Dynamic change of optical quality in patients with dry eye disease.

Purpose: To evaluate the dynamic changes of optical quality in patients with dry eye disease (DED) by using a double-pass system.

Methods: Fifty-six patients with DED and 35 control subjects were included in this study. Each patient underwent an evaluation of the ocular surface, using the Ocular Surface Disease Index, tear film breakup time (TBUT), corneal and conjunctival staining (Oxford scale), and Schirmer I test.

Development of a chip-based multiplexed immunoassay using liposomal nanovesicles and its application in the detection of pathogens causing female lower genital tract infections.

Objective: Cervicovaginitis is a highly prevalent disease that is a burden on healthcare globally. Immediate and adequate treatment can eradicate the infection and block subsequent complications. The feasibility of achip-based multiplexed immunoassay using liposomal nanovesicles was tested.

Are we satisfied with the tools for the diagnosis of gonococcal infection in females?

Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) is a common sexually transmitted infection in women, with a heavy burden on female and neonatal health, because sequelae occur, such as female infertility, ectopic pregnancy, neonatal ophthalmitis and infection, and chronic pelvic pain. Prompt and appropriate antibiotic treatment can cure infection and avoid complications. However, adequate treatment is not easy, because early and rapid identification of gonorrhea is interfered with by many factors, including the complicated mixed microflora of the vagina and cervix, non-user-friendly culture systems, and lack of immediate availability of results, even with a combination of subjective complaint and high clinical suspicion.

Diagnosis of Chlamydia infection in women.

Objects: Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) is a common sexually transmitted infection that places a heavy burden on women and neonatal health. To avoid severe sequelae such as female infertility, ectopic pregnancy, neonatal infection, such as ophthalmitis, and chronic pelvic pain prompt and appropriate antibiotic treatment seems the best policy in treating this group of patients. However, adequate treatment is not easy because many factors can interfere with an early and rapid identification of Chlamydia infection, including complicated mixed microflora of the vagina and cervix, a nonuser-friendly detection system, and the time required for identification, even with the combination of specific complaints and a high level of clinical alertness.