| 1. |
- El-Sayed, Najib M., et al.
(författare)
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The genome sequence of Trypanosoma cruzi, etiologic agent of Chagas disease.
- 2005
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Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 1095-9203 .- 0036-8075. ; 309:5733, s. 409-15
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Whole-genome sequencing of the protozoan pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi revealed that the diploid genome contains a predicted 22,570 proteins encoded by genes, of which 12,570 represent allelic pairs. Over 50% of the genome consists of repeated sequences, such as retrotransposons and genes for large families of surface molecules, which include trans-sialidases, mucins, gp63s, and a large novel family (>1300 copies) of mucin-associated surface protein (MASP) genes. Analyses of the T. cruzi, T. brucei, and Leishmania major (Tritryp) genomes imply differences from other eukaryotes in DNA repair and initiation of replication and reflect their unusual mitochondrial DNA. Although the Tritryp lack several classes of signaling molecules, their kinomes contain a large and diverse set of protein kinases and phosphatases; their size and diversity imply previously unknown interactions and regulatory processes, which may be targets for intervention.
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| 2. |
- Al-Delaimy, WK, et al.
(författare)
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Plasma carotenoids as biomarkers of intake of fruits and vegetables: individual-level correlations in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)
- 2005
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Ingår i: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-5640 .- 0954-3007. ; 59:12, s. 1387-1396
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The aim in this study was to assess the association between individual plasma carotenoid levels (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin) and fruit and vegetable intakes recorded by a calibrated food questionnaire (FQ) and 24- h dietary recall records (24HDR) in nine different European countries with diverse populations and widely varying intakes of plant foods. Design: A stratified random subsample of 3089 men and women from nine countries participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), who had provided blood samples and dietary and other lifestyle information between 1992 and 2000, were included. Results: beta-Cryptoxanthin was most strongly correlated with total fruits (FQ r = 0.52, 24HDR r = 0.39), lycopene with tomato and tomato products (FQ r = 0.38, 24HDR r = 0.25), and alpha-carotene with intake of root vegetables (r = 0.39) and of total carrots (r = 0.38) for FQ only. Based on diet measured by FQ and adjusting for possible confounding by body mass index (BMI), age, gender, smoking status, alcohol intake, and energy intake, the strongest predictors of individual plasma carotenoid levels were fruits (R-partial(2) = 17.2%) for beta-cryptoxanthin, total carrots (R-partial(2) = 13.4%) and root vegetables (R-partial(2) = 13.3%) for alpha-carotene, and tomato products (R-partial(2) = 13.8%) for lycopene. For 24HDR, the highest R-partial(2) was for fruits in relation to beta-cryptoxanthin (7.9%). Conclusions: Intakes of specific fruits and vegetables as measured by food questionnaires are good predictors of certain individual plasma carotenoid levels in our multicentre European study. At individual subject levels, FQ measurements of fruits, root vegetables and carrots, and tomato products are, respectively, good predictors of beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha-carotene, and lycopene in plasma.
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| 3. |
- Hellström, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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Dll4 signalling through Notch1 regulates formation of tip cells during angiogenesis.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-4687 .- 0028-0836. ; 445:7129, s. 776-80
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In sprouting angiogenesis, specialized endothelial tip cells lead the outgrowth of blood-vessel sprouts towards gradients of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A. VEGF-A is also essential for the induction of endothelial tip cells, but it is not known how single tip cells are selected to lead each vessel sprout, and how tip-cell numbers are determined. Here we present evidence that delta-like 4 (Dll4)-Notch1 signalling regulates the formation of appropriate numbers of tip cells to control vessel sprouting and branching in the mouse retina. We show that inhibition of Notch signalling using gamma-secretase inhibitors, genetic inactivation of one allele of the endothelial Notch ligand Dll4, or endothelial-specific genetic deletion of Notch1, all promote increased numbers of tip cells. Conversely, activation of Notch by a soluble jagged1 peptide leads to fewer tip cells and vessel branches. Dll4 and reporters of Notch signalling are distributed in a mosaic pattern among endothelial cells of actively sprouting retinal vessels. At this location, Notch1-deleted endothelial cells preferentially assume tip-cell characteristics. Together, our results suggest that Dll4-Notch1 signalling between the endothelial cells within the angiogenic sprout serves to restrict tip-cell formation in response to VEGF, thereby establishing the adequate ratio between tip and stalk cells required for correct sprouting and branching patterns. This model offers an explanation for the dose-dependency and haploinsufficiency of the Dll4 gene, and indicates that modulators of Dll4 or Notch signalling, such as gamma-secretase inhibitors developed for Alzheimer's disease, might find usage as pharmacological regulators of angiogenesis.
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| 4. |
- Nilsson, Elisabet M., Senior lecturer in interaction design, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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Gaming as Actions : Students Playing a Mobile Educational Computer Game
- 2009
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Ingår i: Human IT. - : Human IT, Högskolan i Borås. - 1402-1501 .- 1402-151X. ; 10:1, s. 26-59
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article presents an empirical study performed in the light of socio-cultural theories, emphasizing the usage of tools as a part of human learning. The aim was to explore what actions emerged in the interac-tion with, and were mediated by the mobile educational computer game Agent O, when collaboratively played outdoors by seventeen 15-16 year old science students. Video recording was used to gather data. The outcome is a visual and written description of eight more prominent actions and sub-actions that occurred while gaming, including not only actions in direct connection to the actual gaming session, but also actions that emerged in the situation as a whole: the social practice within which the gaming took place. The gaming students came to act as a sort of student-gamer-performer-hybrids, alternating between different roles. These and the other gaming actions seemed to have worked as a source of motivation for the students.
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| 5. |
- Nilsson, Elisabet M., Senior lecturer in interaction design, 1972-
(författare)
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Simulated real worlds : science students creating sustainable cities in the urban simulation computer game SimCity 4
- 2008
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper presents an empirical study involving 42 science students playing the urban simulation computer game SimCity 4 with the mission to create sustainable cities. The aim of the study is to empirically explore a science learning context supported by SimCity 4. Focus group interviews and video recordings of interviews were used to gather data. The outcome is an analytical description based upon the students’ retrospective reflections upon their cities, and the assumptions underlying their design choices. The findings indicate that SimCity 4 did provide a fictitious urban environment where the student could experiment and make use of their scientific knowledge and experience consequences of their actions, factors that in this paper referred to as simulated real world problems. The findings also point out that restraints set by the game rules limited the students in terms of accomplishing ideas that could not be framed within the framework of the game. Instead, these ideas were expressed in other media outside the game (physical models and essays). This observation emphasises the importance of looking at the educational use of computer games as an interplay between game, student, context and teacher.
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