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BACKGROUND Severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) has high mortality and morbidity. AIMS To describe the epidemiology and microbiology of SCAP in Central Australia. METHODS A retrospective epidemiological study describing the characteristics, incidence rates (IR) and microbiological aetiology of SCAP in Central Australia. Adult patients admitted to Alice Springs Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) between 2011-2014 that fitted the IDSA/ATS definition of SCAP were included. Medical records were reviewed and compared between Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients. Primary outcomes were incidence rate and microbiological aetiology of SCAP. Secondary outcomes were 30-day mortality, and ICU and hospital length of stay (LoS). RESULTS A total of 185 patents were included (156 Indigenous, 29 non-Indigenous). The overall SCAP IR per 1000 person-years was 3.24 (3.75 Indigenous and 1.87 non-Indigenous) with an IR difference of 2.71 after adjustment (p

Nature armors possess remarkable mechanical properties which results in an ingenious combination of strength and toughness by the virtue of a hierarchical layered microstructure composed of mineral tablets interleaved with organic biomaterials. Here we have demonstrated the unified approach for elucidating the effect of architectural design and its parameter on the mechanical property of dimensionally controlled 3D prototyping of poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene) tri block copolymer. The manipulation of tablet orientation, tailoring the site-specific positions, and interfacially fused interlocks possess the ability to augment the mechanical characteristics of the material. Therefore, it has been observed that the bulk property of the printed ABS sample mainly depends on the type of molluscan shell architecture. For instance, an enhancement in impact (∼45 J/m) and wear properties (friction constant = 0.50 and wear rate 0.00012 × 10−9 m3/Nm) was observed for crossed laminar aragonites compared to ...

In the absence of specific data to guide optimal dosing, this study aimed to describe the pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone in severely septic Australian Indigenous patients and to assess achievement of the pharmacodynamic target of the regimens prescribed. A pharmacokinetic study was conducted in a remote hospital intensive care unit in patients receiving ceftriaxone dosing of 1 g every 12 h (q12h). Serial blood and urine samples were collected over one dosing interval on two consecutive days. Samples were assayed using a validated chromatography method for total and unbound concentrations. Concentration–time data collected were analysed with a non-compartmental approach. A total of 100 plasma samples were collected from five subjects. Ceftriaxone clearance, volume of distribution at steady-state, elimination half-life and elimination rate constant estimates were 0.9 (0.6–1.5) L/h, 11.2 (7.6–13.4) L, 9.5 (3.2–10.2) h and 0.07 (0.07–0.21) h –1 , respectively. The unbound fraction of ceftriaxone ranged between 14% and 43%, with a higher unbound fraction present at higher total concentrations. The unbound concentrations at 720 min from the initiation of infusion for the first and second dosing intervals were 7.2 (4.8–10.7) mg/L and 7.8 (4.7–12.1) mg/L respectively, which exceeds the minimum inhibitory concentration of all typical target pathogens. In conclusion, the regimen of ceftriaxone 1 g q12h is adequate for critically ill Australian Indigenous patients with severe sepsis caused by non-resistant pathogens.

The changing scenario in the rapidly developing economies and industries requires bulk-scale fabrication of materials. The production of materials on such a large scale by industries requires high quality, low-cost production, and high efficiency, in order to sustain the innovative market competition. Complexities like high initial tooling, part design restrictions, bounded degree of designing freedom, and machinery cost in traditional manufacturing have led to the need of new approaches and techniques of manufacturing. To overcome these complexities, additive manufacturing (i.e. 3D Printing) has been proven to be a paramount method, which has the potential to perform all the operations in one place such as cutting, forming, bending or transforming materials and components for further assembling in one part and in short time, due to which it is also useful in biomedical applications from medicine to anthropology. Recently, the polymers have become prime choice of the materials for additive manufacturing, and various thermoplastic materials like acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA) together with thermosetting polymeric materials can be easily processed by 3D printing. This chapter discusses 3D printing of various biologically inspired structures like molluscan shell and honeycomb structure with above-mentioned matrix materials and their reinforcements with synthetic and natural fibres. The developed materials were characterized via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), wear test analysis and impact strength analysis (ASTM standard). Finally, the chapter concludes with a discussion on future scope of 4D printing for additive manufacturing.

