This trial involving 451 healthy adults assessed responses to two intramuscular doses of a subvirion H5N1 influenza vaccine. At the highest dose (90 µg of hemagglutinin), 54 percent of the subjects had neutralization antibody titers of 1:40 or greater. The subvirion vaccine did not cause severe side effects, and in most subjects, it generated neutralizing-antibody responses typically associated with protection against influenza. A conventional subvirion H5 influenza vaccine may be effective in preventing influenza A (H5N1) disease (avian influenza) in humans.

Gatifloxacin has been associated with both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. This study examined dysglycemia-related health outcomes associated with the use of various antibiotics in adults 66 years of age or older in Ontario, Canada. As compared with the use of other broad-spectrum oral antibiotics, including other fluoroquinolones, gatifloxacin use among outpatients appears to be clearly associated with both subsequent hypoglycemia and subsequent hyperglycemia.

Serum from almost 80 percent of the residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, was screened for the presence of a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Small amounts of monoclonal immunoglobulin were found in 3.2 percent of persons 50 years of age or older and in 5.3 percent of persons 70 years of age or older.

This study reports the association of a mutant form of contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) and epilepsy, cortical dysplasia, and developmental decay among children in an Old Order Amish population. It suggests that mutant CASPR2 causes epilepsy and influences cortical architecture.

To improve insurance coverage of mental health and substance-abuse services, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program required parity between behavioral health and general medical benefits beginning in January 2001. This study found that the parity policy was not associated with an increase in the use of behavioral health services or an increase in spending for patients who used these services.

This review summarizes recent advances in our knowledge of the glomerular filter and the causes of hereditary proteinuria syndromes.

A 66-year-old woman was found to have Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia and focal intramucosal adenocarcinoma. Her morbid obesity made her a poor candidate for esophagectomy. A pathologist and a gastroenterologist discuss the pathophysiology and management of Barrett's esophagus.

A recent study identifies molecular events pivotal to infection by Rickettsia conorii.