#Microbiology An Introduction

[medicalbiochem]

Exploring the Fascinating World of Microbiology

The Core Concepts of Microbiology

Microbiology focuses on microorganisms that remain invisible to the naked eye. These include bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and algae. Understanding these organisms and their interactions proves vital for several reasons, ranging from health to environmental sustainability.

Bacteria: The Ubiquitous Microbes

Bacteria are single-celled organisms that thrive in diverse environments, from extreme heat to intense cold. They can inhabit soil, oceans, and even the human body. These microbes play essential roles in processes such as nitrogen fixation, decomposition, and fermentation. Some bacteria benefit us by aiding in digestion and producing vitamins, while others can cause diseases.

Nitrogen Fixation

Nitrogen fixation is a process where certain bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, making it available for plants. This process occurs in the root nodules of leguminous plants, where symbiotic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, reside. By facilitating nitrogen fixation, these bacteria contribute significantly to soil fertility and agricultural productivity.

Decomposition and Recycling

Bacteria also play a critical role in decomposing organic matter. They break down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the soil. This decomposition process not only recycles nutrients but also promotes soil health, making it essential for sustainable ecosystems.

Viruses: The Intricate Invaders

Viruses act as unique entities that require a host cell to replicate. They can infect all forms of life, from bacteria to plants and animals. These microscopic agents cause a range of diseases, from the common cold to more severe illnesses like influenza and COVID-19. Despite their negative impact, scientists use viruses in gene therapy and vaccine development.

Viral Structure and Function

A virus consists of genetic material (DNA or RNA) encased in a protein coat. Some viruses have an outer lipid envelope. To infect a host, a virus attaches to a specific receptor on the host cell’s surface. Once inside, it hijacks the host’s cellular machinery to replicate its genetic material and produce new virus particles.

Applications in Medicine

Researchers leverage viruses in various medical applications. For example, oncolytic viruses selectively target and destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Additionally, viral vectors are employed in gene therapy to deliver therapeutic genes into patients’ cells, offering potential cures for genetic disorders.

Fungi: The Decomposers

Fungi, including molds and yeasts, break down organic matter. They are vital for nutrient cycling in ecosystems. Fungi contribute to soil health and plant growth through their interactions with plant roots. We use them in food production, such as baking and brewing, and they have medicinal applications, including the production of antibiotics like penicillin.

Role in Ecosystems

Fungi form symbiotic relationships with plants through mycorrhizae, enhancing nutrient uptake. This relationship benefits both the fungi and the plants, as fungi gain carbohydrates while plants receive essential nutrients, such as phosphorus.

Medicinal Uses of Fungi

The discovery of penicillin marked a groundbreaking moment in medicine, showcasing fungi’s potential in antibiotic production. Today, researchers continue to explore fungi for new medicinal compounds, including antifungal agents and immunosuppressants.

Protozoa and Algae: The Diverse Eukaryotes

Protozoa are single-celled eukaryotes that often live in water or act as parasites. They can cause diseases such as malaria, amoebic dysentery, and sleeping sickness. Algae, on the other hand, photosynthesis and contribute to oxygen production while serving as a food source for aquatic life.

Protozoan Diversity

Protozoa exhibit a wide range of forms and behaviors. Some, like amoebas, move using pseudopodia, while others, like paramecia, use cilia. This diversity allows protozoa to inhabit various environments and ecological niches.

Algal Blooms and Environmental Impact

Algae play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems as primary producers. However, certain conditions can lead to harmful algal blooms, which produce toxins that threaten aquatic life and human health. Understanding these phenomena helps researchers develop strategies to manage and mitigate their impact.

The Impact of Microbiology on Health

Disease Diagnosis and Treatment

Microbiologists work diligently to identify pathogens responsible for infections and develop methods to combat them. Techniques such as culture methods, PCR, and serological tests allow for accurate diagnosis of infections.

Culture Techniques

Culturing microorganisms involves isolating them from clinical samples to identify the causative agent of an infection. This method enables healthcare professionals to determine the appropriate treatment based on the specific pathogen.

Molecular Diagnostics

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has revolutionized disease diagnosis by allowing for rapid and sensitive detection of pathogens. PCR amplifies specific DNA sequences, making it easier to identify infections even when pathogen levels are low.

Vaccine Development

Vaccines utilize weakened or inactive parts of the microbe to stimulate the immune system. Microbiology plays a pivotal role in designing vaccines that protect against diseases like measles, polio, and more recently, COVID-19.

Types of Vaccines

Vaccines can be classified into various types, including live-attenuated, inactivated, subunit, and mRNA vaccines. Each type has its unique mechanism of action and benefits, allowing scientists to tailor vaccines for specific diseases.

The Role of Microbiology in Vaccine Safety

Microbiologists conduct extensive testing to ensure vaccine safety and efficacy. They analyze potential side effects and monitor vaccine responses in clinical trials, ensuring that vaccines provide protection without causing harm.

Antibiotic Resistance

Overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence of resistant strains of bacteria. Researchers study these strains to develop new antibiotics and strategies to combat resistance.

Mechanisms of Resistance

Bacteria can develop resistance through various mechanisms, including altering drug targets, producing enzymes that deactivate antibiotics, or pumping drugs out of their cells. Understanding these mechanisms helps scientists design more effective antibiotics.

Global Health Threat

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to global health, making previously treatable infections harder to manage. Public health campaigns focus on promoting responsible antibiotic use and encouraging research into new treatment options.

Microbiology and the Environment

Microorganisms significantly impact the environment. They participate in nutrient cycling, biodegradation, and bioremediation, helping to clean up pollutants and waste.

Nutrient Cycling

Microorganisms play a key role in nutrient cycles, such as the carbon and nitrogen cycles. They break down organic matter and release essential nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Carbon Cycle

In the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. This process ensures the continuous availability of carbon for photosynthesis, supporting plant life and maintaining ecosystem balance.

Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can absorb. This process supports plant growth and sustains agricultural productivity by enriching the soil with essential nutrients.

Biodegradation and Bioremediation

Certain microbes degrade pollutants, making them invaluable for cleaning up oil spills, heavy metals, and other environmental contaminants. This process, known as bioremediation, offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for environmental management.

Oil Spill Cleanup

Microorganisms, particularly certain bacteria and fungi, can metabolize hydrocarbons found in oil. By applying these microbes to oil spills, environmental scientists can enhance the degradation of pollutants, restoring affected ecosystems.

Heavy Metal Removal

Some bacteria can absorb and detoxify heavy metals from contaminated water and soil. Researchers explore these properties to develop bioremediation strategies that mitigate the impact of industrial pollution on the environment.

Industrial Applications of Microbiology

We harness microbes for various industrial applications, including food production, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.

Food and Beverage Industry

Microorganisms contribute to producing fermented foods and beverages, such as yogurt, cheese, and beer. The fermentation process enhances flavor, preserves food, and improves digestibility.

Fermentation Process

Fermentation occurs when microorganisms convert sugars into acids, gases, or alcohol. In yogurt production, lactic acid bacteria ferment lactose, creating a tangy flavor while preserving the product.

Health Benefits of Fermented Foods

Fermented foods often contain probiotics, which promote gut health. These beneficial bacteria can improve digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, and support the immune system.

Pharmaceutical Industry

Microorganisms serve as sources for antibiotics, enzymes, and vitamins. We use them in producing insulin, growth hormones, and other therapeutic agents, showcasing their versatility in medicine.

Antibiotic Production

Fungi, particularly Penicillium species, produce penicillin, the first antibiotic discovered. Today, researchers continue to explore fungi and bacteria for new antibiotic compounds, addressing the growing issue of antibiotic resistance.

Biopharmaceuticals

Recombinant DNA technology allows scientists to produce therapeutic proteins using genetically modified microorganisms. This approach enables the mass production of insulin and other vital medications.

Biotechnology

In biotechnology, scientists engineer microbes to produce biofuels, biodegradable plastics, and other sustainable products. Genetic engineering and synthetic biology advance these applications, offering solutions to global challenges.

Biofuels

Researchers use specific strains of bacteria and algae to produce biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel. These microbes convert biomass—like agricultural waste—into energy-rich compounds. This process not only provides an alternative to fossil fuels but also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Biodegradable Plastics

Microorganisms play a crucial role in developing biodegradable plastics. Scientists engineer bacteria to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), which serve as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastics. These bioplastics can degrade naturally, minimizing environmental pollution.

Synthetic Biology

Synthetic biology combines biology and engineering, enabling scientists to design and construct new biological parts or systems. This field allows for the creation of microorganisms that can produce valuable compounds, such as pharmaceuticals or biofuels, efficiently and sustainably.

Recent Advancements in Microbiology

The field of microbiology continually evolves, with new discoveries and technologies enhancing our understanding of the microbial world.

Metagenomics

Metagenomics involves the study of genetic material recovered directly from environmental samples. This approach allows scientists to study microbial communities without the need for culturing, offering insights into biodiversity and ecosystem functions.

Applications of Metagenomics

Metagenomics has revolutionized our understanding of microbial diversity in various environments, including oceans, soils, and even the human gut. Researchers can identify novel species and understand their roles in ecosystems, contributing to fields such as ecology, agriculture, and medicine.

Human Microbiome Projects

Projects focused on the human microbiome utilize metagenomic techniques to analyze the complex communities of microbes living in and on our bodies. Understanding these communities can lead to insights into health, disease, and personalized medicine.

CRISPR and Gene Editing

CRISPR technology, derived from bacterial immune systems, revolutionizes genetics by allowing precise edits to DNA. This technology has vast implications for treating genetic disorders and developing new therapies.

CRISPR Mechanism

CRISPR-Cas9 works as a molecular scissors that can cut DNA at specific locations, allowing scientists to add, remove, or alter genetic material. This precision opens up possibilities for targeted therapies in genetic diseases, cancers, and more.

Ethical Considerations

As with any powerful technology, CRISPR raises ethical questions, particularly regarding its use in human embryos and potential long-term effects. Ongoing discussions among scientists, ethicists, and policymakers aim to establish guidelines for responsible use.

Microbiome Research

The human microbiome, consisting of trillions of microbes living in and on our bodies, remains a hot topic in research. Studies reveal its influence on health, disease, and even behavior, opening new avenues for personalized medicine.

Health Implications of the Microbiome

Research suggests that the composition of the microbiome can affect various health outcomes, including obesity, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases. Understanding these relationships can lead to innovative treatment approaches, such as probiotics or microbiome-based therapies.

