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Popular Abstract in Icelandic Við könnumst flest öll við prótín (eggjahvítuefni) af innihaldslýsingu hvers kyns matvæla. En prótín eru annað og meira en bara orkugjafi. Prótín gegna fjölmörgum veigamiklum hlutverkum í nær öllum líffræðilegum ferlum. Þau hraða ýmsum efnahvörfum, flytja efni í gegnum frumuhimnur, aðstoða við boðskipti bæði innan og á milli fruma, og gegna mikilvægu hlutverki í starfAlthough organisms have evolved sophisticated cellular mechanisms for regulating their various protein networks, proteins sometimes start to clump together in an uncontrolled way. The aggregation of proteins has been associated with a range of serious diseases. In this thesis we develop and apply theoretical computer models to investigate different aspects of the aggregation process, and its under

The poor healing capacity of the anterior cruciate ligament and the development of postoperative adhesions, restricting tendon gliding, are two important clinical problems regarding different, although related, aspects of posttraumatic connective tissue reactions. The aim of this study was to gain more knowledge about the process of ligament and tendon healing at the cell and molecular levels and

Wound healing is a multistep process with an initial inflammatory response, followed by synthesis of extracellular matrix components and finalized by a repair phase. One main goal was to determine the impact and adhesive mechanisms of neutrophil recruitment in anastomotic healing in the colon. Passive immunization against CD18 abolished anastomotic accumulation of neutrophils, whereas no effect on

The elastic pressure-volume (Pel-V) curve of the respiratory system can be used as a guide for improved ventilator management. It may indicate risks of lung damage associated with collapse or overdistension of lung units. The work described in this thesis was aimed at developing methods for the determination and characterisation of the Pel-V curve under static and dynamic conditions and at a bette

In this work, various aspects of multivariate monitoring and control of wastewater treatment operation are discussed. A number of important difficulties face operators and process engineers when handling online measurements from wastewater treatment processes. These include, for instance, a high number of correlated measurement variables, non-stationarities, nonlinearities and multiscale process b

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression is associated with various pathophysiological conditions in the lower urinary tract. The aims of this thesis have been to investigate the regulation of iNOS in bladder smooth muscle cells and the consequences on neuromuscular regulation, cell growth and differentiation. Primary cultures of rat bladder smooth muscle cells (BSMC) expressed iNOS mRNA

Information about extracellular proteolytic activity is transduced to the cell by a transmembrane G-protein coupled receptor subfamily. These receptors are activated by proteolytic cleavage in the extracellular amino-terminal domain and are thus termed proteinase-activated receptors (PARs). The second member of this subfamily, PAR-2, is activated by trypsin-like proteinases, however the physiologi

ABSTRACT Streptococci constitute a heterogeneous group of Gram-positive bacteria, divided into different serological groups on the basis of antigenic differences in a cell wall-associated carbohydrate. This thesis describes related surface proteins expressed by bacteria in two of these groups, the group B streptococcus (GBS) and the group A streptococcus (GAS). GBS is an encapsulated bacterium th

The different steps in the dissolution process of polydisperse polymers in water have been studied. To that end, poly(ethylene oxide), dextran and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose tablets varying widely in polydispersity have been produced by mixing low molecular weight and high molecular weight samples in different proportions. The individual release of the low and high molecular weight fractions ha

Spectroscopic analysis of scattering media is difficult because the effective path length of the light is non-trivial to predict when photons are scattered many times. The main area of research for such conditions is biological tissues, which scatter light because of variations of the refractive index on the cellular level. In order to analyze tissues to diagnose diseases, or predict doses during,

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a heterogeneous disorder that is defined as carbohydrate intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. Impaired beta-cell function and insulin resistance are the hallmarks of GDM. The overall aim of this thesis was to study the genetic and immunological risk factors that increase susceptibility to GDM. First, we investigated whether autoimmuni

This thesis presents results from studies on geomorphology, lithostratigraphy and ice flow patterns during the final termination and deglaciation of the last Scandinavian Ice Sheet in NE Germany. Ice flow patterns derived from till fabrics and glaciotectonical data indicate that short-lived marginal domes had formed during the advance and the retreat of the last Scandinavian Ice Sheet in NE German

Total hip arthroplasty is a very successful procedure. Despite this fact, however, a certain portion of patients has to be revised. One major reason for revision is the wear of the polyethylene leading to loosening and osteolysis. The overall aim of this thesis was to evaluate linear wear and migration of cemented, all - polyethylene sockets and polyethylene liners in total hip arthroplasty. The a

Leisure Activities in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Associated Factors and Assessment. Leisure activities were considered to give intrinsic pleasure, meaning and value to life already in ancient Greek. It was also performed for its own sake and not by consideration of any external rewards. In the beginning of the 20th century leisure was only possible for wealthy people who could occupy themselves with n

Chronic skin ulcers are a major health problem and an increasing burden on health care providers. These ulcers have various underlying causes, such as venous or arterial insufficiency, diabetes, or vasculitis. Non-healing venous leg ulcers represent a condition characterized by excessive inflammation and presence of bacteria. The overall aim of this thesis has been to explore the pathogenesis of t

Atoms and molecules absorb and emit light at certain, welldefined wavelengths, and this forms the basis of spectroscopy. The wavelengths are given by the discrete energy levels of the atoms/molecules. When illuminated by light of a suitable wavelength, the light will be absorbed, making it possible to deduce information on the presence and concentration of various elements and compounds. When ato