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Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with variations in the biological profile and subsequent clinical prognosis. Molecular mechanisms for tumour progression are currently being explored in scientific settings, suggesting parallel evolution of tumour cells at primary and metastatic locations. The molecular profiles could be altered affecting individual patient’s treatment and prognosis. In the

Seminal plasma is semen without the spermatozoa. Human seminal plasma is a complex mixture of secretions from the sex accessory glands, mainly the seminal vesicles and the prostate. Seminal plasma has high protein content and it also contains ions, sugars and low molecular weight components. Immediately after ejaculation the semenogelins and fibronectin aggregate and a coagulum forms trapping the

Connective tissue contains a prominent extracellular matrix (ECM), which provides for physiological and mechanical properties. Intra- and inter-molecular interactions between proteins in this ECM provide for the formation of molecular networks. These interactions determine the shape of the tissue as well as cell behavior. This thesis is focused on the leucine-rich repeat proteoglycans fibromodulin

Posterior laryngitis (PL) is defined as an inflammation involving the posterior part of the glottal region in conjunction with symptoms. The cause is multifactorial. The aims of the work presented in this thesis were to examine symptoms, physical signs, different aetiologies and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with PL and/or oesophageal dysmotility. In paper I, a group of pati

A majority of the proteins of the immune system are glycosylated and the glycans of IgG are essential for its functionality. Bacteria display enzymes that modulate the glycans of the immune system to weaken the host defense and favor bacterial survival. In this thesis we aimed at exploring bacterial modulation of host glycosylation in infection and to evaluate the usefulness of bacterial enzymes i

HIV-1 is dominating the global HIV pandemic, while HIV-2 is mainly confined to West Africa. The highest HIV-2 prevalence figures have been reported from Guinea-Bissau. While HIV-1 infection almost invariably leads to progressive immune dysfunction and AIDS, HIV-2 infection is characterised by a smaller proportion of individuals with disease progression to AIDS. In order to monitor the long-term e

The middle ear (ME) pressure is regulated by gas diffusion over the ME mucosa and pressure equalizations via the Eustachian tube (ET). Disturbance in the regulation of ME pressure is believed to contribute to the development of chronic ear diseases. In this work subjects with chronic central perforation (CCP), healthy ears with ventilation tubes (VTs), attic cholesteatoma (AC) and Meniere’s diseas

The aims of this dissertation were to investigate the effects of extracellular purines on insulin secretion, and apoptosis in mouse pancreatic islets and β-cells; to examine if high glucose and free fatty acids induces β-cell apoptosis via autocrine effects of ADP acting on the P2Y13 receptor; and to investigate the modulation of extracellular purines in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) throug

Abstract: Background : Anorecta l malformation s (ARM) occur in 4: 10000 newborn children with the gender distribut ion 1:1.5 females:males. The reconstruction of ARM, posterior sagiccal anorectal plasty (PSARP), was implemenred worldwide in the late 1980s and therefore the follow-ups are limited. Aims: To assess bowel symptoms in children and adolescents with ARM, operated on with PSARP, and to

Partly due to an ageing population, the number of osteoporosis-related fractures and osteoarthritis (OA)-related hip and knee arthroplasty procedures is increasing. The individual suffering and the burden on society for these conditions is immense. Genetic contribution for the variance in bone mineral density (BMD) is estimated at around 60–80%, and for OA 50%, leaving a considerable proportion to

Popular Abstract in English Over thirty years of experience shows that energy efficiency is the easiest, fastest, and cheapest strategy to reduce today’s rampant energy use. To enhance energy efficiency, governmental intervention and business strategies are needed. The question of which governmental policies are the most effective to support energy efficiency remains unanswered. Policy learning anExperience shows that energy efficiency improvements are the most cost-effective path to meeting global energy challenges. To promote energy efficiency, various policy instruments have been in place since the 1970s. Nevertheless, energy efficiency improvements still lag behind their potential in the building sector, which indicates that there is a lack of knowledge about the performance of policie

This thesis explores the relation between gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gastrointestinal symptoms and dysmotility. In primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), a patient group with high levels of GnRH antibodies, associations between objective signs and symptoms of autonomic dysfunction (AD), impaired gastric emptying (IGE), and inflammatory and serological features were studied. Forty-three

Immune cells play paradoxical roles in cancer progression. On one hand, the immune system protects us against tumor development by recognizing and eliminating cancerous cells. On the other hand, tumor-associated immune cells can contribute to tumor progression by secreting growth factors as well as immunosuppressive, pro-angiogenic and/or pro-metastatic mediators. In this thesis we identified a f

The life-threatening disease of malignant melanoma is one of the fastest growing forms of cancer, affecting an estimated number of 200,000 patients worldwide every year. Although highly curable if detected early, once the melanoma has metastasized there are few treatment options and a median survival rate of only 6-9 months. Consequently, there is an imperative need to identify the factors that dr

Bleeding complications range from 0.5 to 1.6% in connection with central venous catheter insertions but are more frequent in patients with bone marrow failure and severe thrombocytopenia. Although supportive evidence is scarce, prophylactic platelet transfusion is sometimes performed in these patients before catheter insertion. Furthermore, the ideal threshold platelet count and timing of transfus

The large protein family called G Protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has co-evolved with life throughout evolution; from single cell organisms all the way to complex beings such as us humans. The fact that GPCRs are involved in essentially every physiological event, and that ~50% of drugs on the current market are either directly or indirectly targeted towards the function of GPCRs, we can be certa

This thesis is motivated by an increasing degree of unfamiliarity and prominence of national dimensions in multinational crisis management. The research rationale rests on the argument that trust is important but may erode when roles conflict, which in turn may result when stakeholder interests diverge. The thesis describes trust and national perspectives in terms of role conflict in an EU Operati