Bigger testes increase paternity in a simultaneous hermaphrodite, independently of the sperm competition level.

Hermaphroditic animals face the fundamental evolutionary optimization problem of allocating their resources to their male vs. female reproductive function (e.g. testes and sperm vs. ovaries and eggs), and this optimal sex allocation can be affected by both pre- and post-copulatory sexual selection. For example, local sperm competition (LSC) - the competition between related sperm for the fertilization of a partner's ova - occurs in small mating groups and can favour a female-biased sex allocation, because, under LSC, investment into sperm production is predicted to show diminishing fitness returns. Here, we test whether higher testis investment increases an individual's paternity success under sperm competition, and whether the strength of this effect diminishes when LSC is stronger, as predicted by sex allocation theory. We created two subsets of individuals of the simultaneously hermaphroditic flatworm Macrostomum lignano - by sampling worms from either the highest or lowest quartile of the testis investment distribution - and estimated their paternity success in group sizes of either three (strong LSC) or eight individuals (weak LSC). Specifically, using transgenic focal individuals expressing a dominant green-fluorescent protein marker, we showed that worms with high testis investment sired 22% more offspring relative to those with low investment, corroborating previous findings in M. lignano and other species. However, the strength of this effect was not significantly modulated by the experienced group size, contrasting theoretical expectations of more strongly diminishing fitness returns under strong LSC. We discuss the possible implications for the evolutionary maintenance of hermaphroditism in M. lignano.

Experimentally evolved and phenotypically plastic responses to enforced monogamy in a hermaphroditic flatworm.

Sexual selection is considered a potent evolutionary force in all sexually reproducing organisms, but direct tests in terms of experimental evolution of sexual traits are still lacking for simultaneously hermaphroditic animals. Here, we tested how evolution under enforced monogamy affected a suite of reproductive traits (including testis area, sex allocation, genital morphology, sperm morphology and mating behaviour) in the outcrossing hermaphroditic flatworm Macrostomum lignano, using an assay that also allowed the assessment of phenotypically plastic responses to group size. The experiment comprised 32 independent selection lines that evolved under either monogamy or polygamy for 20 generations. While we did not observe an evolutionary shift in sex allocation, we detected effects of the selection regime for two male morphological traits. Specifically, worms evolving under enforced monogamy had a distinct shape of the male copulatory organ and produced sperm with shorter appendages. Many traits that did not evolve under enforced monogamy showed phenotypic plasticity in response to group size. Notably, individuals that grew up in larger groups had a more male-biased sex allocation and produced slightly longer sperm than individuals raised in pairs. We conclude that, in this flatworm, enforced monogamy induced moderate evolutionary but substantial phenotypically plastic responses.

Fumarate hydratase immunohistochemical staining may help to identify patients with multiple cutaneous and uterine leiomyomatosis (MCUL) and hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) syndrome.

AIMS: Multiple cutaneous and uterine leiomyomatosis (MCUL) also named as hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cancer syndrome (HLRCC) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by heterozygotic germline mutations in fumarate hydratase (FH) with incomplete penetrance and clinically challenging to diagnose. To test immunohistochemistry for FH as a potential marker for the detection of FH-deficiency. METHODS AND RESULTS: We have tested 42 smooth muscle neoplasms, 13 lesions of patients with suspicious or confirmed HLRCC, 20 sporadic piloleiomyomas, two angioleiomyomas and 7 leiomyosarcomas. FH staining grades from 1 to 3. Ten of the 13 lesions from the patients with HLRCC syndrome showed negative FH staining. Most sporadic piloleiomyomas presented grade 3 FH staining although five cases presented grade 1 FH staining. Sensitivity of FH staining in our series is 83.3% but specificity is 75%. CONCLUSIONS: This staining could indicate a high risk of HLRCC in most of the confirmed cases but it could also suggest the presence of a syndrome in up to 25% of sporadic cases. HLRCC syndrome should be rule out in FH negative piloleiomyomas after complete anamnesis if multiple lesions or positive familiar history is found.

Occurrence, costs and heritability of delayed selfing in a free-living flatworm.

