The increase in total vibration energy in patients with REPE is l

The increase in total vibration energy in patients with REPE is likely caused by more significant airflow obstruction resulting in narrowed airways and more turbulence. Although airflow obstruction in the setting of pulmonary edema has long been acknowledged by clinicians [12], the mechanisms

responsible for this observation remain obscure. The elevation of pulmonary or bronchial vascular pressure likely results in reflex bronchoconstriction [13]. Other potential causes of airway narrowing include a geometric decrease in Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical airway size from reduced lung volume, obstruction from intraluminal edema fluid, and bronchial mucosal swelling [13]. Some investigators [14,15], but not all [16], have found an increase in bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in patients with left ventricular dysfunction or mitral valve disease. The significance of this finding is not clear. Contrary to earlier reasoning, there is no evidence that engorged bronchovascular Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical bundles directly compress small airways [17-19]. CHF associated airway edema may also cause larger Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical airways to be narrowed producing increased turbulence and noise [12-18]. The edema may additionally cause smaller airways to close and reopen during inspiration; thereby, increasing noise [19,21-23]. Therapies that reduce interstitial pulmonary edema and pleural effusion result in

reversal of the effects described above and would be expected to increase image area, as demonstrated in this Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical investigation. Another manifestation of CHF is cardiomegaly. Since the pulmonary system and the heart share one thoracic space, an enlarged heart would decrease the space available for the lungs to expand [24-26]. This may be an additional explanation for the decreased vibration energy areas. Cardiomegaly may cause decreased lung volume particularly in the lower lung fields. In healthy volunteers, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical it has been shown that total vibration energy increases with increasing tidal volume [5]. Although the tidal volumes of the non-ventilated CHF patients in this study Dichloromethane dehalogenase were not measured, the decrease in vibration energy seen with treatment is

not likely due to decreased tidal volume because: 1) patients were instructed to take deep breaths for all recordings and larger volumes would be expected after clinical improvement [27] and 2) the increased work of breathing in CHF would likely cause respiratory Abiraterone in vivo muscle fatigue and shallow breathing (lower tidal volume) before therapy [28,29]. Nevertheless, to remove the confounding effects of tidal volume changes before and after clinical improvements, mechanically ventilated CHF patients were studied as a control group for same tidal volumes (not practical to quantitate tidal volume in the non-mechanically ventilated acutely dyspneic CHF patients), when REPE was present and again when the CHF had improved and REPE was reduced.

97- There are some indications in the literature suggesting that

97- There are some indications in the literature suggesting that serotonin and noradrenaline may play

a different role in the regulation of sleep; indeed noradrenaline could be implicated in wake-promoting mechanisms and hyperarousal,93, 94 whereas serotonin could be more involved in sleep-promoting mechanisms.95, 96 For instance, animal studies suggest, that noradrenaline and serotonin microinjections in the basal forebrain induce different modulation of gamma EEG activity and of the sleep-wake Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical state.97 It, can thus speculated that sleep microstructure, Selleckchem PR 171 reflecting these specific mechanisms, could be differently affected by the single administration of an SSRI, an SNRI, or an NSRI. In summary, the sleep EEG profile of antidepressants Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical and particularly the effects on REM sleep are specific to their ability to enhance noradrenergic or serotoninergic transmission. It is suggested that the respective

effects of noradrenergic versus serotoninergic Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical reuptake inhibition could be disentangled using specific monoamine depletion tests and by studying drug effects on sleep microstructure. Conclusions Sleep EEG recordings constitute a unique noninvasive tool to analyze brain functioning. The dynamic relationships between brain neurotransmitter systems can be directly addressed through the assessment Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical of sleep physiology. Neurotransmission disturbances, such as those encountered in mental disorders, are reflected in spontaneous

