Swelling, Mechanical and Antimicrobial Studies of Ag/P(HEMA/IA)/PVP Semi-IPN Hybrid Hydrogels

A simple and fast approach to the design and production of new hybrid polymeric biomaterials with silver particles is presented in this work. Silver/semi-interpenetrating network hybrid hydrogels (Ag/semi-IPNHHs) were prepared through an optimized solution crosslinking copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and itaconic acid (IA), in the presence of PVP, a silver salt and a reducing green agent (Ag/P(HEMA/IA)/PVP). PVP was chosen due to its protective, reduction, and nucleation properties in the production of metal particles. The structure of the Ag/semi-IPNHH was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The presence of silver and PVP in the network was confirmed by FTIR spectra. The results obtained by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed good mechanical properties for all samples. The swelling studies of Ag/P(HEMA/IA)/PVP were conducted in the temperature range of 25-55 degrees C, in the buffer of pH 7.40. The Ag/semi-IPNHH showed temperature-sensitive swelling properties, with the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) values in the physiologically interesting interval. The antimicrobial activity of the samples was tested using E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans pathogens. It was concluded that the antimicrobial potential depends on the hydrogels composition and the type of microbes12th Annual YUCOMAT Conference, Sep 06-10, 2010, Herceg Novi, Montenegr

Treatment of trochanteric bursitis: Our experience

© 2016 The Society of Physical Therapy Science. [Purpose] Trochanteric bursitis is a disease for which there are no effective standardized therapy protocols. Very often pain persists in spite of applying all therapeutic treatments. The purpose of this study was to determine whether treatment of trochanteric bursitis with a local injection of bicomponent corticosteroid and 2% lidocaine would improve patients’ conditions and relieve pain symptoms in the trochanteric area. [Subjects and Methods] A retrospective observational study was conducted of 2,217 patients in a 6 year follow-up period at the Special Hospital “Agens”, Mataruska Banja, Serbia. [Results] Of 2,217 examined patients, 58 (2.6%) patients were found to suffer from trochanteritis associated with low back pain, and 157 (7%) were found to suffer from trochanteric pains without low back pains. Local corticosteroid therapy followed by physical therapy was effective in 77 (49%) of these patients, and only corticosteroid injection in 61 (39%) patients. A single injection was given to 47 (29.9%) of the patients. Two injections were given to 9 (5.7%) patients, and from 3 to 5 injections were given repeatedly every 4–6 weeks to 7 (4.5%) patients. [Conclusion] For most patients, local injections of corticosteroids with lidocaine alone or followed by physical therapy gave satisfactory results