OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical effect of earlobe-bleeding plus body acupuncture for common acne. METHODS The earlobe-bleeding plus local and body acupuncture based on syndrome differentiation was adopted for 85 cases of common acne. RESULTS Of the 85 cases treated, 61 were cured, 12 markedly effective, 9 improved, and 3 failed. The total effective rate was 96.47%. CONCLUSIONS The thera...

Species distribution models are a fundamental tool in ecology, conservation biology, and biogeography and typically identify potential species distributions using static phenomenological models. We demonstrate the importance of complementing these popular models with spatially explicit, dynamic mechanistic models that link potential and realized distributions. We develop general grid-based, pat...

Shift transitions in dominance on coral reefs from hard coral cover to fleshy macroalgae are having negative effects on Caribbean coral reef communities. Data on spatiotemporal changes in biodiversity during these modifications are important for decision support for coral reef biodiversity protection. The main objective of this study is to detect the spatiotemporal patterns of coral reef fish d...

I have recently had several young patients wearing enlarged plugs in their earlobes. This " gauging , " as it is called, is obtained by placing larger and larger gauge earrings, eventually ending with a plug the size of a wine cork or even as large as a Coke can. The history of serial enlargement traces back to ancient times. 1 This deformity is different than a through and through earlobe lace...

The assessment of random blood glucose concentration is one of the most commonly performed procedures in clinical practice. Traditionally, a digit is used—for accessibility and rich blood supply. The digits, however, are very sensitive, resulting in pain for some patients. Previous work showed that sampling from the side of the thumb was less painful than lancet sampling from the finger or from...

Congenital auricular deformities may be either deformational or malformational. Malformational anomalies present with a skin or cartilage shortage. Two cases with congenital cleft earlobe were presented. A new surgical technique using a two-layered repair with front and back flaps were introduced. She waited to begin wearing earrings until six months after the surgery to prevent possible scar c...

BACKGROUND Infliximab, a TNF-alpha blocking agent, is an upcoming therapeutic option for cases of refractory sarcoidosis. In pulmonary sarcoidosis, changes imaged by 18F-FDG-PET during infliximab treatment in sarcoidosis patients correlate with signs of clinical improvement. DESIGN Case-report. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS A patient with severe earlobe sarcoidosis, treated with infliximab, is pr...

An 86-year-old woman was referred for treatment of a lentigo maligna melanoma on the left earlobe, confirmed by cutaneous biopsy. The resulting surgical defect involved the earlobe's full thickness. The authors outline a simple method for reconstructing the entire lobe in one stage, without grafts, whilst offering a pleasant appearance. Earlobe deformity may be congenital or, more often, acquir...