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HICNet Medical News Digest Sun, 02 Apr 1995 Volume 08 : 
Issue 12

Today's Topics:

 [MMWR] Vaccination Coverage Surveys in County Health Departments --
 [MMWR] National Public Health Week
 [MMWR] Availability of Recommendations for Preventing Vancomycin
 Managing in Academic Health Centers
 National AIDS Clearinghouse FAXBack Service
 13th Asia Pacific Cancer Conference Announcment
 FDA Approves Drug For Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
 McGill Journal of Medicine - Submissions Invited
 FDA's 1994 Medication Approvals
 NASA Tests Painless Ways of Measuring Intracranial Pressure
 42nd Annual Course in Oral Pathology - AFIP
 Public Health Research Training Grants 1995-1996
 Int'l Workshop on Information Processing in Cells and Tissues
 New Computer Programs/Files on UC Irvine Ftp Server

 +------------------------------------------------+
 ! !
 ! Health Info-Com Network !
 ! Medical Newsletter !
 +------------------------------------------------+
 Editor: David Dodell, D.M.D.
 10250 North 92nd Street, Suite 210, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-4599 
USA
 Telephone +1 (602) 860-1121
 FAX +1 (602) 451-1165
 Internet: mednews@stat.com
 Bitnet: ATW1H@ASUACAD

 Mosaic WWW
*Asia/Pacific:
 http://biomed.nus.sg/MEDNEWS/welcome.html
*Americas:
 http://cancer.med.upenn.edu:3000/
*Europe:
 http://www.dmu.ac.uk/ln/MEDNEWS/

Compilation Copyright 1995 by David Dodell, D.M.D. All rights 
Reserved.
License is hereby granted to republish on electronic media for which 
no
fees are charged, so long as the text of this copyright notice and 
license
are attached intact to any and all republished portion or portions.

The Health Info-Com Network Newsletter is distributed biweekly. 
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on a medical nature are welcomed. If you have an article, please 
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in
joining the automated distribution system, please contact the editor.

 Associate Editors:

E. Loren Buhle, Jr. Ph.D. Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Univ of 
Pennsylvania

 Tom Whalen, M.D., Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden

 Douglas B. Hanson, Ph.D., Forsyth Dental Center, Boston, MA

 Lawrence Lee Miller, B.S. Biological Sciences, UCI

 Dr K C Lun, National University Hospital, Singapore

 W. Scott Erdley, MS, RN, SUNY@UB School of Nursing

 Jack E. Cross, B.S Health Care Admin, 882 Medical Trng Grp, USAF

 Albert Shar, Ph.D. CIO, Associate Prof, Univ of Penn School of 
Medicine

 Stephen Cristol, M.D. MPH, Dept of Ophthalmology, Emory Univ, Atlanta, 
GA

 Subscription Requests = mednews@stat.com
 anonymous ftp = vm1.nodak.edu; directory HICNEWS
 FAX Delivery = Contact Editor for information


----------------------------------------------------------------------

To: hicnews
Departments --

 Vaccination Coverage Surveys in County Health Departments -- Kansas,
1993-1994

 The objective of the Childhood Immunization Initiative (CII) is to
protect all children in the United States by their second birthday 
against
nine vaccine-preventable diseases. Specific objectives for 1994 were to
increase coverage levels to at least 85% for the third dose of 
diphtheria
and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine (DTP3) and the first dose of
measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR1); 75% for the third doses of 
oral
poliovirus vaccine (OPV3) and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine 
(Hib3);
and 30% for the third dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB3) (1). To 
determine
whether county health departments in Kansas had achieved the national
vaccination objectives, in 1993 staff from the Kansas Department of 
Health
and Environment (KDHE) began assessing vaccination coverage rates for
children aged 2 years served by county health departments in that state.
This report presents the results of the first vaccination coverage
assessments of all 105 county health departments in Kansas during 
November
1993-November 1994.
 The Clinic Assessment Software Application (CASA), which was 
developed
by CDC to assist in the measurement of vaccination coverage rates (2,3),
was used to assess coverage rates of DTP3, MMR1, OPV3, and Hib3 at the
second birthday (4). Coverage rates for HepB3 were not assessed because
universal hepatitis B vaccination of infants had not been implemented
statewide. KDHE staff conducted 104 assessments; CDC conducted one. Most
(100 [95%]) assessments were conducted onsite at county health 
departments;
four (4%) were conducted offsite using copies of county health 
department
vaccination records. The assessments reviewed records for all children 
aged
2 years and excluded those who were documented to have moved or gone
elsewhere for health care. Because county health departments are
administratively autonomous in Kansas, methods for maintaining 
vaccination
records are not standardized. In health departments maintaining records 
for
all children receiving services at the department for any reason, the
assessment targeted all children with a medical record, including those 
who
had never been vaccinated; in health departments maintaining only
vaccination records, the assessment was restricted to children who had
received at least one vaccination from the health department. Initially,
systematic random sampling was done in health departments with greater 
than
or equal to 50 records; during the assessment, this was changed to 
include
only health departments maintaining greater than 200 records 
(approximately
20% of all health departments). Systematic random sampling ensured the
computation of a 95% confidence interval within seven percentage points 
of
the estimated coverage rate (2). All eligible records were assessed in 
the
remaining health departments (3). Overall, the median number of records
reviewed in a health department assessment was 86 (range: seven to 284).
 Median coverage rates at the second birthday for individual 
vaccines
ranged from 89% for DTP3 to 75% for OPV3 (Table 1). The 1994 goal for 
all
four vaccines assessed was met by 35 (33%) of the health departments; 82
(78%) met or surpassed the goal for Hib3, and 41 (39%) met or surpassed 
the
goal for MMR1. None of the goals were met by 17 (16%) health 
departments.
The median size of the birth cohort of 2-year-olds in counties with 
health
departments achieving the four 1994 goals assessed was 51 (range: 24-
364),
compared with a median of 411 (range: 36-7580) in health departments not
achieving any of these objectives. Health departments in which the 
survey
population included all children with a medical record were less likely 
to
meet the objectives than those that included only children who had 
received
at least one vaccination: a survey population consisting of all children
with a medical record was assessed in 13 (77%) of the 17 health 
departments
not meeting any of the objectives, while only one (3%) of the 35 health
departments that met the four 1994 goals assessed a comparable 
population.
 KDHE provided findings of each assessment to county health 
department
personnel and reviewed possible improvements in recordkeeping and
vaccination practices. In addition, health departments were provided 
lists
of children (based on the study sample) whose vaccinations were not
up-to-date.

