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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 10, 1982)
national Battalion/Page 14 December 10, If n Genes altered for first time United Press International BOSTON — Scientists said Thursday that they have used an experimental drug to direct the activity of genes in humans for the first time. The drug was effective against sickle-cell ane mia, a disease which affects 50,000 black Americans. One woman with sickle-cell anemia, a life-shortening blood disorder, has been treated suc cessfully with the drug. The drug activates dormant genes to produce globin, scientists at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore said. Globin is the protein part of red blood cells. A man with severe thalasse mia, an anemia usually found in Italians and Greeks, also was tre ated successfully in a similar study at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Md. The institute’s study, pub lished Thursday in the New En gland Journal of Medicine, said animal studies indicate the drug also has promise for long-term treatment of sickle-cell anemia, which strikes one out of every 500 blacks in the United States. The drug, 5-azacytidine, is extremely toxic and is being used only experimentally. Intensive studies found the drug was w'ell tolerated in ba- JEFFS PERFORMANCE CENTER 1801 Cavitt Tune-Ups • Garb Repairs Starters • Alternators Clutches • Brakes General Auto Repairs Performance & Efficiency Mods Stock & Custom Engines Corvette Repairs of all Types Hi-Performance Parts & Accessories All Work Fully Guaranteed Bryan 822-4934 boons, animals whose globin and gene structures are similar to humans, the institute study said. However, it said the cancer- causing potential of the drug is not known and controlled stu dies still must be done to deter mine its safety. “The drug used is very toxic in large doses and can kill a pa tient,” said Steven Push, a Johns Hopkins spokesman. “Doctors are using it in cases where it is evident the patient is so sick there is more to gain than to lose in trying the drug. “What is important is that it gives researchers a clue how to fight sickle-cell anemia. Now they must try to find or develop a new drug similar to 5- azacytidine that isn’t poiso nous,” Push said. The drug activates a gene, dormant since birth, that pro duces hemoglobin in a fetus. However, people with naturally high levels of the hemoglobin who also have sickle-cell anemia normally don’t suffer from the disease’s ill effects. Sickle-cell anemia affects ab out 40,000 to 50,000 blacks in the United States. It causes hemoglobin, the oxygen carrier in red blood cells, to gel. The cells therefore carry less oxygen and take on a collapsed sickle shape. It is characterized by general weakness and pains in muscles and joints and victims normally do not live beyond middle age. ,// ffoueyoureit ' your children may need it/ 7'1\ Hoffa legally dead heirs claim estate United Press International DETROIT — Former Teamster President James R. Hoffa, who disappeared in July 1975, has been declared legally dead and his son and daughter have been named heirs to his $1.2 million estate. Under probate rules, the heirs must wait three years be fore they can claim the assets of their father’s estate. In a routine hearing Wednesday, Oakland County Probate Judge Norman R. Barnard declared Hoffa offi cially dead as of July 30, 1982 — seven years after his dis appearance. His son, James P. Hoffa, a Detroit lawyer, and his daugh ter, Barabara Ann Crancer, filed presumption of death papers four months ago. Dur ing the hearing, James P. Hof fa was declared “the personal representative of James R. Hoffa, a legally presumed dead person.” Hoffa has not been heard from since he was reported When he left home that day, Jimmy Hoffa told his family he was going to a luncheon appointment. Author ities believed the appointment was with Anthony “Tony Jack" Giacalone, a reputed crime figure. Giaca lone has denied it. hunts in history iailedtc cate him. Investigators 1 no witnesses, no indictma and no body althoughtheFlfl said it still expects to solveik mystery. When he left hometkU day, Hoffa told his familyl was going to a luncliee appointment. Authoritiesk| lieved the appointment H* with Anthony “Tony jad’J Gia< alone, a reputed critneil gure. Giacalone has deniedtl When Hoffa did notched! in at home, as was hiscuswJ a nationwide search starteil The FBI entered thecaseoil the basis of extortion i Hoffa’s family, missing July 30, 1975. He went to the Machus Red Fox restaurant in Bloomfield Township for a business meeting and disappeared. One of the largest man- Hoffa’s wife, Josephii#! died in September 19 •W e are still confidentthj case will be solved,” spokesman John Antl)| said when the declarationti death papers were filed. CONGRATS AGGIES! It's time for graduation and graduation gifts...but before you begin thinking of what you -- the 1982 graduate of Texas A & M — would like for graduation... Say Thanks! Tell the people that stood by you during your