TheNIHRecord x

U.S. Department
of Health
and
Human Services

Dr. Malone Named
NIH Acting Director

Dr. Thomas E. Malone, Deputy Director,
has been named Acting Director of NIH as
of July I, 1981, by HHS Secretary Richard S.
Schwei ker.

Dr. Fredrickson Leaves
2&Year NIH Career

Dr. Donald S. Fredrickson joined the Na-
tional Heart Institute in 1953 as a clinical
associate.

From 1955 to 1961 he worked in the Labo-
ratory of Cellular Physiology and Metabo-
lism, where he was clinical director from
1961 to 1966. At the same time he continued
his research as head of the Section of Mo-
lecular Diseases, Laboratory of Metabolism,
from 1962 to 1966.

He was appointed Heart Institute Director
in 1966, serving in that capacity for 2 years.
He combined this executive responsibility
with research as chief of the Molecular Dis-
eases Branch, from I%6 to 1974, and as di-
rector of intramural research, 1969 to 1974.
He has spent 28 years of his career at NIH.

Dr. Fredrickson's earliest research inter-
ests centered on the metabolism of sterols.
He focused on the structure of plasma
lipoproteins, their importance in the trans-
port of fats, and the genetic factors regulat-
ing their metabolism and concentration in
blood.

It was during this early period that he dis-
covered two new genetic disorders: Tangier
disease (absence of high density lipopro-
teins) and cholesteryl ester storage disease,
a lysosomal enzyme deficiency.

In 1965, Dr. Fredrickson and coworkers
introduced a system of identifying and cias-
sifying blood-lipid abnormalities based on
plasma lipoprotein patterns. From this work
came the recognition of previously undis-
covered monogenic causes of hyperlipi-
demia: type 3 and type 5 hyperlipoprotein-
emia and a condition now termed familiar
hypertriglyceridemia. The system received
prompt acceptance by the World Health Or-
ganization and is currently used widely by
laboratories around the world.

Other research findings by Dr. Fredrick-
son and colleagues include their first learn-
ing of several previously unknown
apolipoproteins, and new knowledge
describing the structure and function of
various apoproteins.

(See FRfDRlCKSON CAREER, Page 51

July 8
1981
Vol. XXXIII
No. 14

National
Institutes
of
Health

Fredrickson NIH Years Yield Many Major
Accomplishments and Program Initiatives

In 1975, Dr. Fredrickson became Director
of NIH, a position he held for the last 6

In this position, he gave biomedical re-
years of his 28-year service at NIH.

search direction and leadership in a society
which has grown increasingly technological
and rapidly changing in its social norm.

The following is a summation of major ac-
complishments and program initiatives
during the "Fredrickson era."

o Orienting NIH and the biomedical re-
search community to contribute more ei-
fectively to the national health effort. This
included clarification of the boundaries of
NIH's mission, particularly at the interface
between research and health services and
assumption of greater responsibility for
technology transfer-identification, assess-
ment and, where appropriate, the transfer
of health research findings to health prac-
tice. The latter was achieved through initia-
tion of consensus development confer-
ences, improvement in clinical trials, and
increased efforts to disseminate informa-
tion to the public and practitioners.

o To assure the public of protection
against hazards while permitting scientists
to fully exploit research opportunities,
guidelines were set for all government-
supported and conducted research. And, a

The FllH Record

mechanism-the Recombinant DNA Advi-
sory Committee- was developed to review

o Gaining approval to begin construction
on the Ambulatory Care Research Facility.
Scheduled to open in October, the struc-
and change the guidelines when necessary.



ture is designed to provide optimum envi-
ronment for study and care of patients in
close proximity to clinical and basic scien-
tists working in the Clinical Center. The fa-
cility will accommodate about~300,OOO pa-
tient visits each year, tripling the current
number.

o Implementing, after the self-imposed
research moratorium by leading scientists *
in 1975, the first code to guide research
involving recombinant DNA.
o Reviewing and revamping, where nec-
essary, the NIH peer review system.
o Following up on a 3-year study of the
NIH system for reviewing grant applica-
tions, changes were adopted to provide ap-
plicants with fuller information on the cri-
tiques of their proposals, to open the
process for selecting members of review
groups, and to increase the number of
women and minority scientists on review
groups,

(See FREDRICKSON YEARS, Page -l/

July 8, 1981


TheNIHRecorc

Published biweekly at Bethesda, Md.. bv the Editorial
.Operations Branch; Division of'Publ/c I&rmation, for the
information of employees of the National institutes of
Health, Department of Health and Human Services, and
carculated by request to writers and to researchers in
biomedical and related fields. The content is reprintable
without permission. Pictures may be available on request.
The NIH Record reserves the right to make corrections,
changes, or deletions in submitted cow in conformitv with
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Editor
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William B. Reinckens
Joyce F. McCarthy

Staff Comspondwtta

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SWMeMLWXDRR.EWbWMWliCk;DRS,AJthNF.Mme;FlC.
Suw P. M; NCI, Pmda A Newman: NU. Mmdta Cubatt; NHIB
BiUSandawNlAi~ NIAID, Jemm WlrwWc NIAMDD.
Ads clog: NICHD, P.msk tltisd; NIDR. Sry WiUmrding; NIMS,
+I@ J. Lea; NK%G, Wanda Wudddl; NIMH. Pvll Shwatka; NINCCX
Diane Striar; NLM. Roger L. Ollkeaon.

FAES Announces Schedule
For 1981-82 Concerts

The Foundation for Advanced Education
in the Sciences will present eight concerts
n its 1981-82 Chamber Music Series, held
an Sundays at 4 p.m. in Masur Auditorium.
sold by subscription, tickets cost $56.
Irriety of Artists to Appear

Concert dates are: Oct. 4, Lillian Kallir,
>iano; Oct. 18, Michael Hume, tenor, Fred
icott, piano, and the Emerson String Quar-
et; Nov. 8, Colin Carr, cello; Nov. 22, Uto
Jghi, violin; Dec. 6, Richard Stolzman, clar-
net, Walter Trampler, viola, and lee Luvisi,
>iano; Feb. 21, Jean Phillips Collard, piano;
tiar. 14, Trio di Trieste with Piero Farulli, vi-
jla; Apr. 25, Gabrieli String Quartet.

For further information, contact the FAES
office, Bldg. 10, Rm. BIL-101, 496.5272. 0

Medicine and the Media `Play Ball' Again

There's relief in sight for all of those
sports fans who are suffering from a lack of
baseball this summer. The remedy is the
Sixth Annual Patient Emergency Fund Soft-
3all Game that will be held on Sunday, July
19, at noon, at Georgetown Preparatory

)r. M. Grunberg-Manago
tesumes FIG Scholarship

Dr. Marianne Grunberg-Manago, profes-
#or of biology, Institute of Biology, Paris,
`rance, returned to NIH at the beginning of
une to resume her FIC scholarship. She
vi8 be in residence for 3 months, during
vhich time she will collaborate with Dr.
hressa Stadtman, laboratory of Biochemis-
ry, NHLBI, Bldg. 3.
Well-known for her work in microbiology
nd especially in biochemical genetics, Dr.
;runberg-Manago will participate in the FIC
cholars' discussions of contemporary
epics in biomedical research. She will also
ive a lecture (date to be announced) on
Organization and Regulation of E. co/i
;enes Involved in Translation.
Until the end of August, Dr. Grunberg
danago's office will be in Stone House,
96.1147. cl

School, 10900 Rockville Pike. Free parking
will be available on the grounds for 250
automobiles.

Press Made Challenge

Medicine and the media will clash again
when the "NIH Gashouse Gang" takes on
"The One & Only TV-g" or the WDVM
news team. The rivalry began when the Gas
house Gang trounced the TV-9 team 74-l
and 14-3 in 1979. News anchorman Mike
Buchanan, captain of the TV-S'ers,
immediately requested a rematch.
Following tradition, Dr. Mortimer B.
Lipsett, Clinical Center Director, will throw
out the first ball.