Reported by: S Bowden, M Burt, J Calder, DVM, J Hansen, M Mayer, L 
Perry,
MS, G Pezzino, MD, C Schiffelbein, D Silvius, MA, L Wilberschied, MS, 
Bur
of Disease Control, AR Pelletier, MD, Acting State Epidemiologist, 
Kansas
Dept of Health and Environment. Div of Field Epidemiology, Epidemiology
Program Office; Program Operations Br, Div of Immunization Svcs, 
National
Immunization Program, CDC.

Editorial Note: The approach of KDHE illustrates the potential 
advantages
of assessing provider-specific vaccination coverage levels, including
objective characteristics of the vaccine provider's recordkeeping and
vaccination practices. The use of a computer-based package such as CASA
enables completion of the assessment onsite and immediate dissemination 
to
health department staff. Assessments also enable determination of 
whether
vaccination coverage can be improved through simultaneous administration
of multiple vaccines and through elimination of missed opportunities by
reviewing a child's vaccination status at every visit to the health
department and providing vaccinations when appropriate (5).
 The coverage estimates in Kansas are subject to at least four
limitations. First, these estimates reflect vaccination coverage only 
for
children attending county health departments and cannot be used as
countywide, population-based vaccination rates. Second, criteria for
determining when to assess a sample of eligible records was changed 
during
the statewide assessment. Third, because of differences in recordkeeping
systems, the populations on which the assessments were based varied;
therefore, coverage rates for county health departments in Kansas cannot
be compared directly. Finally, estimated reported coverage rates may 
vary
from actual coverage rates. Overestimation can occur in health 
departments
where the assessment of vaccination status includes only children who 
had
received at least one vaccination from the health department. These 
health
departments were more likely to have met the four vaccination goals than
those where the assessment of vaccination status includes children seen 
for
any reason. In contrast, underestimation can occur when the records 
either
do not document when children move or do not document vaccinations that
were obtained from other providers. In Kansas, underestimation may be 
more
common in larger counties because of the numbers of children to be 
tracked
and the numbers of providers of vaccine.
 KDHE has developed plans to improve and expand the assessment 
process
to meet future vaccination coverage goals. The national vaccination
coverage objectives set by the CII for 1996 are 90% for DTP3, MMR1, 
OPV3,
and HIB3, and 70% for HepB3 (1) at the second birthday. Therefore,
beginning in 1995, the scope of the assessments in Kansas was expanded 
to
examine coverage rates for hepatitis B vaccine, reflecting the statewide
implementation of universal hepatitis B vaccination of infants. Uniform
criteria were developed for determining which children had moved and 
should
no longer be included in the survey population. In addition, KDHE is
considering options for standardizing vaccination recordkeeping to 
ensure
comparability and consistency of assessments.
 States receiving Immunization Action Plan funds during 1995 are
required to assess all public health clinics annually.* To assist with
these assessments, CASA software is available at no charge to public and
private providers from the National Immunization Program, CDC, telephone
(404) 639-8392.

References
1. CDC. Reported vaccine-preventable diseases--United States, 1993, and 
the
Childhood Immunization Initiative. MMWR 1994;43:57-60.
2. CDC. Guidelines for assessing vaccination levels of the 2-year-old
population in a clinic setting. Atlanta: US Department of Health and 
Human
Services, Public Health Service, CDC, 1992.
3. CDC. Clinic assessment software application (CASA): user's guide.
Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health 
Service,
CDC, 1994.
4. ACIP. General recommendations on immunization: recommendations of the
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR 1994;43(no.
RR-1).
5. CDC. Standards for pediatric immunization practices: recommended by 
the
National Vaccine Advisory Committee--approved by the U.S. Public Health
Service. MMWR 1993;42(no. RR-5).

*Public Law 103-333.



------------------------------

To: hicnews

 National Public Health Week

 April 3-9, 1995, has been designated National Public Health Week.
Federal, state, and local public health agencies throughout the country
will collaborate with private organizations and educational institutions
on activities to promote healthy lifestyles and to heighten awareness of
the essential services and benefits of public health.
 The Public Health Service, the American Public Health Association, 
the
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, the National
Association of County and City Health Officials, and other national 
public
health organizations have suggested activities to their constituents to
increase understanding of the role of public health in protecting and
improving the health status of individuals and communities. The theme 
for
the week, "Public Health Is You, Too," focuses on the role persons can 
play
in protecting their own health and that of their families and 
communities.
 Additional information about National Public Health Week is 
available
from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Room 2132, 
330
C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20201; telephone (202) 205-5968; and the
American Public Health Association, 1015 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC
20005; telephone (202) 789-5600.


------------------------------

To: hicnews
Vancomycin

 Availability of Recommendations for Preventing Vancomycin Resistance

 In February 1995, the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory
Committee published Recommendations for Preventing the Spread of 
Vancomycin
Resistance (1). Copies of the recommendations are available from the
National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, 
Springfield,
VA 22161; telephone (703) 487-4650.
Reference
1. Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. 
Recommendations
for preventing the spread of vancomycin resistance. Infect Control Hosp
Epidemiol 1995;16:105-13.


------------------------------

To: hicnews

MANAGING IN ACADEMIC HEALTH CENTERS

May 21-25, 1995
The William and Ida Friday Continuing Education Center
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill


Managing in Academic Health Centers is an intensive management program
examining topics most pressing in today's academic health center
community.
Presented by nationally-recognized faculty, sessions include topics such
as understanding the issues and challenges now facing academic health
centers, enhancing the educational process, developing productive
organizations, managing people, finding and controlling funds, and using
technology effectively.