alteration of sleep continuity and architecture, or in aberrant sleep EEG responses to the administration of specific ncuropsychopharmacological probes. Sleep laboratory investigations are particularly well suited to evaluating objective effects of psychoactive drugs on sleep and wakefulness. Moreover, new compounds can be compared with reference drugs in terms of the sleep EEG profile they Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical induce. Finally, all-night sleep EEG spectral analysis provides a matchless technique to study the way drugs affect, sleep microstructure, and therefore the core of sleep regulation mechanisms. why Selected abbreviations and acronyms CNS central nervous system EEG electroencephalography GAB γ-aminobutyric acid GH growth hormone 5-HT 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) NSRI noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake inhibitor PET positron emission tomography REM rapid eye movement SNRI selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor SSRI selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SWS slow wave sleep TDT tryptophan depletion test
The influence of genetic factors on the nature and intensity of stress responses has been widely demonstrated in several animal species1 and in humans.

3; 95% CI, 1 2–1 5) 136 Pelvic floor muscle training combined wit

3; 95% CI, 1.2–1.5).136 Pelvic floor muscle training combined with biofeedback

resulted in greater self-reported continence compared with standard care (selleck pooled absolute risk difference 0.1; 95% CI, 0.05–0.14), but the effect size was not consistent across the studies (P value for heterogeneity, .03).131,136,137 Figure 3 Effects of conservative treatments on continence Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical compared with regular care (results from randomized controlled clinical trials). RD, absolute risk difference; NPT, negative pad test; SR, self-reported; ICS, completely dry in International Continence … Table 3 Clinical Intervention on Urinary Incontinence (Results From Individual RCTs) Outcome: UI in Community-Dwelling Men. The effects on severity of UI of behavioral interventions Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical were inconsistent in direction and size compared with usual care. Few RCTs reported significant benefits of behavioral treatments to reduce the risk of UI. The rate of self-reported UI was 70% less after verbal instruction and feedback on contractions of pelvic floor

muscles in 63 patients with bladder Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical outflow obstruction and diagnosis of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia who underwent transurethral prostatectomy (RR 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1–0.9).138 Pelvic floor muscle training, including a strong postvoid “squeeze out” pelvic floor muscle contraction, biofeedback, and suggestions to change lifestyle, significantly reduced postmicturition dribble and urine loss in men with erectile dysfunction.139 Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical One large trial showed a substantial benefit of a complex floor rehabilitation program, including patient education, assessment of pelvic floor muscle strength, and visualization of Kegel pelvic floor

muscle training compared with regular care with reduction in severity and pad utilization (RR of using 2 pads per day 0.1; 95% CI, 0.01–0.7).136 Two RCTs examined medical devices on UI in men (Appendix Table 2 [available at www.medreviews.com]).140,141 One small Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical RCT did not show a relative benefit of a UroLume sphincteric stent inserted cystoscopically to conventional external sphincterotomy Dipeptidyl peptidase in 57 men with spinal cord injury and electromyographic and manometric evidence of external detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia.140 A second small crossover RCT comparing penile compression devices in men 6 months after radical prostatectomy141 did not show differences in resistance index and urine loss during the 4-hour pad test compared with no device. Effects of Clinical Interventions for Urologic Diseases on UI Effects of clinical interventions for urologic diseases on UI142–154 were examined after treatments for prostate cancer143–145,147–150,153,155–157 or benign prostate diseases146,151,152,154 (Appendix Table 2 [available at www.medreviews.com]). Transurethral resection of prostate compared with watchful waiting (1 RCT) did not result in higher rates of persistent UI.

This requires dose optimization, often at high doses that do not

This requires dose optimization, often at high doses that do not vary across the lifespan in the

case of SSRIs/SNRIs. Table III Key points from a lifespan view of anxiety disorders. 7. Consider augmentation treatment and refer to experts if necessary Monotherapy is usually inadequate, and if a good trial is only partially effective, add another. Providers should not Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical “run out of options” but then should refer a patient to someone with additional expertise in (eg, a geriatric psychiatrist or a psychotherapist skilled at treating anxiety disorders). 8. Provide maintenance treatment; evaluate the need for such if treatment is discontinued Since anxiety is chronic, treatment will usually need to be long-term, ie, maintenance medication and/or booster psychotherapy sessions. As the patient has already

