BackgroundElevated chemerin level is observed in patients with arterial hypertension. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between chemerin level, and parameters of blood pressure and arterial stiffness in children and adolescents with obesity but without arterial hypertension.MethodsIn 23 children with obesity (13 girls, mean age 9.3, SD 1.9, mean BMI SDS 3.9, SD 1.7) 24 h ABPM (Spacelabs 90,217, USA), common carotids and abdominal aorta intima media thickness measurements (Voluson 730, GE Medical System 8.5 and 3.5 MHz probes), body composition analysis (Tanita BC 418 S MA, Tokyo, Japan) were performed. Glucose, triglycerides, total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, liver enzymes, uric acid, creatinine, sodium, insulin and chemerin levels were assessed in blood sample taken after a 12-h fasting period.ResultsThere was a significant correlation of circulating chemerin level with systolic blood pressure load in ABPM (r=0.5, p<0.05).ConclusionElevated chemerin level may be associated with increased systolic blood pressure in obese children.

Introduction: Patients with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) can have an increased risk of occurrence of extrathyroidal defects compared to the general population, which could influence their development. The abnormalities occur mainly in organ systems whose development and function is dependent on genes that are also responsible for proper organogenesis of the thyroid gland and thyroid hormone synthesis. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of extrathyroidal defects in CH patients, taking into consideration the cause of this co-occurrence and the role of genetic tests. Material and methods: The study included 54 newborns with positive screening test for CH based on elevated TSH level, in the years 2010-2017, from SouthEastern Poland. The data was retrieved retrospectively from patients' medical records. Results: Twenty of 54 newborns with CH (37%) had congenital defects of other organs. In 10 (18.5%) cardiac defects were found, in 5 (9.25%) abnormal symptoms of the respiratory system, 7 (12.96%) had abnormalities of the gastrointestinal system, five (9.25%) had genitourinary abnormalities, 3 (5.55%) had abnormalities of the nervous system, and 6 (11.1%) had musculoskeletal abnormalities. Conclusions: The analysis of our data and current literature suggests that genetic factors play the most important role in the development of extrathyroidal abnormalities in newborns with CH. Identifying the mutation causing CH, the potential defects that can accompany newborns with CH, screening could be offered for these patients in order to obtain an earlier diagnosis and implement early and appropriate treatment.

Owing to the reliance on volunteer labour for their success, the behaviour and attitudes of volunteers is of central concern to non-profit organisations (NPOs). To optimise volunteer functioning and retention in a unique and challenging work context, it is necessary to understand their well-being. Research purpose:The objective of this study was to explore the work-life experiences of volunteers to better understand the manifestations of well-being in the volunteering work context.Motivation for the study: Because of the unique and challenging work setting that constitutes volunteering, and the important contribution volunteers make to society and the economy, research is needed from an industrial and organisational psychology (IOP) perspective on the well-being of volunteers.Research approach/design and method: This study was directed by a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology. Eight volunteers from an NPO operating in the South African provincial health sector participated in in-depth interviews. The data obtained were analysed using a six-stage theoretical thematic analytical process.Main findings: Guided by 'flourishing at work' as the theoretical framework, four themes were co-constructed from the data: learning and growing in competence, demonstrating an engaged state of mind, exhibiting emotional well-being and feeling socially integrated and connected. Practical/managerial implications:The results of this study may assist NPOs in developing context-specific interventions aimed at managing and enhancing well-being in volunteers. Contribution/value-add:This study contributes to the body of knowledge on the well-being of volunteers, who are considered a distinct workforce in the field of IOP.

Volunteering in non-Western countries, such as South Africa, is subject to poor infrastructure, lack of resources, poverty-stricken conditions and often conducted by volunteers from lower socio-economic spheres of society. Sustaining the well-being of volunteers in this context is essential in ensuring their continued capacity to volunteer. To do so, it is important to understand the psychological resilience of these volunteers and the resistance resources they employ to positively adapt to their challenging work-life circumstances. The aim of this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore volunteers’ psychological resilience from a salutogenic perspective. In-depth interviews were conducted with eight volunteers servicing government-run hospitals. Data were analysed through phenomenological hermeneutical analysis. Findings show a characteristic work-life orientation to be at the root of volunteers’ resilience. Their work-life orientation is based on a distinct inner drive, an other-directedness and a “calling” work orientation. It is proposed that this work-life orientation enables volunteers in this study context, to cope with and positively adapt to challenging work-life circumstances and continue volunteering. The elements of their work-life orientation are presented as intrapersonal strength resources fundamental to their psychological resilience. It is suggested that organisations invest in developmental interventions that endorse and promote these intrapersonal strengths.

Private Higher Education (PHE) is perceived in South Africa to deliver programmes of questionable quality in search of profit maximisation (CHE 2016, 84). To curb this perception, the Council on Higher Education (CHE) has instituted strict regulations with regard to accrediting qualifications presented by institutions of higher learning. To determine the contributions of PHE to the South African higher education landscape, this article evaluates a registered management programme, recommended by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) of the CHE, and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) (CHE, 2013). Using Kirkpatrick's (1996) fourlevel model of training programme evaluation as the theoretical framework, the management programme was evaluated to determine its contribution to the South African higher education landscape. The four levels included the perception of the learners, the knowledge gained by the learners, the learners' performance in the workplace and the return on investment. Other stakeholders, such as the sponsors and students' line managers, were interviewed to determine whether the programme had contributed to work outputs. Overall, the results show that the programme is contributing to the development of higher education in South Africa.