Leaders from across the academic health center are encouraged to attend,
including academic and professional leaders in Schools of allied health,
dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health; 
administrators

in teaching hospitals and university-operated health clinics; and others
managing in the academic health center environment.


THE FEE for the entire five-day management program is $1295. It
includes all educational materials (including the book, Managing
in Academics: A Health Care Model, by program co-director Jill
Ridky and faculty member George Sheldon), instructional sessions,
coffee breaks, a welcome reception, lunch each day, a reception
and dinner on Sunday night, and a North Carolina "pig pickin'"
on Tuesday night.

Enrollment in the program is limited to maintain interaction among
participants and the faculty, so early registration is strongly
advised.

MANAGING IN ACADEMIC HEALTH CENTERS is sponsored by the Institute
for Academic and Professional Leadership, the Division of Health
Affairs, and the Division of Continuing Education at The University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact program co-director
Chip Pate at the address below.

**********************************************************************
William S. (Chip) Pate, Jr., Ph.D. | Phone: 919-962-3276
Program Director | FAX: 919-962-2061
Institute for Academic and | Email: iapl@unc.edu
 Professional Leadership |
The Friday Center, CB #1020 | The IAPL offers professional
UNC-Chapel Hill | development to leaders in
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-1020 | higher education.
**********************************************************************



------------------------------

To: hicnews

NAC FAX Document List
CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse
March 1995


NAC FAX -- A free, 24 hour fax-back service of the CDC National
AIDS Clearinghouse. Now selected documents, including
CDC fact sheets, surveillance report tables, and Clearinghouse
information can be faxed from the Clearinghouse directly to you! To
access NAC FAX, call (800) 458-5231 and select option 5 from the
voice menu prompt. Below is the current list of available documents
from NAC FAX.


 List of Available Documents


Description Pages Document
 Number


List of available documents 2 1
Draft C&T Guidelines Pregnant Women 21 4000

CDC FACTS ABOUT...

Health-Care Workers, 10/94 1 287
Scope of the Epidemic, 11/93 3 288
Adolescents and HIV/AIDS, 12/94 4 289
Women and HIV/AIDS, 2/95 3 290
HIV/AIDS and Race/Ethnicity, 11/93 3 293
HIV/AIDS and U.S. Blacks, 10/93 2 725
CDC HIV/AIDS Prevention Act 11/93 6 292
Condoms Use in Preventing HIV..1/95 3 444
Drug Use and HIV/AIDS, 9/93 3 543
HIV and Its Transmission, 5/94 4 318
HIV Prevention/Community Plan 10/94 3 400


 

(Continued from last message)

HIV/AIDS SURVEILLANCE TABLES, 6/94

AIDS cases by state 1 001
AIDS cases by metropolitan area 2 002
AIDS cases by age, exposure category 1 003
Male..AIDS cases by exposure..race.. 1 004
Female..AIDS cases by exposure..race.. 1 005
Pediatric AIDS cases by exposure, race.. 1 006
AIDS cases.. <age 25, by sex..exposure 1 007
AIDS cases by sex, age - diagnosis, race 1 008
AIDS cases, case-fatality rates, death 1 009
AIDS cases by..and definition category 1 010
Health-care workers...by occupation 1 011
AIDS cases..multiple exposure category 1 012
HIV..cases by exposure..race/ethnicity 1 013
Male HIV infection cases... 1 014
Female HIV infection cases... 1 015
HIV..by sex, age at diagnosis..race.. 1 016
All 16 tables and technical notes 20 017
Technical notes 3 018

PATHFINDERS TO INFORMATION

Guide to BBS's and Internet Resources 22 2000
Guide to Locating Information About HIV/AIDS 4 2001
Guide to Resources About Women and HIV/AIDS 10 2002
Guide...Resources, People Living with AIDS 9 2003

INFORMATION ON CLEARINGHOUSE SERVICES

List of HIV/AIDS Materials 2/95 23 1000
Clearinghouse Internet Services 2 1001
Information About the Clearinghouse 2 1002
Document Delivery Service 1 1003
Information About Deposit Accounts 1 1004
HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service 1 1005
Information About CDC NAC Online 2 1006
AIDS Clinical Trials Information Service 2 1007

MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORTS

Update AIDS...U.S. 1994, 2/3/95 3 3000
Update AIDS Among Women...U.S., 1994 3 3001

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT...

HIV/AIDS and Nutrition 2 5000
HIV/AIDS and The Deaf 2 5001
HIV/AIDS and Visually Impaired Persons 2 5002
HIV/AIDS and Incarcerated Persons 2 5003
HIV/AIDS and Developmentally Disabled Persons 2 5004
HIV/AIDS and Women 5 5005



------------------------------

To: hicnews

13th Asia Pacific Cancer Conference
17-20 November, 1996
Penang Malaysia

Since 1973 the Asian and Pacific Federation of Organisations for Cancer
Research
 and Control (APFOCC) has organised International Cancer Conferences
biennially
 in the Region. Previous venues have been Tokyo, Singapore, manila, 
Bombay,
 Colombo, Sendai, Jakarta, Seoul, Lahore, Beijing and Bangkok.

The National Cancer Society of Malaysia has been entrusted with the task 
of
 organising the 13th Asia Pacific Cancer Conference with the Malaysian
 Oncological Society as co-organisers.

The theme of this Conference is TOWARDS QUALITY CANCER CARE." Emphasis 
will
be
 on the realities of the Cancer Problems in the Asia-Pacific Region with 
the
 objectives of lowering the incidence of cancer, increasing cure rates 
and,
for
 those who cannot be cured, providing good palliative care.

I have great pleasure in inviting you to this Conference so that we can 
share
 with each other our experiences, and learn from one another the many
different
 ways in which we together meet the ever-increasing problem of cancer in 
our
 part of the world.

