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Inequalities in reproductive success or resource acquisition are fundamental to evolution and population ecology. There is, however, no unique way to measure inequality. We review 21 measures used to quantify it and clarify the conceptual difference between inequality and skewness. In two very different families of distributions, all indices except three give higher values for more unequal distributions of resources, although some of them are poor at distinguishing between similar inequality values. When applied correctly by testing against a null hypothesis of no inequality among individuals, most indices can therefore be used to detect deviations from randomness, but with varying ease as most lack statistical tables and rely on resampling techniques instead. As an example to test the performance of the 21 indices, we used each index to analyze 71 data sets of unequal mating success in leks. In pairwise comparisons, 24% of the indices fail to show a positive intercorrelation. This reflects differences in how indices incorporate variation in the number of competitors and mean acquisition of the resource. All indices are sensitive to these aspects if inequality is measured in data arising from different distributions. These results illustrate the general conclusion that a unique "best" solution is not available; each measure presents its own definition of inequality. The choice of an inequality index requires specifying the null expectations and interpreting deviating values in relation to the biological question being addressed. This means, for example, considering individual male mating success in the context of lekking or relating the mass distribution of individual plants to alternative hypotheses about competition in plant population ecology. When sample sizes vary, testing robustness by using several measures is advisable.

Ò) in the management of pulmonary haemorrhage secondary to Aspergillus infection in a patient with leukaemia and acquired FVII de®ciency. British Journal of Haematology, 106, 254± 255.

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Assessment of dexamethasone suppression by salivary cortisol measurement is far less repeatable than the use of plasma cortisol. In the context of field studies of dexamethasone suppression, salivary cortisol measurements may only be appropriate for large numbers of subjects.

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare severe variant of psoriasis that is characterized by the abrupt widespread onset of small pustules accompanied by systemic manifestations of inflammation. It can arise in patients with a history of psoriasis as well as in those without, sometimes due to medication initiation or withdrawal, pregnancy, or infection. Generalized pustular psoriasis is thought to be driven primarily by innate immunity and unrestrained IL-36 cytokine activity. Recent genetic analyses have identified 3 genetic mutations that are associated with GPP-IL36RN, CARD14, and AP1S3though these mutations only account for a minority of cases. There are many cutaneous pustular diseases that must be ruled out in the evaluation of a patient with suspected GPP, especially acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), and histologic analysis is the cornerstone of diagnosis. Although the quality of evidence to generate treatment recommendations for GPP is limited, management often includes utilization of systemic agents and/or biologics, usually with adjunctive topical treatment. Accumulating evidence suggests that biologic agents, especially infliximab, may be considered as first-line treatment of GPP, especially in severe acute cases, due to their abrupt onset of action and favorable side-effect profiles compared with oral systemic agents.