Scutular tinea of the scrotum: report of two cases.

Infections caused by dermathophytes in the scrotal skin are uncommon especially due to Microsporum gypseum, which may form scutular or favus-like lesions. We report two patients with this type of tinea: one immune suppressed by HIV infection and another immunocompetent without comorbidity. In the literature we found only two reports in immunocompetent patients and some in immune suppressed with similar symptoms.

Regulation of renal calcium receptor gene expression by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming rats.

Hypercalciuria in inbred genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming (GHS) rats is due, in part, to a decrease in renal tubule Ca reabsorption. Activation of the renal Ca receptor (CaR) may decrease renal tubule Ca reabsorption and cause hypercalciuria through suppression of Ca-sensitive potassium channel activity. Because the rat renal CaR gene is regulated by extracellular calcium and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] and GHS rats have increased renal vitamin D receptor content, the current study was undertaken to determine the level of CaR gene expression in GHS rat kidney and whether CaR gene expression is regulated by 1,25(OH)2D3.

Valve morphogenesis in the diatom genus Pleurosigma w. Smith (Bacillariophyceae): nature's alternative sandwich.

The loculate ("chambered") valve structure of centric diatoms like Triceratium favus Ehrenberg has been mentioned time and again in the nanostructure literature. Here we draw attention to the fundamentally different alternative sandwich model nature developed in the genus Pleurosigma, where it is nonloculate. This has so far been overlooked in nanostructural studies.

Mechanism and function of high vitamin D receptor levels in genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming rats.

Unlabelled: The functional status and mechanism of increased VDR in GHS rats were investigated. Basal VDR and calbindins were increased in GHS rats. 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) increased VDR and calbindins in controls but not GHS rats.

Mycological examinations on the fungal flora of the chicken comb.

A total of 500 combs of adult chickens from two different locations in Germany (Hessen and Schleswig-Holstein) were clinically and mycologically examined. The chickens came from three battery cages (n = 79), one voliere system (n=32), six flocks maintained on deep litter (n = 69) and 12 flocks kept on free outdoor range (n=320). Twenty-two of the 500 chicken combs (4.

Semi-rational engineering of a coral fluorescent protein into an efficient highlighter.

Kaede is a natural photoconvertible fluorescent protein found in the coral Trachyphyllia geoffroyi. It contains a tripeptide, His 62-Tyr 63-Gly 64, which acts as a green chromophore that is photoconvertible to red following (ultra-) violet irradiation. Here, we report the molecular cloning and crystal structure determination of a new fluorescent protein, KikG, from the coral Favia favus, and its in vitro evolution conferring green-to-red photoconvertibility.

Peripheral blood monocyte vitamin D receptor levels are elevated in patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria.

Idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) is the most common cause of calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. Increased intestinal calcium absorption and bone resorption and decreased tubule calcium reabsorption may be caused by elevated serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] in some patients but not in those with normal serum 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) levels. Because 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) exerts its biological actions through binding to the cellular vitamin D receptor (VDR), the present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that VDR levels are elevated in IH patients.

Cytotoxic pyrroloiminoquinones from four new species of South African latrunculid sponges.

An examination of organic extracts of four new species of South African latrunculid sponges, Tsitsikamma pedunculata, T. favus, Latrunculia bellae, and Strongylodesma algoaensis, yielded 13 known and eight new pyrroloiminoquinone alkaloids, 3-dihydro-7,8-dehydrodiscorhabdin C (4), 14-bromo-3-dihydro-7,8-dehydrodiscorhabdin C (5), discorhabdin V (6), 14-bromo-1-hydroxydiscorhabdin V (7), tsitsikammamine A N-18 oxime (10), tsitsikammamine B N-18 oxime (11), 1-methoxydiscorhabdin D (12), and 1-aminodiscorhabdin D (13). Standard spectroscopic methods provided the structures of the pyrroloiminoquinone metabolites, while chiral GC-MS analysis of the acylated ozonolysis products of 21 confirmed the stereochemistry of the l-histidine residue in this compound.

Tinea capitis in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.

Tinea capitis is the most common dermatophyte infection in children. The hair involvement can be classified as endothrix, ectothrix, or favus, and the clinical appearance is variable. The goal of this study was to determine the demography, etiology, and clinical patterns of tinea capitis in South Africa.

Tinea capitis favosa in Poland.

Tinea capitis favosa is uncommon in Europe. We describe two patients who had local alopecia caused by Trichophyton schoenleinii. In the first case, we observed good clinical response after griseofulvin treatment and in the second case after topical application of ciclopirox cream.

