Faculty Bibliography

Because not everyone develops the rash, cough, red eyes, fever and other symptoms that typify measles, doctors have mistaken measles for other diseases

In an interview, Dr. [William K. Summers] called the drug agency's investigation ''flawed'' and said the investigation had not found ''anything of substance'' to be wrong in the methodology and ''did not substantially affect the conclusions'' of the study. He said the agreement allows him to continue ''business as usual'' but added that his team ''will be more vigilant'' in keeping its records. Asked why Dr. Summers could say in his letter that the conclusions of his study ''remain intact'' when the drug agency had cited so many deficiencies, Dr. [Frances O. Kelsey] said, ''That was his opinion.'' Asserting that ''the scientific basis for his conclusions are a little thin,'' Dr. Kelsey said the letter should make people realize that the foundation for his conclusions ''is pretty shaky.'' But she also said F.D.A. officials were not prejudging the possible benefits of THA that might be found in future studies.

Medical researchers are concerned that many clinical studies that do not produce the desired data may go unpublished, depriving society of crucial information

In general, scientists are renewing their interest in infectious diseases because they are alarmed by the discovery of a parade of life-threatening viruses over the last two decades, including the AIDS virus in 1981. Participants at the meeting warned that several known viruses are spreading to areas not previously affected, and that humans may be vulnerable to viruses lurking undiscovered somewhere in the world. There is also some danger from mutant viruses, which arise naturally although they rarely cause epidemics. Delta virus has been particularly common among intravenous drug users in the United States and Europe, where hepatitis B is relatively uncommon. But hepatitis B is one of Asia's most common diseases, and participants warned of devastating health consequences if the delta virus spreads to Asian countries

''We are not well structured on a global level to detect new emerging viral disease,'' Dr. [Donald A. Henderson] said, noting that viruses may show up not as epidemics but as scattered cases. If the AIDS virus changed its features, Dr. [Howard M. Temin] said, ''it might turn into another cold virus.'' ''The results, if confirmed, have startling implications,'' Dr. [James W. Le Duc] said, because they may point to viruses as a cause of chronic kidney disease in this country. The underlying cause of most cases of chronic kidney disease is not known

They assert that the substance may play a fundamental role as a co- factor in producing AIDS or an opportunistic infection. Lo said he found the virus in seven of 10 AIDS patients, but not in five without AIDS

Barbara Bush's recent disclosure that her thyroid gland 'just went whacko' focused attention on the serious problems that can result when something disturbs the production of hormones by the thyroid. [Graves]' disease can also be difficult to detect because the eye symptoms can occur before or after the thyroid goes out of kilter. The disease is one of many autoimmune disorders in which the body's defense system attacks its organs. Antibodies in Graves' disease attack the thyroid, stimulating production of excessive amounts of thyroid hormones. Dr. Leonard Wartofsky, secretary of the American Thyroid Association, said his group advises anyone who suspects a thyroid disorder to ask the doctor to use a blood test for thyroid stimulating hormone

Barbara Bush's recent disclosure that her thyroid gland ``just went wacko`` focused attention on the serious problems that can result when something disturbs the production of hormones by the thyroid. Although thyroid disorders have been diagnosed and treated for more than a century and confirmatory tests have been available for decades, doctors say disorders are often difficult to detect because the symptoms are attributed to other conditions. Doctors do not know what causes the disease, nor for that matter do they know why all types of thyroid disorders strike women about five times more often than men

CAPTION: Box: Thyroid problems Thyroid disorders involve the overproduction or underproduction of hormones that help regulate the body's metabolism, the rate at which it burns carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Symptoms are diverse but generally reflect a speedup or slowdown of metabolism. Some symptoms of underactive thyroid Lethargy, weakness, weight gain, constipation, husky voice, feeling cold at room temperature, dry and scaly skin, hair loss. Some symptoms of overactive thyroid Fatigue, frequent loose stools, weight loss even with an increased appetite, feeling hot at room temperatures, unusually rapidly heartbeat. DRAWING: (Throat)

A new laser treatment reportedly removes tattoos almost painlessly, without leaving a scar