Microbiome and Mental Health

Emerging studies explore the gut-brain axis, investigating how gut microbiota can influence mood and mental health. Preliminary findings suggest that certain gut bacteria may play a role in conditions like anxiety and depression, highlighting the interconnectedness of our biological systems.

The Future of Microbiology

As we look to the future, the field of microbiology promises to deliver exciting advancements that can address some of today’s most pressing challenges.

Global Health Initiatives

Microbiology plays a vital role in global health initiatives, particularly in combating infectious diseases. Vaccination programs, antibiotic stewardship, and research on emerging pathogens will remain crucial in improving public health outcomes worldwide.

Surveillance and Response

Enhanced surveillance systems for detecting and responding to outbreaks will become increasingly important. Advances in molecular diagnostics and bioinformatics will allow for rapid identification of pathogens and effective containment measures.

Environmental Sustainability

Microbiology’s contributions to environmental sustainability will continue to grow. Bioremediation, biofuels, and sustainable agriculture practices will become essential components of efforts to combat climate change and reduce pollution.

Innovations in Agriculture

Research into beneficial microbes for agriculture, such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), will enhance crop yields while minimizing chemical inputs. This approach can lead to more sustainable farming practices that protect the environment.

Education and Public Awareness

Increasing public awareness and understanding of microbiology will be essential in promoting informed decision-making. Education on the importance of microbes in health, environment, and industry can foster appreciation for the microscopic world.

Engaging the Next Generation

Encouraging interest in microbiology among students will help cultivate the next generation of scientists and innovators. Educational initiatives, outreach programs, and hands-on experiences can inspire young minds to explore the fascinating field of microbiology.

Conclusion

Microbiology stands as a dynamic and essential field that impacts every aspect of life, from health and industry to the environment. As research progresses, our understanding of microorganisms and their capabilities continues to grow, offering solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. By embracing the potential of microbiology, we can pave the way for innovations that enhance our quality of life and protect our planet.

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply curious about the microscopic world, the study of microbiology offers endless opportunities for discovery and advancement. As we continue to explore and harness the power of microbes, the future of microbiology promises to be as exciting as it is vital.

[vasanthasworld]

General Microbiology Historical Introduction Short And Long Essay Question And Answers

[thedansemacabres]

Introduction To Supporting Sustainable Agriculture For Witches and Pagans

[ID: An image of yellow grain stocks, soon to be harvested. The several stocks reach towards a blurred open sky, focusing the camera on he grains themselves. The leaves of the grains are green and the cereals are exposed].

PAGANISM AND WITCHCRAFT ARE MOVEMENTS WITHIN A SELF-DESTRUCTIVE CAPITALIST SOCIETY. As the world becomes more aware of the importance of sustainability, so does the duty of humanity to uphold the idea of the steward, stemming from various indigenous worldviews, in the modern era. I make this small introduction as a viticulturist working towards organic and environmentally friendly grape production. I also do work on a food farm, as a second job—a regenerative farm, so I suppose that is my qualifications. Sustainable—or rather regenerative agriculture—grows in recognition. And as paganism and witchcraft continue to blossom, learning and supporting sustainability is naturally a path for us to take. I will say that this is influenced by I living in the USA, however, there are thousands of groups across the world for sustainable agriculture, of which tend to be easy to research.

So let us unite in caring for the world together, and here is an introduction to supporting sustainable/regenerative agriculture. 

A QUICK BRIEF ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE 

Sustainable agriculture, in truth, is a movement to practise agriculture as it has been done for thousands of years—this time, with more innovation from science and microbiology especially. The legal definition in the USA of sustainable agriculture is: 

The term ”sustainable agriculture” (U.S. Code Title 7, Section 3103) means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will over the long-term:

A more common man’s definition would be farming in a way that provides society’s food and textile needs without overuse of natural resources, artificial supplements and pest controls, without compromising the future generation’s needs and ability to produce resources. The agriculture industry has one of the largest and most detrimental impacts on the environment, and sustainable agriculture is the alternative movement to it. 

Sustainable agriculture also has the perk of being physically better for you—the nutrient quality of crops in the USA has dropped by 47%, and the majority of our food goes to waste. Imagine if it was composted and reused? Or even better—we buy only what we need. We as pagans and witches can help change this. 

BUYING ORGANIC (IT REALLY WORKS)

The first step is buying organic. While cliche, it does work: organic operations have certain rules to abide by, which excludes environmentally dangerous chemicals—many of which, such as DDT, which causes ecological genocide and death to people. Organic operations have to use natural ways of fertilising, such as compost, which to many of us—such as myself—revere the cycle of life, rot, and death. Organic standards do vary depending on the country, but the key idea is farming without artificial fertilisers, using organic seeds, supplementing with animal manure, fertility managed through management practices, etc. 

However, organic does have its flaws. Certified organic costs many, of which many small farmers cannot afford. The nutrient quality of organic food, while tending to be better, is still poor compared to regeneratively grown crops. Furthermore, the process to become certified organic is often gruelling—you can practise completely organically, but if you are not certified, it is not organic. Which, while a quality control insurance, is both a bonus and a hurdle. 

JOINING A CSA

Moving from organic is joining a CSA (“Community supported agriculture”). The USDA defines far better than I could: 

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), one type of direct marketing, consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production.

By purchasing a farm share, you receive food from the farm for the agreed upon production year. I personally enjoy CSAs for the relational aspect—choosing a CSA is about having a relationship, not only with the farmer(s), but also the land you receive food from. I volunteer for my CSA and sometimes I get extra cash from it—partaking in the act of caring for the land. Joining a CSA also means taking your precious capital away from the larger food industry and directly supporting growers—and CSAs typically practise sustainable and/or regenerative agriculture. 

CSAs are also found all over the world and many can deliver their products to food deserts and other areas with limited agricultural access. I volunteer from time to time for a food bank that does exactly that with the produce I helped grow on the vegetable farm I work for. 

FARM MARKETS AND STALLS 

Another way of personally connecting to sustainable agriculture is entering the realm of the farm stall. The farmer’s market is one of my personal favourite experiences—people buzzing about searching for ingredients, smiles as farmers sell crops and products such as honey or baked goods, etc. The personal connection stretches into the earth, and into the past it buries—as I purchase my apples from the stall, I cannot help but see a thousand lives unfold. People have been doing this for thousands of years and here I stand, doing it all over again. 

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Farmers’ markets are dependent on your local area, yet in most you can still develop personal community connections. Paganism often stresses community as an ideal and a state of life. And witchcraft often stresses a connection to the soil. What better place, then, is purchasing the products from the locals who commune with the land? 

VOLUNTEERING 

If you are able to, I absolutely recommend volunteering. I have worked with aquaponic systems, food banks, farms, cider-making companies, soil conservation groups, etc. There is so much opportunity—and perhaps employment—in these fields. The knowledge I have gained has been wonderful. As one example, I learned that fertilisers reduce carbon sequestration as plants absorb carbon to help with nutrient intake. If they have all their nutrients ready, they do not need to work to obtain carbon to help absorb it. This does not even get into the symbiotic relationship fungi have with roots, or the world of hyphae. Volunteering provides community and connection. Actions and words change the world, and the world grows ever better with help—including how much or how little you may provide. It also makes a wonderful devotional activity. 

RESOURCING FOOD AND COOKING 

Buying from farmers is not always easy, however. Produce often has to be processed, requiring labour and work with some crops such as carrots. Other times, it is a hard effort to cook and many of us—such as myself—often have very limited energy. There are solutions to this, thankfully:

Many farmers can and will process foods. Some even do canning, which can be good to stock up on food and lessen the energy inputs. 

Value-added products: farms also try to avoid waste, and these products often become dried snacks if fruit, frozen, etc. 

Asking farmers if they would be open to accommodating this. Chances are, they would! The farmer I purchase my CSA share from certainly does. 

Going to farmers markets instead of buying a CSA, aligning with your energy levels. 

And if any of your purchased goods are going unused, you can always freeze them. 

DEMETER, CERES, VEIA, ETC: THE FORGOTTEN AGRICULTURE GODS

Agricultural gods are often neglected. Even gods presiding over agriculture often do not have those aspects venerated—Dionysos is a god of viticulture and Apollon a god of cattle. While I myself love Dionysos as a party and wine god, the core of him remains firmly in the vineyards and fields, branching into the expanses of the wild. I find him far more in the curling vines as I prune them than in the simple delights of the wine I ferment. Even more obscure gods, such as Veia, the Etruscan goddess of agriculture, are seldom known.

Persephone receives the worst of this: I enjoy her too as a dread queen, and people do acknowledge her as Kore, but she is far more popular as the queen of the underworld instead of the dear daughter of Demeter. I do understand this, though—I did not feel the might of Demeter and Persephone until I began to move soil with my own hands. A complete difference to the ancient world, where the Eleusinian mysteries appealed to thousands. Times change, and while some things should be left to the past, our link to these gods have been severed. After all, how many of us reading know where our food comes from? I did not until I began to purchase from the land I grew to know personally. The grocery store has become a land of tearing us from the land, instead of the food hub it should be.

Yet, while paganism forgets agriculture gods, they have not forgotten us. The new world of farming is more conductive and welcoming than ever. I find that while older, bigoted people exist, the majority of new farmers tend to be LGBT+. My own boss is trans and aro, and I myself am transgender and gay. The other young farmers I know are some flavour of LGBT+, or mixed/poc. There’s a growing movement for Black farmers, elaborated in a lovely text called We Are Each Other’s Harvest. 

Indigenous farming is also growing and I absolutely recommend buying from indigenous farmers. At this point, I consider Demeter to be a patron of LGBT+ people in this regard—she gives an escape to farmers such as myself. Bigotry is far from my mind under her tender care, as divine Helios shines above and Okeanos’ daughters bring fresh water to the crops. Paganism is also more commonly accepted—I find that farmers find out that I am pagan and tell me to do rituals for their crops instead of reacting poorly. Or they’re pagan themselves; a farmer I know turned out to be Wiccan and uses the wheel of the year to keep track of production. 

Incorporating these divinities—or concepts surrounding them—into our crafts and altars is the spiritual step towards better agriculture. Holy Demeter continues to guide me, even before I knew it. 

WANT CHANGE? DO IT YOURSELF! 

If you want change in the world, you have to act. And if you wish for better agriculture, there is always the chance to do it yourself. Sustainable agriculture is often far more accessible than people think: like witchcraft and divination, it is a practice. Homesteading is often appealing to many of us, including myself, and there are plenty of resources to begin. There are even grants to help one improve their home to be more sustainable, i.e. solar panels. Gardening is another, smaller option. Many of us find that plants we grow and nourish are far more potentant in craft, and more receptive to magical workings. 