overcome any fears or initial side effects, maintenance Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical pharmacotherapy requires less frequent oversight though continued monitoring of clinical changes, side effects, and changes in coprescribed Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical medications is necessary. If a patient chooses to taper off a medication, they should be informed that they may need to resume treatment in the event of relapse. A taper should be very gradual (ie, over several weeks) to avoid rebound anxiety symptoms. Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical Management does not have an end point, even when the patient is no longer receiving active pharmacotherapy. In the case of psychotherapy benefits, booster sessions provide important reminders to continue to use effective new coping skills. Summary Anxiety disorders are neurodevelopmental disorders, and as neurodevelopment

continues and changes throughout the lifespan, even into old Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical age, there are new, unique issues with anxiety disorder and presentation at each point in aging. Just as childhood offers unique perspectives such as the need to target parental influence226 and the possibility for prevention, in older adults there are new presentations (such as FOF) and new effects of anxiety (on brain and physiological health). and There have been many strides in our understanding of anxiety disorders across the lifespan, but also many gaps in our knowledge remain. The field has AZD9291 adequately clarified the benefits of treatments developed for young adults, as equally efficacious in older adults in the case of pharmacotherapy, or in the case of cognitive-behavioral therapy, needing adaptation in order to be efficacious. What is lacking are new treatments for older adults and the understanding of the mechanisms for onset and maintenance of anxiety disorders and how they exert such deleterious effects on the brain and physiologic health of older adults.

Actually, this is true only in previously exposed, adult

Actually, this is true only in previously exposed, adult

PF-02341066 cost individuals in which a BCG vaccination scar was present along with a history of living in a setting of environmental mycobacteria, such as Libraries Brazil. We were not, however, able to reproduce those findings in monocytes from naïve individuals; rather, necrosis was quite evident, particularly at 24 h of infection. The reasons behind this are speculative; perhaps this is due to a higher amount of circulating immature immune cells or to a lack of exposure to mycobacterial antigens. In fact, because of decreased production of Th1-cell-associated cytokines, it is thought that the neonatal innate immune system is generally impaired or depressed. The bias against Th1-cell-polarizing cytokines leaves the newborn susceptible to microbial

infection and contributes to impairment of the neonatal immune responses to most vaccines, thereby frustrating efforts to protect this vulnerable population [15]. The ability of pro-inflammatory cytokines to induce spontaneous abortion is likely to be an important reason for the strong bias of the maternal and fetal immune systems of many mammalian species towards Th2-cell-polarizing cytokines [Reviewed by 16]. After birth, there is an age-dependent maturation of the immune response. 17-AAG datasheet Thus, the higher necrosis levels in these subjects might reflect still very immature monocytes in which BCG could behave as a moderate virulence organism. In fact, in immune compromised individuals, such as those co-infected with HIV, BCG is considered a life-threaten organism due to impairment of the immune response [17]. In

an attempt to better explore the apoptosis and necrosis findings, we also measured levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the key components during cell-death induction. TNF-α is a pleiotropic cytokine during Th1 immune responses and it is also closely connected to mechanism of cell death, given this cytokine is intrinsic ability to activate caspases and thus induce apoptosis GPX6 [Reviewed by 18]. This topic was considered in a previous study, where M. avium-induced macrophage apoptosis was dependent on the function of TNF-α because it was inhibited by the presence of anti-TNF-α antibodies [5]. In fact, true TNF-α bioactivity was actually reduced in supernatants from M. tuberculosis-infected cell cultures due to neutralization when soluble TNFR2, but not TNFR1, was released during macrophage infection [Reviewed by 6]. Accordingly, we observed a significant and progressive increase in the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β during in vitro BCG infection of monocytes from HD individuals that was consistent with the increased rate of apoptosis in this group. This phenomenon was also supported by the fact that the apoptosis levels were not dominant in the immature, naïve group. There, TNF-α level is unchanged, while IL-1β tends to increase over the time during BCG infection.

