Effectiveness of Gerontechnology Empowerment Program on Awareness and Use of Mobile Apps Among Older Adults for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Instrumental activities of daily living (iADLs) are crucial for older adults to live independently. Health care and technological advancements will increase the older adult population and life expectancy globally. Difficulties with iADLs impact older adults' quality of life.

One-step synthesis of starch-silver nanoparticle solution and its application to antibacterial paper coating.

Antibacterial starch-silver nanoparticles (ST-AgNPs) for use as coating solutions were prepared in a single step by ultrasonicating a mixture of starch, silver nitrate, and distilled water. The starch was used as an eco-friendly and inexpensive reducing agent. UV-vis spectra and transmission electron microscopy indicated that our single-step process was effective for synthesizing starch-based coating solution with AgNPs.

A mini review on hydrogels classification and recent developments in miscellaneous applications.

Hydrogels are composed of three-dimensional smart and/or hungry networks, which do not dissolve in water but swell considerably in an aqueous medium, demonstrating an extraordinary ability to absorb water into the reticulated structure. Such inherent feature is a subject of considerable scientific research interest which leads to a dominating path in extending their potential in hi-tech applications. Over the past decades, significant progress has been made in the field of hydrogels.

Chitosan-mediated synthesis of flowery-CuO, and its antibacterial and catalytic properties.

In the current investigation, CuO with a flower-like morphology has been successfully synthesized in situ in a chitosan medium (0.0015gmL) from copper nitrate (Cu(NO)·3HO) and ammonia solution via a facile microwave-induced method. The as-prepared CuO was characterized by SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR and TGA.

Green synthesis of tea Ag nanocomposite hydrogels via mint leaf extraction for effective antibacterial activity.

In this report, we investigated the swelling behavior and antibacterial property of nanosilver composite hydrogels made from tea with polyacrylamide via a free-radical polymerization and green process technique. This is probably for the first time; tea-based nano silver composite hydrogels were developed. The composite hydrogels comprise embedded nano silver particles in the tea hydrogel matrix via a green process with mint leaf extract.

Improving properties of Hanji by coating chitosan-silver nanoparticle solution.

A chitosan-silver nanoparticle solution (CSNS) was applied as a coating material to Hanji (Korean traditional paper), and the properties of the coated paper were investigated as a function of the dilution ratio. The required CSNS was first prepared from AgNO (30mmol) by utilizing chitosan as a reducing and stabilizing agent via ultrasonication. The as-prepared CSNS was diluted to various ratios (undiluted, 1/10, 1/100, and 1/1000) and applied to Hanji by a dip-coating method.

Development of biodegradable metaloxide/polymer nanocomposite films based on poly-ε-caprolactone and terephthalic acid.

The present investigation describes the development of metal-oxide polymer nanocomposite films from biodegradable poly-ε-caprolactone, disposed poly(ethylene terephthalate) oil bottles monomer and zinc oxide-copper oxide nanoparticles. The terephthalic acid and zinc oxide-copper oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by using a temperature-dependent precipitation technique and double precipitation method, respectively. The terephthalic acid synthesized was confirmed by FTIR analysis and furthermore, it was characterized by thermal analysis.

Identification of silver cubic structures during ultrasonication of chitosan AgNO3 solution.

During ultrasonication of chitosan AgNO3 solution (10mM), silver cubic structures were identified along with other dispersed silver nanoparticles. Temperature influenced the formation of the cubic structures. Formation of the silver cubic structures occurred via initial formation of 'four petal flower-like' structures that underwent transformation to the "cubic morphology" in the latter stages.

Step-reduced synthesis of starch-silver nanoparticles.

In the present process, silver nanoparticles were directly synthesized in a single step by microwave irradiation of a mixture of starch, silver nitrate, and deionized water. This is different from the commonly adopted procedure for starch-silver nanoparticle synthesis in which silver nanoparticles are synthesized by preparing a starch solution as a reaction medium first. Thus, the additional step associated with the preparation of the starch solution was eliminated.

Microwave assisted antibacterial chitosan-silver nanocomposite films.

In the current approach, antibacterial chitosan-silver nanocomposite films were fabricated through microwave irradiation. During the process, by utilizing chitosan as reducing agent, silver nanoparticles were synthesized within 11 min by microwave irradiation. Further, films were fabricated within 90 min.

Nano zinc oxide-sodium alginate antibacterial cellulose fibres.

In the present study, antibacterial cellulose fibres were successfully fabricated by a simple and cost-effective procedure by utilizing nano zinc oxide. The possible nano zinc oxide was successfully synthesized by precipitation technique and then impregnated effectively over cellulose fibres through sodium alginate matrix. XRD analysis revealed the 'rod-like' shape alignment of zinc oxide with an interplanar d-spacing of 0.