As in past years, there will be door prizes
including tickets to Bullets, Capitals, Diplc
mats and Orioles games. The Capitals and
Diplomats have also donated an auto-
graphed hockey stick and soccer ball.

Other prizes include: an autographed
football signed by Sonny Jurgenson, Chris
Hanburger, and Joe Theismann. Also ticket
to King's Dominion, the Charles Town
Races and Wolf Trap Farm events will be
presented.

Hot dogs, and soda will be on sale, and
all proceeds will be donated to the PEF. 0

CORRECTION

Due to an inaccurate submission, the lo-
cation of the weekly NIH Duplicate Bridge
Club meetings was erroneously reported.
Meetings are held at the Bethesda home of
its director, D'Arcy Albertsen, on Wednes-
days at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call
6524217. 0

The common sense is that which judges the
things given to it by the other senses.-
Leonardo da Vinci (7452-1579) Cl

The NIH Recreation and Welfare Association held its annual meeting on fune 10 in the Masur Auditorium. Several members were pre-
sented plaques this year in appreciation of their efforts in organizing different activities. The recipients are: Rose Shreiber (Women's
Golf); Louis Mecca (Bicycle Commuter Club); James Harrington (Men's Golf); Al Lewis (NIH Jogging Club-The Health's Angels); and
Doren Vest (Softball). Those not shown are: Norman fones (Football) and ferry Moore (NtH logging Club). Jerry Stiller, R&W Associa-
tion president, presented this year's Presidential Award to Agnes Richardson. As has been the custom over the years, the R&W Associa-
tion presented a 53,000 check to the Clinical Center's Patient Emergency Fund.

Page

2

The NIH Record

July 8, 1991


Amanda McKerrow tied for first prize and
a gold medal in the women's junior division
at the Fourth Moscow International Ballet
Competition, held at the Bolshoi Theater,
June 25.

She is the first American to win a gold
medal in the Bolshoi competition.
Her father, Alan H. McKerrow, recently
retired as administrative officer for intra-
mural research at the National Institute of
Dental Research. He and his wife accom-
panied their daughter to Moscow.

Only American in Finals

Amanda, a member of the Washington
Ballet for the past year, was the only one of
13 Americans who'entered the competition
to reach the finals. She competed among
some of today's most accomplished young
dancers representing 23 different countries.
She has studied ballet since the age of 7.
Now, at 17, she has fulfilled her long-
standing dream of performing at the
Bolshoi.

Thirty-three judges, including 10 Soviets
and 10 others from Eastern European coun-
tries, convened in the Beethoven Hall of
the Bolshoi to judge, over a 2-week period,
the performances of more than 150 dancers.
Amanda won her medal on the strength
of flowing classical performances from
passages from the Tchaikovsky "Sleeping
Beauty," and the more modern `Les
Sylphides."

Soviet Press Complimentary

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Ms. McKerrow and her partner, Simon Dow, dance the pas de deux from "Sleeping Beauty." This
was one of the selections chosen for the international ballet competition in Moscow. (Photo copy-
right 1981 by James E. Strickland. Courtesy of the Washington Ballet. Dr. Strickland is an NCI re-
search biochemist and the ballet's official photographer.)

The Soviet news agency, Tass, described
her dancing as marked by "spirituality, lyri-
cism, and musicality." She is the first
American-trained ballerina in many years to
place so high in a major international
competition.

NIH Bike Day Race Results:

Amanda is one of the 20 regular dancers
and 6 apprentices who form the core of the
Washington Ballet, which performs fre-
quently at George Washington University's
Lisner Auditorium. 0

Dr. Rail Named Acting
Deputy Director for Science

At the meeting of NIH employees on June
19, Dr. Fredrickson announced the selec-
tion of Dr. Joseph E. Rail, director of the In-
tramural Research Program, NIADDK, as
NIH Acting Deputy Director for Science,
beginning July 1.

This position had been held by Dr. Robert
F. Coldberger who left NIH on June 26 to
:ake a position at Columbia University.
It was also announced that Dr. John
iberhart, retiring scientific director of
\IIMH, will become Special Assistant to the
\IIH Deputy Director for Science. I7

SAFETY FILM TO BE SHOWN

WI Chief Receives Honors in Ohio

Dr. Elizabeth K. Weisburger, chief, Labo-
ratory of Carcinogen Metabolism, NCI, was
named the national honorary member for
1981 of the Iota Sigma Pi, national honor so-
ciety for women in chemistry, at a recent
meeting in Cleveland. She was also
awarded an honorary doctor of science de-
gree from the University of Cincinnati. O

The first annual NIH Bike Race had 25 bicyclists who brought their vehicles on campus to see how
much fun they could have in the time it took them to pedal a 2.mile course that began and finished
in front of Bldg. 1. The race was held in May. The following are the results and times for those who
finished first: Senior Division (riders over 46 years of age): first-Robert Gordon (6:55);
second-William Batchelor. Women's: first-Wendy Aaronson (7:26). Slower Heat: first-Carl
Frasch (6:20); second-William Vaughn; third- Carlton Coleman. Fast Heat: (4-mile course)
first-Larry Schuette (11:13); second-Adrian Johnson; and third-Aaron Kirkemo. The event was
sponsored by the NIH Commuter Club. This month, a 1%minute film on bicycle safety, mainte-
nance, and theft prevention will be shown by the Occupational Medical Services at the following
locations from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Monday, July 13, Bldg. 1, Wilson Hall; Tuesday, July 14,
Bldg. 10, Masur Auditorium; Wednesday, July 15, Westwood Bldg., Conf. Rm. D; and Friday, luly
17, Federal Bldg., Rm. 119. Photo by L. Bass.

July 8, 1981                      The NIH Record

Amanda McKerrow, Daughter of NIDR Administrator,
Wins a Gold Medal at Bolshoi Ballet Competition

Page 3


Laudatory Comments on Dr. Fredrickson
Sent by Colleagues Throughout Nation

Reactions to Dr. Fredrickson's resignation
by former NIH officials, Nobel laureates,
and professional colleagues have been re-
ceived at The N/H Record office since the
public announcement. Some of the
comments are as follows:

Dr. Philip Handler

President of the National Academy of
Sciences

Dr. Fredrickson brought to NIH great
administrative skill, a profound understand-
ing of biomedical science, a nimble wit, and
articulate voice. He has carefully protected
the highest standard of quality in bio-
medical research and research education
while never losing sight of the principal
goal of the NIH. He will be sorely missed.

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
President of Rockefeller University

Rarely in history have we so benefitted
from an illustrious career in these dimen-
sions: basic scientific advance, broad clini-
cal application, and scientific statesman-
ship.

Dr. Robert Berliner
Dean of Yale Medical School

Don Fredrickson has served the NIH long
and well in many capacities. While I am
sure that those inside the Institutes regret
his decision to leave, much as do those of
us who relate to the NIH from the outside, I
think all will agree that he has done more
than his share for biomedical research and
the public it serves.

Dr. James H. Sammons
Executive Vice President of the American
Medical Association

Donald Fredrickson's outstanding leader-
ship at the National Institutes of Health has
provided great stability in the health care
arena. His talent and expertise will be
missed by all of us who know that the work
of the Institutes is an important part of our
country's health care fabric. We extend to
him our very best wishes in whatever the
future may hold for him.

Dr. Paul Berg

Don Fredrickson's creative and extraordi-
Nobel Laureate; Willson Professor of


narily effective leadership of the NIH de-
Biochemistry, Stanford Medical Center

serves the gratitude and respect of the en-
tire biomedical community. His wisdom,
forthrightness and courage during the
recombinant DNA debate reassured those
who feared that the victory won in the labo-
ratory would be lost on the political front.

Mary Lasker

President of Albert and Mary Lasker
Foundation

I am sad he is resigning. I am happy he
was head of the NIH at the time of the ma-
jor development of gene splicing, which
will result both in important new pharma-
ceutical treatments for people, and a
1 revolution in agriculture.

