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Ein intaktes und funktionsfähiges Endothel ist eine entscheidende Vorraussetzung für ein funktionierendes Herz-Kreislaufsystem. Eine Dys-funktion des Endothels ist ein zentrales Glied in der Pathogenese zahlreicher Gefäßkrankheiten (Hypertonie, Atherosklerose, u.a.). Mehrere Mediatoren, welche die vasodilatierende und vasokontraktile Wirkungen des Endothels regulieren, sind für ein physiologisches Zusammenspiel der vernetzten Regel-kreise des Endothels verantwortlich. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, den Einfluss von Östrogenen (Ethinylöstradiol) und Gestagenen (Medroxy-Progesteron-Acetat, MPA) bzw. von Drospirenon (aus Ethinylöstradiol und Gestagen) bei ovarektomierten Ratten auf das Gefäß-endothel und die Vasomotorik zu untersuchen. Hierfür wurden isolierte, vorgespannte Segmente der Aorta descendens der Versuchstiere in der Organkammer untersucht. Es erfolgte die Untersuchung der Endothel-abhängigen Gefäßreaktion als dosisabhängige Relaxation auf Acetylcholin mit und ohne Vorinkubation mit Diclofenac bzw. L-NAME, sowie der Endothel-abhängigen Gefäßreaktion auf Sodium-Nitroprussid. Zusätzlich wurde die dosisabhängige Kontraktion auf Norepinephrin bei Vorinkubation mit Diclofenac bzw. L-NAME evaluiert. Die Endothel-abhängige Relaxation auf Acetylcholin ergab bei den mit Drospirenon sowie Spironolacton behandelten, ovarektomierten Tieren ein Relaxationsverhalten, wie es auch typisch für unbehandelte Wildtyp-Ratten ist. Bei den Placebo-behandelten Tieren zeigte sich jedoch eine deutliche Beeinträchtigung der Endothel-abhängigen Relaxation, welche sich durch eine Präinkubation mit dem Arachidonsäure-Synthese-Hemmer Diclofenac egali-sieren liess. Eine stärkere Einschränkung der Endothel-abhängigen Relaxation zeigte sich bei den mit MPA-behandelten Tieren, bei denen sich auch durch Präinkubation mit Diclofenac keine Normalisierung der Gefäßreaktion erzielen ließ. Eine Vorbehandlung mit dem NOS-Inhibitor L-NAME führte zu einem vollständigen Ausfall der Endothel-abhängigen Relaxation mit einer bei steigender Ach-Dosierung auftretenden „paradoxen“ Kontraktion. Bei den mit MPA-behandelten Ratten war dieser Effekt nicht zu beobachten. Die Endothel-unabhängige Relaxation auf SNP war in allen Gruppen ver-gleichbar, mit Ausnahme der Tiere, die MPA erhielten. Bei diesen Tieren war die Endothel-unabhängige Gefäßantwort beeinträchtigt. Die Kontraktion auf Norepinephrin bei Präinkubation mit Diclofenac fiel in allen Gruppen einheitlich aus. Auch bei Präinkubation mit L-NAME zeigte sich in allen Versuchsgruppen eine vergleichbare Gefäßreaktion, wobei die Kontraktion hier in allen Gruppen diskret stärker ausfiel, als ohne Gegenwart von L-NAME. Zusammenfassend konnte in dieser Arbeit gezeigt werden, dass Ethinyl-östradiol zu keiner funktionell relevanten Beeinträchtigung der Endothelfunktion führt. Medroxy-Progesteron-Acetat hingegen führte in dieser Versuchs-anordnung zu einer deutlichen Einschränkung der Endothelfunktion und beeinträchtigte die Relaxationsfähigkeit der Gefäße erheblich. Im Gegensatz zu Progesteron konnte unter den Bedingungen dieser Arbeit zumindest kein Endothel-schädigender Effekt für Östrogene nachgewiesen werden. Inwieweit Östrogene – über längere Zeit appliziert – in der Lage sind, eine „Endothel-protektive“ Wirkung zu entfalten, kann jedoch im Rahmen der vorliegenden Versuchsanordnung nicht abschließend beurteilt werden. / An intact and functional endothel is important for the function of the regulation of blood pressure. A dysfunction of the endothel ist one of the most important figures in the pathogenese of several diseases of the vessels. Several mediators, which regulates the vasodilatatioon and vasoconstriction of the endothel are important for the function of the endothel. In this topic, we investigated the influence of estrogene and gestagene on the endothelial function in ovarectomized female rats. Therefore isolated segments of the aorta descendens of the rats are investigated. We looked for the reaction of the endothel in endothel-dependent, and in endothel-independent reaction of the vessels. The endothel-dependent relaxation of acetylcholine showed an normal relaxation, either by the rats with drospirenone and by the rats with spironolactone treatment. The animals withe placebo-treatment showed and much more worse relaxation. The endothel-independent relaxation on SNP was in all groups the same, only by the rats, which were treated with MPA. In this group the reaction of the endothel was much more worse. The contraction of norepinephrine by preincubation with diclofenac was in all groups similar. Although by preincubation with L-NAME was the reaction in all groups the same, the contraction was in all groups a little bit more than without L-NAME. Finally in this study we coud show, that estrogenes have no negative influence on the endothelial function. Medroxy-progesterone-acetate showed in this study an very negative influence of the endothelial function, and the relaxation of the endothel was by that treatment very bad. In this study we couldnt find any effect of negative influence of estrogene treatment on the endothelial function. If estrogenes - over a longer period applicated - may show protective effects on the endothelial function must be investigated in other studies.

