Decades of study at LBL on the use of charged particle beams to treat human diseases has led to the opening of the University of California Eye Program.
The new medical facility, located at the Crocker Nuclear Laboratory on the UC Davis campus, is dedicated to the treatment of uveal melanoma (eye cancer). Using a proton beam emanating from a cyclotron, the therapy program will save not only lives but at least partial eyesight in the majority of its patients.
The UC Eye Program is a direct descendant of LBL's clinical treatment program, which began about 50 years ago and ended in 1992 with the closure of LBL's Bevatron. In all, more than 2,000 patients were treated at LBL for diseases that include eye cancer as well as life-threatening blood clots (arteriovenous malformations) too deep in the brain for conventional surgery.
The program's creation was a joint effort of LBL, the Crocker Nuclear Lab and Cancer Center at UCD, and the UCSF Radiation Oncology Department. Staff, funding, and equipment were supplied by all four institutions, along with partial funding from the National Cancer Institute. The state-of-the-art facility was built with guidance and assistance from the former LBL Radiotherapy and Biomedical Operations groups. The clinical program was developed by UCSF faculty with the aid of the UCD Cancer Center.
LBL not only has transferred several generations of know-how to the team at Davis, but has also provided on long loan most of the equipment required to precisely focus the proton beam so it can destroy tumors.
The Laboratory's contributions range from the computer system that controls the treatment, to power supplies for the accelerator operation, to the patient positioner used to accurately align the patient for proton treatment. Part of the Crocker cyclotron magnet came from one of LBL founder Ernest Lawrence's original cyclotrons, which itself was used to treat cancer patients some 50 years ago.
The LBL team responsible for transferring this technology to UCD included radiation oncologist Joe Castro, physicist Tim Renner, administrative coordinator Jackie Iler, medical physicist Inder Daftari, electronic engineer Mark Nyman, software engineer R.P. Singh, mechanical technician Mario Cepeda, and former employees Ron Stradtner and Charlie Pascale.
Dr. Devron Char, head of UCSF's Ocular Oncology Clinic, is the referring physician to the Davis clinic. To date, 13 patients with uveal melanoma have been treated at the new facility.
In addition to the program at Davis, LBL also has signed a two-year agreement to transfer charged particle beam technology dedicated to the treatment of arteriovenous malformations to Loma Linda University's Medical Center in Southern California. LBL also is collaborating with other charged particle medical facilities throughout the world, notably at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences in Japan and the University of Heidelberg-GSI in Germany.
Uveal melanoma--eye cancer--is a relatively rare condition. About 2,500 patients are diagnosed in this country every year. In the past, the usual means of treatment was to remove the eye in order to prevent the spread of cancer.
Charged particle radiotherapy--the targeting of the energy of a beam of charged particles on a tumor--can save the eye and preserve at least partial eyesight in about 90 percent of all patients. Importantly, cancer is no more likely to recur after radiotherapy than after surgical removal of the eye. This technique was pioneered at LBL and the Harvard Cyclotron and has now spread to facilities in more than 10 countries around the world.
Another current alternative treatment involves the temporary surgical implant on the surface of the eye of a plaque containing radioactive seeds. However, as it destroys the tumor, the implant also damages healthy surrounding tissue.
Because of the unique properties of charged particles, a proton beam can be calibrated and shaped to deposit much of its radiation dose in a three-dimensional space that coincides with that of the tumor. Targeting the energy dose is particularly valuable when the lesion lies close to the optic nerve, as it does about 40 percent of the time.
Like x-rays, charged particles have the ability to pass through tissue. However, whereas x-rays begin to give up their energy immediately upon encountering tissue, charged particles deposit almost all of their energy or radiation dose where they stop. This stopping point depends upon the energy of the beam and can be precisely manipulated using a beam delivery system developed at LBL.
Radon gas, which can enter houses from the underlying soil, represents a significant lung cancer risk in many U.S. homes. Garbesi will provide an overview of the radon gas problem and describe her research, which explains some of the discrepancies found in models that predict radon entry into buildings. Mathematical models are used to predict radon entry rates, and to investigate the effects of such factors as building design, weather, and mitigation technologies.
