It appears that the use of superdisintegrant in higher concentrat

It appears that the use of superdisintegrant in higher concentration and camphor in lower concentration results in faster Selleck KRX 0401 disintegration of the tablets with low friability. Camphor, used as sublimating

agent, increases porosity of tablets due to which penetration of water takes place at high rate. This leads to faster disintegration of the tablets. Thus it may be concluded here that the developed novel method for preparing mouth dissolving tablets for venlafaxine hydrochloride increases the porosity and enhances the bioavailability. All authors have none to declare. The authors express their sincere thanks to Principal Dr. S.S. Khadabadi, GCOP, Aurangabad, for providing the required facilities. “
“Asteraceae is a large family of flowering plants containing more than 25,000 species and 1000 genera.1 The species in this family are generally featured due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, selleck kinase inhibitor analgesic and antipyretic activity.2 In this study we have selected two different plants (Ageratum conyzoides L. and Mikania cordifolia L.) from Asteraceae family to evaluate their antioxidant and analgesic activity. A. conyzoides leaves are used as styptic and antiseptic, applied to wounds, prevent tetanus, fever, cough and colds, hepatitis, dysentery, neurasthenia, snake bites. 3 and 4M. cordifolia may contribute a major role in controlling

and preventing sexually transmitted diseases. 5 The molecules which are capable of hindering the oxidation of other molecules are literally known as antioxidants. Synthetic antioxidants may have adverse biological effects on human body; therefore, much attention has been put toward natural antioxidants. 6 Now a day, foods contain antioxidants for preventing fats and oils from foaming rancid products. Packaged foods containing vegetable oils or animal fats may have antioxidants Tolmetin added. 7 Plants are potential sources of natural antioxidants. By acting in the CNS or on

the peripheral pain mechanism, analgesic compounds selectively relieves pain without significant alteration of consciousness. Actually analgesics are applied when the noxious stimulus cannot be removed or as adjuvants to more etiological approach to pain.8 The basic goal of our study was to investigate and compare the analgesic and antioxidant potentials of the crude ethanolic extracts of two widely growing plants of Asteraceae family, and to justify their use in traditional remedies. Leaves of two plants of Asteraceae family named A. conyzoides L. and M. cordifolia L. were collected by the authors from the surrounding area of Noakhali, a coastal region of Bangladesh, in November, 2010. The plants were identified and authenticated by expert botanist of Bangladesh National Herbarium (DACB Accession no. 39526 and 34527, respectively), Mirpur, Dhaka.

Presence of bacteria secreting such proteases in the human respir

Presence of bacteria secreting such proteases in the human respiratory tract may favour cross-species transmission of avian influenza viruses. In contrast to the cleavage site of LPAIV HA protein, that of HPAIV HA protein is characterized by several basic amino-acids and is cleaved by ubiquitous GDC-0973 cell line intracellular subtilisin-like proteases, present

in a wide range of avian and mammalian cells [92]. Therefore, HPAIV are typically released in an infectious form from infected cells, with cleaved HA proteins [107]. Together, these characteristics allow for a more diverse tissue tropism and infection of cells in multiple organs of avian and in some cases, mammalian hosts. In poultry, the high pathogenicity of HPAIV is associated with their multi-basic cleavage site [6]. However, the presence of a multi-basic cleavage site does not necessarily confer high pathogenicity to influenza viruses in mammals. For example, the H7 protein of equine influenza viruses has a tetra-basic cleavage site, which contributes

to high pathogenicity when introduced into an avian virus genetic background, resulting in fatal disease in poultry [108]. Yet, these viruses do not cause severe disease in horses, and infection is restricted http://www.selleckchem.com/products/ABT-263.html to the respiratory tract. Similarly, HPAIV H7N3 that emerged in 2004 caused infection restricted to the eye and respiratory tract in humans, resulting in mild to moderate disease [10]. Conversely, the multi-basic cleavage site of HPAIV H5N1 that emerged in 1997 was a determinant of high pathogenicity and wide tissue tropism in

