Filtyp
Complexes formed between oppositely charged polyions and surfactant ions are known to have very rich phase behaviour in bulk solution. The work in this thesis investigates the possibilites of using such complexes as surface coatings. Stoichiometric polyion-surfactant ion complexes “complex salts” (CS) consisting of alkyltrimethylammonium surfactant ions and polyacrylates are typically insoluble i
A modular organization has recently been described for the cerebellar control system comprising the forelimb areas of the C1/C3/Y zones in the cerebellar cortex and nucleus interpositus anterior (NIA) of the cat. A module is a group of cells in NIA which receives homogenous climbing fibre input via Purkinje cells that belong to the same set of microzones in the C1/C3/Y zones. The organization of i
RNA molecules in the cellular environment have several important functions. In many cases, proper RNA function is intimately linked to proper three-dimensional structure of the molecule. Thus, it seems reasonable to assume that structural changes caused by external influence can strongly inhibit important cellular functions maintained by RNAs. Studies in this thesis have had a focus on the influen
Streptococcus pyogenes causes infections only in humans, from trivial tonsillitis to life-threatening conditions. One of its most important virulence factors is the M-like protein family conferring resistance to phagocytosis to the bacterium. The M-like proteins are surface exposed rod-like molecules attached to the cell wall. Each strain of S. pyogenes expresses unique M-like proteins that bind t
Lectins defined as non-enzyme, non-immunoglobulin carbohydrate binding proteins, have been found in a wide variety of viruses, bacteria, fungi, plants and animals. Although lectins have been purified from more than 60 different species of fungi, the structure and biological functions of these proteins are not well known. I examined the molecular structure of a lectin (designated AOL) isolated from
In vertebrates the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) plays a central role in the specific immune defence against various pathogens. Compared with other coding genes the MHC genes exhibit an extremely high level of polymorphism that is maintained by balancing selection. The importance in the immune defence and the polymorphism make these genes interesting to study from an ecological and evolut
Suicide in Severe Depression. A Longitudinal Case-Control Study. The present thesis is based on a case-control study of suicide victims with a severe depression/ melancholia. All patients admitted to the Department of Psychiatry 1956-1969 who received this diagnosis on a multiaxial schedule (1206 patients) were followed up in two sessions to 1984 and to 1998 concerning suicide and general mortali
The occurrence and distribution of neurohormonal peptides, neuroendocrine markers and receptors in parathyroid nerve fibers and endocrine cells are described, using immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, image analysis and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Immunocytochemical studies revealed that parathyroid glands of chicken, rat, guinea-pig, cat, dog and sheep contained adren
Increasing [K+]o is intimately coupled to progressive ischemia and reduced CBF. In isolated cerebral and mesenteric arteries, it was found that significant differences in the vascular responses to [K+]o exist. Among the species studied, human cerebral arteries were the most sensitive artery to increasing [K+]o. Rabbit basilar arteries, denuded from the endothelium, showed increased sensitivity to
Acquired genetic abnormalities are found in all types of malignant tumours and may contribute to neoplastic processes by altering protein structure or dosage. Many bone and soft tissue tumours (BSTT) are characterised by complex patterns of chromosome changes, including extensive intratumour heterogeneity and amplification of DNA sequences. The results presented in this thesis demonstrate that the
Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is a key enzyme in fatty acid mobilization. It is acutely regulated by extracellular signals via reversible phosphorylation. In the recent past, the focus of type 2 diabetes research has moved towards the lipid component. Lipids interfere with glucose homeostasis in a multitude of ways; they can decrease insulin sensitivity of tissues and cause β-cell dysfunction. Co
Parasites are ubiquitous and can cause significant fitness reductions to their hosts. Therefore, selection for the evolution of host resistance should be strong. However, resistance may be costly and should be traded-off against other fitness related traits. Parasites could therefore have a significant impact on the evolution of fitness related characters of their hosts. It has been suggested that
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
Aims: To analyse the relationship between country of birth/ethnicity, socio-economic status (SES) and impaired mobility, impaired working capacity, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, health behaviours among those with CVD risk factors, self-reported health status, impaired instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and all-cause mortality. Methods: Two main data sources were used: the
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
