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PURPOSE To evaluate the transscleral delivery of Oregon Green-labeled triamcinolone acetonide (OGTA) into the eye. METHODS Ex vivo experiments were performed on rabbit sclera in a Lucite block perfusion chamber. Two hundred microliters OGTA (5 mg/mL) was placed on the outer surface of the sclera for 24 hours. The exposed sclera was divided into two pieces; one half for a washout of OGTA and the other for histology. The concentration of OGTA that diffused through the sclera (n = 6) was measured by fluorometry. Two hundred microliters of OGTA (5 mg/mL) was also injected subtenon into live (n = 6) and euthanatized rabbits (n = 3). Intraocular OGTA concentrations were measured by ocular fluorophotometry. RESULTS The permeability constant for the transscleral diffusion (K(trans)) of OGTA was 1.12 x 10(-7) +/- 0.08 cm/s (n = 8) during the steady state perfusion. Washout tests showed higher OGTA concentration in the sclera exposed to OGTA for 4 hours than in that exposed for 1 hour. Fluorescent microscopy showed OGTA fluorescence throughout the exposed sclera, as evidence of scleral penetration of OGTA. The maximum OGTA concentration in the retina/choroid after subtenon injection was 25.77 +/- 10.26 ng/mL in the live rabbit at 3 hours and 84.68 +/- 21.04 ng/mL in the euthanatized rabbits at 8 hours. CONCLUSIONS OGTA is capable of diffusing across isolated rabbit sclera ex vivo and into the retina/choroid via transscleral diffusion from a subtenon depot in vivo. Conjunctival and choroidal circulation decreased the drug delivery of OGTA.

8010 Background: In the first phase of BATTLE clinical study, 72 pts with advanced, previously treated NSCLC were characterized into one of four biomarker groups (BGs) based on their pre-treatment tumor biomarker profile. BGs included the following: EGFR (mutation & gene copy number), angiogenesis (VEGF and VEGFR-2 by IHC), K-ras/B-raf mutations and RXR/Cyclin D-1 (IHC and gene copy number). We performed exploratory analysis of plasma levels of 59 C/AFs to investigate potential correlation with pathway activation from pretreatment tumor specimens. Methods: 62/72 pts consented to the optional blood collection for C/AF analysis. We used multiplex bead assays to measure 53 plasma C/AFs, including VEGF, basic FGF, HGF, E-selectin, MMP-9, multiple chemokines and interleukins (IL). Total and free IGF-1, IGFBP-3, osteopontin (OPN) and sVEGFR-1&2 were measured by ELISA. To evaluate the association between plasma C/AFs and pretreatment tumor markers, Wilcoxon test was performed. Results: A significantly higher sco...

Family planning in Korea has contributed to below replacement level fertility. As a consequence, the direction of family planning needs to be changed to a quality rather than a quantity-oriented system. The emphasis should be on a family development: maternal and child health and family welfare. 3 future directions have been identified in terms of basic program service, focus on overall health, and expansion of scope. The basic objective providing information and affordable contraceptive supplies for new clients -- should remain. The service delivery can be improved and the incidence of induced abortion can be reduced. Focusing on the overall health status of family members contributes to the quality of life of the population. Infectious diseases no longer predominate, but the chronic diseases that do can be prevented with good daily health practices. These practices include sound dietary habits and regular exercise. If housewives are reduced, a comprehensive home health care system can developed. Community health practitioners (CHPs) would support the housewives. Finally, family welfare programs should be added to traditional family planning programs. Changing values and complicated roles create problems in family life. Role development for women and the elderly is another function served by a family welfare program. Therapy and education programs are a viable solution. Mother's clubs, senior citizens' schools, and neighborhood or village meetings are community institutions which could serve as educational forums to prevent family problems. For more entrenched problems, therapy is available through professional counseling services. This expanded and comprehensive health and welfare role of projected family planning programs serves to improve the quality of life as well as improving fertility control. This can be accomplished with the active participation of housewives and CHPs with professional help.

