Glycosaminoglycans and Glycosaminoglycan Mimetics in Cancer and Inflammation

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are a class of biomolecules expressed virtually on all mammalian cells and usually covalently attached to proteins, forming proteoglycans. They are present not only on the cell surface, but also in the intracellular milieu and extracellular matrix. GAGs interact with multiple ligands, both soluble and insoluble, and modulate an important role in various physiological and pathological processes including cancer, bacterial and viral infections, inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, and many more. Considering their involvement in multiple diseases, their use in the development of drugs has been of significant interest in both academia and industry. Many GAG-based drugs are being developed with encouraging results in animal models and clinical trials, showcasing their potential for development as therapeutics. In this review, the role GAGs play in both the development and inhibition of cancer and inflammation is presented. Further, advancements in the development of GAGs and their mimetics as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agents are discussed

Design of Product-Service Systems for Finnish Early Childhood Education and Care

Over the last decades, the Finnish education system has often reached the top position in international rankings, backed-up by the results of well-established international evaluations such as PISA. Along with the good reputation, there has been a surge in educational tourism and an increased interest in bringing Finnish education into other countries. This thesis aims to provide a deeper insight on the composition of the Finnish Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services and how their packaging, export, distribution, adaptation and execution can be improved with the help of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT). This exploratory study follows an abductive approach, combining theoretical and empirical evidence t o determine qualitative and distinctive attributes of Finnish ECEC. It starts with an overview of the national education system, its welfare context, operational characteristics and pedagogical principles. It continues with the analysis of previous academic research related to the productization and export of Finnish education, distinguishing common characteristics and models applicable to the ECEC level. The background research finalizes with a detailed description of existing service theories and their evolution over time, leading into the field of Service Design (SD). This discipline and its key concepts are presented as a holistic and comprehensive approach to model complex product-service combinations, such as the ones found in Finnish ECEC. The second half of the thesis is the exploratory case study of a Finnish start-up that wants to sell an ECEC franchise. The author’s own observations while working inside the company are validated through SD workshops to determine the key process areas and stakeholders involved in the current business strategy. Based on the case study and the theoretical framework, the author proposes recommendations for the company and other practitioners, aiming to clarify their offerings and devise an efficient use of various technological solutions that facilitate the export of Finnish ECEC products and services