The NIH Record U.S. Department August 18 National of Health 1981 Institutes and Vol. XXXIII of Human Services No.17 Health

Dr. Kretchmer Will Top S�ummer Employees Dr. Whedon To Leave Assume Dual Position To Receive Recognition NIADDK Post After Over 140 young men and women will re­ In California ceive awards at the 12th Annual Summer 19 Years as Director Awards Ceremony on Aug. 21 in Masur Au­ Dr. Norman Kretchmer, Director of the ditorium for their outstanding perform­ Dr. G. Donald Whedon, Director of the National Institute of Child Health and ances while employed at NIH this summer. National Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, and Human Development since 1974, has an­ In addition, a certificate will be presented Digestive and Kidney Diseases since 1962, nounced his plans to leave NICHD at the to the outstanding NIH supervisor of sum­ has announced his resignation as Director, end of September. He will accept a dual as­ mer employee participants. effective Sept. 30. signment at the University of California The 1981 NIH Summer Program, In a letter to Dr. Thomas E. Malone, Act­ where his duties will include teaching, pa­ coordinated by Mattie Jackson, Recruitment ing NIH Director, Dr. Whedon said, "Dur­ tient care, and laboratory research. and Employee Benefits Branch, OD, includ­ ing the past nearly 19 years, it has been my Dr. Kretchmer, who had previously an­ ed approximately 1,500 participants working pleasure to see the Institute undergo con­ nounced his departure in a memo to his and learning in every area of NIH activity. siderable growth and reorganization. staff on July 2, will be professor of nutri­ The U.S. Summer Jobs Program, adminis­ "The appropriated budget is now 4½ tional sciences at the University of tered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Man­ times the 1962 level, and significant ad­ California, Berkeley, and professor of ob­ agement, is an all-inclusive activity, de­ vances in knowledge have been brought stetrics and pediatrics at the University of signed to provide summer employment in about in each of the many categorical and California, San Francisco. government agencies for young men and disease areas for which we have responsi­ bility. Though likely at a reduced rate, I am He will also organize and administer a women. It also includes opportunities in summer jobs for the handicapped and sure that these positive processes will con­ clinical nutrition research center at San tinue." Francisco General Hospital in conjunction needy or disadvantaged youths. In announcing his resignation, Dr. with the university. Appointments are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or Whedon cited his desire to step down after Dr. Betty H. Pickett, NICHD deputy direc­ political or personal favoritism. nearly 2 decades in the position of Institute tor, has been designated Acting Director. Acting NIH Director Dr. Thomas E. Director, a longer period of service than Malone will be the key speaker at the cere­ mony. Ms. Cheryl Walker, a first-year medi­ cal student from Duke University, will deliv­ er the student response address. In addition, musical entertainment and a fashion show are scheduled. The fashion show will feature five male and three fe­ male models displaying dress and casual wear. The musical segment will be provided by a soloist and an accomplished pianist. The awards program starts at 10 a.m. All NIH employees are invited to attend. D

Dr. Norman Kretchmer directed the National In­ Dr. G. Donald Whedon was Director of the Na­ stitute of Child Health and Human Develop­ tional Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, and Di­ ment from 1974 to 1981. gestive and Kidney Diseases from 1962 to 1981. any Institute Director in the history of NIH. In accepting the Berkeley-San Francisco He plans to continue his career-long inter­ appointments, Dr. Kretchmer will be re­ est in calcium metabolism and bone dis­ turning to the San Francisco Bay area that eases. He joined the Institute in 1952 as he had left to become the fourth Director of chief of the Metabolic Diseases Branch, a NICHD. At the time he assumed the direct­ post he retained until 1965. He was named orship from then-Acting Director, Dr. Gil­ assistant director in 1956. From 1960 to bert L. Woodside, the NICHD conducted 1961, he worked half-ti me with the National and supported research in the areas of pop­ Institute of General Medical Sciences to de­ ' ulation, maternal and child health, and A portrait of the late Or. Percy L. Julian, promi­ velop the new program of General Clinical aging. nent organic chemist, was unveiled at NIH. (See Research Centers. (See DR. KRETCHMER, Page 8) Page 5.) (See DR. WHEDON, Page 10) CU Alerts Members To Stop Checks Lost in Robbery

On June 2, the NIH Federal Credit Union ber, as well, an indemnification agreement, The NIH Record messenger was robbed of the daily deposit wherein the Credit Union guarantees to as­ Published biweekly at Bethesda, Md., by the Editorial he was carrying to the bank. The deposit sure that no member will suffer any loss as ,Operations Branch, Division of Pub I ic Information, for the information of employees of the National Institutes of consisted entirely of nonnegotiable checks a result of having a duplicate check issued Health, Department of Health and Human Services, and which had been deposited by members to the Credit Union. The Union also is pre­ circulated by request to writers and to researchers in biomedical and related fields. The content is reprintable through the Credit Union Office. pared to reimburse members for any stop without permission. Pictures may be available on request. The Credit Union is now asking the payment charges that are assessed in this The NIH Record reserves the right to make corrections, cooperation of the members whose checks connection. changes, or deletions in submitted copy in conformity with were included in this deposit. The detailed To date, none of these checks have been the policies of the paper and HHS. contents of the stolen bag have been recon­ recovered. Both the FBI and the NIH Record Office structed by means of microfilm and all of Montgomery County Police are Bldg. 31, Room 28-03, Phone 496-2125 the members whose personal checks, either investigating this robbery and the county Editor written by the member or checks given to police have issued a "Wanted" bulletin :!!Jrry Gordon the member by another person and en­ with sketches of the two individuals they Staff Writers dorsed by the member, are being con­ are seeking in connection with this robbery. William B. Reinckens Joyce F. McC arthy tacted. As the Credit Union is a cooperative The Credit Union is requesting that the venture ovmed by the members, it is Staff Correspondents individual member see that "stop payment" imperative that the members fully cooper­ CC, Barbara Smakula; DCRT, Mary Hodges; DPM, Judy Fouche; DRG, Sue Meadows; ORR, Barbara Menick; DRS, Arthur F. Moore; FIC, orders are issued on the stolen check or ate in this unfortunate instance. If a mem­ Susan P. Stark; NCI, Patricia A. Newman; NEI, Marsha Corbett; NHLBI, checks and a replacement check sent to the ber has any question on this matter, Mr. Bill Sanders; NIA, Ann Dieffenbach; NIAID, Jeanne Winnick; NIAMDD, Credit Union. Gerard de Seve should be contacted at Linda Cross;NICHD, Pamela Driscoll; NIDR, Sally Wilberding; NIEHS, The Credit Union is furnishing each mem- 496-2331. □ Hugh J. Lee; NIGMS, WandaWarddell; NIMH, Paul Sirovatka; NINCDS, Diane Striar; NLM, Roger L. Gilkeson. Monthly Library List Now Entered Into WYLBUR FAES Holds Open Season Beginning Sept. 1, computer terminal users produced through its word processing capa­ On Hospitalization Plan can obtain the NIH Library's monthly list of bilities. NIH scientists and administrators also recent acquisitions by accessing WYLBUR. use WYLBUR to create, document, and main­ An "open season" for group hospitalization The new system of retrieving this timely re­ tain computer programs, and to submit com­ will be held by the Foundation for Advanced search information is being done to save puter programs for execution, thus affecting Education in the Sciences from Aug. 17 manpower and provide quicker referral for many of NIH's varied activities. through Sept. 4. members of the NIH community. By use of various WYLBUR commands, a The Association of Visiting Fellows Group The new computer format allows the user may obtain a hard copy (paper) printout Hospitalization Program includes NIH WYLBUR listing to be updated weekly with of the booklist or simply view it at their ter­ postdoctoral and visiting fellows, commis­ new items over a 30-day period. A person minal. Approximately, 250 new items of infor­ sioned officers, visiting scientists, associates, viewing a new reference will know that on the mation are acquired by the NIH Library each experts, consultants, guest workers and full­ day it appears on the monitor screen, it has month. These topically arranged publications time temporary civil service employees who already been placed on the library's shelves include: books, journals, foreign language have not yet enrolled in the program. New for use by any of the hundreds of persons translations, and articles written by NIH re­ enrollees will be eligible for coverage with who select research material from its stacks searchers which appear in monographs that certain restrictions because of late joining. each year. have been released within the last 2 years. Any current subscriber may change to the Using the following WYLBUR command, a The practice of mailing the list of monthly high option plan or to family coverage. All user can access the monthly listing entitled acquisitions to approximately 1,000 address­ changes will be effective Oct. 1. Recent Additions to the NIH Library: ees will continue. Copies of this listing may Applications and premiums are due in the USE FROM &INQUIRE. LIBRARY also be obtained by contacting the Mono­ FAES insurance office by Sept. 4. For further BOOKLIST ON CAT graphs Processing Unit, 496-2398, in the NIH information, call Nancy Cassity, 496-5272. D WYLBUR is a text-editing facility used by Library. The library's staff encourages users to many secretaries, programmers, scientists, make further suggestions for books and jou r­ and other computer users at NIH. Letters, nals to be added to its permanent collec­ Training Tips manuscripts, and other written materials are tion. D The following courses, sponsored by the Division of Personnel Management, are given in Bldg. 31 unless otherwise indi­ cated.

