• HSC Convocation remarks highlight a successful year and predict a bright future

• HSC researcher looks at the use of Gingko biloba for diabetics

• Bipolar study one of the largest ever conducted

• Physical therapists research the 'spin cycle' used in workouts

• Question to the President

• Administrative Assistant Study completed

• Gene therapy helps restore patient's quality of life

• Lion's Share

• Briefly

• Of Note

• Calendar

February 11, 2000
Volume XXXIII, No. 6

HSC Convocation remarks highlight a successful year
and predict a bright future

"Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you." Evoking the words of Boston Red Sox great Satchell Paige, Dr. John P. Howe, III, president, opened the first Health Science Center Convocation ceremony of the millennium and gave the audience a glimpse of the institution's philosophy for a new era.

Dr. Howe

"I am confident that in the first years of the new millennium, this Health Science Center will be  leading the way," said Dr. Howe.

Those predictions are enhanced by this past year's successes, including the $200 million of tobacco settlement funding obtained for a children's cancer research center to be operated by the Health Science Center, and progress in establishing a Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC) that will provide medical education and research capacity in the South Texas/Border Region.

The future also holds great promise, said Dr. Howe, as the Health Science Center moves forward in education, patient care and research.

"Beginning this fall, there will be at least one school with no hard copy handouts or textbooks," said Dr. Howe. "Students will, in essence, rent this information, through their laptops, during their years at our Dental School."

The institution is also planning for new research facilities in the Medical Center, the Texas Research Park and the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

"The confidence of our community in all that we do has never been higher," said Dr. Howe.

Guest speaker Dr. Roger J. Bulger, president and CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based Association of Academic Health Centers, echoed those sentiments as he discussed the state of academic health centers in the United States and described the Health Science Center as a model for others to emulate.

Dr. John P. Howe, III, president, and Dr. Kenneth Kalkwarf (left), dean of the Dental School, congratulate Dr. Mickey Calverley (far right), prosthodontics. Dr. Calverley was one of the recipients of the Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence.

To survive in the future, he advised that academic health centers look increasingly toward interdisciplinary and interprofessional team-based education and service. Dr. Bulger also noted that biomedical, bio-behavioral and health services research has captured a large part of the national agenda, and that many academic health centers are organizing research enterprises as if they were businesses.

"Finding new ways to meet the demand for health education in rapidly growing areas of the country is an investment that will pay huge dividends for this university and for many generations of students to come," said Dr. Bulger, former president of the U.T. Health Science Center at Houston.

Following Dr. Bulger's remarks, plaques were presented to winners of the Health Science Center's Presidential Awards for Teaching Excellence. Honorees included Dr. Michael Lichtenstein, geriatrics and gerontology; Dr. Mary O'Keefe, internal medicine; Dr. Craig Witz, obstetrics and gynecology; Dr. Erle Adrian, cellular and structural biology; Dr. Mickey Calverley, prosthodontics; and Brenda Parton, dental hygiene education. Distinguished Scholar awards were presented to Dr. Gregory Mundy, endocrinology and metabolism, and Dr. Bettie Sue Siler Masters, biochemistry. Dr. Richard Miller was recognized as the recipient of the Barbara H. Bowman Post-Doctoral Research Scholarship, named for the former chair of the Health Science Center's Department of Cellular and Structural Biology.

HSC researcher looks at the use
of Gingko biloba for diabetics

The herb Gingko biloba is being touted as a remedy for everything from Alzheimer's disease to heart conditions. Health Science Center researcher Dr. George Kudolo, associate professor in the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, is looking at what it can do for diabetics.

Dr. George Kudolo, clinical laboratory sciences, reviews data from his study on the effects of the herb Gingko biloba on diabetes patients.

The Chinese herbal medicine dates back almost 5,000 years, but it has only recently become popular in the United States as a dietary supplement. Much of its popularity stems from published scientific studies during the past few years showing the herb's possible effects as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Gingko biloba also is said to help circulation, combat migraines and improve memory and concentration, but few studies have been conducted to provide the necessary data to back these claims.

