Le cotransporteur Na⁺-K⁺-Cl⁻ de type 2 (NKCC2) appartient à la famille des cotransporteurs cation-Cl⁻ (CCC). Il existe en tant que trois variants d'épissage, appelés A, B et F, qui ne diffèrent entre eux que de 32 acides aminés et qui sont tous localisés sur la membrane apicale de l'anse ascendante de Henle (AAH) à l'état homodimérique. Ils sont cependant exprimés de façon différentielle : NKCC2F se retrouve à la partie initiale de l'AAH où il assure une réabsorption importante du NaCl pour le maintien du volume extracellulaire alors que NKCC2A et NKCC2B se retrouvent à la partie distale de l'AAH et dans la macula densa où ils assurent une réabsorption plus modeste du NaCl pour aider au maintien du volume extracellulaire et soutenir la rétroaction tubuloglomérulaire. Comme « A » et « B » se retrouvent dans des types cellulaires communs, nous nous sommes demandé : 1) s'ils pouvaient former des hétérodimères AB dont les caractéristiques de transport ionique différaient de AA et BB et 2) si les quantités relatives de AA, AB et BB pouvaient être régulés pour permettre à l'AAH distale et à la macula densa d'opérer adéquatement à l'intérieur d'un éventail de concentrations ioniques plus large. L'objectif de recherche a donc été de générer des constructions d'ADNc où deux variants sont connectés entre eux par un « linker » inerte pour forcer la formation de dimères AA, AB ou BB, d'exprimer le produit de ces constructions dans des ovocytes de Xenopus laevis et d'en caractériser la cinétique de transport. Nous avons trouvé que des hétérodimères déployaient des caractéristiques fonctionnelles uniques (différentes par rapport à AA ou BB). Les vitesses maximales de transport atteintes par l'hétérodimère AB étaient beaucoup plus élevées que les homodimères AA et BB. Nos données suggèrent ainsi que les sous-unités assemblées coopèrent entre elles durant le processus de transport. Nos données ouvrent aussi la voie sur la possibilité que la quantité d'hétérodimères formés puisse être régulée de manière à permettre un spectre de réponses en fonction des besoins à combler. / The Na⁺-K⁺-Cl⁻ cotransporter type 2 (NKCC2) belongs to the cation-Cl⁻ cotransporter (CCC) family. It exists as three splice variants called A, B and F that differ among each other by 32 residues and that are all localized on the apical membrane of the thick ascending loop of Henle (TALH) as homodimers. However, they are differentially distributed along this nephron segment: NKCC2F is localized in the initial part of the TALH where it ensures substantial NaCl reabsorption to maintain the extracellular fluid volume and NKCC2A and NKCC2B are localized in the distal part of the TALH where it ensure more modest NaCl reabsorption to help in the maintenance of the extracellular fluid volume and support the tubuloglomerular feedback. As "A" and "B" are localized in the same cellular types, we asked ourselves: 1) whether they could form AB heterodimers with transport characteristics that differ from AA and BB and 2) whether the relative quantities of AA, AB and BB formed could be regulated to allow the distal TALH and macula densa to operate adequately within a wider range of ionic concentrations. My research objective was thus to generate cDNA constructs in which the A and/or B variants are connected to each other by an inert "linker" to force the formation of AA, AB or BB by proximity, to express the product of these cDNA constructs in Xenopus laevis oocytes and to characterize the transport kinetics of the NKCC2 produced. We found that AB heterodimers exhibited unique functional characteristics (relative to AA or BB). In particular, maximal transport rates were much higher for the AB heterodimers than for the AA and BB homodimers. Our data therefore suggest that the assembled subunits cooperate with each other during the transport cycle. Our data also pave the way towards the possibility that the quantity of AB heterodimers formed is regulated such that an array of responses are allowed as a function of the needs to be met.

