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We present the overview and first results from the North-PHASE Legacy Survey, which follows six young clusters for five years, using the 2 deg |$^2$| FoV of the JAST80 telescope from the Javalambre Observatory (Spain). North-PHASE investigates stellar variability on time-scales from days to years for thousands of young stars distributed over entire clusters. This allows us to find new YSO, characterize accretion, and study inner disc evolution within the cluster context. Each region (Tr 37, Cep OB3, IC 5070, IC 348, NGC 2264, and NGC 1333) is observed in six filters (SDSS griz, u band, and J0660, which covers H |$\alpha$|⁠), detecting cluster members as well as field variable stars. Tr 37 is used to prove feasibility and optimize the variability analysis techniques. In Tr 37, variability reveals 50 new YSO, most of them proper motion outliers. North-PHASE independently confirms the youth of astrometric members, efficiently distinguishes accreting and non-accreting stars, reveals the extent of the cluster populations along Tr37/IC 1396 bright rims, and detects variability resulting from rotation, dips, and irregular bursts. The proper motion outliers unveil a more complex star formation history than inferred from Gaia alone, and variability highlights previously hidden proper motion deviations in the surrounding clouds. We also find that non-YSO variables identified by North-PHASE cover a different variability parameter space and include long-period variables, eclipsing binaries, RR Lyr, and |$\delta$| Scuti stars. These early results also emphasize the power of variability to complete the picture of star formation where it is missed by astrometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the long-term spectroscopic and photometric variability of EX Lupi and TW Hya, studying the presence of stable accretion and the role it plays in the observed variability. Analysing the velocity modulations of the emission lines with star - melt , we obtain information on the structure of the accretion columns and the disc–star connection. The emission-line radial velocities reveal that TW Hya, like EX Lupi, has a remarkably stable or slow-varying accretion column footprint, locked to the star for several years. The line-emitting regions are non-polar for both EX Lupi and TW Hya, and species with different energies differ in position. In contrast, the continuum emission as observed in the photometry is very variable and can be modelled by hotspot(s) that change over time in phase, shape, temperature, size, and location with respect to the emission-line region. The continuum emission region may not be limited to the stellar surface, especially during episodes of high accretion. The broad-line emission observed in EX Lupi during episodes of increased accretion reveals a further structure, which can be fitted by non-axisymmetric disc in Keplerian rotation inwards of the corotation radius. Since the radial velocity modulation due to accretion footprints is so stable, we used it to search for further velocity modulations. While no residual modulation (other than caused by stellar rotation) is found in these objects, a similar analysis could help to identify young planets/companions. Therefore, determining whether stable accretion footprints are common among young stars is a key to detect young planets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which developed a rare gas positive column plasma theory that takes into account the effect of various chemical processes on the production, loss, and interconversion of metastable and ion species. Details on the theory of the electron temperature in a positive column plasma; Description of the experimental apparatus used; Details on the rare gas positive column theory.

Cationic disorder in the MgAl2O4 spinel induced by swift heavy ions was investigated using the X-ray absorption near edge structure. With changes in the irradiation fluences of 200 MeV Xe ions, the Mg K-edge and Al K-edge spectra were synchronously changed. The calculated spectra based on density function theory indicate that the change in the experimental spectra was due to cationic disorder between Mg in tetrahedral sites and Al in octahedral sites. These results suggest a high inversion degree to an extent that the completely random configuration is achieved in MgAl2O4 induced by the high density electronic excitation under swift heavy ion irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eph receptors belong to a subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases that are activated by membrane-spanning ligands called ephrins. Previously, we demonstrated that the ephrinB1-EphB2 interaction regulates odontogenic/osteogenic differentiation from dental pulp cells (DPCs) in vitro. The goal of this study was to identify the molecular mechanisms regulated by the EphB2/ephrinB1 system that govern tertiary dentin formation in vitro and in vivo. During tooth development, ephrinB1, and EphB2 were expressed in preodontoblast and odontoblasts at