Communication Course Skills Starts Deadline Effective Listening Report Writing• 10/7 9/23 Office Skills 10/6 9/18 American Language Shorthand (ALS) Proofreading 9/15 8/28 ongoing Adult Education•• 9/14 8/29 *Given in Westwood Bldg., Conf. Rm. D. • *This can lead to a general education diploma.

To learn more about these and other A 13-member delegation of the Nigerian Senate Committee on Health recently visited with Acting courses in office and communication skills, NIH Director Dr. Thomas E. Malone (r), as part of their U.S. tour to survey American health care contact the Training Assistance Branch, systems, and to have an exchange of views regarding legislation and health. While at NIH, they DPM, 496-2146. conferred with Office of Program Planning and Evaluation staffers, toured the Clinical Center, and met with a Nigerian visiting scientist currently doing research at NIH.

Page 2 The NIH Record August 18, 1981 Mt. Everest Scientific Expedition Begins Climb for New Knowledge

By Carol Florance 30,000 P8, t1mp Alv1olarGas 9000 ECG After 3 years of extensive planning, Dr. VE John West, professor of medicine and bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, will lead a 21-member medical Bicycle Ergometer expedition on a climb of Mt. Everest, the Maximal Won 8000 highest mountain in the world. ito, Venous Blood The American Medical Research Expedi­ Altitude 25_000 (meters) tion to Everest (AMREE) is the first Everest (feet) Ergometry climb devoted entirely to medical science. Maximal Wmt ito, The expedition will study how the body tol­ erates reduced blood oxygen levels, or 7000 hypoxia.

laboratoryCamp 21,300 20,000 6000

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Miles

This graph shows the different scientific tests that will be performed at different altitudes on Mt. Everest. The results of these measurements will be compared to measurements made at various al­ titudes during the climb.

that will permit the sophisticated scientific will measure maximal work capacity and tests planned for this expedition. Altering maximal oxygen consumption using a bicy­ an existing facility or building a new facility cle ergometer and will draw blood samples that could accommodate such experiments before and after exercise for analysis of he­ would cost considerably more than the Mt. moglobin, lactate and other components. Testing the bicycle ergometer and other equip­ Everest climb. Since it is from this camp that two or ment are (I to r): climbing leader Dr. Evans; Dr. Steven Boyer; expedition leader Dr. West; and AMREE left the United States for Nepal on three teams of climbers will attempt the Dr. Robert Schoene. Before the expedition left, July 25. In early August, the expedition will summit, these scientists will also be respon­ all participants had physical examinations which begin the 3-week, 170-mile trek to the base sible for equipping the climbers with mini­ include exercise studies, metabolic measure­ camp from Kathmandu, capital of Nepal. If recorders which will record heart rate, ECG, ments, and a series of psychometric tests. Expe­ the expedition is on schedule, the actual and respiratory frequency and volume dur­ dition data will be analyzed after the return in climb up Mt. Everest will begin Sept. 1. ing the final push. November. Climbers should reach the summit in Octo­ At the summit (or the highest elevation The expedition is supported in part by the ber, and return to the U.S. in November. they can reach) the climbers will record National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The expedition will be composed of 6 pressure and temperatures, will collect Data on respiratory and cardiac function climbers, 14 medical doctors and scientists, samples of their expired air for analysis, will be collected at elevations between a base camp manager and 40 Sherpa por­ and will record their maximal ventilation 24,000 feet and 29,028 feet. At these alti­ ters. Sir Edmund Hillary serves as expedi­ while breathing ambient and/or oxygen­ tudes, climbers will experience hypoxic tion advisor. enriched air, as well as their electrocardio­ states which may share symptoms in com­ Among the other AMREE leaders is Dr. grams. mon with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, John P. Evans, associate director, Colorado Preparation for the expedition has taken respiratory failure, and myocardial infarc­ Outward Bound School, who will attempt nearly 3 years. To help defray the costs of tion, all of which can result in an inade­ the summit. Also on the expedition is Dr. F. the 20 tons of food, clothing, medical sup­ quate blood oxygen concentration in the Duane Blume, professor of biology, plies, and climbing and scientific equip­ organs and tissues. California State College, Bakersfield. ment needed to outfit the expedition, In addition, cardiopulmonary measure­ Base camp will be established at 17,600 major grants were received from the Ameri­ ments will be made on acclimatized sub­ feet and will house a small staff of scientific can Lung Association, National Geographic jects at 20,000 feet including climbers de­ and nonscientific personnel. Here, blood Society, Servier Laboratories in Paris, the scending from higher altitudes. analysis and ventilation_ control studies will Explorers Club, National Science Founda­ "By studying normal subjects under ex­ be performed. Duplicates of equipment will tion, and the U.S. Army Medical Research treme conditions, we can learn how the also be stored in the event of equipment and Development Command. The NHLBI body tolerates reduced oxygen levels," re­ failure at other elevations. has provided grant support for the pur­ ports Dr. West. At 29,028 feet, the Everest Camp I, to b,e established at 21,300 feet, chase and modification of a portion of the summit provides pressures barely adequate will be the main laboratory camp. Here, the scientific equipment. to maintain human life for short periods majority of scientific studies will take place, Much effort was concentrated on modi­ without supplementary oxygen. including measurements of intestinal ab­ fying conventional medical and scientific Earlier studies of high-altitude physiology sorption, arterial oxygen saturation du ring equipment to make it smaller, lighter and were conducted by Dr. West and Sir exercise and sleep, and electroencephalo­ more rugged. Edmund Hillary during the 1960-61 Himala­ grams. The camp will also serve as logistical On Mammouth Mountain a test of equip­ yan Scientific and Mountaineering Expedi­ base for all altitude response measure­ ment was made in 1981. Power generating tion, but only up to altitudes of 24,400 feet. ments. equipment and solar panels that will be used The possibility of conducting such physi­ On the South Col, a saddle-shaped ridge to charge batteries at the main laboratory ologic measurements in a low pressure between the adjacent peak of Lhotse and camp were tested. This is the first time that chamber was considered, but has proved the summit of Everest, another camp will be solar panels have been used under these con­

