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The data presented in this thesis deal with the neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in adult sensory neurons. We have used different injury and pain models to determine the involvement of PACAP during such conditions. The role of neurotrophins for PACAP expression was also investigated. PACAP is one of the excitatory neuropeptides expressed in small sized DRG ne

The aim of this thesis has been to increase understanding on the process of smoking cessation during pregnancy from the perspective of learning. The smoking pattern before and after pregnancy related to health, Sense of Coherence (SOC) and social issues was studied among all pregnant women in south-east Skåne during the period March 1994 to August 1995. They were asked to fill in a questionnaire d

The G protein-coupled receptors form one of the largest families of proteins involved in signalling between cells. It contains receptors for molecules as diverse as biogenic amines, glycoproteins and enzymes. The manuscripts included in this thesis together describe the initial characterisation of a previously unknown receptor of this class. A DNA fragment was cloned from a mouse genomic library.

Many bacteria express immunoglobulin(Ig)-binding proteins that interact with Ig in a non-immune manner. Several of these Ig-binding bacterial proteins have been well characterized and are widely used as reagents for analysis and purification of Ig's. Protein G found on group C and G streptococci has affinity for constant regions of IgG heavy chains, whereas protein L found on Peptostreptococcus ma

The Wnt-5a gene encodes a secreted protein that regulates several normal processes in embryonic and adult tissues by as yet unknown mechanisms. Expression of Wnt-5a protein does not cause cell transformation, but it instead counteracts the effects induced by transforming Wnts. Inasmuch as Wnt-5a can activate the Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathway, we performed experiments to determine whether mol

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

Cerebral ischemia is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the western world. Even though much effort has been put into research and development of effective drugs against ischemic damage there is to date no effective pharmacological brain protective treatment. In order to study particular molecular mechanisms, isolated cellular events and the contribution of individual factors in ischemic d

This 18-month follow-up study investigated needs for care and support, quality of life and social network in individuals with schizophrenia or a schizoaffective disorder living in the community and in contact with psychiatric services. The validity of Antonovsky's sense of coherence (SOC) measure was also examined. At baseline 120 patients were interviewed and 94 of these participated in the follo

Traumatic and ischemic brain damage are major causes of disability and death. While much effort has been spent on developing pharmacological treatments for these conditions, no neuroprotective drugs are in clinical use. Neuronal death following trauma and ischemia occurs in selected cell populations of the brain at various time points after the injury, and causes cognitive and behavioral dysfuncti

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) and the group B streptococcus (GBS) are two important human pathogens that cause different types of diseases and express different surface structures implicated in virulence. This thesis focuses on several surface proteins expressed by these pathogens, analyzing the biological function of these proteins and their ability to elicit protective immunity.

Proteomics is expected to generate new insights into biological processes as well as identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets since most biological functions are transmitted through proteins. However, due to the complexity displayed by a proteome and inherent limitations associated with current methodologies, proteomic analyses often result in incomplete coverage and inconsistent measurem

This thesis investigated emotional communication in experimentally created face-to-face interaction situations. The hypotheses were based on the conception of a process which leads to emotional empathy, assuming that automatic mimicking tendencies are involved in an automatic part of the process. Subjects were categorised as high- or low-empathic according to results on the Questionnaire Measure O

A smoking cessation program targeting pregnant women and their partners was monitored during 17 years and subjected to several substudies. All women in Blekinge, who gave birth in the months of September during the period 1984 to 2000, were asked to fill out a questionnaire, anonymously, about their smoking habits before and during pregnancy. During these years a long-term educational programme co

Granulocyte-macrophage- (GM-) and granulocyte- (G-) colony stimulating factor (CSF) are important cytokines in the regulation of hematopoiesis and for the function of mature blood cells. They are also involved in the cytokine network regulating the inflammatory and immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulation of GM- and G-CSF production at the cellular level. The studie

Since cancer continues to plague humanity there is large need for development of modalities for both diagnosis and therapy. Most of the currently available methods suffer from serious disadvantages. The treatments, e.g. ionising radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, may themselves induce malignancies or the patient may be physically impaired for a longer period of time. The work presented aims at dev

In allowing compression along the femoral shaft (uniaxial dynamization) and optional compression along the femoral neck (biaxial dynamization), the Medoff sliding plate (MSP) represents a new principle in the fixation of trochanteric hip fractures. The Twin hook with 2 apical hooks was designed as an alternative to the lag screw. In 3 prospective consecutive case series and 1 prospective randomize

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