BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Children with community-acquired lower respiratory tract infection (CA-LRTI) commonly receive antibiotics for Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The objective was to evaluate the effect of treating M. pneumoniae in children with CA-LRTI.METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and bibliography review. A search was conducted by using Medical Subject Headings terms related to CA-LRTI and M. pneumoniae and was not restricted by language. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies of children #17 years old with confirmed M. pneumoniae and a diagnosis of CA-LRTI; each must have also compared treatment regimens with and without spectrum of activity against M. pneumoniae. Data extraction and quality assessment were completed independently by multiple reviewers before arriving at a consensus. Data were pooled using a random effects model. RESULTS:Sixteen articles detailing 17 studies were included. The most commonly selected primary outcome was symptomatic improvement. Nine studies examined M. pneumoniae treatment in CA-LRTI secondary to M. pneumoniae, and 5 RCTs met criteria for meta-analysis. The suggested pooled risk difference of 0.12 (95% confidence interval, 20.04 to 0.20) favoring treatment was not significantly different and demonstrated significant heterogeneity. Limitations included substantial bias and subjective outcomes within the individual studies, difficulty interpreting testing modalities, and the inability to correct for mixed infections or timing of intervention. CONCLUSIONS:We identified insufficient evidence to support or refute treatment of M. pneumoniae in CA-LRTI. These data highlight the need for well-designed, prospective RCTs assessing the effect of treating M. pneumoniae in CA-LRTI.

Key Points Question Are febrile neonates (in the first month of life) at higher risk for bacteremia and bacterial meningitis than febrile infants in their second month of life? Findings This systematic review and meta-analysis including 15 713 culture results from 12 studies found a significant difference in the prevalence of bacteremia (2.9%) and bacterial meningitis (1.2%) in febrile neonates vs the prevalence of bacteremia (1.6%) and bacterial meningitis (0.4%) in febrile infants in their second month of life. Meaning Febrile neonates may have roughly twice the rate of bacteremia and meningitis as febrile infants in their second month of life, although overall rates in both groups are low.

Objective The aim of the study is to characterize normal vibratory patterns of both glottal closure and phase closure in the pediatric population with the use of high speed digital imaging. Methods For this prospective study a total of 56 pre-pubertal children, 5–11 years (boys = 28, girls = 28) and 56 adults, 21–45 years (males = 28, females = 28) without known voice problems were examined with the use of a new technology of high speed digital imaging. Recordings were captured at 4000 frames per second for duration of 4.094 seconds at participants’ typical phonation. With semi-automated software, montage analysis of glottal cycles was performed. Three trained experienced raters, rated features of glottal configuration and phase closure from glottal cycle montages. Results Posterior glottal gap was the predominant glottal closure configuration in children (girls = 85%, boys = 68%) with normal voice. Other glottal configurations observed were: anterior gap (girls = 3.6%, boys = 0%), complete closure (girls = 7%, boys = 10%), hour glass (girls = 0%, boys = 11%). Adults with normal voice also demonstrated predominantly higher percentage of posterior glottal gap configuration (females = 75% male = 54%) compared to the configurations of anterior gap (females = 0% male = 7%), complete closure (females = 2% male = 39%), hour glass (females = 3.6% male = 3.6%). A predominantly open phase (51–70% of the glottal cycle) was observed in 86% girls and 71% boys. Compared to children, adult females showed a predominantly balance phased closure 46%, followed by open phase (39%) and predominantly closed phase (14%). Adult males showed a predominantly closed phase (43%), followed by predominantly open phase (39%), followed by a balanced phase (18%). Conclusions This is a first study investigating characteristics of normal vibratory motion in children with high speed digital imaging. Glottal configuration and phase closure for children with normal voices are distinctly different compared to adults. The results suggest that posterior glottal gap and a predominantly open phase of the glottal cycle should be considered as normal glottal configuration in children during modal pitch and loudness. This study provides preliminary information on the vibratory characteristics of children with normal voice. The data presented here may provide the bases for differentiating normal vibratory characteristics from the disordered in the pediatric population.

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A brief summary of microwave physicsMicrowaves are electromagnetic radiation, typically of 12.5 nm wavelength and 2450 Hz frequency, thereby lying between 'radar' and 'TV and radio' on the electromagnetic spectrum. Domestic microwave ovens generate 600-700 watts at full power with those designed for the catering trade reaching 2 kW.Microwaves have special properties. They pass through many substances with no appreciable inter action with them, such as plastic, paper, china, and glass. They are totally reflected by metallic surfaces. They interact with a variety of dipolar molecules, such as water, causing them to rotate and align with a rapidly alternating electric field (about 2 x 10 9 times a second); this molecular agitation results in the heating Abstract For a long time the standard procedure for ensuring total sterilization of equipment and culture media for microbiological investigations has been to autoclave; this method destroys even the most resistant bacterial spores by a combination of heat and pressure, using steam (typically 120°C and 100 kPA for 15-20 minutes). Most biology teachers are familiar with the noise, smell, condensation, and time involved with the use of the autoclave. However, there is no other effec tive, efficient way of preparing class-size quantities of materials.Microbiology in both research and industry is a much wider and more important field than its coverage in many biology courses might suggest. There is now an increasing trend to incorporate more microbiology into the Biology and Science syllabuses, especially in re lation to Biotechnology and areas such as Food Sci ence. While autoclaving is likely to remain the recom mended method of producing large amounts of sterile apparatus and media, a typical school situation could require the quick sterilization of relatively small quanti ties of materials. In such circumstances the autoclave is slow and uneconomical.