Washington University School of Medicine Digital Commons@Becker Washington University Record Washington University Publications 9-30-1993 Washington University Record, September 30, 1993 Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/record Recommended Citation "Washington University Record, September 30, 1993" (1993). Washington University Record. Book 630. http://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/record/630 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Washington University Publications at Digital Commons@Becker. It has been accepted for inclusion in Washington University Record by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Becker. For more information, please contact [email protected]. TnSexea' WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST LOUIS iecord Vol. 18 No. 6 Sept. 30,1993 Pioneering work is good news/bad news for allergy sufferers Those who dread the sneezin' and wheezin' season — or simply the idea of allergies in general — face a new concern brought to light by a Washington University immunobiologist. Anu Dixit, Ph.D., a National Institutes of Health fellow at Washington University, has identified the allergenic proteins of a little- known but major allergen that, unlike most allergens we're familiar with, is a potential health threat year-round. The allergen, Epicoccum nigrum (EN), is a fungus, not pollen from a flowering plant, and it can be found everywhere — from clothes, to drapes and air-conditioning ducts indoors, to leaves, plants, rocks and soil outdoors. Allergists have known for years that a limited range of fungi (interchange- ably referred to as molds) have allergenic properties. Dixit's study is the first to show that allergenicity to EN is a concern in two climatologically distinct areas of the country — St. Louis and Corpus Christi, Texas. Using a variety of biochemical tools, she also is the first scientist to distinguish allergenicity between the microscopic EN spores (the minute, asexual reproductive bodies) and its mycelia (the threadlike veg- etative bodies), both of which easily become Students compete in the tricycle race during last year's Homecoming celebration. The event will be featured again this year, along with many other activities. Homecoming week is set for Oct. 4-9. airborne. Her work points out the inad- equacy of commercial extracts, which are prepared primarily with fungal mycelia only, in treating allergic patients. Extracts are biochemical potions that contain the aller- Homecoming'93 genic proteins found in a substance. They are used in both skin testing to determine Week recognizes achievement, Teri Clemens named grand marshal allergenicity and in immunotherapy as a People who participate in Homecoming Federko's Bar and Grill, 375 N. Big Bend 1989 and 1992. She also was named the shot to desensitize patients. 1993 can help local flood victims by Blvd., with free food and drinks (the Wash- American Volleyball Coaches Association's "The data suggest that EN is a significant tossing paper airplanes into the air. ington Redskins and the Miami Dolphins 1991 NCAA Division III Coach of the Year. allergen in urban communities," says Dixit. During a new Homecoming event called will play); the ever-popular parade, with Several weeks ago, Clemens notched her "Allergenic proteins occur in both spore and Paper Airplane Toss, participants will buy Teri Clemens, head volleyball coach, as 300th career victory. mycelia, which indicates that both have to be chances to throw their paper airplanes grand marshal; floatbuilding; a tailgate Continuing last year's tradition, students included in the reagents (testing substances) across The Swamp in the South 40. Among party; a pizza-eating contest; a pingpong will elect a Homecoming court. On Sept. for skin testing and immunotherapy for EN other considerations, those who throw their ball drop; Wacky Olympics, complete with 30, elections will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 and probably most allergenic molds." light creations the farthest will win cash a tricycle race and a waiter relay competi- p.m. in Mallinckrodt Center and from 5 to 7 The mold story and other prizes. The toss will be held from tion, among other activities; a dance (for p.m. in Wohl Center. The elections are for a Mold spores in the air typically outnumber 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 5. The cost is the Washington community only); a faculty king and queen, to be elected from the pollen by 1,000 to one or more, she adds. 50 cents to sling one plane and $1 to throw appreciation reception; and Homecoming senior class. The court will consist of a There are thousands of different species of three. The Homecoming Steering Commit- Night at The Rat events. (For a complete male and female member from each of the molds. One hundred or so have been associ- tee will provide the paper to make the schedule, seepage 4.) freshman, sophomore and junior classes. ated with allergies, but of these only three airplanes. Event proceeds will benefit local The Homecoming