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Background: Employment relations trust (ERT) is related to compliance, fairness, good faith and benevolence in such relations. Benevolence is not a legal obligation in employment relations and will typically be displayed voluntarily. Gaps in the literature suggested a need for a valid and reliable theory of employment relations benevolence and its relationship with trust in such relations. Aim: This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between benevolence and the development of trust in employment relations. Setting: The study was undertaken in the Gauteng province of the Republic of South Africa. Methods: An exploratory quantitative research method was implemented to test two hypotheses emanating from a literature review. A questionnaire survey facilitated the collection of data from 83 purposefully sampled voluntary respondents, who were ordinary employees, managers and academics. Statistical analysis was done to test the validity of two hypotheses. Results: Employment relations trust can be expected to develop through four distinct, overlapping and relatively predictable sequential stages, namely compliance, fairness, good faith and benevolence. Benevolence can be assumed to be the last stage in this development process. Conclusion: Benevolence can be regarded as the erratic pinnacle of a four levelled theoretical hierarchy of ERT. Benevolence can occur before, during or after displays of compliance, fairness or good faith in employment relations. Contribution: This theory of ERT provides valid and reliable foundations for dealing with and researching a variety of aspects related to benevolence and trust in employment relations.

Infusion of ex vivo expanded and cytokine-activated natural killer (NK) cells is a promising alternative way to treat multiple myeloma (MM). However, the tumor microenvironment (TME) may suppress their function. While reduced glucose availability is a TME hallmark of many solid tumors, glucose levels within the TME of hematological malignancies residing in the bone marrow (BM) remain unknown. Here, we measured glucose levels in the BM of MM patients and tested the effect of different glucose levels on NK cells. BM glucose levels were measured using a biochemical analyzer. Compared to the normal range of blood glucose, BM glucose levels were lower in 6 of 9 patients (479-1231 mg/L; mean=731.8 mg/L). The effect of different glucose levels on NK cell cytotoxicity was tested in 4-hour cytotoxicity assays with tumor cells. 500 mg/L glucose (representing low range of MM BM) during the 4-hour cytotoxicity assay did not negatively affect cytotoxicity of activated NK cells, while higher glucose concentrations (4000 mg/L) diminished NK cell cytotoxicity. Since clinical application of NK cell therapy might require ex vivo expansion, expanded NK cells were exposed to a range of glucose concentrations from 500-4000 mg/L for a longer period (4 days). This did not reduce cytotoxicity or IFN-γ secretion nor affected their phenotypic profile. In summary, low glucose concentrations, as found in BM of MM patients, by itself did not compromise the anti-tumor potential of IL-2 activated NK cells in vitro. Although follow up studies in models with a more complex TME would be relevant, our data suggest that highly activated NK cells could be used to target tumors with a reduced glucose environment.

Background: Primary labour relationships (PLRs) occur within supervisory relationships. Previous studies confirmed that compliance, fairness, good faith and trust were interrelated facilitators of positive perceptions of primary labour relationship quality. Many researchers regard trust as a primary requirement for effective implementation of formal and psychological employment contracts. Aim: This study investigated the nature and direction of relationships between subordinate employee perceptions of the levels of compliance, fairness and good faith in PLRs and levels of trust in PLRs. Setting: Two interviewers adopted snowball sampling approaches to conduct structured interviews with 68 subordinate employees residing in Gauteng, South Africa. Methods: The researcher adopted a mixed-method research methodology that included a thorough literature review, development of a structured interview, interviewing 68 voluntary participants and statistical analysis of data. Results: Confident conclusions were drawn and discussed, and related limitations were explained. Specific recommendations for further research into the relationships and dynamics of trust-related phenomena in PLRs were made. Conclusion: It was confidently concluded that literature and empirical findings, jointly and separately, provided ample evidence of positive relationships between subordinate employee perceptions of the levels of trust and their perceptions of the levels of compliance, fairness and good faith in PLRs. Accordingly, it can be confidently expected that lower levels of trust will be related to lower levels of perceived compliance, fairness and good faith in PLRs, and higher levels of trust will be related to higher levels of perceived compliance, fairness and good faith in PLRs. Causality was not investigated in this study.

