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NIH GUIDE* - Vol. 26, No. 19 - June 6, 1997

$$INDEX BEGIN *******************************************************

                               NOTICES

$$INDEX N1 **********************************************************

IMMUNOLOGIC FACTORS IN SALIVA AND BLOOD AS DETERMINANTS OF HIV-
RELATED DISEASES
National Institute of Dental Research
INDEX:  DENTAL RESEARCH

               NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs/RFAs/PAs)

$$INDEX R1 **********************************************************

COORDINATING CENTER FOR CLINICAL TRIAL OF HYPERICUM PERFORATUM IN
DEPRESSIVE DISORDER (RFP NIMH-97-CR-0007)
National Institute of Mental Health
INDEX:  MENTAL HEALTH

$$INDEX P1 **********************************************************

EXPLORATORY DEVELOPMENTAL GRANTS FOR MULTIDISCIPLINARY CLINICAL
STUDIES OF SARCOPENIA (PA-97-060)
National Institute on Aging
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
INDEX:  AGING; ARTHRITIS, MUSCULOSKELETAL, SKIN DISEASES

$$INDEX P2 **********************************************************

SOCIAL COGNITION AND AGING (PA-97-065)
National Institute on Aging
INDEX:  AGING

$$INDEX P3 **********************************************************

SECONDARY ANALYSIS OF EXISTING HEALTH SERVICES DATA SETS (PA-97-066)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
INDEX:  ALCOHOL ABUSE, ALCOHOLISM

The NIH GUIDE is available electronically via LISTSERV subscription,
and is also on the nih gopher (gopher.nih.gov) and the NIH web site
(http://www.nih.gov).  Alternative access is available through the
NIH Grant Line via modem (data line 301/402-2221); contact Dr. John
James at 301/435-2801 for details on the NIH Grant Line.

All competing (new, renewal, amended (revised) applications for
grants, cooperative agreements, and fellowships from the National
Institutes of Health must be sent to:

DIVISION OF RESEARCH GRANTS
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710
BETHESDA, MD  20892-7710
BETHESDA, MD  20817 (for express/courier service)

ASKNIH is a service of the Division of Extramural Outreach &
Information Resources, Office of Extramural Research, Office of the
Director, NIH.  ASKNIH is the point of contact for obtaining general
information about NIH extramural research & research training
programs, requesting publications, and learning more about obtaining
the NIH GUIDE and other information on the NIH web site.  ASKNIH is
also the contact to which organizations should request application
kits and forms.

ASKNIH
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
EMAIL:  ASKNIH@odrockm1.od.nih.gov
FAX:  (301) 480-0525
TELEPHONE:  (301) 435-0714

INQUIRIES ABOUT THE NOTICES, PAS, AND RFAS IN THIS PUBLICATION SHOULD
BE DIRECTED TO THE NIH STAFF MEMBER IDENTIFIED AT THE END OF EACH
ITEM.

THE PHS STRONGLY ENCOURAGES ALL GRANT AND CONTRACT RECIPIENTS TO
PROVIDE A SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE AND PROMOTE THE NON-USE OF ALL TOBACCO
PRODUCTS.  IN ADDITION, PUBLIC LAW 103-227, THE PRO-CHILDREN ACT OF
1994, PROHIBITS SMOKING IN CERTAIN FACILITIES (OR IN SOME CASES, ANY
PORTION OF A FACILITY) IN WHICH REGULAR OR ROUTINE EDUCATION,
LIBRARY, DAY CARE, HEALTH CARE OR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO CHILDREN.  THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PHS
MISSION TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE.

