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The myogenic response is the intrinsic ability of small arteries to constrict in response to increased intraluminal pressure. Although microRNAs have been shown to play a role in vascular smooth muscle function, their importance in the regulation of the myogenic response is not known. In this study, we investigate the role of microRNAs in the regulation of myogenic tone by using smooth muscle-spec
Population-based data on hospital procedure volume and outcome of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are limited.
The receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit, also known as the stem cell factor receptor, plays a key role in several developmental processes. Activating mutations in c-Kit lead to alteration of these cellular processes and have been implicated in many human cancers such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), testicular seminomas and mastocytosis. Regulation of the cataly
Background: Identification of disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) may be facilitated by focusing on genes in a disease-associated pathway. Objective: To search for SNPs in genes that belong to the T-cell receptor (TCR) pathway and that change in expression in allergen-challenged CD4+ cells from patients with SAR. Methods: CD4+ cells from pa
Endoglin is a transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) accessory receptor recently identified as being highly expressed on long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) However, little is known regarding its function in these cells. We have used two complementary approaches toward understanding endoglin's role in HSC biology: one that efficiently knocks down expression via lentiviral-dri
We investigated the risk associated with crossing the Sahara Desert for migrating birds by evaluating more than 90 journeys across this desert by four species of raptors (osprey Pandion haliaetus, honey buzzard Pernis apivorus, marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus and Eurasian hobby Falco subbuteo) recorded by satellite telemetry. Forty per cent of the crossings included events of aberrant behaviours,
Collagen VI assembly is unique within the collagen superfamily in that the alpha 1(VI), alpha 2(VI), and alpha 3(VI) chains associate intracellularly to form triple helical monomers, and then dimers and tetramers, which are secreted from the cell. Secreted tetramers associate end-to-end to form the distinctive extracellular microfibrils that are found in virtually all connective tissues. Although
Objective To assess the incidence of second brain tumours in patients operated and irradiated for pituitary tumours. Design and patients The study base consisted of a consecutive series of 325 patients operated and irradiated for pituitary tumours, excluding patients with acromegaly and Cushing's disease. Comparison was made with the general population from the same catchment area as the patients.
The contribution of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) to the hydrophobic surface properties of group A streptococci was investigated in aqueous dextran-polyethylene glycol two-phase systems. Enzymatic digestions were performed to characterize the hydrophobic surface structure. The results obtained indicated that LTA is a major factor responsible for the hydrophobic character of the cell surface of group A s
Chemical signals are common in most crustacean social interactions and are often perceived via chemosensory (olfactory) organs on the first antenna. Intermolt courtship behaviors and mating were investigated in size-matched pairs of intermolt European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) where the olfactory receptors of either the male or the female were lesioned with distilled water (olfactory ablation) o
To analyze the role of the classical and alternative pathways of complement activation in the effector phase of arthritis, we have induced arthritis in C3- and factor B (FB)-deficient (C3(-/-) and FB-/-) DBA/1J mice using well-defined monoclonal IgG2b and IgG2a antibodies to type II collagen. In control DBA/1J mice, severe swelling of the joints, destruction of cartilage and erosion of bone develo
Abstract Background. The plasma level of cystatin C is a better marker than plasma creatinine for successful aging. It has been assumed that the advantage of cystatin C is not only due to it being a better marker for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) than creatinine, but also because an inflammatory state of a patient induces a raised cystatin C level. However, the observations of an association be
Background. This case-control study was performed to evaluate whether adding first-trimester maternal serum testing to nuchal translucency measurement would improve the antenatal detection of Down's syndrome and decrease the number of women offered fetal karyotyping. Methods. In the Swedish Nuchal Translucency Trial 39,572 pregnant women were randomized to a routine scan at 12-14 gestational weeks
The high youth unemployment in Uganda has resulted in youth volunteering to gain competitive advantages in the labour market. Volunteering has an important place in social development, and it is beneficial for the individual. This study investigated how youth volunteering within non-governmental organisations are creating opportunities for youth empowerment in Kampala, Uganda. A majority of previo
Populärvetenskaplig sammanfattning Ska du flyga långt med de där vingarna? Vissa fåglar flyger långt, andra inte. Silvertärnorna flaxar med vingarna från Arktis till Antarktis medan pingvinerna använder vingarna för att simma och inte flyger alls. Eftersom att olika fåglar använder sina vingar på så olika sätt så har nämnda vingar anpassats efter vingbärarnas behov. Vissa studier har visat sambaAbstract Bird wings are adapted to the needs of the birds and bird wings therefore differ between species, but also between ages and sexes. In this thesis, an interspecific analysis investigating relations between measurements of wing shape for birds within the Sylviidae-family, revealed strong connections between morphologically unrelated measurements. Long distances (compared to the wing length
