Comparative analysis of six European influenza vaccines

Three split-virion vaccines (Vaxigrip, Begrivac, and Influsplit/Fluarix) and three subunit vaccines containing only viral surface glycoproteins (Influvac, Agrippai, and Fluvirin) available for the 1994–95 season were analysed by biological, molecular, and biochemical methods. Although all vaccines are required by health authorities to contain 15 g haemagglutinin per dose of each virus strain, there were significant differences in haemagglutination titres among the examined vaccines of both types. The enzymatic activity of neuraminidase was present in all vaccines except Fluvirin. Total protein content was lower for subunit vaccines. Viral nucleoprotein was detected in all split vaccines but to varying levels according to SDS-PAGE and Western blot analyses. The ovalbumin content was low in general but was about tenfold higher for Influvac than for the other vaccines analysed. This protein may induce hypersensitive reactions among persons with severe egg allergy. All three split-virion vaccines were found to contain the matrix protein; however, it was not detected in the subunit vaccines. Differences in influenza antigen variety in currently available vaccines may affect efficacy, whereas differences in concentrations of nonviral compounds such as ovalbumin and endotoxin may lead to different postvaccination reactogenicity profiles.     

Treatment options for perianal Bowen's disease: survery of American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Members

The aim of this study was to determine current management practices of physicians caring for patients with perianal Bowen's disease. A questionnaire was sent to 1,499 members listed in the 1997 American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Directory asking them how many patients they have treated and which operative or nonoperative treatment option they choose for small (< or =3 cm), large (> 3 cm), and microscopic lesions. Of 1,499, 663 (44.2%) surgeons responded. Not all respondents answered each item. Seventy-five per cent of surgeons surveyed (n = 653) devote greater than 75 per cent of their practice to colon and rectal surgery. Of 642 respondents, 552 (86%) managed a total of <10 patients, and 90/642 (14%), > or =10 patients. Ninety-six per cent of respondents use wide local excision for patients with small lesions. Eighty-seven per cent of respondents use wide local excision for patients with large lesions. Seventy-four per cent treat patients with microscopic disease conservatively and without wide excision. The majority of surgeons caring for patients with perianal Bowen's disease are performing wide local excision for both small and large lesions. Microscopic disease was usually treated conservatively with observation alone.     

Verhandlungen Ärztlicher Gesellschaften

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Neural processing associated with cognitive empathy in pedophilia and child sexual offending

Behavioral studies found evidence for superior cognitive empathy (CE) in pedophilic men without a history of child sexual offending (P − CSO) compared to pedophilic men with a history of child sexual offending (P + CSO). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies also point to differences between P − CSO and P + CSO. Neural processing associated with CE has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the neural correlates of CE in subjects with pedophilia with (P + CSO) and without (P − CSO) child sexual offending. 15 P + CSO, 15 P − CSO and 24 teleiophilic male controls (TC) performed a CE task during fMRI. We observed reduced activation in the left precuneus (Pcu) and increased activation in the left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in P − CSO compared to P + CSO. P − CSO also showed stronger connectivity between these regions, which might reflect a top-down modulation of the Pcu by the ACC toward an increased self-focused emotional reaction in social situations. There was also evidence for increased right superior temporal gyrus activation in P − CSO that might constitute a potentially compensatory recruitment due to the dampened Pcu activation. These findings provide first evidence for altered neural processing of CE in P − CSO and underline the importance of addressing CE in pedophilia and CSO in order to uncover processes relevant to effective prevention of child sexual abuse.