Faculty Bibliography

Botswana is the ninth previously polio-free country where the crippling disease has reappeared in recent months and the farthest from its presumed source, northern Nigeria. There, officials have stopped polio vaccinations because of religious and political opposition to it, said officials of the WHO, a U.N. agency in Geneva. In the past 18 months, polio viruses genetically linked to northern Nigeria have caused new cases of polio in nine previously polio-free countries. Polio virus is endemic in five countries besides Nigeria: Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Niger and Pakistan. Polio was endemic in 125 countries when the WHO began its polio eradication program in 1988

Botswana is the ninth previously polio-free country where the crippling disease has reappeared in recent months and the farthest from its presumed source, northern Nigeria. There, officials have stopped polio vaccinations because of religious and political opposition to it, said officials of the WHO, a U.N. agency in Geneva. In the past 18 months, polio viruses genetically linked to northern Nigeria have caused new cases of polio in nine previously polio-free countries. Besides Botswana, they are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Togo

Dr. [H. SHERWOOD LAWRENCE], who was known as Jerry, was also an expert in infectious diseases, and his research generated other advances in immunology. Dr. Lawrence conducted research on the way the body rejects transplanted organs and how various conditions can damage tissue. Transfer factor is a small molecule, and it has been the center of scientific mystery, in part because Dr. Lawrence and other scientists were unable to identify it precisely. Some scientists suspect that transfer factor represents bits of many molecules. Dr. Lawrence also identified a link between the way cells respond immunologically to microbes like the bacterium that causes tuberculosis and the type of immune responses involved in the rejection of transplanted organs, said Dr. Fred T. Valentine, an immunologist who worked with Dr. Lawrence at NYU

Dr. Lawrence, who was known as Jerry, was also an expert in infectious diseases, and his research generated other advances in immunology. Dr. Lawrence conducted research on the way the body rejects transplanted organs and how various conditions can damage tissue. Transfer factor is a small molecule, and it has been the center of scientific mystery, in part because Dr. Lawrence and other scientists were unable to identify it precisely. Some scientists suspect that transfer factor represents bits of many molecules. Dr. Lawrence also identified a link between the way cells respond immunologically to microbes like the bacterium that causes tuberculosis and the type of immune responses involved in the rejection of transplanted organs, said Dr. Fred T. Valentine, an immunologist who worked with Dr. Lawrence at N.Y.U

In 1999 and 2000, doctors in this country wrote an average of 11 million antibiotic prescriptions for ear infections in children 15 and younger, a spokeswoman for the disease control centers said. But one study showed about a 25 percent reduction, largely among office- based doctors, in prescribing standard antibiotics for children's ear infections. However, the study cautioned that increased prescribing of newer antibiotics might offset the reduction. The proposed guidelines, [Richard E. Besser] said, emphasize the need for stricter criteria in diagnosing infections and in relieving the pain that makes many children with ear infections cranky. The guidelines also advise that not prescribing antibiotics for children is acceptable therapy. Experience in Europe shows that 80 percent of children get better without the drugs, Besser said

The four-dose regimen of [Prevnar] has been effective in preventing serious illness and death from meningitis, blood and ear infections and other conditions caused by the pneumococcus bacterium. The vaccine is recommended for children under 2 because they are at highest risk of such infections. It is not routinely recommended for those 2 and older. A full four-dose regimen of Prevnar is 97 percent effective in preventing the seven strains of the pneumococcal bacteria in the vaccine. A reduced regimen should also provide some protection, health officials said

The four-dose regimen of [Prevnar] has been effective in preventing serious illness and death from meningitis, blood and ear infections and other conditions caused by the pneumococcus bacterium. The vaccine is recommended for children under 2 because they are at highest risk of such infections. It is not routinely recommended for those 2 and older

The proposed guidelines, Dr. [Richard E. Besser] said, emphasize the need for doctors to use stricter criteria in diagnosing infections and to relieve the pain that makes many children with ear infections cranky. The guidelines also advise doctors that observing children without prescribing antibiotics is acceptable therapy. Experience in Europe shows that 80 percent of children get better without the drugs, Dr. Besser said

On Monday, [Keiji Fukuda] and many other influenza experts restated their concern about the potential for a new strain of bird flu that has emerged in Asia to trade genes with a human strain, creating a new virus that would be highly lethal to people

Mr. [John Ashcroft] was scheduled to testify on Wednesday before a House subcommittee on appropriations, but that appearance will be canceled, officials said. Other events on Mr. Ashcroft's schedule may also have to be postponed. Mr. Ashcroft arrived at the emergency room early Thursday evening, Mr. [Mark Corallo] said, and after a full medical examination, doctors diagnosed the severe case of gallstone pancreatitis. The overwhelming majority of pancreatitis cases are caused by gallstones and alcoholism. Other causes include reactions to prescription or illicit drugs, injuries, infections and complication of surgery. It can be difficult to determine if infection was the cause or a result of pancreatitis. Antibiotics, which Mr. Ashcroft is receiving, are commonly prescribed