Workshop on Inclusion of Children in Research
A workshop to examine the participation of children in clinical research was held recently at NIH, sponsored by NICHD and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
It was convened in response to concerns that many medical treatments administered to children are based on results of research performed only on adults, said NICHD director Dr. Duane Alexander. An added concern was that excluding children from taking part in clinical studies to protect them from potential risks would also result in their being denied the benefits of research.
Dr. Paul McCarthy, of Yale University and the AAP Council on Pediatric Research, said AAP sought to convene a workshop to learn what could improve children's access to research, as many members of the group believed research on children lagged behind that on adults. As an example, he cited a recent NIH Request for Applications on hypertension in minorities, which did not make any provisions to include children, despite the fact that hypertension is a serious problem in African American adolescents.
"The perception that the needs of children may be underserved reflects problems inherent in clinical research involving children, opportunities for creating new insights into important biologic and behavioral issues affecting children and youth, and, undoubtedly, barriers within the academic communities that impede the conduct of effective research involving children," AAP members stated in a paper submitted to conferees.
Dr. Ellen Wright Clayton of Children's Hospital of Vanderbilt University Medical Center outlined the various ethical conflicts surrounding the need to include children in research. The need for such research is clear, she wrote in a paper accompanying her presentation. Most available drugs have simply never been tested in children, she wrote, even though children differ physiologically from adults in important ways. This forces physicians to extrapolate from the adult data, or to rely on anecdotal evidence or on expert opinion. However, she added, children cannot simply be enrolled in trials in the same way that adults can.
Breakout groups discussed the problem and reported general agreement that some action by NIH is appropriate to try to increase inclusion of children in research. A summary of the workshop proceedings is now in preparation.
Gene with Role in Uterine Cancer Found
Some endometrial cancers, or tumors in the uterus, appear to result from a mutation in a DNA repair gene, called MSH3, scientists at NIEHS reported recently in Nature Genetics.
When impaired, the gene fails to correct errors that may occur in DNA, the genetic code of cells, the scientists said. These errors may result from environmental or chemical exposures and occur when the cell makes copies of its DNA for new cells.
These uncorrected errors, or genetic instability, can result in misspellings, unnecessary stuttering or deletions of the genetic code. This type of instability has been reported in many types of human tumors. Thus, in addition to the role of impaired MSH3 in endocrine cancer, the researchers said, it may play a role in these "other neoplasms that display microsatellite instability" -- colon, pancreas, ovary, stomach, lung and bladder.
Some 35,000 sporadic endometrial cancers occur each year in the United States. The uterus is the fourth most common tumor site in women, after breast, lung and colon-rectal.
Camera Club Meets, Oct. 8
The NIH R&W Camera Club will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Bldg. 31, Rm. 6C08. Guest speaker is John W. Boretos, a longtime club member who has taught photography and won numerous awards. The title of his talk is "Award Winning Photos Through Creative Lensmanship."
The subject for the evening's competition is photojournalism. Formats include black and white and color prints, and color slides. For more information, call Dr. Yuan Liu, 4-6382.
Biomedical Calendar Available
The 1996-1997 Calendar of Biomedical Meetings and Events, which includes meetings sponsored by NIH as well as those of major medical societies and biomedical research associations, is available from the Office of Communications, OD. To obtain a copy, call Betty Riley, 6-8855.
CC Hosts Medicine Lectures for Public
Drug-resistant bacteria, nicotine addiction, and aging are among topics that will be covered in the Clinical Center's Medicine for the Public lecture series, which begins Oct. 1.
The lectures, which are free and open to the public, are held at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays in Masur Auditorium, Bldg. 10.
The Medicine for the Public lecture series, now in its 20th year, features physician-scientists working at the forefront of medical research at NIH. For more information call Clinical Center Communications, 6-2563.
This year's schedule:
Oct. 1: Drug Abuse: A Preventable Behavior; Drug Addiction: A Treatable Disease. Dr. Alan Leshner, director, National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Oct. 8: Heart Attacks and Cardiovascular Risks in Men and Women. Dr. Jeffrey Hoeg, chief, cell biology section, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Oct. 15: Nicotine Addiction: Science, Medicine, and Public Policy. Dr. Jack Henningfield, chief, Clinical Pharmacology Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Oct. 22: Drug-Resistant Bacteria: Old Foes with New Faces. Dr. David Henderson, CC deputy director for clinical care.
Oct. 29: Colorectal Cancer Therapy Now and into the Next Millennium. Dr. Carmen Allegra, chief, National Cancer Institute-Navy Medical Oncology Branch.