Evolutionary theory predicts that in the absence of outcrossing opportunities, simultaneously hermaphroditic organisms should eventually switch to self-fertilization as a form of reproductive assurance. Here, we report the existence of facultative self-fertilization in the free-living flatworm Macrostomum hystrix, a species in which outcrossing occurs via hypodermic insemination of sperm into the parenchyma of the mating partner. First, we show that isolated individuals significantly delay the onset of reproduction compared with individuals with outcrossing opportunities ('delayed selfing') as predicted by theory. Second, consistent with the idea of M. hystrix being a preferential outcrosser under natural conditions, we report likely costs of selfing manifested via reduced hatchling production and offspring survival. Third, we demonstrate that selfing propensity has a genetic basis in this species, with a heritability estimated at 0.43 ± 0.11. Variation in selfing propensity could arise due to differing costs of inbreeding among families; despite marked inter-family variation in apparent costs of inbreeding, we found no evidence for such a link. Alternatively, selfing propensity might differ across families because of heritable variation in reproductive traits that determine the likelihood of selfing. We speculate that adaptations to hypodermic insemination under outcrossing, most notably a highly modified copulatory stylet (male copulatory organ) and reduced sperm complexity, could also facilitate facultative selfing in this species.

Detection of Merkel cell polyomavirus in epidermodysplasia-verruciformis-associated skin neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare genodermatosis that is characterized by susceptibility to infection with specific human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes. Among polyomaviruses, the novel Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) has been found in different epithelial skin neoplasias. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether EV is associated with cutaneous MCPyV infection. METHODS: We used MCPyV-specific PCR to study skin neoplasms of 6 congenital EV patients and of 1 patient with acquired EV. RESULTS: In all congenital EV patients, MCPyV DNA was found in carcinomas in situ, in invasive squamous cell carcinomas and in common warts. In 4 of these patients, the MCPyV-positive skin lesions were from different anatomic locations. In addition, 1 immunosuppressed patient suffering from acquired EV harbored MCPyV DNA in 2 common warts. In contrast, 7 normal skin samples tested negative for MCPyV DNA. Only 2 out of 24 carcinomas in situ (8.3%) and 2 out of 30 common warts (6.7%) from immunocompetent individuals were positive for MCPyV DNA. CONCLUSIONS: The strong association of EV-associated skin neoplasms with MCPyV suggests a unique susceptibility of EV patients to infections with MCPyV. Both MCPyV and EV-HPV may act as synergistic oncogenic cofactors in the development of EV-associated skin neoplasms.

Determinants of mating and sperm-transfer success in a simultaneous hermaphrodite.

The number of mating partners an individual has within a population is a crucial parameter in sex allocation theory for simultaneous hermaphrodites because it is predicted to be one of the main parameters influencing sex allocation. However, little is known about the factors that determine the number of mates in simultaneous hermaphrodites. Furthermore, in order to understand the benefits obtained by resource allocation into the male function it is important to identify the factors that predict sperm-transfer success, i.e. the number of sperm a donor manages to store in a mate. In this study we experimentally tested how social group size (i.e. the number of all potential mates within a population) and density affect the number of mates and sperm-transfer success in the outcrossing hermaphroditic flatworm Macrostomum lignano. In addition, we assessed whether these parameters covary with morphological traits, such as body size, testis size and genital morphology. For this we used a method, which allows tracking sperm of a labelled donor in an unlabelled mate. We found considerable variation in the number of mates and sperm-transfer success between individuals. The number of mates increased with social group size, and was higher in worms with larger testes, but there was no effect of density. Similarly, sperm-transfer success was affected by social group size and testis size, but in addition this parameter was influenced by genital morphology. Our study demonstrates for the first time that the social context and the morphology of sperm donors are important predictors of the number of mates and sperm-transfer success in a simultaneous hermaphrodite. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that sex allocation influences the mating behaviour and outcome of sperm competition.

