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The aims of this dissertation were to investigate the effects of extracellular purines on insulin secretion, and apoptosis in mouse pancreatic islets and β-cells; to examine if high glucose and free fatty acids induces β-cell apoptosis via autocrine effects of ADP acting on the P2Y13 receptor; and to investigate the modulation of extracellular purines in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) throug
Abstract: Background : Anorecta l malformation s (ARM) occur in 4: 10000 newborn children with the gender distribut ion 1:1.5 females:males. The reconstruction of ARM, posterior sagiccal anorectal plasty (PSARP), was implemenred worldwide in the late 1980s and therefore the follow-ups are limited. Aims: To assess bowel symptoms in children and adolescents with ARM, operated on with PSARP, and to
This thesis explores the relation between gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gastrointestinal symptoms and dysmotility. In primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), a patient group with high levels of GnRH antibodies, associations between objective signs and symptoms of autonomic dysfunction (AD), impaired gastric emptying (IGE), and inflammatory and serological features were studied. Forty-three
Immune cells play paradoxical roles in cancer progression. On one hand, the immune system protects us against tumor development by recognizing and eliminating cancerous cells. On the other hand, tumor-associated immune cells can contribute to tumor progression by secreting growth factors as well as immunosuppressive, pro-angiogenic and/or pro-metastatic mediators. In this thesis we identified a f
Respiration relies, among other things, on the balance between regional ventilation and perfusion in the lungs. There are many cardiopulmonary diseases, such as pulmonary embolism (PE), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and left heart failure (LHF), which can affect respiration negatively. The diagnosis of PE, COPD and LHF follows separate diagnostic pathways. However, the symptoms that
A majority of the proteins of the immune system are glycosylated and the glycans of IgG are essential for its functionality. Bacteria display enzymes that modulate the glycans of the immune system to weaken the host defense and favor bacterial survival. In this thesis we aimed at exploring bacterial modulation of host glycosylation in infection and to evaluate the usefulness of bacterial enzymes i
Partly due to an ageing population, the number of osteoporosis-related fractures and osteoarthritis (OA)-related hip and knee arthroplasty procedures is increasing. The individual suffering and the burden on society for these conditions is immense. Genetic contribution for the variance in bone mineral density (BMD) is estimated at around 60–80%, and for OA 50%, leaving a considerable proportion to
AbstractBacteria in most environments encase themselves in a hydrated matrix of polysaccharide and protein, forming organized communities called biofilms. In the biofilm bacteria are protected against hostile environments. Biofilms are important clinically because of their persistence despite host defence and their recalcitrance to antimicrobials. This thesis presents three main findings: (i) biof
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with variations in the biological profile and subsequent clinical prognosis. Molecular mechanisms for tumour progression are currently being explored in scientific settings, suggesting parallel evolution of tumour cells at primary and metastatic locations. The molecular profiles could be altered affecting individual patient’s treatment and prognosis. In the
Abstract: The joint diseases osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are characterized by destructive inflammatory processes that result in pathological changes of the joint tissues, including proteolytic degradation of cartilage and release of extracellular matrix proteins or fragments to the synovial fluid. The complement system, which is a part of the innate immune system, plays a central role
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the clinical term for a heterogeneous group of dementia disorders with symptoms emerging from frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). FTD encompasses the behavioural variant (bvFTD) and the progressive aphasias: progressive non-fluent aphasia (PNFA) and semantic dementia (SD). Neuropathological classification is based on protein pathology with three major subgrou
HIV-1 is dominating the global HIV pandemic, while HIV-2 is mainly confined to West Africa. The highest HIV-2 prevalence figures have been reported from Guinea-Bissau. While HIV-1 infection almost invariably leads to progressive immune dysfunction and AIDS, HIV-2 infection is characterised by a smaller proportion of individuals with disease progression to AIDS. In order to monitor the long-term e
The middle ear (ME) pressure is regulated by gas diffusion over the ME mucosa and pressure equalizations via the Eustachian tube (ET). Disturbance in the regulation of ME pressure is believed to contribute to the development of chronic ear diseases. In this work subjects with chronic central perforation (CCP), healthy ears with ventilation tubes (VTs), attic cholesteatoma (AC) and Meniere’s diseas
