Synthesis and fungicidal activity of some new imidazoles from 2-[chloromethyl]-1H-benzimidazole

A series of substituted 2-thiomethylbenzimidazoles 2-4, 2-phenoxy-methylbenzimidazoles 5 and 2-aminomethylbenzimidazoles 6 and 7 were synthesized by reactions of 2-chloromethylbenzimidazole 1 with dithiocarbamate, pyrirnidine-2-thiols, phenol derivatives as well as primay aromatic and heterocyclic amines, respectively. Most of the synthesized compounds were screened for their antifungal activity against Botrytis sinerea, Fusarium, solani and Rhizocionia solani fungi. Some of the tested compounds showed 100% inhibition for the fungal growth at concentration ranges from 200-1000 ppm

Computerized identification of yeasts isolated from camembert and limburger cheese

One hundred and ninety five yeasts were isolated from the surfaces of Camembert and Limburger cheese made from cow's milk at different stages of ripening periods. These isolates beside 18 standard yeast strains were classified using morphological and biochemical reactions. The results were subjected to the EDV-program and a Vernetzungsdiagram which was automatically calculated. The numerical analysis for 213 yeast gave six different groups: Group I contained one cluster of highly similar species [107 out of 117] which belong to Debaryomyces hansenii; group II was identified as Kluyveromyces marxianus var. lactis represented by a cluster [nine out of twelve]; also, 24 out of 25 Candida intermedia showed a good homogeneous species forming group III; group IV comprised 48 Pichia farinosa out of 50 species with higher similarity and groups V and VI comprised Trichosporon beigelii and Candida sake having a lower similarity clusters representing smaller number of species. The dominant yeast species were D. hansenei [55.4%], P. farinose [24.6%], G. intermedia [12.8%] and K. lactis [4.1%]. Both T. beigelii and C. Sake species were represented by 1.5% from the total number of the identified yeast isolates

Ultrasound biometric measurements in myopia: a case-control study

Thirty emmetropic subjects [50 eyes] and one hundred thirty myopic patients [260 eyes] were selected and examined ophthalmologically and by ultrasonic biometer. These myopic patients were classified into three groups [mild, moderate and high] according to the degree of myopia. Among the biometric measurement it was found that the mean axial length showed gradual persistent significant increase from 23.34 +/- 0.58 in emmetropes to 24.2 +/- 1.02 in mild myopia to 25.06 +/- 0.77 in moderate myopia then to 25.51 +/- 0.77 in high myopia as the variance ratio [V.R.]=35.226 and P<0.001. The axial length and refraction had a significant negative correlation [r=-0.316 and P<0.05] in mild myopia. More stronger in moderate myopia [r=-0.428 and P<0.001] and strongest in high myopia [r=-0.667 and P<0.001]. The anterior chamber depth and lens thickness showed non-significant correlation with the different degrees of myopia. It was concluded that the axial length was the most influencing factor on refraction as by multiple regression the predicted refraction can be computed by the following equation: predicted refraction = -1.34672 [axial length] + 29.35439

Effect of topical levobunolol on plasma lipids

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of topical levobunolol 0.5% [non selective beta blocker] on plasma lipid levels. Fifteen glaucomatous patients not using any medications known to alter the plasma lipid levels, non diabetic or obese were selected. These patients used topical levobunolol 0.5% in both eyes twice daily for treatment of glaucoma for three months, they were subjected to measurements of their IOP. C/D ratio, heart rate, blood pressure, body weight and fasting plasma lipid levels before treatment and monthly for three months. We found that, topical levobunolol 0.5% is effective in controlling IOP but on the other hand there was a 50% increase in triglycerides. 20% decrease in high density lipoprotein, 15% increase in total lipids while there were no significant changes in total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein. These changes are known to increase the risk of coronary heart disease and shift the patients to the high risk category