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Julie Jacobson

Publications and source records attributed to Julie Jacobson.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Report on a WHO consultation on immunological endpoints for evaluation of new Japanese encephalitis vaccines, WHO, Geneva, 2-3 September, 2004.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is undertaking consultations on immunological responses as parameters for evaluation and licensure of new Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccines. Immunological markers could be used by vaccine developers and regulatory authorities to assess vaccine efficacy in absence of clinical efficacy data. The consultation which is reported here reviewed current data on mechanisms of protective immunity gathered from animal experimentation, clinical data from licensed vaccines and from vaccine candidates still in clinical development. Immunological assays and readouts for use in evaluation of candidate vaccines were also discussed. The consultation made a series of recommendations for specifications on immunological criteria to assess JE vaccine efficacy. More detailed recommendations will be drafted following further consultations to serve as WHO guidelines for evaluation and licensure for new JE vaccines.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Nitric oxide: platelet protectant properties during cardiopulmonary bypass/ECMO.

Postoperative bleeding is a major complication in patients who have been placed on extracorporeal circulatory support for various cardiac procedures (1). The increase in hemorrhage is well documented and is associated with various factors, which include, high-dose systemic heparinization, thrombocytopenia, and impaired platelet function. Platelets activate when exposed to the large foreign surface of the extracorpeal circuit, with the largest area being the oxygenator. Despite adequate heparinization, platelet levels continue to decrease. This aggregation phenomenon has also been extensively studied, and it cannot be attributed to the use of aminocarproic acid, aprotinin, propofol, or amicar (2). Other factors found to be unrelated include, the brand or type of oxygenator, the use of heparin coatings (3), activated clotting time (ACT) levels while on bypass, the operative procedure, preoperative medications, or the types of anesthetic agents used (2). Therefore, it may be beneficial to add nitric oxide to the sweep gas to decrease platelet loss, platelet damage, postoperative bleeding, and lessening the need for post-operative blood transfusions.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗

Japanese encephalitis globally and in India.

Japanese encephalitis is demonstrated to be a significant public health problem in India and throughout Asia. JE primarily affects children between the ages of one and 15 years. Of those who contract the disease, approximately 70% either die or are left with a long-term neurological disability. JE vaccines have existed for a very long time, however due to cost and unstable supply, they have not been able to meet the needs of developing country health systems. In addition, alternative JE control measures have proven insufficient to control disease. As a result, 68 percent of babies born in the poorest countries of Asia are at risk for JE. Against this background, future directions for JE activities in India include control through vaccination when an affordable vaccine is available (at risk areas), strengthening surveillance data on disease patterns including age and geographic distribution, involvement of the private sector and incorporation of newer diagnostics as they become available and to focus on control efforts and prevent this debilitating disease now and in the future. Recent work, both internationally and in India, offers hope to help solve this public health problem and protect children from this disease.

Encephalitis, Japanese↗