not to be feasible, because no facility exists established at 26,000 feet. A scientific staff ditions. □ August 18, 1981 The NIH Record Page 3 Walnut Creek Study Gives Pill Mixed Review Administrative Services Chief Retires After 28 Years at CC Health risks to young, healthy, lower than previously reported. nonsmoking women using oral contracep­ Some health risks were detected, howev­ tives appear to be lower than previously er. Heavy smokers in general have an in­ thought, according to the final report of the creased risk of developing heart disease Walnut Creek Contraceptive Drug Study. and other circulatory disorders, but those Cautions are still warranted for many who also take the Pill are even more vulner­ women, however. able. "Oral contraceptives harbor measurable According to the Walnut Creek research­ risks for certain women and their use ers, "smoking should be cons1dered a should be carefully weighed by a woman contraindication to oral contraceptive use, and her physician," said Dr. Philip or at the very least, women wishing to use Corfman, director of the National Institute oral contraceptives should be strongly of Child Health and Human Development's urged not to smoke." Center for Population Research, which sup­ The Walnut Creek results reaffirm that ported the study. women who are more sexually active, as Walnut Creek and other studies show were those on the Pill in this study, are that oral contraceptive users who smoke, or more likely to develop lower urinary tract who are over the age of 30, have increased infections and cancer of the cervix. Because risks of developing serious side effects, par­ of this known association, the Pill's possible Mrs. Mitchell plans to travel in retirement. She ticularly circulatory disorders. role in these disorders could not be isola­ hopes to visit Greece and New Zealand next Between 1969 and 1977, the Walnut Creek ted in this study. year. study followed more than 16,000 women to A new finding in this study is the appar­ compare rates of disease and death among ent increased risk of malignant melanoma, On Aug. 21, Wilda Mitchell, chief of the current Pill users, past users, and those a form of skin cancer. However, the Pill hospital administrative services, Materiel who never used the Pill. The women, mem­ users in the study sunbathed more often, Handling Department in the Clinical Cen­ bers of a comprehensive health care pro­ and from the data available it was not possi­ ter, will retire after 28 years at NIH. gram at the Kaiser-Permanente Medical ble to separate the effects of the Pill from After working 2 years for the Navy, she Center in Walnut Creek, Calif., were be­ the effects of exposure to the sun's cancer­ joined the CC in 1953 as a medical records tween ages 18-54, and the majority were causing ultraviolet rays. transcriber in the Medical Records Depart­ white, middle class, and healthy. Although the study was not primarily de­ ment. She became a forms analyst in the CC The study showed that oral contraceptive signed to monitor relatively uncommon Administrative Office in 1962. users do not have an increased risk of death events, states Dr. Corfman, apparent links Mrs. Mitchell moved to the Materiel Han­ compared with nonusers. In addition, use between oral contraceptives and certain dling Department when it was formed 2 of the Pill apparently does not lead to kinds of stroke and blood clots were found. years ago. She was in charge of designing, breast cancer or benign ovarian tumors, Overall, he emphasizes that the findings of reordering, and updating all the CC forms. and may even offer protection from the study "cannot be considered final, and Last year, she became chief of the hospi­ fibrocystic breast disease and cancer of the must be weighed with the evidence from tal administrative services, which is a seg­ endometrium, or lining of the uterus. The other clinical and epidemiological stud­ ment of the new Materiel Handling Depart­ risk of high blood pressure also seems to be ies." □ ment. Over the years, Mrs. Mitchell has seen many changes at the CC. "When the CC Histocompatibility Antigen Loss Protects Tumor Cells first opened, there were so few employees that everyone knew each other and we all Virus-infected and tumor cells may es­ The histocompatibility antigens are prob­ felt like one big happy family," she said. cape detection by the immune system when ably the major cell membrane structure Her hobbies include all kinds of hand­ which allows lymphocytes to pick out the they change or lose the histocompatibility work, such as knitting, sewing and foreign from the native cells. The major rea­ antigens in their membranes, according to needlepoint. She is also an avid bridge Dr. Jose Azocar, a National Cancer Institute son for graft rejection is a difference in the player and belongs to several clubs. grantee. Dr. Azocar presented his research histocompatibility antigens between the tis­ She commented how quickly the 28 years findings at a recent meeting of the Federa­ sue donor and acceptor. went by, and added, "The most important tion of American Societies for Experimental Scientists believe that many cell functions thing I learned when I first came to the CC Biology. in which two or more cells interact require was that we are all here for the health care Dr. Azocar and coworkers Ors. E. Yunis, that the interacting cells express or share and consideration of the patients." D and M. Essex from Harvard University common histocompatibility antigens. One School of Public Health and Sidney Farber such interaction is that found between cer­ Cancer Institute in Boston, found that cells tain lymphocytes and -malignant or virus­ Toastmasters Elect grown in crowded conditions gradually lose infected cells. In order to destroy these New Officers the expression of their histocompatibility cells, lymphocytes need to "see" common antigens. These are special proteins in the markers on the cell membranes. Nancy Cherry, management analyst and body enabling it to detect foreign cells from freedom of information officer of the Na­ those that are native. In their recent experiments, the Boston tional Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, has The investigators speculated that this ef­ investigators grew cells under crowded been elected president of the NIH Toast­ fect could be mediated through cell-to-cell conditions and when using radioimmuno­ masters Club. contact and may provide cancer or virus­ assay, showed that the crowded cells gradu­ The other newly elected officers of the infected cells a way of escaping detection ally lost their expression of the public speaking group are Fannie M. Alex­ and killing by lymphocytes. histocompatibility antigens. This expression ander, educational vice president; Nor­ Major histocompatibility complex anti­ was regained when the cells were regrown wood Simmons, administrative vice presi­ gens are special proteins expressed in the under low cell density conditions. dent; John Sloane, secretary; Loren L. cell membranes of higher animals, which In discussing the significance of their Ziller, treasurer; and Dr. Jane Cheng, ser­ are characteristic of an individual. findings, the researchers noted that geant at arms. They are so specific that they allow a cell interferon, a natural biological substance The NIH Toastmasters Club meets every belonging to one person to be picked out which has been found to be effective Friday at noon in Bldg. 31, Rm. B2C-05. Any of a group of cells belonging to 100 or more against certain viruses and cancers, in­ NIH employee is eligible for membership other people, even when other cell charac­ creases the expression of histocompatibility and is invited to attend the weekly meetings teristics are nearly identical. antigens. □ as a guest. D

Page 4 The NIH Record August 18, 1981 Dr. Percy L. Julian Portrait Presented to NIH at Recent Ceremony

A portrait of Dr. Percy Lavon Julian (1899-1975), internationally known for his research in organic chemistry, was unveiled in ceremonies held Aug. 4 in Wilson Hall, Bldg. 1. The portrait was painted by Ernest Crichlow, an accomplished black artist from Brooklyn, N.Y., and donated to NIH by the Ciba-Geigy Corporation, a well known phar­ maceutical firm. Dr. Thomas E. Malone, Acting NIH Direc­ tor, moderated the ceremony. In his re­ marks he said, "Countless scientists have demonstrated that the capacity to achieve the highest goals reside in no particular body ... today's ceremony is the best ex­ ample of that." Dr.Julian, the grandson of former slaves, Dr. Malone and Mr. MacKinnon watch as Mrs. The portrait of Dr. Julian, by artist Ernest graduated Phi Beta Kappa and class valedic- Julian snips the ribbon holding the portrait cov­ Crichlow, is unveiled. ering. from soybean oil to produce sex hormones, schools and libraries. and the development of a way of p·roducing Along with Dr. Julian, physicians Charles cortisone synthetically in large quantities at Drew and Jane Wright were honored with a reasonable cost. Until Dr. Julian's discov­ posters in the first series. In 1981, three ery, cortisone was available in limited quan­ new posters were commissioned honoring tities and extremely expensive. Dr. Shirley Jackson, a theoretical physicist; Dr. Ernest Everett Just, a biological re­ Active in Civil Rights searcher; and Dr. Cobb, a medical educa­ During his lifetime, Dr.Julian received tor, editor and artist. over 17 honorary degrees from teaching in­ Mrs. Julian said, "Of all the honors Percy stitutions, and authored over 170 publica­ received, there would be none more mean­ tions. He held over 100 patents. He was a ingful to him than this one today, for he so member of several professional societies, admired NIH." Dr. Malone said the portrait including membership in the National will be displayed in a prominent place to Academy of Sciences. Mrs. Julian shared her meMories of Dr. Julian at serve as an inspiration. He received the Spingarn Medal from the the ceremony. She said he loved his flower gar­ den and had a wonderful sense of humor. He NAACP, and the Chemical Pioneer Award. often told her he conceived his best ideas about He is survived by his widow, Anna, two chil­ chemistry while tending his roses. dren, and other relatives. Also attending and invited to share their torian from DePauw University. He earned memories of friendship and love with Dr. his A.M. degree from Harvard University as Julian were Mrs. Julian, also a Ph.D.; Dr.Jo­ an Austin Fellow, and while studying for his seph E. Rall, Acting NIH Deputy Director for Ph.D.in Vienna, became interested in soy­ Science and NIADDK scientific director; Dr. beans as a source of synthetic drugs. Bernhard Witkop, chief, Laboratory of He investigated methods for synthesizing Chemistry, NIADDK; Dr. W. Montague indoles and steroids, and studies on soy Cobb, distinguished professor of anatomy, proteins and soy phosphatides.In 1935, he Howard University; and A.M. MacKinnon, synthesized, for the first time, the drug president, Ciba-Geigy. In his presentation physostigmine from soybeans, used in the Dr.Cobb said, "Dr. Julian is the most out­ treatment of glaucoma. standing scientist Afro-America has pro­ Between fellowships, Dr. Julian served as duced.During his career, he was never em­ professor and head of the department of bittered by the cruelest blows." chemistry at Howard University. From 1936 to 1953, he was research director of the Paints Children's Portraits Glidden Company, and the following year, Ernest Crichlow, the· artist who painted founded his own research organization­ Ors. Cobb and Geraldine Woods enjoy refresh­ Dr. Julian's portrait, is best known for his ments after the ceremony sponsored by the Julian Laboratories, Inc. portraits of children. He teaches at the Art Ciba-Geigy Corporation. In 1971, Dr. Julian was appointed to the Students League in New York, and was a Board of Scientific Counselors of the then founder of the Cinque Gallery, which ex­ National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, hibits work done by young artists from dis­ Play Ball! and Digestive Diseases. In 1974, he was in­ advantaged backgrounds. vited to present the NIH Lecture on Some In April 1980, former President Carter The official major league baseball season Phases of Oxidative Hydroxylation of Ster­ awarded a special prize to Mr. Crichlow, to­ resumed for the Baltimore Orioles Aug. 10 oids in the Animal Organism. gether with nine other black artists at a after the long strike. R&W has been ap­ The NIH Lecture, awarded by the Direc­ White House reception for the National pointed an official ticket agent for the sec­ tor, was established in 1953 to recognize Conference of Artists. ond half of the season. outstanding scientific accomplishment and The Ciba-Geigy Corporation, donators of All teams resumed competition on an to facilitate the exchange of scientific infor­ the painting to NIH, used it as part of the even basis. Winners of the two "half sea­ mation. Exceptional Black Scientists Poster Series sons" will compete in playoffs to determine Among his many accomplishments-were which the company started in 1980 in an ef­ the respective pennant winners. the development of a foam used to extin­ fort to encourage more young blacks to Orioles tickets may be ordered at the guish gasoline and oil fires which saved nu­ enter careers in science and medicine by R&W Activities Desk, Bldg. 31, Rm. 1A-18, merous lives in World War 11, the.discovery providing role models for them to emulate. or at the Westwood R&W Gift Shop. For fur­ of a more economical way to extract sterols The company distributes the posters free to ther information, call 496-4600.D