Nov. 12: Aging: Genes, Cells, and Selves. Dr. Richard Hodes, director, National Institute on Aging.
Fran Damages NIEHS Headquarters
Hurricane Fran, which hit North Carolina late Sept. 5, closed NIEHS the following day when flooding, tree-blocked roads, downed electric lines and malfunctioning traffic lights made driving to work in the area perilous.
Damage to NIEHS was generally confined to shorted electrical circuits, some soggy carpets and loosened ceiling tiles. But the first talk in NIEHS' 1996-97 Distinguished Lecture Series, which was to have been Sept. 10, was indefinitely postponed when the home hosting the lecturer, NCI molecular biology lab chief Ira Pastan, lost power -- and hotel rooms were unavailable because they were filled with people fleeing flooded or damaged homes.
The main NIEHS campus in Research Triangle Park never lost power but the smaller North Campus did -- and when its backup generator also failed, on Saturday, scientists and other volunteers moved freezers to the main campus' new F module laboratories, where they could get power.
Tall trees fell but damaged no NIEHS buildings and blocked no campus roads.
Most employees' homes lost power for at least a day and many remained without power into the following week. With TV silenced, some enjoyed bringing out board games to play by candlelight. But serious property damage -- trees through roofs and bedrooms and baths, for example -- were suffered by numerous employees.
"I love this area for its mild winters and sailing," one recent addition to the workforce from the Washington area said, "but this winter my pipes froze and broke, and this summer, during Fran, I awoke to a crack as a tree outside my bedroom broke off and hit the roof. My jogging trail is a mess and I haven't been able to get to my boat to see if it's ok. The 'best place to live in America' isn't supposed to be like this!"
Winter To Give Lieberman Lecture
Dr. Greg Winter, head of the division of protein and nucleic acid chemistry at the Medical Research Council laboratory of molecular biology at Cambridge University, will deliver the Rose Lieberman Lecture on Monday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m. in Lipsett Amphitheater, Bldg. 10. The presentation is titled "Making Human Antibodies by Phage Display Technology."
NIAID's Laboratory of Immunology established the lectureship to communicate innovations in the field that the late Rose Lieberman, a distinguished 30-year NIAID veteran, helped pioneer. Her research is fundamental to understanding the genetic basis of the structure and synthesis of antibody molecules. Winter exemplifies the type of scientist Lieberman was and admired. He also serves as deputy director of the MRC Centre for Protein Engineering at Cambridge University. After graduating from Cambridge in 1973, his postdoctoral work involved nucleotide sequencing, and he completed the sequencing of influenza virus. Subsequently, his work has focused on the development of modern protein chemistry -- engineering new and altered proteins by manipulation of their genes. A reception will follow the lecture in the amphitheater lobby.
FAES Concert Set
The first concert of the 1996-1997 FAES Music Series will be held Oct. 6 at 4 p.m. in Masur Auditorium, Bldg. 10, and will feature the Trio di Parma, violin, cello and piano. Tickets are $20 at the door; $10 for students. For information call 6-7975.
Kaiser Plan Service Day
Kaiser Permanente Health Plan will be on the NIH campus Thursday, Sept. 26 to assist plan enrollees who have claims or enrollment problems or questions. A plan representative will be available from 10 a.m. to noon in Bldg. 31, Rm. 3C05 and from 1 to 3 p.m. in Bldg. 38, Conf. Rm. B. No appointment is necessary. Assistance will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
NCI Hosts Poster Session for Students/Teachers
A poster and lecture session recently culminated the formal activities of the McKinley High School-National Cancer Institute adopt-a-school program for the year. The participants -- five students and four teachers -- presented their summer research to an audience in Wilson Hall.
NCI established the program in the belief that early exposure to science will increase the number of students who choose to pursue advanced degrees in science and medicine. The partnership was established in 1989 to provide an employment and learning experience for the students. A year later, the Teacher Enrichment Program was developed.
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College-bound Kara Jagessar discusses her work in NCI's Laboratory of Pathology. |
This year's session featured both new and experienced students, with at least one veteran preparing to move on to a major university. Kara Jagessar will pursue studies in science and will be tracked for possible postgraduate affiliation with the institute.
The NCI EEO office, in leading the program, earned the District of Columbia Public Schools' Superintendent's Award, which was accepted by EEO Officer Sandra Thomas.
| Sandra Thomas, NCI EEO officer, accepts the Superintendent's Award from D.C. Public Schools, represented here by Thomas Baldwin (l). Looking on is NCI deputy director Dr. Alan Rabson. |
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The NCI EEO Officers' Recognition Award was also presented to the year's mentors and employees who helped the students.