Penang has been chosen as the venue simply because it is still the 
Pearl of
the
 Orient in spite of the rapid development of recent years. Warm 
smiling
 Malaysians will welcome you to our multiracial country with its many 
cultures
 and to a hinterland of unspoilt tropical vistas. We hope to see you 
here in
 November 1996.

Selamat Datang!

Dato Dr. T Devaraj
Chairman, Organising Committee.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
--
 ---------------------------------

Organising Committee

Chairman:
Dato Dr. T Devaraj

Secretary General:
Mr John Cardosa

Assistant Secretary General:
Mr Jonas Phang

Treasurer:
Tuan Hj Shaik Ibrahim

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE:
Chairman:
Prof. John Bosco

Vice-Chairmen:
Prof. Dr. Md. Tahir Azhar
Dr. Albert Lim Kok Hooi

Secretary:
Dr. Tan Meng Kuan

Members:

 Prof. Looi Lai Meng
Prof. Lin Hai Peng
Prof. V Sivanesaratnam
Prof. Dr. K E Lim
Dr. M A M Zaatar
Dr. Zarihah bt Zain
Dato (Dr.) Miss Suseela Nair
Dr. S Ganesan
Prof. Dr. Abdul Samad bin Sakijan
Dr. Raja Khuzaiah Razak
Dato Dr. Mohd Ismail Merican
Dr. Gurucharan Singh Khera
Dr. Azriman Rosman
Dr. Ng Kok Han
Dr. Allen Khoo
Prof. Tikki Pang
Dr. Mohd. Hafiz b Ali
Prof. Dr. Isa Hj Oman

INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE:

 Karen Antman
Kunio Aoki
Sidney J Arnott
Syed Abbas Askari
Asri Rasad
Paul P Carbone
Kiti Chindavijak
P B Desai
Nigel Gray
Prakash C Gupta
S T Han
Geoffrey W Hanks
Takeshi Hirayama
Shigeru Hisamichi
John H C Ho
Andrew T Huang
D J Jussawalla
Jin-Pok Kim
Lee Hin Peng
Neil Macdonald
Judith Mackay
Gerald P Murphy
William M Murphy
Jerge A Ortega
Christopher Paine
D M Parkin
Carlos A Perez
Elio Riboli
Charles D Sherman Jr.
R P Simon
J Stjernsward
Fumikazu Takeda
Martin Tattersall
Suketami Tominaga
A J Turnbull
Marcus Vowel
Christopher Wild
Theodore Tian-Ze Zhang

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
--
 -----------------------------


For further information please write to the

Secretary-General:
13th Asia Pacific Cancer Conference
National Cancer Society of Malaysia (Penang Branch)
A2.27, Komtar, 10000 Penang Malaysia
Phone: 604 - 2614140 Fax 604 - 2618691

Email enquiries: palani@palani.pc.my
Mr. SP. Palaniappan MBBS(Madras) DLO(Eng.) FRCSEd., Consultant ENT 
Surgeon
GLENEAGLES MEDICAL CENTRE
1, Jalan Pangkor, 10050 Penang
(: 04 -- 220 2188 Fax 04 -- 226 2994
INTERNET E_Mail : palani@palani.pc.my

 -------------------------End-----------------------

 Thank you very much.
 If you cannot forward this then please tell me how to go about it.
 Thanks
 Regards
 Palani

--
Mr SP. Palaniappan, Consultant E.N.T.Surgeon (palani@palani.pc.my)

Gleneagles Medical Centre, 1 Jalan Pangkor, 10050 Penang Malaysia

Phone: 04 - 220 2188 Fax: 04 - 226 2994k



------------------------------

To: hicnews

 FDA APPROVES DRUG FOR NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

 FDA has approved the drug Navelbine for treatment of non-small
cell lung cancer. Navelbine is indicated for use alone or in
combination with cisplatin, a commonly used cancer drug, for
ambulatory patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who
are not candidates for surgery because of the extent of their
disease. The following may be useful in answering questions.
 Two studies have demonstrated that Navelbine injection, used
alone or in combination with cisplatin, prolonged patient survival
compared to other treatments. In one randomized study, patients
treated with Navelbine had a median survival of 30 weeks compared
to 22 weeks in patients treated with an investigational combination
of leucovorin and fluorouracil (5FU), a regimen of unestablished
value.
 In a European multicenter, randomized trial, patients with
inoperable cancer given Navelbine plus cisplatin survived a median
of 40 weeks, compared to 32 weeks for patients given vindesine plus
cisplatin, and 31 weeks for Navelbine alone.
 The major side effects of Navelbine include neutropenia (a
decrease in white blood cells which increases susceptibility to
infection), weakness, inflammation or discomfort at the injection
site, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and numbness, pain or
tingling in fingers and toes.
 Under a treatment IND authorized by FDA on May 3, 1994, more
than 390 patients received the drug. FDA's treatment IND
regulations allow drug developers to provide earlier and wider
access to promising investigational therapies for patients with
serious or immediately life-threatening disease conditions for
which there are no comparable or satisfactory alternative
treatments available.
 Burroughs Wellcome Co. of Research Triangle Park, N.C.,
manufactures the drug.



------------------------------

To: hicnews

Fellow Netters,

We at the McGill Journal of Medicine would like to offer you a
complimentary copy of the premiere issue of MJM, a student-run peer
reviewed medical journal. To receive your free copy, please mail us
your postal address to:

 mjm@medcor.mcgill.ca

or to
 McGill Journal of Medicine
 3655 Drummond Street
 Montreal, PQ H3G 1Y6
 Canada

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The McGill Journal of Medicine (MJM) is an exciting new international
medical journal published by students in the Faculties of Medicine and
Management at McGill University. Based on the conviction that
students can make significant contributions to the advancement of
medical knowledge, the MJM provides an international forum for
university students to publish original research in the field of
medicine. The MJM, appearing twice yearly, is unique: There are
currently no comparable student-run journals in North America.