postnatal day 4. EphrinB1 was continuously expressed in odontoblasts and odontoblastic processes until the completion of tooth eruption. In addition, ephrinB1 was expressed in odontoblastic processes 2 wk following tooth injury without pulp exposure, whereas EphB2 was expressed in the center of pulp niches but not odontoblasts. In a model of tooth injury with pulp exposure, ephrinB1 was strongly expressed in odontoblasts 4 wk postinjury. In vitro studies with human and mouse DPCs treated with calcium hydroxide (CH) or mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) showed an increased expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Experiments using several inhibitors of IGF-1 receptor signaling revealed that inhibiting the Ras/Raf-1/MAPK pathway inhibited EphB2 expression, and inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway specifically inhibited ephrinB1 gene expression. Tooth injury in mice with odontoblast-specific IGF-1 receptor ablation exhibited a reduced tertiary dentin volume, mineral density, and ephrinB1 expression 4 wk following injury. We conclude that the IGF-1/ephrinB1 axis plays significant roles in the early stages of tooth injury. Further research is needed to fully understand the potential of targeting ephrinB1 as a regenerative pulp therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (SCCE) has a poor prognosis compared with other gastrointestinal cancers. Many patients present with locoregional unresectable or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. For these patients with metastatic esophageal cancer, chemotherapy is generally indicated. The aim of this phase I/II study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combined use of docetaxel, cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)(DCF) in patients with recurrent/metastatic SCCE. This study adopted divided doses of docetaxel and CDDP in order to reduce the toxicities of the treatment. The dose of docetaxel was escalated using the following protocol in the phase I stage: level 1, 30 mg/m2; level 2, 35 mg/m2 and level 3, 40 mg/m2, which was intravenously infused for 2 hours on days 1 and 8. CDDP was administered at a dose of 12 mg/m2 infused for 4 hours on days 1-5. The 5-FU was administered at a dose of 600 mg/m2 continuously infused from day 1 to 5. This regimen was repeated every 4 weeks. The study subjects were nine patients (phase I) and 48 patients (phase II). The recommended dose was determined as level 3 in phase I. In the phase II stage, the overall response rate was 62.5%, with a complete response rate of 12.5%. The median progression-free survival was 6 months, and the median overall survival was 13 months. Grade 3/4 toxicities of leukopenia, neutropenia and febrile neutropenia occurred in 64.6%, 68.8% and 14.6% of the patients, while grade 3/4 non-hematological toxicities were relatively rare. No treatmentrelated death was recorded. This modified DCF regimen with divided doses can be a tolerable and useful regimen of definitive chemotherapy for unresectable SCCE because of its high efficacy, although adequate care for severe neutropenia must be administered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The state of knowledge on the science and management of freshwater recreational fisheries is reviewed, with the objective of integrating insights from disparate fields such as fisheries science, environmental complexity theory, common-pool-resource theory, and resilience theory. First, freshwater recreational fisheries are characterized as complex adaptive social-ecological systems (SESs). Subsequently, two interrelated frameworks, drawing on the Ostrom framework for the analysis of SESs and adaptive management as key foundations, are presented. These frameworks are useful to structure the complexity and apprehend the various feedbacks and links inherent in any particular recreational fisheries system. Moreover, the frameworks help to identify operational management strategies in the face of substantial social-ecological uncertainty. It is concluded that to understand and manage freshwater recreational fisheries as complex adaptive SESs, a sustained shift from disciplinary to inter- and sometimes transdisciplinary research as well as a focus on flexible, adaptive and generally enabling rather than command-and-control type governance and management are needed. Understanding and managing recreational fisheries as complex adaptive SESs will benefit from an increasing focus on (i) managing social-ecological feedbacks and processes, (ii) managing critical slow variables that either drive the system or maintain it in potentially undesirable states, and (iii) managing and maintaining social and ecological diversity. It is hoped that the frameworks presented in this article may guide future interdisciplinary inquiry to manage for sustainability by building resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the applications of the high resistivity magnetic films, Fe-Hf-O and Co-Fe-Hf-O as thin film inductors and flux gate magnetic sensors. Deposit of these films on glass substrate; Development of planar sandwich thin film inductors; Comparison of the quality factor of these planar sandwich thin film inductors with an amorphous Co-Ta-Hf film inductor; Measurement of the frequency dependence of permeability of these films.