The blood chemistry was studied in 140 spinal cord injury (SCI) patients (acute injury ward), including 18 patients who developed heterotopic ossification (HO). Comparisons between the HO and non-HO groups were made to determine if the alkaline phosphatase (AP), inorganic phosphorus (P), or calcium (Ca) levels were of diagnostic value. The results showed that AP, P, and Ca by themselves were of little help in the diagnosis of HO. However, the combination of elevated AP and P was significant, especially if both were consistently elevated. There were no significant differences between the HO and non-HO groups concerning completeness or level of spinal injury.

6013 Background: Interrupting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway has shown promise in a variety of cancers and preclinical data has demonstrated possible synergy with platinums and taxanes. Treatment options for recurrent/metastatic HNSCC are limited. A study of cisplatin and docetaxel showed a response rate of 40% and 9.6 month median survival. Erlotinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, had a 4.3% response rate as single agent in HNSCC. Because of the possible synergy and efficacy, we proposed to study the combination of cisplatin, docetaxel and erlotinib in advanced HNSCC. Methods: Patients (pts) were required to have adequate performance status, measurable disease, no prior EGFR therapy, and may have received prior induction, concomitant or adjuvant chemotherapy, but not for recurrent/metastatic disease. Sites of disease included squamous cell head and neck sites excluding nasopharynx and sinus. Treatment included docetaxel 75 mg/m2 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 intravenously every 3 weeks and erlotinib 150 mg by mouth daily. All agents were started on day 1. Pts were treated with growth factor support. Results: The trial has completed accrual to 50 pts. 47 pts are available for analysis at this time. Median age is 56 years (range 39–72). ECOG PS is 0, 1, 2 (6, 29, 2 pts). 43 pts are evaluable for efficacy. All responses were confirmed via RECIST. Complete responses have been in observed in 4 pts, partial responses in 25 pts and 12 pts have stable disease for an overall response rate of 67% and disease control rate of 95%. After a follow-up of 19 months, median overall survival was 11 months (8.61, 22.5, 95% CI) and progression free survival was 6.01 months (4.37, 8.25). 6 pts had grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia, 4 pts had grade 3/4 dehydration, 3 pts had grade 3 diarrhea, and 2 pts had grade 3/4 GI bleeding. The most common grade 1–2 toxicities were diarrhea, nausea, and rash. Conclusions: The combination of cisplatin, docetaxel and erlotinib is well tolerated and has very encouraging activity in recurrent/metastatic HNSCC. Tissues are being collected and analyzed for correlative markers including downstream EGFR pathway markers (p-akt, mek, k-ras). Final efficacy and biomarker results will be presented at the annual meeting. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

7697 Background: Multiple axes of signaling pathways are associated with lung carcinogenesis. These signaling axes are different in pts (pts) and their cancers. Utilization of molecularly targeted agents may inhibit these specific aberrant pathways and lead to clinical efficacy. Biomarkers expressions can be used as indicators for the aberrant signaling to identify effective targeted therapy. Methods: The program, “Biomarker-integrated Approaches of Targeted Therapy of Lung Cancer Elimination (BATTLE),” consists of an umbrella screening trial and 4 parallel phase II targeted therapies trials (with erlotinib, sorafenib, vandetanib, and the combination of erlotinib and bexarotene) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer pts with prior chemotherapy. All pts will have biopsy samples taken for biomarker profile assessment prior to the randomization. A ‘surrogate response‘ to treatment is defined as progression free at 8 weeks after randomization. The Bayesian ordinal probit model is used to characterize the response rate. Pts with certain biomarker profile will be adaptively randomized (AR) to one of the 4 treatment arms with the randomization rate based on the updated response rate based on accumulated data in the trial. For each biomarker profile, better performing arms will have higher randomization rates and vise versa. Early stopping rules are set so that low-performing arms may be suspended for new patient entry. Results: Based on extensive simulation studies, the proposed design with a total of 200 pts has desirable operating characteristics to: (1) identify effective agents with high probability; (2) suspend ineffective agents; and (3) treat more pts with effective agents according to their biomarker profiles. The Bayesian design incorporates prior data and findings from the current pts to form better estimates of the treatment efficacy for pts with different biomarker profiles. The design continues to “learn” and improve the estimates as the trial moves along. Conclusion: The Bayesian AR design is a smart and ethical design and ideally suitable for the development of targeted therapy. It may help in identifying effective agents based on pts’ tumor biomarker profile and thus treat more pts with effective therapies. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