Garbesi received her Ph.D. in Energy and Resources from UC Berkeley in 1993. She is the recipient of several awards and distinctions, including a Switzer Environmental Fellowship and a Hollaender Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship. She is currently on leave from the Geography and Environmental Studies Department at San Jose State University, where she is an assistant professor.
Both synchrotron light sources and lasers have fueled rapid advances in photoionization, contributing to exciting results in atomic and molecular physics. Workshop participants expressed enthusiasm about the active interplay between experiment and theory in their field, and about the important advances photoionization is stimulating in the fundamental understanding of atomic and molecular processes. One important area of progress is electron correlation, a way of looking at atoms as whole entities rather than in a simplified single-particle model.
Beamline 9.0.1 at the ALS, commissioned in August 1994 and primarily dedicated to photoionization work, has already hosted research teams from the University of Central Florida and Western Michigan University for studies related to electron correlation. Three more research teams from the ALS, McMaster University in Canada, and the University of Nebraska are slated for work now or in the near future.
Smoking is the single major preventable cause of illness and premature death in the United States. It is implicated in six of the 10 leading causes of death in this country, including heart disease, stroke, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and cancer (of the lung, throat, esophagus, pancreas, cervix, kidneys, bladder).
Smoking is responsible for 30 percent of all cancers and 87 percent of all lung cancers. An estimated 418,000 smoking-related deaths occur each year. Since 1987, more women have died of lung cancer than of breast cancer.
In 1993, the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) reviewed a series of epidemiologic studies on cost estimates of smoking-related diseases. The OTA estimated cigarette smoking costs the economy $68 billion annually in health care and lost productivity.
Consider these facts:
The first few issues of ALSNews are being sent to a standard distribution list based on the ALS mailing list. To be placed on the subscription list, please e-mail alsnews@lbl.gov and include your complete e-mail address in the body of your message. Feel free to include suggestions for the information or topics you would like to see covered in ALSNews.
The United Way campaign is a reminder that we are all part of the same community. To those who have participated in campaigns in previous years, let me express my appreciation. Our goals this year are to increase the number of participants and to exceed last year's total contribution of $83,000.
As has been pointed out before, the administrative costs for the United Way are among the lowest for such charitable organizations, at just under 15 percent. Your division Donor Representatives will be able to answer questions you may have about your campaign, the United Way, and its member agencies. Inquiries may also be made to either UW campaign coordinator Fred Lothrop at X7726, or Shaun Fennessey at X5122.
Everyone is encouraged to consider supporting this worthwhile community resource. LBL is an integral part of the local community, and as we help them we help ourselves.
Charles V. Shank
Director
Information and appointments regarding Lab benefits are available by e-mail or by phone through the LBL Benefits Office. Contact by e-mail is preferred, since it allows the office to send a written response. The Benefits Office is located at 1936 University Ave., 2nd floor, between Milvia Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
Those who missed the LBL Benefits Faire are encouraged to attend the UC Benefits Fair, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Nov. 16, UCB Student Union.
Group Insurance - Employee Monthly Cost
Single Two-Party Family Foundation $16.00 $25.00 $45.00 Health Net 0 0 0 Kaiser North 0 0 0 Prudential High Option 133.55 228.97 275.72 TakeCare 7.00 13.00 20.00 UC Care 3.97 7.61 10.43 UC/LBL Pays $137.00 $281.00 $382.00
Benefits Resource List
Group insurance, disability, blood drive, unemployment claims
Janet Amos; JLAmos@lbl.gov; X6404
Retirement, savings plans
Kent Ryden; KRRyden@lbl.gov; X6928
Long-term disability, leave without pay, family/medical leave
Lorna Rodriguez; LPRodriguez@lbl.gov; X6680
Benefits manager/Policy questions
Michael Goldstein; HMGoldstein@lbl.gov; X6748
All programs
UC Benefits; 1-800-888-8267
EH&S CLASS
9-10:30 a.m., Bldg. 48-109; Earthquake Safety (EHS 135); pre-registration required, X6554
WOMEN SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS SEMINAR
12:15 p.m., Bldg. 70A-3377, K. Garbesi, "How much Radon is Really Getting into Houses?" Refreshments, noon
THEORETICAL PHYSICS SEMINAR
2:30 p.m., Bldg. 50A-3107; K. Intriligator, Rutgers, "Exact Results in 4d Supersymmetric Gauge Theories"
DEPARTMENT OF NUCLEAR ENGINEERING COLLOQUIUM
3:30 p.m., 3113 Etcheverry; D. Metlay, Nuclear Waste Review Board, "Characterizing Yucca Mountain: The Department of Energy's New Technical Strategy," Refreshments, 3:15 p.m.