Direct evidence of the relationship between the polymorphic phase transformation from monoclinic CuSn to hexagonal CuSn and stress accumulation/release in CuSn, formed at the interface between Sn-0.7Cu lead-free solder and their Cu substrates, has been obtained. To explore this challenging phenomenon, we developed an in situ heating/isothermal observation technique in ultrahigh-voltage transmission electron microscopy that enables the observation of thick samples (around 0.5 μm) for solder joints, including Cu/CuSn/CuSn/Sn-0.7Cu solder interfaces prepared by a focused ion beam milling technique. The results show evidence of stress creation and release events by imaging bend contours that may arise due to the polymorphic transformations of the CuSn phase and the associated volumetric change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The characteristics of cell populations extracted from oral mucosal non-epithelial tissues and their ability to differentiate were evaluated in vitro as a potential source of cells for mandibular and corneal regeneration. Materials and methods Oral mucosal non-epithelial cells ( OMNECs) were extracted from tissue samples and were studied by flow cytometry and RT- PCR. Cells differentiating into osteoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, neurocytes, or keratocytes were characterized by RT- PCR and cell staining. Results OMNECs expressed CD44, CD90, CD105, CD166, and STRO-1 antigens, which are markers for mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, Oct3/4, c-Myc, Nanog, KLF4, and Rex, which are expressed by embryonic or pluripotent stem cells, were detected by RT- PCR. Expression of CD49d, CD56, and PDGFR α, proteins closely associated with the neural crest, was observed in OMNECs, as was expression of Twist1, Sox9, Snail1 and Snail2, which are early neural crest and neural markers. Specific differentiation markers were expressed in OMNECs after differentiation into osteoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, or keratocytes. Conclusions Populations of OMNECs may contain both mesenchymal stem cells and neural crest origin cells and are a potential cell source for autologous regeneration of mandibular or corneal stroma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A four-pixel-array superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter with a mushroom-shaped absorber was developed for energy dispersive spectroscopy performed on a transmission electron microscope. The TES consists of a bilayer of Au/Ti with either a 120- or 50-nm thickness. The absorber is made from a Au layer and its stem is deposited in the center of the TES surface. A Ta $${_{2}}$$ O $${_{5}}$$ insulating layer of 100-nm thickness is inserted between the overhang region of the absorber and the TES surface. Two types of microcalorimeter were fabricated with differing absorber thicknesses of 0.5 and 5.0 $${\upmu }$$ m. An energy resolution of 15 eV FWHM with 5.9-keV X-rays was obtained using the 0.5- $${\upmu }$$ m-type microcalorimeter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low level, antenatal exposure to dioxins is associated with low birth weight, which in turn is associated with long-term sequelae. We exposed the human extravillous cytotrophoblast (EVT) lines HTR-8/SV40 and TCL1 to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and assessed cell growth, invasion, and differentiation. TCDD had no effect on cell proliferation, invasion, or tube formation in Matrigel. The EVT-derived cells expressed a functional aryl hydrocarbon receptor protein; however, TCDD exposure did not alter expression levels of proteins involved in EVT differentiation in early pregnancy, including hypoxia-inducible factor 1A (HIF1A), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Integrin A1, A6, and AVB3. These results suggest that the reduction in fetal weight induced by dioxin is not the result of vascular remodeling via EVT dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3×3+1 superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter-array has been developed for the energy dispersive spectrometer performed on a transmission electron microscope. For increasing sensitive area, each TES microcalorimeter consisted of a Ti/Au bilayer and a mushroom shaped absorber. The mushroom shaped absorber is made from a Au layer of 0.5 μm thick. Geometrical dimensions of the surface area of the TES and the absorber are 350 μm×350 μm and 330 μm×330 μm, respectively. The absorber stem of 150 μm×150 μm in the cross sectional area is deposited on the center of the TES surface. A TaO insulating layer of 0.1 μm thick is inserted between the overhang layer of the absorber and the TES surface. One pixel of the TES microcalorimeter was operated for detecting X-ray photons emitted from an Fe