Comprehensive care of adults with acute ischemic stroke.

Stroke continues to represent the leading cause of long term disability despite positive achievements in the last few years. An estimated 50 million stroke survivors world wide currently cope with significant physical, cognitive, and emotional deficits, and 25% to 74% of these survivors will require some assistance or are fully dependent on caregivers for activities of daily living. The interdisciplinary team approach, with the nurse playing the central role, is important across the continuum of care.

Meningococcal immunology.

There is a major need for an effective vaccine against serogroup B disease. The long-term efficacy of the serogroups A, C, Y and W135 conjugate vaccines and the need for booster vaccines has to be determined, as does the effect of changing epidemiology in the United States and worldwide. Control of serogroup A disease in sub-Saharan Africa is a major challenge.