4 research outputs found
Molecular Analysis of Microbial Communities in Endotracheal Tube Biofilms
Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the most prevalent acquired infection of patients on intensive care units and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Evidence suggests that an improved understanding of the composition of the biofilm communities that form on endotracheal tubes may result in the development of improved preventative strategies for ventilator-associated pneumonia. (n = 5). DGGE profiling of the endotracheal biofilms revealed complex banding patterns containing between 3 and 22 (mean 6) bands per tube, thus demonstrating the marked complexity of the constituent biofilms. Significant inter-patient diversity was evident. The number of DGGE bands detected was not related to total viable microbial counts or the duration of intubation.Molecular profiling using DGGE demonstrated considerable biofilm compositional complexity and inter-patient diversity and provides a rapid method for the further study of biofilm composition in longitudinal and interventional studies. The presence of oral microorganisms in endotracheal tube biofilms suggests that these may be important in biofilm development and may provide a therapeutic target for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia
Main achievements to date toward the use of RF MEMS into space satellite payloads
MEMS (Microelectromechanical Systems)
technology plays a key role in the on-going miniaturization
of electronic modules for automotive and consumer
electronic products. In the microwave field, RF MEMS
switches exhibit excellent RF properties as low power
consumption, high linearity, low loss and high isolation
compared to solid state electronic solutions. Based on these
performances, we will present a status of the potentialities of
RF-MEMS devices for application to future generation of
space satellite payloads through some selected
demonstrations achieved within Alcatel Space