mammals. A 1997 HPAIV H5N1 strain that was pathogenic in mice was highly attenuated upon replacement of the multi-basic cleavage site with that of a low pathogenic influenza virus [109]. However, different strains of HPAIV H5N1 exhibit variable levels of pathogenicity in mammals [110] and other determinants of pathogenicity besides the multi-cleavage site have been identified in these viruses [111]. Following the fusion of the virus envelop and cellular membranes, proton pores in the virus envelop formed by matrix 2 (M2) proteins open. They expose matrix 1 (M1) proteins and the virus ribonucleoprotein however (vRNP, composed of the viral RNA segmented genome coated with nucleoproteins and proteins of the polymerase complex) to increased concentration of protons [53]. The lower pH results in the dissociation of M1 proteins forming the nucleocapsid and release of vRNP into the cell cytoplasm. vRNP are transported into the nucleus, where viral replication is initiated. The nucleoprotein (NP) and proteins of the polymerase complex (basic polymerase 1 and 2 proteins PB1, PB2 and acidic polymerase protein PA) have nuclear localization signals, ensuring nuclear transport of vRNP. Upon entry into the nucleus, the proteins of the polymerase complex catalyze mRNA synthesis and viral replication.

Also, several issues may have affected

Also, several issues may have affected SAR405838 datasheet the precision of the electronic counters, such as the presence of animals or of trail users walking in groups, but these conditions were present during both pre- and post-data collection periods. Our data show a one-third increase in trail usage on mixed-use trails in Southern Nevada over the one year period of an intervention to increase trail use. Strengths

of the study include the use of direct measures to assess trail usage, the collection of seven days of consecutive data three times at each sensor location, and the full year interval between pre- and post-intervention data collection periods. Although altering trails with way-finding signage and incremental distance markings was not associated with more consistent increases in trail traffic, trail use did increase significantly for all trail types. More evaluation is needed to determine the best approach VRT752271 in vitro to increasing trail use. The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest. The authors thank Nicole Bungum of the Southern Nevada Health District and Desiree Jones, Graduate Assistant, for their generous assistance and support. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supported awardees in the Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative through cooperative agreements; this paper is based on a project supported in part by cooperative

agreement #1U58DP002382-01 to the Southern Nevada Health District. However, the findings and conclusions in this paper are those of the the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Users of this document should be aware that every funding source has different requirements governing the appropriate use

of those funds. Under U.S. law, no federal funds are permitted to be used for lobbying or to influence, directly or indirectly, specific pieces of pending or proposed legislation at the federal, state, or local levels. Organizations should consult appropriate legal counsel to ensure compliance with all rules, regulations, and restriction of any funding sources. CDC supported staff training and review by scientific writers for the development of this manuscript through a contract with ICF International (Contract No. 200-2007-22643-0003). CDC staff reviewed the paper for scientific accuracy, and reviewed the evaluation design and data collection. CDC invited authors to submit this paper for the CDC-sponsored supplement through a contract with ICF International (Contract No. 200-2007-22643-0003). “
“The prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States (U.S.)1 has doubled for children and tripled for adolescents in the past 30 years. This is approximately 17% (12.5 million) of all children and adolescents ages 2–19 who are now obese (National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), 2012 and Ogden and Carroll, 2010).

1 mM−1 cm−1) The reaction buffer contained 10 mM potassium phosp

1 mM−1 cm−1). The reaction buffer contained 10 mM potassium phosphate, pH 7.0, 0.6 mM n-dodecyl-d-maltoside, 2–4 l g−1 homogenate protein and the reaction was initiated with addition of 0.7 l g−1 reduced cytochrome c. The activity of complex IV was measured at 25 °C for 10 min. The activities of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes

were described as nmol min−1 mg protein−1. The homogenates (n = 5 each) were centrifuged at 800g for 10 min. and the supernatants kept at −70 °C until used for creatine kinase activity determination. The maximal period between homogenate preparation and enzyme analysis was always less than 5 days. Protein content was determined by the method described by Lowry et al. (1951) using bovine serum albumin as standard. Creatine kinase activity was measured Birinapant in brain homogenates pre-treated with 0.625 mM lauryl maltoside. The reaction mixture consisted of 60 mM Tris–HCl, pH 7.5, containing 7 mM phosphocreatine, 9 mM MgSO4 and approximately 0.4–1.2 μg protein in a final volume of 100 μL. After 15 min of preincubation at 37 °C, the reaction was started by the addition of 0.3 μmol of ADP plus 0.08 μmol of reduced glutathione. The reaction was