Page 4

Dr. Ronald W. Lament-Havers
Director of Research Administration,
Massachusetts General Hospital

I learned of his resignation with great
sadness and regret. It was a great relief
when I heard of his acceptance as Director
of NIH. He was the right individual to head
NIH during a turbulent period. He led it
with great tact and wisdom. We sincerely
hope NIH will be as fortunate in the caliber
of its next Director.

Dr. John B. Slaughter
Director of the National Science Foundation
As the head of a scientific agency that has
had much to do with the National Institutes
of Health under the able leadership of Dr.
Donald Fredrickson, I sincerely regret his
departure from the science scene in Wash-
ington. Don will be long remembered as an
outstanding administrator, a superb scien-
tist and a warm and supporting colleague.
He will be missed by all of us who have had
the opportunity to know and work with
him. The National Science Foundation ex-
tends its warmest wishes to Don and his
family as they embark upon a new and ex-
citing career.

Dr. Theodore Cooper
Executive Vice President of Upjohn
Corporation, former HHS Assistant Secre-
tary for Health

NIH is losing an authentic giant. He has
demonstrated a remarkable range of contri-
butions to science, medicine, philosophy,
and statesmanship.

Dr. Julius Axelrod

Nobel Laureate; Chief of the Section of
Pharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical
Science, NIMH

I'm sorry that Dr. Fredrickson is leaving.
Dr. Fredrickson is a distinguished scientist
and effective research administrator with
style, taste and good judgment. Because of
the leadership of Dr. Fredrickson and the
past director, James Shannon, the NIH is a
great medical research institute. Dr.
Fredrickson will be hard to replace.

Dr. Fredrickson was a very articulate
spokesman for the biomedical sciences and
played an important role in maintaining our
research efforts in a less supportive envi-
ronment. His leaving NIH epitomizes the
difficulties which we will have in attracting
competent scientists in the NIH
organization.
Dr. John A. D. Cooper
President of Association of American
Medical Colleges

Dr. Philip Leder
Chief of the Laboratory of Molecular
Genetics, NICHD

Don Fredrickson has provided those ele-
ments of leadership and taste that have
served to make the NIH the precious re-
source it is. He will be greatly missed, not
just as the respected scientist and physician

FREDRICKSON YEARS

Dr. Robert Q. Marston
President of the University of Florida,
former Director of NIH

I have fond memories of my association
with Don Fredrickson when he was Director
and later scientific director of the Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute. Thus I have fol-
lowedwith pride his leadership of the
greatest biomedical research institution in
the history of the world. 0

fcontfnued irom Page 71

o Exploring mechanisms to improve rela-
tionships among government, universities
and private industry.

During the past year, using the Director's
Advisory Committee as a forum, NIH has
begun to examine issues related to the
patenting of biological inventions, industry
support for developmental health research,
and the possibility of expanded industrial
funding of basic research at universities.

o Maintaining the level of national re-
search capabilities in a time of limited re-
sources and shifting national priorities. This
included a new taxonomy using SATT (sci-
ence base, applications, technology trans-
fer, and training) to portray the broadest
breakdown of NIH research support and to
focus planners and budget experts on all
the important components of the NIH
mission.

The "stabilization" effort was one of the
major initiatives of the Fredrickson era. This
called for an annual floor of 5,000 new and
competing investigator-initiated research
project grants, as the most critical element
in sustaining the science base.

o Enhancing the NIH central planning
process. This entails a systematic set of an-
nual meetings to provide a forum for inter-
action and decisionmaking between the
NIH Director and individual NIH Institute
Directors. The reviews focus on each Insti-
tute's plans, opportunities for research
progress, proposed allocation of resources,
legislative proposals, and major program is-
sues, and culminate in a refined program
plan and planning budget level for the
coming year.

Clearer Definition Needed

In reviewing these programmatic changes
during his tenure as NIH Director, he im-
plied that the work set in motion is not yet
completed. In a recent speech, he said,
"There is a need to define more clearly the
appropriate position of NIH-and the
biomedical research community-with re-
spect to the remainder of the health contin-
uum; also, to close existing gaps between
:he research and health care communities
when possible without weakening the Na-
:ion's biomedical research effort and
`inally, to maintain national research capa-
Jilities in a time of limited resources and
Ihanging national priorities. C

le is, but as a wise conservator of a great
nstitution.

The NIH Record

July 9, 1981


NIH Biomedical Research Advances Achieved Under Fredrickson Leadership

1

1

l!

?he following are just a few of the re-
ported major research advances made since
1975 by NIH scientists and grantees:

1975

NIH scientists working on virus-caused
cancer in animals provided concrete evi-
dence that virus genes become incorpo-
rated into a normal cell's gene profile and
then direct production of abnormal DNA.
This finding was of great value in under-
standing human cancer and virus diseases
among humans.

Based on years of fundamental work, NIH
grantees found a way to identify breast can-
:er victims who may respond well to hor-
none therapy. The assay, performed to find
3reast tumor tissues which contain estro-
Zen receptors, helps physicians set a course
Jf therapy which may circumvent the need
.or surgery or radiation.

1976

A new, effective treatment utilizing 13-1~;s
`etinoic acid was developed for patients
vith severe, pustular, intractable acne-
which previously almost invariably led to
jermanent disfigurement of the face.

Basic research by NIH grantees and intra-
nural scientists using recombinant DNA
echniques helped to lay the foundation for
he subsequent production of man-made
nsulin and human growth hormone from
genetically engineered bacteria. These sub-
tances are currently being used in clinical
rials with Datients with diabetes and certain

ypes of dwarfism.

NIH intramural scientists proved that a
iral agent, HRVL, is the major cause of se-
ere diarrhea in infants and young children
luring the winter months. Sporatic infantile
astroenteritis is an important disease
lroughout the world and may require hos-
litalization and intravenous feeding. Identi-
Ication of the causative agent was a first
tep toward vaccine development.
Based on the work of NIH grantees, hay
ever sufferers can look forward to being
lesensitized with fewer and safer injec-
ions. Scientists developed a polymerized
arm of ragweed antigen E-the major cul-
lrit in hay fever-that, when injected, af-
3rds the same benefits as the standard pol-
:n extract in about one-third the time and
fith less risk to the patient.

977

NIH-supported studies led to the devel-
pment and licensing of a vaccine against
neumococcal pneumonia which accounts
)r a major portion of the 250,000 deaths
lat occur annually in the U.S. from pneu-
lonia. The vaccine should be particularly
seful for the elderly and those with serious
hronic diseases-the group at high risk of
ying from pneumonia.
A major advance in the fight against viral
iseases, the first successful drug treatment
f patients with herpesvirus encephalitis,
`as announced. A drug Ara-A, used intra-
enously, was shown to reduce both brain
amage and death due to this highly fatal
rain infection.
An NC1 study showed that survival rates

July 8, 1981

for 6 of the 10 most common forms of can-
cer in the U.S. had gradually improved
since the early 1960's. Increased survival
was found for patients with cancer of the
bladder, breast, colon, prostate, rectum
and uterine corpus.

In a collaborative study supported by
NIH, a vaccine to prevent bacterial menin-
gitis caused by group A meningococci was
shown to be effective in infants and young
children.

NIH grantees showed that the drug
cimetidine, taken orally with a normal meal,
safely and effectively inhibits gastric acid
secretion in patients with certain ulcers.

1978

NIH grantees found that venom from
stinging insects provides superior immuno-
therapy for insect bite victims and that the
extracts from whole bodies of insects-
which have been routinely used- may pro-
vide little or no protection. As a result of
this work, insect venoms are believed safe
and effective in preventing life-threatening
allergic reactions and are recommended for
treatment for the hundreds of thousands of
patients currently at risk.

NIH grantees reported that certain human

cancer-cells can induce high levels of
interferon when in contact with white
blood cells. This finding supported the
theory that interferon-a naturally pro-
duced antiviral substance-may be one of
the body's defenses against cancer.

