Filetype
This thesis consists of four self-contained papers in applied microeconomics with family as a common theme. The first paper documents how the financial portfolios of parents change in response to the birth of a child. To identify dynamic effects around child birth, we use an event study approach with a matched treatment and control sample and a novel implementation of the same sex instrument. We f
Background: In cardiovascular disease, prevention strategies targeting standard modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (SMuRFs; hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, and smoking) are crucial; however, myocardial infarction in the absence of SMuRFs is not infrequent. The outcomes of individuals without SMuRFs are not well known. Methods: We retrospectively analysed adult patients with firs
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
Avhandlingen, som består av fyra delstudier, är en femårsuppföljning av kvinnliga missbrukare, som var tvångsomhändertagna på Lunden mellan januari 1997 och december 2000, och som genomgick en omfattande utredning. Klienterna har systematiskt utretts med psykologiska och neuropsykologiska test i samarbete med personal och Lundens psykiater. Test och skattningsskalor som använts är standardiserade
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
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
The prevalence of coeliac disease (CD) was initially estimated to 1/1537. Based on serial analysis [GA and endomysial antibodies (EMA)], the prevalence was 6/1970 (0.30%). In autoimmune chronic hepatitis 5.4% and in IDDM 2.6% had CD, why regular screening for CD in these conditions seems motivated. The frequency of IgA-GA positivity was increased in alcoholic liver disease, PBC, primary sclerosin
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
Protein S is a modular protein and a cofactor in the protein C anticoagulant system. It consists of a Gla-module, a thrombin-sensitive loop, four EGF-modules and a SHBG-like module. Protein S has previously been shown to contain four binding sites with high affinities for Ca2+ (Ka>9x105 M-1 at physiological ionic strength) and at least one of the sites h