Caring for plants is fundamental to our natures and there are a thousand ways to delve into it. I personally have joined conservation groups, my local soil conservation group, work with the NRCs in the USA, and more. The path to fully reconnecting to nature and agriculture is personal—united in a common cause to fight for this beautiful world. To immerse yourself in sustainable agriculture, I honestly recommend researching and finding your own path. Mine lies in soil and rot, grapevines and fruit trees. Others do vegetables and cereal grains, or perhaps join unions and legislators. Everyone has a share in the beauty of life, our lives stemming from the land’s gentle sprouts. 

Questions and or help may be given through my ask box on tumblr—if there is a way I can help, let me know. My knowledge is invaluable I believe, as I continue to learn and grow in the grey-clothed arms of Demeter, Dionysos, and Kore. 

FURTHER READING:

Baszile, N. (2021). We are each other’s harvest. HarperCollins.

Hatley, J. (2016). Robin Wall Kimmerer. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge and the teachings of plants. Environmental Philosophy, 13(1), 143–145. https://doi.org/10.5840/envirophil201613137

Regenerative Agriculture 101. (2021, November 29). https://www.nrdc.org/stories/regenerative-agriculture-101#what-is

And in truth, far more than I could count. 

References

Community Supported Agriculture | National Agricultural Library. (n.d.). https://www.nal.usda.gov/farms-and-agricultural-production-systems/community-supported-agriculture

Navazio, J. (2012). The Organic seed Grower: A Farmer’s Guide to Vegetable Seed Production. Chelsea Green Publishing.

Plaster, E. (2008). Soil Science and Management. Cengage Learning.

Sheaffer, C. C., & Moncada, K. M. (2012). Introduction to agronomy: food, crops, and environment. Cengage Learning.

Sheldrake, M. (2020). Entangled life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures. Random House.

Sustainable Agriculture | National Agricultural Library. (n.d.). https://www.nal.usda.gov/farms-and-agricultural-production-systems/sustainable-agriculture

[springstick]

I'll miss micro lab...

TSIA, Citrate, TSIA

Do I have like 3 other microbiology courses in my future? Yes. Will I miss this lab? Also yes, a lot. I loved this lab. My first introduction to real microbiology. The lab that made me realize I want to go into microbiology in the future. I'm happy to have taken it :)

[eredhes]

Hey!

I majored in anth at a p awesome school for it (had a so fun class where we hands on used paleo to neo lithic techniques- from making stone tools to processing hides) but there wasn't much available for prehistoric art (+ I was a major switch from microbiology so bio anth, epidemiology and forensics stuff, made more sense with my course history). Been out of school for almost 10 years now and unfortunately doing nothing even remotely related, but I'm wanting to learn more about prehistoric art of all sorts. With search engines being overrun with AI misinfo I'm not really sure where to start other than Wikipedia. Do you have any favorite resources you'd be up for recommending?

Thanks a ton! Happy holidays, and may the new year be kind.

Hello! I should preface this with saying I am just someone with a general interest and not remotely an expert haha! Getting to do hands on stuff sounds really fun!

A lot of my reading has been restricted to Upper Palaeolithic Europe, and cave art at that, so I can't really recommend anything outside of that.

I've been concerned also with avoiding misinformation - there was a painting I saw a while ago where it was obvious the level of research involved was typing "Lascaux" into pinterest and just using whatever results came up (the art used was from Cueva de los Caballos and Mesolithic) and it's been driving me nuts. I've been sticking to books for information, almost everything I've read has been through Internet Archive, and majority are over 30 years old so could be outdated, can contradict each other, and should be noted are can be very racist.

Putting the list of everything under a read more as it's quite long, I hope there's something useful in amongst all of this! Happy holidays, I hope you have a good new year!

Books and other resources I've found useful in no particular order:

The Cave of Lascaux: The Final Photographs by Mario Ruspoli (1987) [Is on Internet Archive but currently unavailable, the German version is still up.] When Lascaux was closed to the public Mario Ruspoli was hired by the French govenment to document the entire cave on film and wrote this book afterwards. Even though it's focus is Lascaux I found it a good introduction to the topic of cave art. I have tried to find the footage online with little success so if anyone knows... do tell. This book brings you through the cave and gives a good idea of the layout and where paintings/engravings are in relation to each other. I would love if there was something like this for other caves but I'm not aware of anything 🤔

Lascaux Virtual Tour [Link here] The video isn't toally clear but it gives a good sense of the layout, and you can click the little 'i' icon to see clearer photos and get more details.

Images of the Ice Age by Paul Bahn and Jean Vertut (1988) [Internet Archive Link] This book is also a good starting point! There's also Journey Through the Ice Age which is the same book.

Cambridge Illustrated History of Cave Art by Paul Bahn (1998) [Internet Archive Link] I haven't gotten around to reading this yet but it appears to be a broader scope and not restricted to Europe.

Palaeolithic Cave Art by Peter J. Ucko and Andrée Rosenfeld (1967) The main appeal of this bok is that it goes through the different possible reasons for cave art. I had to buy a physical copy as I couldn't find it online.

Kindred: Neanderthal Life, Love, Death and Art by Rebecca Wragg Sykes (2020) [Aeon article link "Sheanderthal: Not all Neanderthals were ‘cavemen’: half were women. What can archaeologists tell us about how they lived?] Not solely focused on art but she does talk about what the neanderthals made including a large circular structure in Bruniquel Cave - there is footage of the cave in the recent netflix documentary Secrets of the Neanderthals (not great, at one point the narrator says neanderthals lived in the neolithic lmfao but the interviews with experts are interesting).

Don's Maps [Link here] Really great website. Some books will mention a painting/engraving/sculpture but no image, so my first place to check is Don's Maps as everything he includes is either from a book which will be referenced or from his own visits to caves.

The Neanderthal Museum Digital Archive [Link here] Despite the name is not exclusively Neanderthal, lots of photos of cave art in the Wendel Collection (including a photo of the one known instance of a saiga antelope in cave art that I hadn't been able to find a photo of before!).

There's also the Archaeology Podcast Network and sites like Academia.edu but I don't have any specific recommendations at present.

[cardi-c]

GET TO KNOW YOUR MUTUALS

Thank you for the tag @sucharide !! This was so much fun! <3 and i wanna try ur pasta!

What's the origin of your username?

surprisingly wasnt taken!

OTP(s) + shipname:

I'm not really a passionate shipper i just like reading fics tbh fdfhkdfs i think ill have to put AziraphalexCrowley and i believe its ineffable husbands

Favourite colour:

Blue almost Turquoise !

Song stuck in your head:

That awful german cover of the awful cover of stumblin in

Weirdest habit/trait:

i have a few that are too embarrassing to share but probably making lists for everything and noting down every single step i just like crossing things off this is totally not related to my mental state

Hobbies:

I like to do quite a few things im not really good at anything tho. I like crochet, baking, doodle or draw a bit, i play video games and lots of dnd, i love board games and trivia quizzes!

If you work, what's your profession?

Im a phd student and i work in microbiology

If you could have any job you wish, what would it be?

I guess what i do right now without the financial pressure? working in diagnostics. or baking for a living would be cool? but realistically a boring office job might actually be the easiest for my brain hdahdas

Something you're good at:

Memorizing random shit! It helps with the trivia quizzes! I just decided to memorise geography facts

Something you hate:

That people cant think in nuances online. Its incredibly frustrating. Also sudden plan changes.

Something you collect:

I dont collect anything really... maybe succulents?

Something you forget:

Names. Like i can remember lots of things but during the introduction phase my brain is in panic mode so i tend to forget immediately

What's your love language?

Quality time (i think thats one of them)

Favourite movie/show:

Good Omens (although its tricky right now) The LOTR movies. Dungeon Meshi.

Favourite food:

Sushi. The family Casserole. Spinach Salmon Pasta.

Favourite animal:

Dogs. Pandas. Quokkas.

What were you like as a child?

Quiet, well behaved and already displaying concerning amounts of anxiety

Favourite Subject at school:

Math and Chemistry

Least Favourite Subject at School:

Those where i couldnt write exams and had to raise my hands during lessons to get better grades

What's your best character trait?

Quick thinking maybe? this is difficult

What's your worst character trait?

my anxiety makes me a difficult person i think. I'm also currently working on how to deal with criticism in a good way. Negative self-talk.

If you could change any detail of your life right now, what would it be?

No more pain. Or stop my brain from spinning in circles

If you could travel in time, who would you like to meet?

I think someone like my great great great grandma? like in the 1800s? just to have a chat. Marie Curie would be great too or Rosalind Franklin and tell her she was robbed

Tagging: @jimothybarnes @troubleghoul @creeplet @ghelullu @circle--of--confusion @major-fukkup @lilspacewolfie @hyperobsession @kissingghouls @nocturnal-birb if youd like to!!

[artofdeductionbysholmes]

We may have a problem with the so-called fiancé, @artofdeductionbysholmes I lost sight of him…

Any update on the lab results? @artofdeductionbysholmes @mollyatthemorgue

The question is: did he disappear on his own terms, or was his disappearance forced?

And yes, I just received @mollyatthemorgue Molly's lab report. See below.

[ID: 3 screenshots of a lab report

Lab Report

Subject: Examination of Paper Sample

Date of Report: June 2, 2024

Lab Technician: Hooper, Molly

Sample ID: Paper-2024-371

Introduction

The purpose of this lab report is to present the findings from the examination of a piece of paper. The analysis aims to identify the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the paper, and any potential indicators of its environment and exposure history.

Sample Description

Type: Paper 

Condition on Receipt: Intact with minor surface wear, slightly discoloured.

Methods of Analysis

Visual Inspection

Microscopic Examination

Chemical Analysis

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

Microbiological Assays

Moisture Content Analysis

Odour Analysis

Results

1. Visual Inspection

Appearance: The paper showed slight discoloration, with faint yellowish-brown stains.

Surface Condition: Minor abrasions were noted. Some dirt and dust particles were visible.

2. Microscopic Examination

Fibre Integrity: The cellulose fibres were mostly intact, with minor signs of surface wear.

Debris: Presence of small soil particles and other unidentified debris.

3. Chemical Analysis

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF):

Detected Elements: Trace amounts of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr).

Surface Contaminants: Minor presence of inorganic substances.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS):

Organic Compounds: Detected small amounts of hydrocarbons and other organic pollutants.

