Aktieåterköp - Till vems nytta?

Examensarbetets titel: Aktieåterköp – Till vems nytta? Seminariedatum: 2014-05-22 Ämne/Kurs: FEKN90 Författare: Matilda Björnek & Sara Oldaeus Handledare: Håkan Jankensgård Nyckelord: Aktieåterköp, Aktieoptioner, Kompensationsprogram, Kassaflöden, Egenintresse Syfte: Att undersöka och förklara om optionsprogram ämnade åt företagsledningar har någon inverkan på ett företags beslut om återköp av egna aktier i en homogen, branschspecifik urvalsgrupp. Metod: Deduktiv ansats, kvantitativ metod Teoretiska perspektiv: Agent-teorin, signaleringsteorin, den fria kassaflödesteorin, option- funding hypotesen, substitutionshypotesen, flexibilitetshypotesen Resultat: I studien återfinns ett positivt, signifikant samband mellan aktieåterköp och aktieoptioner ämnade åt ledningen. Emellertid kan det ej påvisas att ett återköps genomförs i syfte att finansiera inlösen av utestående optioner. Vidare kan studien styrka att aktieåterköp snarare agerar som komplement till traditionell aktieutdelning än som substitut. De konstaterade sambanden skulle därmed kunna vara en indikation på egenintresse från ledningens sida

The effect of a partially hydrolysed formula based on rice protein in the treatment of infants with cow’s milk protein allergy

Reche M, Pascual C, Fiandor A, Polanco I, Rivero-Urgell M, Chifre R, Johnston S, Martín-Esteban M. The effect of a partially hydrolysed formula based on rice protein in the treatment of infants with cow’s milk protein allergy. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 577–585. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/

ADAMTS13 phenotype in plasma from normal individuals and patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

The activity of ADAMTS13, the von Willebrand factor cleaving protease, is deficient in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). In the present study, the phenotype of ADAMTS13 in TTP and in normal plasma was demonstrated by immunoblotting. Normal plasma (n = 20) revealed a single band at 190 kD under reducing conditions using a polyclonal antibody, and a single band at 150 kD under non-reducing conditions using a monoclonal antibody. ADAMTS13 was not detected in the plasma from patients with congenital TTP (n = 5) by either antibody, whereas patients with acquired TTP (n = 2) presented the normal phenotype. Following immunoadsorption of immunoglobulins, the ADAMTS13 band was removed from the plasma of the patients with acquired TTP, but not from that of normal individuals. This indicates that ADAMTS13 is complexed with immunoglobulin in these patients. The lack of ADAMTS13 expression in the plasma from patients with hereditary TTP may indicate defective synthesis, impaired cellular secretion, or enhanced degradation in the circulation. This study differentiated between normal and TTP plasma, as well as between congenital and acquired TTP. This method may, therefore, be used as a complement in the diagnosis of TTP

Protein hydrolysate versus standard formula for preterm infants

BACKGROUND: When human milk is not available for feeding preterm infants, protein hydrolysate rather than standard cow's milk formulas (with intact proteins) are often used because they are perceived as being tolerated better and less likely to lead to complications. However, protein hydrolysate formulas are more expensive than standard formulas, and concern exists that their use in practice is not supported by high-quality evidence. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of feeding preterm infants with hydrolysed formula (versus standard cow's milk formulas) on the risk of feed intolerance, necrotising enterocolitis, and other morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. SEARCH METHODS: We used the standard Cochrane Neonatal search strategy including electronic searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2017, Issue 4), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) (to April 2017), as well as conference proceedings and previous reviews. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials that compared feeding preterm infants with protein hydrolysate versus standard (non-hydrolysed) cow's milk formula. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias and extracted data independently. We analysed treatment effects as described in the individual trials and reported risk ratios and risk differences for dichotomous data, and mean differences for continuous data, with respective 95% confidence intervals (CI). We used a fixed-effect model in meta-analyses and explored potential causes of heterogeneity in sensitivity analyses. We assessed quality of evidence at the outcome level using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS: We identified 11 trials for inclusion in the review. All trials were small (total participants 665) and had various methodological limitations including uncertainty about methods to ensure allocation concealment and blinding. Most participants were clinically stable preterm infants of gestational age less than about 34 weeks or birth weight less than about 1750 g. Fewer participants were extremely preterm, extremely low birth weight, or growth-restricted. Most trials found no effects on feed intolerance assessed variously as mean prefeed gastric residual volume, incidence of abdominal distention or other concerning gastrointestinal signs, or time taken to achieve full enteral feeds (meta-analysis was limited because studies used different measures). Meta-analysis found no effect on the risk of necrotising enterocolitis (typical risk ratio 1.10, 95% CI 0.36 to 3.34; risk difference 0.00, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.04; 5 trials, 385 infants) (low quality evidence; downgraded for imprecision and design weaknesses). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The identified trials provide only low quality evidence about the effects of feeding preterm infants with protein hydrolysate versus standard formula. The existing data did not support conclusions that feeding with protein hydrolysate affects the risk of feed intolerance or necrotising enterocolitis. Further large, pragmatic trials are needed to provide more reliable and precise estimates of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness

