Duke University
Medical Center
Intercom
VOL. 25, NO. 3
JAN. 20, 1978
DURHAM, N.C.
I
1
Duke scientists say proteins
may mirror dystrophy defects
THE tCEPEKSON CAMETH—The weather forecast held a promise of snow, but what actually
precipitated was ice and slush. Medical center personnel stayed inside, sipping warm beverages.
Traffic was a little more jammed than usual in front of the hospital, as vehicles lined up to rescue
discharged patients from the cold. One outpatient, seen scurrying with her umbrella to an
appointment at Baker House was overheard to say, "It's so messy out I'd almost rather be an
inpatient today." IPhoto hu Parker Herrittgl
Scientists here have developed what
they consider to be a useful model for
studying the biochemical defects
responsible for two of the most common
forms of muscular dystrophy.
Their research indicates that proteins
found in red blood cells taken from
patients with Duchenne and myotonic
muscular dystrophy seem to mirror
abnormalities that may affect the muscles
of those patients.
The discovery is important, according
to Dr. Allen D. Roses, chief of neurology,
because it provides researchers at Duke
and elsewhere with a reliable,
reproducible source of tissue for
laboratory tests.
Something to put in test tube
"The first need of a biochemist is to
have something to put in his test tube to
study," he said in an interview. "But you
can't in all good conscience do repeated
muscle biopsies on these patients."
A biopsy involves removing tissue from
a living patient for rtedical evaluation and
is more complicated and painful than
simply drawing blood.
"What everyone has always done has
been to say, 'Well, since we can't get
muscle tissue from humans, let's study it
in mice or chickens or some other
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7
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I
TWO-TON BOX FOR HALF-INCH CYLINDER—The two-ton cask
shown being unloaded at the right, contains a cylinder measuring less
than one-half inch and containing radioactive cobalt for use in cancer
treatment. The photo above is of a non-radioactive dummy of the same
size. So much shielding is needed because the tiny cylinder, the only one
of its kind, is so "hot" with radioactivity. Prepared at Oak Ridge National
Laboratory in Tennessee and on loan to Duke for evaluation with
patients, the new cobalt source will allow radiologists to aim their beam
with greater accuracy than they can when using a larger source. It will be
evaluated here by Drs. Lowell S. Miller and Fearghus O'Fogludha, both
professors of radiology at the Comprehensive Cancer Center. (Photo by
William Erwin and Sally Herndon)
animal,'" Roses explained. "Unfortunate
ly, there is no animal model that is truly
representative of either Duchenne or
myotonic muscular dystrophy."
Most common type
Of the more than 40 types of the
hereditary disease, Duchenne is the most
severe, and myotonic is probably the most
common, the scientist said. Neither can
be cured.
The former (pronounced "du-SHEN")
strikes boys, usually between the age of
three and six, crippling and then killing
them by their early twenties.
The latter affects both males and
females of any age, he said. Sudden death
from heart attack is one of its
characteristics.
(Continued on page 4)
Communications
specialist heads
cancer control
Dr. Diane E. McGrath has been
appointed director of cancer control at the
Comprehensive Cancer Center,
university Provost Frederic N.
Cleaveland announced.
McGrath, a
specialist in com
munication, will
have overall re
sponsibility for
the center's pub
lic, patient and
professional edu
cation programs,
for media rela
tions and publica
tions, and for the
center's toll-free
telephone service
for North Caro- DR. McCRATH
lina.
She will shape a unified cancer
screening program at Duke. In addition,
she will expand the cancer center's efforts
to rehabilitate patients being treated for
cancer, helping them resume their
regular activities as quickly as possible.
The new director succeeds Dr. Donald
S. Miller, who has entered private
practice in Shelby.
Emphasis on professional education
"Our major function is getting
inforlnation out to health professionals
and the public about all aspects of the
cancer problem," McGrath said.
We will have strong emphasis on
professional education, including not
only physicians but also nurses,
nutritionists, physical therapists,
pharmacists and others.
"But before we develop programs, we
want to find out the educational needs of
specific groups of professionals. We're
not going to say, 'Here it is.' Instead, we're
(Continued on page 2)