PHYSICS DEPARTMENT COLLOQUIUM
4:30 p.m., 1 LeConte; D. Chemla, LBL/UCB, "Recording the `Music' of Excitons: Ultrafast Dynamics of Phase and Amplitude of Coherent Emission by Semiconductor Quantum Wells," Refreshments 4 p.m., 375 LeConte
15 t u e s d a y
EH&S CLASS
9-10:30 a.m., Bldg. 90-3148; Blood Biosafety Training (EHS 735); pre-registration required, X6612
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL ASSOCIATION MEETING
Noon, lower cafeteria
CENTER FOR PARTICLE ASTROPHYSICS SEMINAR
12:30 p.m., 375 LeConte; A. Burrows, Steward Observatory, "Making Darkness Visible: The Brown Dwarf Conundrum"
16 w e d n e s d a y
EH&S CLASS
8 a.m.-noon, Bldg. 66-316; EH&S Roles and Responsibilities for Supervisors in Office Settings (EHS 25); pre-registration required, X6612
EH&S CLASS
9-11:30 a.m., Bldg. 66 Aud.; Building Emergency Team Training (EHS 154); pre-registration required, X6554
OPEN ENROLLMENT FAIR
9 a.m.-3 p.m., UCB Student Union
EH&S CLASS
10 a.m.-noon, Bldg. 90-1099; Accident Reporting/Investigation (EHS 815); pre-registration required, X6612
LATINO & NATIVE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION (LANA) MEETING
Noon, lower cafeteria
SPECIAL NUCLEAR SCIENCE DIVISION COLLOQUIUM
2 p.m., Bldg. 70A-3377; K. Gregorich, LBL, "Heavy Elements, Progress and Prospects"
SURFACE/CATALYSIS SCIENCE SEMINAR
2:30 p.m., Bldg. 66 Aud.; D. Castner, Univ. of Washington at Seattle, "XPS and SIMS Characterization of Polymeric Self-Assembled Monolayers"
ENERGY & RESOURCES GROUP COLLOQUIUM
3:30 p.m., 114 Morgan; S. Hecht, UCLA, "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? Shifting Cultivation and Development"
17 t h u r s d a y
BUILDING ENERGY SEMINAR
Noon, Bldg. 90-3148; E. Woychik, Strategy Integration, "Realities for Electricity Restructuring and DSM: Efficient Supply Meets Efficient Demand and Blinks"
EH&S CLASS
1:30-4 p.m., Bldg. 66 Aud.; Introduction to Environment, Health & Safety at LBL (EHS 10)
SURFACE/CATALYSIS SCIENCE SEMINAR
1:30 p.m., Bldg. 66 Aud.; S.Y. Tong, Univ. of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, "Surface Crystallography by Inversion of Diffuse LEED, Photoelectron and Kikuchi Electron Scan-Energy Diffraction Spectra"
18 f r i d a y
EH&S CLASS
9:30-11:45 a.m., Bldg. 90-2063; Laser Safety (EHS 280); pre-registration required, X6612
French toast
Seafood gumbo
Zesty stuffed pepper
Chili burger
tuesday
Huevos rancheros
Cream of potato & bacon
Rosemary chicken
Tuna melt
wednesday
Breakfast sandwich
Vegetarian chili
Seasoned pork chop
Turkey & Swiss on sourdough
thursday
Big blueberry pancakes
Creamy clam chowder
Thanksgiving Celebration
Steak burger
friday
Ham scramble
Cream of tomato w/rice
Baked salmon
Polish sausage
(The table below lists, in this order, Platform, Class, Dates, Time, Fee, and Class Number)
Mac Introduction to QuickMail; Nov. 21; 2-4 p.m.; 40; 01
Mac Beginning FileMakerPro ; Nov. 28-30 ; 10 a.m. - noon ; 120 ; 02
Mac Introduction to Meeting Maker ; Nov. 22 ; 2-4 p.m. ; 40 ; 04
PC Introduction to MS-DOS ; Nov. 17-18 ; 9 a.m. - noon ; 120 ; 08
Mac Intermediate FileMakerPro ; Dec. 13-15 ; 9 a.m. - noon ; 120 ; 03
Mac Introduction to QuickMail ; Dec. 19 ; 2-4 p.m. ; 40 ; 05
Mac Introduction to Meeting Maker ; Dec. 20 ; 2-4 p.m. ; 40 ; 06
Mac Beginning Microsoft Excel 4.0 ; Dec. 5-7 ; 9 a.m. - noon ; 180 ; 07
To enroll, call X4511 or e-mail gdmilligan@lbl.gov.
