Closing the gap between heart disease research findings and medical care, the Laboratory has entered into a partnership to make state-of-the-art cardiovascular risk testing available to the public.
Berkeley Lab has signed an agreement with Berkeley HeartLab, a company founded to commercialize research discoveries for the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease. The company will commercialize a panel of blood cholesterol tests that detects the presence of traits associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease.
The diagnostic series was developed by Berkeley Lab's Cholesterol Research Center, headed by Ronald Krauss of the Life Sciences Division.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Existing cholesterol tests do not identify individuals who will develop heart disease. The new test panel identifies a range of abnormalities, which will allow physicians to better select therapies to halt progression of the disease. These include diet and lifestyle changes, or in some cases, treatment with cholesterol-lowering drugs.
"This next generation of cardiovascular tests will screen for newly discovered risk factors," said Lab Director Charles Shank. "It has the potential to save many, many lives."
Krauss says the new screening panel will not only benefit individuals but will also accelerate research progress.
"In terms of heart care," he said, "this $3.8 million, five-year contract will help us continue our efforts to identify and understand the genetic and metabolic factors that predispose individuals to cardiovascular disease. Our long term goal is to develop a panel of genetic tests that can be administered in childhood to identify risks."
Krauss says researchers here will be able to refine the new assays and develop additional diagnostic tools through access to Berkeley HeartLab test results, family medical histories, and the results of follow-up treatment of participants. Researchers will have the opportunity to further correlate traits identified during testing with the response to diet and other therapies. Over the long term, researchers here will build a database of at-risk families with shared traits, helping to narrow the search for more definitive genetic markers.
Currently, the typical blood lipoprotein analysis (aimed at assessing cardiovascular risk) is confined to total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL or bad cholesterol), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL or good cholesterol), and triglycerides. Risk factors identified by this series include elevated LDL levels and HDL values below 35 mg/dl.
The new lipid analyses, which health providers around the country can make available to patients through arrangement with the Berkeley HeartLab, consists of the above series plus these six additional tests:
LDL Particle Size--Individuals have a mix of different sized LDL particles. LDL size patterns and the coronary risk associated with them are influenced by genetic factors. However, that risk can be modified by treatment. The LDL particle size test classifies people as predominantly small LDL (Pattern B) or predominantly large LDL (Pattern A). Pattern B dramatically increases risk and is found in an estimated 40-50 percent of heart disease patients. Individuals with Pattern B can reduce their risks significantly by reducing their dietary intake of fat. Conversely, healthy Pattern A individuals experience little benefit or even adverse effects from low fat diets.
Lp(a): An LDL particle with an abnormal protein attached. Elevated Lp(a) levels increase the risk of heart disease three-fold and are not detected in routine blood work.
HDL Subclassification: HDL particles likewise vary, with this test identifying HDL subclasses and their distribution. This information can help predict whether efforts to raise HDL levels in a particular patient--through weight loss, exercise, and/or estrogen administration--are likely to succeed.
Apolipoprotein A-1: One of several proteins attached to the HDL particle. It may be a better predictor of heart disease risk than HDL levels.
Apolipoprotein E: Exists in normal and abnormal genetic forms. By identifying the form, this test indicates whether an individual is prone to develop excess blood lipids or has inherited an increased risk of heart disease independent of other known factors.
Apolipoprotein B-100: A single protein attached to the LDL particle. This assay provides a more accurate indication of the relative number of LDL particles than does a standard LDL cholesterol blood test.
Because these tests are still considered investigative, physicians who receive the results will be able to consult with Krauss and the researchers at the Lab's Cholesterol Research Center. Physicians will then provide information about the clinical significance of the tests and the most appropriate and effective follow-up program for each patient.
In the next few months, the term "necessary and sufficient" will begin drifting through Berkeley Lab's divisions and programs like a warm spring breeze. The results could be just as refreshing: a 30 percent reduction in the costs and workload of environment, health and safety compliance efforts--with no loss in Lab safety and security.
