In this study we demonstrated the production of SLPI (Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor) in serous glands in the nasal mucosa. We have shown that the pattern of the expression of mRNA corresponds to the encoded protein. The encoded protein was detected by immunohistochemical methods and mRNA was discovered by in situ hybridisation. Nasal mucosa from 11 test subjects without atopic disposition

In this work the lateral heterogeneity of the thylakoid membrane was investigated by quantifying the amount of photosystem I (PSI), photosystem II (PSII) and some PSII complexes and PSII proteins in different domains of the thylakoid. Grana, grana core, grana margins and stroma lamellae + end fractions were obtained by sonication and separation in a non-detergent, aqueous polymer two-phase system

Disregarding the small primordial traces of the lightest elements, all metals have been formed in stellar processes, which means that the relative amount of metals in the Universe increases for every stellar generation. This build-up of elements is called chemical evolution and might be used both to constrain stellar models as well as understanding the formation and evolution of stellar population

This dissertation deals with the geometric and electronic structure of surfaces on III–V semiconductor nanowires (NWs). NWs made of InAs, GaAs, and InP have been studied using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S), low energy electron microscopy (LEEM), photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). All of the mentioned techniques have been devel

Persons are not just mechanical systems of instinctual animalistic proclivities, but also language-producing, existentially aware creatures, whose experiences and actions are drenched in subjective meaning. To understand a human being as a person is to understand him or her as a rational system that wants, fears, hopes, believes, and in other ways imbues the world with meaning, rather than just a

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

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,

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.

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

Papillomaviruses are a diverse, epitheliotropic group of viruses. Some genotypes are the main cause of anogenital cancer in humans; others can induce skin lesions. In order to investigate the occurrence of subclinical skin infections with human papillomavirus (HPV), a pair of degenerate primers (FAP59/64) was designed. Moist cotton-tipped swabs were used as a gentle method of sample collection. Di

Psychoacoustic experiments have been conducted for schizophrenic patients with auditory hallucinations in their case history and for reference subjects. The aim of the thesis has been to assess differences between the two groups of subjects. The experiments consisted of tests on perceptual grouping mechanisms measuring how sound with high and low pitches is separated into perceptual streams (Study

The spread of lifestyle-related diseases has become epidemic throughout the world. Impaired glucose metabolism and high levels of plasma cholesterol are risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease respectively. Soluble dietary fibers from plants, algae and mushrooms have been shown to positively regulate both glucose- and cholesterol metabolism indicating their v

Intracerebral neuronal transplantation have been shown to ameliorate symptoms of brain dysfunction in both animals models and Parkinson's disease, although problems still remain. The newly introduced technique of ex vivo gene transfer could serve as an alternative approach, possible avoiding some of the draw-backs of the embryonal tissue used in neuronal grafting. We have investigated the feasibli

Transplantation of embryonic dopaminergic neurones can ameliorate symptoms in Parkinson’s disease, but a major obstacle for clinical transplantations to overcome is the low survival (typically 5-10%) of implanted nigral neurones. If cell death in nigral grafts can be prevented, less embryonic tissue would be needed per transplantation session and hence more patients could receive intracerebral gra

The foraging ability of an organism is essential since it affects various traits, e.g. growth, reproduction effort, social status and, ultimately, fitness. Foraging is often associated with food intake but includes more aspects such as searching for and assessing food patches and evaluating the patch as good or bad compared to the rest of the environment. On top of that, a forager also has to surv

Mucins are essential components of the mucosal barrier. The complexity of the airway mucosal barrier is reflected in the lack of specific treatments to block mucin hypersecretion associated with several respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis, asthma and cystic fibrosis. Currently, researchers in the mucin field are confronted with a growing number of mucin genes. In order to understand th

Normal tissue is tightly controlled to keep a balance between reproduction and elimination of cells. In cancer, these regulated processes are disrupted, resulting in uncontrolled cell growth. Regulation of RNA stability and turnover is important to maintain cellular homeostasis and can be controlled by various mechanisms. During stress, the cell can form cytoplasmic complexes of proteins and RNAs,

In order to reduce comsumption of inhalational anaesthetsics during high flow anaesthesia a system open in regard to oxygen, nitogen and nitrous oxide, but closed to inhalational anaesthetics, was developed. This was achieved by a reflecting filter for inhalational anaesthetics made of active carbon. The principle has been developed into the commersially available Anesthetic Conserving Device (ACD

Background: In osteoarthritis (OA) the balance of cartilage matrix synthesis and degradation is disturbed, resulting in a gradual destruction of the articular cartilage. Matrix components released into body fluids by proteolytic cleavage can be used as biomarkers of ongoing processes. This thesis focuses on proteolytic degradation of the proteoglycan aggrecan with the overall aim to study the pote

Integrins are a family of cell surface receptors known to bind matrix proteins and to mediate signals such as mechanical signals between the cell and the surrounding matrix. We have studied integrins that are expressed by chondrocytes, with specific focus on the integrins that interact with the cartilage matrix protein collagen type II. It was found that chondrocytes isolated from articular cartil