Multiple exaggerated weapon morphs: a novel form of male polymorphism in harvestmen.

Alternative reproductive tactics in animals are commonly associated with distinct male phenotypes resulting in polymorphism of sexually selected weapons such as horns and spines. Typically, morphs are divided between small (unarmed) and large (armed) males according to one or more developmental thresholds in association with body size. Here, we describe remarkable weapon trimorphism within a single species, where two exaggerated weapon morphs and a third morph with reduced weaponry are present.

Bilateral nevus comedonicus of the eyelids.

Nevus comedonicus is a rare developmental abnormality of the infundibulum of the hair follicle. It is usually unilateral and commonly presents at birth or during childhood. A rare case of late-onset, bilateral nevus comedonicus of the eyelids is reported.

Basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid with exceptional histomorphologic expressions.

A basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid had unique and potentially confusing histopathologic features. The tumor displayed a carcinoma in situ pattern with replacement of an extensive segment of the tarsal epithelium by neoplastic basaloid cells, a finding to the best of the authors' knowledge that has not been previously documented. Within the infiltrating component of the dermis were classical solid basaloid nests and lobules; they were accompanied, however, by a separate and exceptionally prominent component of duct-like (pseudoglandular) units mimicking a microcystic adnexal carcinoma.

Multimodal optical microscope for detecting viability of mouse embryos in vitro.

We present a multimodal optical microscope that incorporates six imaging modalities on one common platform. The imaging modalities include three staring modes, optical quadrature microscopy (OQM), differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, and epi-fluorescence microscopy, and three scanning modes, confocal reflectance microscopy (CRM), confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM), and two-photon microscopy (2PM). OQM reconstructs the amplitude and phase of an optically transparent specimen within a modified Mach-Zehnder configuration.

Identification of steroidogenic enzyme mRNAs in the human lacrimal gland, meibomian gland, cornea, and conjunctiva.

Purpose: Sex steroids exert a significant influence on the health and well-being of the ocular surface and adnexa. These hormones affect multiple aspects of the lacrimal and meibomian glands, conjunctiva, and cornea, and have been linked to the development of many ocular surface pathologies. We hypothesize that these hormone actions, as in other tissues, occur predominantly after the local synthesis of androgens and estrogens from adrenal precursors.