Isolation and characterization of antimicrobial cyclic dipeptides from Pseudomonas fluorescens and their efficacy on sorghum grain mold fungi.

This study was aimed at isolation and characterization of natural antifungal compounds for grain mold, a key parasitic fungal disease of sorghum. Pseudomonas fluorescens strain isolated from rhizosphere of groundnut crop was selected as a source. Its biocontrolling ability was assessed by testing some biochemical attributes such as phosphate-solubilization, and HCN, NH3 , indole-3-acetic acid, and siderophore production.

Colorectal cancer liver metastasis presenting as pneumoperitoneum: case report and literature review.

Pneumoperitoneum presenting as air under diaphragm on erect chest X-ray is usually a result of hollow viscous perforation but can be a result of many other diagnoses including necrotising enterocolitis and ruptured liver abscess. We report a case of colon cancer with liver metastases presenting as pneumoperitoneum. This was a result of infection of the metastases with Clostridium septicum with resultant rupture in to sub diaphragmatic space.

2-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-phenyl-quinazolin-4(3H)-one.

In the mol-ecule of the title compound, C21H14N2O3, the quinazoline ring system [maximum deviation = 0.076 (1) Å] makes dihedral angles of 40.57 (9) and 42.

Does squatting worsen lower limb ischemia in patients with peripheral arterial disease?

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the world affecting up to 20% in people over 70 years of age. The prevalence is increasing in India due to combined effects of increased life expectancy, increased tobacco smoking and increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus. The aim of the study was to examine the hypothesis whether squatting posture reduces blood flow to lower limbs resulting in worsening of symptoms of lower limb ischemia in patients with PAD.

Iota-Carrageenan-based biodegradable Ag0 nanocomposite hydrogels for the inactivation of bacteria.

In this paper, we report the synthesis and characterization of Iota-Carrageenan based on a novel biodegradable silver nanocomposite hydrogels. The aim of study was to investigate whether these hydrogels have the potential to be used in bacterial inactivation applications. Biodegradable silver nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared by a green process using acrylamide (AM) with I-Carrageenan (IC).

Cellulose-polymer-Ag nanocomposite fibers for antibacterial fabrics/skin scaffolds.

Natural carbohydrates (polysaccharides): gum acacia (GA) and gaur gum (GG) were employed in dilute solutions: 0.3%, 0.5% and 0.

Development of novel biodegradable Au nanocomposite hydrogels based on wheat: for inactivation of bacteria.

The design and fabrication of novel biodegradable gold nanocomposites hydrogels were developed as antibacterial agent. Biodegradable gold nanocomposite hydrogels were developed by using acrylamide (AM) and wheat protein isolate (WPI). The gold nanoparticles were prepared as a gold colloid by reducing HAuCl(4)·XH(2)O with leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem leaf) that formed hydrogel network.

Molecular understanding of the compaction behavior of indomethacin polymorphs.

Polymorphs enable us to gain molecular insights into the compaction behavior of pharmaceutical powders. Two polymorphs (α and γ) of indomethacin (IMC) were investigated for in-die and out-of-die compaction behavior using compressibility, tabletability and compactibility (CTC) profile, stress-strain relationship, and Heckel, Kawakita and Walker equations. Compaction studies were performed on a fully instrumented rotary tabletting machine.

Surgically placed wound catheters (SPWC) and local anaesthetic infusion in breast surgery: efficacy and safety analysis.

Background: The effectiveness of surgically placed wound catheters (SPWC) and local anaesthetic infusion in the management of post-operative pain following breast surgery is controversial. This meta-analysis was performed to assess efficacy SPWC compared to other techniques of pain management.

Material And Methods: The meta-analysis included randomised control trials that compared SPWC with other forms of pain control.

PlasmoID: A P. falciparum protein information discovery tool.

Plasmodium falciparum is the parasite responsible for more than 90% of deaths that occur due to malaria. Organization and mining of 'omic' (genomic, proteomic, transcriptomic, interactomic) data can improve our understanding of P. falciparum biology and help in the fight against malaria.

Port site necrotising fasciitis following laparoscopic appendicectomy.

Necrotising fasciitis is a fast-spreading infection affecting the fascia and, with continued spread, causes secondary necrosis of the skin. A case has been previously described in association with laparoscopic appendicectomy but with a fatal outcome. We report a similar but successfully managed case and review the literature.

First authenticated cases of life-threatening envenoming by the hump-nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale) in India.

In Kerala, south-western India, five patients developed systemic envenoming after bites by hump-nosed pit vipers (Hypnale hypnale), proved by identification of the snakes responsible. Two of the dead snakes had been misidentified as saw-scaled vipers (Echis carinatus), while three had remained unidentified. Symptoms of local envenoming were pain, swelling, haemorrhagic blistering, bruising and regional lymphadenopathy.