The most compelling evidence of the complex interaction between the geomagnetic field of the Earth and the magnetic field of the Sun is found in the polar ionosphere. Large scale F-region plasma density perturbations result from the coupling between the two fields. Plasma density enhancements known as ionization patches, and depletions can have lifetimes of several hours in the F region and are almost always present everywhere throughout the nighttime polar ionosphere. The perturbations can seed ionospheric irregularities that severely hamper communication and navigational networks, even during times of subdued geomagnetic activity. Up until recently, it has been difficult to study the perturbations due to the remoteness of their location. In the past decade an array of optical and radio instruments have been deployed to the Canadian sector of the Arctic, enabling a more thorough sampling of the polar ionosphere and the large scale perturbations therein. In this work, common volume measurements from the Rankin Inlet Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN), Resolute Bay Incoherent Scatter Radar - North (RISR-N) and Optical Mesosphere and Thermosphere Imagers (OMTI) system at Resolute Bay are employed to investigate the generation mechanisms, transport properties, and optical and radio signatures of the large scale perturbations. A model connecting the optical signatures of patches to their velocity profile through the ionosphere is introduced and applied to OMTI data. In addition, an algorithm is developed to detect the presence of patches using RISR-N. Using the algorithm, a survey of patches sampled over several days is conducted, providing a comprehensive account of the variable polar ionosphere in terms of its plasma state parameters. Furthermore, the algorithm is used to diagnose patches as a primary source of coherent backscatter for the Rankin Inlet SuperDARN radar. Lastly, the generation of a deep plasma density depletion is analyzed using the three aforementioned instruments. Using a model, it is shown that such perturbations can be forged by intense frictional heating events in the polar ionosphere on a time scale of 15 minutes, and can subsequently be transported through the region.

Tem sido sugerido que um adequado reparo ósseo pode ser obtido por biomateriais híbridos, produzidos pela combinação de células e materiais substitutos ósseos macroporosos. O objetivo geral do presente estudo foi avaliar a aplicação do biomaterial híbrido formado pelo arcabouço de PLGA/CaP e células-tronco mesenquimais e osteoblastos derivados de medula óssea na engenharia de tecido ósseo. Para verificar qual o tamanho de poro deste arcabouço é mais adequado para este fim, foram realizados experimentos in vitro, que avaliaram a proliferação celular, atividade de fosfatase alcalina (ALP) e expressão quantitativa de genes marcadores do fenótipo osteoblástico em células cultivadas sobre os arcabouços; e in vivo, que avaliaram a formação óssea após implantação do arcabouço em defeitos ósseos críticos de calvária de ratos. Também foi avaliado o efeito do tamanho dos poros sobre o carreamento celular através da força centrifuga. Para avaliar o efeito do soro fetal bovino, utilizado na suplementação do meio de cultura celular, na resposta tecidual in vivo, arcabouços expostos ao soro foram implantados em defeitos ósseos críticos de calvária de ratos. O efeito da retirada do soro fetal bovino do meio de cultura sobre osteoblastos foi analisado através da proliferação celular, atividade de ALP, conteúdo de proteína total e mineralização. Para avaliar o efeito do estágio de diferenciação celular sobre a formação óssea, células em diferentes estágios de diferenciação osteoblástica associadas ao arcabouço de PLGA/CaP foram implantadas de forma autóloga em defeitos ósseos críticos de calvária de ratos. Arcabouços com tamanhos de poros de aproximadamente 1000 µm promovem maior diferenciação osteoblástica e melhor carreamento celular, enquanto arcabouços com poros de aproximadamente 500 µm promovem maior formação óssea e vascular in vivo. O soro fetal bovino influenciou negativamente a resposta tecidual e a formação óssea. A retirada do soro fetal bovino do meio de cultura reduziu a proliferação celular e a atividade de ALP sem afetar o conteúdo de proteína total e a formação de matriz mineralizada. Células-tronco mesenquimais indiferenciadas e em fase inicial de diferenciação osteoblástica (7 dias) promoveram maior formação óssea, portanto permitiriam a obtenção de um biomaterial híbrido com maior potencial osteogênico. / It has been suggested that an adequate bone repair can be obtained by hybrid biomaterials, produced by combining osteoprogenitor cells and macroporous bone substitutes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of hybrid biomaterial formed by PLGA/CaP scaffold and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts in bone tissue engineering. The effect of scaffold pore size was evaluated in vitro assessing cell growth, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and quantitative gene expression of osteoblastic phenotype markers in osteoblasts cultured on scaffolds; and in vivo assesseing bone formation after implantation of scaffolds in critical size rat calvaria defects. It was also evaluated the effect of pore size on cell seeding by centrifugal force. To evaluate the effect of fetal calf serum used to supplement the cell culture medium on in vivo tissue response, scaffolds exposed to serum were implanted in critical size rat calvaria defects. The effect of withdrawal of fetal calf serum in the culture medium on osteoblasts was analyzed by cell growth, ALP activity, total protein content and mineralization. To evaluate the effect of cell differentiation stage on bone repair, cells either undifferentiated or in different stages of osteoblast differentiation associated with the PLGA/CaP were implanted autologously in critical size rat calvaria. Scaffolds with pore sizes of around 1000 µm would favor the osteoblast differentiation and display a better cell seeding, while the scaffolds with pore sizes of around 500 µm would favor increased bone and vascular formation. The fetal calf serum influenced negatively the in vivo tissue response and bone formation. The withdrawal of fetal calf serum in the culture medium reduced cell growth and ALP activity without affecting the total protein content and the formation of mineralized matrix Mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblats at the early stage of differentiation (7 days) promoted greater bone formation, therefore they would allow the obtention of a hybrid biomaterial with higher osteogenic potential.

