The Key Success Factors of Fraser & Neave (F&N)

This study aims to examine the key factors that drive the success of Fraser & Neave (F&N). The data collection was by referring to the company’s official website and other related websites. Identified key success factors are innovation, consumer’s health and safety, creating value for society, talent management, and sustainable sourcing. These empirical findings provide new insights for the management of F&N about the antecedents of governing talent development. This study also provides a breakdown of F&N's strategic pillars and factors affecting those strategies, which can be utilized by management for future decision making to achieve their goals

Application of Spatial Modulation of Magnetization to Cervical Spinal Stenosis for Evaluation of the Hydrodynamic Changes Occurring in Cerebrospinal Fluid

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hydrodynamic changes occurring in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in cervical spinal stenosis using the spatial modulation of magnetization (SPAMM) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the SPAMM technique, 44 patients with cervical spinal stenosis and ten healthy volunteers were investigated. The degree of cervical spinal stenosis was rated as low-, intermediate-, or high-grade. Lowgrade stenosis was defined as involving no effacement of the subarachnoid space, intermediate-grade as involving effacement of this space, and high-grade as involving effacement of this space, together with compressive myelopathy. The patterns of SPAMM stripes and CSF velocity were evaluated and compared between each type of spinal stenosis and normal spine. RESULTS: Low-grade stenosis (n = 23) revealed displacement or discontinuity of stripes, while intermediate- (n = 10) and high-grade (n = 11) showed a continuous straight band at the stenotic segment. Among low-grade cases, 12 showed wave separation during the systolic phase. Peak systolic CSF velocity at C4-5 level in these cases was lower than in volunteers (p .05). In high-grade stenosis, both diastolic and systolic velocities were significantly lower (p <.05). CONCLUSION: Various hydrodynamic changes occurring in CSF flow in cervical spinal stenosis were demonstrated by the SPAMM technique, and this may be a useful method for evaluating CSF hydrodynamic change in cervical spinal stenosis.ope

Neto1 Is a Novel CUB-Domain NMDA Receptor–Interacting Protein Required for Synaptic Plasticity and Learning

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), a major excitatory ligand-gated ion channel in the central nervous system (CNS), is a principal mediator of synaptic plasticity. Here we report that neuropilin tolloid-like 1 (Neto1), a complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, Bmp1 (CUB) domain-containing transmembrane protein, is a novel component of the NMDAR complex critical for maintaining the abundance of NR2A-containing NMDARs in the postsynaptic density. Neto1-null mice have depressed long-term potentiation (LTP) at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses, with the subunit dependency of LTP induction switching from the normal predominance of NR2A- to NR2B-NMDARs. NMDAR-dependent spatial learning and memory is depressed in Neto1-null mice, indicating that Neto1 regulates NMDA receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity and cognition. Remarkably, we also found that the deficits in LTP, learning, and memory in Neto1-null mice were rescued by the ampakine CX546 at doses without effect in wild-type. Together, our results establish the principle that auxiliary proteins are required for the normal abundance of NMDAR subunits at synapses, and demonstrate that an inherited learning defect can be rescued pharmacologically, a finding with therapeutic implications for humans

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

The role of the AMPA receptor GluR2 subunit in anesthetic neurodepression and excitotoxic cell death

grantor: University of TorontoThe AMPA subtype of glutamate receptor mediates fast excitatory neurotransmission. This ligand-gated ionotropic receptor is composed of multiple subunits (GluR1, GluR2, GluR3, and GluR4). In particular, the GluR2 subunit is present in the majority of AMPA receptors in the forebrain and imparts reduced calcium permeability, insensitivity to polyamine inhibition, sensitivity to barbiturate inhibition and influences the localization of these receptors to the synapse. The objective of this thesis was to determine the importance of the GluR2 subunit in physiological, pharmacological, and pathophysiological processes. Specifically, the roles of the AMPA receptor GluR2 subunit in anesthetic-induced neurodepression, excitatory neurotransmission, and neuronal excitotoxicity were investigated. 'In vitro' electrophysiological studies revealed a decreased potency of barbiturates for the inhibition of GluR2-deficient AMPA receptors. In contrast, behavioral studies demonstrated that GluR2 null mutant (-/-) mice were more sensitive to pentobarbital than wildtype (+/+) mice. These results suggest that the inhibition of AMPA receptors does not contribute to the neurodepressive effects of barbiturates in this mouse model. These findings were corroborated by behavioral studies demonstrating that the (-/-) mice were also more sensitive to volatile anesthetics, which do not appreciably inhibit AMPA receptors. Therefore, the inhibition of AMPA receptors does not underlie anesthetic-mediated neurodepression. Instead, we postulated that a reduced excitatory neurotransmission in (-/-) mice renders then more sensitive to general anesthetics. A reduced excitatory neurotransmission 'in vitro' was demonstrated by the decrease in the fast component of evoked excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) recorded from (-/-) hippocampal slice. In contrast, AMPA receptor-mediated miniature EPSCs in cultured (-/-) hippocampal neurons were unaltered, suggesting that a normal AMPA receptor complement exists at synapses activated by the spontaneous release of glutamate. The increased kainate-evoked current density measures in (-/-) neurons were suggestive of an enhanced expression of extrasynaptic AMPA receptors. These results are consistent with a reduced localization of GluR2-deficient AMPA receptors to some synapses. In addition, kainate excitotoxicity was studied in the and (-/-) mice. 'In vitro' and 'in vivo' experiments demonstrated unchanged neuronal death, despite increased calcium influx into (-/-) hippocampal cultured neurons. In summary, absence of the GluR2 subunit contributes to a reduced synaptic neurotransmission and increased anesthetic-induced neurodepression, without enhancing excitotoxic neuronal injury.Ph.D