[Dermatological diseases and treatment described in the Turkish manuscripts (XIV-XVth centuries)].

This study deals with skin diseases described in the earliest compiled or translated Turkish medical manuscripts of the 14th and 15th centuries in Anatolia. The manuscripts studies are: Müntehab-i Sifa, Edviye-i Müfrede, Tervihü'l-Ervah, Yadigâr, Cerrahiyyetü'l-Haniyye, Kamilü's-Sinaatü't-Tibbiye Tercü-mesi, Kitab-i Müntehab-i fi't-Tibb, Haza'inü's-Sa'adat, Akrabadin Tercümesi, Mücerrebname, Müfredât-Ibn-i Baytar Tercümesi, Tuhfe-i Mübarizi, Tuhfe-i Muradi. The skin disease know at that time are studied under the following topics: Cüderi (Ciçek, Variola, Small-pox); Hasbe (Kizamik, Rubeola, Measles); Cüzzam (Lepra, Leprosy, Hansen's disease); Demregü (Temriye, Dermatophtosis, Tinea coproris); Behak (There are two types: the white and the black; the black is Addison's disease ); Baras (Ala, Vitilio); Nemle (Isirga, Makül); Ateş paresi (Nar-i farisi, frunculosis); Cemre (Kara kabarcik, Sirpenşe, Karbonkül, Carbuncle); Caversiye (Kabarcik hastaliği, blisters disease); Sivilceler (Various types of pimples; Humre: Yilancik, Erizipel, Erysipelas, St.

[Dermatological diseases and treatment described in the Turkish manuscripts (XIV-XVth centuries) (part II)].

This study deals with skin diseases described in the earliest compiled or translated Turkish medical manuscripts of the 14th and 15th centuries in Anatolia. The manuscripts studied are: Müntehab-i Sifa, Edviye-i Müfrede, Tervihü'l-Ervah, Yadigâr, Cerrahiyyetü'l-Haniyye, Kamilü's-Sinaatü't-Tibbiye Tercü-mesi, Kitab-i Müntehab-i fi't-Tibb, Haza'inü's-Sa'adat, Akrabadin Tercümesi, Mücerrebname, Müfredât-i Ibn-i Baytar Tercümesi, Tuhfe-i Mübarizi and Tuhfe-i Muradi. The skin diseases known at that time are studied under the following topics: Cüderi (Ciçek, Variola, Small-pox); Hasbe (Kizamik, Rubeola, Measles); Cüzzam (Lepra, Leprosy, Hansen's disease); Demregü (Temriye, Dermatophtosis, Tinea corporis); Behak (There are two types: the white and the black; the black is Addison's disease); Baras (Ala, Vitilio); Nemle (Isirga, Makül); Ateş paresi (Nar-i farisi, frunculosis); Cemre (Kara kabarcik, Sirpençe, Karbonkül, Carbuncle); Caversiye (Kabarcik hastaliği, blisters disease); Sivilceler (Various types of pimples; Humre: Yilancik, Erizipel, Erysipelas, St.

[Dermatological diseases and treatment described in the Turkish manuscripts (XIV-XVth centuries) (part I)].

This study deals with skin diseases described in the earliest compiled or translated Turkish medical manuscripts of the 14th and 15th centuries in Anatolia. The manuscripts studied are: Müntehab-i Sifa, Edviye-i Müfrede, Tervihü'l-Ervah, Yadigâr, Cerrahiyyetü'l-Haniyye, Kamilü's-Sinaatü't-Tibbiye Tercü-mesi, Kitab-i Müntehab-i fi't-Tibb, Haza'inü's-Sa'adat, Akrabadin Tercümesi, Mücerrebname, Müfredât-i Ibn-i Baytar Tercümesi, Tuhfe-i Mübarizi, Tuhfe-i Muradi. The skin diseases known at that time are studied under the following topics: Cüderi (Ciçek, Variola, Small-pox); Hasbe (Kizamik, Rubeola, Measles); Cüzzam (Lepra, Leprosy, Hansen's disease); Demregü (Temriye, Dermatophtosis, Tinea corporis); Behak (There are two types: the white and the black; the black is Addison's disease); Baras (Ala, Vitilio); Nemle (Isirga, Makül); Ateş paresi (Nar-l farisi, frunculosis); Cemre (Kara kabarcik, Sirpençe, Karbonkül, Carbuncle); Caversiye (Kabarcik hastaliği, blisters disease); Sivilceler (Various types of pimples; Humre: Yilancik, Erizipel, Erysipelas, St.

Photobehavior of stony corals: responses to light spectra and intensity.

