June 7 - 14, 2002

A weekly guide to news and features from UAB Media Relations.

For more information on these stories or any others, please call the UAB Office of Media Relations at (800) UAB-9091 or (205) 934-3884.

Pretargeting Cancer Cells

Among the current hot areas of cancer research is pretargeted radioimmunotherapy, a way of putting a bull’s eye on tumor cells to get radiation to the cancer as effectively as with conventional methods but with less potential for damage to normal tissues. UAB radiation oncologist Ruby Meredith, M.D., says a Phase I study in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients reduced the amount of radiation delivered to normal tissue. A genetically engineered protein is injected, followed by an agent that virtually clears the protein from the circulation but not from tumor cells. A radiolabeled monoclonal antibody then is injected to hone-in on tumor cells. “Separating the delivery of the isotope from the antibody may lessen radiation toxicity to normal organs.” Contact Hank Black, Media Relations, (205) 934-8938 or hblack@uab.edu.

Plan Now for Next Year’s Tax Season

Even though it seems you just filed your taxes, it’s never too early to begin thinking about next year. Several steps can be taken now to prepare for next April 15, says UAB accounting professor Frank Messina, D.B.A. "Make sure your income is where you thought it would be and then check withholdings to make sure enough tax is being cut. Don't wait until the end of the year to make charitable contributions. Take what you would have sold at your summer yard sale and donate it to your favorite charity. Also, if you are getting married — or divorced — before the end of the year consider now what that will do to your filing status and income. Filing status is determined as of December 31.” Contact Jennifer Park, Media Relations, (205) 934-3888 or jpark@uab.edu.

Hollywood Loves A Successful Hero

Underdog movie characters like “Rocky” or Tony Manero in “Saturday Night Fever” were transformed into winners by way of the sequel, UAB film expert Jean Bodon, Ph.D., told an audience recently at the Cinémathèque Française film archives in Paris. The original “Rocky” was a satire on the boxing system in which Rocky loses his shot at the heavyweight title. By “Rocky IV,” he’s the champion. “Studios believe the public wants movie icons who are successful. Film directors are pressured to produce what studios want. With the exception of independent films, the sequel style of quick fixes and happy endings is used in many films today. While you have movies that are entertaining, the downside is that they’re less artistic, predictable and don’t make people think.” Contact Gail Short, Media Relations, (205) 934-8931 or gshort@uab.edu.

Surgical Sleeve

The dramatic rise in live people donating one of their kidneys for transplantation has been spurred by wider use of minimally invasive surgery. Transplant urologist Donald Urban, M.D., predicts that within five years most live kidney donations in the United States will be performed laparoscopically. One reason: a new piece of equipment called a hand-assist device. “Our initial patients had to be very thin, as we worked with our instruments from outside the body, but this operating sleeve allows one hand to be inserted into the body for better manipulation of the tissues. It also reduces the time required for the less invasive surgery.” A 4-5 inch incision is required for the device, still very small compared to the conventional procedure. Contact Hank Black, Media Relations, (205) 934-8938 or hblack@uab.edu.

Real Cost of Consolidating Credit Cards

Unless there is an expectation of paying off consolidated debt on a new credit card offering short-term low interest, consumers should not fall prey to such advertising gimmicks, says UAB economics professor Bradley Wilson, Ph.D. “The bottom line is, companies issuing credit cards are profit seekers, not entities concerned with the welfare of consumers. These companies know full well that the consolidated debt will not get paid down any time soon, but they have successfully taken business from their competitors.” As soon as the low-interest time period is up, the interest rates go right back up to 18- 20 percent and the consumer is no better off than before. Wilson suggests consumers read the fine print very carefully, and twice, before consolidating debt on a credit card offer. Contact Jennifer Park, Media Relations, (205) 934-3888 or jpark@uab.edu.

Tykes and Bikes

Summer means many children are on their bicycles — sometimes with disastrous results. Bicycle-related head injuries account for 500 deaths and 153,000 emergency room visits each year, according to the CDC. Wearing a helmet could eliminate some of those deaths and injuries, says Tara Dortch, M.S., of UAB’s THINK FIRST injury prevention program. Dortch says parents should teach their kids to ride in the same direction as traffic, obey traffic rules and yield the right of way to pedestrians and automobiles. Parents also should purchase a bike that fits their child. “Don’t be afraid to start with a tricycle for young children. The concept of buying something a size bigger works with clothes but not bikes.” Contact Bob Shepard, Media Relations, (205) 934-8934 or bshep@uab.edu.