Natural killer (NK) cells are attractive candidates for allogeneic cell-based immunotherapy due to their potent antitumor effector function and good safety profile. NK cells express killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and the NKG2A receptor important for NK cells education as well as providing inhibitory signals upon encountering HLA-expressing target cells. Multiple myeloma (MM) is an example of a tumor expressing relatively high levels of HLA molecules. In this review, we discuss the functional relevance of inhibitory KIRs and NKG2A for NK cells anti-MM response and strategies to lower these inhibitory signaling to enhance clinical efficacy of allogeneic NK cells in MM.

Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy is a promising therapy for cancer patients. Inhibitory killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and NKG2A are required for NK cell licensing, but can also inhibit NK cell effector function. Upon reconstitution in a stem cell transplantation setting or after ex vivo NK expansion with IL-2, NKG2A is expressed on a large percentage of NK cells. Since the functional consequences of NKG2A co-expression for activated NK cells are not well known, we compared NKG2A+ vs NKG2A− NK cell subsets in response to K562 cells, multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines and primary MM cells. NK cells were isolated from healthy donors (HLA-C1+C2+Bw4+) and activated overnight with 1,000 U/ml IL-2. NK cell degranulation in subsets expressing KIRs and/or NKG2A was assessed at 21 or 0.6% O2. Activated NKG2A+ NK cell subsets degranulated more vigorously than NKG2A− subsets both at 21 and 0.6% O2. This was irrespective of the presence of KIR and occurred in response to HLA-deficient K562 cells as well as HLA competent, lowly expressing HLA-E MM cell lines. In response to primary MM cells, no inhibitory effects of NKG2A were observed, and NKG2A blockade did not enhance degranulation of NKG2A+ subsets. KIR− NK cells expressing NKG2A degranulated less than their NKG2A− counterparts in response to MM cells having high levels of peptide-induced membrane HLA-E, suggesting that high surface HLA-E levels are required for NKG2A to inhibit activated NK cells. Addition of daratumumab, an anti-CD38 to trigger antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, improved the anti-MM response for all subsets and degranulation of the KIR−NKG2A− “unlicensed” subset was comparable to KIR+ or NKG2A+ licensed subsets. This demonstrates that with potent activation, all subsets can contribute to tumor clearance. Additionally, subsets expressing KIRs mismatched with the HLA ligands on the target cell had the highest level of activation in response to MM cell lines as well as against primary MM. Our current study demonstrated that if NK cells are sufficiently activated, e.g., via cytokine or antibody activation, the (co-)expression of NKG2A receptor may not necessarily be a disadvantage for NK cell-based therapy.

Background: A typology of desirable social conditions in supervisory relationships suggested that such conditions may also be desirable in other forms of labour relationships. A literature review confirmed that trust, compliance, fairness and good faith can be confidently regarded as universally desirable social conditions in all forms of individual or collective labour relationships between employers and employees. Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine if primary labour relationship quality (PLQ) can be confidently conceptualised as a social construct that strongly relates to the perceived levels of compliance, fairness and good faith in supervisory or primary labour relationships. Setting: A combination of random and convenience sampling approaches was implemented to collect PLQ related data from 454 voluntary respondents, who were subordinate employees in the Tshwane region. Methods: A quantitative research methodology was adopted. This included conceptual definition of the PLQ construct, objective measurement of PLQ levels of voluntary respondents in an adequately sized sample, factor analysis and testing for relationships and differences in means between variables. Results: Data analysis results confirmed that it can be confidently concluded that the conceptual definition of PLQ was valid, and that positive PLQ perceptions of subordinate employees were significantly related to at least two other forms of desirable organisational outcomes. Conclusion: PLQ perceptions can be confidently defined as a distinct subjective quality estimate that is assimilated from unique expectations and perceptions of the levels of compliance, fairness, good faith and trust that a supervisor displays in a labour relationship with an immediate subordinate.

