The extracellular matrix plays an integral role in tissue remodeling and development and it defines the different mechanical properties of a variety of connective tissues. Its complexity in composition and the details in organization has only been partly elucidated. This thesis focuses on collagen VI and the mutual interactions of a number of matrix proteins that lie within close proximity. Collag

BACKGROUND: Registry-based randomized clinical trials have emerged as useful tools to provide evidence on the comparative efficacy and safety of different therapeutic strategies. However, it remains unknown whether the results of registry-based randomized clinical trials have a sizable impact on daily clinical practice. We sought, therefore, to describe the temporal trends in thrombus aspiration (

En stödjande miljö är centralt för att kunna upprätthålla ett självständigt liv och effektivt aktivitetsutförande, särskilt med ökande ålder. För personer med funktionella begränsningar, som konsekvenserna av en ryggmärgsskada, är balansen mellan personens funktionella kapacitet och miljöns krav av yttersta vikt för att kunna leva ett så välfungerande liv som möjligt. Livslängden efter en ryggmärg

Background: Abdominal obesity is on the increase worldwide and ethnic minority groups are at high risk. However, studies of the underlying causes are scarce. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of abdominal obesity and to identify metabolic, lifestyle and socio-demographic risk factors associated with abdominal obesity in male and female residents of Malmö, a city in southern

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of serine/threonine kinases subgrouped into classical (α, βI, βII, γ), novel (δ, ε, η, θ) and atypical (ζ, ι/λ) isoforms. PKC can be activated by phorbol esters, and prolonged treatment of neuroblastoma cells has been shown to induce neuronal differentiation with neurite outgrowth and increased expression of neuronal genes. Here we show that a classical PKCβ isof

There is a lack of attention toward the diversity in experiences of architecture that are expressed through walking. Through the application of autoethnography and critical perspectives of queer and feminist theory, this dissertation develops a method for investigating experiences of architecture in regard to the activity of walking. In addition, this thesis addresses the influence of form, materi

Pyrimidines are important precursors for nucleic acids, and constantly synthesized and degraded in the cell to maintain a balanced supply. Many microoganisms can also extract the nitrogens from the pyrimidine ring, and use them as a nitrogen source when “preferred” sources are absent. Four different pathways, by which pyrimidines can be degraded, are known. I have studied the last discovered, but

Local treatment of a tumour is of interest from a number of perspectives. It is focused on reducing the tumour volume with minimal trauma, inducing tumour immunity and is a potential component of a combination therapy against tumours. Interstitial laser thermotherapy (ILT) has turned out to be a method well suited for selective local destruction of malignant tumours. This thesis is based on an exp

Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is a highly sensitive technique to count atoms. The method has a high efficiency, which makes it possible to measure small samples in a relatively short time, usually less than an hour. During the work for this thesis, methods have been developed to detect Al-26 at the Lund AMS facility. This includes the design, installation and testing of a new injector that i

This thesis concerns relatives of alcoholics. The aims were to investigate relatives’ situation concerning hardship, coping behaviour and psychiatric wellbeing. Two different information techniques (one standardized technique and one individually adjusted technique) were compared in order to reach relatives of alcoholics for information of available support. No significant differences were found i

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a dementia disorder, clinically characterized by fluctuating cognitive impairment, attention deficits, visual hallucinations, parkinsonism and other neuropsychiatric features. Sensitivity to neuroleptic medication is a common finding. In the present study 24% of 200 autopsied cases, within the Lund longitudinal prospective dementia study fulfilled the clinical di

Hereditary cystatin C amyloid angiopathy (HCCAA) is a disorder characterised by multiple strokes in young adults, resulting in paralysis and dementia. The disease is caused by a mutation in the gene coding for the peptidase inhibitor cystatin C. The mutation causes an amino acid substitution Leu68 -> Gln in cystatin C (L68Q cystatin C) which results in deposition of the protein in the blood vessel

Migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMC) are important events in the development of atherosclerosis and restenosis following angioplastic surgery. It is important to gain further knowledge about the mechanisms regulating SMC form and function in order to understand the underlying disease process. In this thesis I have used cultured rat aortic SMC and analysed how these cells respon

The presence of procolipase and enterostatin in the rat gastrointestinal tract has been investigated. Procolipase was identified, using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, in exocrine cells of the pancreas as well as in chief cells of the fundus region of the stomach. Enterostatin is the activation peptide of procolipase and it has been found to act as a satiety signal for fat. Using a

The relationship between the HgMn and Am classes of chemically peculiar stars has been investigated primarily by observing abundances of heavy elements, including Pr, Nd, Hg, Tl and Bi. The main objective of the investigation has been to gather observational evidence to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms producing the abundance anomalies of these stars, and to establish the relations

In order to identify integral and peripheral proteins associated with the plasma membrane (PM), highly purified Arabidopsis PMs were analyzed by mass spectrometry. In total, 238 putative PM proteins were identified, of which 114 were predicted to have transmembrane domains or to be PM-anchored. Identified proteins were involved in transport, signal transduction, membrane trafficking and stress res