Search results

Complex traits, including inflammatory rheumatic diseases, have important genetic features, but most of the responsible genes have not been conclusively identified. Genetic analysis of inbred animal models and comparative genetics - the comparison of genes between different species - might help to identify the crucial genes and to investigate more directly the biology involved. Genome-wide linkage

Both environmental and genetic factors can dramatically affect reproductive performance in mice. In this study we have focused on the identification of genetic regions, quantitative trait loci (QTL), which affect the breeding capacity of female mice. We have identified polymorphic microsatellite markers for the mouse strains used and performed a genomewide scan on 237 females from a gene-segregati

For the very first time we present 3D simulations of planets embedded in stellar irradiated discs. It is well known that thermal effects could reverse the direction of planetary migration from inwards to outwards, potentially saving planets in the inner, optically thick parts of the protoplanetary disc. When considering stellar irradiation in addition to viscous friction as a source of heating, th

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with certain HLA-DR4 subtypes. The target autoantigen(s) is unknown, but type II collagen (CII) is a candidate, with a single immunodominant DR4-restricted 261-273 T cell epitope (CII(261273)). In the present study, we have prepared HLA-DR4:CII(261-273) tetramers and analyzed peripheral blood, lymph node, and synovial fluid cells fr

In acetonitrile, polyisoprene-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PI−PMMA) diblock copolymers form starlike micelles with a dense core of the insoluble PI blocks and a soft solvent-swollen corona of the soluble PMMA blocks. Static and dynamic light scattering experiments in combination with viscosity measurements show that these micelles behave hydrodynamically as hard spheres. The block copolymers are l

Earlier studies have demonstrated an important role for the chemokine CCL25, and its receptor CCR9, in the generation of the small intestinal lymphocyte compartment. The work in this thesis was aimed at determining how CCL25 is regulated within the small intestinal mucosa, and what potential role it plays in T cell localization to and function within this site. We have identified epithelial cells

The identification of genes underlying quantitative-trait loci (QTL) for complex diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, is a challenging and difficult task for the human genome project. Through positional cloning of the Pia4 QTL in rats, we found that a naturally occurring polymorphism of Ncf1 (encoding neutrophil cytosolic factor 1, a component of the NADPH oxidase complex) regulates arthritis s

A role for regulatory lymphocytes has been demonstrated in the pathogenesis of type I diabetes in the NOD mouse but the nature of these cells is debated. CD1d-restricted NKT lymphocytes have been implicated in this process. Previous reports of reduced diabetes incidence in NOD mice in which the numbers of NKT cells are artificially increased have been attributed to the enhanced production of IL-4

This thesis is focused on natural killer (NK) T cells. NKT cells recognize lipids and glycolipids, rather than peptides, in the contents of the antigen presenting molecule CD1d. NKT cells have a surface phenotype reminiscent of memory cells, and have been shown to rapidly produce large amounts of cytokines, such as IL-4 and IFN-gamma, upon activation. Because of their rapid response to activation,

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, meningitis, peritonitis, bacterial arthritis, and sepsis. Here we have studied a novel immune evasion mechanism of serotype 3 pneumococci, which are particularly resistant to phagocytosis. On their surfaces the bacteria express the factor H-binding inhibitor of complement (Hie), a protein of the pneumoc

Yeast-derived zymosan beads are among the classical agents used to induce sterile inflammatory responses in experimental animals and macrophage activation in cell culture. In macrophages the cytosolic phospholipase A2 becomes activated, leading to mobilization of arachidonate and the generation of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Although zymosan can interact with several receptors it has not been

The near-infrared electronic spectrum of AuO1 has been re-examined in light of the new microwave data on the nu = 0 and nu = 1 vibrations of the X-2 Pi(3/2) state of AuO. The two observed bands in the spectrum, with red-degraded bandheads located at 10726 and 10665 cm(-1), have been reanalyzed. New theoretical work on AuO clarifies the electronic structure, and the bands in the infrared are now as

Abstract in UndeterminedThe primary aim of the present study is to reveal the creative awakening of Michalis Ganas, Maria Kirtzaki, Tzeni Mastoraki and Kostas Papageorgiou, four poets of the Greek 1970s Generation. All four poets were born during the decade of the 1940s. The thesis approaches the poets entire authorship from their debut, end of 1960s beginning of 1970s, until the present day, to d

Specific granule protein of 28 kDa (SGP28), also termed cysteine-rich secretory protein 3 (CRISP-3), is a glycoprotein that belongs to a family of cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs). SGP28 was originally discovered in human neutrophils, but transcripts are widely distributed in exocrine glands (salivary glands, pancreas, and prostate) and also found at lower levels in epididymis, ovary, thy