Containing, embracing and hyper-activating Britishness: British-based foreign-owned firms

There are in the UK ownership forms different to the characteristics of Britishness – British-based foreign-owned firms where dominant owners may have differentiated control interests. These may contain, that is, override, national institutional characteristics embedded in a particular national capitalism. Accordingly, separating the agency of these firms from presumed business system structures may reveal how diverse patterns of firm ownership – those associated with British-based foreign-owned firms – can inform dynamic ownership developments in British capitalism which contain and hyper-activate Britishness. The article theorizes British-based foreign-owned firms and provides empirical detail on how ownership characteristics influence financial commitment and strategic control in 10 of these firms

Association of the ATN Research Framework With Clinical Profile, Ccognitive Decline, and Mortality in Patients With Dementia With Lewy Bodies

Background and Objectives: The ATN framework has been developed to categorize biological processes within the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continuum. Since AD pathology often coincides with dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), we aimed to investigate the distribution of ATN profiles in DLB and associate ATN-profiles in DLB to prognosis. / Methods: We included 202 DLB patients from the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort (68±7yrs, 19%F, MMSE: 24±3, DAT-SPECT abnormal: 105/119). Patients were classified into eight profiles according to the ATN framework, using CSF Aβ42 (A), CSF p-tau (T) and medial temporal atrophy scores (N). We compared presence of clinical symptoms in ATN profiles and used linear mixed models to analyze decline on cognitive tests (follow-up 3±2yrs for n=139). Mortality risk was assessed using Cox proportional hazards analysis. Analyses were performed on both the eight profiles, as well as three clustered categories (normal AD biomarkers, non-AD pathologic change, AD continuum). / Results: Fifty (25%) DLB patients had normal AD biomarkers (A-T-N-), 37 (18%) had non-AD pathologic change (A-T+N-: 10%/A-T-N+: 6%/A-T+N+: 3%) and 115 (57%) were classified within the AD continuum (A+T-N-: 20%/A+T+N-: 16%/A+T-N+: 10%/A+T+N+: 9%). A+T+N+ patients were older and least often had RBD symptoms. Parkinsonism was more often present in A+T-, compared to A-T+ (independent of N). Compared to patients with normal AD biomarkers, patients in A+ categories showed steeper decline on memory tests and higher mortality risk. Cognitive decline and mortality did not differ between non-AD pathologic change and normal AD biomarkers. / Discussion: In our DLB cohort, we found clinically relevant associations between ATN categories and disease manifestation. Patients within the AD continuum had steeper cognitive decline and shorter survival. Implementing the ATN framework within DLB patients aids in subtyping patients based on underlying biological processes and could provide targets for future treatment strategies, e.g. AD modifying treatment. Expanding the framework by incorporating markers for alpha-synucleinopathy would improve the use of the framework to characterize dementia patients with mixed pathology, which could enhance proper stratification of patients for therapeutic trials

Subjective cognitive decline and self-reported sleep problems: The SCIENCe project

We aim to investigate the frequency and type of sleep problems in memory clinic patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and their association with cognition, mental health, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers. Three hundred eight subjects (65 ± 8 years, 44% female) were selected from the Subjective Cognitive Impairment Cohort (SCIENCe) project. All subjects answered two sleep questionnaires, Berlin Questionnaire (sleep apnea) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (sleep quality) and underwent a standardized memory clinic work-up. One hundred ninety-eight (64%) subjects reported sleep problems, based on 107 (35%) positive screenings on sleep apnea and 162 (53%) on poor sleep quality. Subjects with sleep problems reported more severe depressive symptoms, more anxiety, and more severe SCD. Cognitive tests, MRI, and CSF biomarkers did not differ between groups. Our results suggest that improvement of sleep quality and behaviors are potential leads for treatment in many subjects with SCD to relieve the experienced cognitive complaints

