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Vaccination against influenza is considered to be one of the key interventions in case of a pandemic. Unfortunately, shortages in vaccine supplies will occur because of the substantial increase in vaccine demands worldwide and the limited available supply resources. The recommended use of monovalent--instead of current trivalent--vaccines containing 15 micro g hemagglutinin (HA) per dose can theoretically triple vaccine volumes but is unlikely to meet the demand. Furthermore, previous experiences demonstrated that one dose of 15 micro g HA will not be sufficient to elicit protective antibody levels in unprimed individuals. Modified formulation approaches were investigated, that would be suitable to provide significantly higher volumes of potent vaccine within a given period of time. Low doses of HA combined with aluminum (Al) adjuvants and the use of whole virus instead of split or subunit antigens can lead to substantial increases in process yield. In addition, production of whole virus vaccines will reduce manufacturing complexity. In a dose-finding study in healthy adults and elderly, immune responses after administration of Al-adjuvanted low-dose formulations were compared to a standard split virus vaccine (Fluarix, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium). All vaccines were safe and well tolerated. Antigen concentrations as low as 1.9 micro g HA/strain per dose of adjuvant-containing experimental vaccines induced protective antibody levels in primed populations. Reactogenicity profiles of Al-adjuvanted low-dose vaccines were investigated in a feasibility trial. Neither the use of Al-adjuvant nor of whole virus had a significant effect on general reactions. Studies in unprimed populations with H2N2 and H9N2 candidate vaccines showed different results, with a potential need for a two-dose schedule. Indeed, hemagglutination inhibition titers did not reach protective levels after a single vaccine dose but could be met following administration of a second dose. The same is true for Al-adjuvanted whole virus formulations with an up to eightfold-reduced antigen content. It may be concluded that the use of Al-adjuvanted whole virus vaccines with low HA content can raise protective antibody levels after two vaccine doses, which may, in turn, result in significant increases of vaccine supplies in the case of a pandemic.

From Th1 to L7 midsagittal and interpedicular vertebral canal diameters were measured in macerated spines of 162 dogs to determine, whether the presence of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae or numerical vertebral variations are associated with dislocation of the maximal enlargement of the lumbar vertebral canal. Relative to dogs with a regular number of 27 presacral vertebrae (C7/Th13/L7), the maximal enlargement of the lumbar vertebral canal was more frequently ( P < 0.05) located at vertebra 24 in dogs with 26 presacral vertebrae (C7/Th13/L6), and more frequently at vertebra 25 in dogs with 28 presacral vertebrae (C7/Th13/L8). However, in dogs with 26 presacral vertebrae, maximal agreement in the spinal position of maximal lumbar vertebral canal diameters was achieved relative to dogs with 28 presacral vertebrae by adding one additional thoracic (Th6, 7, or 8) segment. Therefore, the present findings strongly suggest that relative to the regular (C7/Th13/L7) condition, decrease in the number of presacral vertebrae (C7/Th13/L6) is associated with incorporation of a midthoracic segment, whereas increase in the number of presacral vertebrae (C7/Th13/L8) is not related to the presence of an additional vertebral segment. When using Th1 as landmark, the difference in the position of the maximal enlargement of the lumbar vertebral canal between dogs with 26 and dogs with 28 presacral vertebrae in average was only one segment. It is known from previous reports that the maximal enlargement of the lumbar vertebral canal corresponds with the maximal enlargement of the lumbar spinal cord. When using S1 or the transitional vertebra as the landmark for determination of the appropriate site for subarachnoid cannulation, this site is expected to range within the same limits regardless of the vertebral formula.

The 100-year-history of Pathological Anatomy in Chemnitz is described by edification and fall of its buildings as well as the main dates of its leaders. From these the founder of the institute Coelestin Nauwerck, his most important disciple Martin Staemmler and the newfounder after the 2nd world war Walther Panofsky are especially mentioned. The article also refers to the involvement of Staemmler in Nazism and the injury done to Panofsky by it. The importance of the microbiological-hygienical departure during a long period is accented.