Dr. Kudolo is researching what effects, if any, this herb may have on patients suffering from the insulin resistance syndrome--a term used to describe a number of conditions associated with diabetes, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, obesity and stroke.

In his research, Dr. Kudolo has observed that short-term ingestion of Gingko biloba extract (50:1 extract) may reduce platelet hypersensitivity that is usually seen in diabetics--a condition that leads to clot formation and the increased risk of stroke. Some of his study participants have claimed to experience an improvement in poor circulation and the ability to remember things while taking the herb.

The central theme of Dr. Kudolo's research is to study the role of platelet-activating factor (PAF), a glycerophospho-lipid that acts as a chemical mediator for a wide variety of biological activities in the insulin resistance syndrome. Dr. Kudolo is utilizing Gingko biloba because it contains compounds that act as antagonists (neutralizing or impeding the action) to PAF, which will provide biochemical information on the connection between PAF and the insulin resistance syndrome. "If we can break the code to the syndrome, we can pinpoint where the defects are," said Dr. Kudolo. "Factors that control the synthesis of PAF may play a significant role. We have already shown the possible involvement of PAF in Type 2 diabetes, obesity and hypertension." The results may lead to the development of new treatments based on the active compounds in Gingko biloba.

Dr. Kudolo is studying other aspects of the herb, including its effect on the pancreas (which provides a direct link to diabetes) and its anti-oxidant properties. Dr. Kudolo is quick to point out that Gingko biloba should not be considered a cure for all ailments and that more testing is needed before it is known who benefits from the herb and who may not. He is hoping his research also will provide information on a safe dosage and on drugs that should be avoided when taking the supplement. For example, no decrease in blood pressure was noted in clinical trial subjects on hypertension medications, compared to those who took only Ginkgo biloba and whose blood pressure dropped almost 20 points in three months.

"When something is natural, there is often a misconception that it is good for you," said Dr. Kudolo. "That is not always the case. If you are on medications, you should be careful because there could be drug interactions."

Dr. Kudolo recommends consulting with a physician before beginning a dietary supplement regimen.

 

Briefly Summer faculty fellowship program offered The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is supporting a program of summer faculty fellowships for full-time engineering and science educators. Research fellowships are awarded to qualified engineering and science faculty members for summer research at the Johnson Space Center. Each fellow will work with a center colleague and will be associated directly with the aeronautics and space program and the concomitant basic research problems. Special courses, seminars, workshops and lectures are included in each program. Stipends for the program include $1,000 per week and a travel allowance. In addition, a relocation allowance will be provided for those fellows who must relocate their residence. The fellowship is 10 weeks and fellows are required to conduct research at the site. The deadline for applications is Feb. 15. Application materials and information can be found at www.ASEE.org/fellowship/html/johnson.htm# . Clinical teaching workshop scheduled The Division of Educational Research and Development (ERD) will conduct its annual professional development course, "Effective Clinical Teaching," from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 24-25 in the School of Nursing auditorium. Several hundred Health Science Center faculty members have completed this course and taken advantage of the opportunity to practice hands-on clinical teaching skills. The practice session includes small feedback groups for participants to critique videotaped examples of student and teacher interactions. Participants will identify effective and ineffective educational strategies. Health Science Center faculty will not be charged. To register, contact Gloria Nuckols in ERD at ext. 7-2282 or by e-mail at nuckols@ uthscsa.edu. Questions about the course should be referred to Bill Hendricson at ext. 7-2813 or by e-mail at hendricson@uthscsa.edu. Optical microscopy course offered The Cellular and Structural Biology Department will host a summer course on "Optical Microscopy for the Biological Sciences." The course will be geared toward researchers who use or anticipate using light microscopy in their research. The course will be held June 10-17 on the Health Science Center campus and will be taught by an international faculty. Topics include various technologies used in optical microscopy, such as digital processing, fluorescence filters and probes, live cell imaging, and confocal, multiphoton and 3-D reconstruction, among others. The cost is $1,600 for individuals requiring room and board and $1,300 without the room. A limited number of scholarships is available. To apply for a scholarship, visit the event Web site at http://www.uthscsa.edu/gsbs/csbhome.html . For more information, contact Dr. Victoria Frohlich at ext. 7-3151 or by e-mail at frohlich@uthscsa.edu.