Residues: Identified residual chemicals from inks and dyes, with some degradation products.

4. Microbiological Assays

Bacterial Presence: Identified bacterial species including Bacillus and Pseudomonas spp.

Fungal Presence: Traces of fungal spores, likely Aspergillus and Penicillium spp.

5. Moisture Content Analysis

Moisture Level: Moderate moisture content of 12%.

Chemical Composition: The moisture contained slight acidic properties.

6. Odour Analysis

Detected Odours: Mild, musty odour with hints of organic decay.

Discussion

The examination of the paper sample indicates several key findings:

The physical condition and minor wear suggest it was exposed to an environment with abrasive materials and some physical stress.

The presence of heavy metals and organic pollutants detected by XRF and GC-MS indicates exposure to a polluted environment, potentially involving industrial or waste materials.

Microbial assays revealed early stages of microbial colonisation by bacteria and fungi typically associated with organic material decomposition.

The moderate moisture content and slight acidity suggest exposure to a moist environment with some chemical interactions.

Odour analysis confirmed the presence of organic decay-related gases.

The combination of physical wear, chemical contaminants, microbial presence, and environmental indicators suggests that the paper may have been exposed to a mixed waste or polluted environment. The findings are consistent with environments such as waste disposal sites, polluted industrial areas, or other locations with significant organic and inorganic contaminants.

Conclusion

The paper sample shows signs of exposure to a polluted and possibly waste-rich environment. The results indicate physical wear, contamination by heavy metals and organic pollutants, microbial activity, and environmental interactions that are typical of such conditions. Further context about the paper's origin could provide more specific insights.

Lab Technician Signature:

[signature of Molly Hooper]

Reviewed By:

Patrick Miller

/end ID]

[sunsetsnz]

sunsetsnz's oc masterpost

>> this post will serve as a masterlist of my original characters (at least the ones i've introduced on this blog!) and will direct you to each of their individual bios/introduction posts for more detailed info on them. i will update this post when new ocs are introduced. also, some of this is just normal info, but please do not reblog to non-sneeze blogs! —

jonathan (he/him) [bio] - a soft-spoken, introverted microbiology student. tall, quiet nerd, certified yearner full of gay panic | #oc: jonathan seph (he/they) [bio] - a laid-back athlete whose confidence is matched only by their warm, infectious laugh | #oc: seph theo (she/her) [bio] - a grumpy psychology student, and jonathan's best friend. snarky, sarcastic, but extremely loyal micah (he/him) [bio] - a geeky, upbeat game design student, seph's roommate, and friend to all three of them. loud nerd, openly kind and a chatterbox

[weird-science-goblin]

Introduction!

Hello and welcome to my blog! It's been kinda dead for longer than I would like to admit so I'll be trying to bring it back and start posting again, an intro seems to be a good place to start :]

My name is Indigo

I'm 17

My interests include:

Listening to music (there's very little music that I don't like)

Customising clothes

Making patches, sewing and other DIY projects

Art! I love to draw

Playing pixel sandbox games

Biology and nature, I like microbiology especially

Fantasy (I loved the Hobbit and LOTR)

Nice to meet you!

[drippiesfm]

TASK 001: INTRODUCTION ⸻ HAN JAE SONG

( lee jong suk, thirty-six, cisgender man, he/him )  Look who it is! If you take a look at our database, you’ll find that HAN JAE SONG is a TRAUMA SURGEON that works in SECTOR 4. According to the file, they’re a mutant with the power of ROT INDUCEMENT + FUNGUS EMPOWERMENT. That must be why they’re CLEVER and MESSY. If you ask me, they remind me of ❝ the wavering and slow fading grin after destroying something beautiful, "could he daily feel a stab of hunger for you and find nourishment at the very sight of you? Yes. But do you... ache for him?" & chewed fingernail clippings upon a wool sweater❞. They are affiliated with THE MONTELL SYNDICATE.

PINTEREST — PLAYLIST — INTRO ( COMING SOON ) —STATS

𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐂 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

character name: han jae song

nickname(s): han / babygirl ( just dont call him han jae bcs that means he's in trouble and he will react as so )

face claim: lee jong suk

mutation status: gen ii

birthday: jan 2

sexuality: pansexual

moral alignment: chaotic evil

occupation: trauma surgeon

work sector: four

affiliation: montell

3 positive traits: resilient, assiduous, determined

3 negative traits: sloppy, temperamental, pompous

OTHER INFORMATION

gender: cisgender man

height: 6'1"

markings: acne scars from his past across his face, scar on his neck

tattoos: a tiny series of tally marks calculating the number 27 on his neck

piercings: none

decorum: prefers earth tones and texture– tailored trousers with sweaters

scent: stale cigarettes with a vinegar tang, wet earth, ambroxan cologne

zodiac: capricorn sun, libra moon, aries rising

primary vice: gluttony

primary virtue: pride

trope: ambiguous disorder, blatant lies, the corruptor, devil in plain sight, dissonant serenity

inspiration: a mix of eve from killing eve & hannibal from nbc’s hannibal; internally monologues like joe goldberg from you & leeches to the psyche like marvel’s venom

residence: bunkerssss for now

hobbies: fermentation, wine-tasting, gardening (more interested in composting), learning about marine life ( topics like whale fall etc ), researching diseases - their parts in life and how they grow/ spread, mycology / mushroom foraging, fungi cultivation, decay photography, foraging for decomposers

habits: picks at his skin, chews on his fingernails, smokes, thrives in filth, becomes uncomfortably quiet when uncomfortable, irritable in white rooms.

questionnaire:

how do they feel about living in sol city? have they always lived there or did they travel from another settlement?

loving it, honestly, top 10 places to live aside from a nice cold cave.

do they trust the council’s leadership? why or why not?

han's ability to blindly trust is immeasurable, only once someone proves him wrong is he spiteful. he tends to root for the villains too - google luke p from hannah b's season of the bachelorette - that's his boy.

if they chose their sector and profession, why did they make that choice? if they didn’t, why not? were they happy with their assignment or not?

yeah, he's generally happy, but he wishes he had more time to write his research proposals on the intersection of mycology and microbiology in disease dynamics of both humans and mutants so-

what’s one object that they always keep on their person?

a scalpel - just in case. you never know when you need to cut someone open. 🤷🏻‍♀️

questionnaire ( mutant vers ):

what is your character’s ability (or abilities)?

he can accelerate the decomposition of organic matter at will. this ability allows him to cause plants, food, and even living tissues to rot rapidly. he also got fungus empowerment - basically sometime mushroom make him stronk like mario.

are they gen i or gen ii?

gen ii

what can your character do? what are their strengths?

he can use rot inducement defensively, creating barriers of decay to impede enemies or offensively, weakening opponents by causing their organic materials to deteriorate. this ability can also manifest in more subtle ways, such as creating an atmosphere of decay that can induce fear or discomfort in those nearby.

when he comes into contact with different types of fungi, he can become stronger, faster, or more durable, etc. this is not just physical- it also unlocks various abilities related to the specific fungi he interacts with, allowing him to adapt to different situations ( when in touch with specific fungi, he can tap into the mycelium networks underground, etc ) bioluminescent fungus makes him bioluminescent- slime mold makes him slimier, toxic fungi makes him toxic-er, etc.

what can’t they do? what are their weaknesses?

broadly speaking - behave. clean. highly allergic to citrus especially LEMONS.

weaknesses: han cannot control the decay he induces completely, and he can not reverse rot- he can only induce it. it may also affect unintended targets - a plant he rots can affect the rusting of a pot, etc. his ability to induce rot extends to personal items as well so objects he carries tend to deteriorate quickly, leading to the loss of important tools or equipment he relies on. additionally, if overused, his abilities CAN lead to environmental imbalances, potentially harming his surroundings and himself and others.

some fungi can have adverse effects on him, causing allergic reactions or impairing his abilities. if he interacts with certain toxic species that he isn’t prepared for, it can hinder his strength or even incapacitate him into literal day rotting ( 24 hour recovery period, which has happened during his asinine experimentations ) so basically he's not impervious to the really bad mushrooms unless he has grown an immunity to them.

han, also has grown to hate to specific environments that are prone to dry him out. he's opposite bella swan- he needs cold wet things to live, so he's typically clammy / sweaty & runs hot because he's used to cold environments. solar flares = cranky baby girl.

[soul-has-left-the-chat]

Introduction

I see everyone else doing introductions so might as well do a quick one myself (don't be afraid to say hi, I don't bite ^^)

Name: Soul

Nicknames:

- Soup

- Suop

- Soulie

- Soil

- Soiler

- Soupie (Woopie)

- Newt

- And whatever else you wanna call me

Nationalities: 🇧🇩🇨🇦

Any pronouns :)

INFP-T, 9w1, Chaotic Neutral

Interests:

- Music (bands and stuff)

• STARSET!!!

• Sleep Token

• Bad Omens

• Bring Me The Horizon

• Creo

• Wage War

• Palaye Royale

• Ice Nine Kills

• Glass Animals

• CG5

• Chase Atlantic

And so on

- Art

• OC content

• Fanart

• Art collabs and trades

• Requests (depends)

- Writing

• Lore!!!

And anything else related to writing idk

- Gaming

• Metal Gear Solid and Rising

• Devil May Cry

• Soulsborne franchise (Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Elden Ring, so on)

• Call of Duty

• Yakuza

• Psychological horrors

• Entry Point

• Decaying Winter

• Pressure

• Doors

• Slap Battles

• ULTRAKILL

• Ghost of Tsushima

• Sky: Children of the Light

• Geometry Dash

• Stardew Valley

• Minecraft

• Obey Me! (Nightbringer)

• Warframe!!!!

- Some animes and shows

• Jujutsu Kaisen

• Trigun (Stampede and Maximum)!!!

• Beastars

• To Your Eternity

• The Great Pretender

• Chainsaw Man

• Bungo Stray Dogs

• Lucifer

• BFDI, BFB, ONE, TPOT, LOTS

- Some book franchises and comics, also manga and manhwa

• Alex Rider!!!

• Villain to Kill

• Market of Monsters

• Arc of the Scythe

• The Hunger Games

• Pigpen

- Science and trigonometry

• Chemistry

• Biology (mostly genetics)

• Microbiology

• Marine biology

- WANNABE BIKER!!!