stopped after 10 min by the addition of 1 μmol of hydroxymercuribenzoic acid. The creatine formed was estimated according to the colorimetric method of Hughes (1962). The color was developed by the addition of 100 μL 2% α-naphthol and 100 μL 0.05% diacetyl in a final volume of 1 mL and read spectrophotometrically after 20 min at 540 nm. Results were described as nmol min−1 mg protein−1. selleck compound The prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala (n = 5

each) were homogenized (1:10, w/v) in SETH buffer (0.25 M sucrose, 1 mM EDTA, 10 mM Tris–HCl, pH 7.4). The homogenates were centrifuged at 800×g for 10 min and the supernatants were kept at −70 °C until it will be used for enzyme activity determination. Protein content was determined by the method described by Lowry et al. (1951) using bovine serum albumin as standard. Citrate synthase activity those was assayed according to the method described by Shepherd and Garland (1969). The reaction mixture contained 100 mM Tris, pH 8.0, 100 mM acetyl CoA, 100 mM 5,5-di-thiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid), 0.1% triton X-100, and 2–4 g supernatant protein and was initiated with 100 Moxaloacetate and monitored at 412 nm for 3 min at 25 °C (the final volume of reaction mixture was 0.3 mL). The Prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala tissues (n = 5 each) were excised. The tissues were homogenized immediately in extraction buffer (mM) (1% Triton-X 100, 100 Tris, pH 7.4, containing 100 sodium pyrophosphate, 100 sodium fluoride, 10 EDTA, 10 sodium vanadate, 2 PMSF and 0.1 mg of aprotinin/ml) at 4 °C with a Polytron PTA 20S generator (Brinkmann Instruments model PT 10/35) operated at maximum speed for 30 s. The extracts were centrifuged at 11,000 rpm and 4 °C in a Beckman 70.

, 2000, Valabrega et al , 2007 and Sun et al , 2011) Berberine (

, 2000, Valabrega et al., 2007 and Sun et al., 2011). Berberine (BBR), which is a natural alkaloid, was reported to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis by suppressing HER2 expression and the HER2-mediated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells, such as SK-BR-3, BT474, and HER2-overexpressing MCF-7 (MCF-7/HER2) cells ( Kuo et al., 2011). Quisinostat concentration The extent of the reduction of phospho-HER2/phospho-Akt induced by BBR treatment (25 or 50 μM for 24 or 48 h) was stronger

in SK-BR-3 cells than that in BT474 and MCF-7/HER2 cell lines. Unlike BBR, CHO10 induced a significant decrease in the protein levels of phospho-HER2, phospho-MAPK and phospho-Akt with a smaller amount (10 μM treatment for 16 h) than BBR in SK-BR-3 cells (25 or 50 μM for 24 or 48 h). Luteolin, which is a naturally occurring flavonoid, was reported to effectively inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in HER2-overexpressing cancer cells, including AU565, MDA-MB-453 and SKOV3.ip1 ( Chiang et al., 2007). Luteolin considerably reduced the level of the HER protein with a 20 or 40 μM treatment for 24 h and preferentially inhibited the proliferation of HER2-overexpressing cancer cells; a 20 μM luteolin treatment blocked >60% of the growth in AU565, MDA-MB-453 and SKOV3.ip1 cells, while it was

much less effective in MCF-7 and HBL-100 cells that expressed basal levels of HER2 under the same conditions. The mechanism

of the until luteolin-mediated HER2 down-regulation OSI-906 research buy is different from that of CHO10; luteolin promotes HER2 degradation through dissociating HER2 from Hsp90 without significantly affecting the level of Hsp90. Although the mechanism of HER2 depletion is different from each other, both CHO10 and luteolin are able to inhibit preferentially the proliferation of HER2-overexpressing cancer cells ( Fig. 2A) ( Chiang et al., 2007). The ESX–Sur2 interaction inhibitory activity of CHO10 led to the down-regulation of HER2 and caused apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner, as demonstrated by the increase in sub G1 population (Fig. 2C and D) and cleaved PARP level ( Fig. 2E) without caspase-3 activation (Fig. 3A and B). The mechanism underlying caspase-independent cell death is very complex ( Donovan and Cotter, 2004). PARP can directly induce apoptosis regardless of caspase-3 activation by stimulating the release of apoptosis initiating factor (AIF), which translocates into the nucleus ( Yu et al., 2006). BBR was reported to induce apoptosis by activating the mitochondria/caspase pathway in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer SK-BR-3 cells ( Kuo et al., 2011) and was also reported to lead to colon tumor cell death through PARP activation-dependent AIF activation without stimulating caspase activation. The BBR-induced colon cell death was not affected by co-treatment with a caspase inhibitor ( Wang et al., 2012).