Bipolar study one of the largest ever conducted

Investigators at the Health Science Center's Department of Psychiatry will soon be involved in one of the largest clinical trials ever funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The study, called the STEP-BD (Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder), will focus on the effectiveness of treatments for bipolar disorder. Dr. Charles Bowden, chairman of the psychiatry department at the Health Science Center, is the principal investigator for San Antonio, one of a dozen testing sites across the country.

Dr. Jodi Gonzalez, instructor and fellow in clinical psychology, is one of the clinical specialists who will treat study participants. "A study like this will combine the benefits of efficacy and effectiveness research, that is, 'Does it work in the real world?'" she said.

In the course of the study, the investigators will establish a massive national database, enabling them to compare and evaluate results when the study is completed several years from now. This will give psychiatrists and psychotherapists unprecedented access to information as it is collected. A Web site for STEP-BD has already been established at www.edc.gsph.pitt.edu/stepbd/.

"I believe this is the first study that has used the World Wide Web as the primary means for investigators to communicate with each other," Dr. Bowden said. "It's an appropriate way to begin the 21st century."

Patients with bipolar disorder who wish to continue with their existing course of treatment will be allowed to do so. Any patient who chooses to enter the randomized portion of the study and is depressed or becomes depressed will be treated in one or a combination of three randomized studies.

Two of the study groups will be treated with several promising new medications. Participants in a third group will receive different types of psychotherapy in addition to medication. They will receive either cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) or family focused treatment (FFT). A separate group will receive psychoeducation, such as self-help books and videos, instead of psychotherapy.

The participants in San Antonio will be selected at random to receive either CBT or IPSRT, said Dr. Gonzalez. "All the psychotherapies have been shown to be beneficial in general," she said. "It's certainly better than no treatment at all in terms of outcome."

The study is funded for at least five years and could last as long as 10. Its goals are to determine which treatment, over the long term, will be most effective for different types of people and result in the fewest relapses. "It is designed to look at patients with forms of the disorder who don't experience the good outcomes that most patients can get with treatment," Dr. Bowden said.

The researchers are looking for people who have been diagnosed as having bipolar disorder or who think they might have it. The therapists will conduct initial interviews and administer psychiatric assessments to determine the extent of a person's illness.

"The study parameters will not be cast in stone," explained Dr. Bowden. "If other components can be safely tested, they will be. Even two years from now we could find some additions to the existing approaches."

The Health Science Center runs one of the largest treatment programs for bipolar disorder in the United States, and Dr. Bowden expects that most of his patients will participate in the study. "We expect to enroll at least 200 patients at this one site," he said.

Any existing patients who enroll will get even closer monitoring and extra attention as a result, though Dr. Bowden stressed that every study participant will be closely assessed and monitored.

Participants in the randomized trials will receive free medication and treatment. Anyone interested may call Angie Manigault at 567-5421.

Lions' share (From left) Dr. Gale Haradon, chair of the Occupational Therapy Department, joins John Tyler Brown Sr., president of the Oak Hills Lions Club, Stephanie Dial, a senior occupational therapy student and recipient of the Oak Hills Lions Club scholarship, and Dr. Marilyn Harrington, dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences. Dial entered an essay contest to compete for the scholarship. She plans to use the funds to support her fieldwork with developmentally disabled children.

Physical therapists research the 'spin cycle' used in workouts

"Spin" is a popular new exercise option at fitness clubs these days. The spin cycle incorporates a stationary bicycle with a 35-pound flywheel, 10 resistance levels and three hand positions. Exercisers work with a certified instructor for 40 to 60 minutes of moderate- to high-intensity cycling. The cycle manufacturers claim that spin training can benefit everyone. But does it really work?

Researchers in the Department of Physical Therapy recently conducted a study designed to investigate whether a 10-week spin program would result in changes in aerobic capacity and muscle endurance and recovery from fatigue. The study was headed by Dr. Kristen Smith, assistant professor in the department.