All medical students are invited to submit manuscripts, which will be
peer- and faculty-reviewed. The editorial board will be submitting
the MJM for consideration to be indexed in Index Medicus, MEDLINE, and
other relevant reference indices in the future so that students' work
will be cited by research investigators published elsewhere.

We at the editorial board are committed to producing a
professional-quality publication, but the excellence of a journal is
determined by the merit of its articles. With your help, we intend to
establish the MJM as the premiere journal for student medical
research. Manuscripts must be postmarked by June 12, 1995 to appear
in the September 1995 issue. Submissions to other scientific journals
are ineligible for consideration.

To receive the MJM's "Instructions to Authors," please contact
Jonathan Lim, editor-in-chief, at 3655 Drummond Street, Montreal, PQ
H3G 1Y6, (514)842-2029, internet: mjm@medcor.mcgill.ca.

Copies of the premiere issue of the MJM (April 1995) will be
distributed to all 139 medical schools in the United States and
Canada, and to medical schools in England and Singapore.



------------------------------

To: hicnews

FDA'S 1994 MEDICATION APPROVALS

 FDA approved 85 new drug and licensed biological products
last year while setting new records for review times and
approvals of supplemental applications. The significantly
improved performance of the Centers for drugs and biologics
reflected the effects of the user fee program.
 The most important gains were in median approval times for
both drugs and biologics. The median time for the 23 approved
vaccines and other biological products was 12.2 months, almost
one-half of the 23.4 months that had been required for similar
approvals in 1993. The median time for the 62 new drug approvals
was 19 months, a period 21 percent shorter than was needed for
drugs approved in 1993.
 More than a third of the approved drugs -- 22 -- were new
molecular entities (NMEs), products containing an active
substance that had never before been marketed in any form in the
United States. The median review time for NMEs was 17.5 months
as against 23 months in the year before.
 Fourteen of the NMEs were applications submitted since the
start of the user fee program. These applications were approved
in a median time of 12.1 months.
 Seventeen of the approved new drug applications were in the
"priority" classification granted to medications that are
expected to have important new therapeutic value. The median
approval time for these products was 15 months. For the ten
priority products filed under the user fee program the median
approval time was 10.4 months.
 The user fee program, authorized by the Prescription Drug
User Fee Act of 1992, has enabled the agency to collect fees from
pharmaceutical companies and use the proceeds to accelerate the
review process at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
(CDER) and Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER).
In its recent report to Congress on user fees, FDA reported that
it has met all interim user fee goals to date, including the
elimination of overdue drug and biologic submissions. Those
overdue submissions are due to be cleared by July 2, 1995, and
the agency reported to Congress that only 9 of these 696
submissions remained and they will be cleared by the July 2
deadline.
 Both Centers also approved an unprecedented number of
supplemental applications for changes in manufacturing processes
of already approved products. CDER approved 1,032 and CBER 888
such changes. Each total represents a more than 20 percent
increase over comparative results in 1993.
 Noteworthy drug approvals included Burroughs Wellcome's
Navelbine, a new first-line treatment for ambulatory patients
with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer; Mylan
Pharmaceuticals' Cystagon to treat children with nephropathic
cystinosis, a rare kidney disease; Bristol-Myers Squibb's Zerit,
a new anti-HIV treatment for adults with advanced HIV infection
who are intolerant of other approved therapies; and Fujisawa's
Prograf, a new drug to keep the body from rejecting an allogenic
liver transplant.
 The agency also approved Lipha Pharmaceutical's Glucophage,
a new therapy for adjunctive treatment of patients with non-
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus who cannot be managed on diet
alone; and Alcon's Vexol, a new treatment for postoperative
inflammation following ocular surgery and in the treatment of


 

(Continued from last message)
anterior uveitis.
 Major biological approvals included the first U.S. HIV test
system using oral fluid specimens, manufactured by Epitope and
Organon Teknika; Pegaspargase for acute lymphocytic leukemia in
hypersensitive patients from Enzon Inc.; new indications for
Amgen's filgrastim, the first product for effective treatment of
an immune disorder called severe chronic neutropenia (SCN); and
Centocor B.V.'s Abciximab, a monoclonal antibody for use in
conjunction with angioplasty procedures.
 FDA also licensed a new vaccine for prevention of typhoid
fever. The product, called typhoid Vi polysaccharide vaccine, is
manufactured by Pasteur Merieux Serums & Vaccines in France. In
addition a new manufacturer, Greer Laboratories, was licensed to
produce plague vaccine.
 In addition to the new applications, FDA last year also
approved 219 drug and antibiotic applications for manufacturing
and marketing as generic products.



------------------------------

To: hicnews

Ann Hutchison
Ames Research Center, Mountain View, CA
(Phone: 415/604-4968)

RELEASE: 95-37

NASA TESTS PAINLESS WAYS OF MEASURING INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE

 NASA scientists are testing two diagnostic devices to
measure pressure inside the head, or intracranial pressure
(ICP), without penetrating the skull or skin.

 Scientists at NASA's Ames Research Center, Mountain
View, CA, hope the technology will help them determine
whether increased ICP contributes to the headaches, nasal
congestion and space motion sickness that some astronauts
experience during space flight. There currently is no
direct evidence that the space environment increases ICP
because there is no way to accurately and non-invasively
measure changes in ICP in humans.

 Improved means of measuring intracranial pressure may
benefit victims of trauma to the head, as well as
astronauts. "Early non-invasive measurements of ICP may
help reduce both the mortality and morbidity associated
with head trauma," said Alan R. Hargens, Ph.D., of Ames
Life Sciences Division. A severe blow to the head, as may
result from a car or motorcycle accident, may cause
swelling of the brain and increased intracranial pressure.

 Hargens said NASA and the National Institutes of Health
recently identified non-invasive ICP measurements as a
critical parameter in investigating problems of astronauts
in space and in head trauma patients on Earth. Current
clinical techniques for measuring pressure in the head
require invasive surgical procedures to implant a pressure
sensor.

