laboratory details are described. The role of relative and absolute criteria is emphasized.

Melasma: treatment strategy.

Melasma, a hypermelanosis of the face, is a common skin problem of middle-aged women of all racial groups, especially with dark complexion. Its precise etio-pathogenesis is evasive, genetic influences, exposure to sunlight, pregnancy, oral contraceptives, estrogen-progesterone therapies, thyroid dysfunction, cosmetics, and drugs have been proposed. Centro-facial, malar, and mandibular are well-recognized.

Significance of Gram's stain smear, potassium hydroxide mount, culture, and microscopic pathology in the diagnosis of acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau.

A 21-year-old housewife presented to the authors' clinic in 2009 with recurrent papulovesicular and pustular eruptions on the index an ring fingers of the left hand accompanied by throbbing pain that had been active for the past 10 years. The condition did not respond to topical and/or systemic treatment. There was neither a personal/family history of psoriasis nor any other systemic disease.

Noninsulin-dependent, type II diabetes mellitus-related dermatoses: part I.

Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide public health problem. It manifests as either insulin-dependent or noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. It is associated with several dermatoses, which need to be addressed individually.

Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau: evolution of treatment options.

Ever since its inception, acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau, has been recognized as an uncommon clinical entity which has been sparingly reported from across the globe. The attempt to have cumulative information on prevalent nomenclature, definition, reminiscences, and clinical overtures has brought differential diagnosis and diagnosis in sharp focus, the highlights of which are outlined. Hence, it was considered important to review the evolution of treatment options available thus far including use of biologics.

Recommendations of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine on dosimetry, imaging, and quality assurance procedures for 90Y microsphere brachytherapy in the treatment of hepatic malignancies.

Yttrium-90 microsphere brachytherapy of the liver exploits the distinctive features of the liver anatomy to treat liver malignancies with beta radiation and is gaining more wide spread clinical use. This report provides a general overview of microsphere liver brachytherapy and assists the treatment team in creating local treatment practices to provide safe and efficient patient treatment. Suggestions for future improvements are incorporated with the basic rationale for the therapy and currently used procedures.

Leflunomide: dermatologic perspective.

Leflunomide, an isoxazole derivative, is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug. It has successfully been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis as a feasible alternative to methotrexate. Recently, leflunomide has been used in certain dermatologic conditions.

Lichenoid tissue reaction/interface dermatitis: recognition, classification, etiology, and clinicopathological overtones.

Lichenoid tissue reaction or interface dermatitis embrace several clinical conditions, the prototype of which is lichen planus and its variants, drug induced lichenoid dermatitis, special forms of lichenoid dermatitis, lichenoid dermatitis in lupus erythematosus, and miscellaneous disorders showing lichenoid dermatitis, the salient clinical and histological features of which are described to facilitate their diagnosis. Background of lichenoid reaction pattern has been briefly outlined to enlighten those interested in this entity.

Contemporary surgical treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) with a focus on the use of the diode hair laser in a case.

Hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic recurrent disorder, characterized by painful, deep-seated nodules and abscesses commonly affecting the pilosebaceous-apocrine unit of the axillary, inguinal and mammary region in females, while the perianal area and buttocks are the prevalent sites in males. Its onset is after puberty, and may persist thereafter. Its exact aetiology is speculative.

Vitiligo and alopecia areata associated with subclinical/clinical hypothyroidism.

The parents of an 18-year-old woman had noticed white hair while combing their daughter's hair 12 years ago. They found tiny white spots on her scalp, but she was asymptomatic. The spots have since progressed.

Antibodies reactive to non-HLA antigens in transplant glomerulopathy.

Although T and B cell alloimmunity contribute to transplant injury, autoimmunity directed at kidney-expressed, non-HLA antigens may also participate. Because the specificity, prevalence, and importance of antibodies to non-HLA antigens in late allograft injury are poorly characterized, we used a protein microarray to compare antibody repertoires in pre- and post-transplant sera from several cohorts of patients with and without transplant glomerulopathy. Transplantation routinely induced changes in antibody repertoires, but we did not identify any de novo non-HLA antibodies common to patients with transplant glomerulopathy.