Ben Feinberg, senior scientist at the Advanced Light Source and process leader for the new program, describes it this way: "What's `necessary' is what the law requires. Then you have to ask, is what's necessary for your program also `sufficient' to protect employees, the environment and the public? The goal is to do what's necessary and sufficient for what we do."
Sounds logical, but to date, Berkeley Lab and its counterparts in the Department of Energy--similar and dissimilar--have been held to the same health and safety compliance standards prescribed by hundreds of rules, regulations and orders accumulated over the years. Despite the significant differences in mission and program, labs like Livermore and Berkeley have been subject to a uniform application of the DOE orders and directives.
"This has led to complaints that the programs are too prescriptive," says EH&S Division Director David McGraw. "The administrative burden of writing implementation plans in response to this uniform application of orders has become quite large. And DOE has agreed. As part of the department's push to re-invent government and reduce the burdens, the `necessary and sufficient' initiative was developed."
Emerging from Assistant Secretary for EH&S Tara O'Toole's office, the initiative began last year with small pilot projects at laboratories and programs within DOE. Berkeley Lab's National Tritium Labeling Facility was used as a small program model, and Fermilab was the site-wide pilot. From those successes, larger "necessary and sufficient" initiatives were commissioned, including Berkeley Lab's current charge as the first multi-program energy research laboratory to apply the system site-wide.
McGraw credits the lab's record of program innovation as the reason for the DOE's invitation to participate. The potential benefits to be realized drove Berkeley Lab to submit a successful proposal in partnership with DOE's Berkeley site office.
"The unique aspect of this process is that DOE and Berkeley Lab will partner together to mutually develop EH&S standards that fit our work," says site office manager Dick Nolan. "Gone are the days of inflexible one-size-fits-all requirements. That increases everyone's understanding of the EH&S standards appropriate to the work, reduces costs, and improves our safety and environmental protection program."
The "necessary and sufficient" concept works as follows: Small teams of program and EH&S representatives, working with division safety coordinators and DOE experts, will identify the work being done and the relevant hazards. Using these hazards, the group will select appropriate safety standards that apply to that work, in areas such as management of hazardous waste, radiation protection, electrical safety, quality assurance (QA) activities, etc.
The applicable standards are forwarded to an executive team of Lab and DOE managers for evaluation, review and resolution of issues. An accepted set of procedures and assessments is then submitted for comment to stakeholders--Lab employees, community officials, regulatory agencies, unions, etc.--and for confirmation to a team of Lab, DOE, University of California and industry representatives. Berkeley Lab Director Charles Shank and DOE-Oakland office manager James Turner will sign the final agreement.
Feinberg, whose job is to oversee all of this activity, says that from a scientist's standpoint, the whole idea has appeal. "It says that the Lab and our programs can choose what standards we ought to be held to, and then be judged on how well we meet those standards. It doesn't come from the top down. That's a rationally appealing way to go, and the best way I know to get buy-in."
Given the narrow time-frame (target for completion is this calendar year), the analysis will be intense for several months, involving more than 100 Laboratory personnel. But McGraw says the outcome--a set of performance and safety standards specially tailored to Berkeley Lab's needs--is worth the up-front investment of effort.
"A lot of what we do now is desk work," he says of EH&S compliance programs. "That takes us away from the field, where the real solutions to our problems are found. `Necesssary and sufficient' takes us back to the classic paradigm--if you're going to apply requirements to your program, base them on the work being done and derive the standards from that."
In addition to the tritium labeling facility and Fermilab, other DOE pilot programs were run last year at Livermore's waste handling facility and in some programs at the Savannah River site. Representatives from those pilots will comprise an advisory team to assist Berkeley Lab as it develops its site-wide program.
All Lab employees are invited to attend the event, which was organized at the recommendation of the Lab's Workforce Diversity Committee. The fair will offer information about the following topics:
Pre-registration is required for all courses except Introduction to EH&S. To pre-register for all other classes, send e-mail to LBNL Training-Registration in the HR zone or send a fax to X4072 with your name, employee ID number, extension, and class name, date & code (or call X5999).
