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Antioxidant colloids were developed via controlled heteroaggregation of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO

Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles of intrinsic peroxidase and superoxide dismutase-like activities were prepared by the co-precipitation method and immobilized on amidine functionalized polystyrene latex (AL) particles. The interaction between the AL and PB particles and the colloidal stability of the resulting AL-PB hybrid composites were assessed at different mass ratios via determination of the charging and aggregation characteristics in the samples. The negatively charged PB nanoparticles strongly adsorbed on the oppositely charged AL particles resulting in a range of AL-PB composites of positive, neutral and negative overall charge, once the PB dose was increased. The AL-PB composite of a saturated PB layer on the surface of the AL particles formed considerably stable dispersions. Further, the morphology, structural and functional features of the AL-PB composites were explored by electron microscopy and enzymatic assays. The results revealed that the immobilization of PB nanoparticles not only provided a sustained catalytic surface but did not compromise the enzyme-like activities. The obtained stable composite is a promising agent in antioxidant therapies and wherever the aim is to reduce oxidative stress at laboratory or larger scales.

Background Disasters and the magnitude of destruction are increasing worldwide. Nurses constitute the largest number of healthcare providers and have major roles in disaster response and care. They need to have sufficient knowledge, skill competencies, and preparedness in responding to disasters. This review aimed to evaluate nursing preparedness to disasters in terms of knowledge, skill competencies, and psychological preparedness to disasters. Methods A systematic review was conducted from recent research articles published between 2001 and 2018, which included searches from five databases: PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus, Medline, and ScienceDirect. Quality of the selected studies was assessed using Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), and the review results were generated through an iterative narrative process of synthesis to identify common themes. Results Twelve studies, with a total of 1443 nurses involved, met the inclusion criteria. The articles revealed the need for further development of disaster preparedness of nurses in the aspects of knowledge and skill competencies; and in particular with more focus on the education of nurses to achieve better psychological preparedness. Conclusion The results of this review showed that it is important to enhance the psychological preparedness of nurses, in addition to knowledge and skill competencies, so that they can provide the best care possible to affected individuals as well as for themselves.