Heparin-containing block copolymers, Part I: Surface characterization

Newly synthesized heparin-containing block copolymers, consisting of a hydrophobic block of polystyrene (PS), a hydrophilic spacer-block of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and covalently bound heparin (Hep) as bioactive block, were coated on aluminium, glass, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), PS or Biomer substrates. Surfaces of coated materials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (XPS). It was demonstrated by TEM that thin films of PS-PEO and PS-PEO-Hep block copolymers consisted of heterogeneous microphase separated structures. Using sessile-drop and Wilhelmy plate dynamic contact angle measurements, insight was provided into the hydrophilicity of the surfaces of the coatings. Measurements with hydrated coatings of PS-PEO and PS-PEO-Hep block copolymers revealed that the surfaces became more hydrophilic during immersion in water, due to relaxation/reorientation, or swelling of PEO or PEO-Hep domains, respectively. XPS results for PS, PEO, heparin and PS-PEO as powder agreed well with qualitative and quantitative predictions. XPS results for films of PS-PEO and PS-PEO-Hep block copolymers showed enrichments of PEO in the top layers of the coatings. This effect was more pronounced for hydrated surfaces. Only small amounts of heparin were detected at the surface of coatings of PS-PEO-Hep block copolymers

Influence of the Organisational Environment on Challenging Behaviour in People with Intellectual Disabilities: Professionals’ Views

Background: We examined the influence of the organizational environment on chal‐ lenging behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities to increase understanding of the quality of support services for people with intellectual disabilities. Method: Twenty‐one professionals and managers from four specialized Dutch disa‐ bility service organizations were interviewed. Data were analysed with a grounded theory approach, using Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory as a sensitizing frame. Results: The organizational environment (i.e., vision, values, sufficient resources) is related via the support service (i.e., providing stability, constant awareness) to resi‐ dents’ challenging behaviour and is also linked directly to challenging behaviour (e.g., living environment, values). Organizations are restricted by national regulations, neg‐ ative media attention and changing societal values, which negatively influence qual‐ ity of support. Conclusions: The creation of a supportive organizational environment for staff, who in turn can provide quality support services to residents with demanding care needs, was found to prevent challenging behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities

A multiple case study investigating changes in organizations serving residents with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviours

Background: the present authors examined changes made in disability service organizations supporting residents with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviours, because these changes may influence residents’ support and subsequently their challenging behaviours. Method: In this multiple case study, the present authors collected and qualitatively analysed data (organizational documents, meetings records and focus group reports) on organizational changes made in two specialized Dutch disability service organizations, using ecological theory as a sensitizing framework and the constant comparative method. Results: Themes describing organizational changes in this context were as follows: a messy start to the transition; staff, professionals and managers remain at a distance; staff members’ ability to change; clear boundaries between formal and informal caregivers; and staff’s feelings of being unheard. Conclusions: Organizational changes can enhance, but also limit, the quality of residential support services provided to people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviours. The change process and impact of organizational changes on residents must be examined closely

The oxidation state of ge on Pd/C catalysts investigated by XPS

A commercially available 15%-Pd-on-active-carbon catalyst was modified with a Ge sub-monolayer to make it suitable for hydrogenation reactions. Two modified catalysts were prepared via reductive adsorption of Ge4+, the Ge concentrations on the Pd surface being equivalent to 0.18 and 0.71 monolayer, respectively.\ud \ud Information about the valence state of the Ge on the Pd/C catalysts for fresh and hydrogen-treated samples was obtained using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray induced Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The hydrogen-treated catalyst samples were handled in a high-quality glove box directly coupled to the XPS instrument, to prevent re-oxidation of the samples.\ud \ud The high resolution XPS results, as well as the position of the Auger line, the line shape of the Auger line and the Auger parameter, all show that the Ge present in sub-monolayer concentration on the freshly prepared Pd catalyst is present in oxidised form and that it can be reduced completely to the metallic state in a H2 atmosphere at low (50°C) temperature

Cross-sectional investigation of relationships between the organisational environment and challenging behaviours in support services for residents with intellectual disabilities