A 32-year employee of Berkeley Lab, Tinay transferred here in 1960 with her husband Bill, after both worked briefly at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. She had a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley and an MBA from the University of San Francisco.
Tinay's first job at Berkeley Lab was working as a scanner in the Physics Division for Luis Alvarez' group. Scanning is searching the films of the collisions of elementary particles and nuclei taken in bubble chambers to find specific particles and interactions, usually from among thousands of lines representing the tracks of particles. At one time, the division had 50 scanners, but they were phased out in the early 1980s, and Tinay was one of last scanners there. After this, she transferred to the Nuclear Sciences Division, where she continued to work until research programs requiring scanners were phased out in 1992.
"She was one of the best scanners ever, one of the best I ever met," said her last supervisor, NSD's Grazyna Odyniec. "She had an absolutely incredible photographic memory. When we ran an experiment at CERN in Geneva about 1987, we took her along. Since there were scanners at high-energy physics labs everywhere, this was very unusual. It was because of the high quality of her work." Although she had no formal university training in physics, she learned a great deal in the course of her job.
"Lois loved traveling, kids and garage sales," said Bill Tinay. "She was a well-educated woman who could talk to an Einstein as well as to a Rosie the Riveter."
In addition to her husband, Tinay is survived by her children John and Alyce, and granddaughter Toni Nicole.
Classical Group Rehearsal, 5-7 p.m. in the cafeteria, for info. contact Wesley Steele at X7893.
"Identification of the Functional Domains of TGF-ß Isoforms" will be presented by Su Wen Qian of the National Cancer Institute at 4 p.m. in Bldg. 66-316.
Officer's meeting at 12:10 p.m. in Bldg. 2-100
EH&S CLASS
Chemical Hygiene and Safety Training (EHS 348), 1-4 p.m., Bldg. 51-201
EMPLOYEE MUSIC CLUB
Folk Group Rehearsal, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria, for info. contact Larry Bell at X5406.
7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., near Bldg. 77
EH&S CLASS
Introduction to EH&S Safety at LBNL (EHS 010), 9-11:30 a.m., Bldg. 66 Auditorium
BUILDING ENERGY SEMINAR
"Overview of the Tool Lending Library Program and Misc. Case Studies - Empowering Tool Users: Automating the Data Collection Process" will be presented by Robert Marcial and Charlie Huizenga, of PG&E at noon in Bldg. 90-3148.
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT DIVISION SEMINAR
"Puerto Rico as a Site for Studies in Environmental Chemistry" will be presented by Osvaldo Rosario of the University of Puerto Rico at 2 p.m. in Bldg. 2-100B.
PHYSICS DIVISION RESEARCH PROGRESS MEETING
"The Search for the Quark-Gluon Plasma at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC)" will be presented by Jay Marx of LBNL at 4 p.m. in Bldg. 50B-4205; refreshments, 3:40 p.m.
EMPLOYEE MUSIC CLUB
Rock Group Rehearsal, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria, for info. contact Steve Blair at X5927.
"Chemical Orchestration with Boron and Silicon" will be presented by John Soderquist of the University of Puerto Rico at 9 a.m. in Bldg. 66-316.
CHEMICAL SCIENCES SEMINAR
"Energy Disposal as a Probe of Gas Phase Desulfurization Reactions" will be presented by Brad Weiner of the University of Puerto Rico at 1:30 p.m. in Bldg. 66-316.
General meeting in the lower cafeteria at noon.
EMPLOYEE MUSIC CLUB
Classical Group Rehearsal, 5-7 p.m. in the cafeteria, for info. contact Wesley Steele at X7893.
First Aid (EHS 116), 8 a.m.-noon, Bldg. 48-109
EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT FAIR
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the new cafeteria addition, continues on Wednesday.