$$INDEX END *********************************************************

                               NOTICES

$$N1 BEGIN **********************************************************

IMMUNOLOGIC FACTORS IN SALIVA AND BLOOD AS DETERMINANTS OF HIV-
RELATED DISEASES

NIH GUIDE, Volume 26, Number 19, June 6, 1997

MARKET SURVEY/SOURCES SOUGHT

P.T. 34; K.W. 0715120, 0710070

National Institute of Dental Research

The National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) is conducting a
market survey to determine the availability and potential technical
capability of small businesses; the applicable SIC code is 8731 and
the size standard is 500 employees.  The NIDR has a requirement to
develop methods and assay for selected immunological and viral
characteristics in the saliva and serum of members of a cohort of HIV
positive U.S. military personnel.  The Contractor will test
approximately 2000 serum and 2000 saliva samples (to be supplied by
the Government) for total IgG, IgM, and IgA; HIV-specific IgG, IgM,
and IgA; nonspecific immune factors (lactoferrin, lysozyme and
lactoperoxidase); levels of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor;
quantitative HIV virions; and infectivity of human peripheral blood
mononuclear cells (PBMC).  Special features of this project are the
large number of samples and the need for the development of
procedures to apply to saliva as the matrix and to conserve volume of
specimen as much as possible.  Subsequent to the assaying of the
samples, the laboratory findings will be linked to the demographic,
medical, behavioral, oral examination and follow-up data available on
this cohort.  This project will entail two phases.  Phase I will
consist of all activities undertaken prior to commencement of
production assays.  During Phase I the contractor will develop, test,
and prepare the final protocol for the study, including plans for
quality control, for approval by the NIDR. Phase II will include
performing the assays on the serum and saliva.  The Government
estimates that three years with a total of 19,200 hours will be
required to carry out the study.  It is estimated that 2000
professional, 1400 technical, and 3000 support hours (6400 hours
total) will be required in each of the three years.  General
objectives include the following:  1. To quantify in all saliva and
serum samples (a) total IgM, IgA (IgA1 and IgA2) and IgG; (b) HIV-
specific IgM, IgA (IgA1 and IgA2) and IgG, including nonspecific
immune factors including SLPI, mucins, lactoferrin, lysozyme and
lactoperoxidase, as well as HIV-1 viral load as measured by culture
and nucleic acid detection HIV (RNA PCR).  2. To characterize the
phenotype of HIV-1 isolated from saliva and blood according to
syncytium-inducing ability (SI vs NSI), cell tropism (macrophage vs T
cell), replication kinetics and strain variability.  Specific
technical requirements include the following:  1. SPECIMEN
MANAGEMENT:  (a) Maintain and update at all times, an electronic
receipt and control system that keeps track of all specimens received
and returned at all times; (b) Ensure proper disposal of specimen
containers; (c) Ensure proper handling of specimens to prevent
degradation and to ensure proper infection control; (d) Return unused
specimens to a repository designated by NIDR in the Washington, DC,
metropolitan area.  2. DEVELOPMENT OF ASSAYS:  Due to the presence of
proteinases, inhibitors, bacteria, and other biological variables in
saliva, preliminary experiments are required to assess the best
method of viral detection and/or culture of virus in these
preparations (e.g., centrifuged vs uncentrifuged; cell vs
supernatant). Assays must be standardized to enable direct comparison
and correlations between saliva specimens (cells and saliva) and
blood specimens for HIV and other parameters.  Specifically, the
contractor must use the following techniques for the listed assays:
quantitative HIV RNA PCR assessment for plasma, use of specified
commercially available assays may require adjustment for saliva
(unspun/cells).  3. REQUIREMENTS OF ASSAYS IN PRODUCTION RUNS:  (a)
Total and HIV-specific immunoglobulins; use ELISA techniques for
total and HIV-specific immunoglobulins IgM, IgA (IgA1 and IgA2) and
IgG; additional assays may include neutralizing antibodies and
antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC); (b) HIV-viral load;
HIV RNA PCR assay (quantitative RT-PCR or another commercially
available method); use cell microculture techniques for PBMC and
saliva pellet cell associated HIV; use p24 antigen ELISA on serum and
saliva supernatant to assess HIV levels; in situ hybridization from
smears of cells; (c) Non-specific immune factors; (d) Syncytia-
inducing ability:  Use cell microculture techniques to determine
cell-associated syncytia inducing (SI) HIV phenotypes and non-
syncytia inducing (NSI) macrophage tropism (isolates from saliva cell
pellet); and (e) Replication kinetics and heteroduplex mobility assay
(HMA).

INQUIRIES

This is NOT a Request for Proposal; there is no solicitation.  The
Government is not committed to award a contract pursuant to this
announcement.  Responses should not include cost or pricing
information.  Sources believing they have the required capabilities
to undertake this project should submit four copies of the requested
material addressing experience and capabilities by 4:00 P.M., local
time, on June 16, 1997.  The requested material shall be submitted to
the following:

Marilyn R. Zuckerman
Contracts Management Section
National Institute of Dental Research
45 Center Drive, Room 4AN-44J MSC 6402
Bethesda, MD  20892-6402

$$N1 END ************************************************************

               NOTICES OF AVAILABILITY (RFPs/RFAs/PAs)

$$R1 BEGIN NIMH-97-CR-0007 ******************************************

COORDINATING CENTER FOR CLINICAL TRIAL OF HYPERICUM PERFORATUM IN
DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

NIH GUIDE, Volume 26, Number 19, June 6, 1997

RFP AVAILABLE:  NIMH-97-CR-0007

P.T. 34; K.W. 0715072, 0755015, 0755018

National Institute of Mental Health

The Psychotherapeutic Medication Development Program of the National
Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is committed to developing "orphan"
treatments (treatments having a potentially large public health
impact but lacking corporate sponsorship) for mental disorders.  For
about 15 years, Europeans have used an herbal treatment for
depression, Hypericum perforatum/Saint Johnswort (hypericum).
Hypericum has become increasingly popular in Germany where physicians
routinely prescribe herbal medicines.  In 1994, 66 million daily
doses of hypericum were prescribed there for use in the treatment of
depression.  Working with the NIH Office of Alternative and
Complementary Medicine (OAM), NIMH intends to conduct a efficacy
study of a standardized extract of hypericum in major depression.
The purpose of this requirement is to establish a full service
centralized coordinating center to manage a multi-center clinical
trial to evaluate the efficacy of this botanical (hypericum) in
patients with depression.

The offeror will be responsible for recruiting sites from a range of
diverse environments including clinical, university and research
settings. Unlike many other clinical trials, most patients eligible
for this study will not be treated in a university clinic but rather
in private practice offices or in managed care settings.  The
contractor  must have established working relationships and a
consortium of mental health care providers readily available.  The
use of hypericum has generated a substantial amount of recent
interest in the media, which makes it imperative that sites are
identified which can begin recruiting patients within a limited
period after award.

The successful offeror shall: 1) have available staff resources to
provide the medical expertise necessary for medical monitoring and
oversight of the trial; 2) finalize the study design and protocol; 3)
monitor patient recruitment and site compliance with the study
protocol; 4) provide standardized data forms and perform all
necessary data management activities (scheduling, monitoring,
collecting, editing data from each of the clinical sites, etc.); 5)
ensure patient safety; 6) maintain standardization across sites; 7)
prepare and analyze the composite data set; and 8) perform all other
activities necessary to coordinate trial activities.

NIMH proposes to issue an unrestrictive competitive solicitation for
this requirement and anticipates the award of a cost reimbursement
contract for a period of three years.

INQUIRIES

Request for Proposal (RFP)  No. NIMH-97-CR-0007 will be available
electronically on or about June 5, 1997, with proposals due on or
about July 21,1997.  The RFP may be accessed through either the NIH
Home Page, the NIH Gopher or the NIMH Home Page by using the
following electronic addresses and instructions:

1.  NIH Home Page (via the World Wide Web):  Access the NIH Home Page
by using http://www.nih.gov.  Once you are at the NIH Home Page,
select "Grants and Contracts," then select "NIH Gopher directory,"
item listed under the "Contracts Page" Section.  The Uniform Resource
Locator (URL) for this gopher director is
gopher://gopher.nih.gov:70/11/res/rd-rfp

2.  To access the NIH Gopher:  Point your gopher client to
GOPHER.NIH.GOV (you should now be in the NIH Gopher). Select "Grants
and Research Information," then select "R&D Requests for Proposals
(RFP)."

3.  NIMH Home Page: Access the NIMH Home page by using
http://www.nimh.nih.gov.  Once you are there, select "Grants,
Contracts & Committees," item listed under "NIMH Request for
Proposals (RFP)."

Please note that the RFP for this procurement has been revised to
include only the Statement of Work, deliverable and reporting
requirements, special requirements and mandatory qualifications, if
any, the Technical Evaluation Criteria, and proposal preparation
instructions.  All information required for the submission of an
offer will be contained in the electronic RFP package.  Following
proposal submission and the initial review process, offerors
comprising the competitive range will be requested to provide
additional documentation to the Contracting Officer. All responsible
sources that submit a proposal will be considered by the NIMH.

$$R1 END ************************************************************

$$P1 BEGIN PA-97-060 FULL-TEXT **************************************

EXPLORATORY DEVELOPMENTAL GRANTS FOR MULTIDISCIPLINARY CLINICAL
STUDIES OF SARCOPENIA

NIH Guide, Volume 26, Number 15, May 9, 1997

PA AVAILABLE:  PA-97-060

P.T. 34; K.W. 0715136, 0710010, 0710030, 074030, 0785055

National Institute on Aging
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

THIS PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT IS A REVISION OF THE PA APPEARING IN THE
MAY 9 ISSUE OF THE NIH GUIDE.  THIS REVISION ADDS THE NIAMS AS A
SPONSORING INSTITUTE OF THIS PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT.

