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Teaching visual arts as an approach to moral education: An autoethnographic account of my research project
(University of Iceland, School of Education, 2025-11-04) Olafsson Waage, Ingimar; Atli Harðarson og Ólafur Páll Jónsson; Deild faggreinakennslu (HÍ); Subject Teacher Education (UI); Menntavísindasvið (HÍ); School of Education (UI)
This doctoral dissertation, composed of five peer-reviewed articles along with a Kappa, details an intervention study designed by the author and carried out in collaboration with three visual arts teachers during art classes at an elementary school in the capital area of Iceland. The research focused on exploring the potential for enhancing moral education through discussions about visual art and art-making, based on selected virtues. The theoretical foundation is rooted in Aristotle’s virtue ethics and its modern adaptations, particularly Neo-Aristotelianism and Aristotelian Character Education. The author also draws on John Dewey’s educational and aesthetic philosophy, Rudolf Arnheim’s theories on the interaction of perception and thinking, Susanne Langer’s writings on art and inner life, and Maxine Greene’s views on the role of art and imagination in education and the teacher’s role within that context. The ontological basis of the study is pragmatic, and the author employed a mixed- methods research approach, including focus group interviews, thematic analysis of student texts, observation of their artworks, and action research, wherein the author holistically reflected on the research process. The work weaves together two distinct dimensions: an exploration of the role and potential of visual arts education in fostering moral development, and an autoethnographic study of the author’s own development as an artist, teacher, and researcher, particularly in light of the value of educational research and the role of the teacher. At the outset, the author intended to investigate how visual arts education might contribute to moral development, especially in terms of what is called “virtue literacy”— a construct developed by the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues at the University of Birmingham in the UK. The research aimed to develop new methods and educational materials for moral education where the arts, especially visual arts, would play a central role. The intervention, lasting eight weeks, involved creative projects in art classes that emphasised virtues such as courage and friendship. Students also regularly engaged in philosophical discussions about selected artworks that the author believed contained moral undertones or content. Before and after the intervention, questionnaires were administered to both the participating students and a control group. Statistical analysis of the survey data indicated that the intervention did not have a statistically significant effect on students’ moral vocabulary. However, this finding contrasted with impressive student artworks and their written reflections, which indicated meaningful contemplation and insights. This constitutes the first dimension of the study. This outcome led the author to recognise more clearly his own inseparable role as artist, teacher, and researcher, highlighting that the organic whole of human interaction in the classroom cannot be detached from the technical aspects of curriculum, teaching methods, interventions, and assessment. To better understand his role in this context, the author undertook an action research project, forming the second dimension of the study. The main findings of the research underscore the importance of giving students opportunities to reflect on artworks and discuss their thoughts and emotions in relation to those works and their own lives. The results also show that elementary school students can grapple with complex moral questions and articulate their thoughts about them, even if they have not fully developed linguistic mastery. It can be inferred that reflection on artworks and participation in discussions about them may be a valuable complement to traditional curriculum content in elementary education. Furthermore, the results highlight the crucial role of the teacher in creating a safe and trusting classroom environment that enables meaningful learning. On the other hand, the findings also indicate that due to traditions and expectations about the content and focus of visual arts education, teachers might expect to face challenges, though these can be met with patience, reflection, care, and respect
Verk
Role of MITF in olfactory bulb neurons. Putative MITF target genes in neurons and the effects of its loss in the aging olfactory bulb.