"The results showed that spin training can substantially improve aerobic capacity and the total work that can be performed on the bike," she said, "but we didn't see similar increases in muscle endurance. If the measures of muscle function were taken differently, we might see more significant improvement in this area."

Dr. Smith said the results would be applicable to the general public, especially for people ages 18 to 40 who have no other health problems.

One apparent benefit of spin is that it encourages people to stick with an exercise program through its approach of leadership and group involvement. In addition, the intensity of the workout is based on the exerciser's perceived rate of exertion. Therefore, "spinners" can work at their own rate, which increases the likelihood they will stay with the routine.

Twenty participants were asked to take up the spinning program for 10 weeks at local Racquetball and Fitness Clubs, which made their facilities available to the researchers. Participants were not required to have a history of regular exercise.

Dr. Smith will present her study this spring at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Administrative Assistant Study completed

The Health Science Center Classifications and Compensations Committee has completed a campuswide study evaluating administrative assistant job descriptions and titles. The university's Executive Committee has reviewed the recommendations and the audit freeze has been lifted.

A study summary report was given to the Executive Committee this week with proposed changes, including updating job descriptions for administrative positions, creating several new titles and reclassifying positions.

The Health Science Center Office of Human Resources, following an increase in the number of job audit requests for administrative positions, initiated the Administrative Assistant Study in 1999. In some cases, job descriptions for these classified positions were outdated or inadequate.

The Classifications and Compensations Committee was formed in April 1999 to study the issue, update job descriptions, and evaluate and reclassify administrative assistant positions to appropriate titles based on the outcome of the study.

The committee is chaired by Anthony Ferrara, vice president for administration and business affairs, and includes Anthony Ramirez, director of human resources; Dr. Deborah Greene, vice president for institutional effectiveness and planning; Dr. Kenneth Kalkwarf, dean of the Dental School; Dr. Marilyn Harrington, dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences; Sharron Acosta, assistant dean for administration in the Medical School; Cathy Poehnert, assistant to the Graduate School dean; Diana Hottle, assistant to the director of the Institute of Biotechnology; Minerva Castillo, administrative assistant in the Medical School Dean's Office; and Loretta James, executive assistant in the School of Nursing Dean's Office.

As part of its analysis, the committee distributed questionnaires to 290 employees to obtain information about job duties, titles, responsibilities and salary, with a 70 percent response. The information was compiled, analyzed and used to update job descriptions and propose a reclassification list with new titles and salary ranges. The study was conducted within the guidelines established for human resources offices by the U. T. System Board of Regents, the Chancellor's Office and the Texas Legislature.

"This study would not have been possible or as successful without the cooperation of the staff who were requested to complete very detailed questionnaires, and the Office of Human Resources, which kept returning with models for committee discussion," said Poehnert.

"The committee worked hard to analyze the Administrative Assistant Study data to produce a favorable outcome. The result provides contemporary job descriptions that better represent the responsibilities of these essential staff positions and attempts to adjust title and salary inequities."

Deans, vice presidents, department chairs and directors, along with administrative assistant I's and II's will receive letters about the study from the vice president for administration and business affairs.

Gene therapy helps restore patient's quality of life

When he was only 32 years old, Crisoforo "Chris" De Los Santos Jr. of Premont, a tiny town 151 miles south of San Antonio, underwent triple bypass surgery.

With a wife and four children to support, De Los Santos had neither the time nor patience to let heart disease interrupt his busy life. He worked full time in town and ran the family farm passed down to him by his father and grandfather.

However, 10 years after his first surgery, De Los Santos was wheeled into surgery for a quadruple bypass procedure in 1985. Another 10 years later, in 1995, his physician tried different medicines to help his failing heart.

Crisoforo "Chris" De Los Santos Jr. (front center) of Premont benefited from a new procedure which helps open clogged coronary arteries. He is now able to enjoy time with his wife, Estefanita (second from left), and his four children (back row from left), Sandra Bone, Crisoforo "Chris" De Los Santos III, Cindy Melendez and Dr. Wendy De Los Santos, a pediatrics resident at the Health Science Center.

