Search results

The Gq-coupled 5-hydroxytryptamine 2B (5-HT2B) receptor is known to regulate the proliferation of islet beta cells during pregnancy. However, the role of serotonin in the control of insulin release is still controversial. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of the 5-HT2B receptor in the regulation of insulin secretion in mouse and human islets, as well as in clonal INS-1(832/13) c

In this paper we consider a model for international tourism demand. The point of departure of the analysis is a utility function that is both dynamic and stochastic. In the model the stochastic component is interpreted as random changes in preferences for goods and services, while the dynamic component can be seen as either habit formation or as interdependent preferences. The resulting demand fun

Remote laser-induced fluorescence monitoring can complement passive reflectance measurements on vegetation. Vegetation classification and status assessment is normally performed by air- or spaceborne multi-spectral scanners. An increased research activity in the field of vegetation monitoring is motivated by the abundant stressed forests of Europe. We have used a mobile lidar system for remote stu

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) has been suggested to have both pro- and anti-atherogenic properties. High plasma Gal-3 levels are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) death. However, it has so far not been investigated if plasma Gal-3 levels can predict the risk for future stroke in patients suffering from carotid atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Gal-3 could

The leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide is atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, most commonly caused by rupture of a high-risk plaque and subsequent thrombosis resulting in stroke, myocardial infarction or sudden death depending on the affected arterial territory. Accurate, non-invasive methods to identify such lesions known as vulnerable or high-risk plaques are currently sub-op

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

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

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

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