Point-of-Use Mixing of Influenza H5N1 Vaccine and MF59 Adjuvant for Pandemic Vaccination Preparedness: Antibody Responses and Safety. A Phase 1 Clinical Trial.

Background: Avian influenza A/H5N1 has threatened human health for nearly 2 decades. Avian influenza A vaccine without adjuvant is poorly immunogenic. A flexible rapid tactic for mass vaccination will be needed if a pandemic occurs.

Blood-brain barrier opened by stimulation of the parasympathetic sphenopalatine ganglion: a new method for macromolecule delivery to the brain.

Object: Drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier remains a significant challenge. Based on earlier findings, the authors hypothesized that parasympathetic innervation of the brain vasculature could be used to augment drug delivery to the brain.

Methods: Using a craniotomy-cerebrospinal fluid superfusate paradigm in rats with an intravenous injection of tracer the authors demonstrated that stimulation of the postganglionic parasympathetic fibers of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) increased the concentration of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (4-250 kD) in the superfusate by two- to sixfold.

Increased BBB permeability by parasympathetic sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation in dogs.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a major obstacle for movement of large molecules to and from the brain. Stimulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), the major source of parasympathetic innervation to brain vasculature, is known to vasodilate brain vessels, and has recently been shown to also increase the permeability of the BBB in the rat. In this work, we studied the effect of SPG stimulation on BBB permeability in larger animals--Beagle dogs.

[Spinal anesthesia in premature infants--indications, technical aspects and results].

Purpose: To present our experience with spinal anesthesia in premature and former premature infants, and to focus on technical aspects and pitfalls enlightened with increasing experience.

Methods: The perioperative course of all premature and former premature infants below 60 weeks postconceptual age undergoing spinal anesthesia within an 35-month-period was analyzed. Lumbar puncture was performed while the patient was held seated at L4-5 or L5-S1.

Spinal anesthesia in 62 premature, former-premature or young infants--technical aspects and pitfalls.

Purpose: To highlight technical aspects and pitfalls of spinal anesthesia (SA) in infants.

Methods: The medical history and perioperative course of all infants who underwent SA over a 28-month period were collected (retrospectively in the first 20).

Results: Sixty-two infants underwent surgery under SA.