1979

NIH funded research on an exciting new
technique using a radioisotope and a
scanning device that allows neuroscientists
to watch the human brain in action. Known
as PETT, positron emission transverse to-
mography, this scanner-used for research
purposes rather than diagnostic ones-
should enable scientists to evaluate brain
chemistry before, during, and after a
stroke; determine the response of a brain
tumor to drug treatment; and allow for the
probing of biochemical abnormalities in
disorders such as Huntington's or
Alzheimer's disease.

NIH grantees, using recombinant DNA
techniques, succeeded in the molecular
cloning of tumor viruses. This achievement,
coupled with new techniques for identi-
fying the proteins responsible for transfor-
mation, provides scientists with an unprec-
edented opportunity to understand the
basic mechanisms of cancer and provide in-
sights into the most fundamental aspects of
tumor biology.

Intramural researchers developed a test
that may ultimately help pathologists diag-
nose the spread of even a few breast cancer
cells to adjacent lymph nodes. Because
therapy differs for various types of cancer,
quick identification of the source or sus-
pect cells is valuable.

1980

NIH grantees were able to reverse dia-
betes in mice by transplanting into them
normal islet cells from healthy rats. Al-
though several obstacles need to be over-

The NW Record

come before this type of transplantation
can be attempted in humans, this repre-
sents a major advance not only in the treat-
ment of diabetes but also in overcoming the
immunologic barriers to transplantation be-
tween species.

NIH scientists developed a procedure
that may offer an alternative to in vitro ferti-
lization for women with irreparable tubal
damage. Using monkeys whose reproduc-
tive systems are similar to humans, the re-
searchers removed an egg-shortly before
the anticipated time of ovulation-from the
ovary of each animal whose fallopian tubes
had been surgically blocked. The egg from
each animal was then injected into her fal-
lopian tube near the uterus, beyond the
blockage. After mating, 16 percent of the
animals became pregnant and delivered ap-
parently normal infants. Additional animal
studies and eventual trials in women are
needed to assess the safety and efficacy of
this technique.

An NCI study has shown that patients
with Hodgkin's disease, even in advanced
stages, can be cured using a multidrug ther-
apy. This disease-until now almost always
fatal-strikes approximately 7,000 persons a
year in the U.S.

NIH grantees and others conducted clini-
cal trials which demonstrated the safety and
efficacy of a hepatitis B vaccine. Mass im-
munization programs based on this success
may ultimately affect not only the incidence
of acute hepatitis B (now at about 100,000
cases per year in the U.S.) and the pool of
chronic carriers (now at about 800,000 in
the U.S.), but may also reduce morbidity
and mortality from chronic active hepatitis,
cirrhosis of the liver, and a certain liver
cancer. 0

FREDRICKSON CAREER

fCont/nued from Page 7)

His research achievements have won him
many honors and awards. He is a member
of numerous professional societies In addi-
tion to the NAS and the American Academy
of Arts and Sciences.

In 1978 he received the Galrdner Award,
his most recent honor. He is also the recipi-
ent of several honorary degrees, including
doctor of medicine from the Karolinska
lnstitutet (1977), and doctor of science from
Georgetown University School of Medicine
(1981).

Born in Canon City, Colo., in 1924, Dr.   *
Fredrickson received both his B.S. and
M.D. degrees from the University of
Michigan, and was certified by the Ameri-
can Board of Internal Medicine in 1957. He
did postgraduate work at Peter Bent
Brigham and Massachusetts General Hospi-
tals and the Harvard Medical School prior
to coming to NIH in 1953.

Internationally known for his expertise on
lipid metabolism and its disorders, he be-
came NIH Director July 1, 1975. Prior to this
appointment, he had served for 1 year as
president of the Institute of Medicine, Na-
tional Academy of Sciences. Dr. Fredrick-
son is returning to NAS as a visiting scholar
upon departing NIH, June 30. C

Page 5


THE FREDRICKSON ERA-

in 1965, Dr. Fredrickson, who was with the then
National Heart Institute, accompanied Presi-
dent Lyndon B. Johnson on his tour of the Clini-

Ear/y Days

President Jerry Ford attended Dr. Fredrickson's swearing-in ceremony in
1975. His oath of office was administered by then HEW Secretary Caspar W.
Weinberger. Mrs. Fredrickson also participated.

cal Center.

Administrative Duties

Dr. Fredrickson confers with former NIH
Director Dr. James A. Shannon.

Over the years, Dr. Fredrickson and the NIH Directors have appeared at
many Congressional hearings to give expert testimony.

Dr. Fredrickson fc) discusses lipid research during a 1973 visit with Sovi-
et professors Anatoli Klimov (1) and Helena Cerosimova (rear), and with
Dr. Robert I. Levy, NHLBI. Dr. Fredrickson was a principal figure in
coordinating the two-country research project.

Despite his busy schedule, Dr. Fredrickson al-
ways found time to greet visitors such as the
poster children from the Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation.

Page 6                         The NJH Record

July 6, 1981


Physician, Researcher, and NIH Director

NIH Directorship

The new Ambulatory Care Research Facility is a
"new Rauhaus" where many research disci-
plines can work for the Rood of patients, says

In fuly 1979, Dr. Fredrickson and other dignitar-  br. Fredrickson.
es appeared for the "topping off" ceremonies
rt the ACRF.

Hundreds of reports had to be studied and
evafuated in-between trips across the Nation,
and foreign visits to the USSR, China, and
Africa.

Air Force One took President Carter
rnd Dr. Fredrickson to inspect the
tamage from the Mount St. Helens
eruption.

Dr. Fredrickson (c) joins NIH Nobel laureates Drs. Marshall Nirenberg
(I) and fulius Axelrod (r) in congratulating Dr. D. Carleton Cajdusek
upon learning of his selection as a Nobel Prize recipient in 1976.

`he world scientific community also sought Dr. Fredrickson's
,ounsel. Dr. Hafdan Mahler (I), Director General of the World
iealth Organization, and Dr. Hector R. Acuna (second from r),
Director of the Pan American Union, visited NIH to discuss joint
esearch projects.

fapan's Prince Hitachi and Princess
Hitachi learned about NIH in 1978.

Fare well

A capacity crowd of scientists and administra-
tors heard Dr. Fredrickson's farewell address in
the Masur Auditorium.

July 8, 1981

The NIH Record

Page 7


Enzyme Believed To Trigger Cataracts in Diabetes

A major advance in cataract research is
the identification of aldose reductase, an
enzyme which triggers the formation of a
certain type of cataract associated with dia-
betes. This finding, according to National
Eye Institute intramural investigators, may
have far-reaching implications because the
enzyme could be involved in more serious
complications of diabetes.

Aldose reductase in the eye lens, con-
verts excess blood sugars to sorbitol (sugar
alcohol) or polyols. Unable to move freely
through cell membranes, the polyols accu-
mulate and osmotically draw water into the
legs cells. These cells eventually burst,
gradually causing the opacity known as
diabetic cataract.

AR Role Elucidated

The so-called polyol theory explaining the
biological role of AR was elucidated by Dr.
Jin Kinoshita, formerly chief of the Labora-
tory of Vision Research and now NEI scien-
tific director. He found that the formation
of diabetic cataract could be delayed or
even prevented in animals by blocking the
enzyme with specific inhibitors.

Microscopic studies of the lenses of dia-
betic rats, which are ordinarily clouded by
cataract within 4 to 6 months of onset, re-
vealed no difference between the lenses
treated with potent AR inhibitors and the
lenses of nondiabetic control rats. The mi-
croscopic studies were conducted by Dr.
Manuel Datiles, an NEI visiting scientist
from the Philippines.

Recently, several new classes of AR inhib-
itors have been discovered by Dr. Peter
Kador, NEI reseirch chemist. These inhibi-
tors are related to antiallergy compounds,
man-made chemicals which interfere with
mediators of allergic reactions. Dr. Kador
found that not all AR inhibitors are equally
potent in inhibiting AR from different
tissues of the body.

For example, a certain inhibitor was
found to be highly effective in inhibiting AR
activity in human and rat lens tissue, while
less potent in human placental tissue.