The N-7 methylguanosine cap structure is conserved from yeast to man. It is essential for cell proliferation as it influences several steps in eukaryotic gene expression including transcription, pre-mRNA processing, RNA export and translation. The N-7 methylguanosine cap is added co-transcriptionally to RNA pol II transcripts. In mammals, two enzymes catalyse the synthesis of the N7-methylguanosince cap. RNGTT adds an inverted guanosine group to the first transcribed nucleotide and RNMT methylates the guanosine cap at the N7-position. RNMT consists of a catalytic domain and an N-terminal domain that is absent in lower eukaryotes. Experiments presented in this thesis revealed that the N-terminus mediates RNMT recruitment to transcription start sites. Furthermore, it was found that the RNMT N-terminal domain is phosphorylated at Threonine-77 (T77) by CDK1/Cyclin B in a cell cycle-dependent manner during G2/M-phase. RNMT T77 phosphorylation activates cap methyltransferase activity in vitro. Furthermore, it negatively regulates the interaction of RNMT with KPNA2 (Importin-a), which was found to inhibit RNMT activity in vitro. RNMT T77 phosphorylation is required for normal cell proliferation suggesting an important biological function. Initial experiments indicated that RNMT T77 phosphorylation functions to regulate gene expression in a gene-specific manner. Future work is focused on establishing an experimental system to perform a genome-wide study in order to elucidate which transcripts are affected by RNMT T77 phosphorylation. To summarise, this study for the first time revealed that the RNA cap methyltransferase activity is regulated in a cell-cycle dependent manner.

I denna uppsats har vi undersökt möjligheten till övervinster i samband med utdelningar för svenska företag på OMX Stockholm Large Cap och Small Cap mellan åren 2006 och 2010. Genom en statistisk jämförelse mellan aktiekursens förändring i samband med utdelningen undersöker vi marknadens effektivitet. Resultaten tyder på att Large Cap är en effektiv marknad i samband med utdelningar, medan Small Cap visar tecken på ineffektivitet. Resultaten stödjer delvis tidigare studier, som säger att marknaden är effektiv. Vår studie skiljer oss från tidigare forskning eftersom vi undersöker Large Cap och Small Cap som separata marknader istället för hela börsen. Vi undersöker dessutom huruvida utdelningens storlek haft betydelse för marknads­effektiviteten. Resultaten pekar mot att marknaden är mer effektiv vid högre utdelning, men störningar utanför modellen kan ha skapat dessa resultat.