05) Table 1 Characteristics of patients in no proteinuria, mild

05). Table 1 Characteristics of patients in no proteinuria, mild proteinuria and severe proteinuria groups The area of ROC curve was

0.977 (P<0.001). The ROC curve identified that a value of 62 mg in the 4-hour sample predicted mild proteinuria with a sensivity of 93.2% , a specificity of 90.2% , a PPV of 93.2%, and a NPV of 90.2% (r=0.9770, P<0.001) (figure 1). All patients with severe proteinuria had a 4-hour protein #RAD001 keyword# of 350 mg. Using this value as a cut-off point, severe proteinuria with a sensitivity of 83.3%, a specificity of 92.8%, a PPV of 71.4% and a NPV of 97.5% could be predicted(the area of ROC curve was 0.947, P<0.001) (figure 2). Figure 1 The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 4-hour urine samples Figure 2 The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 24-hour urine samples Discussion At least some degree of proteinuria can establish the diagnosis of preeclampsia, therefore, proteinuria has been proposed to be an indicator of Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical both the severity of disease and the predictor of its outcome.12 The increased

Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical urinary protein excretion in preeclampsia is due to glomerular endotheliosis. However, it might also indicate a generalized increase in capillary permeability in other organ systems of the body.13 A major problem in the diagnosis of preeclampsia is that the optimal method of establishing abnormal levels of urine protein is not thoroughly defined.4 The most common screening method for the detection of proteinuria in preeclampsia is dipstick testing of random urine samples. The dipstick provides a rapid measurement; however, it has been shown to have a low

sensitivity and Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical specificity for urinary protein excretion over 24 hours.13 Thus the assessment may even show a 1+ to 2+ urine protein values for urine specimens from women, who excrete <300 mg/day.1 Moreover, 24-h Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical urine collection, as a gold standard for titration of proteinuria, is necessary for the confirmation of the results of all dipstick tests and also for the distinction between mild versus severe forms of the disease.5 The 24-h urine collection Histamine H2 receptor is inconvenient for patients and costly, and may be inaccurate due to incomplete collection. A shorter period of urine collection to diagnose proteinuria would have clinical benefits such as shortened time of delivery and earlier use of antenatal glucocorticoids. Moreover, a more expedient intervention could decrease prenatal and maternal morbidities. Certainly women without preeclampsia would be discharged earlier if a more rapid and accurate determination of proteinuria is available, therefore, resulting in lower costs of health care. Patient compliance with testing may also improve, if the test for proteinuria can be simplified or shortened.7 Several investigators have explored other means of quantifying proteinuria in a shorter period.

At each center we used

several interventions: 1) Catheter

At each center we used

several interventions: 1) Catheters could only be placed by those who were trained, certified, and had performed enough procedures to maintain competence. Often, simulation was used in initial training. 2) All catheters were placed using five barrier precautions, using standardized line kits. 3) Time outs and documentation were standardized. 4) Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical Vigorous efforts by the leadership and clinical thought-leaders assured that these measures were performed every time, with every line. 5) Because we believed that catheters placed outside of our hospitals were not up to our standards, all such catheters were removed within hours of the patient’s arrival. As figure 2 shows, at BIDMC these measures reduced central line infection 9-fold, and the improvements have been maintained for years since the interventions began. UPMC and other hospitals in Pittsburgh participated in a joint effort to eliminate these infections; the results were reported in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports under the title “Elimination of central line infections: Pittsburgh”. Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical More recently, a collaborative Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical effort across the state of Michigan has resulted in sharp reductions in central line infections state-wide.9,10 Figure 2 Central line

infection rate in ICUs (CLABSI) by quarter, plotted on the ordinate as infections per thousand ICU patient days. FY refers to fiscal year. VENTILATOR-ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA Endotracheal tubes provide ready access for mouth flora to enter the lung, often resulting in pneumonia. A large body of evidence has shown that adoption of several measures, including elevation of the head of the bed to 30 degrees, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical daily awakening of sedated ventilator patients, and frequent assessment of ability to remove the endotracheal tube, reduces the rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).11 At both UPMC and BIDMC Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical the ventilator bundle was adopted and performed on every patient, every day. The rate of VAP fell 10-fold with adoption of the bundle and