 Hargens is leading Ames' effort to provide a clinical
evaluation of the two devices' ability to measure changes
in ICP in humans. One device, developed by Dr. John
Cantrell and Dr. Tom Yost at NASA's Langley Research
Center, Hampton, VA, measures distances across the skull.
This system is based on the assumption that increased
pressure will cause slight distention, or swelling of
the skull. An ultrasound wave is transmitted through the
front of the skull by a small disk secured to the forehead.
The wave passes through the brain tissue, reflects off the
opposite side of the skull, and is received by a sensor in
the disk.

 The second technique uses a very light mechanical
stimulus applied to the forehead. "It's equivalent to
dropping an eraser from a standard pencil onto the forehead
from a height of 6 inches (15 centimeters)," Hargens said.
The stimulus is transferred through the skull and is
received by sensors placed strategically on the scalp.
Changes in pressure inside the head can then be measured by
examining changes in the response signal. Scientific
Atlanta Inc., of Atlanta, GA, and CytoProbe Corp. of San
Diego, developed and patented this system, which they
provided to Ames for testing.

 "If this research is successful, we will be able to
validate non-invasive techniques for measuring intracranial
pressure," Hargens said. "This could lead to their use as
diagnostic tools both for clinical applications on Earth
and for astronauts during space flight. We hope this will
lead to commercial development of the devices and
eventually to future space flight experiments."



------------------------------

To: hicnews

 42nd Annual course in ORAL PATHOLOGY will be presented 4-8
 December 1995 at Grosvenor Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA.

 SPONSORS: The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and the American
 Registry of Pathology. The AFIP is designated a recognized provider 
by
 the Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP) conducted under
 the auspices of the ADA. The AFIP is approved as a provider of
 continuing medical education program for licensed Florida
 dental/dental hygientists for renewal purposes. The formal CME
 programs of the AFIP are accepted by the Academy of General 
Dentistry
 for Fellowship, Mastership, and membership maintence credit.

 GENERAL INFO: AFIP/ARP Education Dept.,NW, Washington, DC 20306-
6000
 USA; 301/427-5231; (800) 577-3749 (US Only); FAX 301/427-5001; or
 INTERNET: CAME@email.afip.osd.mil


 CONTENT: This course is designed to be widely applicable
 providing general dentists, dental specialists, allied dental care
 providers, physicians interested in head and neck pathology, and
 students in each category with fundamental knowledge of various
 aspects of oral diseases. Developmental disturbances of the head,
 neck, and oral regions, inflammatory diseases of the oral mucosa 
and
 jaws, oral manifestations of certain systemic diseases, and 
neoplasms
 of the oral cavity and related structures will be discussed in 
detail.
 Information detailing the oral manifestations of HIV infection and
 AIDS will be included. The primary emphasis of the course will be 
on
 clinical and radiographic characteristics of disease. Treatment
 aspects and a brief discussion of the histopathologic features of
 each disease will be provided. Lectures and case presentations 
will
 be complemented by clinicalpathologic conferences and elective
 microscopic slide laboratories. A special presentation 
regarding
 forensic dentistry will also be offered. The course will be 
presented
 by senior oral pathologists from the staff of the AFIP in 
conjunction
 with distinguished experts from universities and hospitals based 
oral
 pathologoy services.

 Anticipated learning outcomes include enhancing skills in 
developing
 a meaningful clinical differential diagnosis and establishing
 effective communication between clinician and pathologists. The
 course will provide the dentist and physician with the oral and
 paraoral regions that facilitate the early detection, diagnosis, 
and
 proper treatment of such disorders. (27.3
 credit hours with lab / 21.3 without labs CAT 1, AMA)

 COURSE DIRECTOR:
 Roberet B. Brannon, Col, USAF, DC

 TUITION: Early tuition is $485. After 3 November 1995 it is $585.
 Active duty US military, DoD civilians, full-time permanant 
Department
 of Veterans Affairs employees (not residents or fellows), and
 commissioned officers of the US Public Health Service with 
authorized
 approval have a registraion fee of $195. After 3 November 1995 this 
fee
 will be $225.



------------------------------

To: hicnews

PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH TRAINING GRANTS 1995-1996

In recognition of the importance of developing the public health
research capacity of individuals and institutions in Latin America
and the Caribbean, the Pan American Health Organization (PAH0/WHO)
and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada
announce the 1995-96 Public Health Research Training Grants.

The initiative proposes to train leaders in public health research
by offer ing them the opportunity to acquire advanced training in
this field as well as the possibility to receive additional funding
for the implementation of a research p roject. Given its focus on
applied research and on the strengthening of research institu tions
as well as individuals, the initiative strives to positively impact
the decision -making process of countries in the Region, thereby
contributing towards the health of t heir populations.

The program is envisioned as having two phases. Although distinct
in terms of time and place, these phases actually form part of a
continuum, in which the learning process and development of the
research project are intertwined. Durin g the first phase, Fellows
will receive a grant (maximum US$ 25,000) which will enable them to
spend 9-12 months at a leading teaching/research institution outside
of their native country. During this phase, which will follow a
post-doctorate format, F ellows will develop a research protocol
under the supervision of a professor or researc her at the
institution of study and with the technical support of PAHO/WHO and
IDRC. Fellows will be given a strong foundation in research
methodology through participation in courses, seminars, and other
activities of relevance to themsel ves and their home institutions.
They will also have the opportunity to become acquaint ed with
different approaches to research management and to widen their
contacts wit hin the international scientific community.

During the second phase, Fellows will implement the research project
with t he support of the home institution. Technical assistance
will be provided by PAHO/WHO, IDRC, and the institution of study as
a continuation of the learning process begun in phase one. Funding
for the second phase is subject to approval of the research protocol
by the Review Committee. Monies will be provided for the
implementation of the research project and for a visit by the
professor/research er of the institution of study to the project.

For the purpose of this initiative, public health research is that
which an alyzes both the health status of populations and society's
efforts to improve that stat us. Priority will be given to applied
research that supports the decision-making pro cess. Priority areas
include (but are not limited to) health economics, health systems ,
and health services. Clinical and bio-medical research are
excluded.

