Sphingosine 1-phosphate (SPP) is associated with the regulation of apoptosis, although its role in neutrophil apoptosis remains poorly investigated. Here, we show that exogenous SPP antagonizes spontaneous and anti-Fas-induced apoptosis in neutrophils. Pre-treatment with pertussis toxin clearly reduced the apoptosis-inhibiting capacity of SPP. Consequently, we investigated the involvement of poten

The application of a quinoprotein glucose dehydrogenase modified thick-film sensor as label detector in a capillary immunoassay (CIA) for xenoestrogens is presented. The detection of the alkylphenols and their ethoxylates is based on the competition between the analyte and tracer molecules for the binding sites of anti-alkylphenol ethoxylate antibodies. This assay is performed off-line in small di

Popular Abstract in Swedish Havandeskapsförgiftning (preeklampsi) är ett allvarligt risktillstånd som uppkommer vid 1.5-2.0 % av alla graviditeter och sjukdomen är en av de största orsakerna till mödra- och barndödlighet i världen. Preeklampsi karaktäriseras av högt blodtryck och läckage av äggvita i urinen under sista hälften av graviditeten hos en tidigare frisk kvinna. Njurarna spelar en avgöraThe aim of the research presented in this thesis was to provide extended background knowledge concerning several biochemical markers, used for the medical evaluation of pregnant women with suspected or confirmed preeclampsia, in order to improve the reliability of monitoring. Plasma levels of beta-2 microglobulin, cystatin C and beta trace protein are known to reflect renal filtration in non-pregn

We outline here a simple method to prepare polymeric surfaces of controlled surface topography on the micrometer scale, via assembly and arrest of microgel particles, for use in a range of biological applications to modify cell adhesion and spreading. In previous work by other groups, it has transpired that topography on the nanoscale is unlikely to be useful for this purpose, as roughness on this

The thesis concerns modeling, simulation and numerical analysis of heat and mass transport, and fluid flow in ducts of both solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The unique fuel cell boundary conditions (thermal, mass) for the flow ducts in fuel cells are identified and applied. Various duct configurations have been studied, such as rectangular and trapez

Uniquely amongst vitamin K-dependent coagulation proteins, protein C interacts via its Gla domain both with a receptor, the endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR), and with phospholipids. We have studied naturally occurring and recombinant protein C Gla domain variants for soluble (s)EPCR binding, cell surface activation to activated protein C (APC) by the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex, and

In this paper, we propose a SOC (system-on-chip) test scheduling technique that minimizes the test application time while considering test power limitations and test conflicts. The test power consumption is important to consider since exceeding the system's power limit might damage the system. Our technique takes also into account test conflicts that are due to cross-core testing (testing of inter

Extracts of submerged cultures of a Stereum species afforded four new pentasubstituted phenolic compounds, named hericenols A, B, C, and D (1-4), 6-hydroxymethyl-2,2-dimethylchroman-4-one (5) and the known erinapyrone C. Hericenol A (1) showed weak antimicrobial activity while hericenol C (3) was weakly cytotoxic. The structures of the metabolites were determined by spectroscopic techniques. (C) 2

A thermomechanical model of a porous material is presented. The constitutive model is based on the Gurson model, formulated within a thermodynamic framework and adapted to large deformations. The thermodynamic framework yields a heat equation that naturally includes the mechanical dissipation. To introduce a length scale, the Gurson model was enhanced through non-local effects of the porosity bein

Popular Abstract in Swedish Bildundervisningen i grundskolans tidigare år uppfyller inte de i Sverige uppsatta målen. De nationella utvärderingarna (NU 89) och (NU92) bekräftar detta. Lärarna säger att de saknar ämneskunskaper och utvärderingarna visar att inslag från äldre läroplaner präglar undervisningen. För att ge en bild av hur nuvarande problem kan ha uppstått presenteras i studien en histoThe art education in Swedish primary and secondary schools is far from perfect and as a result pupils seldom reach the desired standard. National evaluations in 1989 and 1992 confirm this. Teachers admit that they lack specific subject knowledge and evaluation reveals that many aspects of older curricula still prevail. The way in which the present problems may have arisen is described through the

A mathematical model has been developed based on the fundamental properties of the control system formed by the lux genes and their products in Vibrio fischeri. The model Clearly demonstrates how the components of this system work together to create two, stable metabolic states corresponding to the expression of the luminescent and non-luminescent phenotypes. It is demonstrated how the cell can "s

Popular Abstract in Swedish Denna avhandling validerar industriella mätsystem, där både de tekniska och mänskliga aspekterna innefattas. Syfte är att få bättre kunskap om den mätteknik som används för att kunna kvalitetsbestämma produkter och för att slutligen på ett mer pålitligt sätt kunna bestämma kvalitén på den tillverkande produkten. För att kunna göra detta föreslårs en metod som tar fram eAlthough there is a fairly large number of books and articles concerning the validation of technical measurement systems, there are only a few which take into account the whole measurement system consisting of both technical and non-technical aspects. A measurement system comprises both the measurement process and the human being who conducts the measurement. In this way, the human being may be a

We analyze cross correlations between price fluctuations of different stocks using methods of random matrix theory (RMT). Using two large databases, we calculate cross-correlation matrices C of returns constructed from (i) 30-min returns of 1000 US stocks for the 2-yr period 1994-1995, (ii) 30-min returns of 881 US stocks for the 2-yr period 1996-1997, and (iii) 1-day returns of 422 US stocks for

Quantitative RT-PCR (QRT-PCR) enables the sensitive and specific detection of mRNA with a small copy number. We used the QRT-PCR method and dual-label analysis of amplification products for the detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) mRNA. The QRT-PCR assay employed a PSA-like internal standard (IS) mRNA, which was used to quantify the PSA mRNA copies and to control the variations during the