has remained at this new lower level for the past 2 years. With the adoption of these and other quality improvement measures, length 17-DMAG (Alvespimycin) HCl of stay in the ICUs fell 20%, permitting the same number of ICU beds to care for 20% more patients. This obviated the need to build an additional ICU to care for increasing ICU volume. Moreover, mortality in the ICU population fell 12%, so that for every 40 find more patients cared for in the ICUs, one less patient died. Since we care for 6,000 ICU patients per year, this means we now avoid deaths in some 150 patients per year. REDUCING IN-HOSPITAL CARDIOPULMONARY ARRESTS Retrospective forensic chart studies of patients who have undergone cardiopulmonary arrests reveal that up to 80% of cardiopulmonary arrests are preceded by some indication of physiologic instability, ranging from high fever to high or low pulse, to high or low respiratory rate, to loss of mental status, to marked nursing concern (reviewed in 12,13).

Note that in this case series the majority of patients did not pr

Note that in this case series the majority of patients did not present meningeal irritation signs/symptoms at disease onset. When considering the toxicity profile, only one grade 4 toxicity occurred. In a melanoma patient, an inflammatory encephalopathy picture with seizures, stupor, signs of meningeal irritation, nausea, moderate increase in temperature took Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical place starting 24 hours after intraventricular administration of 50mg of liposomal AraC; concomitantly, a slight intraventricular CSF lymphocytosis was detected. The encephalopathy improved progressively leading to recovery of the premorbid status within 72 hours. CSF

culture was negative for infectious complications. 4 more patients displayed moderate postinjection headache and slight fever, usually starting within 24 hours from intrathecal delivery of liposomal AraC and receding in 1 to 2 days. 2 patients—both buy GSK J4 affected by metastatic breast cancer—are alive at a followup ranging from 11 to Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical 23 months. 5. Future Developments Intrathecal chemotherapy for neoplastic meningitis may be a worthwhile option for a number of patients with this very serious disease. Technological developments allowing slow-release delivery of potentially active drugs may in the Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical future be combined with targeted treatments (monoclonal antibodies, small molecule inhibitors) focused

on multistep inhibition of neoplastic cell survival, growth, and spreading within the neuraxis. However, a better basic knowledge of the biological mechanisms Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical underlying selective homing of neoplastic cells to the leptomeninges, together with strict monitoring of the risk/benefit ratio [20, 21], will be needed before routine adoption of these approaches becomes a standard of care. This is very important, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical since increased

survival times are (also) the consequence of more aggressive systemic treatments, which may significantly enhance the neurotoxicity of intrathecal therapies [22–24].
Glioblastoma is one of the most malignant and consistently fatal brain cancers in adults. Treatment of glioma remains a challenge largely because of its rapid growth rate and the highly invasive nature of this disease, despite incremental advances in surgical and radiation therapies [1]. Glioma cells are considered to require the activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, which degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM) else during invasion and migration [2, 3]. In the central nervous system, membrane type MMP-1 (MT1-MMP) has a more important role than MMP-2 during ECM remodeling, migration, infiltration, and invasion of gliomas [4]. MT1-MMP on cell surfaces is replenished by autodegradation or clathrin-dependent internalization, and its concentration is stabilized by the tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-2 [5, 6]. Malignant human gliomas express membrane-anchored MMPs and their endogenous TIMPs [7–10].