August 18, 1981 The NIH Record Page 5 Girl's Nation Representative Senior Speech Writer Visits NIH Dies After Long Illness Gina Love, a 1981 Girl's Nation representa­ tive, was here last month to present a plaque Eugene J. Mullaghy, a retired senior speech of appreciation to NIH for allowing her and . writer at NIH, and World War II veteran, died other program representatives to come each of cancer recently after a prolonged illness. year to learn about biomedical research and A lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, he to assume the duties of "NIH Director" for a served as chief of the Technical Liaison Office day. of the Army Surgeon General. Ms. Love, a high school junior from Following his retirement from the Army, Gahanna, Ohio, who hopes some day to be a Mr. Mullaghy joined NIH in December 1962, pediatrician, was one of 100 young women se­ serving in the then Public Information Section lected from around the country to participate of the Office of Research Information, OD, in this year's citizenship program sponsored under Guy W. Moore. The office was later by the American Legion Auxiliary, and held renamed the NIH News Branch, Office of annually in Washington, D.C. Communications, OD. As part of her week's stay at American Uni­ During his NIH service, Mr. Mullaghy wrote versity, Ms. Love and other representatives speeches for the late Rep. John E. Fogarty (for took part in a moot legislative body, modeled Dr. Malone accepts a plaque of appreciation whom the Fogarty International Center is after the U.S. Senate, and had the opportu­ from Ms. Love in the lobby of Bldg. 1. named), and NIH Directors, including Drs. nity to visit different government agencies James A. Shannon, Robert Q. Marston, Rob­ that have a career interest for them. Committee for Civil Rights Activities, where ert S. Stone, and Donald S. Fredrickson. While on her NIH tour, Acting NIH Director plans were discussed about how NIH scien­ Among his other writing assignments was Dr. Thomas E. Malone invited Ms. Love to tists might serve the needs of minority educa­ the preparation of the NIH annual report that take part in a meeting of the NIH Executive tional institutions. □ appeared each year in U.S. Medicine. Mr. Mullaghy retired from NIH in Decem­ Dr. Barker Named Chief of Neurophysiology Lab ber 1978. He was born in Scranton, Pa., in 1910, and was a graduate of Catholic Univer­ Dr. Jeffery L. Barker, a National lnstit1Jte of mentary basis." sity. Neurological and Communicative Disorders Receiving his M.D. and a tour of surgical in­ He is survived by his widow, Hazel, and and Stroke neuroscientist, known for his re­ ternship at the Boston University School of brother, James F., of Venice, Fla. A memorial search on the basis of chemical excitability of Medicine, he joined NINCDS in 1969. He has service was held Aug. 3 at Our Lady of nerve cells, has been named chief of the lnsti­ since authored or coauthored over 130 papers Lourdes Catholic Church in Bethesda. tute's Laboratory of Neurophysiology. focused largely on chemically mediated com­ Dr. Barker describes the laboratory he will munication in the central nervous system. His papers actually cover two related areas New 'Research Awards Index' of neurobiological research: 1) how different Now Available From DRG transmitter substances endogenous to the The 20th edition of the Research Awards CNS mediate chemically excitable membrane Index is now available. Published in two events in central neurons, and 2) how clinic­ volumes, the Index contains scientific and ally important drugs affect excitable mem­ administrative data on more than 20,000 Pub­ brane processes in the CNS. "There is considerable overlap in the way lic Health Service research grants and con­ which endogenous substances from the CNS, tracts. The first volume contains 7,000 scientific and exogenous drugs act on the excitability of subject headings under which appear identifi­ nerve cells," he said. "Some classes of drugs cation numbers and titles of pertinent proj­ may act therapeutically to alter cellular excita­ ects. bility by mimicking physiological junctions of Volume II contains three parts: project transmitter substances." Dr. Barker has been extremely active in the identification data, which includes the names neuroscience research field. His past activities of investigators, grantee addresses, and proj­ include serving as an expert consultant on the ect titles; the same information on research contracts; and an alphabetical list of grantee FDA subcommittee on clinical trials of pep­ Dr. Barker is currently on the editorial boards tides; program committee chairman of the investigators. of the Journal of Neuroscience Methods, The Index is available without charge to and He is also annual meeting of the Society of Neuropeptides, Drugs of Abuse. Neuroscience; and cochairman of an NIH Federal agencies and biomedical libraries by a consultant reviewer for several other scientific contacting the Research Documentation Sec­ journals. symposium on the Role of Peptides in DRG, Neuronal Functions. tion, Statistics and Analysis Branch, Westwood Bldg., Rm. 148, 301/496-7543. be heading as "a basic science laboratory As chief of the laboratory, he plans "to con­ Research Awards concerned with understanding the mecha­ tinue to do science at the workbench as well Single copies of the Index, NIH Publication No. 81-200 (stock no. nisms of membrane excitability and their ele- as work with my scientific staff at Bldg. 36." □ 017-041-00133-5), may be purchased for $24

domestic postpaid or $30 foreign postpaid

NHLBI Publication Available on USSR-USA Symposium from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.