Background: This study was conducted to assess relationships between the organisational environment and three types of challenging behaviour (self-injurious, aggressive/destructive and stereotypical) in support services for residents with intellectual disabilities using ecological theory. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based design was used to identify relationships between ecological system aspects at multiple levels (micro-, meso-, exo-, macro- and chronosystems) and challenging behaviours of residents. A questionnaire was distributed to care professionals and managers working in specialised Dutch service organisations for residents with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour. The data were examined by Pearson correlation and multivariate regression analyses. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 922 respondents from 21 organisations. Responses revealed that organisational aspects at the micro-, meso-, exo- and macrosystem levels play roles in residents' challenging behaviour. These aspects range from staff members' ability to sensitively interact with residents to grouping of residents with challenging behaviour, and staff turnover. Conclusions: In the prevention and management of challenging behaviour of residents with intellectual disabilities, the consideration of ecological aspects at all system levels in the organisational environment is required.Social science; Psychology; Challenging behaviour; Organisational environment; Ecological theory; Intellectual disabilities

Co-ingestion of protein and leucine stimulates muscle protein synthesis rates to the same extent in young and elderly lean men

BACKGROUND: The progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass with aging is attributed to a disruption in the regulation of skeletal muscle protein turnover. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects on whole-body protein balance and mixed-muscle protein synthesis rates of the ingestion of carbohydrate with or without protein and free leucine after simulated activities of daily living. DESIGN: Eight elderly (75 +/- 1 y) and 8 young (20 +/- 1 y) lean men were randomly assigned to 2 crossover experiments in which they consumed either carbohydrate (CHO) or carbohydrate plus protein and free leucine (CHO+Pro+Leu) after performing 30 min of standardized activities of daily living. Primed, continuous infusions with L-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine and L-[ring-2H2]tyrosine were applied, and blood and muscle samples were collected to assess whole-body protein turnover and the protein fractional synthetic rate in the vastus lateralis muscle over a 6-h period. RESULTS: Whole-body phenylalanine and tyrosine flux were significantly higher in the young than in the elderly men (P < 0.01). Protein balance was negative in the CHO experiment but positive in the CHO+Pro+Leu experiment in both groups. Mixed-muscle protein synthesis rates were significantly greater in the CHO+Pro+Leu than in the CHO experiment in both the young (0.082 +/- 0.005%/h and 0.060 +/- 0.005%/h, respectively; P < 0.01) and the elderly (0.072 +/- 0.006%/h and 0.043 +/- 0.003%/h, respectively; P < 0.01) subjects, with no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Co-ingestion of protein and leucine with carbohydrate after activities of daily living improves whole-body protein balance, and the increase in muscle protein synthesis rates is not significantly different between lean young and elderly men

Co-ingestion of protein and leucine stimulates muscle protein synthesis rates to the same extent in young and elderly lean men

BACKGROUND: The progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass with aging is attributed to a disruption in the regulation of skeletal muscle protein turnover. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects on whole-body protein balance and mixed-muscle protein synthesis rates of the ingestion of carbohydrate with or without protein and free leucine after simulated activities of daily living. DESIGN: Eight elderly (75 +/- 1 y) and 8 young (20 +/- 1 y) lean men were randomly assigned to 2 crossover experiments in which they consumed either carbohydrate (CHO) or carbohydrate plus protein and free leucine (CHO+Pro+Leu) after performing 30 min of standardized activities of daily living. Primed, continuous infusions with L-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine and L-[ring-2H2]tyrosine were applied, and blood and muscle samples were collected to assess whole-body protein turnover and the protein fractional synthetic rate in the vastus lateralis muscle over a 6-h period. RESULTS: Whole-body phenylalanine and tyrosine flux were significantly higher in the young than in the elderly men (P < 0.01). Protein balance was negative in the CHO experiment but positive in the CHO+Pro+Leu experiment in both groups. Mixed-muscle protein synthesis rates were significantly greater in the CHO+Pro+Leu than in the CHO experiment in both the young (0.082 +/- 0.005%/h and 0.060 +/- 0.005%/h, respectively; P < 0.01) and the elderly (0.072 +/- 0.006%/h and 0.043 +/- 0.003%/h, respectively; P < 0.01) subjects, with no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Co-ingestion of protein and leucine with carbohydrate after activities of daily living improves whole-body protein balance, and the increase in muscle protein synthesis rates is not significantly different between lean young and elderly men