Ergonomic furniture, including chairs and tables, ergonomic accessories, and alternative keyboards will be on hand for demonstration, as will computer software on ergonomics. You may pick up handouts about ergonomic equipment at the Lab, as well as brochures and posters on how to set up an ergonomically-correct workstation. You can also sign up for the LBL Office Ergonomics course.
The Ergonomics Committee consists of employees from EH&S, Inventory Management, Administration, and Facilities.
AUTOS/SUPPLIES
'68 CHEVY sta. wgn, V-8, a/t, extra parts, runs well, $750. Paul, X6220, 682-8872
'71 VW Bug, 4-spd, 96K mi., exc. frame, new paint, Sony radio/cass., $1500/b.o. 317-1968 (msg./eve.)
'78 HONDA Civic, 2-dr, 4-spd, blue, recond. engine, gd cond., $1400/b.o. Willy, X6852, 524-3294 (eve.)
'78 NISSAN 510, 4-dr, 4-spd, blue, runs well, 116K mi., $1200/b.o Willy, X6852, 524-3294 (eve.)
'83 MAZDA pickup, 5-spd, longbed, bed liner, camper shell, looks & runs great, $2200. 237-3669 (p.m.)
'84 VW Rabbit, diesel, exc. cond., extras incl. Recaro seat, Borbet wheels, new radio, shocks, $3K. Dick, X6204, 549-9049
'87 VW Cabriolet convertible, exc., 5-spd, a/c, am/fm/cass., 90K mi., $6998. Thomas Merrick, 547-5445
'88 CHEVY Beretta GT, 86K mi., very well maintained, a/t, p/s, p/b, am/fm/cass., clean in & out, $4600/b.o. Karen, X4399, 724-1537
MOTORCYCLE, '87 Honda Rebel 450, 15.5K mi., black, saddlebags, windscreen, exc. cond., $1600/b.o. Jan, X5466, 843-6005
MAGS, 4x14" aluminum dish w/BFGT/A radials, fits Dodge and ?, $600; snowtires, 175X13", Firestone, $160/pr. Stephen, 527-8210
CAR/VANPOOL
VANPOOL, riders wanted, route begins in Rohnert Park, stops at Petaluma Blvd. So., Shattuck & Hearst, ends at Berkeley BART, work hrs. are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Shirley Claire, X4521
TICKETS
49ERS, 2 tix, 11/20 vs. Rams, 12/17 vs. Broncos. John, (415) 924-3210
49ERS vs. Rams, 2 tix, 11/20. X6016
WANTED
COMPUTER for daycare fac., to run learning games for ages 5-11 yrs., prefer Mac; keyboard for Mac SE. Crystal Stevenson, X6600
HOUSE CLEANING, meticulous; meal planning and/or preparation in your home, all types, incl. low fat & vegetarian, menus avail., exp. Sarah, 533-4557
MUSICIAN, piano/keyboards, 1 night/wk, jam w/blues, R&B, jazz quartet, for fun. Wayne Nordby, X7685, 837-2409
NANNY or referral, pt rm & board, own transportation. John, 245-8334 (eve.)