The slides were examined blindly and three sections per specimen

The slides were examined blindly and three sections per specimen were interpreted. Computerized image analysis system with Pixelink color camera () and light microscope (Leica DM RXA2, ) were used for the qualitative measurement. Microscopic images were then obtained by using video T-Morphology 5.1 software (VT, ). As per previous protocol, the sections

were examined by using modified scoring system was adopted from Allen et al. (1980), which is a seven-point scoring system was used to assess the fracture healing.24 Grading was done as follows: -Grade ‘0’ non union (fibrous Gefitinib cost tissues), ‘1’ incomplete cartilage union (cartilage with some fibrous Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical tissues), ‘2’ complete cartilage union (entirely cartilage), ‘3’ incomplete bony union with early ossification

phase (predominantly cartilage Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical with some trabecular bone), ‘4’ incomplete bony union with intermediate ossification phase (equal amounts of cartilage and trabecular bone), ‘5’ incomplete bony union with late ossification phase predominantly trabecular bone with some cartilage), ‘6’ complete bony union (entirely bone) (table1).24 All the slides were subjected to blind study by two independent pathologists who were unaware of the treatment. Table1 Allen’s fracture healing scoring system Statistical Analysis Statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 17). Normality of distribution of all variables was examined by Shapiro-Wilk test. Since seven-point scoring system was used to analyze the results, all results were ordinal data and were considered as non parametric.

Non parametric data were analyzed by using Kruskal Wallis followed by Mann Whitney U test. Data were presented as median values with the range (minimum-maximum Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical values) in parentheses. Level of significance was considered at P>0.05. Results Following fracture of the femora, all the rats were observed daily. They started movement 24 hours post-fracture. Weight bearing on the fractured leg started 10 days post fracture. Following six Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical weeks of treatment after the right femora fracture, H&E stained sections of the fractured femora were subjected to seven-point scoring system using modified Allen’s grading. The median fracture healing score was higher in the P.s group compared below to the OVXC group (P=0.019). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the median fracture healing scores for the SO, ERT and P.s groups (P=0.078) (table 2). Table 2 Fracture callus scores (n=6) based on Allen’s fracture healing scoring system of sham-operated (SO) and ovariectomized rats (OVAX), and rats receiving estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) or water extract of Piper sarmentosum (P.s) Fracture callus sections stained with H&E showed that fracture healing in the SO and the P.s groups were identical suggesting improvement in osteoporotic fracture healing (figure 2).

Since production costs must be considered for implementation of a

Since production costs must be considered for implementation of a vaccination program, further research specifically designed for evaluating performance effects may be warranted. We found the overall

fecal prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and prevalence of high shedders in this large commercial feedlot population were relatively high as expected for summer-fed cattle supplemented with distiller’s grains. We conclude that this DFM, Gemcitabine purchase Bovamine® (labeled for 106 CFU/head/day of Lactobacillus), administered alone or in combination with the SRP® vaccine, does not significantly affect fecal shedding. However, the SRP® vaccine significantly reduces fecal prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and prevalence of high shedders, and therefore may be an effective intervention for E. coli O157:H7 AP24534 order control in commercial feedlots. We thank Neil Wallace, Xiaorong Shi,

Kansas State University student workers, and Adam’s Land and Cattle Company personnel for technical assistance. This study was supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, Libraries national Institute of Food and Agriculture, U. S. Department of Agriculture (Grant # 2008-35201-04679) and Kansas State University. The vaccine and direct fed microbial products were kindly provided by Pfizer Animal Health, Ltd. and Nutrition Physiology Corp., respectively. In addition, Pfizer Animal Health provided unrestricted supplemental funds that

enabled testing samples for high shedders. Pfizer Animal Health and Nutrition Physiology Corp. employees were not involved in the study design; the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; the writing of the report; or the decision to submit the article for publication. The manuscript is contribution number 12-324-J from the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station. “
“The 1980s saw tremendous progress towards universal childhood immunization, as many developing countries received foreign aid and technical support from WHO and Carnitine dehydrogenase UNICEF to build and sustain national immunization programs. By 1990, coverage with three doses of Diphteria–Tetanus–Pertussis vaccine (DTP3) was said to have attained 79% globally, though sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia lagged behind other regions, with only 52% and 68% coverage. Limited improvements in coverage have been achieved since 1990 [1], but new efforts are underway to establish universal immunization. As part of the polio eradication initiative, many countries conduct national and sub-national “catch-up” campaigns to vaccinate all children, and the GAVI Alliance has supplied funding for strengthening routine immunization services since 2000.