(University of Iceland, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, 2025) Mechmet, Fatich; Pétur Henry Petersen, Eiríkur Steingrímsson; Læknadeild (HÍ); Faculty of Medicine (UI); Heilbrigðisvísindasvið (HÍ); School of Health Sciences (UI)
Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is a master regulator in melanocytes and plays and important role in mast cells. Mitf is also expressed in the mitral and tufted (M/T) cells which are projection neurons (PNs), in the olfactory bulb (OB). Lack of MITF leads to neuronal hyperactivity in primary M/T cells but the general function of MITF in neurons is currently unknown. In this study, putative MITF target genes in M/T cells of mice were identified. They differ from target genes in other cell types including melanocytes and can be grouped into two categories: those likely to be involved in inhibiting neuronal activity and those specific to a subgroup of tufted cells called middle tufted cells (mTCs). This work also shows that the mTCs are reduced in number in the absence of Mitf, suggesting a role for Mitf in the generation or survival of the mTCs and/or their function. Altered response to odors is also observed in Mitfmi-vag9/mi-vga9 mice, indicating a role of MITF in olfactory adaptation. Aging affects various brain structures and sensory systems, including the OB, resulting in a decline in olfactory ability. Decline in the OB is associated with early signs of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. However, the underlying reasons remain unclear. Primary PNs from OBs of young Mitfmi-vga9/mi-vga9 mice show hyperactivity, potentially linked to reduced expression of the potassium channel subunit Kcnd3/Kv4.3, which impacts intrinsic plasticity. In aged Mitfmi-vag9/mi-vag9 mice, reduced olfactory ability was observed without any signs of neuroinflammation or reduction in neuronal number. An increase in the expression of genes coding for potassium channel subunits was found in the OBs of aged Mitfmi-vga9/mi-vga9 mice. This suggests that increased expression of potassium channel subunits in aging Mitfmi-vga9/mi-vga9 mice may compensate for or stabilize neuronal hyperactivity observed in the OB of young Mitfmi-vga9/mi-vga9 mice.
Verk
The Impact of Smoothened Cholesterol-Binding Pocket Mutations on Hedgehog Signaling and Osteoarthritis
(University of Iceland, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, 2025-10) Smith, Abbi Elise; Sara Sigurbjörnsdóttir and Eiríkur Steingrímsson; Læknadeild (HÍ); Faculty of Medicine (UI); Heilbrigðisvísindasvið (HÍ); School of Health Sciences (UI)
A genome wide association study identified a risk variant of Smoothened (p.Arg173Cys; SMOR173C) associated with hip osteoarthritis. Smoothened (SMO), a 7-transmembrane G protein coupled receptor-like protein, is a key component of the hedgehog signal transduction mechanism. The hedgehog signaling pathway is known to be activated in osteoarthritic chondrocytes, but this was the first identified osteoarthritis risk variant in a hedgehog pathway gene. Interestingly, even though hedgehog signaling is elevated in osteoarthritis tissues, structural analysis predicted the SMOR173C variant to reduce the binding capability of SMO to cholesterol. The binding of cholesterol to the extracellular domain of SMO was recently discovered to be a critical step in SMO activation. As such, the predicted effect of this variant on SMO conflicts with the current known relationship between hedgehog signaling and osteoarthritis. Thus, the aim of the studies described in this thesis was to elucidate the role of the SMOR173C variant in the development of osteoarthritis. To determine whether the SMOR173C variant alters downstream hedgehog signaling activity, we introduced the mutation to the prechondrogenic cell line, ATDC5 in two ways: by overexpressing the human SMO protein containing the SMOR173C mutation, and by generating an endogenously expressing mutation by restoring a null allele in the ATDC5 Smo-null cell line. We showed in both models that the SMOR173C did not abolish downstream hedgehog signaling activity, disproving the structural predictions for the variant. Additionally, we microinjected hSMOR173C mRNA into smo-/- zebrafish embryos and showed that the hSMOR173C mRNA more efficiently recovered a normal morphological phenotype than the hSMOWT mRNA or mRNAs with mutations known to abolish cholesterol binding and downstream hedgehog signaling. To determine the effect of the SMOR173C mutation on osteoarthritis development, we developed a three-dimensional hydrogel cell culture system to better recapitulate the native environment of chondrocytes and found that in the hydrogel system the ATDC5 cells showed indications of precocious differentiation when compared to ATDC5 cell cultured in differentiation medium in a monolayer. Next, we used a cytokine cocktail to stimulate the ATDC5 cells and drive them toward an osteoarthritis-like phenotype. Then we employed both methods using the endogenous mutant ATDC5 cell lines. Cells expressing the R173C variant expressed more than three-fold elevated levels of Mmp13 mRNA at baseline. The effect increased to over four-fold elevation in response to cytokine treatment. As MMP13 is a key catabolic enzyme responsible for cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis, we concluded that chronically increased MMP13 mRNA expression could be responsible for the increased risk of hip osteoarthritis associated with the SMOR173C variant. Finally, we used evolutionary and phylogenetic analyses of smo mutations in teleost fish to identify sites predicted to cause species diversification. We paired this information with clinical reports of disease and cancer driven by SMO mutations to gain a better understanding of the genetic plasticity of SMO. We also found a gene-dose response in the transgenic smo+/- zebrafish with evidence of a heterochronic shift in hedgehog signaling-driven developmental processes: somitogenesis and chondrogenesis. From this we concluded that smo is permissive of mutations largely located outside of the transmembrane domain and likely contributed to species diversification related to jaw structure and body plan morphologies throughout evolutionary history in teleost fishes. The human clinical data follow the same trend: SMO variants associated with skeletal changes lie outside the transmembrane domain, while oncogenic SMO mutations largely occur within the transmembrane domain. This project used in vitro and in vivo models to investigate the role of the SMOR173C variant in downstream hedgehog signaling as well as an osteoarthritis-like phenotype and identified a potentially pathological increase in Mmp13 mRNA expression associated with the SMOR173C variant that likely contributes to osteoarthritis initiation and progression.