Candidates should be residents of Latin America or the Caribbean and
posses s a Master's degree in any area related to public health
research, including the s ocial sciences as applied to health. They
should have a solid foundation in research and a demonstrated
capacity for leadership. The candidate must also be affiliated w
ith a recognized research institution in his or her country of
residence and have a research proposal endorsed by that institution.
Candidates will be evaluated on a series of criteria relative to
themselves, their home institutions, and the inst itutions of study.

For more information, interested candidates should contact the
PAHO/WHO Office in their country of residence or the address noted
below. The deadline f or submission of applications is June 15,
1995.

Annella Auer
Public Health Research Training Grants
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO)
525 23rd Street, N.W., HSP/HSR
Washington, DC 20037
Telephone: (202) 861-3283
Fax: (202) 223-5871
E-Mail: aueranne@paho.org



------------------------------

To: hicnews

INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON INFORMATION PROCESSING IN CELLS AND TISSUES

 Liverpool 6th - 8th September 1995


The purpose of this workshop is to bring together a multidisciplinary 
group
of scientists working in the general area of modelling cells and 
tissues.
A central theme will be the nature of biological information
and the ways it is processed in cells and tissues. We hope that
the workshop will draw together researchers from a range of disciplines
including: Computer Science, Cell Biology, Mathematics,
Physiology, Biophysics, Experimental Medicine,
Biochemistry, Electronic Engineering and Biotechnology.

1he workshop is intended to provide a forum to report research, discuss
emerging topics and gain new insights into information processing
in biological and computational systems.

Subjects areas are likely to include but not be restricted to:

* Cellular information processing systems
* Enzyme networks, Gene networks, Metabolic channeling
* Second messenger systems
* Signal Transduction and Cellular Pattern Recognition
* Automata models
* Parallel Distributed Processing models
* Cellular Automata models
* Single Neuron Computation
* Biomolecular computing
* Inter-cellular communication, Multi-cellularity
* Information Processing in Developmental Systems
* Information Processing in Immune networks
* Endocrine-immune-nervous interactions
* Information processing in neural tissue systems
* Information processing in non-neural tissue systems
* Communication and gap-junctions
* Asynchronous processing, MIMD, SIMD and NIMD systems
* Cell and tissues oscillators
* Fractals and Chaos
* Emergent phenomena and self-organisation


Programme Committee

Georg Brabant Endocrinology (Hanover)
Michael Conrad Computer Science (Detroit)
Roy Cuthbertson Cell Biology (Liverpool)
Claus Emmeche Philosophy of Nature and Science Studies (Copenhagen)
Mike Holcombe Computer Science (Sheffield)
George Kampis Ethology and Philosophy of Science (Budapest)
Douglas Kell Biological Sciences (Aberystwyth)
Gareth Leng Physiology (Edinburgh)
Pedro Marijuan Electronics & Informatics (Zaragoza)
Koichiro Matsuno BioEngineering (Nagaoka)
Ray Paton Computer Science (Liverpool)
Hans-Paul Schwefel Computer Science (Dortmund)
Idan Segev Neurobiology (Jerusalem)
Gordon Shepherd Neurobiology (Yale)
W Richard Stark Mathematics (Tampa)
Rene Thomas Molecular Biology (Brussels)
Chris Tofts Computer Science (Manchester)
John Tucker Computer Science (Swansea)
G Rickey Welch Biological Sciences (New Orleans)
Gershom Zajicek Experimental Medicine and Cancer Research (Jerusalem)


Organizing Committee
Ray Paton, Roy Cuthbertson Mike Holcombe and 'Trina Houghton


Sponsors
GPT
Unilever
ZENECA
Merseytravel
The University of Liverpool


Submission Details
All authors must submit 4 copies of the full technical
paper by mail or delivery service to:

Ray Paton
Department of Computer Science
The University of Liverpool
Liverpool L69 3BX
UK

PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT PAPERS BY FAX.

The paper should be in English, double-spaced in 12 point
using Times or similar font. The paper should be a maximum of
16 pages including the first page.

The first page must contain: title of the paper,
author's names including affiliations, complete mailing
address, telephone and FAX numbers, email address,
and a 250 word (maximum) abstract.

Poster papers and shorter contributions are welcomed and
should also be submitted at the same time.


Important Dates

Submission deadline: Friday April 14th 1995
Acceptance Notification: Friday May 26th 1995
Deadline for final paper: Friday June 23rd 1995

PROCEEDINGS
The papers accepted for the workshop will be bound into an
unpublished collection for delegates.

PUBLICATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS
It is intended that a post workshop proceedings will
be published by Springer-Verlag and will appear
after the workshop.

Enquiries
Enquires should be addressed to Ray Paton at the above address or
FAX +44 51 794 3715 or
email tissues@csc.liv.ac.uk


Further Information
To obtain further information electronically please consult
WWW page at URL
 http://ribble.csc.liv.ac.uk:80/users/biocomp/iphome.htm

Please note: this material is still under development. Details of
program, additional information about the workshop,
travel information, registration details, costs etc will
be found here in due course.



------------------------------

To: hicnews


 

(Continued from last message)

ADDRESS: FTP.UCI.EDU

!!Remember, the address is "FTP.UCI.EDU" and not "UCI.EDU"

COMMENTS TO: Steve Clancy <slclancy@uci.edu>

This is a periodic announcement of new files added to the MED-ED 
anonymous
FTP site at the University of California, Irvine.

For instructions on how to ADD or REMOVE yourself from this list, please 
see
below.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
MSDOS
-----

Directory ftp/med-ed/msdos/education

Filename Type Length Date Description
========================================================================
==
AHADISK1.EXE B 951667 950126 *American Heart Association Cholesterol
AHADISK2.EXE B 984013 950126 Education Program. Jointly developed
 byy the American Heart Association and
 Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corp.

APECS.ZIP B 1330268 941007 *Demo of Advanced Patient Education
 Computer System. Patient controlled
 graphic demonstration of surgeries, 
etc.
 VGA and Mouse required.

