Structural and spectral studies of N-(3-hydroxypyridine-2-yl)salicylideneimine and N-(3-hydroxypyridine-2-yl)-5-bromosalicylideneimine and their dimethyltin(IV) complexes

N-(3-hydroxypyridine-2-yl)salicylidineimine (1), N-(3-hydroxypyridine-2-yl)-5-bromo salicylideneimine (2) and their diorganotin(IV) complexes formulated as Me2Sn(OC6H4CH=NC5H3NO) (3) and Me2Sn(OC6H3BrCH=NC5H3NO) (4) were prepared and characterized by 1H-NMR, IR, mass spectroscopy and single crystal x-ray diffraction study. The crystal structures of 3 [orthorhombic, Pbna (no 60); a = 10.439(1) Å, b = 13.388(3) Å, c = 19.340(2) Å, Z = 4; V = 2703(1) Å3] and 4 [monoclinic, P21/a (no 14); a = 7.528(4) Å, b = 16.576(7) Å, c = 12.017(7) Å, β = 97.97(5), Z = 4; V = 1485(1) Å3] have been solved by standard methods and refined by full-matrix least squares (carried out on F 2) to R values of 0.066 and 0.046 respectively. The studied tin(IV) complexes (3 and 4) exhibit the distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometries around Sn atoms, separately. The tautomeric effects of ligands and the substitution of Br atom to the common molecular structure were discussed beside of the coordination geometries of 3 and 4.

Preparation and characterization of flexible poly(vinyl chloride) foam films

In this study, the effect of activator ZnO and heating time at 190°C on foaming, gelation, and dehydrochlorination of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) plastisol was investigated. For this purpose, a PVC plastisol was prepared by mixing PVC, dioctyl phthalate (DOP), azodicarbonamide (ADC), ZnO, and the heat stabilizers calcium stearate (CaSt2) and zinc stearate(ZnSt2). PVC plastisol films were heated for 3, 6, 12, and 24 min periods at 190°C to see the effect of heating time on the gelation and foaming processes of the PVC foam. The time of 12 min was determined to be optimum for the completion of gelation and foaming processes without thermal degradation of PVC. No foaming was observed under the same conditions for the samples without ZnO. ZnO had a significant catalytic effect on ADC decomposition, accelerating the foaming of the films. Average porosity measurement showed a consistent increase in porosity with heating time up to 76% and the average density decreased from 1.17 to 0.29 g/cm3 on foaming. Tensile tests showed that the tensile strength and tensile strain both increased considerably up to 0.98 MPa and 207%, respectively, with heating time and the elastic modulus was seen to gradually decrease from 4.7 to 0.7 MPa with heating time. Films without ZnO had higher tensile strength since there were no pores. PVC thermomat tests showed that ZnO lowered the stability time of plastigel film with azodicarbonamide. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Isomer decay spectroscopy of 164Sm and 166Gd: midshell collectivity around N=100

Excited states in the N=102 isotones 166Gd and 164Sm have been observed following isomeric decay for the first time at RIBF, RIKEN. The half-lives of the isomeric states have been measured to be 950(60) and 600(140) ns for 166Gd and 164Sm, respectively. Based on the decay patterns and potential energy surface calculations, including β6 deformation, a spin and parity of 6- has been assigned to the isomeric states in both nuclei. Collective observables are discussed in light of the systematics of the region, giving insight into nuclear shape evolution. The decrease in the ground-band energies of 166Gd and 164Sm (N=102) compared to 164Gd and 162Sm (N=100), respectively, presents evidence for the predicted deformed shell closure at N=100.

Adiponectin levels, insulin resistance and their relationship with serum levels of inflammatory cytokines in patients with Behçet's disease

AIM

Increased frequency of cardiovascular disease and its possible relations with insulin resistance have been reported in patients with inflammatory diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate insulin resistance and serum adiponectin levels as cardiovascular risk markers in patients with Behçet's disease.

METHOD

Study population consisted of 40 patients with Behçet's disease (BD) and a control group composed of age, gender, body mass index-matched 46 healthy individuals. All patients were examined for signs of Behçet's disease. Body mass index, waist and hip circumference were measured. Insulin resistance was evaluated using the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance method. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), lipid profile, high sensitive CRP (hsCRP), adiponectin, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 levels were measured.

RESULTS

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum hsCRP and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with BD than those in the controls (P=0.001, P=0.001, P=0.001, respectively). Fasting plasma glucose, insulin levels and lipid profile were not different between the two groups. Insulin resistance and decreased levels of the serum adiponectin were not detected in the patients. There was no relationship between insulin resistance, adiponectin levels and inflammatory markers. Active and inactive patients did not differ in respect of any parameters.

