Spelutvecklingen och grafikernas arbetssituation : med fokus på dataspelsföretaget Dice

The goal of this bachelor thesis is to explain how computer game graphic artists at the game company Digital Illusions(Dice) has changed during the last six years. To give this question a background the essay describes how the computer game process works and it also describes the working roles for the peoples in the process. Further the thesis describes the changes for the computer game graphic artist and the reasons for this change. When it comes to Digital Illusions the thesis focus on the game Battlefield 1942. The work began with telephone interviews with game artists at the largest game company’s in Sweden, witch gave us indications of the fact that the status and the influence of the production of the game for the game artists had been ascending during the last six years. We therefore wanted to find out the reasons for this change, as well as finding one single game to study. We therefore interviewed three of the responsible computer game artists for the game Battlefield 1942. We also went to the computer game education Playground Squad in Falun for two days of interviews and observations. We concluded that the computer game graphic artists had increased during the last six years primarily caused by the fact that computer game graphics more and more had been used as means of marketing and the fact that the knowledge and the making use of editors among the artists has increased

Antitumoral effect and reduced systemic toxicity in mice after intra-tumoral injection of an in vivo solidifying calcium sulfate formulation with docetaxel

Background Docetaxel is a cytostatic agent approved for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer as well as other cancers. Although docetaxel is an effective cytostatic agent, its effectiveness in clinical practice is associated with a variety of acute and long term side-effects. To overcome systemic side-effects, a slow release formulation based on calcium sulfate with docetaxel for intra-tumoral administration was developed. Methods Two formulations with the calcium sulfate NanoZolid technology were generated with a twofold difference in docetaxel drug load. The formulations were injected intra-tumorally as a paste which solidified within the tumor. The effects of the two intra-tumoral injection formulations were tested in female mice (n = 60) inoculated with subcutaneous Lewis lung carcinoma cells. The two formulations were compared to systemic intraperitoneal injection of docetaxel and a placebo formulation without docetaxel. Tumor volumes were measured and systemic side-effects were evaluated using body weight and cell counts from whole blood as well as plasma concentrations. Results Both docetaxel formulations showed a significantly higher antitumor efficacy compared to placebo, which was comparable to that of systemic administration of docetaxel. Moreover, the intra-tumoral formulations with docetaxel showed reduced systemic toxicity compared to systemic treatment, including less weight loss and no decrease in blood cell counts. Conclusions The results suggest that intra-tumoral slow release calcium sulfate based formulations with docetaxel can be an alternative strategy as an efficient local antitumoral treatment with reduced systemic toxicity

An Intraprostatic Modified Release Formulation of Antiandrogen 2-Hydroxyflutamide for Localized Prostate Cancer

Purpose: We investigated the tolerability, safety and antitumor effects of a novel intraprostatic depot formulation of antiandrogen 2-hydroxyflutamide (in Nano-Zolid (R)) in men with localized prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: Two clinical trials, LPC-002 and LPC-003, were performed in a total of 47 men. The formulation was injected transrectally into the prostate under ultrasound guidance. In LPC-002 the effects on prostate specific antigen and prostate volume were measured for 6 months in 24 patients. In LPC-003 antitumor effects were evaluated by histopathology and magnetic resonance imaging including spectroscopy during 6 or 8 weeks in 23 patients. In each study testosterone and 2-hydroxyflutamide in plasma were measured as well as quality of life parameters. Results: In LPC-002 (mean dose 690 mg) a reduction was observed in prostate specific antigen and prostate volume. Average nadir prostate specific antigen and prostate volume were 24.9% and 14.0% below baseline, respectively. When increasing the dose in LPC-003 to 920 and 1,740 mg, average prostate specific antigen decreased 16% and 23% after 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed morphological changes and a global reduction in metabolite concentrations following treatment, indicating an antitumor response. Injections did not result in hormone related side effects. Three serious adverse events were reported and all resolved with oral antibiotic treatment. Conclusions: Intraprostatic injections of 2-hydroxyflutamide depot formulations showed antitumor effects, and proved to be safe and tolerable. However, for better anticancer effects higher doses and better dose distribution are suggested.Peer reviewe

Liproca Depot : A New Antiandrogen Treatment for Active Surveillance Patients

BACKGROUND: There is increasing interest in nonmorbid treatments for low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer with fewer side effects than surgery or radiotherapy. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the tolerability, safety, and antitumor effects of the intraprostatic NanoZolid depot formulation Liproca Depot (LIDDS AB, Uppsala, Sweden) with antiandrogen 2-hydroxyflutamide (2-HOF) in men with low- or intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer managed with active surveillance. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This clinical phase 2b trial, LPC-004, involved 61 patients. The 2-HOF-containing formulation Liproca Depot was injected transrectally into the prostate under ultrasound guidance. A single dose of 35% or 45% of the prostate volume (study part 1) and a fixed dose of 16 or 20 ml (study part 2) of the formulation were evaluated. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSES: The primary endpoints were tolerability and the reduction in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) 5 mo after injection. Antitumor effects were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and prostate biopsies. Quality of life was assessed using a validated questionnaire (International Prostate Symptom Score). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: All doses were safe and well tolerated, without hormonal side effects. In part 2 of the study, the PSA reduction was greatest for the group receiving 16 ml, with an average decrease of 14%, and 95% of patients had a PSA reduction. Some 78% of patients showed a prostate volume decrease compared to baseline. Prostate MRI and biopsies confirmed stable or reduced lesion size. However, post treatment biopsies were performed at the discretion of the investigator, and not routinely. Most patients were amenable to a second injection. CONCLUSIONS: PSA and prostate volume decreased in most patients. Indications of efficacy were shown by post-treatment MRI and biopsies demonstrating stabilization or regression in the majority of cases. PATIENT SUMMARY: Liproca Depot is a safe, minimally invasive treatment that offers the potential for cancer control in patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Further clinical evaluation is warranted.publishedVersionPeer reviewe