ATN classification and clinical progression in subjective cognitive decline

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the ATN classification system (amyloid, tau, neurodegeneration) and risk of dementia and cognitive decline in individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD). / Methods: We classified 693 participants with SCD (60 ± 9 years, 41% women, Mini-Mental State Examination score 28 ± 2) from the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort and Subjective Cognitive Impairment Cohort (SCIENCe) project according to the ATN model, as determined by amyloid PET or CSF β-amyloid (A), CSF p-tau (T), and MRI-based medial temporal lobe atrophy (N). All underwent extensive neuropsychological assessment. For 342 participants, follow-up was available (3 ± 2 years). As a control population, we included 124 participants without SCD. / Results: Fifty-six (n = 385) participants had normal Alzheimer disease (AD) biomarkers (A–T–N–), 27% (n = 186) had non-AD pathologic change (A–T–N+, A–T+N–, A–T+N+), 18% (n = 122) fell within the Alzheimer continuum (A+T–N–, A+T–N+, A+T+N–, A+T+N+). ATN profiles were unevenly distributed, with A–T+N+, A+T–N+, and A+T+N+ containing very few participants. Cox regression showed that compared to A–T–N–, participants in A+ profiles had a higher risk of dementia with a dose–response pattern for number of biomarkers affected. Linear mixed models showed participants in A+ profiles showed a steeper decline on tests addressing memory, attention, language, and executive functions. In the control group, there was no association between ATN and cognition. / Conclusions: Among individuals presenting with SCD at a memory clinic, those with a biomarker profile A–T+N+, A+T–N–, A+T+N–, and A+T+N+ were at increased risk of dementia, and showed steeper cognitive decline compared to A–T–N– individuals. These results suggest a future where biomarker results could be used for individualized risk profiling in cognitively normal individuals presenting at a memory clinic

Characteristics of subjective cognitive decline associated with amyloid positivity

Introduction: The evidence for characteristics of persons with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) associated with amyloid positivity is limited. Methods: In 1640 persons with SCD from 20 Amyloid Biomarker Study cohort, we investigated the associations of SCD-specific characteristics (informant confirmation, domain-specific complaints, concerns, feelings of worse performance) demographics, setting, apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) ε4 carriership, and neuropsychiatric symptoms with amyloid positivity. Results: Between cohorts, amyloid positivity in 70-year-olds varied from 10% to 76%. Only older age, clinical setting, and APOE ε4 carriership showed univariate associations with increased amyloid positivity. After adjusting for these, lower education was also associated with increased amyloid positivity. Only within a research setting, informant-confirmed complaints, memory complaints, attention/concentration complaints, and no depressive symptoms were associated with increased amyloid positivity. Feelings of worse performance were associated with less amyloid positivity at younger ages and more at older ages. Discussion: Next to age, setting, and APOE ε4 carriership, SCD-specific characteristics may facilitate the identification of amyloid-positive individuals

A benzene-degrading nitrate-reducing microbial consortium displays aerobic and anaerobic benzene degradation pathways

All sequence data from this study were deposited at the European Bioinformatics Institute under the accession numbers ERS1670018 to ERS1670023. Further, all assigned genes, taxonomy, function, sequences of contigs, genes and proteins can be found in Table S3.In this study, we report transcription of genes involved in aerobic and anaerobic benzene degradation pathways in a benzene-degrading denitrifying continuous culture. Transcripts associated with the family Peptococcaceae dominated all samples (2136% relative abundance) indicating their key role in the community. We found a highly transcribed gene cluster encoding a presumed anaerobic benzene carboxylase (AbcA and AbcD) and a benzoate-coenzyme A ligase (BzlA). Predicted gene products showed >96% amino acid identity and similar gene order to the corresponding benzene degradation gene cluster described previously, providing further evidence for anaerobic benzene activation via carboxylation. For subsequent benzoyl-CoA dearomatization, bam-like genes analogous to the ones found in other strict anaerobes were transcribed, whereas gene transcripts involved in downstream benzoyl-CoA degradation were mostly analogous to the ones described in facultative anaerobes. The concurrent transcription of genes encoding enzymes involved in oxygenase-mediated aerobic benzene degradation suggested oxygen presence in the culture, possibly formed via a recently identified nitric oxide dismutase (Nod). Although we were unable to detect transcription of Nod-encoding genes, addition of nitrite and formate to the continuous culture showed indication for oxygen production. Such an oxygen production would enable aerobic microbes to thrive in oxygen-depleted and nitrate-containing subsurface environments contaminated with hydrocarbons.This study was supported by a grant of BE-Basic-FES funds from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. The research of A.J.M. Stams is supported by an ERC grant (project 323009) and the gravitation grant “Microbes for Health and Environment” (project 024.002.002) of the Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. F. Hugenholtz was supported by the same gravitation grant (project 024.002.002). B. Hornung is supported by Wageningen University and the Wageningen Institute for Environment and Climate Research (WIMEK) through the IP/OP program Systems Biology (project KB-17-003.02-023).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