CONCLUSION

Being a systemic vasculitis, BD may cause cardiovascular involvement. In this study, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and low adiponectin levels were not detected among our patients with Behçet's disease. Our results suggest that there exists no increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease associated with adiponectin levels and insulin resistance in patients with Behçet's disease.

Giant hydatid cyst of the liver: a case report with literature review

Hydatid cyst is a parasitic infection most commonly localized in the liver. They may not be diagnosed early because they remain asymptomatic at small sizes and may reach large sizes at the time of diagnosis. In this situation, compression symptoms may occur and they may present with serious complications such as rupture and anaphylactic shock, which are rare. Treatment methods are determined by classification according to the imaging techniques used in the diagnosis. In the present case, echinococcal cysts originating from segments 5, 6, and 7 in the right lobe of the liver, reaching 35 cm in diameter, caused compression symptoms. The diagnosis was made by abdominal tomography showing characteristic daughter vesicles and calcified cystic wall. The patient underwent pericystectomy and had an uneventful postoperative course with no recurrence in the 5-year follow-up.

An investigation into the factors predicting acute appendicitis and perforated appendicitis

BACKGROUND

To investigate the factors predicting acute appendicitis (AAp) and perforated AAp in patients who underwent surgery with a preliminary diagnosis of AAp.

METHODS

Between May 2009 and December 2018, 1316 patients underwent appendectomy with a presumed diagnosis of AAp. To investigate the factors predicting AAp, patients were divided into two groups considering the histopathological presence of inflammatory changes in the appendix: AAp positive (AAp group; n=1043) and AAp negative (Non-AAp group; n=273). Also, to investigate the factors predicting appendiceal perforation, patients with AAp were divided into two groups considering the presence of perforation: non-perforated AAp (n=850) and perforated AAp (n=193). ROC curve analysis was used to identify optimum cut-off values of quantitative variables. The groups were compared using univariate analysis methods and parameters with a p≤ 0.20 were taken into a multivariate logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis method related to factors predicting AAp showed that gender (male; p=0.034; OR=1.4), WBC (≥10.900; p=0.022; OR=1.5), MPV (≥29.1; p=0.006; OR=1.6), TBil (≥0.61; p=0.034; OR=1.4), CRP (≥0.725; p=0.002; OR=1.7), NLR (≥5.13; p=0.034; OR=1.5), PNR (<24.04; p=0.001; OR=1.9) and US findings (AAp+; p<0.001; OR=2.9) were independent factors for predicting AAp. Multivariate analysis method related to factors predicting appendiceal perforation showed that age (≥32 years; p<0.001; OR=2.5), TBil (≥0.67; p=0.046; OR=1.5), CRP (≥3.75; p<0.001; OR=3.0) and NLR (≥5.69; p=0.006; OR=1.8) were independent factors for predicting perforated AAp.

CONCLUSION

We believe that predicting both AAp and perforation will help the clinician evaluate patients who applied to the emergency unit with presumed diagnosis AAp. This approach will also contribute to reducing the negative appendectomy and perforation rates.

Comparison of immune modulatory properties of human multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells derived from bone marrow and placenta

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) can be isolated from many tissues, including bone marrow (BM) and placenta (PL). Human placenta can be obtained readily without invasive procedures. There may be differences, however, in differentiation capacity and immunomodulation by MSC isolated from BM or PL. The early pregnancy factor (heat shock protein 10; EPF/Hsp10) is a small protein that exhibits immunomodulatory properties. We compared BM- and PL-MSC, and assessed their efficacy for suppressing T-cell proliferation in vitro and the role of EPF/Hsp10 in this process. PL-MSC were collected from whole placenta after removal of the amniotic and chorionic membranes followed by serial enzymatic digestions. The PL-MSC were compared to BM-MSC, obtained from healthy donors. Differentiation capacity, cytokine secretion, expression and secretion of immunomodulatory molecules, immunophenotype and real time proliferation were assessed using cytokine arrays, ELISA assays, flow cytometry, immunohistochemical staining and western blotting. Whereas BM-MSC consisted of a homogeneous cell population with strong expression of mesenchymal markers, PL-MSC consisted of a mixed population of cells with variable CD73, CD90 and CD105 expression. PL-MSC exhibited a significantly greater proliferation rate than BM-MSC. The presence of both stem cells and more mature cells in the PL-MSC cultures resulted in decreased differentiation capacity and reduced efficacy of immune suppression in co-cultures with T-cells. Although robust intracellular expression of EPF/Hsp10 in both BM- and PL-MSC was observed, secretion of the protein in response to immune activating stimuli remained below detectable levels. Secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines was significantly greater in BM-MSC than PL-MSC, whereas no difference was observed in the secretion of hematopoiesis supporting growth factors. Development of culture methods for isolation of pure populations of PL-MSC may improve the quality of the product and reproducibility of results.