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Charles Perry, a teacher at McKinley, presents results of work in the Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology. |
Hispanic Heritage Month Observed
National observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15, is set aside annually to recognize the achievements of Hispanic Americans.
NIH will celebrate with a scientific symposium on Wednesday, Oct. 9, in Natcher Auditorium, 1-3 p.m. Titled "The Hispanic Health Legacy: A Portrait of Biomedical Research II: 1994-1996," the symposium features Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, University of Texas Health Sciences Center; Dr. David Hayes-Bautista, UCLA School of Medicine; Dr. Julio Santiago, Washington University School of Medicine; and Dr. John I. Gallin, Clinical Center. A reception follows.
For details, call Mary Martinez, 6-7057. Sign language interpretation provided. For information about reasonable accommodations, call 6-2906 (v/tty).
Fellows Host Workshop on Survival Skills
The NIH fellows committee, in conjunction with the Office of Research on Women's Health, the Office of Education and the scientific directors, announces a 7-part workshop series entitled, "What They Never Taught You in Graduate/Medical School: A Series of 'Survival Skills' Workshops."
Success in a scientific career requires not only training in a fundamental discipline and extensive experience, but also a range of survival skills. Among these are the ability to communicate, teach, look for a job, handle interviews, and negotiate a job offer. In addition, life as a professional requires effective networking, getting the most out of meetings, supervising and mentoring. Most individuals learn these skills through trial and error, but this is inefficient at best. The objective of this series, directed by Michael Zigmond and Beth Fischer of the University of Pittsburgh, is to help fellows acquire these skills.
The series begins on Sept. 25, 8-11:30 a.m. in Masur Auditorium, Bldg. 10, with "The Job Hunt," including advice on resumes/CVs, cover letters, and interviews. Future sessions include Oct. 1, "Negotiating a Job Offer," 9:30 a.m.-noon, Wilson Hall, Bldg. 1 (and a repeat session from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in Lipsett Amphitheater, Bldg. 10); Oct. 28, "Life as A Professional," 8-11:30 a.m., Lipsett Amphitheater; Dec. 16, "Oral Presentations," 8-11:30 a.m., Lipsett.
The second part of the series begins in January 1997 and continues through May.
Although the workshops will be open to all fellows at NIH, seating will be limited (250 people) and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact your fellows committee representative and look for flyers to be distributed across campus. A link to a description of the entire series will soon be found at ftp://helix.nih.gov/felcom/index.htm.
CFC Chili Cookoff, Oct. 22
Get down and spicy at the first Chili Cookoff on Tuesday, Oct. 22. A chili lunch will be served by Hard Times Cafe and Chili's Restaurant. Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and Victoria's Italian Ice cart will add to the ambiance as the band "Revival Chili" entertains you. CFC charities will be on hand distributing literature. The day ends with the judging of the best, hottest and most original chili. Prizes will be tickets and trips, and all entries win something. Submit a quart of chili on Oct. 22 before 11 a.m. To preregister, call Ruth at 6-6061.
Come Back to Bethesda, Oct. 5
On Oct. 5, Bethesda will be transformed into yesteryear, back to the 1950's. More than 125 custom and classic cars fill the streets as an auto show begins at 11 a.m. at Chevy Chase Cars. At noon, local restaurants host "Taste of Bethesda." The day winds down at 4, but the night blasts off with an old-fashioned Sock Hop at Holy Cross Academy on Strathmore Ave. at 7:30. Tickets for the dance are $15. The event raises money for the Children's Inn at NIH. Call 6-5672 for tickets.
Have a Green Thumb?
Are you interested in gardening? Are you a master gardener or a novice? Do you plant in woodland acres or indoor pots? Grow vegetables or flowers? Anyone who is or wants to be a gardener is welcome to join the new NIH Garden Club. The club's principal aim is to share information about gardening, plants and seeds, and love of nature. If interested, call R&W, 6-4600.
Seminar on Women and Smoking
The Office of Research on Women's Health will sponsor the last of its 1996 seminars on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Titled, "Women and the Mystique of Smoking," it will be held in Natcher Auditorium from 2 to 4 p.m.