Evidently, several specific inhibitors are
needed to counteract the AR activity in dif-
ferent parts of the body. Some AR inhibi-
tors are now being tested in juvenile dia-
betic patients to find if the lens swelling
which frequently accompanies the disorder
can be blocked.

Preliminary data from other related re-
search indicate that AR may be involved in
the eye's healing process. During certain
types of surgery, a portion of the cornea's
outer layer, the epithelium, is removed.
Normally, in nondiabetic patients, this
tissue regenerates.

Cornea1 Healing Delayed

In diabetics, however, cornea1 healing is
often delayed and complications frequently
arise, AR inhibitors used in diabetic animals
have improved the healing of cornea1
epithelium following surgery.

Research on aldose reductase and cata-
ract formation has led to a better under-
standing of the basic mechanisms responsi-
ble for other, more serious diabetic
complications, Dr. Kinoshita noted.

For instance, a study of 36 diabetic per-
sons recently showed that administration of
an AR inhibitor significantly reduced symp-
toms of diabetic neuropathy, a motor nerve
disorder. The inhibitor reversed impaired
nerve conduction velocity in diabetic pa-
tients during the 27-week study, which sup-
ports the aldose reductase or polyol theory
of neuropathy development in diabetics.

Researchers are also considering aldose
reductase in the role it may play in diabetic
retinopathy, one of the leading causes of
visual impairment among middle-aged
Americans. 0

Dr. Kador Wins Rohto Award for Diabetic Cataract Research

Dr. Peter Kador, a National Eye Institute
research chemist, received the first interna-
tional Rohto Award for cataract research by
young investigators. The presentation will
3e made annually by the Rohto Pharmaceu-
ical Company of Japan.
Dr. Kador received the award for his re-
search on inhibitors of aldose reductase, an
enzyme which initiates the development of
diabetic cataracts. Through basic studies on
he enzyme, the mechanism of inhibitor ac-
Ion, and their interrelationships, several
lew classes of AR inhibitors have been
leveloped.

ducation Noted

Aldose reductase, present in other body
issues, may also be involved in the devel-  A plaque and $l,ooO were presented to Dr.
lpment of additional more serious compli-  Kador, for his research, during the recent Asso-
ations suffered by diabetics.         ciation for Research in Vision and Ophthalmol-
A native of Columbus, Oh., Dr. Kador   ogy annual meeting in Sarasota, Fla.

las been with NEI since 1976. He received    He is a member of the Association for Re-
lis Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry from Ohio  search in Vision and Ophthalmology, the
tate University in 1976, and his bachelor's  American Chemical Society (the medicinal
egree from Capital University in Columbus  chemistry section), Sigma Xi, and Rho Chi,
1 7972.                  a pharmacy honorary society. Cl

Drs. Datiles, Kador, and Kinoshita (I to r) of the
NEI, review their new data on the enzyme, al-
dose reductase, which triggers the formation of
diabetic cataracts, and is implicated in other se-
rious complications of diabetes.

Fed. Credit Union To Open
Bldg. 31 Offices July 20

On Monday, July 20, the NIH Federal
Credit Union will have the grand opening of
their new quarters in Bldg. 31, Rm. IA-IO.

In that office, Loretta Rinker, branch
manager, will supervise the loan depart-
ment, member service for new accounts,
share drafts, and certificates. Approximate-
ly 12 to 13 staff members will be employed
there, in addition to 7 tellers.

Personal unsecured loans are being of-
fered again at 18 percent interest. Used car
lo?ns are at 17 percent and new car loans
are being offered at 15 percent. Student ed-
ucation loans are also being offered for
both Federal and Maryland State programs.

Share secured loans are currently set at
9% percent, enabling a member to borrow
up to the amount held in a regular share ac-
count. Certificates are still offering higher
interest rates than regular share accounts.
The 6-month $10,000 money market share
certificate rate is set every Tuesday morning
as determined by the U.S. Treasury Depart-
ment the previous evening.

Regular $1,000 share certificates held to
maturity for 6 or 12 months, yield 9.9 per-
cent interest; the 24- to 30-month certifi-
cates yield 12.75 percent. Regular share ac-
counts are now at 6'/2 percent interest,
compounded quarterly: share draft ac-
counts are compounded daily at 5%
percent.

In the future, the NIHFCU hopes to ob-
tain additional space in the Bldg. 13 area. At
present, the space is still being negotiated,
but the plan has provisions for employing
one loan person, a supervisor, and four to
five tellers.

The Old Georgetown Road facility now
loIds the space management section on the
;econd floor, and the rest of the building is
lccupied by the administrative functions of
he NIHFCU. @

The Ghost Train' Is Coming!

The NIH R&W Theatre Group needs car-
lenters, painters, stage crew, electricians,
:tc., to help with their upcoming play, The
;hosr Train, scheduled to open July 31.
\nyone interested may call Loren Ziller,
196-6385. 0

Page 8                        The NIH Record

July 8, 1981


Dr. Gerald D. Aurbach Given Award
For Bone and Mineral Research

Dr. Gerald D. Aurbach, chief of the Meta-
bolic Diseases Branch, NIADDK, was re-
cently named the first recipient of the
William F. Neuman Award for distinguished
achievement in the field of bone and
mineral research.

The Council of the American Society for
Bone and Mineral Research honored him at
its annual meeting in Cincinnati.

Dr. Neuman, who died earlier this year,
was a world renowned expert in bone and
mineral metabolism. The award was estab-
lished to honor individuals who share the
scientific creativity, outstanding record of
training, and openness and interest in
people that he exemplified.

Dr. Aurbach's achievements have been in
the endocrinological aspects of bone and
mineral research. He was the first to isolate
parathyroid hormone in its pure form and is
a world leader in the study of the hormonal
control of calcium metabolism.

The secretions of the endocrine system,
such as parathyroid hormone, help to regu-
late levels of calcium and phosphorus in the
blood. Various disorders of bone are re-
lated to errors in metabolism of parathyroid
hormone and the related hormone, calci-
tonin, and are now being studied as a result
of Dr. Aurbach's aggressive and pioneering
research.

His work on the chemistry, physiology,
regulation of secretion and mechanism of
action of these active hormonal agents has
aided substantially the current research on
many clinical disorders of bone.

Dr. Aurbach's original isolation of para-
thyroid hormone led to the understanding
of its structure and synthesis of the hor-
mone. This was a collaborative project with
Dr. John T. Potts' group, initially at NHLBI,
then later conducted at the Massachusetts
General Hospital.

He, together with an associate, Dr. Lewis

Dr. Aurbach conducts assays as part of his
research on hormone mechanisms of action.

Chase, also discovered that the mechanism
of action of the hormone was mediated
through cyclic AMP.

With his colleagues in the Metabolic Dis-
eases Branch, Dr. Aurbach characterized
the physical properties of calcitonin and
identified and described its receptors.
Other important studies have ranged from
mechanisms regulating parathyroid hor-
mone secretion to interaction of active vita-
min D metabolites with their receptors.

Of current interest to Dr. Aurbach is the
role of impaired hormone receptor function
in clinical problems of calcium metabolism,
most recently pseudohypoparathyroidism.

He joined NIADDK in 1959 as a research
associate. In 1973, he was appointed to his
present position as chief of the Metabolic
Diseases Branch. Since I%6 he has been a
medical director in the U.S. Public Health
Service. 0

Applications Invited for PHS Medical Epidemiology Training

The U.S. Public Health Service invites ap-
plications for a proposed extension of a
training program in medical epidemiology.
Up to 12 persons per year, who already
have an M.D., a doctorate in an allied
health profession, or Ph.D in a biomedical
or behavioral science, may be accepted as
staff fellows of the USPHS for a 3-year peri-
od of duty.

Applications received by Sept. 15 may be
considered for service to begin on or about
July 1, 1982. During the first year, each suc-
cessful applicant will attend a university at
government expense as a candidate for the
M.P.H. or equivalent degree.
During the subsequent 2 years, individu-
als will work in research studies in associa-
tion with senior epidemiologists in the
participating agencies.