Kvalitetshöjande förbättringsinsatser inom cancervården : En fallstudie med fokus på behov

Syfte: Att skapa förutsättningar för en förbättrad cancervård, genom att fördjupa kunskapen och förståelsen om behov hos huvud- och halscancerpatienter under cancerprocessen. Därutö- ver önskas ett förbättrat omhändertagande genom att implementera och utvärdera kvalitetshö- jande förbättringsinsatser. Satsningen ska resultera i en trygg och smidig resa genom vården med ett minimum av avbrott mellan olika vårdhändelser. Metod: Patientens vårdkedja studerades med en fallstudie, utifrån en aktionsforskningsansats. Behoven identifierades med patientskuggning, reflektion från observationer och semistruktu- rerade fokusgruppsintervjuer med mikrosystemet, före (referensgrupp) och efter intervention (jämförelsegrupp). Analys genomfördes med kvalitativ innehållsanalys och Kano-modell. Resultat: En fast vårdkontakt var en viktig faktor i vårdkedjan. Den fasta vårdkontakten till- mötesgick behov såsom trygghet och tillgänglighet, vilket medförde en smidigare vårdkedja. Under hela vårdförloppet fanns ett stort behov av stöd, praktiskt liksom psykosocialt, från både profession och närstående. Oberoende av position i vårdkedjan önskades individanpas- sad information och ett gott bemötande. Interventionsgruppen rapporterade bättre tillgänglig- het och stöd i förhållande till jämförelsegruppen, som inte hade tillgång till kontaktsjukskö- terska. Involvering av hela mikrosystemet vid analys med Kano-modell medför att behov och förbättringsmöjligheter identifieras och valideras. Slutsatser: En kontaktsjuksköterska kan utgöra en fast vårdkontakt som tillmötesgår och sä- kerställer cancerpatienters behov. Närstående är en viktig del av mikrosystemet och måste beredas utrymme och resurser. En förbättringsinsats genom implementering av kontaktsjuk- sköterska, utformning av nutritions- och kvalitetsregisterrutiner baserat på patientens behov bidrar till god vård och minskar risken för resursslöseri. Studien har även bidragit med fördju- pad kunskap gällande applicering av Kano-modellen i Hälso- och sjukvårdsmiljö. Purpose: To create opportunities for an improved cancer care, by providing deeper knowledge and understanding of the needs of head and neck cancer patients during the cancer treatment process. Furthermore, to improve care for these patients by implementing and eval- uating QI efforts. This will result in a safe and smooth journey through the care with a mini- mum of disruption. Method: The cancer treatment process was examined in a case study with an action research approach. Patient needs were identified by patient-shadowing, observational reflections and focus groups-interviews with the microsystem, before (non-intervention group) and after in- tervention (intervention group). The data analysis involved qualitative content analysis in- formed by Kano’s quality model. Results: A contact nurse (CN) was an important factor. The CN provided a sense of security and accessibility, giving patients a smoother trajectory of care. Continual support was needed, regarding both, practical and psychosocial matters, from both professionals and relatives. Re- gardless of position in the continuum of care, individual information and good reception was required. Members of the intervention group reported better accessibility and support com- pared to the non-intervention group members, who were not offered a CN. Conclusion: A CN can provide a continual health care contact; meeting and ensuring that the needs of cancer patients are met. Relatives are an important part of the microsystem and should be given space and resources. An improvement effort by implementing routines for a CN, quality registry and nutrition, based on patient needs will facilitate good care and opti- mise resources. The study has also contributed to deeper knowledge of how to use the Kano model in health care.

A Native Speaker Norm Approach vs. an Intercultural Approach in the English K-3 classroom in Sweden

In a world that is becoming more cosmopolitan, pedagogical approaches, particularly those that focus on diversity of cultures, have become paramount. As a result, this study attempts to gain insight into what pedagogical approaches K-3 teachers in Sweden use during their English lessons, and whether these approaches are more native speaker or interculturally focused and why that is. Initially, this degree project presents an overview of previous research made on the Native Speaker norm approach and the Intercultural approach. The findings show that the Native Speaker norm approach is more commonly used than the Intercultural approach. However, as English is a language used worldwide, the teaching of it should include content relatable to non-native speakers as well. Nevertheless, the Intercultural approach is relatively new and teachers still need the training and the tools to implement it. This paper builds on the content from interviews of three K-3 teachers and one assisting principal in different parts of Sweden. The main conclusions of this study are that (I) the teachers predominantly use a Native Speaker norm approach due to tradition; (II) the teachers lack training and knowledge of how to implement an Intercultural approach and, consequently, they do not know how to use it; (III) the teaching materials provided by the schools have an impact on what approach the teachers use; (IV) the teachers’ English teaching leaves their pupils struggling in coming to terms with their own identity in a global context, as well as appreciating norms and English varieties other than that of Standard English

