Nanostructured optical fibre arrays for high-density biochemical sensing and remote imaging.

Optical fibre bundles usually comprise a few thousand to tens of thousands of individually clad glass optical fibres. The ordered arrangement of the fibres enables coherent transmission of an image through the bundle and therefore enables analysis and viewing in remote locations. In fused bundles, this architecture has also been used to fabricate arrays of various micro to nano-scale surface structures (micro/nanowells, nanotips, triangles, etc.) over relatively large areas. These surface structures have been used to obtain new optical and analytical capabilities. Indeed, the imaging bundle can be thought of as a "starting material" that can be sculpted by a combination of fibre drawing and selective wet-chemical etching processes. A large variety of bioanalytical applications have thus been developed, ranging from nano-optics to DNA nanoarrays. For instance, nanostructured optical surfaces with intrinsic light-guiding properties have been exploited as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platforms and as near-field probe arrays. They have also been productively associated with electrochemistry to fabricate arrays of transparent nanoelectrodes with electrochemiluminescent imaging properties. The confined geometry of the wells has been loaded with biosensing materials and used as femtolitre-sized vessels to detect single molecules. This review describes the fabrication of high-density nanostructured optical fibre arrays and summarizes the large range of optical and bioanalytical applications that have been developed, reflecting the versatility of this ordered light-guiding platform.

Comparison of single-dose vs one-week course of metronidazole for symptomatic bacterial vaginosis.

In a prospective, single-blind, randomized study, a single 2-g dose of metronidazole was compared with a seven-day course of 500 mg given twice daily in the treatment of symptomatic vaginal discharge associated with Gardnerella vaginalis. Based on resolution of symptoms and on cultures negative for G vaginalis, 86% (40/46) of women treated with the single dose and 97% (35/36) of women treated with the seven-day course were considered cured at seven to ten days after treatment. Evaluation at 21 days after treatment, however, indicated that only 46% (16/34) of patients treated with the single 2-g dose were considered cured compared with 86% (26/30) of those treated with the seven-day course. Treatment of sexual contacts did not significantly improve cure rates in either group.

Neonatal sepsis.

Neonates are susceptible to infection since several elements of the immune system are deficient. At present, the most common pathogens are Group B streptococci and Escherichia coli. Prolonged rupture of membranes with amnionitis is a high-risk setting. Clinical signs suggesting neonatal sepsis include respiratory distress, poor feeding, hypothermia, seizures and hypotonia. After the sepsis work-up is completed, the initial choice of antibiotics is based on the prevailing organisms and antibiotic sensitivities within the community.