Synthesis of Some New 2-(Phenoxyacetylthio)-3-aryl-6-bromo- or -6,8-dibromoquinazoline-4(3H)-ones a Possible AChE Inhibitors

Sixteen new 2-(phenoxyacetylthio)-3-aryl-6-bromo- or -6,8-dibromoquinazolones were synthesized by condensation of various phenoxyacetyl chlorides with mercaptoquinazolones. Their inhibitory properties towards choline esterase and their bactericidal activities were studied in vitro. Nine of the compounds exhibited (>50%) choline esterase inhibition, whereas the antibacterial screening showed moderate results.     

Correlation among retinal thickness,optic disc,and visual field in glaucoma patients and suspects: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE: To correlate losses of retinal thickness in the perifoveal area in glaucoma as measured by the Retinal Thickness Analyzer (Talia Technology Ltd, Israel) with optic nerve and visual field changes in glaucoma patients and suspects. METHODS: Observational case series of 55 consecutive patients from the Glaucoma Service who either presented with a diagnosis of glaucoma or were referred for evaluation of suspected glaucoma. The Retinal Thickness Analyzer (Talia Technology, Ltd.) was used to obtain retinal thickness maps. Retinal thickness analysis, visual field testing, and stereophotography of the optic nerve head were performed, and a glaucoma specialist who was masked to patient status and identity data randomly graded the level of severity of each parameter. Spearman rank correlations were used to assess the relationships among the three numerical measures. RESULTS: Retinal thickness losses correlated more strongly with severity of optic nerve head cupping (r = 0.75), whereas both of these measures correlated less strongly with the severity of visual field loss (r = 0.54). CONCLUSIONS: Retinal thickness measurements at the posterior pole provide another measure of neural loss in glaucoma, and may help in the clinical assessment of optic nerve cupping. However, there are limitations of the technology that must be considered.     

Increased periocular pigmentation with ocular hypotensive lipid use in African Americans

PURPOSE: To report increased eyelid pigmentation as an adverse side effect associated with topical ocular hypotensive lipids in African Americans. DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: Two African-American patients with open-angle glaucoma are described in whom increased eyelid pigmentation developed 1 month to 5 months after beginning treatment with either latanoprost or bimatoprost. RESULTS: Latanoprost was discontinued in an African-American patient, and pigmentation gradually diminished by 3 months after cessation of latanoprost. Increased eyelid pigmentation and increased eyelash length were noted in another African-American patient after just 4 weeks on bimatoprost. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in eyelid pigmentation and eyelash growth is a possible complication of topical ocular hypotensive lipid therapy, even in African-American patients. The changes seems to present earlier after bimatoprost treatment then after latanoprost treatment. Cessation of these medications may lead to loss of induced pigmentation.     

Referral pattern for DXA scanning in a tertiary care centre from southern India

Summary

Referral patterns for bone mineral density testing by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning are seldom studied. In our study, the overall proportion of referrals from specialties remained low. This highlights the need for adequate utilisation of DXA by specialties treating subjects at risk for osteoporosis.

Purpose/objectives

The knowledge of referral patterns for DXA scanning (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) for bone mineral density (BMD) measurement is relevant in a developing country like India. We studied the referral source and clinical and densitometric profile of patients referred for DXA scanning at a south Indian tertiary care centre.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study over 3 months and included subjects referred during this period for BMD assessment (lumbar spine and femoral neck) by DXA scan. Details regarding referring departments and reasons for referral were collected. The number of patients seen in individual departments was obtained during the study period and respective proportions of patients referred were calculated.

Results

Of the 1932 subjects included in the study, we observed a definite female preponderance (90.2%), with a mean (SD) age of 51.6 (13.3) years. The greatest number of referrals came from the departments of rheumatology (37%; n =?724) and endocrinology (20%; n =?382). Overall, 36% were referred for inflammatory arthritis or systemic inflammatory disorders (n =?696) and 34% for postmenopausal state screening (n =?657). In relation to the individual outpatient strength, the departments who referred the highest proportion of their patients were rheumatology (6.8%), endocrinology (1.76%) and geriatrics (1.05%). A diagnosis of osteoporosis at any one site was made in 41% (448 of 1107) and the BMD was below the expected range for age in 37% (304 of 825) of the referrals.

Conclusion

Most referrals for DXA scanning were from rheumatology. Among the referred patients, about two fifth had osteoporosis and over one third had BMD below expected range for age. Although referrals by rheumatology were relatively higher, overall referrals from all departments remained low. This underscores the need for adequate utilisation of DXA by specialties treating subjects at risk for osteoporosis.

     

Using Smaller-Than-Standard Radiation Treatment Margins Does Not Change Survival Outcomes in Patients with High-Grade Gliomas

Purpose

The number of studies that evaluate treatment margins for high grade gliomas (HGG) are limited. We hypothesize that patients with HGG who are treated with a gross tumor volume (GTV) to planning tumor volume (PTV) expansion of ≤1 cm will have progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates similar to those treated in accordance with standard protocols by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group or European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer. Furthermore, the PFS and OS of subgroups within the study population will have equivalent survival outcomes with GTV1-to-PTV1 margins of 1.0 cm and 0.4 cm.