6055 Background: Despite recent advances in therapy, patients (pts) with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC continue to demonstrate a poor median survival. In these pts, early trials with pemetrexed, a novel antimetabolite that acts upon several enzymes involved in pyrimidine and purine synthesis, have demonstrated promising efficacy and tolerability. Prior studies found that the administration of oral dexamethasone with pemetrexed reduced the incidence of skin rash. Later, vitamin supplementation (B12 and folic acid), given in addition to the dexamethasone, further diminished side effects. However, no trial has yet evaluated the appropriate steroid dose and its relation to the dosing of pemetrexed, in the setting of vitamin supplementation. We conducted a phase I trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose, toxicity, and preliminary efficacy of pemetrexed when given with different schedules of, or in the absence of, dexamethasone in pts with advanced HNSCC who had been treated with at least one or more chemotherapy regimens. Methods: Eligible pts had metastatic or recurrent HNSCC, prior treatment with one or more chemotherapy regimens, ECOG PS =2, and life expectancy >3 months. A conventional algorithm-based dose escalation design was applied, with three predefined dose levels (DL) of pemetrexed (500 mg/m2, 600 mg/m2, and 700 mg/m2) within each schedule of dexamethasone (none, 20 mg IV on day 1, and 4 mg orally bid for 3 days). Results: A total of 23 pts have been enrolled; 18 pts were evaluable. Median age was 57 years (range 47–82). Median ECOG PS was 1 (range 0–2), and 75% of pts were male. Number of prior chemotherapy regimens were as follows: 1 (40%), 2 (35%), 3 (15%), and 4 (10%). Preliminary data demonstrated only 2 treatment-related adverse events that were grade 3 or greater: anemia (DL1) and pneumonia (DL 1). In all, 13 pts have received pemetrexed with less than standard recommended dexamethasone dosing (none or IV), including 7 pts who received no dexamethasone. Of the 18 evaluable pts, 1 pt had a partial response and 2 pts had stable disease. Conclusions: This represents the first study that demonstrates that steroids may not be required as premedication with pemetrexed. Due to the limited toxicity observed, trial enrollment continues with dose escalation. [Table: see text]

Pigs have become increasingly important in the field of biomedical research, and interest has grown in the use of transgenic cloned pigs as potential xenograft donors. The present study were carried out to investigate the effects of intensity of DC pulse, number of DC pulses, and equilibration before fusion/activation on developmental ability of porcine embryos derived from nuclear transfer. Porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in modified TCM-199 (mTCM-199) medium for 44 h at 38.5�C, 5% CO2 in air. After in vitro maturation (IVM), metaphase II oocytes were selected for enucleation. Porcine fetal fibroblasts were obtained from a porcine fetus on Day 35 of gestation as donor cells. Oocytes were enucleated by removing, with a micropipette, the first polar body along with adjacent cytoplasm containing the metaphase plate; then a donor cell was injected in contact with the cytoplasm of each oocyte. In experiment 1, several different fusion/activation intensities (two DC pulses of 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, and 2.0 kV cm-1 for 30 �s) were carried out to investigate the effect on the development of nuclear transfer embryos. In experiment 2, the reconstructed oocytes were fused and activated with 1, 2, or 3 DC pulses of 1.2 kV cm-1 for 30 �s. In experiment 3, reconstructed oocytes were equilibrated in mTCM-199 medium at 38.5�C, 5% CO2 for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h. After equilibration, the reconstructed oocytes were fused and activated with one DC pulse of 1.2 kV cm-1 for 30 �s in fusion medium. The reconstructed embryos were transferred into PZM-3 medium containing 0.3% BSA for further culture. The rates of embryo cleavage and development of blastocyst stage were evaluated at 48 h and 6-7 days, respectively. The cell numbers of blastocysts were counted by using Hoechst 33342 epifluorescence staining. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan

