Search results

It is known that stimulation of thin nerve afferents can inhibit itch and pain and that the nociceptive systems have a detailed topographical organisation, with subsystems exhibiting specific excitatory and inhibitory receptive fields. On this basis, a new technique was developed, termed Cutaneous Field Stimulation (CFS), that electrically stimulates thin nerve fibers innervating specific skin fie

To ensure that patients receive a safe and effective treatment, it is important to understand how drugs interact with and affect molecules within a cell. Here, evaluation of platinum based drugs and their ability to interfere with nucleic acid functions is presented. The main focus of this thesis has been to evaluate whether siRNA efficiency can be modified by two clinically used anticancer active

Many models of the nonnative acquisition of syntax build on the assumption that target lexical projections are developmentally prior to target functional projections (e.g. Minimal Trees (Vainikka & Young-Scholten 1994), Modulated Structure Building (Hawkins 2001)), or that learners only have to grapple with the acquisition of the topmost levels of syntactic structure (e.g. Vulnerable C-domain

Pyrimidines are important precursors for nucleic acids, and constantly synthesized and degraded in the cell to maintain a balanced supply. Many microoganisms can also extract the nitrogens from the pyrimidine ring, and use them as a nitrogen source when “preferred” sources are absent. Four different pathways, by which pyrimidines can be degraded, are known. I have studied the last discovered, but

Local treatment of a tumour is of interest from a number of perspectives. It is focused on reducing the tumour volume with minimal trauma, inducing tumour immunity and is a potential component of a combination therapy against tumours. Interstitial laser thermotherapy (ILT) has turned out to be a method well suited for selective local destruction of malignant tumours. This thesis is based on an exp

Cell wall-attached proteins (CWPs) are important for the virulence of Gram-positive bacteria, but are also targets for the host immune system. CWPs have a conserved COOH-terminal region, responsible for cell wall-sorting. A pattern based on this conserved region was developed. The pattern identifies genes encoding CWPs, with high sensitivity and specificity, in whole genomes of Gram-positive bacte

The polarization pattern of skylight offers many animals a reference for visual compass orientation. In those cases when this optical compass is identified, the receptors involved are often confined to a small part of an eye built predominantly for other visual tasks. This thesis reports the discovery of a unique compass organ in the spider Drassodes cupreus, where a pair of specialised secondary

Concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in aquatic biota are dependent on several factors both on individual and on system level. Bioaccumulation of POPs in pelagic biota in lakes as well as fish in streams has been shown to be dependent on nutrient regime of the system. In lakes, POP concentrations in pelagic biota decrease with increasing lake trophy. In this thesis POP bioaccumul

Leukocyte recruitment is a rate-limiting step in endotoxemic liver injury. Leukocyte extravasation is a multistep process, supported by multiple combinations of adhesion molecules and chemokine receptors. This thesis examined the mechanisms of activation, adhesion and extravascular infiltration of leukocytes in endotoxin-induced liver injury. It was found that leukocyte adhesion in postsinusoidal

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. The disease primarily involves lachrymal and salivary glands, leading to dryness of the eyes and mouth, but a wide spectrum of exocrine and non-exocrine disease manifestations may be seen. A characteristic property of primary SS is the production of autoantibodies directed against intracellular, often DNA/RNA-modi

This thesis aims at investigating computer use at work from a more holistic work content perspective by also studying non-computer work content, in contrast to the previous approach in occupational health research that focused almost solely on computer work content. It was argued here that non-computer work content has also become significant to the overall work situation for computer users. This

Nitric oxide (NO) is important in the control of blood pressure and organ perfusion. In septic shock, NO produced by inducible NO-synthase (NOS) has been claimed to mediate pathological vasodilation and cell injury, while NO produced by constitutive NOS may be protective in counteracting hypoperfusion and organ injury. This thesis comprises studies on the effects of inhaled NO on pulmonary functio

Microvascular permeability is important for exchange of fluids and proteins in health and in disease. Permeability increases in critical illness, such as during sepsis/SIRS and after trauma, and may be affected by drugs. Increased permeability causes oedema and hypovolaemia. Hypovolaemia is treated with fluids, and their efficacy is determined by their intravascular retention, also influenced by t

Migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMC) are important events in the development of atherosclerosis and restenosis following angioplastic surgery. It is important to gain further knowledge about the mechanisms regulating SMC form and function in order to understand the underlying disease process. In this thesis I have used cultured rat aortic SMC and analysed how these cells respon

The presence of procolipase and enterostatin in the rat gastrointestinal tract has been investigated. Procolipase was identified, using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, in exocrine cells of the pancreas as well as in chief cells of the fundus region of the stomach. Enterostatin is the activation peptide of procolipase and it has been found to act as a satiety signal for fat. Using a

Blood loss in major arthroplasty may be abundant and often necessitates blood transfusions. These may transmit disease and entail an immunological burden to the recipient. After trauma and surgery, the fibrinolytic system reacts with a short period of increased activity, followed by a fibrinolytic shut-down. In this thesis we investigated the impact of the early fibrinolytic activation on blood

The relationship between the HgMn and Am classes of chemically peculiar stars has been investigated primarily by observing abundances of heavy elements, including Pr, Nd, Hg, Tl and Bi. The main objective of the investigation has been to gather observational evidence to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms producing the abundance anomalies of these stars, and to establish the relations

The theology of Isaiah 40-55 has two seemingly contradictory aspects: the tension between the consolatory message of deliverance, and the harsh tone of accusation. In this part of the Book of Isaiah, YHWH's return to his people is demonstrated through the accumulation of declarations about YHWH's ability and his will to deliver the Israelites from the exile. At the same time, the Israelites are ex

Predation imposes a potent evolutionary force on prey, moulding the evolution of traits and diversification of species, and can furthermore have powerful ecological consequences. We know that different species vary in how they cope with their natural enemies, and, consequently, a huge range of anti-predator defences are displayed in nature. Yet there is a growing recognition that, if we zoom into