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Connective tissue contains a prominent extracellular matrix (ECM), which provides for physiological and mechanical properties. Intra- and inter-molecular interactions between proteins in this ECM provide for the formation of molecular networks. These interactions determine the shape of the tissue as well as cell behavior. This thesis is focused on the leucine-rich repeat proteoglycans fibromodulin
Posterior laryngitis (PL) is defined as an inflammation involving the posterior part of the glottal region in conjunction with symptoms. The cause is multifactorial. The aims of the work presented in this thesis were to examine symptoms, physical signs, different aetiologies and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with PL and/or oesophageal dysmotility. In paper I, a group of pati
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
Many wader (Charadrii) populations are declining throughout in Europe, but the underlying causes are often poorly known and diverse. To fully grasp the reasons behind declines in vulnerable wader populations, it is crucial to understand the demography. In my thesis, I have focused on the viability and management of waders occurring on coastal meadows in the Baltic Sea using redshank (Tringa totanu
It has previously been shown that the cerebellum is critical for classical conditioning. The experiments presented in this thesis aimed to study how the cerebellum controls conditioned eyeblink responses (CRs) and specifically the efferent path from the cerebellar cortex to the muscles. Ferrets, decerebrated rostral to the superior colliculus and the red nucleus, were trained in a classical condit
This work demonstrates the determination of absolute stellar radial velocities from geometrical principles, i.e. using astrometry. Such `astrometric radial velocities' are obtained independently of spectroscopic information. While spectroscopic radial velocities are affected by line shifts from astrophysical processes on the stellar surfaces, by gravitational redshift and various other effects, as
In order to identify integral and peripheral proteins associated with the plasma membrane (PM), highly purified Arabidopsis PMs were analyzed by mass spectrometry. In total, 238 putative PM proteins were identified, of which 114 were predicted to have transmembrane domains or to be PM-anchored. Identified proteins were involved in transport, signal transduction, membrane trafficking and stress res
The kinetics and mechanism for interactions of the anticancer active platinum(II) complexes cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2)], cis-[PtCl2(NH3)(c-C6H11NH2)], and trans-[PtCl2-(NH3)(quinoline)] with DNA have been studied using a combination of HPLC, circular dichroism (CD), UV/vis spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Reactions of the monoaqua forms (charge = +1) of these complexes with single
To ensure the beam with an ultralow emittance and high current the possible effects deteriorating the beam stability must be investigated. When ultrarelativistic particles travel in the vacuum chamber they induce electromagnetic fields which can act back on them and the following particles. The interaction of the beam with the surrounding environment can be described by wakefields in time domain a
Aim: To non-invasively detect and explore the changes in atrial fibrillatory cycle length (i.e. changes in the atrial refractory period) in humans with chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF) following autonomic modulation and pharmacological intervention. Furthermore we investigated if the value of the atrial fibrillatory cycle length could predict outcome following DC-cardioversion. Methods: The stud
This thesis deals with the haemorheological aspects of cardiovascular diseases. The resistance of blood to flow is determined by the rheological properties of blood as well as by organic stenoses and regulatory tonus changes in the vessels. Three idiopathic cardiovascular diseases with a reduced ability to increase blood flow in response to demand were studied. Blood rheology was impaired in a wa
β-Mannoside hydrolases are enzymes that are involved in conversion of the major soft-wood hemicellulose O-acetyl-galactoglucomannan, an important renewable biomass resource. They belong to clan A of glycoside hydrolases and share a common (β/α)8-TIM barrel fold. For their catalysis, they use a two-step retaining double displacement mechanism, and may in addition to hydrolysis also perform transgly
Hypertensive individuals, even non-obese, have been shown to be resistant to the insulin-mediated glucose uptake in peripheral tissues {mainly skeletal muscle}. The aim of this study was to investigate hypothetical pathophysiological mechanisms for the development of hypertension with regard to insulin sensitivity in normotensive men with a family history of hypertension (RELs) as compared to men
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from pancreatic dysfunction and insulin resistance. It is a common disorder with a complex pattern of inheritance, likely to reflect the influence of multiple genetic and environmental factors on the diabetes risk. The aim of thesis was to identify genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes. In a g
External fixation has been more commonly used during the last decades for correction of bone and soft tissue deformities and in frcture healing. The most common complication of external fixation is pin site infection. Two hundred and nineteen younger and/or physically active patients (mean age 53 (18-75) years) suffering from knee osteoarthritis (OA) or knee deformities operated on by hemicallota
Heart diseases in children cause different combinations of myocardial hypertrophy, increased intra-ventricular pressures, volume overload and decreased oxygen saturation. This may affect basal coronary flow and the ability of the heart to maximally increase coronary flow. Transthoracic and intracoronary Doppler techniques were used to register coronary flow and coronary flow reserve (CFR) in norma
Important aspects of family burden, participation in care and needs for support among a total of 422 relatives to severely mentally ill patients, voluntarily and compulsorily admitted to hospital, were investigated in a study performed between 1986-1997. The results showed high levels of both external and internal experienced burden among the relatives. The level of burden remained on an almost eq