Verk
Refining marine polysaccharides and their immunomodulatory effects
(University of Iceland, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, 2025-10-02) Daugbjerg Christensen, Monica; Guðmundur Óli Hreggviðsson; Matvæla- og næringarfræðideild (HÍ); Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition (UI); Heilbrigðisvísindasvið (HÍ); School of Health Sciences (UI)
Brown seaweed is a rich source of structurally diverse polysaccharides with promising bioactive properties. This study investigated in four ways how enzymatic refining can modify marine polysaccharides and influence their immunomodulatory effects. 1) A novel sulfatase, SulA1, cloned from a marine Arthrobacter strain, was characterized, and shown to selectively act on the chondroitin sulfate monosaccharide N-Acetyl-D-galactosamine-4-sulfate. This introduced the possibilities for the use of SulA1 in targeted desulfation strategies to alter bioactivity of targeted molecules. 2) Laminarin from three brown seaweed species (Laminaria digitata, L. hyperborea, and Saccharina latissima) was extracted and enzymatically modified. The laminarin derivatives were structurally analysed and found to distinctly regulate dendritic cell activity depending on their molecular size and branching pattern. These data suggest that different laminarin derivatives may have different therapeutic applications within the immune system. 3) Fucoidan from S. latissima was enzymatically refined into defined molecular weight fractions. The low molecular weight fucoidan fraction significantly suppressed the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine by dendritic cells, indicating potential therapeutic applications against inflammatory diseases. 4) Two enzymatically generated alginate oligosaccharide fractions, enhanced cytokines secretion by dendritic cells and promoted Th1 responses in co-cultures with T cells. These findings highlight distinct immunomodulatory properties of alginate oligosaccharides with potential therapeutic relevance in inducing inflammatory responses, e.g. as adjuvants or in cancer treatment. Collectively, these results demonstrate that targeted enzymatic modifications can reshape the immunomodulatory activity of marine-derived polysaccharides, positioning them as promising candidates for therapeutic development. At the same time, this strategy enhances the efficient use of seaweed biomass and supports the creation of sustainable, high-value products with potential applications in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.
