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Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in spherical shape with diameter of 6–35 nm stabilized by dextran were synthesized by γ-irradiation method. The AuNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The influence of pH, Au3+ concentration, and dextran concentration on the size of AuNPs was investigated. Results indicated that the smallest AuNPs size (6 nm) and the largest AuNPs size (35 nm) were obtained for pH of 1 mM Au3+/1% dextran solution of 5.5 and 7.5, respectively. The smaller Au3+ concentration favored smaller size and conversely the smaller dextran concentration favored bigger size of AuNPs. AuNPs powders were prepared by spay drying, coagulation, and centrifugation and their sizes were also evaluated. The purity of prepared AuNPs powders was also examined by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Thus, the as-prepared AuNPs stabilized by biocompatible dextran in solution and/or in powder form can be potentially applied in biomedicine and pharmaceutics.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to explore nurses’ perception of their roles in shared decision-making about caring for older adults with a chronic disease. Methods: This study was a qualitative descriptive study. Ten nurses participated in the focus group interviews. The collected data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis to explore nurses’ roles in shared decision-making about caring for older adults with a chronic disease. Results: Nurses' shared decision-making experiences about caring for older adults with a chronic disease yielded four main themes and ten categories including ‘facilitating involvement in decision-making’, ‘providing information for decision-making’, ‘respecting patient values and preferences’, ‘evaluating the outcome of decision-making’. Conclusion: This study explored nurses' roles in shared decision-making about caring for older adults with a chronic disease. Nurses can enhance the shared decision-making process by identifying the decision needs and facilitating decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]