Programmed cell death, known as apoptosis, is widely accepted as a key tumour suppression mechanism. The oncogene MYC promotes cell growth and proliferation but also sensitises cells to apoptosis, which limits its oncogenic potential. MYC-induced apoptosis requires the pro-apoptotic BCL2 family proteins BAX/BAK and can be blocked by anti-apoptotic family members such as BCL2 and BCL-xL. Previous studies have identified glutamine withdrawal as a trigger for MYC-induced apoptosis. Through untargeted metabolomic analyses of cells with perturbed BCL2 family member composition and of cells undergoing glutamine-dependent MYC-induced apoptosis, we found that nucleosides and nucleotides were altered in correlation with apoptotic status. Glutamine is an important biosynthetic substrate and energy source and we show global transcription and translation of the cells decreased upon glutamine withdrawal. However, MYC-activated cells promote transcription and translation even in the absence of glutamine and thus still drive huge demand for energy. Deregulated MYC promotes nucleotide catabolism and depletes cellular energy charge upon glutamine withdrawal, indicating energy shortage driven by MYC. Nucleotide conversion and remodeling by adenylate kinase 2 (AK2) protects cellular energy charge and inhibits MYC-induced apoptosis. These results indicate a homeostatic model for MYC-induced apoptosis based upon mitochondrial energy supply and demand. We propose that the transcriptional activity of MYC drives huge demand for energy to support global transcription and translation and thereby sensitises cells to apoptosis under conditions of limiting energy supply.

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The thesis deals with a new concept of foreign policy conducted by the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak. With special emphasis on the aspects of previous period, the thesis analyzes the formation of the global status of the Republic of Korea in international relations after 2008. Furthermore, it describes the political development of country's international status in its ups and downs and evaluates the causes and consequences of its way to develop international relations. On the level of international system, the thesis interprets in depth selected current international issues in East Asia, relations with neighboring countries as well as economic and cultural issues that directly determine the reconfiguration of existing foreign policy of the Republic of Korea.

South Korea’s security discourse on the nuclear threat posed by North Korea has been dichotomised by its position within the political spectrum between the progressives and conservatives. By drawing upon Securitisation Theory (ST), this study challenges the current security discourse in South Korea, which has divided and misled the public as well as securitising actors. This study examines the security discourses of the Roh Moo-hyun (2003–2008) and Lee Myung-bak (2008–2013) administrations, since they represent the archetypes of the progressives and conservatives respectively. The results of the analysis suggest that the current security discourses that have been prevalent in South Korea do not correspond with reality and, subsequently, the discourses were not able to deal with real challenges that the nuclear threat posed. This research also explains the root cause of the distorted security discourses by applying a ‘discursive chasm’ as a preliminary concept, which indicates a discursive structure that fundamentally impedes the performance of securitising actors’ articulation, and that distorts the discursive formation (securitisation processes). The chasms consist of three elusive discourses: first, a discourse on threats that cannot simply be said to be either imminent or not imminent (nuclear weapons as materiality and discourse); second, a discourse on the other that cannot easily be defined (the difficulty of representation of North Korea); and third, a discourse on measures that cannot easily be realised (intangible extraordinary measures).

Proteins from the Bcl-2 family are now for over 30 years widely studied mainly for their key role in apoptosis, a principal mode of regulated cell death. In the last ten years Bcl-2 proteins were also linked to the regulation of cellular signaling, mainly cellular metabolism and respiration. In this study we aimed to analyze non-apoptotic function of Bcl-2 proteins by their genetic elimination using the CRISPR-Cas12a approach and by the subsequent analysis of mitochondrial respiration, glycolysis and metabolic profiling. Our results confirmed that Bcl-2 proteins can modulate the level of mitochondrial respiration. The elimination of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-XL and Mcl-1 decreased high respiration of cells lacking pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bak to the levels observed in parental U87-MG glioblastoma cells. Therefore, the loss of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins has greatly impacted mitochondrial respiration and it points to their role in a regulation of oxidative phosphorylation.