Verk
Impact of anticoagulation and immunosuppressive drugs on the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer: a population-based study
(University of Iceland, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, 2025-10-01) Agustsson, Arnar; Einar Stefán Björnsson; Læknadeild (HÍ); Faculty of Medicine (UI); Heilbrigðisvísindasvið (HÍ); School of Health Sciences (UI)
Nýgengi ristil- og endaþarmskrabbameina fer vaxandi og eru þau ein algengasta orsök andláta vegna krabbameina. Oftast greinast þau vegna blæðingartengdra einkenna frá meltingarvegi og blóðþynningarlyf hafa verið tengd við auknar líkur á blæðingum frá þessum krabbameinum. Hins vegar er það ekki rannsakað hvaða áhrif blóðþynningarlyf geti haft á orsakir meltingavegsblæðinga, hvort þau auki greiningar þessara krabbameina og geti leitt til snemmgreiningar. Engar rannsóknir hafa kannað hvort stigun ristilkrabbameinsins eða lifun einstaklinga á blóðþynningu sé frábrugðin við almennt þýði. Þá hafa rannsóknir á áhrifum hjartamagnýl á lifun einstaklinga ekki borið saman um hvort hjartanagnýl sé verndandi og þá ekki með hvaða hætti það væri verndandi. Hvorki sterar né bólgueyðandi gigtarlyf (e. DMARDs) hafa verið rannsökuð hvort þau geti haft áhrif á lifun einstaklinga með ristil- og endaþarmskrabbamein, en þau hafa bæði sýnt bæta lifun í há áhættu sjúklingahópum. Efni og aðferðir: Allar fjórar rannsóknirnar voru lýðgrundaðar afturskyggnar rannsóknir sem byggðu á gagnagrunnum. Fyrsta rannsóknin nýtti blóðþynningargagnagrunn til að kanna orsakir meltingarvegsblæðinga frá 2014-2019. Hinar þrjár rannsóknirnar byggðu á gagnagrunni yfir alla sjúklinga sem greindust með ristil- og endaþarmskrabbamein frá 2000- 2019 á Íslandi og báru saman lyfjanotkun fyrir greiningu og útkomur vegna krabbameins. Lyfjaupplýsingum var safnað beint úr uppflettingum sjúkraskráa fyrir blóðþynningarlyf og hjartamagnýl, og svo fengust upplýsingar um stera og bólgueyðandi gigtarlyf frá Lyfjagagnagrunni Landlæknis. Niðurstöður: Í fyrsta hluta verkefnisins reyndust 12.005 einstaklingar vera á blóðþynningu og af þeim greindust 752 með meltingarvegsblæðingar, þar af 273 (36%) sem höfðu bráða efri meltingarvegsblæðingu og 391 (52%) bráða neðri. Bæði ristil- og endaþarmskrabbamein (OR 3.7, 95% CI: 2.0 – 7.0, p< 0.001). Sjúklingar á hjartamagnýli höfðu svipaða heildarlifun en betri krabbameinssértæka lifun (HR: 0.79, 95% CI (0.65 – 0.95), p= 0.01). Í fjórða hluta voru 2388 sjúklingar og þar af 816 (34%) sem tóku stera og 91 (3.8%) sem tóku bólgueyðandi gigtarlyf. Sjúklingar sem tóku stera voru að jafnaði eldri og oftar kvenkyns. Sterahópurinn hafði svipaða heildarlifun, klára en ómarktæka fylgni við verri krabbameinssértæka lifun (HR: 1.15, 95% CI (0.96 – 1.38), p= 0.12) og verri sjúkdómsfría lifun (HR: 1.14, 95% CI (1.03 – 1.27), p= 0.02) miðað við samanburðarhópinn. Sjúklingar sem notuðu bólgueyðandi gigtarlyf voru af svipuðum aldri, kyni og með svipaða fylgisjúkdómabyrði og samanburðarhópurinn en voru oftar með krabbamein á stigi I (32% vs 21%, p= 0.02). Hópurinn á bólgueyðandi gigtarlyfjum hafði sambærilega heildarlifun og samanburðarhópurinn og krabbameinssértæka lifun. Ályktun: Niðurstöður þessara rannsókna renna frekari stoðum undir þá kenningu að blóðþynningarlyf geti leitt til snemmgreiningar einstaklinga með ristil- og endaþarmskrabbamein. Blóðþynningarlyf tengdust oftar blæðingartengdum einkennum sem orsökuðust af ristil- og endaþarmskrabbameini og blóðþynningarhópurinn hafði betri krabbameinssértæka lifun. Þetta undirstrikar mikilvægi þess að einstaklingar á blóðþynningu séu undir vökulu eftirliti. Hjartamagnýl tengdist betri krabbameinssértækri lifun, mögulega með því að draga úr eða hindra meinvörp. Steranotkun tengdist verri sjúkdómsfrírri lifun og með fylgi við verri krabbameinssértæka lifun. Bólgueyðandi gigtarlyf tengdust hærra hlutfalli sjúklinga á stigi I, en virtust ekki hafa nein teljandi áhrif á lifun. Niðurstöður rannsóknarinnar á sterum og bólgueyðandi gigtarlyfjum gefa tilefni til frekari rannsókna á þessu sviði til að kanna til hlýtar áhrif þeirra á útkomur einstaklinga með ristil- og endaþarmskrabbamein.

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