• dream bike Kawasaki Z400

I'm an introvert with pretty bad social anxiety and extremely asocial, but I love making new friends, so feel free to drop by :))

If you wanna find my art/writing/oc stuff, you can here:

#soupie woopie art

#soupie woopie writing

#soupie woopie oc art

For my gen posts:

#soupie woopie

Personal OC tags:

#oc tag: crossfire/hundred

#oc tag: sage the skykid

#oc tag: helios

#oc tag: x/benji

#oc tag: omens

Friends OC tags:

#oc tag: heron/thousand

Other stuff:

Side blog - @bowl-of-soupie

Instagram - soul_torch

Twitter/X - shrujiwuji

Art Fight - SoulMidnight64

PLEASE READ!!!

Do you need to talk to me?

ABOUT MY ASK BOX

Edited blog 00:28 / 12:28am 10/9/24

[delusionalnerdt]

6 September 2024

Year 2 Day 4

Surgery : Homeostasis, mediators of injury

Community medicine : Water borne disease

Forensic medicine : Introduction

Microbiology : Culture media

Too tiring of a day and all I did after class was sleep and practice some Katakana.

[learner-hunt]

What is B Pharma?

Bachelor in Pharmacy is a 4-year undergraduate program in the field of Pharmacy that deals with health and chemical science. Throughout the B. Pharma program, students are introduced to various medicines and drugs and their uses and effects/side effects. To be eligible for B. Pharma, a student must pass the class 12 (with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) board exam. The minimum requirement of marks varies for different Pharmacy institutes.

Pharmacy isn’t just about dispensing medications; it’s a blend of science, health care, direct patient contact, technology, ethics, and lifelong learning. In essence, Pharmacy revolves around the study of drugs, from their discovery and development to their production and dispensation, ensuring optimal therapeutic results.

Bachelor of Pharmacy, commonly known as B. Pharm is a 4 Year undergraduate course in India for students who are aspiring to build their careers in the field of medicine or healthcare. By Pursuing this program, students gain a comprehensive understanding of biochemical sciences, how medicines are made, and medicine distribution amongst distributors.

Only those Candidates are eligible for the degree who score a minimum of 50% overall aggregate in the Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics streams, i.e., PCB or PCBM, in their 10+2 examination. Some of the popular entrance examinations that interested candidates can appear for Jobs after B Pharma Program are UPSEE, MH CET, IPU CET, WB JEE, and KCET.

Subjects Covered in B Pharma

Here is a description of popular B Pharma Programs in India Subjects that are an essential part of this course:

Human Anatomy & Physiology

Pharmaceutical Analysis

Pharmaceutics

Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry

Communication Skills

Remedial Biology Remedial Mathematics

Biochemistry Pathophysiology

Computer Applications in Pharmacy

Environmental Sciences

Physical Pharmaceutics

Pharmaceutical Microbiology Pharmaceutical Engineering

Medicinal Chemistry Popular B Pharma Subjects

Human Anatomy & Physiology: The Students will learn about human anatomy which means the study of structures of the human body. And the students also study human physiology which means the study of how the human body parts work. The whole concepts describe the chemistry and physics behind the basic body functions and how systematic body functions work together.

Someotherparts of the syllabus:

Introduction to the Human Body

The Cellular level of organisation

Tissue level of organisation

Integumentary System

Skeletal Systems

Joints

Body Fluids & Blood

Lymphatic System

Peripheral Nervous System

Special Senses

Cardiovascular Systems

2. Pharmaceutical Analysis: The purpose of Pharmaceutical Analysis is to identify substances, purify them, separate them, quantify them, determine the molecular structures of chemical compounds that make up pharmaceuticals, and determine how these compounds are combined to make up a pharmaceutical product. Specifically, it relates to the analysis of raw materials and pharmaceutical formulations, entails the determination of ingredients, impurities, excipients, and uniformity, solubility, and dissolution rate to identify active components, contaminants, and impurities.

3. Pharmaceutics: Pharmaceutics is the discipline of pharmacy that deals with all facets of the process of turning a new chemical entity (NCE) into a safe and effective medication. Pharmaceutics is the science of dosage form design. Pharmaceutics deals with the formulation of a pure drug substance into a dosage form. Pharmaceutics is a subject that is included in all four years of B. Pharm Apart from this, Pharmaceutics department handles the following subjects:

Physical Pharmacy

Pharmaceutical Engineering

Cosmeticology

4. Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry: Pharmaceutical Chemistry is a branch of chemistry that deals with the chemical, biochemical and pharmacological aspects of drugs & drug products. It includes different aspects such as synthesis & isolation of drugs, identification, analysis, structural elucidation, study of the chemical characteristics, biochemical changes after drug administration & their pharmacological effects. It includes both Organic & Inorganic Chemistry.

Inorganic chemistry is the study of elements & their compounds; except carbon & its compounds which are studied under Organic chemistry. However, the distinction between the organic and inorganic are not absolute, & there is much overlap.

5. Medicinal Chemistry: Medicinal Chemistry is a discipline that deals with the development and analysis of drugs and other bioagents. Medicinal Chemistry is a subject inspired by organic chemistry, pharmacology, and medicine.

6. Biochemistry Pathophysiology: Biochemistry deals with chemical processes related to living organisms. It is a lab-based subject that binds biology and Chemistry. By using the knowledge & techniques of chemistry, individuals can solve biological nuances.

B Pharma Specializations

Theses are some of the B Pharma Specializations:

Pharmaceutical Technology

Quality Assurance

Pharmaceutical Marketing Management

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Ayurveda

Pharmaceutics

Pharmacology

Pharmaceutical Analysis & Quality Assurance

Clinical Pharmacy

Pharmacy Practice

Pharmacognosy

Phytopharmaceuticals and Natural Products

Drug Discovery and Development

Medicinal Chemistry

Bulk Drugs

Drug Regulatory Affairs

Biopharmaceutics

Industrial Pharmacy

Top B Pharma Entrance Exams

The Following are B Pharma Entrance Exams:

PUCET

MHT-CET

BITSAT

NEET

NMIMS NPAT

CUCET

DSAT  

B Pharma Entrance Exams

PUCET: Panjab University Common Entrance Test (PU CET) is conducted by Panjab University, Chandigarh in order to offer candidates admission in BSc (Hons.) courses in varsity. The PU CET is a university level entrance exam that is conducted once in a year. The entrance exam is held in offline mode (pen & paper test) and aspirants need to meet the eligibility criteria in order to appear for the entrance exam and apply for admission.

MHT-CET: Maharashtra CET Cell will release the final MHT CET 2024 merit list on August 8, 2024. Candidates whose names appear in the merit list will be considered for MHT CET.

BITSAT: BITS Pilani released the BITSAT eligibility criteria 2024 online mode. Candidates must check the information brochure to know the eligibility criteria for BITSAT 2024. The BITSAT Eligibility 2024 is the condition to appear for the BITS Admission Test. However, the eligibility criteria comprise education qualification, age, and qualifying marks. Candidates who meet the BITSAT B.E. eligibility criteria can complete the BITSAT registration online.

NEET: The full form of NEET is National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). It is the sole entrance test for admission to undergraduate medical and paramedical courses offered in India. The exam is conducted once a year in offline or paper-pencil based test (PBT) mode for three hours and 20 minutes or 200 minutes. As far as the NEET exam pattern is concerned, there are 200 questions from Physics, Chemistry and Biology, out of which 180 questions have to be attempted.

NMIMS NPAT: NPAT or NMIMS Programs after 12th is an entrance exam conducted for admission into courses including BBA, BSc (Finance), BSc (Economics), BCom (Hons.), B.A. (Hons.) Liberal Arts and BBM. Different Campuses of NMIMS situated at Mumbai, Shirpur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai, Indore and Dhule offers UG admission based on the NPAT scores. The Exam is conducted as a computer-based test from the test centre. This article on the NPAT exam provides complete information, including eligibility criteria, admission process, test pattern, syllabus and more.

CUCET: CUCET is a University - level entrance test conducted online by Chandigarh University (CU). The exam is mandatory for admission to different undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by the university in streams like engineering and management. CU’s Common Entrance Test also offers scholarships for all its Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs.

DSAT: DSAT (Dayanand Sagar Admission Test) is a university-level admission test conducted every year by Dayanand Sagar University, Bengaluru. The DSAT admission test will be conducted for candidates seeking admission in various UG and PG courses of Engineering, Management, Pharmacy etc. fields. Here in this article, we have provided the complete details with the latest updates on DSAT Application Form.

B Pharma Eligibility Criteria

Before enlisting the B Pharmacy subjects, let’s first understand the eligibility criteria of the course. Students who wish to pursue B. Pharma Program. need to have completed their 12th standard education with science subjects, either non-medical or medical. While they may get some different elective choices, the course is roughly the same for both branches of science.

Those who have completed a Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharm.) are also eligible to apply for this course as it provides introduction to B. Pharmacy Subjects. There are many entrance exams held separately for Private and State Universities in India, the most prominent one being the GPAT (Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test). For Students who wish to pursue a B. Pharmacy abroad, they have to appear in standardized tests like the SAT as well language proficiency exams like IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, etc.

B Pharma Carrer Opportunities

Pharmacist

Drug Inspector

Quality Control

Clinical Researcher

Hospital Pharmacist

Chemical Technician

Medical Representative

Medical Writer

Pharmacologist

Drug Therapist

Top 10 B. Pharmacy Colleges in India

Jamia Hamdard University

Institute of Chemical Technology

Birla Institute of Technology

Panjab University

Indian Institute of Technology Banaras Hindu University

KLE College of Pharmacy

JSS College of Pharmacy

Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences

University College of Pharmaceutical Science, Kakatiya University

Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Conclusion

After completing B Pharma Program, individuals with a B Pharmacy degree have choices in numerous fields. The field in which you apply will also affect the job’s pay. According to official statistics, graduate salaries are generally greater than non-graduate salaries in all professions. Along with the course you passed, many other things influence your wage. It would help if you ultimately decided which professional path is best for you. The B. Pharmacy degree can be earned in five years, but it can also be finished in four. Numerous universities and colleges in India provide top-notch B pharmacy programs. India has some of the most excellent B pharmacy course facilities worldwide.

[expertacademicassignmenthelp]

Pneumonia In Children And Adults

Introduction

Pneumonia stands as a prevalent respiratory infection, exerting a significant burden on global public health. Its impact extends beyond mere morbidity, contributing to substantial healthcare costs and socioeconomic consequences. This discussion aims to elucidate the general nature of pneumonia, encompassing its pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, treatment strategies, complications, and preventive measures. By indulging into these factors, we aim to provide a better understanding of pneumonia’s complexity and underscore the importance of timely recognition and management.

