De “ultieme HRM-vraag”: Zou jij je werkgever aanbevelen aan familie en vrienden?

Organisaties streven daarom naar 'loyale' werknemers. Er zijn al verschillende manieren om loyaliteit te meten, zoals via 'organisatiebetrokkenheid'. Maar is er niet één ultieme vraag die we kunnen stellen? Misschien kunnen we deze loyaliteit meten via de zogenaamde 'Werkgever Net Promotor Score'. Deze vraag is afgeleid van het artikel van Frederick Reichfeld uit de Harvard Business Review, getiteld "The one number you need to grow". Reichfeld stelt er een 'ultieme vraag' is die bedrijven aan hun klanten kunnen stellen. Deze vraag: "In welke mate beveelt u deze organisatie aan bij vrienden en familie?" wordt in klanttevredenheidsonderzoeken gebruikt gebruikt om de loyaliteit van klanten te meten

Sex, BMI and age differences in metabolic syndrome:The Dutch Lifelines Cohort Study

Introduction: To evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its individual components within sex-, body mass index (BMI)- and age combined clusters. In addition, we used the age-adjusted blood pressure thresholds to demonstrate the effect on the prevalence of MetS and elevated blood pressure. Subjects and methods: Cross-sectional data from 74,531 Western European participants, aged 18–79 years, were used from the Dutch Lifelines Cohort Study. MetS was defined according to the revised NCEP-ATPIII. Age-adjusted blood pressure thresholds were defined as recommended by the eight reports of the Joint National Committee (≥140/90 mmHg for those aged <60 years, and ≥150/90 mmHg for those aged ≥60 years). Results: 19.2% men and 12.1% women had MetS. MetS prevalence increased with BMI and age. Independent of BMI, abdominal obesity dominated MetS prevalence especially in women, while elevated blood pressure was already highly prevalent among young men. Applying age-adjusted blood pressure thresholds resulted in a 0.2–11.9% prevalence drop in MetS and 6.0–36.3% prevalence drop in elevated blood pressure, within the combined sex, BMI and age clusters. Conclusions: We observed a gender disparity with age and BMI for the prevalence of MetS and, especially, abdominal obesity and elevated blood pressure. The strict threshold level for elevated blood pressure in the revised NCEP-ATPIII, results in an overestimation of MetS prevalence

Health-Related Quality of Life in Relation to Obesity Grade, Type 2 Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Inflammation

Health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) may be compromised in obese individuals, depending on the presence of other complications. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of obesity-related conditions on HR-QoL. These conditions are i) grade of obesity with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D), ii) metabolic syndrome (MetS), and iii) level of inflammation.From the Dutch LifeLines Cohort Study we included 13,686 obese individuals, aged 18-80 years. HR-QoL was measured with the RAND 36-Item Health Survey which encompasses eight health domains. We calculated the percentage of obese individuals with poor HR-QoL, i.e. those scoring below the domain and sex specific cut-off value derived from the normal weight population. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the probability of having poor domain scores according to the conditions under study.Higher grades of obesity and the additional presence of T2D were associated with lower HR-QoL, particularly in the domains physical functioning (men: odds ratios (ORs) 1.48-11.34, P<0.005, and women: ORs 1.66-5.05, P<0.001) and general health (men: ORs 1.44-3.07, P<0.005, and women: ORs 1.36-3.73, P<0.001). A higher percentage of obese individuals with MetS had a poor HR-QoL than those without MetS. Furthermore, we observed a linear trend between inflammation and the percentage of obese individuals with poor scores on the HR-QoL domains. Individuals with MetS were more likely to have poor scores in the domains general health, vitality, social functioning and role limitations due to emotional problems. Obese women with increased inflammation levels were more likely to have poor scores on all domains except role limitations due to emotional problems and mental health.The impact of obesity on an individual's quality of life is enhanced by grade of obesity, T2D, MetS and inflammation and are mainly related to reduced physical health. The mental well-being is less often impaired

The effect of leucovorin rescue therapy on methotrexate-induced oral mucositis in the treatment of paediatric ALL: A systematic review

