We have followed a cohort of police officers in Guinea-Bissau between 1990 and 1997 for the study of clinical, immunological and epidemiological aspects of HIV-2 infection. Initially the prevalence of HIV-2 was high (11.6 %) and HIV-1 infection was rare (0.4 %), but over the study period the prevalence of HIV-1 increased significantly whereas the incidence of HIV-1 was relatively stable. For HIV-2

Acquired genetic alterations, of which many are visible on the chromosome level, are believed to be necessary for tumorigenesis, and most tumors display characteristic patterns of recurrent structural and numerical aberrations. However, two of the most frequently occurring chromosome mutations in malignant and benign solid tumors, i.e., trisomy 7 and rearrangements of 12q13-15, have recently been

Abstract Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the western world, and the number one cause of disability. 85% of all strokes are ischemic. Most stroke survivors will experience recovery of function. The mechanisms behind this improvement are partly unknown, but may involve elements of both compensation and restoration. Exposure to an enriched environment (EE) that stimulates social interac

Aged subjects have a decreased tolerance to hypovolemia, which could contribute to their increased cardiovascular morbidity. One possible etiological factor might be an age-related reduction in the efficiency of the baroreceptor reflex axis. In this study lower body negative pressure (LBNP) was used as a model for hypovolemic circulatory stress, and volumetric techniques applied for the study of p

The coordination and fundamental transformations of organosulfur compounds to polynuclear metal complexes has been studied as models for possible surface species in industrial HDS processes. Reactions between [Os3(CO)11(NCMe)] and various thiols have been studied by UV-Vis, IR and NMR spectroscopy and all experimental findings indicate that the reactions proceed via a two-step consecutive process

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is an abnormal phospholipid formed exclusively by the action of phospholipase D (PLD) in the presence of ethanol. The degradation of PEth is slow and due to its accumulation in some cells the possibility to use PEth as marker of ethanol intake has been proposed. It has also been suggested that PEth mediates some of the damaging effects of ethanol on cells. This study was

Olfactory cues play an important role in the reproduction of three pyralid moths, the Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella), the Mediterranean flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella) and the almond moth (E. cautella). Both males and females of P. interpunctella are capable of multiple matings. More energy is placed into the first mating by the male, as indicated by the larger spermatophore donated by

In birds the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) organization differs both among and within orders. Galliformes often have simple arrangements with few transcribed MHC genes whilst many songbirds (Passeriformes) have a complex arrangement with many MHC genes and also presence of pseudo-genes. In this thesis I have partly characterized MHC class I in house sparrows (Passer domesticus), sequencin

Treatment options of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) usually include combinations of radiotherapy and surgery, and in some cases addition of chemotherapy. In locally advanced cases cure rates are low. Current prognostic factors cannot foresee the outcome for the individual patient. There is consequently a need for reliable prognostic and predictive factors. Through identification of

Reactions of trans-dicyanodichloroaurate(III) trans-dibromodicyanoaurate(III), trans-diamminedichlorogold(III), cis-diammine(aqua)chloroplatinum(II), cis-ammineaqua-(cyclohexylamine)chloroplatinum(II), chloro(terpyridine)platinum(II) and chloro-(diethylenetriaminepalldium(II) with dimethyl sulfide, thionucleosides, thionucleotides and thione- and guanine-containing 17-mer oligonucleotides have bee

According to the three-pore model of peritoneal transport the major exchange pathway between the blood and the peritoneal cavity is represented by “small pores”, permeable to small solutes and water. Osmotically induced fluid flow, as during peritoneal dialysis (PD), is postulated to occur to a great extent through a water-only pathway, whereas proteins are predicted to reach the peritoneal cavity

This paper examines organisational responses to eyewitness footage as a mediator in crisis communication. Eyewitness photographs and films is a growing genre of visuals that are difficult for organisations to respond to, because they are regarded as more authentic and true than other images of crisis events. In addition, it is here argued that widely circulated eyewitness imagery often involve ico

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

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.

The G protein-coupled receptors form one of the largest families of proteins involved in signalling between cells. It contains receptors for molecules as diverse as biogenic amines, glycoproteins and enzymes. The manuscripts included in this thesis together describe the initial characterisation of a previously unknown receptor of this class. A DNA fragment was cloned from a mouse genomic library.

The data presented in this thesis deal with the neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in adult sensory neurons. We have used different injury and pain models to determine the involvement of PACAP during such conditions. The role of neurotrophins for PACAP expression was also investigated. PACAP is one of the excitatory neuropeptides expressed in small sized DRG ne

The aim of this thesis has been to increase understanding on the process of smoking cessation during pregnancy from the perspective of learning. The smoking pattern before and after pregnancy related to health, Sense of Coherence (SOC) and social issues was studied among all pregnant women in south-east Skåne during the period March 1994 to August 1995. They were asked to fill in a questionnaire d

In the present thesis, the quantitative role of active transport (transcytosis) in bulk transvascular protein movement in vivo was evaluated. Using chemical transcytosis inhibition (N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and filipin), we were able to show that NEM actually increases endothelial permeability to macromolecules, probably as a result of unspecific toxic action on endothelial cells. Filipin, on the ot