Cystic ovarian follicle (COF) is one of the most frequently diagnosed ovarian diseases and a major cause of reproductive failure in cattle. Despite an abundance of reports on this subject, the exact pathogenesis of COF still remains unclear. It is generally accepted that disruption of the hypothalmo-pituitary-gonadal axis, by endogenous and/or exogenous factors, causes cystic formation. We here examined whether ion concentration and expression of ion channels are altered in the follicle fluid derived from a Korean native cow with COF. In an ovary with a cystic follicle, granulosa cell layers were exfoliated; the theca interna was thinner than that in an ovary without cystic follicle, based on histological examination. Concentrations of K+, Na+, and Cl- in COF fluid (COFF) were 10.4 � 3.5 mM, 138 � 12 mM, and 104.9 � 7.0 mM, respectively. In COFF, K+ concentration showed a significant difference from the value observed in normal follicle fluid (NFF) (P < 0.05; NFF: 10.4 � 3.5 mM vs. COFF: 6.2 � 0.8 mM). The total numbers of follicles observed (normal, 3–5 mm in diameter vs. COF, 20–30 mm in diameter) were 200 and 20 in normal and COF, respectively. To compare mRNA expression of K+ channels, we performed semiquantitative RT-PCR using follicle fluid and ovaries with or without cystic follicles. RT-PCR showed that mRNA levels of TASK channels (TASK-1, TASK-3, and TASK-5) decreased by 50% in COFF and an ovary with cystic follicles compared to NFF and a normal ovary. TASK channels are involved in apoptosis of mammalian cells. Our results suggest that potassium may play an important role in the pathogenesis of COF.

18538 Background: Erlotinib is an oral epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeted therapy. It is approved for therapy in NSCLC pts after failure of at least one prior chemotherapy regimen, and in combination with gemcitabine for pts with pancreatic cancer. It has also been studied in other tumors including HNC. Erlotinib has fewer side effects compared to standard chemotherapy. Cutaneous toxicities with erlotinib have been observed in approximately 70% of pts with most cases typically mild-to-moderate. The most common manifestations are an acneiform rash, pruritus, and dryness. As rash may be a marker of clinical benefit, continuing therapy through toxicities is important. Methods: We have described effective management of skin rash associated with erlotinib by using the proposed treatment algorithm in HNC pts enrolled in a phase II study in which they received erlotinib with chemotherapy. Pts were followed by physical exams and direct questionings about rash development and treatment response as they were treated based on the grade and characteristics (pruritic, macular, pustular, dryness, ulcerative) of rash. Results: Thus far, the HNC trial has enrolled 32 pts and 28 pts are evaluable for rash and treatment responses. 19 pts developed grade 1 rash, 8 pts grade 2, 1 pt grade 3, and none grade 4. Response to rash intervention (ie downgrading the rash) included 19/19 complete responses for grade 1, 6/8 partial responses for grade 2 (the non-responding patients were referred to dermatology and improved after several other treatments) and 1/1 partial response for grade 3 were noted. 4 pts experienced dose delay and/or dose modification. In addition, 33 NSCLC pts are also evaluable for toxicity. 25 pts developed grade 1 rash, 4 pts grade 2, 4 pts grade 3, and none grade 4. Response to rash intervention included 25/25 complete responses for grade 1, 4/4 complete/partial responses for grade 2 and 3. Four pts experienced dose delays and/or dose modifications. Conclusions: Successful management of rash associated with erlotinib can be achieved using the proposed treatment algorithm thus allowing pts to continue on treatment without delays or significant dosing changes. [Table: see text]