"It progressively got worse. I was going downhill fast," De Los Santos said. After suffering a mild heart attack in 1998, he went back to surgery to have a stent inserted in an attempt to clear blocked arteries. "At that time, I was alive, but I couldn't do much."

As his health continued to deteriorate, talk began about a heart transplant. "I went through the entire screening process for a heart transplant. The doctors told me that after the heart transplant I would need about $1,400 worth of anti-rejection medicine each month," De Los Santos said. "I couldn't afford to do that for the rest of my life. I'm only 58 years old."

With his name on the heart transplant waiting list, De Los Santos kept looking for another answer. He found that in an innovative research study on gene therapy being conducted by Dr. Steven R. Bailey, professor of medicine, and his colleagues at the Health Science Center. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study is being conducted at 20 sites throughout the United States

The gene therapy, called angiogenesis, involves delivery of a growth factor directly to the coronary arteries. The growth factor, Recombinant Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (rFGF-2), helps promote the growth of new collateral vessels to compensate for blocked coronary arteries.

The research study is geared to individuals, like De Los Santos, whose hearts are failing because of clogged blood vessels and the resulting oxygen deficiency but who have no other major health problems. Pre-clinical studies showed that rFGF-2 works by inducing cells along existing blood vessels to grow and divide, resulting in the growth of new blood vessels that can increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart.

Dr. Bailey said the study is for the treatment of severe coronary artery disease. "This gene therapy is for people who have tried all the other options. They can't have other surgeries or percutaneous intervention because the entire length of the vessels is blocked.

"One in seven patients with disease of the heart vessels fall into this category. It is very exciting to be able to offer these patients an opportunity to resume more normal activities," Dr. Bailey added.

In April, De Los Santos received the growth factor during a minimally invasive procedure that is similar to a heart catheterization.

"Before I had the procedure, I was living on nitroglycerin. I couldn't eat much because the digestive process made me have chest pains. I was losing weight. I was in pain all the time," he said.

Shortly after the procedure, De Los Santos said, he started noticing that he wasn't having chest pains. "I haven't taken one nitroglycerin tablet since the procedure. It has made a great difference in my life. I'm off the transplant list. Now I can do almost anything I want to do.

"Dr. Bailey is one of the finest doctors I have ever met. He is fantastic. My quality of life has improved considerably. I can enjoy my family and my grandchildren now," he said.

His wife, Estefanita; four children, Dr. Wendy De Los Santos of San Antonio (a pediatrics resident at the Health Science Center), Sandra Bone of Premont, Cindy Melendez of San Antonio and Crisoforo "Chris" De Los Santos III of College Station; and seven grandchildren couldn't be happier.