I denna studie lyfter vi fram VD relativa ersättning i förhållande till resterande koncernledning. Studiens syfte är att analysera effekterna av en stark VD genom att undersöka sambandet mellan VD:s andel ersättning och företagets resultat vad gäller värde och lönsamhet. Studien bygger på teorier som agentteorin, stewardshipteorin, tournamentteorin och cateringteorin. För att besvara frågan om samband existerar har en kvantitativ metod använts. Data har sedan analyserats med hjälp av regressionsanalyser för att identifiera samband. Studien inkluderar företag listade på Stockholmbörsens Large Cap lista. Resultatet visar på ett positivt samband mellan VD:s andel ersättning i förhållande till resterande koncernledning och företagets lönsamhet mätt i avkastningen på totalt kapital. Inget signifikant samband mellan VD:s relativa ersättning och företagets värde påträffas. Dessa resultat indikerar att det inte förekommer agentproblem mellan VD och ägarna i dessa företag. En stor andel ersättning till VD kan ge högre lönsamhet vilket kan stödja tournament- och stewardshipteorin. / This study aims to highlight the CEO:s relative importance in relation to the other top executives. The study aims to analyse the impact of a strong CEO by examine the relationship between the CEO:s relative compensation and the company's performance. The study is based on the principal agent theory, stewardship theory, tournament theory and catering theory. A quantitative method is used to analyse the relationship between a strong CEO and company´s performance. The data is analysed by a multiple regression to identify associations. The population consist of companies listed on the Stockholms OMX Large Cap list. We find a positive relation between the CEO:s relative compensation and the company´s profitability by return on assets. No significant correlation between CEO:s relative compensation and the company´s performance by market to book is detected. The result indicate that no agency problem exist between the CEO and these companies, but a large proportion of compensation to CEO can provide greater profitability and can support the tournament and stewardship theory.

Under senare år har verkställande direktörer omsatts i allt snabbare takt. Fenomenet kallas för VD-karusellen och syftar till att verkställande direktörer får ta allt större ansvar för utvecklingen på börsen. Marknaden i sin tur värdesätter den verkställande direktören vilket skapar reaktioner vid successioner. Detta kan anses paradoxalt eftersom den verkställande direktören påverkar hur marknaden värdesätter honom/henne. Syfte: Utifrån teorier och tidigare management forskning avser studien beskriva hur marknaden reagerar på successioner. Detta kombineras med hur företagen presterar efter successionen är genomförd. Studien kommer dessutom klargöra hur prestationen påverkas av en VD:s egenskaper. Teorier: Studien har sin teoretiska utgångspunkt i strategic management samt den effektiva marknadshypotesen. Metod: För att genomföra undersökningen har vi valt att tillämpa två olika metoder, den ena är en eventstudie som används för att studera marknadens reaktioner då information angående successionen blir offentlig. Den andra är en regressionsanalys som söker samband mellan de oberoende och den beroende variabeln. Den beroende variabeln har i båda fallen varit företagens utveckling på börsen vilket bidrar till intressanta diskussioner. Resultat: Vi har observerat att mindre bolag i större utsträckning reagerar negativt på information angående VD-byten. Större bolag kan vi däremot inte uttala oss om då resultaten i tillräckligt hög grad inte varit signifikanta. Liknande resultat har dessutom kunnat observeras vid undersökning av hur företagen presterar efter en succession. Slutsatser: Studien har bevisat att små bolag påverkas mer av en succession än stora bolag. Detta har kunnat konstateras både genom eventstudien samt av regressionsanalysen.

Texte remanié de: Proefschrift--Letteren--Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1999. / Bibliogr. p. 329-346.

abstract: Here I document the breadth of the CAP (Cysteine-RIch Secretory Proteins (CRISP), Antigen 5 (Ag5), and the Pathogenesis-Related 1 (PR)) protein superfamily and trace some of the major events in the evolution of this family with particular focus on vertebrate CRISP proteins. Specifically, I sought to study the origin of these CAP subfamilies using both amino acid sequence data and gene structure data, more precisely the positions of exon/intron borders within their genes. Counter to current scientific understanding, I find that the wide variety of CAP subfamilies present in mammals, where they were originally discovered and characterized, have distinct homologues in the invertebrate phyla contrary to the common assumption that these are vertebrate protein subfamilies. In addition, I document the fact that primitive eukaryotic CAP genes contained only one exon, likely inherited from prokaryotic SCP-domain containing genes which were, by nature, free of introns. As evolution progressed, an increasing number of introns were inserted into CAP genes, reaching 2 to 5 in the invertebrate world, and 5 to 15 in the vertebrate world. Lastly, phylogenetic relationships between these proteins appear to be traceable not only by amino acid sequence homology but also by preservation of exon number and exon borders within their genes. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Biology 2016