They are Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Men-
tal Health Administration; Centers for Dis-
ease Control; Food and Drug Administra-
tion; and the National Institutes of Health.
A matching procedure similar to the na-
tional intern matching will be employed to

assure that each individual is assigned to a
preceptor whose area or expertise is of in-
terest to the trainee, and consistent with his
or her career plans.

Salaries will be provided according to the
scale in effect for staff fellows in intramural
research at NIH. Presently, the remunera-
tion for a physician is $30,000 per annum for
the first year, with a $2,000 increase annual-
ly for the second and third years. Educa-
tional costs for the first year are provided in
addition.

Other basic requirements include 1 year
of postdoctoral training or experience as of
July 1, 1982; U.S. citizenship; and accepta-
bility to an accredited university offering an
M.P.H. or equivalent degree.

Further details of the program and appli-
cation forms may be obtained from Dr.
Robert S. Gordon, Jr., Special Assistant to
the Director, NIH, Bldg. 1, Rm. 238. 0

Instead of loving your enemies, treat your
friends a little better.--E. W. Howe 0

July 8, 1981                     The NIH Record

Savings Bond Campaign
Nets Large 1981 Increase

This year's NIH U.S. Savings Bonds cam-
paign netted more than a 300 percent in-
crease in employee participation as com-
pared with the 1980 drive. Fifteen percent
of all NIH employees were enrolled in the
program by the campus-wide bond
coordinators and canvassers.

Coordinated by the Division of Research
Grants, the bond campaign was termed a
success this year because of the higher in-
terest rate available, a larger number of
canvassers, R&W prizes, and the absence of
parking fees.

Dr. Carl D. Douglass, DRG Director, drew
the three raffle tickets for the R&W-spon-
sored lottery called "Be a Double Winner."
Free lottery tickets were given to each em-
ployee who bought a new savings bond, or
increased their allotment on previously
issued bonds.

Lottery Winners

The winners were: 1st prize: Thelma
Jones, DRR, who won a $50 U.S. Savings
Bond; 2nd prize: Cida Hessing, CC, who
won a Sony AM/FM portable radio; and 3rd
prize: Florine Matthews, NIDR, who won a
Sanyo pocket calculator.

A prize was also given to Bob Smith, CC,
who sold more bond purchase pledges than
any other canvasser in the drive. He was
awarded two tickets to the Joffrey Ballet at
Wolf Trap. 0

Assert Yourself!

Rachelle Selzer, chief mental health
counselor, Employee Assistance Program,
will present a 4-week assertiveness training
workshop which is open to all interested
employees.

The l-hour workshops will be held on
Mondays, July 20, 27, and August 3, and 10,
from noon to 1 p.m., in Bldg. 31, Rm.
B2C-07.

The group is limited to 15 participants.
For an interview, call 496-3164. 0

5ven E. Rodenbeck (I), environmental engineer
at the NIH Division of Safety, was recently
awarded a plaque for outstanding performance
with the Public Health Service at the Rocky Boy
Indian Reservation Service Unil in Montana.
Mr. Rodenbeck, who worked at the reservation
/or 2 years before joining NIH this February,
was commended for his management of 11 con-
struction projects, totaling 51.3 million, to pro-
vide sanitary facilities at the reservation. Dr. W.
Emmett Barkley, division director, presented
the award on behalf of the Billings area office of
Ihe Indian Health Service.

Page 9


Dr. W. Kincj Engel
Leaves NINCDS in July

Dr. W. King Engel, chief of the Neuro-
muscular Diseases Section, NINCDS intra-
mural program, is leaving in July to become
chief of the division of neuromuscular dis-
eases and professor of neurology and pa-
thology at the University of Southern
California School of Medicine, Los Angeles

He will also be director of the Center fo
Neuromuscular Diseases at USC's Hospital
of the Good Samaritan and director of the
USC Muscular Dystrophy Association Clin-
ic.

Dr. Engel is a world authority in clinical
and basic research involving diseases of
m&cle, neuromuscular junctions, periph-
eral nerves, and upper and lower motor
neurons, and in the clinical management a
hose diseases.

Dr. Engel and his wife and colleague, Dr.
Valerie Askanas, are leaving NIH for Los Ange-
les. Over the years, Dr. Engel has trained more
than 100 neurologists in the field of neuromus.
cular diseases.

An NINCDS staff member since 1956, he
has authored or coauthored over 350 publi
zations. He has been investigating patho-
;enic mechanisms as well as new treat-
nents for such diseases as polymyositis,
nyasthenia gravis, and dysimmune
leuropathies.
His research studies also include amyo-
rophic lateral sclerosis, the muscular
dystrophies and other myopathies, and
rarious peripheral neuropathies.
One of Dr. Engel's most recent efforts has
nvolved the treatment of polymyositis, my-
lsthenia gravis, and dysimmune neuro-
jathies with a technique known as total
)ody irradiation.
Dr. Engel is a clinical professor of neurol-
)gy at the George Washington University
chool of Medicine and a medical director
1 the PHS. In 1962 he was presented the S.
Veir Mitchell Award of the American Acad-
my of Neurology, and in 1971 was awarded
7e Public Health Service Meritorious Serv-
:e Medal. U

;ive me the benefit of your convicfions, if
XJ have any, but keep your doubts to
aurself, for I have enough of my
wn.-Goethe 0

Retires After 24 Years

Dr. John Z. Hearon, NIADDK Mathemati-
cal Research Branch, recently retired from
Federal service after serving as branch chief
since 1961.

Dr. Hearon directed research on the
mathematical and theoretical aspects of bi-
ological problems. His own particular re-
search interests included compartmental
analysis, and problems in linear algebra and
matrix theory arising from kinetic problems
in biology.

He came to NIH as a senior research fel-
low in 1946. From IV48 to 1957, he was
assistant professor of physiology at the Uni-
versity of Chicago, then senior mathemati-
cian at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
and later, analysis counselor to the techni
cal director at the Naval Medical Research
Institute. He rejoined NIH in 1957 as chief,
NIADDK Office of Mathematical Research.
Dr. Hearon, a charter member of the So-
ciety of Mathematical Biology, has served
on the society's board of directors.
He is the author of more than 75 pub-
lished papers and has participated exten-
sively as a referee for most of the promi-
nent journals in his field. He has also been
3n associate editor for Mathematical
Sioscience and Computers in Biology, and ;
member of the publication board of the
Bulletin of Mathemafical Biology.
A native of Sumter, S.C., Dr. Hearon re-
:eived a B.S. in pre-med from the Citadel in
1941. He received an M.S. in biochemistry
n 1942, and a Ph.D. in biochemistry in 194`
`ram the University of Michigan. He was tht
second person ever granted a Ph.D. in
nathematical biology from the University 01
Chicago, awarded in 1950.
Dr. Hearon will be returning to Sumter,
???? O

??????*? ????*????
program Participants
ponsored by Fogarty Internal'/ Center

`l-Dr. Abdur Razzaque, Bangladesh, Labo-
atory of Molecular Carcinogenesis. Sponsor:
Ir. Andrew Peacock, NCI, Bg. 37, Rm. 3DlO.
II-Dr. Nobukuni Terata, Japan, Laboratory of
nmunobiology. Sponsor: Dr. Herbert J. Rapp,
ICI, Bg. 37, Rm. 2820.
`l-Dr. Celina Tsang, Hong Kong, Clinical
harmacoloyy Branch. Sponsor: Dr. Michael
oyd, NCI, ag. 10, Rm. 6Nlll.
`5-Dr. Jacques Treton, France, Laboratory of
ision Research. Sponsor: Dr. Joram
iatigorsky, NICHD, Bg. 6, Rm. 222.
`8-Dr. Sylvia Fargion, Italy, Pediatric Oncolo-
y Branch. Sponsor: Dr. Arthur Levine, NCI,
g. 10, Rm. 3812.
`8--Dr. Hiroki Namba, Japan, Laboratory of
erebral Metabolism. Sponsor: Dr. Louis
>koloff, NIMH, Bg. 36, Rm. lA27.
15-Dr. Chen-ting Chen, China, Laboratory of
entral Nervous System Studies. Sponsor: Dr.
arleton Gajdusek, NINCDS, Bg. 36, Rm. 5625.
15--Dr. Peter Van Bladeren, The Netherlands.
tboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry. Sponsor:
r. Donald Jerina, NIADDK, Sg. 4, Rm. 214.
17-Dr. Toshio Hattori, Japan, Laboratory of
Imunodiagnosis. Sponsor: Dr. Thomas Hoff-
an, NCI, Bg. 10, Rm. 8803.

