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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease in which environmental factors interact with genetic factors in the development of the disease process and evolution of clinical manifestations. In this thesis both exogenous factors and host factors were investigated, as well as important immunopathological aspects including involvement of immune complex (IC), the complement syste
Purpose: To compare the visualization of small ischemic brain lesions using diffusion using diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI and conventional imaging, with special regard to diagnostic efficiency. Imaging features of lesions of different ages, diagnostic limitations and technical principles were also investigated. Methods: All studies were performed with the same 1.5 T MR scanner. In the first study t
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are believed to be remains of germ-line infections that have become fixed in the population. They are involved in pathophysiological conditions, in mechanisms leading to infection protection, and directly in the physiology of the organism by participating in the regulation of cellular gene expression. It has been estimated that human ERVs (HERVs) make up about 0.6% o
The incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is increasing. The risk of rupture is related to diameter. However, rupture may occur also in small AAA. To evaluate the size of an aneurysm when related to the predicted normal aortic diameter might be a better predictor of risk. AAA:s, range 40-55 mm were studied in relation to gender. No difference in AAA diameter was found. However, body surfac
The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic potentials of four different biochemical markers, serum cobalamin, blood folate, plasma homocysteine and serum methylmalonic acid for diagnosis of cobalamin/folate deficiency in a psychogeriatric population. The second aim was to investigate the relationship between these markers and various clinical and functional parameters of the nervous syst
In stabilising extracapsular hip fractures, the Medoff sliding plate (MSP) differs from other screw-plates by its compression capacity along the femoral shaft (uniaxial dynamization). Additional compression along the neck of femur can be achieved by primary release of the lag screw (biaxial dynamization). 244 consecutive inter- and subtrochanteric fractures in 243 elderly patients were fixed with
The aim of this thesis was to characterise the biological functions of the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin H (SEH). Superantigens are highly immunostimulatory proteins, which crosslink T cells and antigen presenting cells (APCs). SEH is included in a family of staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) produced by certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The three-dimensional fold of SEH was dete
Polyelectrolytes and oppositely charged surfactants interact through attractive electrostatic forces, which in many cases lead to phase separation already at low total concentrations. During the past 10-15 years investigations of these systems have been simplified through the use of complex salts that consist of surfactants with polymeric counterions in a 1:1 charge stoichiometry (no excess simple
The Mg2+ and Mn2+ structures of calbindin D9k have been determined and they reveal a conformational change compared to the structures of apo and (Ca2+)2-calbindin D9k. These findings are unique, since normally calcium and not magnesium is known to induce conformational changes of EF-hand proteins. It has also been shown that calbindin D9k
The aim of this thesis was to study the transfer of solutes across the alveolo-capillary barrier in experimental models of alveolar surfactant dysfunction and lung injury as well as in smokers. Experimental studies were performed in anaesthetized, and mechanically ventilated animals. Surfactant dysfunction was induced by administration of a synthetic detergent in aerosol form. Lung injury was indu
The origin and evolution of the thin and thick disks in the Galaxy have been studied by means of detailed stellar abundances. High-resolution spectra of 102 F and G dwarf stars have been obtained with the spectrographs on the ESO 3.6-m and ESO 1.5-m telescopes on La Silla (Chile), the Very Large Telescope (VLT) on Paranal (Chile), and the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) on La Palma (Canary Islands,
The general aim of this thesis was to explore aspects of meaning connected with the performance of everyday occupations. Further, the aim was to investigate relationships between occupation, meaning, and health-related variables among adult and elderly subjects with and without chronic pain. Another aim was to develop appropriate methodology and theory for this research area. Due to the explorativ
The aim the thesis work was to study the human cystatins C, E/M, F, G, H and I both in vivo and in vitro. A mouse devoid of cystatin C was used for the cystatin C studies. The levels of cystatins C, E/M and F were measured in pleural effusion samples of patients with various lung disorders. Cystatin F protein and RNA levels were measured in the human haematopoietic cell line U937 as well as in cel
Workers exposed to hand-held vibrating machines may risk developing a hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), a condition which can cause chronic impairment and disability. The aims of this thesis were 1) to obtain deeper insight and further knowledge of HAVS and the consequences for hand function, and aspects of quality of life (QoL); 2) to investigate the usefulness of clinical assessments in diagno
The cytostatic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been shown to affect both morphology and function of vascular endothelium. These effects could be part of the pathophysiology for 5-FU induced cardiotoxicity. The present thesis explores the mechanisms of this endothelial toxicity. In an animal model, treatment with thromboprophylactic doses of the low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) dalteparin could
Type 2 Diabetes is a disorder that increases globally, but mainly in the western world. One of the hallmarks of Type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance in the target tissues of insulin action (adipose tissue, liver and skeletal muscle). In addition, most patients with Type 2 diabetes are obese. Increased release of free fatty acids from the enlarged and/or dysfunctional adipose tissue is suggested t
In addition to proton-pumping complex I, the plant respiratory chain contains type II NAD(P)H dehydrogenases. These extra enzymes do not pump protons and consequently do not contribute to the electrochemical proton gradient. Database screening of the Arabidopsis genome identified seven type II NAD(P)H dehydrogenase homologues of which two and four genes were closely related to potato (Solanum tube
This thesis deals with the development and evaluation of some different optical techniques for tissue characterization. The main aim has been to improve and evaluate such investigative techniques in in vivo studies. In this attempt a key issue has been to gain understanding in the underlying mechanisms of laser-based diagnostics of premalignant and malignant lesions and to evaluate methods
Pathogenic bacteria express a wide array of surface proteins that interact with the environment. Many of these proteins are believed to be important for the virulence. This thesis deals with the binding of immunoglobulins (Ig) and complement regulating proteins to certain bacterial surface proteins. Protein L from Peptostreptococcus magnus binds to Igk-light chains while protein A from Staphylococ
The purpose of the study was to develop an ultrasound (US) protocol for evaluating congenital clubfoot pathoanatomy before and during early treatment. By using 3 easily defined and reproducible US projections the talonavicular and the calcaneocuboid joints were assessed. Normal configurations of the relationships at these joints were obtained by investigating 54 healthy babies at the ages of 0, 4