It is possible that the independent association between increased

It is possible that the independent association between increased IL-10 TT responses and household socio-economic status might be mediated by repeated, unmeasured, exposures to infection. Consistently lower responses were seen in girls. This shows that gender differences in immune response are present at an early age, and could be related to reported gender differences in the non-specific effects of immunisation on infant mortality [49]. www.selleckchem.com/products/at13387.html This study examined factors influencing the cytokine responses induced by BCG and tetanus immunisation, not their

efficacy. In the case of BCG, it is likely that IFN-γ is required, although not sufficient for, protective immunity [15], while excessive production of type 2 cytokines may be detrimental [50]. Excess production of IL-10 may also be detrimental, if it is associated with suppression of protective responses, but evidence from the mouse model suggests that adequate production may be required to prevent a pathological, inflammatory response [51]. Follow up of the cohort is in progress to determine how the observed responses are related to rates Z-VAD-FMK solubility dmso of M. tuberculosis infection and disease. In the case of tetanus

immunisation, the induction of neutralising antibody is key to protective immunity [52]; the relationship between observed effects on cytokine responses and the production of antibody will be the subject of further investigation.From a public health perspective, Sodium butyrate our results demonstrate strong effects of current, or recent infant infections on the infant response to vaccine antigens, and reinforce the importance of control and treatment of malaria and HIV infection for the immunological health of mothers and their children; but suggest that maternal helminth infection may have little, if any, adverse effect on the outcome of infant immunisation. Immunisation during pregnancy may

enhance the infant response to selected vaccines, and this, as well as the role of prior maternal BCG immunisation and mycobacterial infection in determining the infant response to BCG immunisation, needs to be explored in further research. We thank all staff and participants of the Entebbe Mother and Baby Study, the midwives of the Entebbe Hospital Maternity Department, the community field team in Entebbe and Katabi, and the staff of the Clinical Diagnostic Services Laboratory at the MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS. We thank Dr. Stephen Cose for critical review of the manuscript. The study was funded by Wellcome Trust grant numbers 064693 and 079110; mycobacterial antigens were provided through the National Institutes of Health contract NOI-AI-25147. Conflict of interest: James Whitworth is now a member of staff with the Wellcome Trust, the funders of the study. His role in the initial design and conduct of the study preceded his appointment at the Wellcome Trust. He has had no role in the study since his appointment.

Indeed, during the second year of follow-up, 96 cases of severe R

Indeed, during the second year of follow-up, 96 cases of severe RVGE were detected. During the second year of follow-up the point estimate of vaccine

efficacy was 19.2%. We surmise that if a similarly intense and culturally compatible surveillance Afatinib purchase system had also been utilized through the first year of follow-up, the number of cases of severe RVGE detected would have been greatly increased due to the higher burden of severe rotavirus GE in the first year of life. Thus, the estimate of vaccine efficacy may have been higher. The composite of experiences in poorer developing countries in Africa and Asia now provides convincing evidence that the level of efficacy of oral RV vaccines measured in individual subject-randomized,

double-blind, controlled field trials (approximately 50–65% efficacy) is lower [7], [8] and [24] than the efficacy of vaccine documented in controlled field trials in industrialized Buparlisib clinical trial and transitional countries [3] and [4]. The reduced immunogenicity and efficacy of both live and non-living oral vaccines in populations in developing countries has been previously described with multiple vaccines, such as oral polio vaccine, cholera vaccine and Shigella vaccines [25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30], [31], [32], [33] and [34] and is the subject of much discussion and research to understand the basis of this phenomenon. Possibilities include potential vaccine factors, such as restricted immunogenicity or host factors such as gut enteropathy, and co-morbidities as described elsewhere [35], [36] and [37] This has led some to become discouraged about what live oral RV vaccines can accomplish in the world’s least developed countries (where RV vaccines are most needed) and to propose