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of different Leucovorin regimens to reduce oral mucositis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after high-dose Methotrexate (HD-MTX). Methods: Twelve articles were included in a systematic literature review. Articles were categorized into low/medium/high risk of bias. Results: As no randomized controlled trial assessing the effect of Leucovorin has been performed, the efficacy of Leucovorin to reduce oral mucositis remains unknown. Leucovorin was initiated at 24, 36 or 42 h after HD-MTX at a dose of 15 or 30 mg/m2. No meta-analysis could be performed as treatment regimens differed. When comparing studies with similar HD-MTX doses, we observed lower oral mucositis rates in regimens with higher cumulative doses of Leucovorin and early initiation of Leucovorin after MTX. Conclusion: Even though future studies are necessary, higher cumulative Leucovorin doses and early initiation of Leucovorin after start of MTX seem to reduce oral mucositis

Viininmaistelun alkeet -tapahtuma Maria P:ssä

Tiivistelmä Tekijät: Paananen Riina ja Korkiakoski Merika Työn nimi: Viininmaistelun alkeet -tapahtuma Maria P:ssä Tutkintonimike: Restonomi (AMK), matkailun koulutus Asiasanat: tapahtuma, viini, viininmaistelu, Chile Opinnäytetyön tarkoituksena oli suunnitella ja järjestää Viininmaistelun alkeet -tapahtuma. Tapahtuman toimeksiantajana toimi kajaanilainen yritys Viinibaari Maria P. Tapahtuma haluttiin toteuttaa baarin imagoon sopivaksi. Opinnäytetyön tavoitteena oli saada Viini-baarille lisää asiakkaita tutustuttamalla kokemattomia viininmaistajia viineihin. Työ oli toiminnallinen opinnäytetyö, jonka tuotoksena oli Viininmaistelun alkeet -tapahtuma. Opinnäytetyöhön kerättiin teoriapohjaa viininmaistelusta sekä viinin ja ruoan yhdistämisestä, Chilestä viinimaana ja tapahtuman järjestämisestä. Näitä kaikkia käytettiin lopullisen tuotoksen valmistumiseen. Toteutuksen arviointina toimi tapahtumaan osallistuneilta saatu kirjallinen palaute. Palautteen mukaan kehittämistehtävän toteutuksessa onnistuttiin hyvin, sillä opinnäytetyön ennalta määritellyt tavoitteet saavutettiin. Opinnäytetyötä voidaan käyttää apuna jatkossa vastaavien tapahtumien suunnittelussa.Abstract Authors: Paananen Riina & Korkiakoski Merika Title of the Publication: Basics of wine tasting- event Degree title: Bachelor of Hospitality Management Keywords: event, wine, tasting, Chile The purpose for this thesis was to plan and arrange Basics of wine tasting –event. The commissioner for this thsesis was a local bar in Kajaani called Viinibaari Maria P. The event was planned to suit the imago of the bar. The objective of the thesis was to gain more customers to Viinibaari Maria P by introducing various wines to novice wine tasters. This research was a functional thesis which produced the Basics wine tasting event. The theory of this thesis focused on wine tasting, combining wine and food, Chile as a wine producer, and on planning and arranging an event. The feedback for the execution consists of the feedback forms that the customers of the event were asked to fill in. In addition observation method was used for evaluation. According to the feedback the event was successful because the objective of the thesis was reached. Our conclusion is that this thesis can be used as a guide in planning similar events

Metabolic imprinting, programming and epigenetics - a review of present priorities and future opportunities

Metabolic programming and metabolic imprinting describe early life events, which impact upon on later physiological outcomes. Despite the increasing numbers of papers and studies, the distinction between metabolic programming and metabolic imprinting remains confusing. The former can be defined as a dynamic process whose effects are dependent upon a critical window(s) while the latter can be more strictly associated with imprinting at the genomic level. The clinical end points associated with these phenomena can sometimes be mechanistically explicable in terms of gene expression mediated by epigenetics. The predictivity of outcomes depends on determining if there is causality or association in the context of both early dietary exposure and future health parameters. The use of biomarkers is a key aspect of determining the predictability of later outcome, and the strengths of particular types of biomarkers need to be determined. It has become clear that several important health endpoints are impacted upon by metabolic programming/imprinting. These include the link between perinatal nutrition, nutritional epigenetics and programming at an early developmental stage and its link to a range of future health risks such as CVD and diabetes. In some cases, the evidence base remains patchy and associative, while in others, a more direct causality between early nutrition and later health is clear. In addition, it is also essential to acknowledge the communication to consumers, industry, health care providers, policy-making bodies as well as to the scientific community. In this way, both programming and, eventually, reprogramming can become effective tools to improve health through dietary intervention at specific developmental point

Metabolic imprinting, programming and epigenetics - a review of present priorities and future opportunities