Nail biology, morphologic changes, and clinical ramifications: part II.

Nail changes in children have been reviewed in the backdrop of nail biology. The authors review nail changes caused by a variety of cosmetics and ingestion of drugs. Nail biopsy and its significance in the diagnosis is emphasized.

Atopic dermatitis: current options and treatment plan.

Atopic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disorder of variable severity characterized by eczematous skin lesions associated with itching. This disease has an intricate immunologic basis influenced by genetic/familial predisposition and certain environmental, lifestyle, and dietary factors. Recent trends suggest a continuous rise in the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in developed nations and in countries undergoing rapid urbanization and industrialization.

Nail biology, morphologic changes, and clinical ramifications: part I.

The nail, a well-recognized and fascinating appendage of the skin, represents an invaluable clinical means to facilitate the diagnosis of a number of dermatoses; hence, the authors considered it worthwhile to examine the physiopathologic alterations affecting the nail morphology, including shape, attachment, surface, and color. The accurate definitions of nail abnormalities in various cutaneous disorders have been delineated and their clinical ramifications have been recounted.

Juvenile, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, type 1-related dermatoses.

Juvenile insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus type 1 (IDDM) is a well-recognized worldwide entity, the significance of which has increased because of its recent upsurging trends, warranting attention on variety of its clinical expressions, in particular, pertaining to skin, an aspect seldom taken cognizance of. Hence an endeavour to recap the related dermatoses, such as limited joint mobility syndrome including sclerodermoid (scleroderma-like) changes, xerosis, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, granuloma annulare, diabetic foot syndrome, has been made. Complexities relating to the recently explored issues of atopic dermatitis and drug hypersensitivity syndrome have also been covered adequately.

Immune reconstitution following rabbit antithymocyte globulin.

Depletional induction therapies are routinely used to prevent acute rejection and improve transplant outcome. The effects of depleting agents on T-cell subsets and subsequent T-cell reconstitution are incompletely defined. We used flow cytometry to examine the effects of rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) on the peripheral T-cell repertoire of pediatric and adult renal transplant recipients.

Onychomycosis: an Asian perspective.

Extrapolated data from epidemiologic studies of onychomycosis unique to Asia have produced intriguing revelations and opened new lines of inquiry; however, the usefulness of this research is compromised by lack of uniformity in data collection. It is proposed that a common protocol be constructed to facilitate the study ofonychomycosis, in Asia, as elsewhere, the most common disease of the nails.

Hand dermatitis/eczema: current management strategy.

Ever since its inception a couple of centuries ago, hand dermatitis/eczema has been in the reckoning. Idiosyncrasies continued to loom large thereafter, till it acquired its appropriate position. Dermatitis/eczema are synonymous, often used to indicate a polymorphic pattern of the inflammation of the skin, characterized by pruritus, erythema and vesiculation.

Evaluation of a radiation transport modeling method for radioactive bone cement.

Spinal metastases are a common and serious manifestation of cancer, and are often treated with vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty followed by external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). As an alternative, we have introduced radioactive bone cement, i.e.

Chondrodermatitis nodularis.

Chondrodermatitis nodularis is a common condition in clinical practice but rarely discussed or reported in the literature. It most often affects the helices and antihelices of the ear. It is either uni- or bilateral.

Plexiform neurofibromas in neurofibromatosis type 1.

Plexiform neurofibroma developing in neurofibromatosis type 1 is a fascinating overture whereby diagnosis is primarily based on clinical characteristics, the details of which are outlined. Nonetheless, it is imperative to establish a clear-cut clinical status vis-á-vis the adjoining tissues. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide an additional supplement to the diagnosis and an aid to further management of the condition.

Differential outcomes in 3 types of acute antibody-mediated rejection.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence, predictors, and clinical outcomes of acute antibody-mediated rejection (AAMR).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 833 adult patients who received kidney transplantation between 1/1/2001 and 8/15/2007.

Results: The prevalence of AAMR and acute cellular rejection was 2% and 8.