PURPOSE

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) invites exploratory
developmental research grant (R21) applications for
multidisciplinary, clinical studies on the mechanisms underlying the
physical functional consequences of sarcopenia in older persons. This
NIA exploratory grants program is intended to facilitate new
collaborative efforts in the development of novel scientific
hypotheses on the causes of changes in skeletal muscle morphology
and/or metabolism that lead to physical disabilities in old age, by
providing research support for the appropriate pilot/feasibility
studies to refine these hypotheses.  Multidisciplinary approaches may
include collaborations between various types of clinical research
expertise (e.g., epidemiology, geriatrics, rehabilitation medicine,
biomechanics, exercise physiology), or between basic and clinical
researchers, with or without previous aging research experience.

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000

The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health
promotion and disease prevention objectives of  "Healthy People
2000," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas.  This
program announcement (PA), Exploratory Grants for Multidisciplinary
Clinical Studies of Sarcopenia, is related to the priority areas of
chronic diseases and disabling conditions. Potential applicants may
obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No.
017-001-00474-0 or Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through
the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-512-1800).

INQUIRIES

This PA, which describes the research objectives, application
procedures, review considerations, and award criteria for this
solicitation, may be obtained electronically through the NIH Grant
Line (data line 301/402-2221), the NIH GOPHER (gopher. nih.gov), and
the NIH Website (http://www.nih.gov), and by mail and email from the
program contact listed below.

Chhanda Dutta, Ph.D.
Geriatrics Program
National Institute on Aging
7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 3E-327 - MSC 9205
Bethesda, MD  20892-9205
Telephone:  (301) 435-3048
FAX:  (301) 402-1784
Email:  DuttaC@gw.nia.nih.gov

Richard W. Lymn, Ph.D.
Muscle Biology and Musculoskeletal Fitness Program Director
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Natcher Building, Room 5AS 49E
Bethesda, MD  20892-6500
Telephone:  (301) 594-5128
FAX:  (301) 480-4543
Email:  lymnr@ep.niams.nih.gov

$$P1 END ************************************************************

$$P2 BEGIN PA-97-065 FULL-TEXT **************************************

SOCIAL COGNITION AND AGING

NIH GUIDE, Volume 26, Number 19, June 6, 1997

PA AVAILABLE:  PA-97-065

P.T. 34; K.W. 0710010, 0414005

National Institute on Aging

PURPOSE

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) invites qualified researchers
to submit research and training grant applications on social
cognition and aging.  The social cognitive paradigm concerns the ways
in which mental representations of social events, societal and
cultural norms and personal characteristics influence behavior,
reasoning, emotion and motivation.  Specifically, the approach
addresses attributions, self and social goals, mental representations
of the self and others, and the role of social facilitation in
decision-making, memory and judgment. Research suggests that complex
cognitive functioning-involved in coping, everyday problem-solving
and decision-making in health and social domains-depends not only on
basic cognitive mechanisms, but also on socially-derived content and
organization of existing knowledge structures as well as on
socially-derived emotional and motivational influences on
performance.

The NIA encourages the application of social-cognitive approaches to
research on middle-aged and older people. The ultimate goal of such
research is to improve health maintenance and promotion, coping with
age-related losses, social relationships, and adaptive functioning in
daily life as people age.  This program announcement is coordinated
with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which supports a
range of topics in social cognition, and with the National Institute
of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), which supports
applications about the normative cognitive, social, motivational and
affective development of children from infancy through adolescence.
(See program contacts listed under INQUIRIES)

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000

The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health
promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000,"
a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas.  This PA,
Social Cognition and Aging, is related to the priority area of
diabetes and chronic disabling conditions.  Potential applicants may
obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No.
017-001-00474-0 or Summary Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00473-1)
through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-512-1800).

INQUIRIES

The PA, which describes the research objectives, application
procedures, review considerations, and award criteria for this
solicitation, may be obtained electronically through the NIH Grant
Line (data line 301/402-2221), the NIH GOPHER (gopher.nih.gov), and
the NIH Website (http://www.nih.gov), and by mail and email from the
program contact listed below.