South Korea’s security discourse on the nuclear threat posed by North Korea has been dichotomised by its position within the political spectrum between the progressives and conservatives. By drawing upon Securitisation Theory (ST), this study challenges the current security discourse in South Korea, which has divided and misled the public as well as securitising actors. This study examines the security discourses of the Roh Moo-hyun (2003–2008) and Lee Myung-bak (2008–2013) administrations, since they represent the archetypes of the progressives and conservatives respectively. The results of the analysis suggest that the current security discourses that have been prevalent in South Korea do not correspond with reality and, subsequently, the discourses were not able to deal with real challenges that the nuclear threat posed. This research also explains the root cause of the distorted security discourses by applying a ‘discursive chasm’ as a preliminary concept, which indicates a discursive structure that fundamentally impedes the performance of securitising actors’ articulation, and that distorts the discursive formation (securitisation processes). The chasms consist of three elusive discourses: first, a discourse on threats that cannot simply be said to be either imminent or not imminent (nuclear weapons as materiality and discourse); second, a discourse on the other that cannot easily be defined (the difficulty of representation of North Korea); and third, a discourse on measures that cannot easily be realised (intangible extraordinary measures).

En la didáctica de lenguas del siglo XXI, entender las creencias, las representaciones y los saberes (CRS) de los profesores es una condición indispensable para mejorar las prácticas y evolucionar en la enseñanza. La investigación acerca de lo que piensan los profesores sobre su práctica da lugar a mejoras en el currículo, a la reflexión propia y al perfeccionamiento en la toma de decisiones. En el siguiente estudio se realiza una descripción de los sistemas de creencias de seis profesores españoles con diferentes grados de experiencia sobre la enseñanza de la expresión e interacción oral en el contexto de enseñanza no reglada de India. Partiendo de la etnografía como base, se ha establecido una comparación entre las creencias de los informantes. Los resultados han desvelado que las experiencias como aprendientes de otras lenguas determinan las prácticas de los profesores en cuanto a la enseñanza de la expresión e interacción oral. Asimismo, se ha comprobado cómo el contexto de enseñanza provoca conflictos entre las creencias propias de los informantes y sus prácticas posteriores, atribuyendo estas alteraciones al perfil del alumno, las estrategias de aprendizaje o el papel del profesor. El objetivo principal es llegar a un entendimiento más profundo sobre la práctica de los docentes en este contexto. / In Language teaching in the 21st century, understanding the beliefs, representations and knowledge of teachers is a prerequisite for improving and evolving teaching practices. Research on what teachers think about their practice leads to improvements in the curriculum, to self-reflection and improvement in decision-making. The following study will describe the belief systems of six Spanish teachers with varying degrees of experience in teaching oral expression and interaction in the context of non-formal education in India. Using an ethnographic approach, the beliefs of informants are compared and checked against theoretical assumptions. Results have revealed that experiences as learners in foreign languages determinate the practices of these six teachers regarding the oral expression and interaction. Furthermore, we found out how the learning context provokes conflicts between teachers’ own beliefs and their practices. These alterations rise from the Indian learner profile, strategies on learning and the role of teacher. The main objective is to reach a deeper understanding of the practice of teachers in this context.

This diploma thesis is about comparison of three companies (BAK stavební společnost a.s., SMP CZ a.s. and Syner s.r.o.) by financial analysis instruments. There will be explained concepts of financial analysis like differencial and ratio indicators, next there will be explained, what data is used for financial analysis.

Syfte och frågeställningar Syftet med den här studien har varit att undersöka och jämföra kvinnor och män i åldersgrupperna 30-39 år respektive 40-49 år avseende antropometriska mått samt prestation på GIH:s hälsotester. En vidare målsättning var att undersöka om det förekom några skillnader mellan två separata testtillfällen. Frågeställningarna har varit om resultaten på hälsotesterna skiljer sig mellan könen, åldersgrupperna samt mellan två separata testtillfällen. Metod Totalt fullföljde 41 deltagare GIH:s hälsotester, av dem var 20 kvinnor och 21 män mellan 30-49 år. Det enda som krävdes för att delta var att man uppfattade sig själv som frisk. Personer som tidigare haft stroke, hjärtinfarkt eller opererats på grund av hjärtproblem har inte inkluderats, ej heller gravida och personer med ledbesvär. Testerna utfördes på LTIV (Laboratoriet för tillämpad idrottsvetenskap) mellan februari och mars 2016. Resultat Signifikanta skillnader mellan de två separata testtillfällena noterades för några av styrketesterna framför allt hos männen: axelpressar, handgrip och stolresningar. Mellan könen sågs signifikanta skillnader i de antropometriska måtten, samt i flera konditions- och styrketester. Bland dessa kunde signifikant högre värden ses för kvinnorna än för männen i ryggstyrketestet.  Signifikanta skillnader mellan åldersgrupperna 30-39 år och 40-49 år sågs näst intill endast för kvinnor. De yngre jämfört med de äldre kvinnorna presterade bättre i flera av testerna, de vägde mindre och hade mindre kroppsmått. Slutsats Det framkom vanligtvis inte några signifikanta skillnader mellan det första och andra testtillfället, med enstaka undantag. När så är fallet behövs bara ett test utföras initialt inför en period med exempelvis fysisk aktivitet som senare kanske ska följas upp med ett återtest. Skillnader mellan könen och olika åldersgrupper framkom i vissa tester men inte i alla. Resultaten i denna studie beror bland annat på urvalet av individer. Eftersom att syftet med den här studien har varit att endast utföra de tester som ingår i GIH:s hälsotester har inga tester lagts till eller exkluderats. I arbetet diskuteras bland annat hur optimala testerna är som ett mått på hälsa. För att effektivisera hälsotestundersökningar framöver behöver nödvändigtvis inte alla tester utföras.