Dermatology Grow Discusses

Skin-Related Reseirch

The second annual Ad Hoc Interagency
Dermatology Working Group, chaired by
Dr. Laurence Miller, Skin Diseases Program
director, NIADDK, recently met at NIH to
share highlights of skin-related research
supported by Federal agencies.
Representatives from DRR, FDA, NCI,
NIADDK, NIAID, and NIEHS discussed clini-
cal research on primary skin disease and on
systemic disease with secondary skin mani-
festations, as well as basic studies on skin
as a model for cell biology and as a tissue
organ from toxicity testing.
Heinz Eiermann, director of the Division
of Cosmetic Technology, FDA, told mem-
bers that dermatoxicology--the study of
disease induced by exposure of the skin to
toxic agents-is the "toxicology of the fu-
ture."

In the past, he noted, more emphasis has
been placed on research on the toxic ef-
fects of ingesting foods containing sub-
stances such as nitrosamines. Concern is
developing in the medical community, how-
ever, about the systemic effects that these
substances, which are contained in higher
concentrations in cosmetics, may have
when they penetrate the skin.
He said more research is needed on how
substances penetrate the skin because the
effect of certain additives, some of which
are carcinogenic, is cumulative. As an ex-
ample, he cited the widespread and long-
term use of cosmetic preparations
containing safrol.

Mr. Eiermann emphasized that FDA sup-
ports research on the safety, not the effica
cy, of cosmetic preparations. Citing FDA-
supported studies by the North American
Contact Dermatitis Group, Mr. Eiermann
<aid that half of all skin reactions were
caused by cosmetics.

Other topics of discussion included
nicrocirculation monitoring as a predictor
3t amputation success; sktn problems af-
`ecting older people, including actinic skin
lamage and decubitus ulcer; the effect of
he new synthetic retinoids on acne and
Isoriasis; immunodermatology; and wound
lealing.                         .
Further information may be obtained
rom Dr. Richard Lymn, executive secretary,

nteragency Dermatology Working Group,'
96-7495. O

special achievement cash award was pre-
:nted to the entire staff of NIAID budeet office
xently for overroming an unusually hueavy
orkload by working extra hours, often under
rtreme pressure, from Dec. 1, $980 to May 31,
#81. Dr. Richard M. Krause, Institute Director,
resented fhe award to (I to r) Nancy Calinaf;
tonne du Buy, budgel officer; Eva Glow
erard; and Linda Rodman.

Page 10

The NIH Record               July 8, 1981


The publication, A/zhe/mer's Disease: A
Soent/f/c Guide for Health Practrtioners,
produced by NINCDS, won first prize in the
recent annual Blue Pencil awards from the
National Associatton of Government Com-
municators. This award was one of eight
received by NIH components.

The Blue Pencil awards are given annually
for government publications in 15 different
categories. All entries were judged by
nongovernment experts.

The first-place award in category 3A, tech-
nical publications over 16 pages, one color,
was presented to Robin Henig, free-lance
writer, and Agnes Reday, editorial assistant
in the NINCDS Office of Scientific and
Health Reports. The publication was judged
"a thoroughly readable, practical docu-
ment, marred by no superfluous and
tasteless embellishments of any kind."

The third-place prize was also won by
NINCDS in the category 2B, popular publi-
cation over 16 pages, two or three colors,
with the pamphlet, Cerebral Palsy: Hope
Through Research. It was written by staff
member Joan Wilentz, with editorial
assistance by Agnes Reday.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood In-
stitute also received four awards in the
competition. In category 3A, technical pub-
lications over 16 pages, one color, a second

NIH Writers Win 8 Blue Pencil Awards

place was awarded to the NHLBI staff for
Proceedings of lschemrc Heart Disease,
Specialized Centers of Research, Annual
Scientific Meeting, May 8-9, 7980.

Another second place award was won by
NHLBI for their Eighth Report of the Nation-
al Heart, lung, and Blood Advisory Councrl.
This was in category 10, serials other than
magazines or newspapers.

The National High Blood Pressure Educa-
tion Program, NHLBI, won two awards. The
pamphlet, Questions About Weight, Salt,
and High Blood Pressure, won third prize in
the folders, brochures, leaflets, 16 pages or
fewer, category. An honorable mention was
won in category 68, technical books, with
Audiovisual Aids for High Blood Pressure
Education.

The National Cancer Institute won a third
prize in category 6A, popular books, for
Taking Time: Support for People with Can-
cer and the People Who Care for Them. It
was written by Joan Hartman, Office of
Cancer Communications.

An honorable mention was awarded in
category IO, serials other than magazines or
newspapers, to the Division of Research Re-
sources. The prize was presented to James
Augustine, editor, for the 1979 Program
Highlights, Division of Research
Resources. 0

Dr. Bruce D. Weintraub Given Oppenheimer Award

Dr. Bruce D. Weintraub, senior investiga-
`or, Clinical Endocrinology Branch,
\IIADDK, and director, NIH Interinstitute
Endocrinology Training Program, was pre-
;ented the 1981 Ernst Oppenheimer Memo-
?al Award, at the annual Endocrine Society
neeting in Cincinnati last month.

The $3,000 Oppenheimer Award is pre-
;ented to investigators under the age of 41
`or pioneering methods, as well as new
concepts in endocrinology.

lames E. Praiher has been selected as adminis-
trative officer for the Office of the Director, Na-
lional Cancer Institute. Mr. Prather has held
several administrative positions in the Institute
since starting there in 1972, and later gained ex-
perience in the field of grants and contracts.
His most recent position was contract specialist
in the Division of Cancer Control and Rehabili-
tation.

July 8, 1981

Dr. Weintraub was cited for "innovation
and thoroughness" in his research on gly-
coprotein hormones, their biosynthesis,
circulating forms, and target cell
interactions and effects.

In recent years, he and his associates,
Drs. lone Kourides, Linda Giudice and Mrs.
Bethel Stannard, have elucidated the funda-
mental mechanisms of thyroid-stimulating
hormone biosynthesis and secretion.

Mrs. Levy received numerous awards and
citations for volunteer hospital work at the
Walter Reed Army Hospital. She is also the
recipient of the JWV Americanism Award,
earned for her leadership in arranging and
hosting receptions for "new Americans" at
the District Court.

Using cell-free and intact cell systems,
they have shown that alpha and beta
subunits are synthesized from separate
messenger RNA, initially as nongfycosylated
precursor forms containing an aminoter-
minal extension peptide.

"After these foreign-born people were
sworn in as citizens, we greeted them and
tried to make them feel they were real
L\mericans," she says. "Their reactions to a
little friendliness were amazing. These re-
ceptions were truly gratifying experiences."

Mrs. Levy and her husband, Irvtn, a re-
:ired Naval Research Laboratory electronic
engineer, plan to spend most of their time
n Pembroke Pines, Fla.

Cleavage of this "signal" peptide and
specific addition of carbohydrate residues
are necessary before the subunits can com-
bine to form active TSH.

With Dr. Fredrika Pekonen, Dr. Wein-
traub has also developed new methods to
study the interaction of TSH with its recep-
tors on thyroid cells and on purified plasma
membranes.

His early collaborative research accom-
plishments include the characterization of
the synthesis and physicochemical and
combining properties of alpha and beta
subunits of chorionic gonadotropin; the
development of sensitive and specific
radioimmunoassays for TSH and its alpha
and beta subunits; and the discovery of a
new form of hyperthyroidism caused by pi-
tuitary resistance to thyroid hormone,
which led to the identification of additional
patients with inappropriate TSH secretion.

