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Galactolipids: digalactosyldiglyceride (DGalDG), monogalactosyldiglyceride (MGalDG) and sulfoquinovosyldiglyceride (SQDG) are the major lipid components in thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts i.e. the site of photosynthesis in plants. They are the most abundant membrane lipids in nature, and thus important sources of essential fatty acids for herbivores and omnivores. This thesis investigates the
Vasopressin and oxytocin seem to have pivotal roles in the pathophysiology of primary dysmenorrhoea and preterm labour. Prostaglandins are also involved in the regulation of uterine activity with different receptors mediating both stimulation and relaxation. We explored different aspects of synthesis, release and receptor pharmacology of vasopressin and oxytocin. We also tested a vasopressin and o
This thesis deals with the expression, localization and regulation of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans under normal and experimental conditions. NPY is widely distributed in the mammalian nervous system and belongs to a family of closely related petides also comprising peptide YY (PYY) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP). NPY exerts a variety of biological effects, such as s
Bone morphogenic proteins, BMPs, are a group endogenous proteins that are highly conserved through evolution. The amino acid sequences of about 15 different BMPs are now known and recombinant human BMPs are commercially available. Implantation of an individual BMP protein is sufficient to induce bone formation even at a subcutaneous site. Our initial studies discovered inhibition of bone formation
This thesis presents a three-year prospective study on metabolic characteristics of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and the regulation of insulin sensitivity versus islet function in relation to changes in glucose tolerance. 108 non-diabetic women aged 57-58 years were randomly selected from a population of women born in 1935 with a high prevalence of IGT. At baseline and follow-up, glucose toler
Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is an abnormal phospholipid formed exclusively by the action of phospholipase D (PLD) in the presence of ethanol. The degradation of PEth is slow and due to its accumulation in some cells the possibility to use PEth as marker of ethanol intake has been proposed. It has also been suggested that PEth mediates some of the damaging effects of ethanol on cells. This study was
Reactions of trans-dicyanodichloroaurate(III) trans-dibromodicyanoaurate(III), trans-diamminedichlorogold(III), cis-diammine(aqua)chloroplatinum(II), cis-ammineaqua-(cyclohexylamine)chloroplatinum(II), chloro(terpyridine)platinum(II) and chloro-(diethylenetriaminepalldium(II) with dimethyl sulfide, thionucleosides, thionucleotides and thione- and guanine-containing 17-mer oligonucleotides have bee
