Mapping of estradiol binding sites through receptor micro-autoradiography in the endometrial stroma of early pregnant mice.

Estradiol triggers key biological responses in the endometrium, which rely on the presence and levels of its cognate receptors on target cells. Employing the receptor micro-autoradiography (RMAR) technique, we aimed to provide a temporal and spatial map of the functional binding sites for estradiol in the mouse endometrial stroma during early pregnancy. Uterine samples from days 1.

Pulse capture without carrier absorption in dynamic Q photonic crystal nanocavities.

We develop a gallium arsenide (GaAs) photonic crystal nanocavity device capable of capturing and releasing a pulse of light by dynamic control of the Q factor through free carrier photoexcitation. Unlike silicon-based devices where the performance of this dynamic optical control is limited by absorption from free carriers with nanosecond-order lifetimes, the short carrier lifetime (∼ 7 ps) of our equivalent GaAs devices enables dynamic control with negligible absorption losses. We capture a 4 ps optical pulse by briefly cycling the Q factor from 40,000 to 7900 and back just as the light couples to the nanocavity and confirm that the captured energy can be subsequently released on demand by a second injection of free carriers.

Whole-body and microscopic autoradiography to determine tissue distribution of biopharmaceuticals -- target discoveries with receptor micro-autoradiography engendered new concepts and therapies for vitamin D.

Information about the distribution of biopharmaceuticals is basic for understanding their actions. Tissue and cellular localization is a key to function. Autoradiography with radiolabeled compounds has provided valuable information with both low resolution whole-body macro-autoradiography and high resolution microscopic autoradiography (micro-autoradiography).

The world epidemic of sleep disorders is linked to vitamin D deficiency.

An observation of sleep improvement with vitamin D supplementation led to a 2 year uncontrolled trial of vitamin D supplementation in 1500 patients with neurologic complaints who also had evidence of abnormal sleep. Most patients had improvement in neurologic symptoms and sleep but only through maintaining a narrow range of 25(OH) vitamin D3 blood levels of 60-80 ng/ml. Comparisons of brain regions associated with sleep-wake regulation and vitamin D target neurons in the diencephalon and several brainstem nuclei suggest direct central effects of vitamin D on sleep.