5565 Background: Treatment options for advanced disease are limited and for those patients failing chemotherapy, there are few viable options. Lonafarnib is a novel tricyclic peptidomimetic compound that is a potent and specific inhibitor of farnesyl protein transferase. We have previously reported clinical activity of lonafarnib in untreated HNSCC (4 of 22 patients showed response despite drug exposure for only 7–14 days). We proposed to assess the activity of lonafarnib in advanced HNSCC patients. Methods: An open-label phase II single-center study was conducted to determine the objective response rate of lonafarnib administered at 200 mg bid, enrolling patients who were incurable and who failed at least one platinum-containing regimen, but received no more than three prior regimens. Results: Fifteen patients, aged 32 to 66 (median age 57) were enrolled. All patients had baseline ECOG PS 0 or 1. Median treatment duration was 61 days (range 0–224 days). Median time to progression was 62 days. No objectiv...

8231 Background: Therapies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) including small molecule inhibitors have promise but are accompanied by side effects, predominantly rash. As rash ma...

We suggest a type of “goggle” cell shape and discuss its switching mechanism in comparison with conventional shapes such as rectangular and elliptical shapes. For the goggle shapes, the dependence of the switching characteristics on the saturation magnetization, the free layer thickness, and the aspect ratio was studied. We found that the “L”-like astroid curve with an enlarged writing margin could be obtained from a goggle shape, especially when the aspect ratio is smaller than 2. This seems to be closely related with the kink formation. We also found that the writing margin could be improved further as the saturation magnetization and thickness of the free layer was optimized.

5578 Background: SAHA is a potent histone deacetylase inhibitor that has excellent oral bioavailability. Preclinical studies demonstrated that SAHA has growth inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing activity in SCCHN cell lines in vitro. In a phase I trial of oral SAHA administered once a day or twice a day, a partial response was observed in a pt with metastatic laryngeal carcinoma. A phase II trial was initiated to assess the efficacy and safety of oral SAHA administered as 400 mg qd in pts with SCCHN. Methods: Eligible pts must have recurrent and/or metastatic SCCHN unresponsive to or intolerant of conventional chemotherapy (up to two prior chemotherapies including neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and concomitant chemotherapy/radiation); ECOG performance status 0–2; adequate hematologic, hepatic, and renal function; able to swallow capsules; have measurable disease; = 4 weeks from prior chemotherapy, radiation therapy, major surgery or investigational anticancer therapy and have recovered from prior toxicities. Study ...

2050 Background: Erlotinib is a novel, oral EGFR-TKI that has demonstrated activity as a single agent in pts with advanced NSCLC. Preclinical studies have shown additive efficacy when E was combine...

A method for determining methyl mercury in fish and shellfish was collaboratively studied in 8 laboratories. Methyl mercury is isolated from acetonewashed, homogenized tissue by adding hydrochloric acid and extracting into benzene the methyl mercuric chloride that is formed. The benzene extract is concentrated and analyzed for methyl mercuric chloride by electron capture gas-liquid chromatography on 5% DEGS-PS treated with inorganic mercuric chloride solution. The quantitation limit for the method is 0.05 μg Hg/g. Each collaborator determined methyl mercury at 2 levels in blind duplicate samples of swordfish, tuna, oyster, and shrimp tissues. Both fortified and unfortified samples were analyzed. Methyl-bound mercury in the samples ranged from 0.15 to 148 μg Hg/g. The reproducibility coefficients of variation for the 8 samples ranged from 3 to 13%. The accuracy, measured by comparison to reference values, ranged from 99 to 120%. Reference values were determined in the Associate Referee's laboratory by replicate analyses of the fortified and unfortified samples. The method has been adopted official first action.