academic career at Texas A & M -- thanks! — give them a 1982 Aggie Ringcrest* plaque. A walnut finished deep cut moulding frames the original Aggie Ringcrest®. An inscription plate is included making a very personal "thank you." We will have a full stock of single and double Aggie Ringcrest® plaques immediately after graduation to engrave the inscription of your choice. And while you're saying "thanks"... Single plaque: $ 29.95 Double plaque: $ 49.95 Don't forget to... Preserve the Accomplishment . with a photographic reproduction of your Texas A & M diploma on bronze. This treasured momento will be mounted on a maroon velvet background and touched off with a walnut colored frame. We will photograph your dip loma WHILE YOU WAIT so you can take the original home with you. Your bronze diploma will be in your hands no later than Christmas! AVAILABLE IN THREE SIZES. OMC will be open especially for 1982 Aggie Graduates and their families on December 11, from 9 AM - 5 PM. OMC is located on FM 2818 (the West Bypass), north of The Texas Hall of Fame. Bronze Diplomas: $ 56.00 - $ 100.00 ^VSTLR, TO YilW C-Misms CAStt % TUDENT IKNMENT U N I V E R S I T V STUDENT BOOK EXCHANGE *Make $$ selling your books *Save $$ buying books *Bring your books to Room 216-C MSC and deposit 25$ per book *Books will be sold from Jan. 12-21 *Pick up money and unsold books Jan. 24-26 Room 216C-MSC *AII unclaimed books and $$ will go to Student Services For more info on this project and other S.G. projects call 845-3051 or come by 216-C MSC Floriculture-Ornamental Horticulture Club REGISTER at THESE LOCATIONS'. HICKORY FARMS \\\ ttOUSt OF TWIN CITY FURNITURE CURTIS MATHIS LINDSEY JUKUUURS LAMAR CARPUT m m BOUTIQUE KAY 8e CO. JUNtUtRS LAMPLITE UNIVERSITY CYCLES Plant Sale! Saturday, Dec. 11 GMURV DMSVffl n °bodv10 VES KAGc c HRISTm Plants make great Xmas gifts! Floriculture Greenhouse AS 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. COMMONS Quad Lubbock St. Held (SLAB) Lamar O Plant ■SOl 10-2 Pick Up and Sales 1510 AM % 7RStl> Plastic heart patient critical United Press International SALT LAKE CITY — Dr. Barney Clark marked his first week with an artificial heart Thursday and doctors said that the plastic device is helping cure other organs in his body. Clark, 61, a retired Seattle- area dentist, remained in critical condition Thursday at the Uni versity of Utah Hospital. He is recovering from a series of sei zures apparently caused by a post-operative imbalance of body salts, doctors said. Dr. Chase Peterson said Wednesday Clark had a quiet Wednesday. He was no longer on medication for the attacks and was responding to speech and directions. “We think he is going to come out of this,” said Peterson, uni versity vice president for health science. “I just want to get him through four or five days with out any complications. I want to get his feet on the floor and get some food into him and let him get his strength back.” Doctors had all but ruled out brain hemorrhaging and blood clots as causes for the seizures. “His heart has functioned beautifully throughout. It has never been a problem,” Peter son said. Peterson said the heart had helped clear fluid from Clark’s lungs and improved the opera tion of his kidneys. His liver also had improved but was still not iki functioning properly. Prior to the 1; surgery, Clark’s natural! was pumping so weakly thalj ot her organs suffered fromli] of blood and began to maisL. T tion. § usan 1 Peterson said the mo$tliki" n § ine< cause of the seizures was ate! York, p chemical imbalance brouglilE by a loss of fluids. Doctors ll been trying to flush Clark’sk I neys P T ILI Mike Zaby’s To correct the Clark has been fedaspeciall ] through a tube in his stoffl p The food contained high lev of salts and potassium, chem L als that were apparently wat |. from his system. Peterson said Clark prol))® would remain on the critical!i for a day or two while his to 1 Un . ( chemicals stablized. ■$']- [ q “Dr. Clark is not now prim Su Durban ily a heart patient," Peter® ,Uam i n said. “He is simply a criticall'^? ssat ' s |i e post-operative patient wholf rotect i 01 suffered a series of compli B )rat % 1 tions and could suffer more’|f H y e the Clark received the pin ^ thii heart Dec. 2 in aV'/z-hourope w hoe tion led by surgeon William! ®! s ,r| ess Vries. He has survived iMMp Pent than any person with an amfr 16 ( h th< cial heart. Similar hearts kp n P er ' a h been implanted before buioil ^ d as a temporary measure »f m<)ve ‘^ patients awaited a human U) h plant. The longest previous| an hPA o was 64 hours. B 1 ^ I The E will pay f •rary re tile six he tf’Ted t< Inch is t Wishes You Happy Holidays! Tuesday — Ladies Night... Ladies drink free all nic Wednesday — Bash Night... Free drinks for all, 9-i Thursday — Another Ladie’s Night... Prettiest in Dallas Friday & Saturday — Party time... Anything goes! 1 *Open Christmas Eve and Day! *New Year’s Eve Party! *19 year olds admitted with student l.D. 5915 E. Northwest Hwy. Dallas, Tx. Ph. 361-42^ 0** f • GOLD' . BOTTLED BV •••