Government Printing Office, Washington,

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood In­ and implantation in calves of circulatory de­ D.C. 20402.D Cir­ stitute has a new publication available, vices; studies of biomaterials; investiga­ Noah Was an Amateur! culatory Assistance and the Artificial Heart: tions of the physiochemical events occuring USA-USSR Joint Symposium-NIH Publica­ at the blood/material interface; and the The next meeting of the NIH Sailing Asso­ tion No. 80-2032. clinical evaluation of intra-aortic balloons, ciation will be on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 8 left ventricular assist devices, and other car­ The publication contains the 9 American p.m., in Bldg. 30, Rm. 117. diac assist devices. and 11 Soviet papers presented at the sym­ The program will include a film entitled Single free copies of the 244-page publi­ Noah Was an Amateur, dealing with mod­ posium on two major topic areas: artificial cation may be obtained by writing the Of­ heart and circulatory assistance. ern sail and power boat production meth­ fice of International Programs, NHLBI, Bldg. ods. A speaker from the boating industry The subjects included are the fabrication 31, Rm. 4A-10, Bethesda, Md. 20205. D will be present to answer any questions. □ Page 6 The NIH Record August 18, 1981 NIH Locksmiths Are Key to Security and Safety Think about it! Just about every place you are, with the exception of the wilderness, there is something that has a lock attached to it. NIH is no exception. It has approxi­ mately 100,000 door locks of all different shapes, sizes, types and ages that constant­ ly need to be adjusted or changed by the six professional locksmiths working in the Key Control Unit, Protection and Security Man­ agement Branch, DAS. More and more locks are arriving each day with the final construction of the new Ambulatory Care Research Facility and the opening last year of the Lister Hill Center. In July, the Key Control Unit received 600 work requests, ranging from new lock in­ stallations to work involving electromagnet­ ic security mechanisms. In addition, the unit received 880 requests for keys to be made, and 121 orders for locks to be re­ paired. Besides these average monthly re­ quests, the unit has the duty of unlocking and locking office equipment anchor pads Key Control Unit staffers are (I tor): Mr. Stalker, Elizabeth Gibson, Ruth Ramo, Mr. Bruce, and each time a machine is relocated or in­ Charles Wilson. (Rear I to r): Philip C. Previti, Mr. Powell, and Mr. Malloy. stalled. Once a week, usually on a Monday morn­ safecracker, in the form of senior locksmith is responsible for a particular key. ing, the locksmiths-five men and one Clarence Bruce, Jr., handled himself not Their job is made even more difficult by woman-meet with their supervisor, long ago. He received an emergency call retiring and transfering employees who give Nelson W. Stalker, to discuss the security that someone was locked behind the steel their keys to their secretary and don't turn needs of NIH. They are responsible for the vault door in the Pharmacology Unit in the them in to the Key Control Unit, or those 54 buildings on campus as well as all NIH Clinical Center. "It took a while but we got who fail to return their signature card when buildings off campus. him out," said Mr. Bruce. a key is issued. "It is essential that we have Who are these people who literally have Another incident involving Mr. Bruce this information in case there is a theft or to "pick" their way through life? One was occurred last summer when he was sum­ an emergency," Mr. Stalker said, noting once a plumber, another an electrician, a moned to open the armored car that picks that each year 1,000 keys are misplaced by cross-trained exterminator, a former NIH up and delivers money to the NIH Credit NIH employees. Union in Bldg. 31. "The guards had left the police officer and a woman who began her Pr oblems Encountered locksmithing career by starting in a hard­ keys inside the truck," he said, noting that ware store's lockshop. "the most difficult part of the job was Other problems locksmiths encounter are Many calls that the NIH locksmiths get getting permission from the company to when the employees who decide to change are for routine assignments; for instance, open the truck." the settings or combinations on their office when an employee has broken a key off in Monkeys have even had an influence on or laboratory door locks. In addition, pins, an office door, a cabinet lock is stuck, or Mr. Bruce's locksmithing career. He was tapes and other devices are used to bypass when individuals could not get into their called to the NIH Animal Center in the locking mechanisms. "Some people are desk. Poolesville by staffers who complained that concerned more with convenience than with the quick and intelligent animals had fig­ security," observed Mr. Stalker. Crisis-Oriented Business ured out how to raise the latches on their "There is even a doctor at NIH who re­ cages, and were letting themselves out, and "People don't tell us before something moves his office door from its hinges and even opening other cages. happens, it is always after," said Mr. takes it with him each time he moves, so Apparently, the monkeys had learned the Stalker, about the crisis-oriented business that he won't have to wait to get a new behavior from their keepers. The latches that has been part of his life since 1939 key," said Mr. Stalker. Normally, it is a have been outfitted with padlocks, says Mr. when he, his father, and uncle ran a com­ week to 10 days before a key is issued. Bruce, but now the Key Control Unit is try­ mercial locksmithing business. ing to figure out which type of lock might The mountain of paperwork involved in "We are a close unit. I use the specialty be corrossive resistant to monkey urine. tracking down keys to locks, locks to loca­ of each of these people," observed senior tions, and eventually identifying the indi­ locksmith Timothy Malloy, who worked for Safety and Security Always Considered viduals may be made easier soon with the 4 years as a locksmith at the U.S. House of Besides possessing knowledge about me­ use of a computer. Talks are going on now Representatives. Some of the NIH lock­ chanical locks, NIH locksmiths also have to to find a suitable program to meet the smiths have received specialized training in understand the complexities of new elec­ needs of the Key Control Unit. locksmithing in New York, California and tromagnetic security mechanisms. They also "Our job is to help people to help them­ Florida and have taken correspondence have to keep abreast of new changes in fire selves," declares Mr. Stalker summing up courses. "You have to keep up with the in­ his feelings about the service occupation codes so that the areas they work in will be formation in your field, because every day a safe as well as secure. that he and his staff provide to NIH. □ new lock is being made." The NIH locksmiths never know when or Mr. Malloy turns to James B. Powell, Jr., where they might be called; they work a Dental Care Is Offered when he has a question about electric normal work week but take turns working circuitry. Mr. Powell, an apprentice lock­ standby if an emergency should occur at To Commissioned Officers smith who joined the shop last November, night or on a weekend. was an electrician at NIH for 5 years. He de­ The Key Control Unit secretary has the re­ The Commissioned Officers Dental Clinic cided to switch careers and to learn a new sponsibility and herculean task of keeping in Bldg. 31, Rm. B2B-34 provides complete field in which it usually takes 4 years to de­ track of each and every key issued at NIH. dental care to PHS Commissioned Officers. velop a mastery. This amounts to almost half-a-million names For an appointment, call 496-2484 from 0. Henry would have been proud of how being kept on file and cross-referenced 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Fri­ a modern day Jimmy Valentine, or four different ways, so that they know who day. D August 18, 1981 The NIH Record Page 7 and grant and contract support for research pecially as they relate to nutrition and the DR.KRETCHMER in the behavioral sciences was augmented. ability of the individual to adapt to his envi­ (Continued from Page 1) With grant and contract mechanisms ronment. He has published extensively in available to support cohesive, interdisci­ these areas. In 1974, aging became the focus of a sep­ plinary research and research training both He has served as consultant to the NIH arate Institute; and for a year, until July CRMC and CPR, Dr. Kretchmer sought to and many other advisory bodies, both gov­ 1975, Dr. Kretchmer held the dual posts of systematize and strengthen the scientific re­ ernment and private. He is currently advisor Acting Director of the newly established view and evaluation process for contracts to the World Health Organization, and on National Institute on Aging and NICHD Di­ and research centers, program project the boards of the USA-Israel Science Foun­ rector. As such, he was responsible for the grants, and institutional research training dation; the Children's Nutrition Research development of the research program of grants. Center, Baylor University; Heart I nterna­ the new NIA and for its initial administrative As part of this effort and to increase man­ tional Foundation; and the National Board, structure and organization. agerial efficiency in the Institute, he estab­ Ben Gurion University of the Negev. One of his first acts as NICHD Director lished the Office of the Associate Director Dr. Kretchmer expanded the NICHD's in­ was to implement a major reorganization of for Scientific Review within NICHD. volvement in international activities. He the Institute that resulted in the creation of was a member of U.S. delegations to China, Dr. Kretchmer is also responsible for the Center for Research for Mothers and Poland, and India and helped orchestrate initiating a planning process which will cul­ closer health and scientific ties with those Children. CRMC was made administratively minate with the publication of a 5-year re­ countries. His other international activities parallel to the already existing Center for search plan for the Institute, the first in its Population Research. have included memberships on editorial history. The CRMC is now the focal point in the boards of foreign journals, foreign profes­ Federal Government for research and re­ Prior to heading NICHD, he had been sional societies and a visiting professorship search training on the special health prob­ Harold K. Faber professor of pediatrics and at the University of Lagos. lems of mothers and children. chairman of the program in human biology He is a fellow of the American Academy To strengthen further the lnstitute's pro­ at Stanford University, where he had served of Pediatrics and the American Association gram in maternal and child health, Dr. in varying positions on the university and for the Advancement of Science, a member Kretchmer initiated, with congressional ap­ hospital staffs since 1959. of the Society for Research in Child Devel­ proval, the major research programs. Most Dr. Kretchmer was born in New York opment, and president of the International projects in this program concern the prena­ City, and received his Ph.D. from the Uni­ Organization for the Study of Human De­ tal or perinatal periods: several focus on versity of Minnesota in 1947 and his M.D. velopment. In 1978 he was president of the the problem of diabetes in pregnancy. from the State University of New York American Pediatric Society. As a result of the reorganization he di­ College of Medicine in 1952. He has also re­ Among Dr. Kretchmer's awards and fel­ rected, an increased emphasis was placed ceived honorary degrees from the Medical lowships are the Borden Award from the on behavioral science research within the College of Ohio at Toledo and from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Institute. A new behavioral and social sci­ University of Bern in Switzerland. Guggenheim Fellowship in Human Devel­ ences research branch, and a branch on His research interests are in developmen­ opment, and the PHS Superior Service human learning and behavior were created, tal biochemistry and perinatal biology, es- Award. □

Mrs. Hitz Retires; Worked With Three New Institutes Dr. Linell Murphy, Radiologist, In January 1958, after 20 years as a home­ ences, she received an award for successfully Dies of 'Lou Gehrig's Disease' maker and "feeling like Rip Van Winkle in the managing the Division's first National Advi­ office world," Vfrginia M. Hitz started work as sory Health Council meeting. Dr. W. Linell Murphy, 49, died July 24 at a clerk-typist at National Institute of Neuro­ In 1962, Mrs. Hitz joined the new National Bethesda Naval Hospital of amyotrophic lat­ logical Diseases and Blindness. Now, after 23 Institute of Child Health and Human Develop­ eral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's years at Nll'i, she has retired. ment as a secretary to Dr. Norman F. Gerrie, disease. She was a staff radiologist in the Mrs. Hitz is quite proud to have been part chief of the Communications Section. Diagnostic Radiology Department in the of the beginnings of three Institutes while at Four years later she moved to the Adult De­ Clinical Center for the past 2 years. velopment and Aging Branch of NICHD as a A native Washingtonian, she completed secretary to Dr. Leroy E. Duncan, Jr. When her undergraduate work at Skidmore this branch evolved into the National Institute College in Sarasota Springs, N.Y. She re­ on Aging in 1974, she continued as secretary ceived a master's degree in physiology from to Dr. Duncan in NIA's office of the director. Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, After Mrs. Hitz started working at NIH, she Mass., and an M.D. from Howard University decided to push her independence further College of Medicine in 1964. and became a world traveler. Since her hus­ In 1968, Dr. Murphy completed her resi­ band preferred to stay at home, she traveled dency at the Public Health Service Hospital on her own with the Club Americana. She has in Baltimore and became a clinical associate visited Africa, China, Japan, Australia, New there. Zealand, France, England, Ireland, the Fiji Is­ By 1969, she moved up to deputy chief of lands, the Virgin Islands, and many other radiology at the PHS Hospital, and in 1971, countries. she became chief of radiology. She was also an active member of the NIH Dr. Murphy was transferred to the Bureau Toastmasters Club. □ of Radiological Health at the Food and Drug Administration in June 1980. The PHS Credit Union Provides a Freebie! transferred her again in September 1980, Did you know that the NIH Federal Credit this time to the CC at NIH, where she was 1n retirement, Mrs. Hitz and her husband plan Union offers a free $2,000 life insurance pol­ still on active duty at the time of her death. to divide their time between their family home icy? It is one of the automatic benefits carried She is survived by daughters, Lori, of San in Olney and their working farm in Littlestown, on each share account. Jose, Calif., Shari and Cristina; husband, Pa. NIHFCU will match each insurable dollar on Charles; and mother, Ora Logan. NIH. In November 1958, she became a secre­ deposit with a dollar of life insu ranee up to tary to Mrs. Ethel Q. Wills in the newly $2,000. Training is everything: the peach was formed Division of General Medical Sciences. A sliding scale, dependent upon age, de­ once a bitter almond; cauliflower is nothing While at DGMS, which later became the termines coverage benefit. For more informa­ but cabbage with a college education.­