Incidence of bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus in Switzerland: a 2-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Bullous pemphigoid (BP), pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF) are autoimmune bullous diseases characterized by the presence of tissue-bound and circulating autoantibodies directed against disease-specific target antigens of the skin. Although rare, these diseases run a chronic course and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There are few prospective data on gender- and age-specific incidence of these disorders. OBJECTIVES: Our aims were: (i) to evaluate the incidence of BP and PV/PF in Swiss patients, as the primary endpoint; and (ii) to assess the profile of the patients, particularly for comorbidities and medications, as the secondary endpoint. METHODS: The protocol of the study was distributed to all dermatology clinics, immunopathology laboratories and practising dermatologists in Switzerland. All newly diagnosed cases of BP and pemphigus occurring between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2002 were collected. In total, 168 patients (73 men and 95 women) with these autoimmune bullous diseases, with a diagnosis based on clinical, histological and immunopathological criteria, were finally included. RESULTS: BP showed a mean incidence of 12.1 new cases per million people per year. Its incidence increased significantly after the age of 70 years, with a maximal value after the age of 90 years. The female/male ratio was 1.3. The age-standardized incidence of BP using the European population as reference was, however, lower, with 6.8 new cases per million people per year, reflecting the ageing of the Swiss population. In contrast, both PV and PF were less frequent. Their combined mean incidence was 0.6 new cases per million people per year. CONCLUSIONS; This is the first comprehensive prospective study analysing the incidence of autoimmune bullous diseases in an entire country. Our patient cohort is large enough to establish BP as the most frequent autoimmune bullous disease. Its incidence rate appears higher compared with other previous studies, most likely because of the demographic characteristics of the Swiss population. Nevertheless, based on its potentially misleading presentations, it is possible that the real incidence rate of BP is still underestimated. Based on its significant incidence in the elderly population, BP should deserve more public health concern.

The Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology: German translation and psychometric validation.

The Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS) is a rating scale for depression, widely used in international multicentre studies. There are two corresponding versions: a self-rated (IDS-SR) and a clinician-rated (IDS-C) scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the German versions of the IDS-SR and IDS-C in comparison to the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) and to the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The sample consisted of 59 inpatients and outpatients treated for unipolar or bipolar disorders. Internal consistency of the IDS-SR and IDS-C was found highly acceptable (alpha = 0.94 and alpha = 0.93). Item-total-correlations of the IDS-SR revealed that 68% of the items were strongly correlated with the sum score (> or =0.50). This was in the same range with the IDS-C (54%), the HRSD (53%) and the BDI (76%). Furthermore, there is a high concurrent validity (r > or = 0.88) of the IDS-SR with the IDS-C, the BDI and the HRSD. Substantial score-differences between inpatients and outpatients indicate a good discriminant validity. It is concluded that the German version of the IDS is a useful instrument for the assessment of depressive symptoms and that it has the same highly acceptable psychometric properties as the original English version.

Monoclonal antibodies directed against the calcium binding protein parvalbumin.

We have produced twelve monoclonal antibodies (McAB) against carp-II parvalbumin. Three of them, designated 235, 239, 267 recognize determinants conserved in fish, chicken, mouse, rat, monkey and human parvalbumin. We show their use in the qualitative detection of parvalbumin (PV) by immunohistochemistry, in the quantitation of parvalbumin by radioimmunoassay and in the detection of parvalbumin on immunoblots.

Monoclonal antibodies directed against the calcium binding protein Calbindin D-28k.

We have produced 25 clones secreting antibodies directed against chicken Calbindin D-28k. Two of them, 300 and 318, recognize determinants conserved in fish, chicken, mouse, rat, rabbit, monkey and human Calbindin D-28k. We demonstrate their use in the immunohistochemical localization of Calbindin D-28k, and in the detection of Calbindin D-28k on immunoblots.

The spectrum of tuberculosis in a New York City men's shelter clinic (1982-1988)

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of tuberculous infection and the incidence of active tuberculosis in homeless men attending a shelter-based clinic and to examine risk factors for acquisition of infection and development of active disease. The design was a prospective cross-sectional survey. Men were evaluated by standardized interviews using a questionnaire. Where indicated, skin testing with PPD, collection of sputum for smear and culture for acid-fast bacilli, and chest x-ray films were performed. The setting was an on-site clinic at a men's shelter in New York City. The patients were men attending the clinic for physical examinations for the work program or requesting evaluation of various medical problems. A total of 1,853 men were evaluated over a 73-month period. The overall rate of infection was 42.8 percent, including 27.0 percent with a positive PPD test, 9.8 percent with a history of a positive PPD test, and 6.0 percent with active tuberculosis. Increasing age, length of stay in the shelter system, black race, and intravenous drug use were found to be independently associated with tuberculous infection. Age, length of stay in the shelter system, and intravenous drug use were independently associated with active tuberculosis. We achieved a compliance rate of 36 percent completing treatment and 13 percent receiving treatment at the conclusion of the study.

Size-dependent sex allocation in a simultaneous hermaphrodite parasite.

