Rapid and efficient thiocyanation of phenols, indoles, and anilines in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol under ultrasound irradiation

<p>An efficient ultrasound-promoted thiocyanation of phenols, indoles, and anilines in the presence of <i>N</i>-chlorosuccinimide and NH₄SCN using 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol as the solvent has been developed. The major features of the present protocol include the mild reaction conditions, short reaction times, good to excellent yields, and broad substrate scope. Moreover, scale-up synthesis can be achieved and the solvent can be easily recovered and reused.</p

A Novel Method for Measuring Anterior Segment Area of the Eye on Ultrasound Biomicroscopic Images Using Photoshop

<div><p>Purpose</p><p>To describe a novel method for quantitative measurement of area parameters in ocular anterior segment ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) images using Photoshop software and to assess its intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Twenty healthy volunteers with wide angles and twenty patients with narrow or closed angles were consecutively recruited. UBM images were obtained and analyzed using Photoshop software by two physicians with different-level training on two occasions. Borders of anterior segment structures including cornea, iris, lens, and zonules in the UBM image were semi-automatically defined by the Magnetic Lasso Tool in the Photoshop software according to the pixel contrast and modified by the observers. Anterior chamber area (ACA), posterior chamber area (PCA), iris cross-section area (ICA) and angle recess area (ARA) were drawn and measured. The intraobserver and interobserver reproducibilities of the anterior segment area parameters and scleral spur location were assessed by limits of agreement, coefficient of variation (CV), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).</p><p>Results</p><p>All of the parameters were successfully measured by Photoshop. The intraobserver and interobserver reproducibilities of ACA, PCA, and ICA were good, with no more than 5% CV and more than 0.95 ICC, while the CVs of ARA were within 20%. The intraobserver and interobserver reproducibilities for defining the spur location were more than 0.97 ICCs. Although the operating times for both observers were less than 3 minutes per image, there was significant difference in the measuring time between two observers with different levels of training (<i>p</i><0.001).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Measurements of ocular anterior segment areas on UBM images by Photoshop showed good intraobserver and interobserver reproducibilties. The methodology was easy to adopt and effective in measuring.</p></div

Illustration of the anterior chamber area (ACA), which was defined by the borders of the corneal endothelium, angle, iris surface, and the anterior lens epithelium.

<p>Illustration of the anterior chamber area (ACA), which was defined by the borders of the corneal endothelium, angle, iris surface, and the anterior lens epithelium.</p

Illustration of the posterior chamber area (PCA), which was defined by the borders of the posterior iris surface, lens zonules, and the posterior border of the lens.

<p>Illustration of the posterior chamber area (PCA), which was defined by the borders of the posterior iris surface, lens zonules, and the posterior border of the lens.</p

Illustration of the iris cross-section area (ICA), which was bound by the anterior and the posterior surfaces of the iris and the root of the iris.

<p>Illustration of the iris cross-section area (ICA), which was bound by the anterior and the posterior surfaces of the iris and the root of the iris.</p

Bland-Altman plots of interobserver reproducibility of UBM measurements using Photoshop software by observer 1 and observer 2.

<p>Measurements of anterior chamber area (ACA) (a), posterior chamber area (PCA) (b), iris cross-section area (ICA) (c), and angle recess area (ARA) (d). The difference is observer 2’s measurement minus observer 1’s measurement. The grey dashed line represents regression line of difference between the measurements of observer 1 and observer 2.</p

Illustration of the angle recess area (ARA).

<p>Define the borders of the corneal endothelium and the anterior iris surface, and define the scleral surface junction point as the spur, then draw a circle centered on the spur with diameter of 750 μm (154 pixels) (a). The enclosed area is the ARA (b).</p

Bland-Altman plots of intraobserver reproducibility of UBM measurements using Photoshop software by observer 2.

<p>Measurements of anterior chamber area (ACA) (a), posterior chamber area (PCA) (b), iris cross-section area (ICA) (c), and angle recess area (ARA) (d). The difference is calculated as the 2nd measurement minus the 1st measurement. The grey dashed line represents regression line of difference between 1st and 2nd measurements.</p

Dynamic changes of anterior segment in patients with different stages of primary angle-closure in both eyes and normal subjects

<div><p>Purpose</p><p>To compare changes in anterior segment parameters under light and dark (light-to-dark) conditions among eyes with chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma (CPACG), fellow eyes with confirmed or suspect primary angle-closure (PAC or PACS), and age-matched healthy eyes.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Consecutive patients with CPACG in one eye and PAC/PACS in the fellow eye, as well as age-matched healthy subjects were recruited. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography measurements were conducted under light and dark conditions, and anterior chamber, lens, and iris parameters compared. Demographic and biometric factors associated with light-to-dark change in iris area were analyzed by linear regression.</p><p>Results</p><p>Fifty-seven patients (mean age 59.6±8.9 years) and 30 normal subjects matched for age (60.6±9.3 years) and sex ratio were recruited. In regards to differences under light–to-dark conditions, angle opening distance at 500 μm (AOD500μm) and iris area during light-to-dark transition were smaller in CPACG eyes than fellow PACS/PAC eyes and normal eyes (<i>P</i><0.017). Pupil diameter change was largest in normal eyes, and larger in PACS/PAC eyes than CPACG eyes (<i>P</i><0.017). There was an average reduction of 0.145 mm² in iris area for each millimeter of pupil diameter increase in CPACG eyes, 0.161 mm² in fellow PAC/PACS eyes, and 0.165 mm² in normal eyes. Larger iris curvature in the dark and diagnosis of PACG were significantly associated with less light-to-dark iris area changes.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Dynamic changes in iris parameters with light-to-dark transition differed significantly among CPACG eyes, fellow PAC/PACS eyes, and normal eyes. Greater iris curvature under dark conditions was correlated with reduced light-to-dark change in iris area and pupil diameter, which may contribute to disease progression.</p></div

Light-to-dark changes of anterior chamber parameters in CPACG eyes, fellow PAC/PACS eyes, and normal eyes.

<p>A: There was no difference in light-to-dark changes of ACDs among the three groups. B: There was no difference in light-to-dark changes of ACWs among the three groups. C: There was no difference in light-to-dark changes of ACAs among the three groups. D: The light-to-dark changes of AOD500μm in CPACG eyes were smaller than those in their fellow PACS/PAC eyes and normal eyes. There was no difference in the light-to-dark changes of AOD500μm between PACS/PAC eyes and normal eyes. E: The light-to-dark changes of ARA750μm in CPACG eyes were smaller than those in their fellow PACS/PAC eyes. There was no difference in the light-to-dark changes of ARA750μm between PACS/PAC eyes and normal eyes. CPACG: chronic primary angle closure glaucoma; PAC: primary angle closure; PACS: primary angle closure suspect; ACA: anterior chamber area; AOD500μm: angle opening distance 500 μm from the scleral spur; ARA750μm: angle recess area 750 μm from the scleral spur; ACD: anterior chamber depth; ACW: anterior chamber width; *: significant difference between PACG eyes and fellow eyes (<i>P</i><0.017); ‡: significant difference between PACG eyes and normal eyes (<i>P</i><0.017); Error bars: 95% confidence interval (95% CI).</p