starting afresh on new vaccine strategies such as parenterally administered inactivated unless vaccines [38] and [39]. On the other hand, there are also clear reasons for optimism. The immunogenicity in Mali was comparable to that in Ghana and Kenya, where sufficient numbers of cases were captured to yield site-specific efficacies of 65.0% and 83.4%, respectively, through the first year of life [4] and [40]. Moreover, it is likely that the actual impact of widespread immunization of infants in Mali with live oral RV vaccine would result in an impact far greater than anticipated based just on the estimate of vaccine efficacy because of indirect protection and a herd immunity effect. Experiences in the U.S.A. [41], [42], [43] and [44], Australia [45], [46] and [47], and Latin America [48] show an unequivocal herd immunity effect wherein the observed fall in rotavirus disease far exceeds the expectation based just on estimates of direct vaccine efficacy and immunization coverage.

Future in vivo studies are needed to causally link AKT-GABA chang

Future in vivo studies are needed to causally link AKT-GABA changes to social avoidance behavior. Recently, Chaudhury et al. (2013) demonstrated that the CSDS-induced high frequency phasic firing in dopamine neurons of the VTA–NAc Trametinib research buy pathway is sufficient to functionally drive susceptible behavior. Optogenetic induction of phasic, but not tonic, firing in tyrosine hydroxylase positive (TH+) VTA neurons during or after exposure to subthreshold defeat rapidly produced

robust social avoidance and anhedonia behaviors. Induction of phasic firing during the social interaction test following 10 days of CSDS was sufficient to reverse behavior in mice previously identified as resilient, generating social avoidance, and to produce long-lasting changes in excitability, as evidenced by maintenance of depression-like behavior (decreased sucrose preference) 8–12 h post-stimulation. These effects were VTA–NAc pathway specific, as selective optogenetic stimulation of VTA TH+ neurons projecting to

the PFC did not induce social avoidance or anhedonia. Halorhodopsin inhibition of VTA firing reversed depression-like behavior in susceptible mice following CSDS exposure. These experiments demonstrate that stress-induced phasic firing in NAc-projecting VTA dopamine neurons is necessary and sufficient for the development of depression-like behavior. Normal dopamine neuron firing rate, AKT activation and signaling, and Ih current dynamics are allostatically preserved in resilient mice during and after stress exposure, although the mechanisms underlying this allostasis are less understood than those driving Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II susceptibility. A recent study by Friedman U0126 mouse et al. (2014) identified an active mechanism

by which normal dopamine neuron firing is maintained in resilient mice. Surprisingly, VTA dopamine neurons of resilient animals do not show a return to a normal Ih current comparable to that of controls following CSDS. Instead, they exhibit an Ih current increase that is much larger than that of susceptible mice. Underlying this phenomenon is a homeostatic enhancement in multiple K+ channel currents—the potentiated Ih current augments neuronal firing to such an extent that K+ channels are activated, returning firing rate to a normal level. Indeed, current injection in dopamine neurons of resilient mice produces a reduction in spike number, whereas current injection produces the opposite effect in susceptible mice. Repeated intra-VTA infusion of lamotrigine, an Ih potentiator, or VTA viral-mediated overexpression of hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 2 (HCN2), a channel that regulates Ih current, reversed social avoidance and anhedonic behavior in susceptible mice. Both manipulations increased Ih and K+ currents, and reduced neuronal excitability. Further, repeated optogenetic induction of hyperactivity in VTA dopamine neurons increased K+ currents and reversed social avoidance behavior.

Après stricte normalisation glycémique, deux bilans cliniques et

Après stricte normalisation glycémique, deux bilans cliniques et morphologiques à 3 mois sont réalisés puis en cas de stabilité, répétés tous les 3 à 6 mois. La place de la surveillance glycémique est discutée. On privilégiera la qualité du contrôle symptomatique et tumoral, ainsi la tolérance des options thérapeutiques choisies. Sont également à prendre en compte l’état nutritionnel, la dimension psychologique du patient et de son entourage, les soins locaux du dispositif GSK J4 research buy veineux et l’intérêt de son maintien. Les études futures devront mieux préciser la qualité de la réponse symptomatique (délai de réponse

