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Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules present antigenic peptides to CD8+ T cells. The peptides are generated by proteasomes in the cytosol, then translocated across the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP). Only properly assembled class I molecules loaded with high affinity peptides reach the cell surface. The mat
Pancreatic enzymes, neutrophils, free radicals and cytokines are involved in the pathophysiology of AP. Clarification of their interaction and time-course will improve our understanding of AP and provide a better basis for treatment. 20% will develop severe AP and benefit from improved treatment why an accurate test for prediction of severity is needed. Aims: To investigate the interactions betwee
Many deaths in intensive care units are preceded by decisions to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment. Under what conditions are forgoing life-sustaining treatment considered appropiate, when is it optitional and when is it wrong? Relevant guidelines are essential to help medical decisionmakers, but they cannot be established only from medical knowledge. They also must be related to basi
Cerebral ischemia is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the western world. Even though much effort has been put into research and development of effective drugs against ischemic damage there is to date no effective pharmacological brain protective treatment. In order to study particular molecular mechanisms, isolated cellular events and the contribution of individual factors in ischemic d
This 18-month follow-up study investigated needs for care and support, quality of life and social network in individuals with schizophrenia or a schizoaffective disorder living in the community and in contact with psychiatric services. The validity of Antonovsky's sense of coherence (SOC) measure was also examined. At baseline 120 patients were interviewed and 94 of these participated in the follo
Traumatic and ischemic brain damage are major causes of disability and death. While much effort has been spent on developing pharmacological treatments for these conditions, no neuroprotective drugs are in clinical use. Neuronal death following trauma and ischemia occurs in selected cell populations of the brain at various time points after the injury, and causes cognitive and behavioral dysfuncti
Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) and the group B streptococcus (GBS) are two important human pathogens that cause different types of diseases and express different surface structures implicated in virulence. This thesis focuses on several surface proteins expressed by these pathogens, analyzing the biological function of these proteins and their ability to elicit protective immunity.
Proteomics is expected to generate new insights into biological processes as well as identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets since most biological functions are transmitted through proteins. However, due to the complexity displayed by a proteome and inherent limitations associated with current methodologies, proteomic analyses often result in incomplete coverage and inconsistent measurem
This thesis investigated emotional communication in experimentally created face-to-face interaction situations. The hypotheses were based on the conception of a process which leads to emotional empathy, assuming that automatic mimicking tendencies are involved in an automatic part of the process. Subjects were categorised as high- or low-empathic according to results on the Questionnaire Measure O
A smoking cessation program targeting pregnant women and their partners was monitored during 17 years and subjected to several substudies. All women in Blekinge, who gave birth in the months of September during the period 1984 to 2000, were asked to fill out a questionnaire, anonymously, about their smoking habits before and during pregnancy. During these years a long-term educational programme co
Granulocyte-macrophage- (GM-) and granulocyte- (G-) colony stimulating factor (CSF) are important cytokines in the regulation of hematopoiesis and for the function of mature blood cells. They are also involved in the cytokine network regulating the inflammatory and immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulation of GM- and G-CSF production at the cellular level. The studie
Studies were performed to investigate the influence of the vasoconstrictors angiotensin II (AII) and norepinephrine (NE) on calcium metabolism in smooth muscle cells of afferent arterioles. Fura-2 and image analysis techniques were used to evaluate calcium responses in the proximal and distal parts of afferent arterioles with attached glomeruli. AII and NE increase intracellular calcium concentrat
The blogging culture has become an important and integrated part of the book trade and has influenced the publishing, marketing and distribution of literature in North America and in many European countries. However, it is unclear how this potential agency among bloggers operates, and thus far most research has concerned politics, media systems and larger social structures. The present article is
In view of unsolved issues regarding cellular events underlying the adaptation of insulin secretion to insulin resistance, together with the observation that insulin secretion induced by the gastrointestinal hormone and neuropeptide cholecystokinin (CCK) is not solely explained by phospholipase C-protein kinase C (PLC-PKC) pathway activation, this study aimed at delineate mechanisms responsible fo
The investigation of memory distortions provides insights into how memory normally works. Adopting a cognitive neuroscience perspective, the present thesis aimed at investigating memory distortions and the neural correlates of processes contributing to successful control of memory interference in healthy participants. All studies employed variations of the modified continuous recognition task. In
The lack of safe, clean water is strongly linked to poverty, underdevelopment and poor health. Water is needed not only to sustain life, but to produce food and in industrial processes. Anthropogenic pollution and natural events can jeopardize access to safe water. Inorganic pollutants or toxic metal ions such as arsenic and cadmium are of special concern since these are persistent and accumulate