Most models of sex allocation distinguish between sequential and simultaneous hermaphrodites, although an intermediate sexual pattern, size-dependent sex allocation, is widespread in plants. Here we investigated sex allocation in a simultaneous hermaphrodite animal, the tapeworm Schistocephalus solidus, in which adult size is highly variable. Sex allocation was determined using stereological techniques, which allow measuring somatic and reproductive tissues in a common currency, namely volume. We investigated the relationships between individual volume and allocation to different reproductive tissues using an allometric model. One measure of female allocation, yolk gland volume, increased more than proportionally with individual volume. This is in contrast to the measure of male allocation, testis volume, which showed a strong tendency to increase less than proportionally with individual volume. Together these patterns led to sex allocation being strongly related to individual volume, with large individuals being more biased towards female allocation. We discuss these findings in the light of current ideas about size-dependent sex allocation in, primarily, plants and try to extend them to simultaneous hermaphrodite animals.

Nutritional parameters in homebound persons of greatly advanced age.

There exists a deficiency of accurate information regarding standard nutritional parameters in people of greatly advanced age. In order to begin obtaining appropriate data, we assessed nutritional status in 45 elderly homebound individuals with a mean age of 84 yr, using anthropometric methods, skin testing, and blood analysis. We compared our data with those from the HANES survey, a reasonable approach to the testing of new possible standards for nutritional assessment. Our results suggest that standard measures in common use are inappropriate for people of greatly advanced age.

Team approach enables frail elderly to stay home.

St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center of New York has been caring for homebound frail elderly persons since 1973 through a comprehensive network of professional, paraprofessional, and community services that allows many older persons to remain in their homes and communities and avoid institutionalization. The staff consists of physician-nurse-social worker teams that bring to each patient their individual skills as professional practitioners. In addition, working together, they create and attempt to carry out a complete, flexible plan of care. The Chelsea-Village Program (CVP) is open to all persons who the team believes are capable of being maintained independently or who can obtain the necessary additional support of family, friends, or neighbors. The patients, whose average age is 83, are homebound due to orthopedic disorders, arthritis, stroke, chronic cardiac and pulmonary disease, or generalized debility and weakness. St. Vincent's and donations from foundations and individuals fund the program, which is free of charge to its patients. In 1988 about 10 physicians, some in private practice, participated during a typical month; subspecialists have made themselves available; and resident physicians share in the work. The staff has come to understand that human beings are most fulfilled when they are able to use their personal resources in independence and that they must ask the patients for their own definitions of life's goals and serve them as they seek those goals.

[Melanocytic nevi at special anatomical sites]. / Melanozytäre Nävi in speziellen anatomischen Lokalisationen.

Melanocytic nevi at special anatomical sites can evoke a histological picture easily leading to the false diagnosis of a highly atypical, dysplastic nevus or even malignant melanoma. It is therefore most important to recognize these lesions in order to differentiate them from "true" dysplastic nevi or malignant melanomas. The anatomical regions recognized as "special sites" are the head and neck, especially the ear, the milk line (axilla, mamae, mamillae, umbilicus, groin), acral regions (palms and soles, knee, dorsum of the foot) and flexural sites. The specific histological picture of these nevi is described as well as differential diagnostic considerations to differentiate these lesions from malignant melanomas.

Resource-dependent sex-allocation in a simultaneous hermaphrodite.

Most sex allocation theory is based on the relationship between the resource investment into male and female reproduction and the consequent fitness returns (often called fitness-gain curves). Here we investigate the effects of resource availability on the sex allocation of a simultaneously hermaphroditic animal, the free-living flatworm Macrostomum lignano. We kept the worms under different resource levels and determined the size of their testes and ovaries over a period of time. At higher resource levels, worms allocated relatively more into the female function, suggesting a saturating male fitness-gain curve for this species. A large part of the observed effect was due to a correlated increase in body size, showing size-dependent sex allocation in M. lignano. However, a significant part of the overall effect was independent of body size, and therefore likely due to the differences in resource availability. Moreover, in accordance with a saturating male fitness-gain curve, the worms developed the male gonads first. As the group size was kept constant, our results contrast with expectations from sex allocation models that deal with local mate competition alone, and with previous experiments that test these models.

[Epithelioid and hyperpigmented melanocytic tumors. An overview]. / Epitheloidzellige und hyperpigmentierte melanozytäre Tumoren : Eine Ubersicht.