Synthesis, crystal structure, spectroscopic, fluorescent, thermal properties and EPR spectra of doped Cu2+ ions in [Cd(sac)2(H2O)2(meim)2] single crystal

The crystal structures of the six-coordinate complexes [Cd(sac)2(H2O)2(meim)2] (complex 1) formed by reaction of 4-methylimidazole(meim) with [Cd(sac)2(H2O)4]·2H2O (saccharinate=sac), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, thermal analysis and X-ray single crystal diffraction. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that complex 1 crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system with space group P21/c. The Cd(II) center was six-coordinated with four nitrogen atoms from two sac and two 4-meim ligands, two oxygen atoms from two aqua ligands. Spectral and thermal analysis data for complex 1 was in agreement with the crystal structures. In addition complex 1 displayed blue fluorescent emission in the solid state at room temperature. Single crystal EPR spectra at room temperature are resolved and have exhibited that two different Cu(2+) complexes were located in different chemical environments which contained two magnetically nonequivalent Cu(2+) sites. In low temperature EPR spectra down to 110 °C did show no considerable change. At higher temperatures, however, both thermo gravimetric analyses (TGA) and EPR spectra showed detectable changes around 140 °C; the causes and the mechanisms of changes are discussed.

RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING UPPER LIMB CELLULITIS AFTER BREAST CANCER TREATMENT

Cellulitis is one of the most important troubling complications of breast cancer treatment. Therefore, elucidating the risk factors for cellulitis in patients that have undergone breast cancer treatment is crucial. This is a retrospective medical record study among 523 patients who had received breast cancer treatment and were referred to the Lymphedema Clinic. Data on age, height, weight, BMI (body mass index), education level, arm dominance, history of previous surgery, axillary lymph node dissection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were noted. The time between operation and onset of lymphedema, duration of lymphedema, history of cellulitis, and number of cellulitis attacks were recorded. Circumference measurements were taken at four points on the upper limb. Univariate analysis showed that longer duration of lymphedema, larger circumference of the unaffected arm and larger circumference of the arm with lymphedema were associated with higher risk of cellulitis (p=0.008, p=0.007, p< 0.001, respectively). The incidence of cellulitis was higher in patients with lymphedema than patients who had no lymphedema (p< 0.001). Moreover, the frequency of cellulitis was higher in patients with lower education level (p=0.015). It was deter-mined that patients with cellulitis needed more compression garments (p< 0.001) and multi-layered bandage therapy (p< 0.001) than those without. Regression analysis revealed that presence of lymphedema (p=0.036), duration of lymphedema (p=0.048), radiotherapy (p=0.01) and educational level (0.019) are significantly associated with developing upper extremity cellulitis. It is important to consider these risk factors for the prevention and management of cellulitis in patients who undergo treatment for breast cancer. Early detection and treatment of lymphedema also remains essential for these patients.

A Single-Center's Early Surgical Outcomes of Living Donor Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has become an increasingly common surgical option because the number of cadaveric donors is insufficient to fulfill the organ needs of patients facing end-stage cirrhosis. Many centers are investigating different surgical techniques to achieve lower complication rates. We aimed to examine our complication rates in light of demographic data, graft data, and perioperative findings as a single-center experience.

METHODS

The study included one hundred and three patients who underwent LDLT for end-stage liver cirrhosis. Demographic data; sex; age; blood group; Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score; Child score; etiology; liver side; graft-to-recipient weight ratio; hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile anastomosis type rates; anhepatic phase; cold ischemia time; operation time; and blood product transfusion rates were analyzed. Biliary complications in patients with single or multiple biliary anastomoses, right or left liver transplants, and with or without hepatic artery thrombosis were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in biliary complications between patients who underwent single or multiple bile anastomosis (P = .231) or patients receiving right lobe and left lobe transplants (P = .315). Although there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of portal vein thrombosis between the regular and reconstructed portal vein anastomosis groups (P = .693), the postoperative portal vein thrombosis rate was statistically higher in patients with left lobe transplants (P = .044).

CONCLUSIONS

Vascular and biliary complication rates can be reduced with increasing experience.