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Objective: To perform a meta-analysis comparing the MRI features of tuberculous and pyogenic spondylitis, using histopathological results and/or blood culture as the standard reference. Materials and methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for English-language studies on the MRI features of tuberculous and pyogenic spondylitis published between January 2010 and February 2023. Risk for bias and concerns regarding applicability were assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Pooled MRI features' proportions were calculated using a bivariate random-effects model. Results: Thirty-two studies met the inclusion criteria: 21 for tuberculous spondylitis, three for pyogenic spondylitis, and eight for both. Of the nine informative MRI features comparing tuberculous spondylitis to pyogenic spondylitis, involvement of ≥ 2 vertebral bodies (92% vs. 88%, P =.004), epidural extension (77% vs. 25%, P <.001), paravertebral collection (91% vs. 84%, P <.001), subligamentous spread (93% vs. 24%, P <.001), thin and regular abscess wall (94% vs. 18%, P <.001), vertebral collapse (68% vs. 24%, P <.001), and kyphosis (39% vs. 3%, P <.01) were more suggestive of tuberculous spondylitis, while disc signal change (82% vs. 95%, P <.001) and disc height loss (22% vs. 59%, P <.001) were more suggestive of pyogenic spondylitis. Conclusion: Involvement of ≥ 2 vertebral vertebral bodies, soft tissue attribution, thin and regular abscess wall, vertebral collapse, and kyphosis were MRI features more common in tuberculous spondylitis, while disc signal change and height loss were more common in pyogenic spondylitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel ratiometric fluorescent assay was proposed for protamine and heparin based on blue‐emitting N,P‐doped carbon dots (N,P‐CDs) and green‐emitting Eosin Y. The N,P‐CDs were prepared using arginine as carbon and nitrogen sources according to hydrothermal method with favorable luminescence intensity, photostability, and good reproducibility. And the N,P‐CDs were used as internal reference fluorescence molecules. The anionic Eosin Y was used as fluorescence signal molecule. Protamine with positive group could interact with Eosin Y through electrostatic effect, leading to the fluorescence quenching of Eosin Y. Upon the addition of heparin, heparin was combined with protamine with stronger affinity through electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds, which preventing the bonding of protamine with Eosin Y and obvious fluorescence emissions of Eosin Y at 538 nm could be observed. Meanwhile, the fluorescence signal of N,P‐CDs at 420 nm remained stable during the whole process. A good linear range between the fluorescence emission intensity ratio of I538/I420 was obtained for protamine from 0.01 to 40 μg/mL with a low detection limit of 5.6 ng/mL, and heparin from 0 to 35 μg/mL with a low detection limit of 2.5 ng/mL. Moreover, the method was further applied to detection of heparin with satisfactory results in fetal bovine serum samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents cases of patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) who were successfully treated with combined typical and atypical long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIA). In the case of a 35-year-old female patient, she was effectively treated with flupentixol decanoate and LAI aripiprazole. The other patient was successfully treated with flupentixol decanoate and paliperidone palmitate.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the treatment of myopic foveoschisis patients using the macular buckling with L-shaped titanium plate and silicon sponge combined with vitrectomy. The data of the patients who underwent macular buckling combined with vitrectomy was collected. The study recorded the following parameters: best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), axial length, intraocular pressure, central macular thickness, and the position of the titanium plate. Following the surgery, the BCVA of the included patients were improved, whereas the axial lengths were reduced followed by resolution of the foveoschisis compared with that noted prior to the operations. All patients had orbital CT examination and the results indicated that the titanium plates were appropriately placed and were not in contact with the optic nerve. Therefore, it is effective to treat myopic foveaschisis by macular buckling using the L-shaped titanium plate and silicon sponge in the presence of vitrectomy.