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The Major Histocompatibility Complex (Mhc) genes are crucial for the recognition of self and non-self peptides by the immune defence system. They are extremely variable in most studied vertebrate species. I have studied the extent and the importance of Mhc variation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), mainly from the Baltic Sea. Levels of Mhc heterozygosity in hatchery populations of salmon were bet
This dissertation covers studies of excited state processes in two types of solar energy materials: alternating polyfluorene polymers and their blends with fullerenes in the active layer of plastic solar cells, and bis-tridentate RuII-polypyridyl complexes to be used as sensitizer in systems for artificial photosynthesis. The polymer:fullerene blends were studied by transient absorption and time-
Historically, research on radio communication has focused on improving range and data rate. In the last decade, however, there has been an increasing demand for low power and low cost radios that can provide connectivity with small devices around us. They should be able to offer basic connectivity with a power consumption low enough to function extended periods of time on a single battery charge,
This study was undertaken to evaluate relationships between endothelial function (assessed as mediators of endothelium-derived vasoactive factors such as nitric oxide [NO], prostacyclin [PGI2] and endothelin [ET-1] ), and risk factors for atherosclerosis, as well as to study possible relationships between endothelial function and leukocyte activation (indicated by measurements of leukocyte-derived
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have the capacity to maintain hematopoiesis throughout life. HSCs are ideal targets for permanent gene transfer, as the transgene will be expressed in all the progeny of the gene-modified stem cells. The aim of this thesis was to optimize conditions for retroviral gene transfer to human candidate HSCs and to study mechanisms interfering with efficient gene transfer.
Development of hematopoietic cells in bone marrow takes place in association with the hematopoietic microenvironment. Extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules and stromal cells in bone marrow provide a structural environment for hematopoietic cells, but they also directly influence proliferation, differentiation and migration of cells by signal transduction mediated by ligand binding to cell surface a
The overall aim of this thesis was to gain further knowledge of the assessments, predictors of future sick leave and intervention with regard to early prevention of neck, shoulder and back disorders in nursing aides/assistant nurses working in the home-care service. In Paper I, 15 clinical tests on impairment level related to the low back, were examined for intra- and inter-rater reliability on 1
Predator-prey interactions are a primary structuring force in aquatic systems. A change in the predator-prey interactions may cause a change in the strength of trophic cascades and even resulting in ecosystem shifts. However, individual properties of predators and prey, as well as environmental conditions, may affect the relative strength of predator-prey interactions. In our studies we observed t
The relationship between intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and force in smooth muscle was investigated in receptor-coupled permeabilized preparations and by fluorimetry of the calcium indicator Fura 2 in intact smooth muscle. The time integral of spontaneous [Ca2+]i transients in the intact rat portal vein was decreased by cyanide and, during tonic contraction, cyanide reduced force without cha
This thesis focuses on the study of thin-film sensor technologies, novel microfabrication technologies, and thin-film technology in general. The work discusses electrochemical sensors and mechanical sensor technologies as well as fabrication strategies for them. Also included are mechano-chemical studies of the vancomycin DAla (Bacteria membrane analogue motif ) binding reaction in different chemica
Food chain theory is based on consumption; that is, presupposing that the only important interaction between organisms is that they actually meet in an unstructured environment and that one of them is consumed. Recently, studies, including biomanipulation projects, have indicated that trophic interactions are more complex than predicted by food chain theory. In this thesis I examine the role of yo
Systems for on-line monitoring of bioprocesses were developed, consisting of a membrane-based sampling unit, a liquid chromatographic (LC) separation step, and a detector. Two sampling units, a tangential flow filtration (TFF) module and a microdialysis probe, were characterised and evaluated for use in different types of bioprocesses. When using the TFF module, an additional sample clean-up step
The general aim of this study has been to study the psychological, social and ethical aspects for carriers of haemophilia and their spouses, related to the development of techniques for carrier testing and for prenatal diagnosis (PD) of haemophilia. This was investigated by a semi-structured follow-up interview with 29 carriers of haemophilia with experience of PD by fetal blood sampling (FBS), an
This thesis investigates different methods for treating strongly correlated systems, and discusses their respective strengths and weaknesses. Many of the results presented in this thesis come from comparing the different methods and approximations to exact results. Paper I: We studied the real-time dynamics of a trapped fermion gas, as it expands after removal of a trapping potential. Paper II: We
Each Ig V-region has its own upstream promoter and the promoter of a mature Ig gene is thereby selected during the V(D)J recombination process. Upon comparison, it is evident that only one transcription factor binding site, the octamer, is preserved within all promoters. The octamer motif and the binding Oct-proteins are crucial for Ig promoter function, but not sufficient for a high level of tran
With the goal to study the mechanisms of dinuclear metalloenzymes, a new line of synthetic and computational models were prepared and studied. Mixed imidazole and carboxylate multidentate complexes were synthesized to better simulate carboxylate-rich ligand environments. Of the compounds, which showed to be the most useful, were one symmetric and the other one asymmetric and in both cases they wer
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the manifestation of atherosclerotic lesions in arteries supplying blood to the legs. Atherosclerosis is now recognized as an inflammatory disease of the vessel wall and important features in the pathophysiology are activation of WBC, endothelial cells and increased levels of inflammatory mediators. The inflammatory response in PAD is further influenced in case
The aquaporins (AQPs) belong to a family of water permeable membrane channels found in virtually all living organisms. Thirteen isoforms of mammalian AQPs are found, whereas in Arabidopsis thaliana 35 genes encoding AQPs are found. The AQPs are distributed in different organs, cell types and in different subcellular membranes. The aquaporins form homotetramers where each monomer functions as an in
Controversies exist regarding both what is required for a proper diagnosis of chronic venous disease (CVD), and what treatment to offer patients. An objective evaluation is mandatory to individualize treatment. This thesis deals with the evaluation of patients with CVD with specific emphasis on CEAP classification (C; clinical, E; etiological, A; anatomical, P; pathophysiological), symptoms and si
The influence of different reaction parameters on enzyme selectivity was investigated. The reaction conditions studied were solvent dependence, water activity and reaction temperature. The improved selectivity was observed as higher synthetic yields in a-chymotrypsin and subtilisin catalyzed peptide synthesis respectively, and as higher enantioselectivity in the asymmetric reduction of ketones cat