et durée) obtenue avec chaque traitement. les auteurs déclarent ne pas avoir de conflits d’intérêts en relation avec cet article. “
“Dans l’éditorial « Les sites de référence français du Partenariat Européen d’Innovation pour un vieillissement actif et en bonne santé » paru dans le numéro de décembre 2013 de la Presse médicale, les noms des personnes

du groupe d’étude MACVIA-LR n’apparaissent qu’en pièce jointe I-BET151 mouse électronique. Nous les reproduisons ici à la demande de l’auteur principal en note de bas de page. Nous prions les auteurs et les lecteurs de nous excuser pour cet oubli. “
“So much hope for lupus, at last Frédéric A. Houssiau, Brussels, Belgium Where is lupus hidden? Falk Hiepe, Berlin, Germany Why and how should we measure disease activity and damage in lupus? Joy Feld and David Isenberg, London, United Kingdom Which dose of steroids and which cytotoxics for severe lupus? Pamela Lutalo et al., London, United Kingdom Hydroxychloroquine: a multifaceted treatment in lupus Nathalie Costedoat-Chalumeau et al., Paris, France When biologics should be used in systemic lupus erythematosus? Jacques-Eric Gottenberg et al., Strasbourg, France Prevention and management of co-morbidities

in SLE Tanmayee Bichile and Michelle Petri, Baltimore, United Sodium butyrate States What matters for lupus patients? Gamal Chehab et al., Hamburg, Germany Challenges for lupus management in emerging countries Zoubida Tazi Mezalek and Wafa Bono, Rabat, Morocco “
“Les facteurs influençant le choix de la spécialité sont multiples. L’enseignement influence le choix de la spécialité. “
“L’hypovitaminose D est fréquente. Le déficit sévère en vitamine D peut être une cause des douleurs musculo-squelettiques diffuses chronique des adultes jeunes. “
“Une fois encore, l’émergence d’un nouveau phénomène épidémique dû à un virus particulièrement agressif suscite l’inquiétude sur les lieux où il se répand, mais aussi dans la communauté internationale. Ceci illustre les risques potentiels, maintenant largement annoncés, que notre monde actuel doit affronter puisqu’il est davantage en mesure de les repérer, d’en suivre la progression, d’en apprécier les caractéristiques et, dans toute la mesure du possible, de les combattre.

Thus, this new commission could perform its advisory

Thus, this new commission could perform its advisory Selisistat solubility dmso function with greater independence. The success of vaccines has reduced public fear of some diseases. However, public fear of the side effects of vaccines, real and perceived, is increasing despite continuous improvements in the quality and regulation of vaccines. These public concerns have resulted in childhood vaccinations being delayed or even not given at all, resulting in potentially serious consequences for the individual and the community

at large (e.g., there were recent measles outbreaks in various Swiss cantons and neighboring countries). Adding to this problem, health authorities are constantly adapting vaccination recommendations as new data become available, which contributes to public confusion.

To address these issues, health authorities need to be able to clearly explain how their recommendations are developed. The Commission Fédérale pour les Vaccinations (CFV; Federal Vaccination Commission), the Swiss National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), is crucial to this process because it serves as an advisor to health authorities, and bases its recommendations on constantly selleck compound updated scientific data. The CFV was established on 2 July 2004 by the Federal Councilor in charge of the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA). The CFV was originally proposed by the Director of the Federal Office

of Public Health (FOPH). The Federal Councilor created this expert commission to address the ever-increasing complexity of vaccination issues. The CFV is charged with two main tasks: (1) to be a scientific advisor to the health authorities for formulating vaccination recommendations and (2) to act as a major mediator between the authorities, experts, and the public CYTH4 on questions concerning vaccinations. The commission consists of 15 members (although the current commission consists of 16 members, an exception to the usual practice) in order to ensure an optimal distribution of the different professional backgrounds on the CFV (Table 1). The Secretariat is based at the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) in Bern. The Secretariat staff includes: Virginie Masserey Spicher, a pediatrician and infectious diseases specialist; Hans-Peter Zimmermann, a medical doctor; and Catherine Bourquin, a medical doctor. An official document titled “Acte d’institution et décision de nomination” (institutional decree for nomination) was signed by the Federal Councilor in charge of the Federal Department of Home Affairs in 2004, and it defines the commission’s mission and structure. This document is not accessible to the public.