theme is "Only If You The eight court members will be announced have been totally characterized. flood relief efforts. Campus radio station Want It!" The 1993 Homecoming Steering during the Wacky Olympics, which will be "We hope the work we've done with EN KWUR will provide music during the Committee chose the theme "Only If You held from 4 to 5 p.m. Oct. 8 on the law will be a model system for understanding activity. Want It!" for many reasons, said Gobel, a field. The court will ride in the parade and how to characterize mold allergens and "The committee is proud to add the senior majoring in political science and will be recognized and presented prizes eventually to devise more efficient extracts paper airplane toss to the long list of flood psychology. "To us, this saying captures the during halftime at the football game. for immunotherapy," Dixit says. relief efforts occurring at Washington idea of striving to be the best. Hopefully, Continued on page 4 Continued on page 6 University," said Krishna Gobel, publicity people will think about the theme and co-chair for the committee. The committee realize that one can accomplish almost any also wanted to encourage campus-wide goal if one tries." Campus Police assign additional officers support for flood victims, added Lynne Recognizing achievement was on the Tapper, the committee's special events committee members' minds when they to patrol Hilltop following armed robbery chair. selected Clemens as grand marshal, Gobel Homecoming 1993, slated for Oct. 4-9, said. Under Clemens leadership, the volley- Shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday, Julian B. campus is not immune from crime. The also will feature sumo wrestling and The ball team won the National Collegiate Fleischman, Ph.D., associate professor county police and our Campus Police are Hurricane, a money machine game. Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division III of molecular microbiology at the Washing- working diligently to apprehend the person Among the highlights will be the Home- national championship in 1989, making ton University School of Medicine, was responsible for this incident. Patrols on the coming football game, which will be held Clemens the first female coach whose team attacked by an assailant during a robbery campus have been increased. I urge every- at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 in Francis Field when the captured the crown. The Bears also won the on the Hilltop Campus near the northeast one in the University community to be Bears battle Rhodes College of Memphis. championship in 1991 and 1992. For her corner of the Mallinckrodt Center. vigilant and careful," Danforth noted. Other scheduled events include large-screen successes, Asics/Volleyball Monthly named Fleischman was rushed to a hospital for The assailant is described as a black viewings of Monday Night Football at Clemens National Coach of the Year in treatment of multiple stab wounds and is male, 6'1" to 6'2" tall, between 20 and 25 currently reported to be in stable condition years, black hair, short-cropped facial hair, following surgery Saturday night. mustache, dark complexion, thin-to- Washington University Police have medium build, 180 to 190 pounds, wearing In This Issue... assigned additional officers to patrol the a black baseball cap with white writing, Hilltop Campus. Two officers will patrol blue-and-white plaid shirt, dark pants and Detecting heart attacks: School of Medicine researchers develop a the center of campus — either on foot or black boots. Anyone with information new blood test that makes heart attack diagnosis easier Page 2 by motor scooter — each evening. regarding the suspect should contact In a statement released today, Chancel- Detective Robert Marbs of the Campus Opening new doors: David D. Chaplin, M.D., Ph.D., hopes to lor William H. Danforth said "I am Police at 935-5555. control diseases by identifying the genes that cause them Page 3 shocked and saddened by the stabbing. My Identification of the attending hospital heart goes out to Professor Fleischman. and additional details regarding the attack Literary launch: International Writers Center begins reading series, "The safety and well-being of students, are being withheld at this time, pending an which features up-and-coming writers Page 6 faculty, staff and visitors to the campus is investigation by St. Louis County Police, of highest priority. Unfortunately, the which has jurisdiction in the case. 2 Washington University Record Medical Update New blood test makes heart attack diagnosis easier Every year, millions of Americans seek medical attention for symptoms that could point to a heart attack. Their symptoms can stem from a host of prob- lems, from cardiovascular disease to indi- gestion. The physician's challenge is to find the cause — as quickly and accurately as possible. The methods physicians now use to distinguish heart attacks from other medical problems are generally quite reli- able, but there are still situations in which diagnosis can be tricky.