Tentacle expansion and contraction were investigated in four zooxanthellate coral species and one azooxanthellate coral (Cladopsammia gracilis). Favia favus, Plerogyra sinuosa and Cladopsammia gracilis expand their tentacles at night, while tentacles in Goniopora lobata and Stylophora pistillata are expanded continuously. Light at wavelengths in the range 400-520 nm was most effective in eliciting full tentacle contraction in F.

Clinical utility of dual-energy vertebral assessment (DVA).

The current study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical utility of DVA, a system for imaging the lateral spine on the Lunar Prodigy densitometer. DVA images were obtained and bone density of the lumbar spine and proximal femur measured in 297 subjects (272 women), aged 64+/-13 years. The images were classified as: normal (N) if no fractures were detected and all vertebrae between T6 and L4 were visualized, fracture (F) if any vertebra had a fracture (defined as 25% or more reduction in the vertebral height) even if some of the other vertebrae could not be visualized, and un-interpretable (U) if at least one of the vertebra between T6 and L4 could not be classified and no fractures were detected in the visualized vertebrae.

Favus due to Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. quinckeanum.

A case of inflammatory tinea capitis caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. quinckeanum in a 3-year-old Tunisian girl is presented. The disease healed after treatment with griseofulvin for 6 weeks and topical application of econazole.

Adaptive responses of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha hydroxylase expression to dietary phosphate restriction in young and adult rats.

Regulation of vitamin D metabolism alters with age. The present study is undertaken to investigate if the loss of renal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)) production in response to dietary phosphate (P) restriction in adult rats is due to an alteration in the renal expression of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) 1-alpha hydroxylase (1-OHase). Young (4-6 weeks old) and adult (12-14 weeks old) male Sprague Dawley rats were fed either normal P (NPD) or low P diet (LPD) for 0-5 days.

Alendronate in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

The following article reviews the results of 2 investigational Phase III trials of alendronate. Alendronate has been found to induce clinically significant increases in bone mineral density at the spine, hip and other cortical and trabecular sites while maintaining bone quality thereby reducing the rate of vertebral fracture. Alendronate was revealed to be well tolerated, with a good safety profile; a dose of 10 mg daily offers the best risk:benefit ratio and appears to be the optimal dosage for the treatment of established postmenopausal osteoporosis.

[In memory of the 160(th) birthday and the 80(th) anniversary of the death of Heinrich Irenäus Quincke, as well as of his description of angioedema 120 years ago].

In the year 2002 we celebrate the 160(th) birthday and the 80(th) anniversary of the death of Heinrich Irenäus Quincke, former head of the department of internal medicine at the University of Kiel from 1878 to 1908. Moreover we remember the description of the angioedema by Quincke in the "Monatsheften für Praktische Dermatologie" 120 years ago. Because his name is so tightly linked with angioedema, Quincke's other discoveries and achievements are scarcely recalled today.

Summary of meta-analyses of therapies for postmenopausal osteoporosis and the relationship between bone density and fractures.

We review the methodologic quality of the individual randomized trials and summarize the impact of different treatments on the risk of fractures and bone density. We present an estimate of the expected impact of anti-osteoporosis interventions on fracture incidence in prevention and treatment populations using numbers needed to treat. We also examine the relationship between changes in bone density and the relative risk reduction for vertebral and nonvertebral fractures using regression analyses drawn from the results of the systematic reviews.

Evidence for absorption of ionic calcium and soluble calcium complexes by the duodenum and cecum in the rat.

The absorption of dietary calcium (Ca) may in part be determined by the formation in the intestinal lumen of soluble Ca complexes and insoluble Ca salts. This study was undertaken to test the assumption that ionic Ca concentration (Ca2+) is the only species of Ca that is available for absorption. Bidirectional steady-state Ca fluxes were measured in vitro under short-circuit conditions across segments of the proximal duodenum and the cecum in the presence and absence of varying concentrations of soluble Ca citrate complexes.

Bone mineral density and fracture among prevalent kidney stone cases in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Concern that people who form kidney stones may have reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and increased fracture risk has motivated clinical and population-based studies, but findings are inconsistent. In this cross-sectional study, we use the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) to determine whether a history of kidney stones (n = 793) is associated with lower femoral neck BMD and whether the association is similar for men and women. We further ask whether dietary calcium modifies the association between kidney stone history and BMD and whether there is an association between kidney stone history and prevalent spine or wrist fracture.

Isolation of aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus and detection of aflatoxin B1 from feeds in India.

In a preliminary study, 256 feed samples collected from different parts of Northern India were examined for the presence of aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus favus/parasiticus and for detection of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Out of 198 A. flavus and 15 A.