OIL/ACRYLIC PAINTING equipment & supplies including easel, palette, tray, etc., new or used, price negot. Tennessee, X5013
OLD PHONOGRAPHS & 78 records, Victor, Edison discs & cylinders, parts, etc. Peter, X6517, 527-5115
SNOWBOARD, at least 180 cm length, w/bindings & sz. 11 boots, will pay top dollar for newish equip. James, X7142, 649-1453
STEREO RECEIVER & sm. microwave in working cond. Jim, 568-5454
MISCELLANEOUS
BOY'S BLACK BLAZER, sz. 18, bought at Nordstrom's, $35; boy's matching dress pants, gray, $15; bean bag chairs, red, $20; black square end table, $30; ski boots, Salomon, fits approx. sz. 8, exc. cond., gd for teenage/intermediate skier, used for only 2 seasons, $65. H. Matis, X5031, 540-6718
BRONZEWARE, setting for 12, from Bangkok, Thailand, circa 1967, used twice, elegant, unique, set consists of 144 pieces, twelve 11-piece place settings & 12 serving pieces, wooden case, $3250/b.o. Auben, X4613, 245-0343
CLARINET, Yamaha, exc. cond., case, $410 new, $250; downhill skis for kids, sz. 120 & 140; ski boots, sz. 3 & 4; play skis, sz. 3 yrs. Ivana, 524-9039
COUCH, black/brown/white, 6', $65; kitchen table, round (35 1/2"), Formica top like blonde wood, black legs, $20; shoe roller skates, sz. 5, $15. Marie Alberti, X4317
DINING TABLE & 4 chairs, Oak Mission Revival style, 54x38 plus 2-1' extensions, $125. Dawn, 758-7104
MONITOR, Apple,15" multi-scan, brand new in the box, up to 832x624, zoom, software power off, Energy Star compliant, stereo spkrs, sound input & headphones output, $470. Sidnei, X4824, 649-9242
NORDIC TRACK, Pro model, exc. cond., $475. Steve Sohner, X6228, 631-0668
RUG, 4x5, rose-colored, $25; futon, 4" cotton, queen-sz., black, $25; all-leather beige armchair, $25; assorted cookware, best offer. Debbey, X6430, Stephen, 527-8210
TEXTBOOK, Advanced Organic Chemistry Reactions. Mechanisms and Structure, 4th edition, by Jerry March, 1350 pg., 1992, unopened, publisher's price $49.95, asking $35. Frank, X6640
TURKISH RUGS, from Konya & Kayseri, pastel colors, handmade, pure wool, price negot. Giv, 845-8840
HOUSING
ALAMEDA, lg., sunny rm in furn. Victorian, very safe & clean, phone & cable hookup, avail. 12/15, $450/mo. + dep. Elise, X4574
ALBANY, 1-bdrm avail. in recently renovated 2-bdrm house, nr Solano Ave., sunny, hardwd flrs, yd, garden, washer/dryer, no pets/smoking etc., $450/mo. + util. + dep. Nance Matson, X7328
BERKELEY, older 3-bdrm house to share, views, share kitchen & utils., avail. 12/1, $450/mo. David, 525-4470
BERKELEY, furn. 1-bdrm apt., 5 min. walk to UC/LBL shuttle, $600/mo. 527-1358
BERKELEY, semi-furn., sunny studio, 15 min. walk to UC/LBL shuttle, 10 min. walk to shops & cafes, sunny garden area in back, $525/mo. 540-0385
BERKELEY HILLS, Euclid/Cedar, 5 blks from UCB, furn. rm in pvt. home, kitchen privs., washer/dryer, deck, view, nr trans., shops, tennis cts. & Rose Garden, non-smoker, no pets, must be clean, prefer visiting scholar/ft working person, $450/mo. + util. Laura, 642-8517, 548-1287
NO. BERKELEY, furn. lg. rm in 4-bdrm house, bay-view, shopping, bus stop, parking, washer/dryer, $425/mo. 528-6953
