Distinct expression patterns of ER alpha and ER beta in normal human mammary gland

AIM: Two oestrogen receptors (ERs) have been identified to date—the “classic” ERa and the more recently described ERb. Although much is known about ERa at the mRNA and protein levels, our knowledge of the expression and distribution of ERb protein is much more limited. The aim of this study was to compare the cellular distribution of ERa and ERb in normal human mammary gland. METHODS: Formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded material was obtained from reduction mammoplasty specimens, normal tissue adjacent to breast tumour, or fibroadenoma. Sections were immunohistochemically stained for ERa, ERb, and the progesterone receptor. The staining pattern for each antibody was evaluated and compared. RESULTS: ERa was restricted to the cell nuclei of epithelial cells lining ducts and lobules. Although ERb was also seen in these cells, additional strong staining was detected specifically in the cell nuclei of myoepithelial cells. Occasional staining was seen in surrounding stromal and endothelial cell nuclei and in lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: ER subtypes have distinct distribution patterns in the normal mammary gland. The widespread distribution of ERb suggests that it may be the dominant ER in the mammary gland where it may be acting as a natural suppressor

The use of radiometric partial discharge location equipment in distribution substations

his paper describes a vehicle mounted radiometric system consisting of an array of four antennas connected to broadband, high-speed recording hardware capable of locating the source of partial discharges (PD). The significant advantages of the system lie in its ease of application, not requiring any electrical plant interface, and its ability to monitor emissions from several items of plant simultaneously. The system has been widely used at transmission level

Pump-probe measurement of lifetime engineering in far-infrared SiGe quantum wells

No abstract available

Pump-probe measurement of lifetime engineering in far-infrared SiGe quantum wells

No abstract available

Degenerate four wave mixing spectroscopy of oxygen vibrations in amorphous silicon

We report on DFWM spectroscopy on the asymmetric stretching mode in a-SiOx with x from 0.1 to 1.11. For a-SiO0.1, a 10 K lifetime of 2.8 ps is obtained using laser-induced transient grating spectroscopy. Two-pulse photon echo measurements reveal phase dynamics having a temperature dependent component due to elastic phonon scattering and an excitation dependent component suggesting the presence of non-equilibrium Si-Si modes. At high excitation densities, the DFWM signal is dominated by a quasi-thermal grating whose population decay is extremely long lived (much greater than 1 ns). This effect is enhanced as the oxygen concentration is increased. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved