Morphological and biological characterization of Spermophagus niger (Motschulsky, 1866) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from four West African countries.

In Burkina Faso and many West African countries, Spermophagus niger (L.) is the main insect pest of Hibiscus sabdariffa seeds stored with considerable damage. Variations in bioclimatic conditions can lead to significant changes in the morphology and biology of populations of the same insect species, leading to strains that are morphologically and biologically different and that would react differently to a given control method.

Epidemiology and Outcomes of Antibiotic De-escalation in Patients with Suspected Sepsis in US Hospitals.

Background: Little is known about the frequency, hospital-level variation, predictors, and clinical outcomes of antibiotic de-escalation in suspected sepsis.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all adults admitted to 236 US hospitals between 2017-2021 with suspected sepsis (defined by a blood culture draw, lactate measurement, and intravenous antibiotic administration) who were initially treated with ≥2 days of anti-MRSA and anti-pseudomonal antibiotics but had no resistant organisms requiring these agents identified through hospital day 4. De-escalation was defined as stopping anti-MRSA and anti-pseudomonal antibiotics or switching to narrower antibiotics by day 4.

Low-concentration atropine for controlling myopia onset and progression in East Asia.

Purpose: Over the past few years, there has been a rapid accumulation of data on the use of low-concentration atropine for myopia control, especially in East Asian children, with its effectiveness varying in different studies. This review aims to evaluate the current evidence surrounding the efficacy and safety of low-concentration atropine in the management of myopia onset and progression in East Asia.

Methods: Clinical trials involving atropine for myopia control in East Asia were reviewed.

Effects of Physical Activity and Inactivity on Microvasculature in Children: The Hong Kong Children Eye Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of physical activity and inactivity on the microvasculature in children, as measured from retinal photographs.

Methods: All participants were from the Hong Kong Children Eye Study, a population-based cross-sectional study of children aged 6 to 8 years. They received comprehensive ophthalmic examinations and retinal photography.

Double-Suture Scleral-Fixated Intraocular Lens With Two Polypropylene Sutures.

Purpose: We present a modified technique in performing scleral fixation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) using 2 pairs of double-armed 9-O polypropylene sutures and an ab-externo technique, in 2 patients with surgical aphakia after complicated cataract surgery.

Methods: Two eyes of 2 patients underwent this modified technique by an experienced cataract surgeon (A.L.