Tem sido sugerido que um adequado reparo ósseo pode ser obtido por biomateriais híbridos, produzidos pela combinação de células e materiais substitutos ósseos macroporosos. O objetivo geral do presente estudo foi avaliar a aplicação do biomaterial híbrido formado pelo arcabouço de PLGA/CaP e células-tronco mesenquimais e osteoblastos derivados de medula óssea na engenharia de tecido ósseo. Para verificar qual o tamanho de poro deste arcabouço é mais adequado para este fim, foram realizados experimentos in vitro, que avaliaram a proliferação celular, atividade de fosfatase alcalina (ALP) e expressão quantitativa de genes marcadores do fenótipo osteoblástico em células cultivadas sobre os arcabouços; e in vivo, que avaliaram a formação óssea após implantação do arcabouço em defeitos ósseos críticos de calvária de ratos. Também foi avaliado o efeito do tamanho dos poros sobre o carreamento celular através da força centrifuga. Para avaliar o efeito do soro fetal bovino, utilizado na suplementação do meio de cultura celular, na resposta tecidual in vivo, arcabouços expostos ao soro foram implantados em defeitos ósseos críticos de calvária de ratos. O efeito da retirada do soro fetal bovino do meio de cultura sobre osteoblastos foi analisado através da proliferação celular, atividade de ALP, conteúdo de proteína total e mineralização. Para avaliar o efeito do estágio de diferenciação celular sobre a formação óssea, células em diferentes estágios de diferenciação osteoblástica associadas ao arcabouço de PLGA/CaP foram implantadas de forma autóloga em defeitos ósseos críticos de calvária de ratos. Arcabouços com tamanhos de poros de aproximadamente 1000 µm promovem maior diferenciação osteoblástica e melhor carreamento celular, enquanto arcabouços com poros de aproximadamente 500 µm promovem maior formação óssea e vascular in vivo. O soro fetal bovino influenciou negativamente a resposta tecidual e a formação óssea. A retirada do soro fetal bovino do meio de cultura reduziu a proliferação celular e a atividade de ALP sem afetar o conteúdo de proteína total e a formação de matriz mineralizada. Células-tronco mesenquimais indiferenciadas e em fase inicial de diferenciação osteoblástica (7 dias) promoveram maior formação óssea, portanto permitiriam a obtenção de um biomaterial híbrido com maior potencial osteogênico. / It has been suggested that an adequate bone repair can be obtained by hybrid biomaterials, produced by combining osteoprogenitor cells and macroporous bone substitutes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of hybrid biomaterial formed by PLGA/CaP scaffold and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts in bone tissue engineering. The effect of scaffold pore size was evaluated in vitro assessing cell growth, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and quantitative gene expression of osteoblastic phenotype markers in osteoblasts cultured on scaffolds; and in vivo assesseing bone formation after implantation of scaffolds in critical size rat calvaria defects. It was also evaluated the effect of pore size on cell seeding by centrifugal force. To evaluate the effect of fetal calf serum used to supplement the cell culture medium on in vivo tissue response, scaffolds exposed to serum were implanted in critical size rat calvaria defects. The effect of withdrawal of fetal calf serum in the culture medium on osteoblasts was analyzed by cell growth, ALP activity, total protein content and mineralization. To evaluate the effect of cell differentiation stage on bone repair, cells either undifferentiated or in different stages of osteoblast differentiation associated with the PLGA/CaP were implanted autologously in critical size rat calvaria. Scaffolds with pore sizes of around 1000 µm would favor the osteoblast differentiation and display a better cell seeding, while the scaffolds with pore sizes of around 500 µm would favor increased bone and vascular formation. The fetal calf serum influenced negatively the in vivo tissue response and bone formation. The withdrawal of fetal calf serum in the culture medium reduced cell growth and ALP activity without affecting the total protein content and the formation of mineralized matrix Mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblats at the early stage of differentiation (7 days) promoted greater bone formation, therefore they would allow the obtention of a hybrid biomaterial with higher osteogenic potential.