National Institute of General Medical Sci- tion, call 496-2332. □ Mark Twain □

Page 8 The NIH Record August 18, 1981 Nobel Prize, Science Topics of Swedish Symposium National Conference Held On Computers and Nursing

The First National Conference of Computer Technology and Nursing was hosted by the Clinical Center Nursing Department on June 24 in Masur Auditorium. Because the CC is in the forefront of hospi­ tals using complex computer systems in its Nursing Department, this conference grew out of the need for CC nurses to share their experiences in planning and implementing a computer medical information system and in designing unique nursing materials.

Over 200 Requests Received In 1980, the CC Nursing Department re­ ceived over 200 requests for information re­ lated to the impact of the CC's computerized medical information system on nursing. The conference was cosponsored by the CC Nursing Department; the Army Nurse Consultant Team, Tri-Service Medical Infor­ "Descendants" of Paul Ehrlich (c) at NIH have included the late Hugo Bauer (second from I), mation System; and the Division of Nursing, (1874-1968), who worked in NIADDK's Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology from 1938 until his Health Resources Administration/Bureau of death 30 years later. Dr. Bauer synthesized many new organic arsenicals in Dr. Ehrlich's laboratory Health Professions, HHS. before World War I. Nursing experts in this new area of comput­ Dr. Bernhard Witkop, chief, Laboratory of or Medicine with Dr. Elie Metchnikoff for ers and nursing spoke on how computers in­ Chemistry, National Institute of Arthritis, their studies on immunity. fluence nursing activities in hospital and com­ Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Dis­ Dr. Witkop will present new evidence, munity health settings; the administrative eases, will be a guest speaker at a symposi­ based on a letter written in 1910 by Nobel planning, implementation and data base de­ um commemorating the 80th anniversary of Laureate Emil Theodor Kocher, that Dr. velopment required to use a computer sys­ the commencement of the annual Nobel Ehrlich was a candidate for a second Nobel tem; and the problems and challenges of sys­ Prize awards. Prize in Chemistry for his discovery of sal­ tem evaluation. Sponsored by the Nobel Foundation, the varsan. The more than 700 conference participants meeting will be held at Alfred Nobel's home represented deans of collegiate schools of Proceedings Will Be Published in Bjorkborn, Karlskoga, Sweden, nursing, program planners of university and Aug. 18-21. Proceedings of the Nobel symposium will community hospitals, and high level adminis­ Dr. Witkop and 34 eminent scientists, his­ be published in English and available within trators from computer and health care indus­ torians, philosophers, and sociologists will a year. Dr. DeWitt S. Stetten, scientist tries all across the nation. meet to discuss Science, Technology, and emeritus, is editing a publication dealing According to the moderator, Ruth Carlsen, Society in the Time of Alfred Nobel. They with the history of science, in which this chief of nursing education, CC, the impact of will concentrate on the impact of the rapid symposium will be described. computer technology on nursing is very great growth of science and technology on socie­ Dr. Witkop, German-born, came to NIH and there exists a great need to prepare ty through the years 1860 to 1914, and ex­ in 1950 after serving several years as in­ nurses for working with computers. In gen­ amine the civilizing and educational func­ structor and lecturer in chemistry at eral, the health care profession is struggling tions of science in our time. Harvard University. He received his Ph.D. to catch up. in 1940 from the University of Munich. Nurses use computers in documenting pa­ Candidacy Evidence In 1980, the President of the Federal Re­ tient care, record-keeping, planning, ordering public of Germany appointed Dr. Witkop to In a lecture entitled Paul Ehrlich: His supplies, developing staffing patterns, and a 6-year term on the Council of the Paul Ideas and His Legacy, Dr. Witkop will for fulfilling doctor's orders. Ehrlich Foundation, Frankfurt. The council the first time, present documents from the Due to the overwhelming response to this nominates candidates for the prestigious Nobel Archives showing that the late Dr. conference, Ms. Carlsen said that future con­ Paul Ehrlich Prize, an award of 80,000 DM Ehrlich was a candidate for the first Nobel ferences on this topic are needed to help (approximately $40,000). It was established Prize in Medicine, although awarded to Dr. those involved in the nursing profession to in 1929 by Hedwig Ehrlich, his widow, to Emil von Behring for his (anti-)diphtheria work with computers in the health care set­ honor outstanding biomedical scholars. serum. tings. □ The prize was discontinued in 1934 and Dr. Ehrlich originated the concept of "re­ reinstituted in 1952. Many Ehrlich Prize ceptors" which later triggered research on winners have subsequently been awarded a vast scale. Dr. Witkop's own studies on Along the Boardwalk the Nobel Prize. At NIH, Dr. Wallace P. the utilization of naturally occurring toxins In Atlantic City Rowe, NIAID, received the Ehrlich Prize in for mapping receptors will provide the 1979. background and proper perspective. □ R&W is planning a trip to the Playboy Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City on Friday Dr. Ehrlich (1854-1915) generally is re­ Exercise Regularly garded as the founder of chemotherapy. He Aug. 28. The $22 per person includes is most widely known for the discovery of Almost everyone can benefit from round-trip transportation in the new the "magic bullet" or salvarsan (arsphena­ exercise-and 'there's some form of exer­ double-decker Playboy Club motor coach. mine), the first drug found to selectively cise almost everyone can do. (If you have Smoking and nonsmoking sections, hostess destroy the organism causing syphilis, any doubt, check with your doctor.) Usual­ and bar service on each deck and other gra­ Spirocheta pa/Iida. ly, as little as 15 to 30 minutes of vigorous tuities will be included. Salvarsan was later found to be a compli­ exercise three times a week will help you Buses will leave Bldg. 31C at 8 a.m. sharp cated mixture of linear and cyclic have a healthier heart, eliminate excess and leave Atlantic City at 6 p.m. polyarsenic molecules. According to Dr. weight, tone up sagging muscles, and sleep Sign up at the Activities Desk, Bldg. 31, Witkop, it no longer is a "magic bullet" but better, Think how much difference all these Rm. 1A-18. Full payment is due at time of resembles "magic buckshot." In 1908, Dr. improvements could make in the way you booking and no refunds will be given. Res­ Ehrlich shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology feel!-Health Style-PHS 8150155□ ervations are limited. □