LIFE SCIENCES DIVISION SEMINAR
"Regulation of Anchorage Dependent Growth and Cell Cycle by the Novel Integrin Linked Kinase (ILK)" will be presented by Shoukat Dedhar of the Sunnybrook Health Science Center/University of Toronto at 4 p.m. in the Bldg. 66 Auditorium.
Radiation Protection - Fundamentals (EHS 400), 9 a.m.-noon, Bldg. 48-109
Blood Biosafety and Medical Waste (EHS 737), 10 a.m.-noon, Bldg. 51-201
Radiation Protection - Lab Safety (EHS 432), 2-4:30 p.m., Bldg. 48-109
EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT FAIR
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the new cafeteria addition
EMPLOYEE MUSIC CLUB
General meeting at noon in the lower cafeteria
EMPLOYEE MUSIC CLUB
Folk Group Rehearsal, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria, for info. contact Larry Bell at X5406.
Lockout/Tagout Training (EHS 256), 9:30-11:30 a.m., Bldg. 51-201
Laser Safety (EHS 280), 1-3:30 p.m., Bldg. 51-201
AFRICAN AMERICAN EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
General meeting at noon in Bldg. 90-1099
BUILDING ENERGY SEMINAR
"The Role of the Architect in a Sustainable Society" will be presented by Greg Van Mechelen, architect/board member of Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility, at noon in Bldg. 90-3148.
CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY SEMINAR
"Full-Scale Application of Bioremediation Technologies" will be presented by Geoffrey Compeau of Woodward Clyde at noon in 338 Koshland.
PHYSICS DIVISION RESEARCH PROGRESS MEETING
"The Super-Kamiokande Project: Overview and Status" will be presented by Chang Kee Jung of SUNY Stony Brook at 4 p.m. in Bldg. 50A-5132; refreshments, 3:40 p.m.
EMPLOYEE MUSIC CLUB
Rock Group Rehearsal, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria, for info. contact Steve Blair at X5927.
Fire Extinguisher Use (EHS 530), 10-11:30 a.m., Bldg. 48-109
Compressed Gas Safety (EHS 231), 11 a.m.-noon, Bldg. 51-201
Basic Electrical Hazard Awareness-Researchers (EHS 260), 1:30-3:30 p.m., Bldg. 51-201
According to Netscape platform product manager Steve Thomas, "Netscape wishes to make it clear that all known security problems with the Navigator Java and JavaScript environment are fixed in Navigator version 2.02." Netscape provides additional information on the Web at http://home.netscape.com/newsref/std/java_security.html
For information on where and how to download a copy of Netscape, refer to the instructions in the May 3 edition of Currents, accessible via the LBL home page. Or see http://www.lbl.gov/Web/Browsers.html on the Web.
'81 VOLVO 244DL, 216K mi., very well maintained, reliable, $1500. Mari, X5932
'83 NISSAN Stanza T11, 184K mi., 5-dr, a/t, radio/tape stereo, needs new transmission, $1200. Nadia, X7794
'89 FORD Ranger XLT, low mi., superbly maintained, incl. bed liner & Gemtop, $7800/b.o. X7853, 526-7388
'91 FORD Escort wgn, p/s, a/c, p/b, AM/FM cass. stereo, pwr door locks, 1 owner, exc. cond., 83K mi., 30 mpg hwy, 24 city, $5200. X6731
MOTORCYCLE, '72 BMW R75/5 w/sidecar, Avon fairing, air shocks on-board compressor, luggage rack, adj. back rest, sidecar easily detachable (130 lb..), roller bearing rocker arms (keeps valve adj. longer than stock), 35K mi., $3500 w/sidecar, $2700 w/o sidecar. Janice, X6783
VANPOOL, two riders looking for ride from Modesto to Berkeley BART or LBNL. Yvonne, X5792
CHILD for our caregiver, our child is starting school. Alison, 704-0946
HOUSE FOR HOUSE-SITTING, Berkeley area, week of 8/17-25. Jeff, (202) 484-0883, [email protected]
OPTICAL PYROMETER, old hot fila-ment type, Robert, X4975 (Mon.- Wed.), 644-1250 (Thurs.-Fri.)