Spindle cell and epithelioid cell differentiation occur in both benign and malignant hyperpigmented melanocytic lesions. Reed nevus is characterized by compact, sharply circumscribed junctional cellular nests composed of slender hyperpigmented melanocytes shaped like spindle cells. Deep penetrating nevus is characterized by a diffuse dermal proliferation composed of small nests and fascicles of pale ovoid and epithelioid melanocytes. Cellular blue nevi often have a characteristic hourglass or dumbbell shape, with sharply circumscribed elongated nests and fascicles of pale, densely layered ovoid melanocytes and adjacent melanophages. Epithelioid blue nevus is characterized by large epithelioid melanocytes with abundant cytoplasm and melanin often concentrated to some degree in the cell membrane. Animal-type melanoma is a particularly hyperpigmented variant of melanoma in which large melanophages predominate and there are varying proportions of melamin-rich spindle-shaped and large atypical epithelioid melanocytes. Morphologically, pigmented epithelioid melanocytoma combines characteristics of both animal-type melanoma and pigmented epithelioid nevus. Malignant melanoma may occur in conjunction with a preexistent blue nevus. Malignant blue nevus is now regarded as a malignant melanoma mimicking a blue nevus in structure and pattern. It is therefore of paramount importance to view multiple mitoses within a cellular blue nevus-like proliferation as an alarm signal as they are usually indicators of a malignant melanoma.

[Optimizing dermatopathologic diagnosis with digital photography and internet. The significance of clinicopathologic correlation]. / Optimierung der dermatopathologischen Diagnostik durch digitale Fotografie und Internet. Bedeutung der klinisch-pathologischen Korrelation.

Clinicopathologic correlation is the basis of a precise diagnosis. Especially in dermatopathology, the precision of a microscopic diagnosis may significantly be increased by thorough knowledge of the clinical picture. The advent of digital photography, the internet and moderately priced CDs and USB-sticks have made it possible to establish and maintain a time-saving, low-cost picture data transfer between dermatologist and dermatopathologist which is optimally suited for clinicopathologic correlation.

[Psychotropic drug-induced change of weight: a review]. / Gewichtsveränderungen unter Therapie mit Psychopharmaka.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to give a systematic review of change of weight associated with commonly used psychotropic drugs. METHODS: Mainly based on a MEDLINE-supported review until April 2005, data from clinical studies with antidepressants, anticonvulsants, mood stabilizers and neuroleptics were scanned for change of weight during treatment. RESULTS: Among antidepressants amitryptiline and nortriptyline have the highest incidence of weight gain followed by imipramine. Maprotiline and mirtazapine have an intermediate weight increasing potential. SSRI (except paroxetine) and MAOI had no or only slight weight inducing effects. In contrary, bupropion was associated with weight reduction. Regarding mood stabilizers and anticonvulsants, a marked gain in weight with lithium and sodium valproate was reported frequently. With gabapentin and vigabatrin a slight to moderate gain in weight was found. Minor changes of weight were found with carbamazepine and lamotrigine. Treatment with topiramate and felbamate reportedly lead to weight loss. The atypical neuroleptics clozapine and olanzapine were frequently related to a strong gain in weight followed by risperidone. Quetiapine has intermediate effects. Stable weight was found with aripiprazole and ziprasidone. A gain in weight is less frequent with older/typical neuroleptics. CONCLUSION: Beside some methodological restrictions like inconsistent information of weight changes (e. g. percent vs. mass) and the small sample of available long term studies, this review specifies the incidence of weight changes for commonly used psychotropic drugs and might be helpful to look for alternatives.

[Corneal and conjunctival findings in systemic silver intoxication]. / Corneale und conjunctivale Befunde bei systemischer Argyrose.

BACKGROUND: Chronic silver intoxication is a rare disease and therefore the typical ocular findings may be missed. Based on a case with severe intoxication, the clinical and histological findings as well as the prognosis in argyria are presented. HISTORY: A 33-years-old-employee of a battery production plant developed a biopsy proven systemic argyria. On slit lamp examination the conjunctiva showed a dark, blue-grey discoloration in the areas of the tear flow and the small conjunctival arteries. Diffuse silver deposits were noticed on the level of Descemet's membrane without endothelial damage. Silver deposits were also visible in the trabecular meshwork. Chemical reaction of the silver particles upon exposure to UV light results in irreversible tissue discoloration. Without options for an effective treatment, early diagnosis and prevention of overexposure are most important. CONCLUSIONS: The typical ocular findings in systemic argyria are helpful in occupational medicine for establishing the correct diagnosis.