Novel bis-crown ethers and their sodium complexes as antimicrobial agent: synthesis and spectroscopic characterizations

A series of new compounds containing formyl and imine group were synthesized. New formyl-substituted compounds were prepared by the reaction of 1,2-bis(bromomethyl)benzene with benzaldehyde derivatives in the presence of NaOH. New bis-crown ether imine compounds were prepared by the condensation of corresponding aldehydes with 4′-aminobenzo-15-crown-5. Sodium complexes of the bis-crown ethers form crystalline 2:1 (Na⁺:ligand) stoichiometries were also been synthesized. The prepared compounds were structurally confirmed by analytical and spectral data and evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The results show that the antibacterial activity of compounds including o-methoxy group was significantly higher against S. epidermis compared to the other studied antimicrobial group.     

Sarcopenia is associated with increased severe postoperative complications after colon cancer surgery

IntroductionStudies have shown that sarcopenia is associated with poor outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing surgery. We aimed to investigate the relationship between postoperative complications of sarcopenic patients who had been operated on for colon cancer and the effects on short-term mortality.Material and methodsIn this study, patients who had undergone colon cancer surgery between January 2013 and December 2018 were collected retrospectively. Sarcopenia was diagnosed by the skeletal muscle index (SMI) derived from a preoperative computed tomography scan. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether sarcopenia is associated with postoperative major complications (POMC).ResultsThe study included 160 patients with a mean age of 62.4 ±12.6 years. Clavien-Dindo grade 1–2 (minor) complications were not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.896). However, grade ≥ 3 (major) complications were detected in 13 (17.8%) patients in the sarcopenic group (SG) and in 5 patients in the non-sarcopenic group (NSG) (5.7%) (p = 0.016). Length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay was longer in SG (p = 0.002) and there was no difference between 1-month and 6-month mortality rates (p = 0.273 and p = 0.402, respectively). According to univariate analyses, sarcopenia and age over 65 years were related to POMC. In multivariate analyses, sarcopenia (odds ratio = 3.039; 95% confidence interval 1.008–9.174; p = 0.048) and advanced age (odds ratio = 3.246; 95% confidence interval 1.078–9.803; p = 0.036) were found to be independent risk factors for POMC.ConclusionsThis study showed that while sarcopenia is a risk factor for POMC, sarcopenia also prolongs the duration of ICU stay. Also sarcopenia has no effect on short-term mortality.     

Prevalence and risk factors of depression among community dwelling elderly

Depression in the elderly is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of depression among community-dwelling older population in an urban setting in Turkey. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 482 elderly individuals 65 years and over in an urban area. Cluster sampling method was used for sample size. Depression in the elderly had been diagnosed by a clinical interview and Geriatric Depression Scale. Data were collected by door-to-door survey. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis. P value, which was calculated by the results of chi square test and coefficient of phi (φ), below 0.05 was included in the analysis of logistic regression. Depression was significantly associated with female gender, being single or divorced, lower educational status, low income, unemployment, and lack of health insurance. However, logistic regression analysis revealed higher depression rates in the elderly with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, psychiatric disease, cerebrovascular disease, low income and being dependent. Depression is common among community-dwelling older people in an urban area of Izmir, Turkey. Older adults living in community should be cautiously screened to prevent or manage depression.