Of Note Parking Committee to meet Feb. 16 The Health Science Center Parking and Traffic Safety Committee will meet at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, in room 348L in the student services area. Individuals who wish to have an item discussed or want to address the committee should contact the committee chairman, Dr. Richard King, physiology, to have an item placed on the agenda. Dr. King can be reached at ext. 7-4342 or by e-mail at kingr@uthscsa.edu. IMS offers online request forms Information Management and Services (IMS) Departments offer an online consolidated service request form (SRF) for new employees or employees transferring to another area. The online form is designed to simplify the process of establishing services from Computing Resources, the Briscoe Library, Telecommunications and Networking and the Office of Educational Resources. The form can be accessed on the IMS Web site at http://uthscsa.edu/imsservices. For more information, contact Cindy Shortt at ext. 7-2076 or by e-mail at shortt@uthscsa.edu. Microsoft Office 2000 Suite presentation set The Microsoft Corp. will present "An Intense Overview of the Office 2000 Suite" from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, in room 309L in the Medical School. The presentation is open to the public. For more information or to register, send an e-mail to techtraining@uthscsa.edu. Newspaper advertising session held Feb. 22 The Office of Public Affairs will host a session on how to purchase advertising space in San Antonio-area newspapers for faculty seeking research study volunteers. The session will be held at noon Tuesday, Feb. 22. Representatives from several local newspapers will explain the advertising purchasing process and will provide advertising rate sheets. For more information and to reserve a seat, contact Nilda Tamames at 7-2575 or refer to the informational Web site at http://www.uthscsa.edu/opa/bulletinboard/newspapers.html. New shuttle route begins The University Police Department shuttle service will start its new route Monday, Feb. 14. The improved route is designed to provide quicker and better service for passengers and greater access to all areas along the shuttle route. The new service is one route with a minimum of two buses on the route at a time, each traveling in the opposite direction. One bus will be identified as "inbound" and will provide quicker access to the front of the campus, including the Medical School. The other bus will be identified as "outbound" and will provide faster service to the back of the campus, including the Nursing School and the Dental School. Shuttles will make stop at Lot 17, the Allied Health/Research Building, University Plaza, Main Drive, Dental Drive, Campus Drive, the University Police building and the Administration building. Shuttles now will run from 5:50 a.m. to 10:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on holidays. Additional shuttles will be available during peak rush hours. The shuttle schedule is available on the University Police Web site at www.uthscsa.edu/utpolice/index.htm, in the University Police lobby, at any guard gate and from each shuttle driver. For more information, contact Lt. Richard Salazar at ext. 7-6821. Tax help available for international visitors The Office of International Affairs will host three income tax help sessions for the university's non-resident international visitors. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) representatives will be on campus to provide information, answer individual tax questions and assist with the preparation of U.S. income tax forms. Help sessions will be set up by specific country groups. The first session, for visitors from China, will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, in room 3.104A in the Medical School. The second session, for individuals visiting from India, will be from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 24 in room 3.104A. A third session, for non-residents from all other countries, is scheduled from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, in room 3.102B in the Medical School. Individuals planning to attend should bring tax information, including form W-2 from the Payroll Office or form 1042S from the Accounting Office, in order to receive assistance. Income tax forms will be available at the workshop sites on the day of the help session and afterward in the Office of International Affairs. For more information, call the Office of International Affairs at ext. 7-6241.

Calendar

Feb. 14 - 20

MONDAY, FEB. 14

7:00 a.m. Orthopaedic Teaching Conf. "Elbow Fractures" (MED: 309L)

7:30 a.m. Neurosurgery Grand Rounds "The Regulation of DNA Replication Initiation by Proteolysis," Dr. P. Renee Yew (MED: 444B)

TUESDAY, FEB. 15

6:30 a.m. Podiatry Grand Rounds "Imaging," Dr. Rebecca Loredo (MED: 209L)

8:00 a.m. Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery "Midface Trauma," Dr. Scott Roofe, Brooke Army Medical Center (MED: 444B)

8:00 a.m. Rehab Medicine Lecture Series "Electrical Stimulation: A Review of the Literature," Drs. Charles Dempsey & Mark Fredrickson (UH: Reeves Rehab Center 3rd-floor classroom)

Noon TNT "Hematology: Cryoglobulinemia," Dr. Carmen Julius, Butler Memorial Hospital, Butler, Pa.

(call ext. 7-2700 for information)

Noon Medicine Research Conf. "The Epidemiology & Mechanisms of Antifungal Resistance in Oral Candidiasis," Dr. Thomas Patterson, & "Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci: New Mechanisms of Emergence," Dr. Jan Patterson (MED: 209L)

1:15 p.m. Psychiatry Grand Rounds "Outpatient Treatment of Cocaine Dependence," Dr. Stephen Higgins, University of Vermont (MED: 409L)

1:30 p.m. TNT "Infectious Diseases: Hepatitis A," Dr. Hal Jenson (call ext. 7-2700 for information)

4:00 p.m. Molecular Medicine Seminar Series "Role of Tyrosine Kinases & Adaptor Proteins in Cell Migration," Dr. Ann Marie Pendergast, Duke University Medical Center (IBT: 3.002)

4:00 p.m. Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Conf. "The Paraventricular Nucleus in Sodium-Dependent Hypertension," Dr. J. R. Haywood (MED: 409L)