source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ordering mechanism of long-period superstructures (LPSs) in Al-rich TiAl alloys has been investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The LPSs are classified in terms of arrangements of base clusters with different shapes and compositions formed in Ti-rich (002) layers of L10-TiAl matrix: square Ti4Al, fat rhombus Ti3Al, and lean rhombus Ti2Al type clusters. The HRTEM observations revealed that antiphase boundaries of long-range-ordered LPS domains and short-range-ordered microdomains are constructed by various space-filling arrangements of the base clusters. Such a microscopic property characterized by the base clusters and their arrangements is markedly analogous to that of the $$ {\left\langle {{\text{1,1/2,0}}} \right\rangle } $$ * special-point ordering alloys such as Ni-Mo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regenerating gene family, member 4 (Reg IV), a secreted protein, is overexpressed in several cancers, including gastric cancer (GC). In the present study, we measured Reg IV levels in sera from patients with GC by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We also examined the effect of forced Reg IV expression on the apoptotic susceptibility to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Forced expression of Reg IV inhibited 5-FU-induced apoptosis. Induction of Bcl-2 and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase was involved in inhibition of apoptosis. Among 36 GC patients treated with a combination chemotherapy of low-dose 5-FU and cisplatin, all 14 Reg IV-positive patients showed no change or disease progression. The serum Reg IV concentration was similar between healthy individuals (mean±s.e., 0.52±0.05 ng/ml) and patients with chronic-active gastritis (0.36±0.09 ng/ml). However, the serum Reg IV concentration in presurgical GC patients was significantly elevated (1.96±0.17 ng/ml), even at stage I. The diagnostic sensitivity of serum Reg IV (36.1%) was superior to that of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (11.5%) or carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (13.1%). These results indicate that expression of Reg IV is a marker for prediction of resistance to 5-FU-based chemotherapy in patients with GC. Serum Reg IV represents a novel biomarker for GC.Oncogene (2007) 26, 4383–4393; doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1210215; published online 22 January 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to synthesize Na-X zeolite from coal fly ash (Fa), Fa was pretreated under stirring condition at various temperatures of 20–50°C for 72 h and then aged at 85°C for a given period with NaOH solutions. The resulting materials were characterized by various means. When Fa was aged for 72 h without pretreatment, species P were formed. As the pretreating temperature raised from 20 to 50°C, the degree of crystallinity of faujasite increased, while that of species P decreased. The faujasite species formed was identified as Na-X zeolite with molar ratio SiO2/Al2O3 = 2.4. When Fa was pretreated at 50°C and aged for 60 h, the only species formed was Na-X zeolite. Increasing the pretreating temperature up to 50°C results in the increase of Si4+ and Al3+ concentrations in the treating solution by dissolution of amorphous material in Fa. With the conditions used, the crystalline phase, such as α-quartz and mullite, was poorly dissolved during the treatment. Hence, the higher pretreating temperature would give the uniform nucleation and crystal growth of Na-X zeolite during the aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic diversity and genetic differentiation within and among island populations was examined by allozyme electrophoresis in Suzukia luchuensis (Labiatae), which is endemic to four of the Ryukyu Islands, southern Japan, and one island near Taiwan. Intrapopulation allozyme diversity was very low in all the four Ryukyu Islands, probably due to the effects of random drift in small populations. In contrast, genetic diversity at the species level was high, possibly because of an ancient origin of populations and/or multiple colonization of the species on different islands. Genetic differentiation among the overall populations was high (GST=0.863), while gene flow (Nm) as estimated from allozyme frequency data was 0.041, suggesting that its occurrence among populations is highly restricted. Hierarchical analysis of genetic differentiation indicated that a high proportion of the total allelic variance is attributed to variation among islands, corresponding to the fact that several alleles were fixed on only one island. However, intraisland genetic differentiation was small on all islands except Yonaguni Island, where S. luchuensis is relatively widely distributed. Most diversity was thus due to differences among islands.Heredity (2003) 91, 300-306. doi:10.1038/sj.hdy.6800311 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of the L1[sub 2] phase in an A[sub 3]B intermetallic solid solution has been investigated by Monte Carlo simulation. The