Pathophysiology

Pneumonia ensues from the infiltration of infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and less commonly, parasites, into the lower respiratory tract. Upon inhalation or aspiration of these pathogens, they gain access to the alveoli, where they incite an inflammatory response. This inflammatory cascade triggers the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, recruiting immune cells to the site of infection. Neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes converge to eradicate the invading pathogens, leading to the characteristic consolidation and exudate formation within the affected lung tissue. As the infection progresses, alveolar edema, impaired gas exchange, and parenchymal damage ensue, culminating in the clinical manifestations of pneumonia.

Clinical Presentation

The clinical presentation of pneumonia encompasses a spectrum of symptoms, ranging from mild respiratory complaints to life-threatening respiratory failure. Common symptoms include cough, productive sputum production, fever, chills, pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea, tachypnea, and systemic manifestations such as malaise and fatigue. The severity of symptoms varies depending on factors such as the underlying pathogen, the extent of lung involvement, the host’s immune status, and comorbidities. In pediatric populations, pneumonia may present with nonspecific symptoms such as feeding difficulties, lethargy, and irritability, posing diagnostic challenges. Conversely, elderly individuals may exhibit atypical presentations characterized by confusion, hypothermia, and exacerbations of underlying chronic conditions.

Diagnostic Modalities

The diagnosis of pneumonia hinges on a comprehensive clinical assessment, augmented by various diagnostic modalities to confirm the presence of pulmonary infection and reveal its etiology. A thorough history and physical examination provide invaluable insights into the patient’s symptomatology, risk factors, and clinical trajectory. Symptomatic findings such as crackles, wheezes, and diminished breath sounds may aid in localizing the site of infection and assessing disease severity. Radiographic imaging, notably chest X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, serves as the cornerstone of pneumonia diagnosis, revealing characteristic radiographic findings such as airspace opacities, lobar consolidation, and interstitial infiltrates. Laboratory investigations, including complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin levels, may corroborate the clinical suspicion of pneumonia and guide therapeutic decisions. Additionally, microbiological testing of respiratory specimens through techniques such as sputum culture, blood cultures, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays facilitates pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, thereby informing targeted therapy.

Treatment Strategies

The management of pneumonia hinges on prompt initiation of empiric antimicrobial therapy tailored to the likely causative pathogen(s) and disease severity. Antibiotics represent the mainstay of treatment for bacterial pneumonia, with the choice of agent dictated by factors such as local antimicrobial resistance patterns, patient age, comorbidities, and recent antibiotic exposure. Commonly prescribed antibiotics include beta-lactam agents (e.g., penicillins, cephalosporins), macrolides, fluoroquinolones, and combination regimens for severe or healthcare-associated infections. Conversely, viral pneumonia necessitates supportive care measures, given the limited efficacy of antiviral agents in most cases. Influenza-associated pneumonia may benefit from neuraminidase inhibitors such as oseltamivir, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pneumonia may warrant ribavirin therapy in select cases. Adjunctive therapies such as oxygen supplementation, bronchodilators, and corticosteroids may mitigate respiratory distress and improve clinical outcomes, particularly in severe or hypoxemic patients. The duration of antimicrobial therapy varies depending on factors such as the causative pathogen, clinical response, radiographic resolution, and the presence of complications. Close monitoring of clinical parameters and serial imaging studies guide the decision-making process, enabling clinicians to tailor therapy to individual patient needs.

Complications

Pneumonia harbors the potential for various complications, ranging from mild to life-threatening sequelae, necessitating vigilant monitoring and timely intervention. Common complications include pleural effusion, empyema, lung abscess, respiratory failure, septic shock, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Pleural effusion denotes the accumulation of fluid within the pleural space, secondary to inflammation or impaired lymphatic drainage, manifesting as dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, and dullness to percussion on physical examination. Empyema represents a purulent collection within the pleural cavity, often complicating bacterial pneumonia and necessitating drainage via thoracentesis or chest tube placement. Lung abscesses manifest as circumscribed cavities containing necrotic debris and pus within the lung parenchyma, triggered by persistent fever, productive cough, and hemoptysis. Respiratory failure ensues from impaired gas exchange and alveolar hypoventilation, caused by worsening hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and respiratory acidosis, necessitating mechanical ventilation and intensive care support. Septic shock represents a life-threatening complication of severe pneumonia, characterized by systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and end-organ dysfunction, requiring aggressive fluid resuscitation, vasopressor therapy, and broad-spectrum antibiotics. ARDS denotes a severe form of acute lung injury, characterized by diffuse alveolar damage, refractory hypoxemia, and bilateral infiltrates on chest imaging, necessitating lung-protective ventilation and supportive care in the intensive care unit (ICU). The occurrence of complications portends a poor prognosis and underscores the need for early recognition and intervention to mitigate adverse outcomes.

Preventive Measures

Preventing pneumonia entails a broad approach encompassing vaccination, infection control measures, and health promotion strategies aimed at reducing the risk of respiratory infections and their sequelae. Vaccination stands as a cornerstone of pneumonia prevention, targeting common bacterial and viral pathogens implicated in pneumonia pathogenesis. Vaccines such as the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) confer protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae, the leading bacterial cause of pneumonia, particularly in high-risk populations such as young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. Influenza vaccination remains paramount in mitigating influenza-associated pneumonia and reducing disease transmission, underscoring the importance of annual vaccination campaigns targeting vulnerable populations. Additionally, adherence to infection control measures, including hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and environmental sanitation, plays a pivotal role in reducing the spread of respiratory pathogens in healthcare settings and the community at large. Health promotion efforts aimed at smoking cessation, optimizing nutrition, and addressing underlying comorbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and immunodeficiency bolster immune resilience and mitigate pneumonia risk. Furthermore, early identification and management of predisposing factors such as malnutrition, homelessness, and overcrowded living conditions attenuate pneumonia susceptibility and enhance overall health outcomes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pneumonia emerges as a formidable respiratory infection, posing significant challenges to global public health. Its diverse etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic modalities, treatment modalities, complications, and preventive measures underscore the nature of pneumonia management. Timely recognition and intervention are imperative in mitigating the morbidity and mortality associated with pneumonia, necessitating a collaborative approach among healthcare providers, public health authorities, and policymakers. By fostering a comprehensive understanding of pneumonia’s manifest and implementing evidence-based strategies, we can strive towards reducing its burden and improving patient outcomes. Through ongoing research, education, and advocacy efforts, we can envision a future where pneumonia-related morbidity and mortality are substantially diminished, paving the way for enhanced respiratory health and well-being worldwide.

In managing pneumonia, compassion, empathy, and a holistic approach are essential alongside clinical expertise. Striving for excellence in knowledge and practice allows us to enhance respiratory medicine and patient outcomes.

As we address pneumonia and broader cardiovascular health complexities, let’s remain committed to optimal patient care. Together, we can impact lives positively and foster a healthier future.

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[10minus6cosm]

RCPA microbiology training – resources and notes (Part 1)

Our trainee Shireen recently passed her Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Examination. She was invited to share her exam preparation strategy for the benefit of our other trainees.

Disclaimer

This document is based on my personal experience and what worked well for me to get me through the exams. Everyone’s experience will be different and what worked for me may not work so well for someone else (and vice versa)!

This is also not comprehensive and is just my attempt to cobble together a list of the resources that I used or found particularly helpful. There are also many other resources beyond the ones listed here!

Where possible I have tried to include links to various websites but please use the links at your own discretion.

It is also important to know your lab protocols well and know how the lab works.

Lastly don’t forget to go through the RCPA microbiology trainee handbook and the administrative requirements handbook!

General notes on exam preparation

Study tools

Anki flash cards – I am happy to share my Anki deck (with disclaimers)

I created my own Anki deck and slowly added to it over the course of about 3 years – had approximately 2400 cards by the time I took my Part II exam.

Every time I came across a new fact or something that I felt I needed to remember I would put the information into a flash card.

Anki has the advantage of being easily searchable, so the flash cards I made doubled as my study notes.

Anki syncs across all of my devices, so I created flash cards on my laptop and went through flash cards on my phone whenever I had a pocket of time (walking to/from the MRT, walking in the park, waiting for people).

Overall I found this an excellent tool to get my brain to remember microbiology trivia.

Study group

Having a study group made a massive difference to exam prep for me – I cannot overemphasise how helpful having one was!

Probably a good time to find a study group would be around a year before the Part I exam.

Question banks (not RCPA exam specific)

ID/micro MCQ book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Infectious-Diseases-Microbiology-Virology-Specialist/dp/1316609715/ - I went through this book before FRCPath I.

Jawetz has nice end of chapter MCQs.

Past year questions and question banks (RCPA exam specific)

RCPA question banks – RCPA publishes Part I Paper A questions for the last few years on the RCPA website

Ask your seniors if they have more questions – for example my study group made up practice questions for each other and therefore we have an additional self-generated question bank.

If I were to go back in time to about 1-1.5 years before my Part I, my approach would be to look through past year questions early to get a good idea of what sort of questions are being asked. Do as many practice questions as possible. Then see if can answer the questions for other similar organisms/illnesses too…

Start of training

I went through these books cover to cover. This is the approximate order in which I’d read these books, and I’d probably aim to finish these books in the first year or so of training

Book reviews

Clinical microbiology made ridiculously simple https://www.amazon.sg/Clinical-Microbiology-Made-Ridiculously-Simple-dp-1935660500/dp/1935660500/ This is a book targeted as medical students (I think) but I found this a great read at the start of training to get an overview and learn some mnemonics and ways to remember things that have stuck with me. Can get through this book fairly quickly!

Comprehensive review of infectious diseases https://www.amazon.com/Comprehensive-Review-Infectious-Diseases-Andrej/dp/0323568661/ Great introduction to ID and microbiology, but use with caution and some things may be different for our local setting/Australia

Murray (I used the 8th edition, updated edition is https://www.amazon.sg/Medical-Microbiology-Patrick-R-Murray/dp/) and/or Jawetz https://www.amazon.sg/Jawetz-Melnick-Adelbergs-Medical-Microbiology/dp/1260012026/ Both are undergraduate microbiology textbooks that cover fairly similar content at a fairly similar level. I read through both and preferred Murray for reading/learning, but liked the end of chapter MCQs in Jawetz.

Color Atlas of Medical Bacteriology (review is for third edition, updated edition is https://www.amazon.sg/Color-Atlas-Medical-Bacteriology-Luis/dp/1683670353/) Lots of nice pictures that show a lot of the bacterial isolates and biochemical reactions you need to become familiar with in the lab. Text also quite helpful as an introduction to each group of bacteria Fast facts bacteria chapter at the back is also very nice for quick reference/learning.

