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Permanent exposure to pathogens requires decisions toward tolerance or immunity as a prime task of dendritic cells. The molecular mechanisms preventing uncontrolled immune responses are not completely clear. We investigated the regulatory function of Ncf1, an organizing protein of NADPH oxidase, in the signaling cascade of Toll-like receptors. TLR9-stimulated spleen cells from both Ncf1-deficient
The photophysical properties of conjugated polymers (CPs) largely depend on the interactions between the CP and its environment. We present a study of two polymers with identical conjugated backbones, bare and insulated, that showed different fluorescence excitation modulation depth histograms. However, the polarization differences are not related to differences in conformation, as commonly believ
Although it has been shown that aggrecanases are involved in aggrecan degradation, the role of MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) aggrecanolysis is less well studied. To investigate MMP proteolysis of human aggrecan, in the present study we used neoepitope antibodies against MMP cleavage sites and Western blot analysis to identify MMP-generated fragments in normal and OA (osteoarthritis/osteoarthritic
Remission is a widely accepted goal for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but has to be sustained to arrest joint damage and disability. However, appropriate criteria for the assessment of sustained remission in long-term studies are not established. Therefore, we have compared the disease activity score calculated on 28 joints (DAS28) remission criterion, the Simplified Disease Activity Inde
ATP Binding Cassette B1 (ABCB1) is a transporter with a broad substrate specificity involved in the elimination of several carcinogens from the gut. Several polymorphic variants within the ABCB1 gene have been reported as modulators of ABCB1-mediated transport. We investigated the impact of ABCB1 genetic variants on colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. A hybrid tagging/functional approach was performed t
The gas-phase decompositions of a thiazole-substituted dioxetanone, in both the natural and anionic forms, were investigated theoretically in a CASSCF/CASPT2 study. The neutral conjugated thiazole (with or without a hydroxyl group) substitution on the dioxetanone has no evident effect on the dissociation; however, a subsequent deprotonation - invoking charge-transfer excitations from the thiazole
We present a flexible and compact experimental setup that combines an in vacuum liquid jet with an x-ray emission spectrometer to enable static and femtosecond time-resolved resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering (RIXS) measurements from liquids at free electron laser (FEL) light sources. We demonstrate the feasibility of this type of experiments with the measurements performed at the Linac Cohe
Background: In the Bagnardi et al. (2001) meta-analysis, it was found that alcohol consumption increases the risk of stomach cancer (OR = 1.32 for heavy drinkers). However, it is unknown if drinking cessation reverses this alcohol-elevated risk. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed to provide the information for a meta-analysis where the dose-risk trend was estimated for years sin
X-ray and neutron reflection studies, the latter in conjunction with contrast variation, have been combined to study the interaction of calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) with monolayers of distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) in the presence of 20 mM Ca2+ ions, at the air–liquid interface as a function of surface pressure (10, 20, 30 and 40 mN m−1). Analysis of the X-ray and neutron reflection data showed t
Background. Age-specific incidence rates for breast cancer in low-risk and high-risk ethnic populations differ by age at which the incidence maximum is reached: around 50 years in low-risk populations and over 60 years in high-risk populations. The interpretation of these differences remains unsettled, one line primarily referring to biological differences, the second one to cohort effects of rapi
Purpose To describe aspects of hand function in a total population of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods Upper extremity data were collected for 367 children who were born between 1992 and 2001 and were registered in a population-based health care program for children with CP. Hand function was classified according to the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), the House functional cl
This thesis is a qualitative study on how the current President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, views the on-going project of European integration and how he constructs a ‘European identity’. The sample material consists of his three State of the Union speeches from 2015, 2016 and 2017, where Juncker reflects on events in the past year and presents the European Commission’s coming
Emphasis is being placed on how life narratives can be incorporated into caring for the elderly based on the assumption that aged health care should be grounded on narrative perspectives in order to reduce ageist behaviours. The success of this however depends on the willingness of the elderly to share their stories. The aim of this study was to explore the reasons why Swedish elders decline to sh
The need for energy use reduction raises the question of electrical lighting use especially in the non-residential sector. Office spaces are particularly sensitive in this area, as lighting is quite essential, and connected to satisfaction, mood and performance. Literature suggests a wide variety of preferred conditions, although most of the studies refer to older ways of working. This thesis exp
This thesis investigates rejection criteria used by Swedish business angels in the screening phase of their decision-making process. A verbal protocol analysis was conducted on a sample of ten local business angels as they evaluate two different investment proposals and were encouraged to vocalize their thought process. Results were then coded, analysed and presented accordingly.
Den här uppsatsen kommer fördjupa sig i hur den amerikanska lobbyistorganisationen National Rifle Association framställer frågan om striktare vapenreglering i den amerikanska debatten om vapenreglering. Tidigare forskning har visat att organisationen har mål och medel att i hög grad påverka nationens författning utefter deras egna åsikter. Detta gör det intressant att undersöka hur organisationen,
Diabetes is an increasing problem in the world, where obesity is a large risk factor for developing the most common type of diabetes, i.e. type 2 diabetes. Numerous pharmaceuticals exist for managing the disease. The importance of the consumption of healthy foods is less emphasised albeit being an important and effective tool for managing the disease. The master thesis aimed at investigating how c
Global citizenship is an ambiguous concept that is often referred to in political and social contexts, but hardly being defined what it actually entails. This study aims to examine the universal construction of global citizenship, according to which every human being is constructed as the same with same rights. It becomes evident that there are differences when it comes to accessing the global bel
The sale of ancillary services has become an important source of revenue for modern airlines. However, no research has yet been done on the purchasing behaviour of air-traffic passengers. Therefore, the aim of this empirical study is to analyse if passengers behave rationally when purchasing ancillary services or if their preferences can be manipulated by framing effects. To answer the research qu
