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