On Oral Health in Young People with Asthma

On Oral Health in Young People with Asthma Malin Stensson, Department of Cariology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 450, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden. Email: [email protected] Objective. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the oral health of young individuals with and without asthma. Material. In Study I, a group of 3- (n=66) and 6-year-old children (n=61) with asthma and two healthy control groups (n=62 and n=55 respectively) participated. In Study II, 3-year-old children with asthma (n=64) and a healthy control group (n=50) were followed from 3 to 6 years of age. In Study III, adolescents with severe and long-term asthma (n=20) and a healthy control group (n=20) were included. In Study IV, young adults with long-term asthma (n=20) and a healthy control group (n=20) participated. Methods. A clinical examination was performed and the prevalence of caries, gingival inflammation, plaque and the numbers of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in saliva were determined. In Study II, the caries increment between 3 and 6 years of age was investigated. A radiographic examination was conducted in all the studies, apart from in the 3-year-old children. The participants or their parents were interviewed regarding various oral health-related factors. To assess the caries risk, a computer program, the “Cariogram”, was used. In Studies III and IV, the salivary secretion rate and plaque pH, after a sucrose rinse for up to 40 min at two approximal sites, were measured. In Study IV, gingival crevicular fluid, periodontal pockets and the plaque formation rate were determined. Results. In Study I, the mean ± SD dfs in the 3-year-olds with asthma was 1.4±3.2 compared with 0.5±1.2 in the control group (p<0.05). The corresponding figures for the 6-year-olds were 2.5±3.9 and 1.8±2.8 (NS). The 3-year-old children with asthma had more gingival bleeding than the healthy controls (p<0.05). Children with asthma reported a higher consumption of sugar-containing drinks and were more frequently mouth breathers than the control groups (p<0.05). Children with asthma and an immigrant background had a higher mean dfs than children with an immigrant background in the control group. In the follow-up study (Study II), the increment of initial caries was higher for children with asthma compared with the control group (p<0.05). At both 3 and 6 years of age, asthmatic children were more frequently mouth breathers than their controls (only statistically significant in the 6-year-olds). In Study III, the mean ± SD DFS was 4.9±5.5 in adolescents with asthma compared with 1.4±2.3 in the control group (p<0.01). The Cariogram data in the control group showed that 75% had a “chance of avoiding caries” compared with 54% in the asthma group (p<0.01). A lower initial and final pH in plaque was found in the asthma groups (only statistically significant in Study III). More gingival inflammation (p<0.05), more frequent mouth breathing (NS) and a lower salivary secretion rate were found in the adolescents and young adults with asthma compared with the control groups (p<0.05). The mean ± SD DFS was 8.6±10.6 in the young adult asthma group compared with 4.0±5.2 in the controls (NS). Conclusions. The results of this thesis indicate that young individuals with asthma have a higher caries prevalence, more gingival inflammation and are more frequently mouth breathers compared with healthy individuals of the same age. In younger children with asthma, a higher intake of sugary drinks was more common and, in the older age group (adolescents and young adults), a lower salivary secretion rate and plaque pH were found in the asthma groups compared with the control groups

No effect of probiotics on respiratory allergies : a seven-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial in infancy

Background Supplementation with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri reduced the incidence of IgE-associated allergic disease in infancy. This treatment might therefore also reduce the risk of asthma and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in school age. Objective To evaluate whether perinatal and infant supplementation with L. reuteri reduced the prevalence of respiratory allergic disease in school age and to explore whether this supplementation was associated with any long-term side effects. Methods A randomized, placebo-controlled trial with oral supplementation with L. reuteri ATCC 55730 (1 × 108 CFU) during the last month of gestation and through the first year of life comprising 232 families with allergic disease, of whom 184 completed a 7-yr follow-up. The primary outcomes at 7 yr of age were allergic disease and skin prick test reactivity (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01285830). Results The prevalence of asthma (15% in the probiotic vs. 16% in placebo group), allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (27% vs. 20%), eczema (21% vs. 19%) and skin prick test reactivity (29% vs. 26%) was similar in the probiotic and placebo group. Growth indices and gastrointestinal symptoms were similar in the two groups. No severe adverse events were reported. Conclusion The effect of L. reuteri on sensitization and IgE-associated eczema in infancy did not lead to a lower prevalence of respiratory allergic disease in school age. Thus, the effect of L. reuteri on the immune system seems to be transient. Administration of L. reuteri during the last weeks of gestation and in infancy was not associated with any long-term side effects