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 16

6:30 a.m. Podiatry Case Conf. (MED: 309L)

7:00 a.m. Vascular Surgery Grand Rounds, Dr. Mellick Sykes (MED: 209L)

8:00 a.m. Medical Grand Rounds "Peripheral Arterial Disease: Recent Advances in Detection & Treatment," Dr. J. Alan Herd, Baylor College of Medicine (MED: 409L)

8:30 a.m. Training Office "Easy Editing," Anita Glass (call ext. 7-2320 to register)

9:00 a.m. Surgery Trauma M&M Conf., Dr. Ronald Stewart (MED: 309L)

9:00 a.m. Training Office "More Library Skills," Cathy Rhodes (Library room 2A) (call ext. 7-2320 to register)

10:00 a.m. TNT "Respiratory Care: Basic Overview of Asthma," Marina Crayton, University Health System (call ext. 7-2700 for information)

11:30 a.m. TNT "Social Work: Spiritual Dimensions of Loss: Through the Eyes of a Child," The Rev. Richard Gilbert, The World Pastoral Care Center, Valparaiso, Ind. (call ext. 7-2700)

Noon Pharmacology Seminar Series "Gq/RGS Regulation of Ca2 Signaling During Cardiomyocyte Proliferation," Dr. Thomas Wilkie, U. T. Southwestern Medical Center (MED: 444B)

1:00 p.m. Training Office "Ways to Manage Stress," Donna Henckel (call ext. 7-2320 to register)

1:30 p.m. TNT "Nutritional Updates: Anti-oxidants," Dr. Carol Johnston, Arizona State University (call ext. 7-2700)

4:00 p.m. Endodontic Seminar "Molecular Aspects of Nociception," Dr. Armen Akopian (DTL: 4.419S)

THURSDAY, FEB. 17

7:30 a.m. Thoracic Surgery Resident Teaching Conf. (VA: 4th-floor CT Library A404)

7:30 a.m. Obstetrics & Gynecology Grand Rounds "Perinatal Mortality," Dr. Michael Odom (MED: 309L)

8:00 a.m. Neurology Grand Rounds "Epilepsy Surgery UTHSCSA: Experiences '96-99," Dr. Charles Szabo (MED: 444B)

10:00 a.m. TNT "Health Care Education & Training: Winning at Outcomes Measurement," Patrice Spath, Brown-Spath & Associates, Forest Grove, Ore. (call ext. 7-2700 for information)

Noon Pulmonary, Thoracic & Oncology Conf. "Impact of CMV on Lung Transplantation," Dr. Marty Zamora, University of Colorado (MED: 309L)

12:30 p.m. TNT "Diabetes: What's New on Diabetic Neuropathy," Dr. Janet Blodgett (call ext. 7-2700 for information)

3:00 p.m. Surgery Tumor Conference, Dr. Anatolio Cruz (MED: 209L)

4:30 p.m. Citywide Thoracic Grand Rounds Conf. "Case Presentation," Dr. Allan Brants (MED: 309L)

5:00 p.m. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Grand Rounds "Advanced Breast Reconstruction Using the Free TRAM Flap," Dr. Steven Pisano (MED: 409L)

FRIDAY, FEB. 18

7:30 a.m. Pediatric Grand Rounds "The Burden of Pneumococcal Disease in Children," Dr. Jaime Fergie, Driscoll Children's Hospital, Corpus Christi (MED: 409L)

8:00 a.m. Rehab Medicine Lecture Series "Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: A Review of Journal Articles," Dr. Susan Rogers (UH: Reeves Rehab Center 3rd-floor classroom)

Noon TNT "Histotechnology: Hollande's Solution as a Routine Fixative," Gwendolyn Goss, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio (call ext. 7-2700 for information)

SATURDAY, FEB. 19

7:15 a.m. Surgical Physiology Conf., Dr. Kenneth Sirinek (MED: 209L)

9:00 a.m. General Surgery Grand Rounds, Dr. Wayne Schwesinger (MED: 209L)