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Eosinophils are multi-functional leukocytes involved in the pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases such as asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. Participation in some neoplastic diseases and in the host defense against helminths has also been postulated. They are considered both good and bad, protecting or harming the host. The exact roles of eosinophils and their mechanisms of action are poorl
Alcohol induces profound effects on the function of the nerve cells in the nervous system. Alterations in gene expression is an important way by which these effects could be induced and sustained. Activating Protein-1 (AP-1) is a dimeric transcription factor constituted of proteins from the fos and jun immediate-early gene families. AP-1 induces gene expression of genes having a functional AP-1 bi
The aim of this study was to investigate clinical, pathophysiological and structural aspects of vibration-induced peripheral neuropathy since work with hand-held vibrating tools may lead to progressive neurological and vascular hand symptoms. Symptomatic vibration-exposed men were examined clinically and by neurography, tactilometry, and vibrometry and by measurement of temperature perception thre
This thesis deals with the interactions between superantigens and their receptors. Superantigens are proteins that are secreted by various bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Superantigens are able to cross-link T cells and antigen presenting cells by binding to the T cell receptor (TCR) and MHC class II. They bind as unprocessed antigens and activate up to 20 % of
The initial signal for contraction in smooth muscle is an increase in [Ca2+]i. Ca2+ ions can either enter the cytosol from the extracellular medium or be released from intracellular stores. Voltage-operated Ca2+ channels (VOC) play a dominant role in the activation of smooth muscle contraction. This thesis describes two novel regulatory mechanisms of the dihydropyridine (DHP)-sensitive VOC in smoo
The aim of the thesis was to investigate how different abiotic and biotic parameters may affect microorganisms and the process performance in various biological wastewater treatment systems. The type of carbon source in the influent wastewater may have a profound effect on the composition and the activity of denitrifying activated sludge bacteria in nutrient removal. Of four investigated carbon s
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a worldwide used tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer. It is a serine protease and belongs to the family of glandular kallikreins. Humans have three classical glandular kallikreins, but it has been reported that rodents have many more. Lately, the family has been expanded to contain 12 new genes, KLK4–KLK15, that are situated at the same locus
This thesis examines the representation in visual culture of the Holocaust, the Nazi genocide of European Jewry. It is divided into three main parts, each one focusing on a particular aspect of Holocaust representation. Part 1, "Meaning" (chapter 1-3), begins by considering the important role played by documentary photographs from the concentration camps for the public knowledge and conception of
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors act by decreasing production of angiotensin II and by potentiating the effects of bradykinin by inhibition of its breakdown. Bradykinin exerts part of its effects via vasodilating prostaglandins. Since the cyclooxygenase (COX)-inhibitors, e.g. aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, block the formation of prostaglandins patients may
This thesis intends to provide spectroscopic information which may be of use in the investigation of low-density plasmas. Developed since the 19th century, the spectroscopic approach has proven to be a versatile method for measuring properties in hot gases, such as electron and ion temperatures and densities, the abundance of various elements in the gas, etc. However, such investigations rely on k
The aim of the thesis was to focus on the occupational health risks in dentistry with emphasis on musculoskeletal disorders in the neck and upper limbs and neuropathy in the hands, in relation to exposure to physical workload, vibration and mercury. An increased high frequency of long-lasting and wide-spread musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck and shoulder regions (58-75% during the past 12 mont
In the superposition compound eye each rhabdom (light sensitive unit) receives light through many ommatidial facets, while in the apposition compound eye every rhabdom receives light from a single facet. The superposition design increases photon capture, which is an advantage in dark environments. Despite their advantage in dim light, superposition eyes can sometimes be found in insects that live
This thesis examines factors regulating growth and distribution of emergent plants with focus on effects of oxygen supply to the roots. Greenhouse experiments revealed that P. australis acclimatizes to specific water depths with phenotypic plasticity. These phenotypic responses act to increase growth at specific water depths but may result in decreased tolerance to changed water depth. Oxygen nee
Fuelled by the current demands of the biological sciences, there is today a growing interest in microscale analysis. Miniaturisation of analytical instruments has become a long-standing trend. Miniaturisation offers several advantages, including rapid separation times, high performance and throughput, reduced costs, etc. But the increased surface area to volume ratio can sometimes be a disadvantag
Possible selves are conceptions or images of ourselves in future states or situations. The theory about possible selves used in the present thesis was developed in a social cognitive tradition of research on the self, where the self is seen as a knowledge structure (Markus & Nurius, 1986). Possible selves are parts of this knowledge structure and possible selves are of importance for motivatio
Helicobacter pylori and Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. can cause chronic infections by evading the immune system. These two human pathogens express a number of immunogenic cell surface proteins. The aims of this study were to gain further knowledge about these antigens and to analyse the serum antibody response in infected individuals. Both invasive and non-invasive diagnostic methods are available for
Fishes (Superclass Pisces) constitute the most numerous and morphologically diverse vertebrate group, yet only a small fraction of all molecular evolutionary studies concern piscine evolution. This thesis aims to investigate the vertebrate tree, through the analysis of mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequences. To this end the coding regions of the mt genome of a jawless fish, the hagfish (Myxine glutinosa
The lichen genus Candelariella comprises crustose to small squamulose members of the family Candelariaceae. The genus currently includes c. 50 species world-wide but few studies have treated the taxonomy within this group. In the present thesis the taxonomy of the genus in western North America is treated. Nine new species are proposed and in total twenty-one species are recognized from the region
Abstract The aims of the present thesis were to examine neuropeptide Y (NPY) responses in different human and guinea pig vascular beds and in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and to characterize, with different NPY agonists and the specific NPY Y1 receptor antagonist (BIBP3226), the NPY receptors involved. NPY-induced strong and potent contractions in human cerebral and subcutan
In the present thesis, we have examined the in vivo properties of in vitro expanded human and rat neural stem-and progenitor cells after transplantation into the neonatal and adult rat brain. The survival and differentiation of the grafted cells were assessed using species-specific antisera, and pre-labelling with the reporter gene green fluorescent protein (GFP). Long-term growth factor-expanded