Background: Cheap and effective tools for measuring patients’ physical activity (PA) level are needed. The first aim in this thesis was therefore to assess the validity of two PA -questions, and their three associated answer modes, that are used within the Swedish health care system. Sitting, light intensity PA (LIPA), and moderate and vigorous intensity PA (MVPA), are associated with health and longevity, but detailed population data assessed with objective methods is needed. The second aim was thus to assess the above with motion sensor technology, in a middle-aged Swedish sample. Low self-perceived health is a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality, but this association may vary over time with changes in the society and our lifestyle. The third aim was to assess secular trends in the interrelations between self-perceived health, physical fitness, and selected covariates. The effects of PA on prescription (PAP) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in overweight adults are unclear, thus the fourth aim was to explore this. Methods: All data was collected in the Swedish population. Data from the PA -questions and accelerometers, aerobic fitness, counter movement jump, and balance tests, blood samples, and self-rated general health were collected in 365 participants, 21–66 yrs. The PA pattern was assessed in 948 individuals, 50‒64 yrs, from the SCAPIS pilot study. Self-perceived physical health, and measured aerobic fitness, counter movement jump height, and balance, and demographic and lifestyle data, was assessed in three independent samples from 1990, 2000 and 2013, including 3564 adults, 20‒65 yrs. The effects of Swedish PAP on HRQoL was assessed in a randomized controlled trial including 101 men and women, 67‒68 yrs, that were inactive, overweight (BMI>25 kg/m2), and had a waist circumference ≥102 cm (men) or ≥88 cm (women), who were randomized to an intervention group or a control group. The 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess HRQoL. Results: The multiple choice answer mode of the two PA -questions was found to have the strongest validity, compared with the two other (an open mode, and one where PA minutes is specified per weekday). The validity is in line with many other established PA-questionnaires, but the open mode has limitations. The assessment of PA pattern showed that 61% of motion sensor wear time represented sitting, 35% LIPA, and 4% MVPA. Only 7% of the sample met the PA recommendations. The odds for describing perceived health as good was found to increase by 5% per each increment of 1 ml/kg/min in VO2max. This was stable across genders and all three LIV-samples (i.e. over time). Waist circumference, chronic disease, sleep problems, and level of satisfaction with one’s life, were also important correlates. The Swedish PAP group improved significantly more, and more participants displayed clinically relevant improvements (OR 2.43), in mental aspects of HRQoL, compared to the controls. Physical aspects of HRQoL improved in the PAP group, but not in the control group. Conclusions: The multiple choice answer mode has the strongest validity and Open mode the weakest. The PA -questions may be used in populations, or in individuals to determine appropriateness for treatment. The questions’ advantages and limitations must be considered and further reliability and validity studies are needed. The results regarding sitting, LIPA, MVPA and fulfillment of PA recommendations, are of high clinical relevance. A great challenge remains to further implement methods to increase the level of PA in the Swedish population. Physical fitness is related to self-perceived health independently of changes in society and lifestyle over time, and simple questions may be useful for the clinical assessment of physical fitness. Swedish PAP has a positive effect on mental aspects of HRQoL, measured by the SF-36. This finding supports the clinical use of the Swedish PAP model. / LIV 2013