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Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterised by diffuse, long-lasting, widespread pain and aching, accompanied by fatigue, stiffness and sleep disturbances. The symptoms may be aggravated by physiological and psychological overload. The aim of this thesis was to obtain further knowledge of the functional limitations and disabilities of patients with FMS and to evaluate the effects of physical exer
The human neutrophil is the most abundant granulocyte and the major type of cell involved in an acute inflammatory response. Neutrophils are armed with various systems of enzymes, that can find and kill pathogens, but unfortunately, these "weapons" cannot distinguish between the host tissues and the "invaders." Therefore, an extensive neutrophil reaction leads to continuous release of toxic metabo
14C-labelled substances have been used in biomedical research and clinical medicine for over 50 years. Physicians and scientists however, often hesitate to use these substances in patients and volunteers because the radiation dosimetry is unclear. In this work detailed long-term biokinetic and dosimetric estimation have been carried out for four clinically used 14C-breath tests: 14C-triolein (exam
This study focuses on various aspects of costs of reproduction and the evolution of energetic breeding tactics. It emphasizes the distinction between demographic costs of reproduction expressed already before current offspring have reached independence (prebreeding costs), and costs expressed only after offspring independence (postbreeding costs). Prebreeding costs have only rarely been appreciate
A new and simple method for the repair of nerve defects, in which sutures alone are used to guide regeneration between the nerve endings, was developed. Bilateral seven to 17 mm rat sciatic nerve defects were bridged by continuous longitudinal sutures with or without different modifications, by conventional autologous nerve grafts or direct repair under tension as controls. Evaluation was performe
Ultrafast nano-optics is a new and quickly evolving research field centred around the control, manipulation, and application of light on a nanometre and femtosecond scale. This can lead to improved electro-optical devices, more sensitive spectroscopy, and real-time control of chemical reactions. However, understanding the simultaneous nanometre and femtosecond evolution of nano-optical fields requ
During the last decade it has been shown that nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) are produced in our own body, and that they constitute a novel class of messenger molecules. In 1992 a constitutive NO-producing NO-synthase (cNOS) was found in the islets of Langerhans, and in 1997 we could show for the first time that the islets also contained a CO-producing constitutive heme oxygenase (HO-2
The aim of this thesis was to investigate and describe different aspects of variation in the Dactylorhiza maculata complex and to relate the variation patterns to underlying biological processes such as Quaternary migration history, hybridization and polyploid evolution. The variation patterns were analysed at various geographic levels using molecular markers (plastid DNA and ITS of nrDNA), cytolo
Exposure to isocyanates may induce disorders in the airways of workers. Therefore, application, development and validation of methods for exposure assessment is of great importance. In the present study, we have determined the personal air and biomarker levels of isocyanates for a group of occupationally exposed workers (n=170) in different types of industrial processes. Also, the biomarker levels
The technology of cDNA microarrays has given us the possibility to monitor the state of cells by measuring the activity of thousands of genes simultaneously. This high-throughput techniqe has in cancer research allowed exploratory studies of molecular mechanisms behind for example metastasis and response to therapy. This increased knowledge can hopefully result in new therapies and improved progno
HAMLET (human alpha-lactalbumin made lethal to tumour cells), a protein-lipid complex originally isolated from human milk, induces programmed cell death selectively in tumour cells. It consists of partially unfolded alpha-lactalbumin in complex with oleic acid. It was previously not known if the unfolding of alpha-lactalbumin alone accounts for the activity of HAMLET or if the lipid adds biologica
The inhibitory neuromuscular control of the human and cat lower oesophagus was investigated by morphological, functional, and biochemical methods. A supply of nerve fibres and myenteric cell bodies, containing nitric oxide synthase (NOS), haem oxygenase (HO)-2, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) was observed. The highest density of nerve
The overall aims of this work were to evaluate a method of assessing postural control, measured by balance in single-limb stance on a force platform, and to study balance in single-limb stance in individuals with non-operated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in comparison with that of uninjured controls. Ninety-nine patients (99) with ACL injury and 141 uninjured subjects were included in
Alveolar fluid clearance is driven by active absorption of Na+ across the alveolar epithelium. Development and hormonal regulation of alveolar fluid clearance over 1 hour was studied by instillation of a protein-containing, isosmolar fluid into lungs of fetal, newborn, and adult guinea pigs. After 1 hour, a sample of remaining alveolar fluid was collected and the change in protein concentration wa
Non-heme mononuclear iron oxygenases catalyze a large number of oxidation reactions in biological systems. The reactions are often proposed to proceed via the intermediacy of high valent Fe(IV) oxo (ferryl) or, Fe(V) oxo (perferryl) intermediates. Therefore, in order to mimic the high valent Fe(IV) oxo chemistry as well as the catalytic processes exhibited by those enzymes, new functional model co
The design and implementation of a hearing conservation programme in a heavy industry with high noise levels is described. Action was taken on several points, including noise measurements, noise reduction, education on hearing protector use, and audiometric monitoring. It was found that the noise at the plant has been greatly reduced during a period of 25 years. The reduction in noise was made pos
Cardiovascular diseases are characterized by changes in morphology and function of the blood vessels. Different signalling molecules are involved in these changes. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is one of the most potent signalling molecules found in man. Its actions are mediated by two receptors, the ETA and the ETB receptors. The ETA receptor is located on the smooth muscle cells and mediates potent contra
The aims of these studies were to evaluate retinoid measurements, more specifically the performance of all-trans and 13-cis retinoic acids methods in clinical experimental settings and to evaluate the informational value of these measurements in relation to S-Retinol. Biological and analytical variations for retinoids were evaluated for healthy subjects. The performance of the retinoic acid measur
The pro-inflammatory effect of leukotrienes is an important element in the pathogenesis of multiple disorders, including asthma and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). A serious concern for IBD patients is the increased risk of developing colorectal cancer and since there seems to be a general connection between inflammation and cancer we hypothesised that LTD4 induced signalling events could be in
The thesis concerns the development of a computerised test, termed the Stress Strategy Test (SST), intended for use in a personnel selection and placement context. A similar but less extended form of that test, termed the Stroop Strategy Test, developed first, was adjudged to be somewhat less effective as a selection instrument. Both of the tests, concerned with cognition, personality and ability