Ämnet prestationsångest attackeras från många vinklar och är något som de allra flesta kan känna igen sig i. I denna studie fördjupar jag mig i förhållandet mellan prestationsångest och individens upplevelse av hur det är att musicera med andra. Studien inriktar sig mot musikstudenters relation till prestationsångest i undervisning och ensemblespel, med syftet att belysa begreppet Music Performance Anxiety (MPA). Genom fokusgruppsintervju och deltagarobservation har jag tagit fram underlag samt kartlagt hur deras upplevelse av MPA ter sig i musikämnet och i ensemblesammanhang. Hur skiljer sig upplevelsen av detta i ensemblesammanhang från individuella sammanhang och hur skiljer sig känslan av MPA i undervisning i jämförelse med andra musikutövande sammanhang? Genom kvalitativ data och analys av deltagarnas egna erfarenheter och upplevelser har studien lett fram till en djupare inblick i hur dessa individer upplever prestationsångest i musiksammanhang, samt hur den sociala aspekten av att musicera får en betydande roll när ämnet ska belysas. Generellt uppnådde samtliga deltagare kriterierna för en mer eller mindre utvecklad form av MPA och den generella uppfattningen var att de inte fått några verktyg eller arbetat med ämnet prestationsångest kontinuerligt i sina pågående eller föregående studier. Min uppfattning är därför att vidare forskning kring detta ämne behövs för att konkretisera, och på ett ett bättre sätt, kartlägga känslor och sociala strukturer som hämmar studenters musikaliska utveckling såväl som det konstnärliga uttrycket.

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Musikalisk prestationsångest (MPA) är ett vanligt förekommande problem bland musiker och kan i vissa fall omöjliggöra en karriär som musiker. Syftet med föreliggande studie var att utvärdera en 5 sessioners behandling med Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) för MPA. Resultatet är lovande, 7 av 8 deltagare fullföljde behandlingen och flera deltagare fick förbättringar på såväl ACT-relaterade mått som på mått för MPA. Resultatet motiverar vidare forskning om ACT för MPA. / Musical performance anxiety (MPA) is a common problem among musicians and can in certain cases make impossible a career as a musician. The aim with the present study was to evaluate a 5 sessions' treatment with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for MPA. The result is promising, 7 of 8 participants pursued treatment and several participants got improvements on ACT-related measures as well as on measures for MPA. The result justifies further research on ACT for MPA.