Part I preparation

Book reviews

Oxford handbook of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology https://www.amazon.sg/Oxford-Handbook-Infectious-Diseases-Microbiology/dp/019967132X/ This is unfortunately getting a bit dated now (2016), and is UK-based so some guidelines/methods are different from what we do here/in Australia. Can be a little dry (as it contains a lot of facts), but it has very nice chapters covering antimicrobials (sadly a bit outdated now) and infection control that can be read as introductions to these topics. Part 3 systematic microbiology contains many of the important organisms you need to know about by the time you take RCPA Part I. (Note this is not a comprehensive list, see the section on “list of organisms/infections to know” below.) The "smaller print" organisms that have come out before in Paper A include leishmaniasis and BK virus, which are both covered in this section Part 4 clinical syndromes is useful to put microbiology in context, and is also useful for the RCPA Part I/II vivas which I found more clinical than the written/practical.

Koneman https://www.amazon.sg/Konemans-Color-Textbook-Diagnostic-Microbiology/dp/1284322378/ Unfortunately, this edition is also getting a bit dated (2016). Extremely intimidating the first time I saw this book. Gets better once you read a bit through it and realise what are the important things you need to know (mostly at the start/end of chapters that talk about introductions to the various groups of organisms and microbiology techniques) and what are the less important stuff that is OK to read and forget. Definitely read through the introduction chapters as these are basics of microbiology! Chapter 3/4 on immunological and molecular methods - good to read through, but I preferred the chapters in MCM. Bacteriology - a lot of information, including a lot of organisms that you do not need to remember for exams (e.g. one of my favourite organisms I came across in this book was Staphylococcus condimenti which is found in soy sauce - but not really an organism you need to remember for exams!). It is however useful to know that the lists of endless corynebacteria and identification tables exist to be able to easily refer to them when you need to in daily practice. Mycology - this is less comprehensive than Larone, but I really liked reading through the section here as I found it gave me a very good introduction/overview to the topic. Essentially the fungi here are mostly "important" so it is good to know about what is mentioned here. Parasitology - same as mycology, I liked this section as it had a very good introduction/overview to the topic, and again the parasites here are mostly "important" Virology - afraid I can't comment on this as I don't remember much about the virology chapter here.

Larone's Medically Important Fungi https://www.amazon.sg/Larones-Medically-Important-Fungi-Identification/dp/1683674405/ Good textbook for mycology When reading through need to differentiate between important fungi and small print fungi Methods chapters are useful

Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook (I used the 4th edition, updated edition is https://www.amazon.sg/Clinical-Microbiology-Procedures-Handbook-Multi/dp/1683673980/) I read through sections of this book as I rotated through the labs (e.g. read the TB section when was in TB lab). Start and end of each section is particularly useful as gives introduction and interpretation information. Some parts of the 4th edition were a bit outdated by the time I read it - but there is a brand new 5th edition out now. I did read through quite a lot of this, and if time had permitted I would have liked to read through more of it before my Part I. Is also useful to be familiar with this as it's useful to easily reference it in practice.

Manual of clinical microbiology (I used the 11th edition, updated edition is https://www.amazon.sg/Manual-Clinical-Microbiology-Multi-Carroll/dp/1683674294/) I did not read the whole of this book! I used this book mostly for techniques (particularly liked the chapters on molecular and immunoassays) and as a reference when needed.

(Please note I am missing a good virology textbook here - this is because I already did a good amount of virology in my past and that together with other resources and guidelines was more than sufficient to get me through my exams. The virology textbook I used as a final year undergraduate >10 years ago was Flint's (updated version is https://www.amazon.sg/Principles-Virology-Multi-Jane-Flint/dp/1683670329/ which looks rather different from the version I used which was only a single volume) but this may be overly a basic science textbook. If you're not confident with basic virology it might be advisable to also find a good virology textbook.)

Websites and guidelines (Australian)

RCPA website

RCPA webinar series Watch all of these! Can be quite topical to current issues Quite a few topics covered in the series came out in my exams There are also a few webinars that are specifically for exam prep

Exam specific prep

Meet the examiner session from RCPA Path update – should be updated yearly https://www.rcpa.edu.au/Education/Disciplines/Microbiology/Exams/Examination-Advice

Past year exam questions

Optimise oral examination handbook (2022)

Additional quality management questions: https://www.rcpa.edu.au/Education/Laboratory-Management/Quality-Management/Docs/Quality-management-exam-questions-(1).aspx

Position statements, policies, guidelines I read most of these for Part I/II Some of these cover topics that came out in my exam Selective reporting of antimicrobials in Australia Modules - Ethics, Bullying/Harassment, Quality, etc Workshop slides Molecular Microbiology – the slides are uploaded every year, not too long after the workshop

Australia Department of Health and Aged Care website - www.health.gov.au

List of diseases that are notifiable or have vaccines https://www.health.gov.au/diseases

Links to PHLN laboratory case definitions and CDNA SONGS Communicable disease https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/communicable-diseases

Can check for updates: Australian health documents https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications Use filter: topics --> communicable diseases Can also use filters: Publication type --> case definition Publication type --> guideline CDNA guidelines https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/cdna-guidance-documents

State health departments Each state has information about specific diseases/infections that are of importance there, plus information about health alerts (links below under “list of organisms/infections to know”)

There are also some very nice guidelines on certain state websites

NSW department of health NSW disease control guidelines (a bit similar to the SoNGs, has things that are not in the SoNGs) https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/controlguideline/Pages/default.aspx

Northern Territory department of health Quite a lot of specific disease guidelines including invasive group A streptococcus (and acute post strep glomerulonephritis), diphtheria, leprosy, malaria, NTM, syphilis)

Queensland department of health Really nice infection control guidelines Exposure to blood and body fluids Foodborne illness outbreak Healthcare worker vaccination MDRO Outbreak management

Perinatal infections Really important to know about perinatal infections and it came up quite a bit in my exams

ASID management of perinatal infections guidelines https://anzasid.sharepoint.com/sites/E-Knowledge/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FE%2DKnowledge%2FShared%20Documents%2FANZPID%2FASID%20Management%20of%20Perinatal%20Infections%203rd%20Edition%2Epdf&parent=%2Fsites%2FE%2DKnowledge%2FShared%20Documents%2FANZPID&p=true&ga=1

Pregnancy care guidelines https://www.health.gov.au/resources/pregnancy-care-guidelines/table-of-contents Includes information on pregnancy and infections and screening https://www.health.gov.au/resources/pregnancy-care-guidelines/part-f-routine-maternal-health-tests/

ASHM - bloodborne viruses and sexually transmissible infections in antenatal care https://www.ashm.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ASHM-BBVs-STIs-in-Antenatal-Care-Resource-2022.pdf

Immunisation

Immunisation handbook: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccine-preventable-diseases

National immunisation programme schedule: https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/when-to-get-vaccinated/national-immunisation-program-schedule

More immunisation guidelines and info from NCIRS https://ncirs.org.au/health-professionals/ncirs-fact-sheets-faqs

National vaccine storage guidelines - Strive for 5 https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-vaccine-storage-guidelines-strive-for-5?language=en

National guidelines for yellow fever vaccination centres and providers (Australian Department of Health) https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-12/national-guidelines-for-yellow-fever-vaccination-centres-and-providers.pdf

NPAAC and NATA

May be useful to read through once before Part I. Definitely read through all the microbiology-relevant ones and know well before Part II

NPAAC standards https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/accreditation/pathology-accreditation-standards NATA/RCPA accreditation https://nata.com.au/accreditation/medical-laboratory-accreditation-iso-15189/

HIV/HepB/HepC

Healthcare workers with blood borne viruses https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/cdna-national-guidelines-for-healthcare-workers-on-managing-bloodborne-viruses

Exposure prone and non-exposure prone procedures in Australia https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/cdna-guidance-on-classification-of-exposure-prone-and-non-exposure-prone-procedures-in-australia-2017.pdf

NSW management of healthcare workers potentially exposed to HIV/HepB/HepC https://www1.health.nsw.gov.au/pds/Pages/doc.aspx?dn=PD2017_010

HIV

Australasian society for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexual health medicine (ASHM) and guidelines/resources: https://ashm.org.au/resources/

Testing Portal: https://testingportal.ashm.org.au

Antiretroviral guideline https://arv.ashm.org.au HIV care guide PrEP and PEP guidelines for HIV U=U guidance https://ashm.org.au/hiv/ https://www.ashm.org.au/hiv/hiv-management/ https://hivlegal.ashm.org.au/ (And there are probably many other guidelines!)

National HIV testing policy https://testingportal.ashm.org.au/files/ASHM_National%20HIVTestingPolicy_2020_HIV_.pdf

Hepatitis B

https://www.hepatitisb.org.au

https://www.gesa.org.au/public/13/files/Education%20%26%20Resources/Clinical%20Practice%20Resources/Hep%20B/HBV%20consensus%20Mar%202022%20Updated.pdf

National Hepatitis B testing policy https://testingportal.ashm.org.au/files/ASHM_TestingPolicy_2020_HepatitisB_07_2.pdf

Hepatitis C

https://www.hepcguidelines.org.au

National Hepatitis C testing policy https://testingportal.ashm.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/National_HepatitisC_Testing_Policy_v1-4_March_2023-v2.pdf

STI guidelines

Australian STI management guidelines for use in primary care:

https://sti.guidelines.org.au This has links to other guidelines

ASHM also has a lot of microsites https://contacttracing.ashm.org.au https://testingportal.ashm.org.au/ https://syphilisoutbreaktraining.com.au

Lifeblood (blood donation Australia) was an unexpectedly good resource for various infectious diseases

https://www.lifeblood.com.au/health-professionals/learn/resource-library

Filter for "factsheet" or search for "infectious" or search for "infections"

Should get a list of "transfusion focused infectious disease fact sheets" for a number of infections e.g. SARS-CoV-2, H5N1, Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus

These fact sheets are really nice as they summarise each infection including epidemiology in Australia, treatment, diagnosis, prevention Also useful for reading about transfusion associated infections!

