Inter-Individual Variation in Response to Estrogen in Human Breast Explants

Exposure to estrogen is strongly associated with increased breast cancer risk. While all women are exposed to estrogen, only 12% are expected to develop breast cancer during their lifetime. These women may be more sensitive to estrogen, as rodent models have demonstrated variability in estrogen sensitivity. Our objective was to determine individual variation in expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and estrogen-induced responses in the normal human breast. Human breast tissue from female donors undergoing reduction mammoplasty surgery were collected for microarray analysis of ER expression. To examine estrogen-induced responses, breast tissue from 23 female donors were cultured ex- vivo in basal or 10 nM 17β-estradiol (E2) media for 4 days. Expression of ER genes (ESR1 and ESR2) increased significantly with age. E2 induced consistent increases in global gene transcription, but expression of target genes AREG, PGR, and TGFβ2 increased significantly only in explants from nulliparous women. E2-treatment did not induce consistent changes in proliferation or radiation induced apoptosis. Responses to estrogen are highly variable among women and not associated with levels of ER expression, suggesting differences in intracellular signaling among individuals. The differences in sensitivity to E2-stimulated responses may contribute to variation in risk of breast cancer

Acceleration of Relativistic Protons during the 20 January 2005 Flare and CME

The origin of relativistic solar protons during large flare/CME events has not been uniquely identified so far.We perform a detailed comparative analysis of the time profiles of relativistic protons detected by the worldwide network of neutron monitors at Earth with electromagnetic signatures of particle acceleration in the solar corona during the large particle event of 20 January 2005. The intensity-time profile of the relativistic protons derived from the neutron monitor data indicates two successive peaks. We show that microwave, hard X-ray and gamma-ray emissions display several episodes of particle acceleration within the impulsive flare phase. The first relativistic protons detected at Earth are accelerated together with relativistic electrons and with protons that produce pion decay gamma-rays during the second episode. The second peak in the relativistic proton profile at Earth is accompanied by new signatures of particle acceleration in the corona within approximatively 1 solar radius above the photosphere, revealed by hard X-ray and microwave emissions of low intensity, and by the renewed radio emission of electron beams and of a coronal shock wave. We discuss the observations in terms of different scenarios of particle acceleration in the corona.Comment: 22 pages, 5 figure

Cereais de inverno submetidos ao corte no sistema de duplo propósito Winter cereals submitted to cuts in double purpose system

A utilização de cereais de inverno no sistema de duplo propósito permite fornecer aos animais forragem verde no período crítico de carência alimentar, além de aumentar a estabilidade da receita da produção pela melhoria na qualidade e produtividade dos grãos dos cereais de inverno. O experimento foi conduzido no período de abril de 1994 a setembro de 1996 em Guarapuava, Paraná, a fim de avaliar o potencial de utilização para forragem e grãos de aveia branca (Avena sativa L.), trigo (Triticum aestivum), triticale (X. Triticosecale Witt.), aveia preta (Avena strigosa Schreb), centeio (Secale cereale L.) e cevada (Hordeum vulgare L.), visando sua utilização em condições de duplo propósito. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com tratamentos distribuídos em parcelas subdivididas, em três repetições. Nas parcelas foram estudados os sistemas de produção (sem corte, um e dois cortes) e nas subparcelas, os genótipos. O sistema de dois cortes foi superior aos demais quanto ao rendimento de matéria seca, principalmente para a aveia. Para o rendimento de grãos, os sistemas sem corte e um corte foram superiores, apesar da maior produção dos genótipos de aveia sob dois cortes. Em todos os genótipos, houve melhoria do peso do hectolitro e redução da massa de mil sementes, quando se realizaram cortes. Sob condições de manejo adequadas, pode-se alcançar considerável produção de forragem, sem afetar a posterior produção de grãos para cereais de inverno.<br>The winter cereals utilization in double purpose system allows to provide forage in critical food conditions periods and also to increase the income of production stablility by improving quality and produtivity of winter cereal grains. The experiment was conducted from April 1994 to September 1996, in Guarapuava, Paraná, to evaluate the potential for forage and grains of white oat (Avena sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum), triticale (X. Triticosecale Witt.), black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb), rye (Secale cereale L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), seeking an use in conditions of double purpose. A randomized block experiment design, with treatments assigned to subdivided portions, in three replications, was used. In the plots the production systems (without cut, one and two cut) were studied and in the sub-plot, the genotypes. The two cut system was superior than the others concerning the dry matter, mainly the oat. For the grain yield, the systems without cut and one cut were superior, in spite of the greatest production of oat genotype under two cut. In all genotypes, the hectoliter weight increased and the mass of a thousand seeds decreased, when cuts were performed. Under apropriate handling conditions, considerable forage production can be reached, without affecting the posterior production of grains for winter cereals