The purpose of this study was to determine how manatees use Swallow Caye, Drowned Cayes, and Gallows Reef, three distinct habitat types within the Belize Barrier Reef lagoon system near Belize City. Data were collected using boat-based point scan methods with the assistance of volunteers. Presence/absence and photo ID methods ensured consistency of data collection despite a changing pool of volunteer researchers. Results confirmed the mangrove and seagrass ecosystem between the Belize Barrier Reef and Belize City as important manatee habitat. Inconsistent with the prevailing "seasonal distribution hypothesis" for manatees in Belize, the probability of encountering manatees at Swallow Caye and in the Drowned Cayes was equal between dry and wet seasons. However, manatees were only observed at Gallows Reef during the wet season. Swallow Caye had the highest probability of encountering manatees, confirming traditional knowledge held by local tour operators, which led to the establishment of Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary in 2002. In contrast to previous studies, my data suggest that at least 44% of the manatee population carry scars from non-lethal boat strikes. The proportion of scarred animals did not vary as a function of habitat type, season, or year. The probability of encountering manatees did not change between years, despite an exponential increase in cruise ship tourism. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and wildlife protection laws indicate that Belize is working to meet obligations under international agreements. However, there is still cause for concern. Manatees do not remain inside designated refuge boundaries; governmental agencies depend on co-management agreements with local non-governmental organizations for enforcement of rules inside MPAs; regulations governing human behavior outside MPAs are lacking; funds for monitoring and evaluation of MPAs are lacking. Manatee conservation strategies should be integrated into a system of riverine, coastal, and marine protected areas supported by additional tactics such as required manatee training for boat captains, slow zones at hot spots outside MPAs, and continued educational outreach. With few modifications and increased enforcement and monitoring, the Belize model for manatee conservation could lead to a shared "triumph on the commons" for the manatees and the user groups that shared their habitat.

The Dongsha Islands, a group of remote islands under Taiwan's jurisdiction, consist of Dongsha Atoll (the only atoll in Taiwan) and North Vereker Bank and South Vereker Bank (two coral reef groups). Dongsha Island is the only terrestrial portion of the islands. Owing to its location in the northern part of the South China Sea, the physical and chemical conditions fostered the formerly abundant marine and coastal biota of this region. This area is one of Taiwan's traditional fishing grounds. The islands are also located near the major sea route connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans. However, due to improper fishing practices and the development of fishing facilities, the marine biota and habitats have been depleted in recent decades to the point of being threatened with extinction. These improper and excessive human activities/uses within the waters of the Dongsha Islands are threatening its ecosystems and resources through unsustainable exploitation and depletion. The current situation of the Dongsha Islands illustrates the difficulties of protecting the marine ecosystems of remote islands where the presence of law enforcement is not particularly in evidence. Even if the Kaohsiung City Government were to designate the Dongsha Islands a ¡§no-fishing zone¡¨, further steps, i.e., the planning and management of marine protected areas for example, would still require in-depth considerations and discussion. This study focuses on several aspects, including the planning process of developing the management plan, the legal and administrative framework of the management plan and associated action plans, and a model outline for developing the management plan and action plans. Following the results/guidelines are suggestions for further study.

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Prostaglandin (PG) F₂α, is luteolytic in ewes, but the exact mechanism for this effect is not clear. 6α-Methyl-17α hydroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) reduces uterine secretion of PGF₂α, but it does not interfere with luteolysis. The mechanism by which MPA suppresses PGF₂α and permits luteal regression remains to be determined. Three experiments were conducted to determine whether MPA reduces PGF₂α in uteroovarian blood, causes the release of PGF₂α before d 14 of the estrous cycle, or increases sensitivity of corpora lutea (CL) to exogenous PGF₂α. In Exp. 1 and 2, blank (control) or MPA-impregnated pessaries were inserted six days after estrus (i.e., d 6). Jugular, vena caval, and(or) uteroovarian blood samples were collected frequently (i.e., at .5 h intervals during twice daily collection periods of 2 h each) before and after luteolysis. The MPA reduced (P < .05) jugular, vena caval, and uteroovarian concentrations of PGF₂α, but MPA did not affect the interval from estrus to the first day of luteolysis. Average PGF₂α concentrations in uteroovarian and vena caval blood differed (P < .05) but the profiles did not. In Exp. 3, blank (control), MPA-impregnated, or no (untreated) pessaries were inserted on d 7. A minimal luteolytic dose of PGF₂α (Lutalyse ®; 4 mg/58 kg of body weight) was administered on d 8 or 12, blood samples were collected and the CL were collected 48 h after PGF₂α treatment. The MPA increased the sensitivity of CL to exogenous PGF₂α. Progesterone and CL weights were less (P < .05) in MPA-treated ewes than in control and untreated ewes given PGF₂α on d-8. The MPA-treated ewes given PGF₂α on d-12 had smaller CL than did ewes in the other two groups, but MPA did not affect progesterone concentrations. In summary, MPA reduces the ability of the uterus to secrete PGF 7a and increases the sensitivity of CL to a minimal luteolytic dose of PGF₂α. This information should improve our ability to control the estrous cycle ewes. / Master of Science