ordering is modelled with a simple atomic exchange mechanism based on a fcc Ising model with appropriate values for the pairwise atomic interactions. It is shown that the ordering kinetics occurs on two time scales: nucleation and growth of ordered domains and the annealing of antiphase boundaries between the domains. The model is applied to the L1[sub 2 ]ordered Ni[sub 3]Al phase under various irradiation conditions. It is demonstrated that the migration and annihilation of antiphase boundaries largely determine the time evolution of the L1[sub 2] phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While poverty is suspected to be the major reason for birth families relinquishing their children for international adoptions, little is known of the impact of the interplay among the economic, familial, and cultural aspects of a particular sending country which culminates in the adoption decision. In this study, the authors studied 73 birthmothers in the Republic of Marshall Islands, a small Western Pacific island nation with a total population of 68,000, to explore the influences that led to their adoption decision. Their findings reflect an environment of extreme poverty, the breakdown of traditional family support systems, and the exploitation of the cultural understanding of adoptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tumor vascularity as indicated by immunohistochemical staining is a significant prognostic factor in gastric and other cancers. Non-invasive preoperative assessment of the vascularity of gastric cancers has not been possible. We aim to determine the reliability of harmonic flash echo imaging (FEI) for assessment of vascularity of gastric cancers by comparison with CD34 staining of resected specimens. Methods: Twelve patients undergoing surgical resection of advanced gastric cancer were studied. An ultrasound system transmitting ultrasound pulses at 2.3 MHz and receiving them at 4.6 MHz (second harmonic image) was used for harmonic FEI. Approximately 30 s after intravenous injection of ultrasonic contrast medium (SHU 508A, Levovist), second harmonics (4.6 MHz) emitted from microbubbles were obtained to enhance the B-mode images. Using the tumor image showing strongest enhancement in each FEI series, regions of interest were determined to measure mean echo intensity in the tumor. Immunohistochemistry using antibodies against CD34 was carried out in resected specimens. Tumor vascularity was determined by counting stained microvessels. Results: A significant positive correlation was noted between sonographic amplitude determined preoperatively by FEI analysis and number of CD34-stained microvessels in tumor specimens (r = 0.869, P = 0.004). Conclusion: Vascularity of gastric cancers now can be evaluated non-invasively by harmonic FEI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viral antigen-specific T cells are important for virus elimination. We studied the hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific T cell response using flow cytometry. Three phases of HBV infection were studied: Group A, HBeAg (+) chronic hepatitis; Group B, HBeAb (+) HBV carrier after seroconversion; and Group C, HBsAb (+) phase. Peripheral T cells were incubated with recombinant HB core antigen (HBcAg), and intracytoplasmic cytokines were analysed by flow cytometry. HBcAg-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells were identified in all three groups and the number of IFN-γ-positive T cells was greater than TNF-α-positive T cells. The frequency of IFN-γ-positive CD4 and CD8 T cells was highest in Group C, compared with Groups A and B. No significant difference in the HBcAg-specific T cell response was observed between Group A and Group B. The HBcAg-specific CD8 T cell response was diminished by CD4 depletion, addition of antibody against human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I, class II or CD40L. Cytokine-positive CD8 T cells without HBcAg stimulation were present at a high frequency (7 of 13 cases) in Group B, but were rare in other groups. HBcAg-specific T cells can be detected at high frequency by a sensitive flow cytometric analysis, and these cells are important for controlling HBV replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deformability of red blood cells and the lipid composition of their plasma membranes were studied in ten longdistance runners, in comparison with ten sedentary matched controls. Mean corpuscular volume and corpuscular hemoglobin concentration did not differ between these groups, while the hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit were lower in the former. Deformability was measured in terms of the erythrocyte suspension filterability through 5 µm microchannels, using an array flow analyzer, and was significantly elevated in athletes. Analysis of the membrane phospholipid composition of red blood cells revealed an increased ratio of phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylethanolamine and a decreased ratio of cholesterol to total phospholipids in athletes. The length and saturation levels