Infection control and outbreak management

Australian guidelines for prevention and control of infection in healthcare https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-09/australian_guidelines_for_the_prevention_and_control_of_infection_in_healthcare_current_version_v11.19_24_august_20232.pdf32.pdf

Outbreak management (Queensland guide) https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/444508/management-outbreaks.pdf

Infection control (Queensland) https://education.qld.gov.au/initiativesstrategies/Documents/infection-control-guideline.pdf

PHLN lab procedures and precautions for samples from patients with viral haemorrhagic fevers https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/phln-laboratory-procedures-and-precautions-for-samples-collected-from-patients-with-viral-haemorrhagic-fevers

Guidelines for legionella control https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/07/enhealth-guidance-guidelines-for-legionella-control.pdf

Infectious diseases requiring additional precautions (NSW) https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/286838/ID_requiring_additional_control_precautions.pdf

GENCA/GESA guidelines on endoscope reprocessing https://www.genca.org/public/5/files/Nurses%20info/IPCE%202021_Feb2022update.pdf

RACGP infection prevention and control standards https://www.racgp.org.au/FSDEDEV/media/documents/Running%20a%20practice/Practice%20standards/Infection-prevention-and-control.pdf

Mycology

Mycology Adelaide https://www.adelaide.edu.au/mycology/ This was somewhat similar to Larone but is a good resource and is Australian

Additional useful guidelines and documents

Uptodate list of health hazards in travellers to Australia and NZ: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/potential-health-hazards-in-travelers-to-australia-new-zealand-and-the-southwestern-pacific-oceania

CARAlert organisms (critical antimicrobial resistances) https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/antimicrobial-resistance/antimicrobial-use-and-resistance-australia-surveillance-system/national-alert-system-critical-antimicrobial-resistances-caralert

Australian Society for Microbiology - Guidelines for QC of microbiological culture media https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c184125b98a781241e53ab6/t/5db2996892f5c03a7ff21a0f/1571985772520/Guidelines+for+the+Quality+Assurance+of+Medical+Microbiological+culture+media+2nd+edition+July+2012.pdf

Australian risk group organisms - I couldn't find a good resource for this! Some partial ones at https://cdn.csu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/3283012/Biosafety-Manual-Booklet-3.pdf

Packaging and transport of infectious substances https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1333766/retrieve#page17

Australian Refugee Health guide https://refugeehealthguide.org.au

List of Australian tests and diseases https://pathologytestsexplained.org.au

Infections disease transmission in solid organ transplantation https://tsanz.com.au/storage/documents/TSANZ-Infectious-Disease-review_Final_collated_edit.pdf

CDS https://cdstest.net – I found the resistance mechanisms explanations here very good

Websites and guidelines (non-Australian)

CLSI

M100 - I read this from cover to cover

Other CLSI documents that might be helpful include M35 abbrieviated identification of bacteria and yeast

M39 cumulative antibiogram

M45 ST of infrequently isolated or fastidious bacteria

M47 blood cultures - overlaps with the UK SMI and CMPH on blood cultures

M48 lab detection and ID of mycobacteria

M56 anaerobes

M58 MALDI

M62 ST of mycobacteria, Nocardia, other aerobic actinomycetes

MM03 molecular diagnostic methods for infectious diseases

MM09 nucleic acid sequencing methods

MM18 identification of bacteria and fungi by targeted DNA sequencing - basically 16S/ITS (And also other documents…)

EUCAST

Bacteria susceptibility testing document - useful to get some familiarity with this.

There are also a lot of helpful documents on the website that are good to read.

CDC

Infection control https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/index.html

CDC DPDx - lots of nice photos for parasites

CDC Yellow book https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/table-of-contents

Disinfection and sterilisation https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/index.html

CDC lab biosafety - biosafety in microbiological and biomedical laboratories (6th ed 2020)

Other useful resources

UK SMI

Cystic fibrosis lab guidelines https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-12/Laboratory%20standards.pdf

European CDC website https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en

IDSA guidelines https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/alphabetical-guidelines/

APHL/ASM clinical lab preparedness and response guide https://www.aphl.org/aboutAPHL/publications/documents/WORK_BlueBook.pdf

Keeping up with current topics

Good to know about current topics in microbiology – this includes JCM etc for things like new methods, issues with testing, etc

Also look specifically for topics that are important in Australia Browse Australian news and see if there is anything that sounds important/likely E.g. Japanese encephalitis, mpox, flooding, black mould… If it has been reported in mainstream news and is related to infection it would be good to know about it!

National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) reports https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/nndss-fortnightly-reports - useful to get an idea of what is happening in Australia Each Australian state has their own site with health alerts – good to have a browse through to see if there is anything of particular interest.

NSW https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/alerts/Pages/default.aspx

SA https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/public+health/alerts/health+alerts/

Queensland https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts WA https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Health-alerts-infectious-diseases

List of organisms/infections to know

When I first started microbiology training, the endless lists of organisms and infections seemed endless and extremely daunting.

I eventually settled on a "minimum" list of organisms/infections I need to know:

Anything that is mentioned in Part 3 of the Oxford Handbook of ID and Microbiology

Anything that is in the Australian guidelines (PHLN, CDNA SONGS, ACSQHC)

Anything that is in the Australian vaccination handbook

Anything that is listed in the infectious diseases lists of the individual Australian states

Victoria https://www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/disease-information-and-advice

NSW https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/default.aspx

Queensland https://www.health.qld.gov.au/disease-control and https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/infections-and-parasites

NT https://health.nt.gov.au/public-health-notifiable-diseases

WA https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/N_R/Notification-of-infectious-diseases-and-related-conditions

Alternative way of thinking about the organisms/infections are: Need to know well

Common and important, e.g. MSSA/MRSA, Enterobacterales, VZV, CMV

Common but unlikely (or less likely) to be clinically significant e.g. Staphylococcus epidermidis

Rare but important or with important associations, e.g. coccidioides, Mycobacterium ulcerans, Corynebacterium diphtheriae/ulcerans/pseudotuberculosis

Don’t really need to know well Rare and unlikely to be clinically significant e.g. Staphylococcus condimenti

For each organism/infection, I learned

Type/category of infection

Epidemiology – especially if there is anything specifically important to Australia, e.g. certain groups/regions/activities that have higher risk for infection

Transmission

Clinical presentation

Diagnosis

Non-laboratory diagnosis

Laboratory diagnosis

Sample type and collection

Sample transport

Microbiological diagnosis methods

Typing methods

Any particular issues with testing?

Treatment

Prevention

Anything special I needed to know

Specific additional things to look up for Part I

Not comprehensive!

Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV - be able to calculate this - how this is affected by prevalence of disease

Receiver-operating characteristic curves

HEPA filters and how they work

Requirements of a PC2/3/4? laboratory

How is immunoglobulin avidity testing done (this is done for CMV in Australia?)

Sterilisation and disinfection

Types of autoclave and controls needed

Audit cycle

Outbreak management and epidemiological investigation

Cumulative antibiogram

Validation vs verification

Infection control - standard, contact, droplet, aerosol precautions

Measurement of uncertainty

R0 and R

Clinical trials and phases

PCR targets used for organisms

PK/PD

Australian infectious diseases screening programmes

Quality control and quality assurance

Levy-Jennings chart

Methods of diagnosis and specifics about how they work

Isothermal amplification

Sequencing by Sanger

Whole Genome Sequencing - Illumina, Nanopore

Different serological assays and how they work - ELISA, capture assays, haemagglutination-inhibition, CFT, virus neutralisation assays

Immunochromatographic tests

Transport and handling of infectious substances, how are they categorised (A/B)

Types of biosafety cabinets and how they work

Risk groups, definition of risk groups

Australian groups and organisations and regulations - NPAAC, NATA, TGA…

Organ/blood donation and microbiological testing

I also had definitions for

Quality control, quality assurance

Measurement uncertainty

MIC, ECOFF, breakpoints, susceptible, resistant, intermediate, SDD, wild type, non-WT

Critical concentration (MTB)

Sterilisation, disinfection, cleaning

R0, R

Validation, verification

Antibody titre

Universal and standard precautions

Prozone/hook effects

Notes about each part of the Part I exam

Disclaimer This is based on my own experience with the exam and there is always a possibility that the exam format or emphasis may change from year to year!

Paper A

RCPA publishes the previous papers for the past few years, and your seniors may have papers going back even longer.

Some of the questions repeat, so it is useful going through the past questions and preparing answers.

Keep in mind time limitations in the exam - there is a limit to how much you can write in 9 minutes! May be worth doing some of the questions "timed" to get a realistic idea of how much you can write. I think I wrote around a page for most questions.

A lot of basic microbiology here – e.g. “lab diagnosis of X” and technical questions.

Paper B

Short answer questions that cover a lot of various aspects of microbiology

Quite a few of the questions were "spot diagnosis" - photo provided, what is the likely organism, question related to this. Test ability to recognise fungi, parasites, etc.

Questions and topics were very random and were pulled from everything and everywhere.

Practical

Practice working up samples (including EQA samples) in the lab in parallel with routine work up done by lab staff

Make sure you are able to do all the tests that are known to be tested - e.g. I had to learn how to do urine microscopy as this isn't done by microbiology here. Double check what you need to be able to do for your year (my year included Gram stain, AFB stain, urine microscopy)

Go through past EQA reports

Go through lab manual and SOPs

A couple of months before I generated a list of media/reagents/etc I thought I might need to use during the practical. I went through this list with the lab to ensure that I would have these available for use when I need and “reserved” a stock of agar plates/etc for my use during the practical.

Before the practical I generated my own list of media/conditions to use for each sample type - and followed this list (with some additions depending on question stem) on day 1 of the exam to plate things out.

Viva

Practice questions with study group - we tried to do this similar to the exam when we would read the question, make short notes, and answer the question over zoom. Once done you might get additional questions to answer, such as in the viva.

I thought the Part I viva was more clinical and more guideline based than the rest of the Part I exam.

I found that knowing the Australian guidelines helped a lot with the viva.

Caveat. When I set Shireen the task of writing up her RCPA exam prep experience I certainly was not expecting an 18 page thesis. If you have sustained your interest all the way through this post you may have surmised that she is from one of the elite schools in Singapore. Rest assured her experience represents a counsel of perfection, and it may well be possible to pass the RCPA exams with less exhaustive preparation...

[ollierachnid]

3, 7, 13

3. Currently reading

I tend to read something fiction and non-fiction simultaneously, so these are the current books I'm reading! "Earthlings" by Sayaka Murata and "Rabid" by Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy

7. Fattest book you own

I think, aside from some of my books on biology (I think the biggest of those is "Microbiology, An Introduction. 12th edition"). It's probably the complete works of Shakespeare, lol

A book you would recommend to everyone:

These 2 probably, since I can't pick one or another, I don't have my own copies on me. Brain changing for me, haha. (The Secret History & House of Leaves)