High salt in diet elevates blood pressure in man. Berries and fruits are regarded beneficial in antagonizing hypertension and related vascular complications. We aimed to test whether lingonberry juice shows beneficial and anti-inflammatory effects in salt induced hypertension rat model. Male Wistar–Kyoto rats were fed with 8% sodium chloride enriched pellets for 10 weeks having tap water or diluted lingonberry juice as drinking fluid. Blood pressure was recorded weekly and mesenteric artery functions tested ex vivo. Urine was collected in metabolic caging. Salt loading had only minor effects on blood pressure or endothelial function. Increased urine excretion of 8-isoprostane, cGMP and albumin reflected general or renal inflammation. Elevated expression (mRNA) of proinflammatory COX-2 by salt was normalized by lingonberry. Salt increased kidney, heart and left ventricle masses and changed serum chloride, alkaline phosphatase, albumin and lipid concentrations. Taken together the results show that l0 weeks’ high-salt diet impaired kidney function of young rats without clear effect on blood pressure or vascular function. Lingonberry juice moderately reduced biomarkers of low-grade inflammation probably due to its high polyphenol concentrations.

Lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) are rich in polyphenols, such as proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, flavonols and flavanols. Polyphenol-rich foods affect vascular health. We previously described improved endothelium-dependent vascular function as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-atherothrombotic effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) fed with lingonberry juice. In the present study, we investigated the effects of lingonberry juice dose on blood pressure, vascular function and vascular inflammation in SHR in an 8 weeks’ study. Diluted (1:5) cold-compressed lingonberry juice was given as drinking fluid ad libitum to 5 week old SHR for 8 weeks. Control group (SHR) and normotensive reference group (Wistar-Kyoto) received tap water. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was monitored weekly. Function of mesenteric artery rings was assessed in standard organ-bath chambers after 8 weeks. Biochemical and clinical chemistry variables were measured from plasma and urine. Lingonberry juice lowered SBP of SHR (p = 0.007). Endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation was not improved. Lingonberry treatment slightly affected plasma inflammatory markers (reduction of NOx and sICAM-1) and clinical chemistry variables (decreased alkaline phosphatase and increased chloride and calcium levels). In conclusion, Lingonberry juice at small concentrations lowers blood pressure in a long-term treatment in SHR.

Flavonoids and other phenolic compounds affect low-grade inflammation related to cardiovascular diseases among other positive health effects. Cardioprotective actions are mainly due to enhanced endothelial function and production of nitric oxide (NO). We investigated vascular anti-inflammatory effects of cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) juices given as drinking fluid ad libitum to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), a widely used model of human hypertension, in an 8 week intervention study. The animals were sacrificed, the aortas cleaned and RNA was extracted. cDNA was prepared for real-time PCR and blood was collected for biochemical analyses. The mRNA expressions of angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE1), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1) and P-selectin were significantly reduced in the cranberry and lingonberry groups. These findings suggest that cranberry and lingonberry cold-compressed juices have anti-inflammatory and anti-atherothrombotic actions in long-term treatment of SHR.

Phenolic compounds of berries, fruits and vegetables affect vascular health. Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation has an important role in blood pressure development by controlling the vascular tone. Endothelial cells produce and release various relaxing and contracting factors, like nitric oxide (NO), cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-derived prostanoids and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether 8 weeks treatment with Finnish berry juices, cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) affects blood pressure and vascular function of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). After 8 weeks treatment the mesenteric arteries of the rats were taken for vascular reactivity studies. Lingonberry treatment normalized the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation seen in the cranberry, blackcurrant and control rats. In the arteries of lingonberry treated rats the relaxation was partly due to NO, but also dependent on EDHF. It can be concluded that long-term lingonberry juice treatment improves endothelium-dependent vasodilatation of SHR.