Bacteria‐caused infection remains an issue in the treatment of bone defects by means of Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy implants. This study aimed to improve the antibacterial properties of an Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy by coating with chitosan‐based nanofibers with incorporated silver sulfadiazine (AgSD) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). AgSD and MWCNTs were prepared at a weight ratio of 1:1 and then added to chitosan at varying concentrations (ie, 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.5 wt.%) to form composites. The obtained composites were ejected in nanofiber form using an electrospinning technique and coated on the surface of an Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy to improve its antibacterial properties. A microstructural examination by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the diameter of chitosan nanofiber ejected increased with the concentration of AgSD‐MWCNTs. The incorporation of AgSD‐MWCNTs into the chitosan nanofibers was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Examination of the antibacterial activity shows that chitosan nanofibers with AgSD‐MWCNTs can significantly inhibit the growth and infiltration of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Biocompatibility assay and cell morphology observations demonstrate that AgSD‐MWCNTs incorporated into nanofibers are cytocompatible. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate the potential application of electrospun chitosan with AgSD‐MWCNTs as an antibacterial coating on Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy implants for bone treatment.
Urinary incontinence is a common disorder that often affects the elderly. The prevalence of depression in people with urinary incontinence varies from 20-40%. Objective: This study aimed to investigate and compare the prevalence of depression in postmenopausal women with and without urinary incontinence. Materials and Methods: This comparative study with cross-sectional design was, conducted on 284 postmenopausal women in two groups of with and without urinary incontinence (controls). After recording their demographic characteristics, they all completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression were used to assess depression score and severity of depression. Results: The mean age of participants was 57.62±9.62. The mean score of depression in women with urinary incontinence was higher than in the control group (8.85±7.35 vs. 6.11±5.03), and this difference was significant (P=0.001). According to the Chi-square test, the probability of depression in women with urinary incontinence was twofold higher than that of controls (21.3% vs. 9.86%). Using logistic regression and controlling the effects of sociodemographic variables, the odds of depression in women with urinary incontinence were 2.5 times higher than the control group (P=0.01). Conclusion: Depression and urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women are seemed to be related to each other. It is recommended that depression be screened in postmenopausal women with urinary incontinence.
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