Metabolic programming and metabolic imprinting describe early life events, which impact upon on later physiological outcomes. Despite the increasing numbers of papers and studies, the distinction between metabolic programming and metabolic imprinting remains confusing. The former can be defined as a dynamic process whose effects are dependent upon a critical window(s) while the latter can be more strictly associated with imprinting at the genomic level. The clinical end points associated with these phenomena can sometimes be mechanistically explicable in terms of gene expression mediated by epigenetics. The predictivity of outcomes depends on determining if there is causality or association in the context of both early dietary exposure and future health parameters. The use of biomarkers is a key aspect of determining the predictability of later outcome, and the strengths of particular types of biomarkers need to be determined. It has become clear that several important health endpoints are impacted upon by metabolic programming/imprinting. These include the link between perinatal nutrition, nutritional epigenetics and programming at an early developmental stage and its link to a range of future health risks such as CVD and diabetes. In some cases, the evidence base remains patchy and associative, while in others, a more direct causality between early nutrition and later health is clear. In addition, it is also essential to acknowledge the communication to consumers, industry, health care providers, policy-making bodies as well as to the scientific community. In this way, both programming and, eventually, reprogramming can become effective tools to improve health through dietary intervention at specific developmental points

What are the fears and support needs of those living alone in the last year of life and who responds?

Background There is a general assumption that family caregivers will be available and willing to provide support to those living with terminal illness in the last year of life; but what of those who live alone at this time? Others (1) have highlighted the need for patients in this situation to develop trusting relationships with their professional caregiving network and with key professionals in particular. This can enable sensitive discussion and planning about future care wishes – a clear necessity as disease progresses. Design and methods Patients with advanced cancer, COPD and chronic heart failure (CHF), with a prognosis of less than 12 months, were recruited at clinical services sites in five European nations: Belgium, Germany, Hungary, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews at baseline and at three months follow-up. Quantitative data were collected using POS, CANHELP Lite tools at monthly intervals and in weekly self-completed patient ‘diaries’. Interviews focused on how integrated palliative care services responded to patients’ needs and problems. A transnational comparative analysis was conducted using a qualitative thematic approach. Results Of 157 patient participants, 48 (30%) lived alone (range by country: 13%-41%). Of this sub-sample, the mean age was 73 years and 58% were women. Diagnoses were: cancer (n=27), COPD (n=13), CHF (n=7), not recorded (n=1). Many patients reported being fearful about the future; feeling lonely and isolated; feeling a burden on others; and problems with ‘the little things’. Conversely, many were able to give examples of where individual professionals and services responded to their needs quickly and with sensitivity. Informal sources of support from neighbours and friends were apparent and included practical help, emotional assistance and social engagement. Conclusion Commonalities across the participating nations in the fears and concerns of patients living alone in the last year of life were apparent. However, there was variability in how services responded to needs and in the extent to which these responses were integrated and coordinated. Lone patients are a potentially unrecognised sub-group with a particular set of needs in relation to professional engagement. Integrated palliative care services need to acknowledge this and respond accordingly. Further research into how palliative care service provision towards the end of life dovetails with informal support networks is required. 1. Hanratty et al. (2013). What is different about living alone with cancer in older age? A qualitative study of experiences and preferences for care. BMC Family Practice. 14:22. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2296/14/22 On behalf of InSupC: EU FP7 funded project (Ref: 305555) on integrated palliative care in Europ

A Restricted Role for FcγR in the Regulation of Adaptive Immunity.

By their interaction with IgG immune complexes, FcγR and complement link innate and adaptive immunity, showing functional redundancy. In complement-deficient mice, IgG downstream effector functions are often impaired, as well as adaptive immunity. Based on a variety of model systems using FcγR-knockout mice, it has been concluded that FcγRs are also key regulators of innate and adaptive immunity; however, several of the model systems underpinning these conclusions suffer from flawed experimental design. To address this issue, we generated a novel mouse model deficient for all FcγRs (FcγRI/II/III/IV-/- mice). These mice displayed normal development and lymphoid and myeloid ontogeny. Although IgG effector pathways were impaired, adaptive immune responses to a variety of challenges, including bacterial infection and IgG immune complexes, were not. Like FcγRIIb-deficient mice, FcγRI/II/III/IV-/- mice developed higher Ab titers but no autoantibodies. These observations indicate a redundant role for activating FcγRs in the modulation of the adaptive immune response in vivo. We conclude that FcγRs are downstream IgG effector molecules with a restricted role in the ontogeny and maintenance of the immune system, as well as the regulation of adaptive immunity