ARDDISK1.EXE B 620248 950126 *AIDS-Related Diarrhea Computer 
Education
ARDDISK2.EXE B 524914 950126 Program, by Sandoz Pharmaceuticals 
Corp.
 Requires MSWindows 3.x.

BAYES.EXE B 41384 950126 Pseudo-Bayesian estimates for 
contigency
 tables (with zero cell values).

BRAINIAC.ZIP B 986392 941007 *Brainiac! Version 1.5 Demonstration
 Version 8/1/94. Brainiac is a state 
of
 the art computerized neuroanatomy 
atlas.
 Now you can easily follow the path 
of
 each structure through its extent in 
the
 brain. Brainiac!'s intuitive "point 
and
 click" interface allows you to 
quickly
 and easily navigate through the 
central
 nervous. Whether you're 
learning
 neuroanatomy for the first time or 
need
 a quick review, Brainiac! can help 
you.
 This program requires Microsoft 
Windows
 3.1 and a video graphics card capable 
of
 displaying at 640x480 resolution in 
256
 colors.
BRAINIAC.TXT A 4698 941007 +Text file describing BRAINIAC
 installation, function and cost.

GAMUSIC.ZIP B 396301 950126 *GAMusic 1.0: The genetic algorithim
 melody evolver for Windows. GAMusic 
is
 a user-friendly 
interactive
 demonstration of a simple 
genetic
 algorithm (GA). Here, the GA 
generates
 short melodies and the user assigns 
the
 fitnesses. The iterative 
stepping,
 mutation frequency and 
recombination
 frequency are all controlled by 
the
 user. Each series of musical notes 
is
 represented in binary form in an 
array
 128 elements in length. This allows 
a
 maximum of 30 notes per melody 
and
 provides a solution space 
with
 approximately 3.4 * 10^38 
possible
 melodies. GAMusic 1.0 was 
programmed
 with Microsoft Visual Basic 3.0 
for
 Windows 3.1x. This program should 
run
 fine on any system running 
Microsoft
 Windows 3.1x. No special sound card 
is
 required.

OUTCOMES.EXE B 129244 950126 *Windows hypertext help file containing
 reference materials I use for a 
doctoral
 level course at the University of 
Texas
 School of Public Health on 
Medical
 Outcomes Assessment. The materials 
are
 organized into several major 
topic
 areas: The Outcomes Assessment 
Approach,
 Concepts and Policy Analysis, 
Practice
 Guidelines, Tools, Examples, 
and
 References. By Carl H. Slater, 
M.D.
 This is a self-extracting Windows 
file.

RENAL.ZIP B 258202 950126 *Renal Function Tests for Windows 
v1.01.
 This program assists in the sorting 
and
 calculation of quantitative 
renal
 function tests. Features a 
simple,
 graphical interface and 
online
 information about each tests. 
Authors:
 Brian C. Fong, Dr. D.J. 
Doyle,
 Institute of Biomedical 
Engineering,
 University of Toronto, 
Canada,
 Department of Anaethesia, The 
Toronto
 Hospital, Toronto, Canada. 
System
 Requirements: IBM PC Compatible 
System
 running Microsoft Windows v3.0 
or
 greater.

SPINE_1.ZIP B 671520 941007 *The Dynamic Spine Demonstration 
Version
SPINE_2.ZIP B 1290800 941007 copyright 1994 MMS. The Dynamic Spine 
is
SPINE_3.ZIP B 863760 941007 an interactive laserdisk-based 
tutorial
 on the axial skeleton covering 
anatomy,
 pathology, biomechanics and 
manual
 medicine techniques used in treating 
the
 spine. Three-dimensional 
animations
 give students an appreciation of 
the
 dynamic nature of the human spine. 
This
 demonstration requires Microsoft 
Windows
 3.1, Microsoft Video For 
Windows
 (provided on disk 1) and a super 
VGA
 card capable of displaying 640x480 
in
 256 colors.
SPINE.TXT A 3104 941007 +Text file describing SPINE 
installation,
 function and cost.


========================================================================
=====
To remove yourself from this list, please send electronic mail to

 listserv@stat.com

and include the command

 UNSUBSCRIBE UCI-FTP-UPDATE

as the first line of your message.


To add yourself to this list, please send electronic mail to

 listserv@STAT.COM

and include the command

 SUBSCRIBE UCI-FTP-UPDATE

as the first line of your message.

Requests for help should be sent to:

 uci-ftp-update-request@stat.com

========================================================================
=====
SUBMITTING SOFTWARE AND OTHER FILES

Uploads are welcome. We actively solicit information and software
which you have personally developed or have found useful in your local
medical education efforts, either as an instructor or student.

The site address is "FTP.UCI.EDU".

Once you have connected to the site via FTP, cd (change directory) to 
either
the med-ed/mac/incoming or the med-ed/msdos/incoming directories, change 
the
mode to binary (type "tenex" or "binary") and "send" or "put" your 
files.
Note that you won't be able to see the files with the "ls" or "dir" 
commands.
Please compress your files as appropriate to the operating system (ZIP 
for
MSDOS; Compactor or something similar for Macintosh) to save disk space.

After uploading, please send email to Steve Clancy (slclancy@uci.edu)
(for MSDOS) or Albert Saisho (saisho@uci.edu) (for MAC) describing the
file(s) you have uploaded and any other information we might need to
describe it.

Note that we can only accept software or information that has been
designated as shareware, public-domain or that may otherwise be
distributed freely. Please do not upload commercial software! Doing
so may jeopardize the existence of this FTP site.

If you wish to upload software for other operating systems, please
contact either Steve Clancy, M.L.S. or Albert Saisho, M.D. at the
addresses above.



------------------------------

End of HICNet Medical News Digest V08 Issue #12
***********************************************


---
Editor, HICNet Medical Newsletter
Internet: david@stat.com FAX: +1 (602) 451-1165
Bitnet : ATW1H@ASUACAD

 