Jared Jobe, Ph.D.
Behavioral and Social Research
National Institute on Aging
7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 533 - MSC 9205
Bethesda, MD  20892-9205
Telephone:  (301) 496-3137
FAX:  (301) 402-0051
Email:  Jared_Jobe@nih.gov

The NIMH supports research on a range of topics in social cognition
(e.g., attitude accessibility, persuasion, stereotyping, self and
social identity, stigma about mental disorders) across the life-span
in normative, at-risk, and mentally ill populations. Inquiries about
NIMH's sponsorship of these activities may be directed to:

Della M. Hann, Ph.D.
Division of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences
National Institute of Mental Health
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 11C-16
Rockville, MD  20857
Telephone:  (301) 443-3942
FAX:  (301) 443-4822
Email:  dhann@nih.gov

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
is interested in the topics of this Program Announcement (PA) as they
pertain to children's and adolescents' development.  More
specifically, NICHD is interested in supporting meritorious
applications in the following areas: (a) Normative age-related
changes in knowledge structure; (b) Contextual and functional
perspectives on the normative development of social cognition; (c)
The interaction of social cognition, emotion and motivation during
childhood and adolescence and (d) Developmental changes in cognitive
skills and social cognition.  Inquiries about NICHD's support for
research in social cognition may be directed to:

Sarah L. Friedman, Ph.D.
Center for Research for Mothers and Children,
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Building 61E, Room 4B05
Bethesda, MD  20892
Telephone:  (301) 496-9849
FAX:  (301) 480-7773
Email:  FriedmaS@HD01.NICHD.NIH.GOV

$$P2 END ************************************************************

$$P3 BEGIN PA-97-066 FULL-TEXT **************************************

SECONDARY ANALYSIS OF EXISTING HEALTH SERVICES DATA SETS

NIH GUIDE, Volume 26, Number 19, June 6, 1997

PA AVAILABLE:  PA-97-066

P.T. 34; K.W. 0404003, 0730050, 0408006

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

PURPOSE

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is
soliciting exploratory/developmental research grant applications
(R21) to support the secondary analysis of existing data sets
relevant to developing a knowledge base to improve the delivery of
services for alcohol-related problems, including both treatment and
preventive interventions. Exploratory/developmental grants for the
Secondary Analysis of Existing Health Services Data Sets are intended
to more fully utilize currently available data sets and to provide
support for substantive exploratory or confirmatory studies that
increase knowledge related to improving the availability,
accessibility, delivery, quality, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness,
and outcomes of alcohol-related treatment and prevention services.
Data used in secondary analyses may be obtained from current or past
investigator-initiated research activities or from other archival
data sets from public or private sources.  In addition, research that
employs new analytic techniques that demonstrate or promote
methodological advances in the area of alcohol-related health
services research are of particular interest.  Grants supported under
this announcement must be limited to a 2-year effort and a maximum of
$100,000 in direct costs per year.

Research objectives of this program announcement include, but are not
limited to, five major areas:  (1) determining the effects of
financing and reimbursement mechanisms on alcohol-related health care
program availability, accessibility, delivery, organization, content,
quality, and outcomes; (2) assessing sources of variation in access
to and utilization of treatment and prevention interventions for
alcohol-related problems; (3) identifying organizational and
managerial factors that influence the delivery of treatment and
prevention services for alcohol-related problems, either within or
across regions, populations, and settings; (4) evaluating the cost,
cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, and cost-utility of alcohol-related
treatment and prevention services; and (5) identifying and assessing
the effectiveness and outcomes of alcohol-related treatment and
preventive services.

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000

The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health
promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000,"
a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas.  This program
announcement, Secondary Analysis of Existing Health Services Data
Sets, is related to the priority areas of alcohol abuse reduction and
alcoholism treatment.  Potential applicants may obtain a copy of
"Healthy People 2000" (Full Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00474-0 or
Summary Report:  Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through the
Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington,
DC 20402-9325 (telephone 202-512-1800).

INQUIRIES

The PA, which describes the research objectives, application
procedures, review considerations, and award criteria for this
solicitation, may be obtained electronically through the NIH Grant
Line (data line 301/402-2221), the NIH GOPHER (gopher.nih.gov), and
the NIH Website (http://www.nih.gov), and by mail and email from the
program contact listed below.

Harold I. Perl, Ph.D.
Division of Clinical and Prevention Research
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
6000 Executive Boulevard, Suite 505, MSC 7003
Bethesda, MD  20892-7003
Telephone:  (301) 443-0788
FAX:  (301) 443-8774
Email:  hperl@willco.niaaa.nih.gov

$$P3 END ************************************************************