Currently there are no pharmacokinetic (PK) data to guide antibiotic dosing in critically ill Australian Indigenous patients with severe sepsis. This study aimed to determine whether the population pharmacokinetics of meropenem were different between critically ill Australian Indigenous and critically ill Caucasian patients. Serial plasma and urine samples as well as clinical and demographic data were collected over two dosing intervals from critically ill Australian Indigenous patients. Plasma meropenem concentrations were assayed by validated chromatography. Concentration–time data were analysed with data from a previous PK study in critically ill Caucasian patients using Pmetrics. The population PK model was subsequently used for Monte Carlo dosing simulations to describe optimal doses for these patients. Six Indigenous and five Caucasian subjects were included. A two-compartment model described the data adequately, with meropenem clearance and volume of distribution of the central compartment described by creatinine clearance (CL Cr ) and patient weight, respectively. Patient ethnicity was not supported as a covariate in the final model. Significant differences were observed for meropenem clearance between the Indigenous and Caucasian groups [median 11.0 (range 3.0–14.1) L/h vs. 17.4 (4.3–30.3) L/h, respectively; P 0.01]. Standard dosing regimens (1 g intravenous every 8 h as a 30-min infusion) consistently achieved target exposures at the minimum inhibitory concentration breakpoint in the absence of augmented renal clearance. No significant interethnic differences in meropenem pharmacokinetics between the Indigenous and Caucasian groups were detected and CL Cr was found to be the strongest determinant of appropriate dosing regimens.

INTRODUCTION: Staphylococcus aureus is a known colonizer in humans and has been implicated in community acquired soft tissue infections. However emergence of methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has aroused great concern worldwide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MRSA in the community of Bangalore, southern India. METHODS: Swabs were collected from anterior nares, forearm, dorsum and palm of the hands of 1,000 healthy individuals residing in and around Bangalore, belonging to different socioeconomic strata and age groups. RESULTS: Analysis verified that 22.5% and 16.6% of the individuals presented Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA, respectively, at any of the three sites. Vancomycin resistance was observed in 1.4% of the S. aureus isolates, which was confirmed by detection of the vanA gene. It was interesting to note that 58.8% of the children in the age group 1-5 years-old presented MRSA, the highest percentage compared to other age groups of < 1 (44.4%) year-old, 5-20 (21.7%) years-old, > 40 (11%) years-old and 20-40 (9.9%) years-old. Among the population of various socioeconomic strata, maximum MRSA colonization was observed among doctors (22.2%), followed by upper economic class (18.8%), lower economic class (17.7%), apparently healthy hospital in-patients (16.5%), nurses (16%) and middle economic class (12.5%). Most of the MRSA isolates were capsular polysaccharide antigen type 8 (57.1%). CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for continuous surveillance and monitoring of the presence of MRSA in the community and a clearer understanding of the dynamics of the spread of MRSA will assist in controlling its dissemination. INTRODUÇÃO: O Staphylococcus aureus é conhecido por ser um colonizador em humanos sendo implicado em infecções comunitárias dos tecidos moles. Contudo, a resistência à meticilina e emergência de S. aureus meticilina resistentes (MRSA) têm despertado preocupação em todo o mundo. O presente estudo visa encontrar a prevalência de MRSA na comunidade de Bangalore, sul da Índia. MÉTODOS: Suabes foram coletados de narinas anteriores, antebraço e dorso da palma de 1.000 indivíduos saudáveis, residentes em Bangalore e nas proximidades, pertencentes a diferentes estratos socioeconômicos e faixas etárias. RESULTADOS: Observou-se que 22,5% e 16,6% dos indivíduos foram abrigar Staphylococcus aureus e MRSA, respectivamente, em qualquer um dos três locais. Dos S. aureus isolados, 1,4% também foram resistentes à vancomicina, o que foi confirmado pela detecção do gene vanA. Foi interessante notar que 58,8% das crianças na faixa etária de 1-5 anos foram abrigar MRSA, o mais elevado em comparação com outros grupos etários de < 1 (44,4%) ano, 50-20 (21,7%) anos, > 40 (11%) anos e 20-40 (9,9%) anos. Entre a população de diferentes estratos socioeconômicos, a colonização de MRSA máxima foi observada entre os médicos (22,2%), seguida pela classe econômica superior (18,8%), classe baixa (17,7%), pacientes aparentemente saudáveis (16,5%), enfermeiros (16%) e classe econômica média (12,5%). A maioria dos MRSA isolados eram do tipo polissacarídeo capsular antígeno 8 (57,1%). CONCLUSÕES: Há uma necessidade de vigilância e monitorização contínua da presença de MRSA na comunidade, bem como uma melhor compreensão da dinâmica de propagação de MRSA pode ajudar no controle da disseminação.