August 18, 1981 The NIH Record Page 9 DR. WHEDON Rheumatology Researchers Dr. Bourgeois Leaves NIAID; (Continued from Page 1) Receive Awards in Paris Aided Minority Students In 1962, Surgeon General Luther L. Terry appointed Dr. Whedon to succeed Dr. Seven NIH-associated scientists received in­ Dr. Louis D. Bourgeois, NIAID's special Floyd S. Doft as Director of the Institute. ternational recognition for their research at assistant for manpower development with Since that time, the National Institute of the recent 15th International Congress of the Extramural Activities Program, retired Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, as it was Rheumatology held in Paris. They were all in­ on Aug. 7, after 19 years of government then known, has expanded its purview to tramural and grant-supported scientists affili­ service. include research on a wide range of dis­ ated with the National Institute of Arthritis, Born in Trinidad, West Indies, he re­ eases, including: Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. ceived his secondary education at the Pro­ Arthritis and connective tissue diseases; Ors. Paul Plotz, David Finbloom, Daniel gressive Education Institute, Port of Spain. skin diseases; diseases of the bone and Magilavy, and Abdulla Rifai were named the He later earned a B.S. degree in chemistry musculoskeletal system; diabetes, cystic fi­ recipients of the Societe Francaise de from Howard University, and M.S. and brosis, and other metabolic and endocrine Rhumatologie Prize, given for unpublished Ph.D. degrees in microbiology from the disorders; digestive diseases; nutritional original clinical, biological, or experimental George Washington and the Catholic disorders; diseases of the kidney and uri­ research in rheumatology. Universities. nary tract; and blood diseases. The society awarded the present and Dr. Whedon's research has focused on former NIADDK intramural scientists 10,000 the metabolic and physiological aspects of French francs (approximately $2,000) in recog­ convalescence and immobilization; metab­ nition of their recent studies showing that an­ olism and respiratory physiology in paralyt­ tigen structure and size influence the deposi­ ic poliomyelitis; metabolic and kinetic stud­ tion of immune complexes at specific sites ies of disorders of bone, including (reported in the June 23, 1981, issue of The osteoporosis; human energy metabolism; NIH Record). clinical nutrition; and space medicine, par­ Dr. Plotz, a senior investigator in the Arthri­ ticularly musculoskeletal metabolism. tis and Rheumatism Branch, is currently on He has been a consultant to the Office of sabbatical leave at the Kennedy Institute for Life Sciences, NASA, and the recipient of Rheumatology in London. Dr. Finbloom is an that agency's Exceptional Scientific ARB clinical associate; Dr. Magilavy (former Achievement Award (1974). NIADDK scientist) is currently assistant pro­ Dr. Whedon received the Tuttle Award of fessor of pediatrics at the National Children's the Aerospace Medical Association (1978) Hospital in Washington, D.C.; and Dr. Rifai (a for his supervision of metabolism studies former NIADDK scientist) is a research associ­ during the Skylab flights. These studies ate at the University of Washington, Seattle. showed that there is a loss of calcium from Three grantees shared the prestigious Inter­ bones in weightlessness. At a farewell luncheon, Dr. Bourgeois was national Geigy Rheumatism Prize. Established praised for his work in bringing new vitality to For several years he was the chairman of by the Ciba-Geigy Corporation of Basel, the lnstitute's training program. NASA's Life Sciences Advisory Committee Switzerland, the award is given every 4 years and a member of its Space Program Adviso­ at the congress for outstanding research in Dr. Bourgeois began his career as a medi­ ry Council. the field of arthritis and related disorders. A cal technologist with Children's Hospital in Dr. Whedon received his A.B. from maximum of three prizes are awarded, Washington, D.C., in 1953. He joined the Hobart College in 1936 and his M.D. from totaling 50,000 Swiss francs ($24,250). National Institutes of Health in 1962 as a su­ the University of Rochester School of Medi­ The Geigy First Prize was awarded to Dr. pervisory microbiologist with the Clinical cine in 1941. He has also been awarded Daniel J. McCarty, professor and chairman, Center's Pathology Department. honorary doctor of science degrees from department of medicine at the Medical In 1969 he left NIH to teach for 1 year at both institutions. College of Wisconsin, and research director the Washington Technical Institute in He interned at the Mary Imogene Bassett of the NIADDK-funded multipurpose arthritis Washington, D.C. He rejoined NIH as pro­ Hospital, Cooperstown, N.Y., and was later center at MCW. He was recognized for ongo­ gram officer for the Division of Allied associated with the Strong Memorial Hospi­ ing work, begun in the 1960's, on the role of Health Manpower and was appointed train­ tal in Rochester, the Cornell University microcrystals in gout, pseudogout, and the ing officer for NIAID's Extramural Programs Medical College, and the New York Hospi­ "Milwaukee shoulder syndrome." in 1974. tal. A member of the NIAID-EEO Advisory The Geigy Second Prize was awarded jointly Dr. Whedon is the author of 80 scientific Committee, Dr. Bourgeois was also the ln­ to Drs. C. William Castor and David S. How­ publications and a member of many medi­ stitute's contract compliance coordinator. ell. cal and scientific societies. He also has In 1973 he was the recipient of the Feder­ been a member of the editorial boards of Dr. Castor is professor of medicine and act­ al Special Achievement Award, and most re­ the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and ing chief of the arthritis division of the Uni­ cently was honored with one of the 1980 versity of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Metabolism and Calcified Tissue Re­ NIAID-EEO Special Achievement Awards Arbor. He was awarded the prize for his re­ search. □ "for his special efforts in establishing search on how peptides and other substances mechanisms to assist minority students and Food Allergy Volunteers Wanted stimulate fibroblastic cells to make ground faculty through the Minority Access to Re­ substances, proteoglycans, and other agents search Careers program." The Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, thought to play a role in the connective tissue Dr. Bourgeois's wife, Dr. Marie J., has NIAID, is seeking volunteers for an ongoing activation of rheumatic diseases. joined him in retirement. On July 28 she left study on the diagnosis of food allergy. Dr. Howell, professor of medicine and di­ her position as administrator of the Training Any person, male or female, from 18 to 55 rector of the arthritis division of the Univer­ Grants and Fellowship Program, Division of years of age, who suffers reactions within sity of Miami Medical School, was a member Nursing, Health Resources Administration. 12 hours after eating could qualify as a sub­ of the intramural research staff of the Na­ Together with their son Jerrick they are ject. tional Heart Institute, 1951 to 1954. He was looking forward to their move to Cape The reactions could be manifested as honored for his studies on the production of Cod. □ hives, asthma, nausea or vomiting, and ana­ pyrophosphate in chondrocalcinosis, for the phylaxis (dizziness, shortness of breath, or characterization of cartilage neutral proteases loss of consciousness). and their role in the destruction of articular The difference between winning and los­ For further information on this volunteer cartilage in osteoarthritis, and for investiga­ ing any contest begins long before the program, call Dr. Dean Metcalfe, tions on regulators of mineral deposits in game starts. The winners expect to win; the 496-2165.□ growth plates. □ losers just hope.-Wi/1 Rogers □

Page 10 The NIH Record August 18, 1981 Intensive Epilepsy Monitoring Provides New Help for Patients By Diane Striar

