Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of amido linked pyrrolyl and pyrazolyl-oxazoles, thiazoles and imidazoles

A new class of amido linked bis heterocycles viz., pyrrolyl/pyrazolyl-oxazoles, thiazoles and imidazoles were prepared by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of TosMIC and diazomethane to the respective cinnamamide derivatives and screened for antimicrobial activity. The chlorosubstituted imidazolyl cinnamamide (6c) is the most potential antimicrobial agent as it displayed strong antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and antifungal activity against Penicillium chrysogenum.     

The effect of refractive surgery on blur thresholds

Purpose:The aim of this study was to measure blur thresholds before and after refractive surgery.Methods:In this prospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary eye hospital in South India. Blur thresholds were measured for 30 young adult myopic patients 1 month prior to and after refractive surgery. Patients were asked to report three stages of blur, namely Detectable Blur (DB), Bothersome Blur (BB), and Non-resolvable Blur (NB). Blur was created by adding plus lenses (in steps of 0.12D) over their optimal subjective refraction. The blur judgments were made both monocularly and binocularly when looking through a 3 mm artificial pupil at one line above the best-corrected visual acuity.Results:A total of 30 participants were included in this study (mean age = 25.5 ± 3.8 (20–36) years; 77% female). The mean binocular preoperative blur of this group was: DB = 0.39 ± 0.26D, BB = 0.74 ± 0.28D and NB = 1.04 ± 0.42D. The corresponding mean binocular blur one-month post-operatively was DB = 0.46 ± 0.28D, BB = 0.83 ± 0.35D, and NB = 1.21 ± 0.44D. Although there was a marginal increase in the blur thresholds postoperatively, the difference was not statistically significant (DB: P = 0.320; BB: P = 0.229; NB: P = 0.054).Conclusion:All three blur thresholds showed an insignificant minimal increase at 1 month post-operatively suggesting that patients adapt to the induced blur following refractive surgery. A longer follow up would reveal how the adaptation to blur would change with time.     

Pregnancy-exaggerated galactosemia and congenital cataracts

One child In a family and two children in another family had galactosemia and congenital cataract. Two of them had total soft cataracts while in one, cataract was less soft. In addition, they had mild lactosuria. The mothers of the affected children had significant lactosuria and mild galactosuria without cataracts. Fathers did not have galactosuria or lactosuria. Clinically unaffected siblings in one family had mild galactosuria and lactosuria. Pregnancy-exaggerated galactosemia was suspected in these two mothers who gave birth to children with congenital cataract. As an extension of this work, 5001 pregnant women were screened for galactose in urine just before the delivery of babies. Mild galactosuria was present in 54 (1.08%). Three children had congenital cataract and one had changes in posterior pole and cornea. Restriction of lactose by reducing intake of milk and milk products during pregnancy by mothers with galactosuria is recommended to avoid the birth of children with congenital cataract.     

Ligneous Conjunctivitis: A Clinicopathologic Study of 3 Cases

The clinical, histopathologic features, and treatment outcomes in 3 patients with ligneous conjunctivitis are described. Bilateral, idiopathic membranes occurred in the palpebral conjunctiva in 2 patients. In 1 patient, unilateral conjunctival changes occurred in the bulbar conjunctiva, at the site of pterygium excision. Treatment included topical hyaluronidase, chymotrypsin, heparin, and cyclosporine and surgical excision with limited or no success. In one patient, conjunctival autografting from the normal fellow eye resulted in pseudomembrane formation at the donor site in the previously unaffected eye. Histopathological evaluation of excised membranes revealed the presence of amorphous eosinophilic hyaline material and chronic inflammatory cells. Immunohistochemical study revealed a predominance of T-lymphocytes. This case series confirms the recalcitrant clinical course of ligneous conjunctivitis. Conventional treatment modalities described in literature were not useful in the management of this condition. Surgical manipulation of the unaffected fellow eye in patients with unilateral disease can result in pathologic conjunctival changes, and is best avoided. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Ribosome-Lamella Complexes in the Perineurial Cells of Neurofibromatosis

Ribosome-lamella complexes are occasionally seen in neoplastic disorders of the hematopoietic system, particularly in hairy cell leukemia. However, these structures are rare in epithelial and mesenchymal cells. In this report three tumors from a patient with neuro-fibromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease) are examined by electron microscopy. Ribosome-lamella complexes were seen in the perineurial cells. This may be the first report of these complexes in nerve sheath tumors.     

Malignant Mesenchymoma of the Prostate: Immunohistochemical and Ultrastructural Observations

A case of malignant mesenchymoma of the prostate is reported. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examination revealed malignant chondro-osteoblastic and rhabdomyoblastic features. A separate incidental prostatic adenocarcinoma was also seen. These lesions should be differentiated from carcinosarcoma in which adenocarcinoma is intermingled with malignant mesenchymal components.     

Synthesis, spectral characterization, in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activities of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with 1,2,4-triazole Schiff bases

A series of metal complexes of cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) have been synthesized with newly synthesized biologically active 1,2,4-triazole Schiff bases derived from the condensation of 3-substituted-4-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole and 8-formyl-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin, which have been characterized by elemental analyses, spectroscopic measurements (IR, UV-vis, fluorescence, ESR), magnetic measurements and thermal studies. Electrochemical study of the complexes is also reported. All the complexes are soluble to limited extent in common organic solvents but soluble to larger extent in DMF and DMSO and are non-electrolytes in DMF and DMSO. All these Schiff bases and their complexes have also been screened for their antibacterial (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi) and antifungal activities (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Cladosporium) by MIC method. The brine shrimp bioassay was also carried out to study their in vitro cytotoxic properties.     

The Chennai glaucoma study: Prevalence and risk factors for glaucoma in cataract operated eyes in urban Chennai

We report the prevalence and risk factors for glaucoma among aphakes and pseudophakes in 3850 subjects who participated in a population-based study in urban south India. The subjects underwent an ophthalmic examination including applanation tonometry, gonioscopy, optic disc evaluation and frequency doubling perimetry. Glaucoma was diagnosed using the International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology (ISGEO) criteria. Thirty eight, 15 aphakes and 23 pseudophakes (0.99% of 3850 subjects) of the 406 persons who had undergone cataract surgery were diagnosed with glaucoma. Aphakes/pseudophakes were at higher risk of glaucoma as compared to the phakic population (Odds Ratio: 2.71, 95% CI: 1. 94, 3.38, p=0.001). On multivariate analysis, older age and higher intra ocular pressure were risk factors for glaucoma. Blindness attributable to glaucoma was detected in 20% of aphakic and 4.3% of pseudophakic eyes. Glaucoma was a significant cause of morbidity in those who had undergone cataract surgery in this urban population.