1. The LTAS of a defective powder takes place under conditions of primary AR and formation of an ultrafine-grained structure, and is in fact a manifestation of structural superplasticity of the compact being sintered. 2. Subjecting a powder to recrystallization annealing or suppressing AR in a powder with an antirecrystallization addition sharply alters the mechanism of LTAS and the temperature dependence of shrinkage. 3. A mechanism of LTAS of a defective powder is proposed based on diffusional penetration of an activator into particles along their structural defects and on initiation of AR.

The effects of field application rates, number of applications, interval to harvest after field treatment with ethylenebisdithiocarbamate (EBDC) fungicide and the effect of washing on the levels of the residue ethylenethiourea (ETU) in canned spinach were studied. High rates of applied EBDC high number of field applications and applications closer to harvest time resulted in canned spinach with high levels of ETU. Washing with water before processing significantly reduced the levels of ETU in spinach from all the field treatments, but washing with a solution of sodium hypochlorite and a mild detergent reduced even further the levels of ETU.

Ethylenethiourea (ETU) residue originating from ethylenebisdithiocarbamate (EBDC) fungicides sprayed in the field was evaluated in canned spinach. The effect of leaf type, mechanical injury, holding temperature and washing solution on levels of ETU were studied. A smooth leaf cultivar had lower ETU residues than savoy and semisavoy. Leaf-injured spinach had higher ETU residues than the intact control. Spinach washed in water reduced the ETU level to less than 5 ppm, while addition of sodium hypochlorite (300 ppm) and a basic detergent (0.1%) further reduced ETU levels to less than 1 ppm. Increasing the washing time from 1 to 3 min did not significantly reduce the residual ETU levels. High holding temperatures (21°C) resulted in canned spinach with low but not significantly different levels of ETU as compared to low temperatures (2°C).

SUMMARY– As part of a coordinated research program on internal can corrosion, the action of nitrates on tinplate was studied in model systems simulating foods of varying acidities. Detinning rates were measured in citrate buffered nitrate solutions ranging in pH from 3.0–7.0. At pH values less than about 5.2–5.5 the detinning is extremely rapid, with slower rates at higher pH values. Nitrate concentrations of 125 ppm in pH 4 buffers completely detinned cans in about 2 months at ambient temperatures. Ammonia is the principal nitrate reduction product in the pH range of acid products. Nitrous oxide is also produced and acts as an effective detinner at pH 4 and 5. Nitrogen may also be produced at pH 5.

Field-grown spinach (Spinacea oleraceae L.) sprayed with ethylenebisdi-thiocarbamate fungicides was washed to reduce the carbamate residue ethylenethiourea (ETU) in canned spinach. The spinach was washed with water, water + sodium hypochlorite, detergents, or detergents + sodium hypochlorite. After washing, the spinach was canned and evaluated for ETU residue and quality. ETU residue was 63 ppm in non-washed carbamate field-treated spinach, 6.9 ppm in water-washed samples, and only 0.1 ppm in washing treatments containing detergents. Washing treatments had little effect on the quality of the canned spinach; only titratable acidity was reduced significantly.

Folate compounds in soybean and cow's milk were identified by Sephadex chromatography and differential microbiological assay. Soybean contained mainly monoglutamates (ca. 52%), some diglutamates (ca. 16%), and polyglutamates (pentaglutamates representing the major portion). 5-CHO-H4PteGlun(1–6) constituted 65–70% of total folate activity. Cow's milk contained monoglutamates (60%) and polyglutamates (ranging from di- to hepta-conjugates). In contrast to soybean, 90–95% of milk folate was in the 5-CH3-H4PteGlun(1–7) form.