After 14 years of uncontrolled epilepsy, and fewer side effects. "I'm not as drowsy Marcy Key's seizures are disappearing. now," says Marcy, "and my concentration "That's the best news I've had," says the has improved." young woman, who used to have daily sei­ Unlike Marcy, who had three different zures. Since Marcy's discharge last Septem­ types of epileptic seizures, some patents di­ ber from a study of intensive epilepsy moni­ agnosed as having intractable epilepsy actu­ toring at the NIH Clinical Center, she has ally do not have the disorder. Intensive had only two or three seizures a month. monitoring indicates that the EEG's of these Marcy is 1 of approximately 100 patients patients are normal during seizure who participated in a research project of in­ activity-proof that their seizures are psy­ tractable epilepsy conducted by the Nation­ chogenic, not epileptic, in nature. al Institute of Neurological and Communi­ Getting a Handle on Seizure Types Dr. Porter adjusts equipment worn by an epi­ cative Disorders and Stroke since 1975. leptic child. The EEG is broadcast to the antenna The need to film seizures is tied to the in­ The therapeutic technique that has (c) and fed into the equipment, correlating trac­ helped control Marcy's and other patients' termittent and diverse nature of epilepsy. ings with the patient's camera-recorded move­ epilepsy is a detailed video information sys­ "One of the problems that has always ment. Telemetering permits the patients to tem which simultaneously films seizures plagued the study of epilepsy is that symp­ move normally while scientists study actions of and records their electrical activity as meas­ toms are episodic," says Dr. Porter. "You various experimental drugs. ured by an electroencephalogram. The sys­ can look at the patient three times a day tem also includes frequent blood tests to and see nothing. With continuous Anna's days at the CC are spent working determine how the patient metabolizes the videotape recording, we can get a handle on arts and crafts and answering the phone drugs used in treatment. on seizure activity." in patient activities. All of the epilepsy pa­ Seizures are filmed by two television Research is also made difficult by the het­ tients are visited by a social worker and cameras-one providing a full shot of the erogenous nature of epilepsy. The Interna­ some participate in occupational or physical patient, the other a close-up view. Both tional Classification of Epileptic Seizures therapy. Anna views the time spent at NIH as an education. "When I came here, it was images are displayed simultaneously on a lists 20 different types. the first time I ever saw someone have a sei­ video screen along with the patient's EEG A Treatment Revolution recording. zure," she says. The EEG is obtained from a radio teleme­ According to Dr. Porter, intensive moni­ Anna, like Marcy and another former pa­ try transmitter contained in a plastic head­ toring is revolutionizing the treatment of tient Sharon Drake, describes the patients band worn by the patient. The transmitter severe epilepsy in this country. An and staff on 5-West as a "little family." carries the brain wave signal to the televi­ increasing number of doctors are referring "There's definitely a family atmosphere," sion screen from eight electrodes placed on their "intractable" cases to some 30 inten­ concurs Dr. Porter, who recalls that two pa­ the patient's scalp. sive monitoring units around the country. tients met on the ward, fell in love, and The four epilepsy patients currently in the Six of these projects are located at NINCDS­ married. study are monitored twice a week for 6 supported Comprehensive Epilepsy Re­ Former inpatient Sharon, who was hours at a time. By studying the resulting search Programs. Marcy's roommate on 5-West, says: "If I videotapes, NINCDS neurologists are able Evidence of the new technique's effect­ had any problem, I could call on a nurse to differentiate the types of seizures that iveness can be found in a recent 2-year just to talk." these patients have. followup study of 74 of the 100 CC patients Sharon could also count on Marcy, who Identifying the seizure type is the most who were monitored between 1976 and came to NIH equipped with a medical dic­ important step in determining which 1980. The average amount of time spent in tionary, to explain medical jargon. "I anticonvulsant drug to prescribe, according the hospital was 12½ weeks. helped Sharon out at NIH and she helped to Dr. Roger J. Porter, chief of the Epilepsy When discharged, 67 percent of the pa­ me," says Marcy who considers the friend­ Branch of NINCDS's Neurological Disorders tients had fewer seizures, 73 percent had ship that began at the CC very special. Program. decreased drug side effects, and 30 percent The two women continued their mutual Seizure classification-combined with a. had improved their personal or work situa­ support when Marcy moved into Sharon's neurological examination, thorough study tions. Rockville, Md., house. Marcy, who rarely of the patient's history and an analysis of Two years later, followup evaluations has seizures, now helps Sharon-making the level of antiepileptic drugs in the pa­ showed that a majority of the patients still sure she doesn't injure herself during a sei­ tient's blood-allows NINCDS physicians to had fewer seizures and reduced drug side zure. Sharon still has frequent seizures, but revise the treatment plan as needed. The effects. An even greater number of patients she is experiencing fewer drug side effects. physician might prescribe a different drug, (41 percent) had improved their job status Information obtained during intensive for example, or might increase or decrease or personal relationships. monitoring, in conjunction with the results the dosage of a drug that failed to control Even if a patient is seizure-free while of a PET (position emission tomography) 0 seizures in the past. being monitored at the CC, staff doctors _scan, indicates that Sharon is a likely candi­ date for surgery. Intractable Epilepsy Patients Only can measure blood levels of medication, altering the dosage or the drug-or both. "Right now, I feel as if I'm in a holding pattern." says Sharon, who is waiting to Most people with epilepsy do not require One patient who falls into this category is take some final diagnostic tests which will the battery of tests and film sessions in­ 24-year-old Anna Bezilli from Long Island. confirm whether surgery is a practical step. volved in intensive monitoring. About 80 Although she has been at NIH since last Jan­ While Sharon awaits further testing, percent of all epileptic seizures are com­ uary, she has had very few seizures while housemate Marcy is exploring job and pletely or partially controlled with medica­ hospitalized at 5-West, CC-even when tak­ tion. Marcy's case, however, is typical of ing previously ineffective drugs. Her sei­ school opportunities. She wants to attend night school to "build up my math and the over 200,000 epileptic patients who have zures increase, however, when she goes reading." not been helped by conventional drug ther­ home to visit, a phenomenon she attributes Anna, who is still on the ward, would like apy. to stress. to go home soon, but she values her NIH She was on various combinations of The Clinical Center Family experience. "I have more hope now," she carbamazepi ne, phenobarbital, mesantoin, says, "and that's what makes you a per­ and chlorpromazine before coming to NIH. While the doctors continue to alter son." After 2 months of intensive monitoring, she Anna's medication to control her seizures at was placed on a more effective dosage of home, the thin, brown-haired woman is Note: Names of patients in this article have carbamazepine. The result: greater control enjoying "a nice little break." been changed.□

August 18, 1981 The NIH Record Page 11 New Method for Oral Cancer Detection Developed Rena Murtha Appointed CC Nursing Dept. Chief A new procedure for detection of early acid solution followed by water to remove mouth cancers has been developed by a saliva. A solution of 1 percent toluidine Rena Murtha, formerly vice-president for grantee of the National Institute of Dental blue is then used as a rinse and gargle; this nursing affairs at Baystate Medical Center in Research. is followed by a second acetic acid rinse Massachusetts, became chief of the Clinical Dr. Arthur Mashberg, Veterans Adminis­ and a final water rinse. Areas staining dark Center's Nursing Department on July 13. tration Hospital, East Orange, N.J., has blue after such a procedure are suspected Prior to her position at Baystate Medical found that rinsing the mouth with toluidine of being cancerous. Center, she was the associate hospital ad­ blue dye will disclose cancer areas previ­ After a 2-week wait to allow time for ministrator for nursing service and educa­ ously undetected by clinical observation. noncancerous lesions to heal, toluidine tion at Westchester County Medical Center Such a test may serve as an adjunct to thor­ blue is then applied to the same area by the in Valhalla, N.Y., for 3 years. ough clinical examinations and to help de­ swab method. If the tissue again stains From 1973 to 1975, Ms. Murtha served as termine the need for biopsies to detect oral blue, biopsy is indicated. director of nursing of the prison health cancer. A comparison of the swabbing and rins­ services in the New York City Health De­ Clinicians now depend upon visual rec­ ing methods as applied to 105 persistent le­ partment. While director there, she helped ognition of suspicious lesions. However, sions confirmed that both methods are reli­ establish a prison nursing advisory council, small early lesions, with slight surface able for detecting the 51 cancerous lesions. a continuing education program in changes but no obvious symptoms, vary False-negative results for swabs were 2 per­ suicidology, and the creation of nurse prac­ widely in appearance and size and may es­ cent, and for rinses, 9.3 percent. False­ titioner and cotherapist roles. cape detection by routine clinical examina­ positive results for swabs were 9.3 percent tion. and for rinses, 7.4 percent. However, the Because toluidine blue rinse may stain ir­ rinses disclosed four additional, previously ritated areas as well as early cancerous le­ unidentified cancers as proved by biopsy sions, some time must be allowed for later. noncancerous lesions to heal after a posi­ Dr. Mashberg points out that rinsing with tive stain to avoid a false-positive reaction. toluidine blue is a quick, simple office pro­ This method may be especially helpful for cedure for screening high-risk persons less experienced clinicians who might not (heavy drinkers, and smokers). It may also recognize an early or subtle cancerous prove useful in diagnosing cancer of other change in the tissue, and for rapid mass lining membranes of the body. He suggests screening of individuals at high risk for oral that if an area stains blue with a properly cancer. applied rinse, and restains when swabbed Because early mouth cancers are painless with toluidine blue 2 weeks later, a biopsy and may be overlooked by both patient and specimen should be taken for final diagno­ doctor, the rinse method should facilitate sis by a pathologist. Ms. Murtha anticipates many new experiences detection at an earlier stage when treatment Dr. Mashberg's research was reported in while working at the Clinical Center. Although is more successful. a recent issue of the Journal of the Ameri­ she has had years of experience in nursing ad­ The patient rinses first with a weak acetic can Medical Association. □ ministration, this is her first position in a biomedical research setting.

A native New Yorker, Ms. Murtha has also worked as a staff nurse at the Fordham Hos­ pital, and as head nurse and supervisor at the Bronx Municipal Hospital, both in New York. She received her B.S. and M.A. degrees in nursing administration from Teacher's College, Columbia University. Several pro­ fessional organizations in which she has been active include Deans and Directors of Nursing of Greater New York, and the Task Force for Massachusetts Society of Nursing Service Administrators. Ms. Murtha has written for the American Journal of Nursing, the American Nurse, and the Journal of Social Work and Health Care. In her free time, she enjoys attending the opera, ballet, and theater, and staying at her house on the water in Rhode Island. □ Artists To Exhibit Their Work R&W is sponsoring an art show and sale, featuring two artists, on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 18 and 19, in the patio area of Bldg. 31, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Gary Greene has exhibited his art at the Ecole De Paris Gallery, Chevy Chase Gallerie, and several others. He was influ­ enced by the impressionists and his profes­ sional artist mother, and has developed a technique of his own. rare 32- e r-old photog aph depicts Bldg. 1 during he formativ� years of NIH. In the background Mary Gooch-a 78-year-old self-taught � � .1; � _ _ � 1s the prehm1nary excavation for what 1s now the Clm1cal Center. In the far background is the con­ artist, writer, and pianist-will display her vent home of the Sisters of the Visitation, who sold 50.2 acres of their property to the government oil paintings of country scenes.□ in 1949. *U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1981-341-134/124

Page 12 The NIH Record August 18, 1981