of fatty acid acyl chains were unchanged. Multiple regression analysis showed clearly that these alterations of membrane lipids correlate with increased deformability and thus favor circulation in the microvasculature in long-distance runners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female gonadotroph adenomas with endocrinological symptoms are uncommon. Six cases of such adenomas have been reported in the literature: two were girls who presented with precocious puberty and four were premenopausal women with accompanying multiple ovarian cysts. We describe here a 10-year-old Japanese girl with a gonadotroph macroadenoma and present detailed morphological findings of the tumor. The patient's chief complaints were nausea, abdominal distention, and abdominal pain. Abdominopelvic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed bilateral multiple ovarian cysts. Endocrinological assays showed elevated serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (33.7 mIU/ml) and estradiol (3840 pg/ml). MRI of the head showed a large pituitary tumor. Two transsphenoidal operations and subsequent radiation therapy were performed. Immunohistochemically, more than half the tumor cells were positive for anti-FSH-β monoclonal antibody. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells exhibited a fairly uniform picture of rounded cells. Their nuclei were slightly irregular and contained heterochromatin, and their cytoplasm contained many round, dense core granules, measuring 140–260 nm in diameter, together with well-developed organelles. An in vitro study showed that the tumor cells in primary culture produced FSH (1089.0 mIU/ml). To our knowledge, this is the first immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of an FSH-secreting gonadotroph adenoma occurring in childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gill motor neuron L7-induced longitudinal shortening of the gill in Aplysia kurodai and A. juliana was suppressed when extracellular stimuli were applied to a restricted dorsal central region of the abdominal ganglion. We found a neuron there which antagonized the L7-driven contraction. Since the contraction was suppressed when the identified neuron was activated simultaneously with L7, we refer to the newly found neuron as “Anti-L7”. Anti-L7 did not change the L7 impulse generation in the abdominal ganglion. No direct synaptic connection from L7 to Anti-L7 was detected. A fluorescent dye injected into the soma of Anti-L7 revealed that the neuron sent axonal branches to the branchial nerve. These results may show that Anti-L7 antagonizes L7 at the periphery inside the gill, rather than in the abdominal ganglion. EJPs induced by L7 were unaffected by Anti-L7. Activation of Anti-L7 alone did not induce any change in tone or membrane potential of the gill musculature. The suppressive effect of Anti-L7 lasts many seconds after the cessation of a train of Anti-L7 impulses. The results may suggest that the suppression is mediated through an inhibitory neuromodulatory mechanism without inhibition of L7 itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CT scan is an extremely useful, almost harmless means of diagnosing pituitary adenomas. Growth hormone (GH)-secreting adenomas tend to have higher absorption coefficient on plain CT than the nonfunctioning and prolactin (PRL)-secreting adenomas. The absorption coefficient on contrastenhanced CT does not identify the specific type of adenoma. Ring-like enhancement was observed in five nonfunctioning and four PRL-secreting adenomas with suprasellar extension, while cystic components were observed in four nonfunctioning and four PRL-secreting adenomas. In three of ten cases of PRL-secreting microadenomas, the site corresponding to the adenoma was not enhanced, whereas the normal pituitary was. A correlation exists between the size of PRL-secreting adenoma and the serum PRL level, but not between the size of GH-secreting adenomas and the serum GH level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify the relationship between morphological changes in the corneal endothelium and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, specular microscopic examinations were performed on both eyes of 118 welders and 85 controls. The results showed: a decrease in the hexagonal cells in welders (20-29 years) in comparison with the controls (20-29) (p less than 0.05); an increase in the mean cell size of the endothelium and a decrease in the hexagonal cell population with increasing age in both groups; increases in standard deviation (SD) and the coefficient of variation (CV) of the mean cell size in both groups; increases in SD and CV of the mean number of cell cell sides in both groups; and no difference in the mean cell size between the two groups. These results show that UV radiation damages not only the corneal epithelium but also the endothelium, and suggest that it causes more pleomorphic change (a decrease in hexagonal cell population) than enlargement of the mean cell size. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]