Proximal Parts Of Limbs Research Articles

Stiff skin syndrome: a clinicopathological study of 31 cases.

Stiff skin syndrome (SSS) is a rare disease characterized by sclerosis of the skin. Cases of both widespread and segmental SSS have been reported. To report the clinical and histopathological characteristics of a large series of SSS. We retrospectively analysed the clinical and histopathological characteristics of widespread and segmental SSS collected from a dermatology department. We also compared histopathology between segmental SSS and morphea. Thirty-one cases, including three widespread SSS and 28 segmental SSS, were collected. Skin lesions of widespread SSS generally showed skin sclerosis concentrating over the lumbar, buttocks, thighs, proximal part of limbs, and shoulders with specific abnormal gait and posture. Skin lesions of segmental SSS generally showed sclerotic plaques involving the thigh, lumbar area and buttocks, associated with hypertrichosis, hyperpigmentation and a cobblestone appearance. Segmental SSS did not typically cause joint limitation or serious physical discomfort. Histopathologically, SSS showed proliferation of fibroblasts and sclerosis of collagen in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue. Compared with morphea, SSS showed more prominent proliferation of fibroblasts and completely lacked lymphocyte infiltration. Segmental SSS represents the major variant of SSS. Histopathologically, SSS shows proliferation of fibroblasts, sclerosis and an absence of inflammation.

A Quantitative Study of Foraging of Male and Female Spruce‐Woods Warblers

Males of four congeneric species of wood warblers (Parulidae) inhabiting a spruce forest of coastal Maine were found to forage higher than their females. They were the Magnolia (Dendroica Magnolia), Myrtle (D. coronata), Black—throat Green (D. virens), and Blackburnian (D. fusca) warblers. The foraging areas of males were nearer the height of their singing areas than were their nests, while foraging areas of females were nearer the height of their nest than the singing perches of their males. Very few differences were observed between sexes in the part of the tree utilized (proximal parts of limbs, tips of foliage, etc.) During the period of incubation, the foraging rates of females became noticeably greater than those of their males; before and after this period differences were less pronounced or non—existent. The partitioning of sexes results in a situation where males can forage readily while remaining maximally conspicuous, and females can forage in an area maximally adjacent to their nests. During this period males spent much of their time in territorial activities, females in nesting activities.

Foraging Relationships of Brown‐Headed Nuthatches and Pine Warblers

Foraging behavior and interactions between Brown—headed Nuthatches (Sitta pusilla) and Pine Warblers (Dendroica pinus) were studied in longleaf pine lands of Louisiana during the fall and winter of 1963—64 and 1964—65. Both species frequently were members of flocks that formed around Carolina Chickadees (Parus carolinensis) and Tufted Titmice (P. bicolor). Most contact between the former two species occurred in these flocks. While in flocks, Brown—headed Nuthatches foraged most heavily on the distal parts of limbs and on twigs, Pine Warblers on proximal parts of limbs. When alone, Brown—headed Nuthatches foraged more heavily on trunks and proximal parts of limbs than they did when Pine Warblers. When pine seeds were abundant, Brown—headed Nuthatches fed upon them heavily and regularly ventured to large limbs and trunks to crack seeds, causing increased hostilities with Pine Warblers. Attempts to crack seeds where bark was not sufficiently rough to permit adequate anchoring met with little success. Pine Warblers fed upon pine seeds much less frequently than did Brown—headed Nuthatches. During the height of seed abundance, Brown—headed Nuthatches lingered behind mixed flocks and often became separated from them. More competition for food apparently exists between Brown—headed Nuthatches and Pine Warblers than between either of these species and others. The noticeably different foraging distribution of the two species when together and apart is probably largely the result of the presence or absence of the other. Dividing the habitat in each other's presence avoids fighting over a similar foraging station. Abundant food sources may cause this system to break down.