Synthesis and biological evaluation of chalcones and acetyl pyrazoline derivatives comprising furan nucleus as an antitubercular agents

A series of 1-{5-[5-(m,p-dichlorophenyl)furan-2-yl]-3-aryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl} ethanone (3a–k) have been synthesized by the condensation of (2E)-3-[5-(m,p-dichlorophenyl)furan-2-yl]-1-arylprop-2-en-1-one (2a–k) with hydrazine hydrate in glacial acetic acid. The synthesized compounds have been characterized on the basis of elemental analyses and spectral studies. All the synthesized products have been screened for their antibacterial, antifungal, and antitubercular activity.     

Congenital double crystalline lenses

We report an unusual case of an eye with 2 congenital crystalline lenses; ie, a duplicated lens. The horizontal axis of the eye was obliquely placed. One lens was situated in the upper temporal quadrant and the other, in the lower nasal quadrant. One lens was larger than the other.     

Ruptured rudimentary horn at 22 weeks

Rudimentary horn is a developmental anomaly of the uterus. Pregnancy in a non-communicating rudimentary horn is very difficult to diagnose before it ruptures. A case of undiagnosed rudimentary horn pregnancy at 22 weeks presented to Nizwa regional referral hospital in shock with features of acute abdomen. Chances of rupture in first or second trimester are increased with catastrophic haemorrhage leading to increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Management of such cases is a challenge till today due to diagnostic dilemma. Expertise in ultrasonography and early resort to surgical management is life saving in such cases.     

Role of echography in diagnostic dilemma in choroidal masses

Purpose:

To evaluate the role of echography in diagnosis and management of a diverse array of choroidal masses.

Materials and Methods:

Sixty-two cases of clinically suspected choroidal masses were prospectively analyzed with B-scan (10 Hz), A-scan, and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) (50 Hz) after a meticulous history and ocular examination. Ancillary investigations and systemic evaluation were also done.

Results:

Based on clinical suspicion, acoustic features, response to treatment, and other ancillary tests combined together, the various masses were differentiated. The cases included in the study were as follows: n = 10 malignant melanomas, n = 16 metastasis and infiltrations, n = 9 hemangioma, n = 7 tuberculoma, n = 8 nonspecific inflammatory masses, n = 2 disciform plaques, n = 4 macular cysts or retinoschisis, n = 2 Coat''s disease, n = 1 melanocytoma, and n = 2 osteomas. Ultrasonography (USG) alone could identify n = 51 lesions, while UBM in combination with USG was needed in remaining 11 masses.

Conclusion:

Standardized echography is an important adjunct in the diagnosis and management of eyes with intraocular masses. A better understanding of the clinicopathological and echographic picture of the diverse lesions can help in detection, differentiation, diagnosis, proposing a therapeutic approach, and also monitoring response to treatment. Echography is essential to evaluate tumors for extrascleral and anterior segment extension.     

Comparison of the effectiveness of amblyopia treatment with eye-patch and binocular Occlu-tab for the same treatment duration

Purpose:This study aimed to compare the conventional eye patch with Occlu-tab—a binocular open-type amblyopia training device—and evaluate their effectiveness in amblyopia treatment.Methods:In this prospective, multi-center study, 40 patients between ages 3 to 12 years, diagnosed with anisometropic amblyopia (refraction difference of both eyes ≥ 2 D, best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA] of the amblyopic eye ≤ 0.1 [logMAR]) were treated with Occlu-tab or conventional eye patch for 1 h per day thrice a week. We compared the visual acuity of both groups before and after 6, 7, and 8 weeks of amblyopia treatment. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and Tukey’s test were used to compare the visual acuity of both groups pre- and post-treatment.Results:Both groups had significantly improved visual acuity at 6, 7, and 8 weeks compared to that before treatment (all P < 0.001). The improvement in BCVA of the Occlu-tab group (0.33 ± 0.25) was significantly greater than that of the eye patch group (0.16 ± 0.17) after 8 weeks of treatment (P = 0.02).Conclusion:Amblyopia treatment using binocular open game training with Occlu-tab led to greater improvement in visual acuity than that with a conventional eye patch for the same treatment duration.     

A review on different modes and methods for yielding a pentose sugar: xylitol

Xylitol, a five-carbon polyalcohol, holds a substantial place in the cure and prevention of a number of diseases. The foremost reason for its lesser usage in day-to-day practice is its cost. The method employed on large scale production of this polyol, i.e. chemical reduction, uses extensive machinery and expensive chemicals thus increasing the basic cost of the sugar. Yield of xylitol by other methods including fermentation and enzymatic production is far less than chemical reduction. We did a literature analysis and briefed out the various experiments carried out till date and concluded on the required studies for improving its production and lowering down its cost.     

Red cell substitutes: present status

An attempt at developing a temporary red cell substitute has spanned many decades. The concept of having an acellular oxygen carrier that would not require any typing or cross-matching and have a much longer shelf-life than blood is an attractive one. Hemoglobin and perfluorochemicals are the two candidate substances that have received the most attention. A perfluorochemical emulsion (Fluosol-DA, 20%) was recently tested clinically. Though relatively safe, it was found to be ineffective as an oxygen carrier. Hemoglobin solutions have evolved through several chemical modifications with the aim of improving their oxygen carrying capacity, their oxygen binding characteristics and their intravascular dwell time. Polymerized pyridoxylated hemoglobin is the current modification that best fits these criteria. Its efficacy has been established. Its clinical use awaits the outcome of the ongoing investigations with respect to its safety.     

Prevention of first variceal bleed: an appraisal of current therapies

Primary prophylaxis of esophageal variceal hemorrhage (EVH) is an important issue in the management of patients with portal hypertension. Given the high rates of initial variceal hemorrhage and mortality in patients who have not experienced bleeding from varices, there is an urgent need for some form of primary prophylaxis in all patients with large esophageal varices. The aim of this article is to review the various therapies that have been clinically assessed in randomized controlled trials for their efficacy in prevention of initial EVH. β-Blockers have been found to be useful in primary prophylaxis of EVH, and the consensus at present is that they should be offered to all patients with portal hypertension who are at high risk for EVH. Nitrates and other newer agents are under evaluation. Surgery is not recommended for primary prophylaxis of EVH. Endoscopic sclerotherapy has not been shown unequivocally to be efficacious, and may even be deleterious, possibly related to an unacceptably high complication rate in this clinical setting. However, it may merit further clinical evaluation in light of recent reports of benefit in certain subgroups of patients with portal hypertension. On the other hand, endoscopic variceal ligation, which has an inherently low complication rate and brings about rapid obliteration of varices, may be a better option for primary prophylaxis of EVH. In the future, preprimary prophylaxis, an attractive concept, may be considered. This would involve intervention with pharmacologic agents even before the development of portal hypertension or esophageal varices.