"Never at ease" - family carers within integrated palliative care: a multinational, mixed method study

Contains fulltext : 187811.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access

Palliative care for people with substance use disorder and multiple problems: A qualitative study on experiences of patients and proxies

Contains fulltext : 205892.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Background: Systematic research into palliative care (PC) for people with substance use disorder (SUD) and multiple problems is scarce. The existing literature shows problems in the organizational structure of this care, e.g., lack of clear care pathways. Furthermore, negative attitudes of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and stigmatization surrounding SUD, and patients’ care-avoidance and non-disclosure of substance use are hindering factors in providing timely and person-centered PC. Furthermore, the experiences and needs of patients and proxies themselves are unknown. Therefore, this study aims to explore which problems and needs patients with SUD and multiple problems, and their proxies, experience in a PC phase. Methods: Data-collection of this qualitative study consisted of semi-structured interviews with patients with SUD and multiple problems in a PC phase, and their proxies, about their experiences in PC and their well-being. Interviews were inductively analyzed. Results: Nine patients and three proxies were included. Six patients suffered from COPD, one patient from cirrhosis of the liver and two patients from both. Seven patients stayed in a nursing home and two had a room in either a social care service (hostel) or an assisted living home where medical care was provided. Five themes were identified: 1) healthcare delivery (including HCPs behaviour and values); 2) end-of-life (EOL) preferences (mostly concerning only the individual patient and the 'here-and-the-now'); 3) multidimensional problems; 4) coping (active and passive) and; 5) closed communication. Proxies’ experiences with healthcare differed. Emotionally, they were all burdened by their histories with the patients. Conclusions: This study shows that talking about and anticipating on PC with this patient-group appears hard due to patients’ closed and avoiding communication. Furthermore, some of patients’ EOL-preferences and needs, and coping-strategies, seem to differ from the more generally-accepted ideas and practices. Therefore, educating HCPs in communicating with this patient-group, is needed.12 p

Palliative care for patients with a substance use disorder and multiple problems: A study protocol

Contains fulltext : 194747.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Background: The specific palliative care needs and problems of patients with a substance use disorder and multiple problems, and those of their proxies, are under recognized Besides, the organization of palliative care, including the division of health care professionals' responsibilities, is often unclear. Perspectives of patients and proxies are hardly known. We describe the outline of a study designed to explore how palliative care for patients with a substance use disorder is organized in the Netherlands and to explore problems and needs, as well as possible improvements from the healthcare professionals', patients' and proxies' perspective. The aim of this protocol paper is to provide insights in ways to conduct research with vulnerable research participants and to offer a detailed description of the study design. The broader study aims to gain insight in and formulate recommendations on how to improve palliative care for patients with a substance use disorder. Methods: A qualitative study with patients, proxies and healthcare professionals. Semi-structured interviews will be held with 10-15 patients who suffer from a severe substance use disorder. They are in a palliative care trajectory and either diagnosed with a chronic or life-threatening disease or, as a result of addictive behavior, a physical deterioration without the prospect of cure. Semi-structured interviews will also be held with 5-10 proxies. Healthcare professionals, volunteers and/or 'experts-by-experience' (n = 24-40) will be participating in semi-structured group interviews. All (group) interviews will be thematically analyzed. Additionally, a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis will be applied to the group interview data with the aim to summarize and concretize the findings. Discussion: Everyone has a right to an optimal end-of-life phase of life and a dignified dying process. This study will provide valuable knowledge about palliative care for patients with a substance use disorder and explicitly bring to light the needs and problems of the patients and their proxies and healthcare professionals in a palliative care phase.9 p