Dr. Weintraub is currently leading the
Clinical Endocrinology Branch investiga-     tirs. levy participates in community affairs
tions on the use of cytopheresis in the     vherever she goes. She is now busily engaged
                       n editing the weekly condominium newsletter
treatment of Graves' disease. O             n Florida.

The NIH Record

Page 11

Audrey Levy Retires;
Active Community Worker

Audrev Levy, secretan: to the director of
the Division of Research Resources, has
retired after 22 years in Federal service.

A native of Atlantic City, N.J.. Mrs. Levy
began her cavil service career in 1942 with
the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a CAF-2
clerk-typist. She eventually became a secre-
tary in the newly completed Pentagon
building. She restgned in 1951 to keep
house and raise three daughters.

In 1966. she resumed her career in gov-
ernment, joining the Division of Research
Facilities and Resources (now the Division
of Research Resources) as a part-time secre-
tary. She went to permanent status in 1971
and was appointed secretary to the DRR Di-
rector in 1974. Mrs. Levy is the recipient of
three HEW and HHS special achievement
awards during her career.

Extremely active in community aftairs, she
IS the past president of both the Ladies Aux-
lliary of the Jewish War Veterans Post 381,
and the D.C. Ladies Auxiliary of the Jewish
war Veterans. She represented the auxiliary
as standardbearer at the annual Arlington
Cemetary Memorial Service for 20 consecu-
tive years. She was also a Girl Scout leader
for 7 years and served as membership charr-
man for the neighborhood area in Silver
Spring.

7eceived JWV Award


Resigning Director Has Made No Definite Plans on Future

"NIH is in the very marrow of my bones."
Dr. Donald S. Fredrickson summed up his
feelings when he wrote these words in his
letter of resignation to HHS Secretary
Richard S. Schweiker on June 17.

The 56-year-old scientist and administra-
tor stepped down on June 30 from the NIH
"dais" after 28 dedicated years in the labo-
ratory and as a brilliant leader in the bio-
medical research community. However, his
prime interest still remains in the biomed-
ical research field. In addition to his reputa-
tion and prominence as the NIH Director
for the past 6 years, he is recognized inter-
nationally for his work on lipid metabolism.

He now goes to the National Academy of
Sciences as a visiting scholar for a possible
Interim l-year period. "I'm doubtless going
to be working on one or more tasks that the
new president, Dr. Frank Press, either
wishes to initiate or continue," he said.
`They could very well relate to the funding
of research or funding of science."

With regard to his future plans after the
NAS "bridging period," the articulate
spokesman for NIH said that he had no
definite plans or commitments at this point.

"I haven't had a chance to think for 6
years." he laughed. "Within a week or so,
with some rest, things will probably start
bubbling up there. I'll start sorting out
things again."

He continued, "I'm really going to sort
3ut my options. I may be talking about sci-
once (at the bench), but I may also be think-
ng about getting back into teaching medi-
:ine. I really have not closed down all
,ossible avenues from this big intersectio'n
Nhere I now stand."
Further elucidating his feelings about his
Ctuation at this juncture of his life and ca-
.eer, Dr. Fredrickson reflected, "Well, you
arrive at a certain point where you get to
lave one or more chances (for change). For
nstance, I might return to lipid metabolism
-esearch. I don't have any illusions about
low difficult it would be to get back into
he `wet lab' again to pick up all those new
:echniques. I think it would not be the most
xrobable situation I would end up in, but I
Nouldn't want to rule it out. However, I

gelia 1. Ceja, Dr. Fredrickson's secretary, as-
iists him in clearing up a few last-minute details
n his office.

Dr. Fredrickson's driver, James V. Carter, bids
farewell to him on the steps of Bldg. 1.

certainly feel there are more than just a
couple of choices."

In discussing hobbies and interests, Dr.
Fredrickson laughingly confessed that he
sometimes played "hard Bach" on the pia-
no. He aiso Indicated that he might Itike les-
sons to further perfect his piano technique
in playing the classics.

Asked whether he played the piano in the
evenings to relax and unwind from the
pressures of office, he replied, "Not neces-
sarily. I never felt the pressures to be too
heavy. Of course, I've gotten downright
tired by lots of writing, but I never minded
the so-called pressure."

With regard to the irritations of office and
unexpected setbacks encountered every
now and then in Bldg. 1, he cheerfully said,
"Yes, there are a lot of irritations encoun-
tered as head of an organization such as
this, but that's part of the attraction of this
job. You're always faced with something
different. The challenge is there and there
is always something that offers the chance
for creative solutions."

Dr. Fredrickson appeared to be very opti-
mistic about the situation when discussing
the present unsettled conditions affecting
government employees.

"We are in transition," he said. "The im-
portant thing for everybody to remember is
that all social institutions . . . certainly
those in government . , . are going through
change in this transition. But NIH is among
the most stable, because its purposes are
eternal.

"All institutions like ours may be experi-
encing the transition . . . but for some
years we have been setting course, and ad-
justing our course in anticipation for
austerity . . batting down for the winds
that we may encounter.

"NIH will survive because its purpose is
just that important to mankind. You can't
prevent our going on to discover."

As a last note, Dr. Fredrickson had this to
say about his stay at NIH: "I am really grate-
ful that I had the opportunity to lead this re-
markable institution . . . and it is that. It is
absolutely something special. I've been
here 28 years, and I don't think there is any

I'

)ther place where I could have stayed that
ong and felt so satisfied and so certain that
                          

I was engaged in something that really

- -

counted (the work of NIH)."

He continued, "Of course there are
things we'd like to change. The amenities
are slim. The buildings on campus are not
covered with ivy, and we don't have many
academic processions. Sometimes, all the
things we do right down to the line get
monotonous. But all in all, the purposes
and actions at NIH are really deep and
meaningful." O

aU S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1981-341-1341121

Some Epilepsy Drugs Cause
Birth Defects in Animals

Several drugs used to manage epilepsy
have recently been found to cause birth de-
fects in animals under study by Dr. Sergio
Fabro and fellow researchers of the Nation-
al Institute of EnvironmeAtal Health Sci-
ences.

Based on this information, physicians are
currently advised to evaluate all data on
these medications before prescribing them
to women of childbearing age.

Approximately 2 million people in the
United States suffer from epilepsy, of
whom the vast majority take medications to
control their disorder. In 1857, epilepsy was
first treated with bromides, used until 1912
when the drug phenobarbital was
introduced.

Today, over a dozen different drugs are
available, but a high frequency of birth de-
fects have been found in children whose
mothers were taking anticonvulsant drugs
such as trimethadione and dimethadione.

Scientists in the Experimental Teratogen-
esis Section, Laboratory of Reproductive
and Developmental Toxicology, NIEHS, are
evaluating abnormal fetal development and
the birth defect potential of chemically re-
late," xxqx~x!: used ir? the .ma.nagement
of epilepsv.

Since epileptic seizures vary, a wide
range of drugs is available to manage this
little-understood malady. Researchers stud-
led two chemical classes: oxazolidinedione
Itrimethadione, dimethadione, and para-
nethadione), which are ail anticonvulsants
used for management of petit mal epilepsy;
and succinimide (phensuximide, meth-
juximide, and ethosuximide), drugs used to
treat other types of epileptic seizures.
The compounds were injected into mice
.vhich were then sacrificed and surgically
examined. The uteri were removed and ex-
amined for the number of live, dead, or re-
;orbing fetuses. Each live fetus was then
Neighed and examined for internal and
external abnormalities.

Results showed that mice given the drug
rimethadione, a derivative of oxazolidine-
jione, suffered abnormalities affecting the
skeletal, circulatory, respiratory, genital,
md renal systems.
Since women often do not know of their
lregnancy until several weeks after concep-
ion, physicians are urged to prescribe to
I// women of childbearing age alternative
drugs that cause less risk to the early devel-
lpment of the fetus. 0               3.

`age 12

The NIH Record

July 8, 1981