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The purpose was to describe ethical aspects on how do-not-resuscitate (DNR) deci-sions are made, established, and communicated between physicians, nurses, patients and relatives. A random sample of 220 physicians and nurses answered a questionnaire about their attitudes to and experiences of the making and communication of a DNR decision. The re-sponse rate was 73%. Twenty seriously ill patients,

Pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance are the two hallmarks of type 2 diabetes. An early sign of beta-cell dysfunction is impaired nutrient-induced insulin release. Several insulin secretagogues act by increasing the formation of intracellular cAMP. Thus, accurate regulation of cAMP is of vital importance for the ability of the beta-cell to respond properly to these stimuli. The

The coordination and fundamental transformations of organosulfur compounds to polynuclear metal complexes has been studied as models for possible surface species in industrial HDS processes. Reactions between [Os3(CO)11(NCMe)] and various thiols have been studied by UV-Vis, IR and NMR spectroscopy and all experimental findings indicate that the reactions proceed via a two-step consecutive process

According to the three-pore model of peritoneal transport the major exchange pathway between the blood and the peritoneal cavity is represented by “small pores”, permeable to small solutes and water. Osmotically induced fluid flow, as during peritoneal dialysis (PD), is postulated to occur to a great extent through a water-only pathway, whereas proteins are predicted to reach the peritoneal cavity

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

Pathogen challenges and host immune defenses can have substantial impact on life history patterns of animals. Biotic and abiotic factors may affect immunity in wild animals, influencing e.g., population dynamics and sexual selection. The overall aim of this thesis was to assess costs and benefits of immune system activation on physiology, behavior and offspring phenotype. The conducted research ha

Reductions in ambient pressure liberates gas in various tissues and can result in decompression illness. In this thesis the patophysiological implications of a blood gas interface resulting from decompression was investigated with reference to the influence on biochemical mediators of inflammation. In a series of experiments, animals and human subjects have been exposed to hyperbaric trauma of dif

Popular Abstract in English Psychotropic pharmaceuticals include various groups of chemicals that have been designed to affect neurochemistry in human consumers resulting in changes in cognition, mood, and/or behavior; many target specific receptors and subsequently alter neurotransmitter levels in the central nervous system. The use of pharmaceuticals by consumers results in the release of these Psychotropic pharmaceuticals have been shown to exert a variety of sublethal effects on non-target organisms, even at low concentrations found in the environment (ng/L to µg/L); hence, the aim of my research has been to determine the individual-level effects of psychotropic pharmaceuticals (the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors sertraline and fluoxetine, and the β-blocker propranolol) on beh

HOXB4 is one of 39 members of the homeobox (HOX) family, a family of transcription factors involved in embryonic development. Several HOX transcription factors, including HOXB4, are highly expressed in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) but are downregulated upon differentiation towards more mature progeny cells. Enforced expression of HOXB4 dramatically increases the regeneration of murine HSC follo

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules present antigenic peptides to CD8+ T cells. The peptides are generated by proteasomes in the cytosol, then translocated across the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP). Only properly assembled class I molecules loaded with high affinity peptides reach the cell surface. The mat

Pancreatic enzymes, neutrophils, free radicals and cytokines are involved in the pathophysiology of AP. Clarification of their interaction and time-course will improve our understanding of AP and provide a better basis for treatment. 20% will develop severe AP and benefit from improved treatment why an accurate test for prediction of severity is needed. Aims: To investigate the interactions betwee

Many deaths in intensive care units are preceded by decisions to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment. Under what conditions are forgoing life-sustaining treatment considered appropiate, when is it optitional and when is it wrong? Relevant guidelines are essential to help medical decisionmakers, but they cannot be established only from medical knowledge. They also must be related to basi

The small intestine contains a large number of T lymphocytes within the single-layered epithelium that separates the gut lumen from the lamina propria. These intraepithelial T lymphocytes have potent cytolytic and immunoregulatory capacities, thought to be important for fighting infections, neoplastic growth, and sustaining epithelial integrity. This thesis is based on three original articles wit

Maternal health services are the least equitable health care services in most low- and middle-income countries. Improving maternal health in Ghana continues to be a major public health challenge. Socio-economic inequalities within the country are greatly reducing the use of maternal health care services despite government policy reforms to improve access to maternal health care services and interv

This thesis addresses several aspects of glaucoma diagnostics from both a clinical and a screening perspective. New instruments for diagnosing glaucoma have been developed over the past years, but little information is available regarding their performance as screening methods and their usefulness in ordinary clinical practice. Purpose of the research underlying this thesis The objectives of the

Invasive candidiasis (IC) is a serious condition and timely diagnosis with early initiation of antifungal therapy is imerative for improving outcomes. Arabinitol is a sugar alcohol with two stereoisomers, D-arabinitol (DA) and L-arabintiol (LA). Several pathogenic Candida species produce DA in vitro and high DA levels have been detected in serum and urine in patients with IC. Renal dysfunction aff

Cancer incidence is increasing and it is the number one cause of death worldwide. Cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease and there is a great need for new early diagnostic, prognostic and treatment predictive biomarkers in order to improve patient outcomes. The RNA-binding motif protein 3, RBM3, is an emerging candidate biomarker of favourable prognosis and treatment response in several types of

Background In patients with symptoms compatible with acute myocardial infarction (MI), early triage by ECG in the pre-hospital phase by ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) criteria is important for direct transport of these patients to a regional center for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). The time from first medical contact to pPCI should, due to present guideline

Sepsis is a devastating disease that is caused by the host’s response to an overwhelming infectious process. As sepsis progresses, organs distant from the site of infection become affected and sepsis-induced multiple organ failure ensues. An impaired immunologic response, including dysfunctional peripheral blood immune cells has been described as part of the septic syndrome. Mitochondrial dysfunct