This is the first documented case of intrafollicular ovarian pregnancy following bilateral tubal ligation. The patency of the previously ligated tube was demonstrated by hysterosalpinography. It appears that the incidence of ovarian pregnancy is not related to the rising incidence of tubal pregnancy.

This study investigates the connection between of psychosocial factors and level of fertility in those women using contraception. The log-linear model was utilized to analyze the 1985 Korean fertility and Family Health Survey data. Results were as follows: 1) Among urban dwellers, the selected model contained a 3-term interaction hierarchical effect with the components being education, number of children, and marital age. There were also 2 2-term hierarchical effects with the components being income, education and income, and number of children. 2) Among rural dwellers, the model was simpler, as it contained 3 2-term interaction hierarchical effects with the components being income, education, number of children and education, and marital age. There is a clear indication that education has the strongest effect on the number of living children among women who practice contraception. This implies that the number of children is smaller among those women practicing contraction whose educational level is higher. (author's modified)

This study is part of the series on the relationship between ideal and actual family size in Korea, based on interview data collected by the National Fertility Survey in 1985 by the Korea Institute for Population and Health of 8414 cases. The distribution of the ideal number of children by age indicated that age and number of children are highly correlated. Urban residents want fewer children than rural residents. Ideal family size has decreased to 2 from a high of 3.9 in 1967. Urban residents want 1.9 children, while rural residents want 2.2 children. Of those respondents still childbearing, 33.1% of the respondents had the number of children that they also said was ideal. 22.6% of the respondents had fewer children than they thought ideal; 44.3% had more children than they thought ideal. Of those respondents who had completed childbearing, 35.9% had the number of children they considered ideal, 8.3% had fewer children than they wanted, and 61.5% had more children than they thought ideal.

A case of true primary ovarian pregnancy with a Cu-7 intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) in situ was studied. All of Spiegelberg's criteria were satisfied. Review of the literature revealed an apparent increase in the frequency of ovarian pregnancy associated with the use of IUCDs.A case report of a true ovarian pregnancy with a copper 7 IUD in situ is presented. The histological diagnosis is explained and microscopic photographs presented. A review of the literature reveals that the risk that a pregnancy occurring with an IUD in situ will be ectopic is highly elevated above the normal. The fact is probably due to the mechanism of action of the IUD, i.e., local enzyme or chemical action on the endometrial cavity and Fallopian tubes. Diagnosis in these cases is of particular importance since the presenting symptoms of ectopic pregnancy are often attributed to the IUD itself initially.

Two approaches to control the position and the size of semiconductor islands are proposed. The first method is to perform overgrowth on a cleaved edge of strained multiple quantum wells which acts as a substrate with a periodically modulated lattice constant, thus inducing a periodic strain to the overgrown layer. The second method is to selectively grow islands in specific windows defined by electron beam lithography. Both the methods are applied to the Ge/Si system and the controllability of the Ge island formation is demonstrated.

Strain effects in a strained SiGe/Si quantum well induced by self-assembled Ge islands have been studied by varying the Ge coverage. The strain by the Ge islands induces a complicated behavior in photoluminescence spectra depending on the Ge coverage. The Ge islands give the enhanced local strain to the underlying structures with the increase of the Ge coverage, at the early stage of the growth. However, as the Ge coverage increases the enhanced local strain does not continue being reinforced but is limited after once being retrogressed. These results are discussed in terms of elastic deformation due to the lattice mismatch between Si and Ge and the lattice relaxation in Ge islands.

Control of dimension and position of Ge dots on a nanoscale is accomplished by combining Stranski–Krastanov growth mode with selective epitaxial growth technique in windows surrounded by SiO2 films on Si substrates. The dimension and the number of these dots are controlled by the size of the windows, and a single dot is grown in a window with the size of less than 300 nm. Moreover, clear phonon-resolved photoluminescence (PL) is observed from the Ge dots, reflecting the improved uniformity in their dimensions. The PL energy is found to be strongly dependent on the dot’s dimension.