NO. BERKELEY, studio in backyd, bthrm, kitchen, refrig., stove, bed, chest of drwrs, sep. entrance, patio in front, UC professor's family prefers a quiet grad student to live & study, help w/house cleaning, no rent for work or rent negot., avail from spring semester, no pets, no smoking. 525-1793
CONCORD, 3-bdrm, 1-bth (new) apt., new paint, tile entry, hardwd flrs, back fence on park, $895/mo. + dep. 689-7213
EL CERRITO HILLS, 2-bdrm, 2-1/2 bth townhouse, modern, family rm, 2 balc & frpl, W&D, D/W, refrig, 2X garage, tennis/pool/clbhs, view of Wildcat Cyn. Pk.- hike/bike trails, avail. Dec., $1275/mo. 236-0966
EL CERRITO/RICHMOND, 1 blk from E. C. Post Ofc., 2-bdrm, 1-bth apt., elec. stove, refrig., dishwasher, frpl, closed auto. garage, bay windows, yd, laundry fac., nr BART, public trans. & shopping, newly painted, clean, $845/mo. 724-3089
KENSINGTON/NO. BERKELEY, rm in 3-bdrm, 3-bth house, quiet, next to Tilden & buses, furn./semi.-furn., $425/mo. D. Moltz, X7853, 526-7388
PIEDMONT, furn. 1-1/2 bdrm in-law house, sunny patio, $850/mo. Julia, 452-0790
OAKLAND, lg. 2-bdrm apt. off Lake Merritt, China Hill dist., 15-20 min. from LBL, 1300 sq. ft., wall-to-wall, coin-op washer/dryer, dishwasher, off-st. parking, frpl, disposal & more, $800/mo. Lee, 422-0377, 763-8649 (eve.)
NO. OAKLAND, nr Piedmont Ave., recently remodeled, sunny, 2-bdrm,1-bth house/duplex, share w/quiet, non-smoker, non-drug user, hardwd flr, frpl, modern kitchen, st. parking, 10 min. walk to Rockridge LBL shuttle, $375/mo. Natalie, X4442
ROCKRIDGE, share spacious 7+bdm, 2-bth house w/3 fem., 1 male, 2 p-t kids, nr BART, 25 min. walk to UCB & most bourgeois conveniences, quiet area, no pets, share food optional, 1 bdrm $400/mo. + optional sun rm ($100/mo. or share cost with 1 other person), share utils., 2 mo. dep. ($800-$1K) required. Marcia, 642-4707, 428-1004 (msg.)
WANTED: 3-4 bdrm house for 3 adults & 1 dog w/refs., prefer house in Berkeley, Albany, Montclair or hills surrounding, must have yd, off-st. parking & lots of sun. Jennifer, X6770
VACATION
BAHAMAS, 1-bdrm condo on beach, slps 4, Taino Beach Resort Club, 2 mo. adv. notice needed, $500/wk (Sat. to Sat.). 528-1614
NO. TAHOE, new 3-bdrm, 2-1/2 bth home, greenbelt views, shopping, lake, Northstar & casinos within 10 min., avail. for ski season. Wayne Nordby, X7685, 837-2409
SO. LAKE TAHOE, 4-bdrm cabin, exc. loc., 2 mi. from Heavenly Valley, AEK, washer/dryer. Bill Holley, X4822, 283-3094
FOR FREE
CAT, "Spooky", abandoned & adopted our house, needs gd home, med. sz. blk/white female, 2 to 4 yrs. old est., spayed, all shots, friendly, prefers to be out doors. Tom or Jakki, X7210, (707) 447-1310.
Mary Bodvarsson, X4014
Mac QuickMail, fax X6641
mgbodvarsson@lbl.gov
STAFF WRITERS:
Jeffery Kahn
Diane LaMacchia
Mike Wooldridge
Lynn Yarris
CALENDAR:
Fax X6641
currents_calendar@lbl.gov
Deadline: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday
FLEA MARKET:
Fax X6641
fleamarket@lbl.gov
Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday
INFORMATION:
Mary Padilla, X5771
PRODUCTION:
Alice Ramirez
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY THE
Public Information Dept., Bldg. 65B
Mike Chartock, Acting Manager