This study compared the effects of circumscribed interests (CI) to less preferred (LP) tangible stimuli on the social behaviors of three children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Based on single subject design methodology, the CI experimental sessions resulted in longer durations of target-child initiated social interactions in comparison to LP sessions. In addition, latency of participant...

Generalized morphea is a subtype of localized scleroderma that lacks systemic manifestations. It is a rare condition in which idiopathic sclerosis of the skin occurs in a widespread manner. We report a 37-year old Thai female who presented with multiple hypopigmented lesions on right leg and right arm with a skin biopsy showing the typical sclerotic change. The patient responded to treatment wi...

The hypothesis of the present study was that the termite mounds of Macrotermes subhyalinus (MS) (a litter-forager termite) were inhabited by a specific microflora that could enhance with the ectomycorrhizal fungal development. We tested the effect of this feeding group mound material on (i) the ectomycorrhization symbiosis between Acacia holosericea (an Australian Acacia introduced in the sahel...

Lichen sclerosus is an uncommon inflammatory dermatosis with preferential involvement of the urogenital region. The extragenital involvement is uncommon and is characterized by small rounded macules or papules, pearly white in color. The coexistence of lichen sclerosus and scleroderma plaques in most cases with extragenital location has been reported in the literature. We report a case of liche...

In acidic forest soils, availability of inorganic nutrients is a tree-growth-limiting factor. A hypothesis to explain sustainable forest development proposes that tree roots select soil microbes involved in central biogeochemical processes, such as mineral weathering, that may contribute to nutrient mobilization and tree nutrition. Here we showed, by combining soil analyses with cultivation-dep...

OBJECTIVE To examine the usefulness of ultrasonography (USG) for monitoring paediatric localized scleroderma (LS). METHODS A retrospective chart review of six paediatric patients who had USG of their LS. RESULTS USG detected several abnormalities in active lesions including increased blood flow, increased echogenicity and loss of subcutaneous fat. USG findings corresponded with clinical ass...

Juvenile Localized Scleroderma (JLS), is characterised by presence of areas of skin thickening, which is relatively benign, but if deeper tissues such as muscle and bone are involved severe deformities may develop. Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) is increasingly utilised both for treatment of systemic sclerosis and immune-mediated skin diseases such as psoriasis, graft-versus-host and lichen planus...

BACKGROUND Our earlier work in the ultrasonograpy of localized scleroderma (LS) suggests that altered levels of echogenicity and vascularity can be associated with disease activity. Utrasound is clinically benign and readily available, but can be limited by operator dependence. We present our efforts to standardize image acquisition and interpretation of pediatric LS to better evaluate the corr...

OBJECTIVE Although some antiphospholipid antibodies (Abs) are found in patients with localized scleroderma (LSc), Ab against phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex (PS/PT) has not been examined. We investigated anti-PS/PT Ab levels in patients with LSc. METHODS IgG anti-PS/PT Ab levels in serum samples taken from patients with LSc (n = 42) were measured using ELISA. RESULTS IgG anti-PS/PT A...

The term "scleroderma" traditionally has been uti l ized to describe the cutaneous changes of a heterogeneous group of disorders involving hardening, tightening, and decreased elasticity of the skin.' Two extreme forms have been identified-localized and diffuse. The localized form, specifically morphea, i s characterized by well-circumscribed, sclerotic plaques with an ivory-colored center and ...