Although many know about the ill effects of smoking, tobacco use continues as a major adverse health behavior for Americans. In addition to increasing risk for cancer and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, women who smoke during pregnancy risk untoward effects to the developing fetus. Reasons for starting and stopping smoking differ for men and women. The seminar will review who the new smokers are and discuss health effects of tobacco use on women. In addition, there will be a discussion of how women have been targeted in tobacco advertisements and how communities can influence tobacco industry marketing practices.
Speakers for the seminar include Drs. Karen Emmons, Corrine Husten, Robert Kleges, and John P. Pierce. Open discussion with the audience is planned. All are welcome to attend. For more information, call 2-1770.
Volunteers Needed for AIDS Quilt Display
On Oct. 11-13, thousands of Americans, including many school children, are expected to converge on the National Mall to participate in the display of the entire AIDS Memorial Quilt. More than 45,000 quilt panels will stretch from the Capitol to the Washington Monument.
As these panels -- the equivalent of 15 city blocks -- are unfolded, the names of those fallen to AIDS will ring out over the expanse. More than 70,000 names will be read in memory of the people whose names have been sewn, painted, or glued onto quilt panels.
Many NIH staff will be among the volunteers helping at the display. Linda Rosendorf, a microbiologist in NIAID's Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, is a member of the group helping to organize the display. Such volunteers also participate in outreach to the local community throughout the year, taking sections of the quilt to schools, workplaces, churches and synagogues, conventions, and public buildings to help people understand the impact of HIV. Volunteers are still needed for the October display. Call (202) 29-NAMES for more information.
Mammography Screening Returns to NIH
The George Washington University Breast Care Center recently initiated a mobile mammography screening program and the NIH worksite health promotion program has arranged to offer this screening opportunity to employees and their families. Fall screening dates have been arranged and, if interest among NIH'ers and their families supports it, more days will be scheduled in the spring. The dates and locations (all times are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) for fall are:
Date Location
Oct. 2 Bldg. 31C Parking lot D
Oct. 30 Exec.Blvd. Parking lot behind EPS/
EPN
Oct. 31 Bldg. 10 Convent Drive shuttle
turnaround
Nov. 6 Natcher Visitor spaces by front
entrance
The GWU Breast Care Center mammography van is furnished much like a doctor's office and is accredited by the American College of Radiology. Trained female technologists will perform the mammograms and board-certified radiologists will interpret results. The center will send a report of results to women and their doctors and will make appropriate referrals to the GWU Medical Center system for those who desire.
One in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. The chance of getting breast cancer increases with age. When breast cancer is found and treated early, the 5-year survival rate is about 90 percent. Mammography detects breast cancer in the earliest, most treatable stages.
Each appointment should take about 20 minutes. The cost is $75 and can be paid by check or credit card at the time the mammogram is performed. Receipts will be available to submit to insurance companies for reimbursement. Women should direct questions about insurance reimbursement to their personal carrier. To schedule an appointment or ask questions about the Breast Care Center and its mobile mammography program, call (202) 994-9999.
How Suite It Is
DCRT has purchased licenses from Microsoft Corp. allowing NIH employees to install Microsoft Office Suite software on their PC or Macintosh computers. Each license permits an NIH user to install without charge Microsoft Office Suite on one office machine, one home machine, and one laptop, but stipulates that the software be used on only one machine at a time. To install the software on more computers, you must buy another license. DCRT has also purchased software maintenance to cover all upgrades and new releases of Microsoft Office Suite until Apr. 1, 1997.
The software comes in two editions, standard and professional. Contact your local network administrator for help with installation, which can also be done via the NIH Campus Network Distribution System (CandyLAN).
Business Club Forms
A home-based business club is forming at NIH. Anyone interested in meeting other home-based business owners should call R&W at 6-4600. Get a chance to interact with people who are already experienced in the field.
Wednesday Afternoon Lectures
The Wednesday Afternoon Lecture series continues on Oct. 2 in Bldg. 10's Masur Auditorium at 3 p.m. Speaking will be Dr. Michael J. Chamberlin, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, department of molecular and cell biology, University of California, Berkeley. His topic will be "The Role of RNA Binding Sites in Elongation and Termination by RNA Polymerases." Hosts for the occasion are the Lambda Lunch and Molecular Biology Interest Groups.
On Oct. 9, Dr. Wade H. Berrettini visits to discuss "Genetic Analysis of Animal Models for Behavioral Disorders," sponsored by the Genetics Interest Group. He is professor, departments of psychiatry, human behavior and pharmacology, Thomas Jefferson University.
For more information or for reasonable accommodation, call Hilda Madine, 4-5595.
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