SLIDE PROJECTOR, Kodak Carousel 4600, w/wo carousels, in gd cond. 524-9473
STUDENT, high school or univ., w/driver's license to care for our 2 children (ages 5 & 6), during the summer holiday, flex. hrs. John or Liz, 559-9213
ARMOIRE, Pulaski reproduction, solid oak, 4' x 6', beautiful cond., $500; color TV, 12", gd cond. cable ready, $75; stereo receiver, Pioneer SX1010, 100 amp., gd cond., $150; speakers, Yamaha, very heavy, exc. cond., $400/pr.; CD player, Sony 491, remote, exc. cond., $75; cooler set, 54 qt. Coleman cooler, 5 qt. cooler, 1/3 gal. jug, 15 oz. ice substitute, never used, pd. $25, $20; bug zapper, 50 watt, $25; motion detector sec. light, never opened, $20; bike, men's 10-spd, Nishiki Royale, exc. cond., $150. 778-7133
BIKE PARTS, MTB, Mag-20 suspension fork, 1-1/4 dia., 15 cm threaded; Tange Evolution fork, 1-1/4 dia., 16 cm threaded; Control Tech aluminum alloy seat post, 1-1/4 dia., best offer. Tim, X5304
CAMERA BODY, Cannon Elan, autofocus, 35mm, under warranty, Canon F1.8 50mm lens, both in exc. cond., $350. 841-6285
COMPUTER, Macintosh Quadra 650 CD, 16 MB RAM, 1 MB VRAM, 500 MB hard drive, 68040/33 processor w/built-in FPU, Ethernet, 24 bit graphics accelerator (gives 2-monitor capability), software, CPU only, $1200/b.o. X5124
DISHWASHER, built-in, Whirlpool, $80. Matt, X6428, 247-0447
GARAGE SALE, 20th annual Jordan Rd./neighborhood, Redwood Rd. off Warren fwy or 35th Ave. off 580, Sat., 6/1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
HIGH CHAIR, Pergo, $50; infant car seat, Evenflo, $15; adj. child bucket seat, Renolux, $35; booster/car seat, Gerry, $15; FP table booster seat, $10, all in gd cond. X4920
ORGAN, Wurlitzer, w/cass. recorder, as is, $80/b.o.; 1-minute Grill Express, $80; Calphalon paella pan, $75; Kevin Trudeau's Mega Memory, $40; Farberware Open Hearth broiler/rotisserie, $60; flute, $50. Ellen, X4928
ROAD BIKE, men's 15-spd Miyata, very gd cond., $125/b.o. Janice, X4943
YARD SALE, 50 families, Sat., 6/1, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., El Sobrante, San Pablo Dam Rd, north, left May Rd., right Valley View, left Morningside Dr., furn., cars, clothes, toys, tools. Marva, X5640
BERKELEY, Delaware/Shattuck, rm for rent in 2-bdrm apt, share w/postdoc visitor, prefer woman, avail. 7/10, $465/mo. Ana, X4249, 486-0786 (eve.)
BERKELEY, rm in 2-bdrm apt, nr Channing & Grant, $305/mo.+util. X5141, 848-8909 (eve.)
BERKELEY, Jefferson at Allston, rm in 3-bdrm, 2-bth townhouse in UC faculty/staff complex, family of 3 looking for quiet, tidy, kid-friendly, non-smoker, avail. 8/1, $385/mo. 525-8559
BERKELEY, furn., modern 2-bdrm, 1-bth apt on ground floor of Victorian home, nr downtown, BART, shopping & LBNL shuttle, off-st. parking, washer/dryer, TV w/cable, long term $1025/mo. or short term (with linens/dishes/paid utils.) $1150/mo. Chris, X5507, 845-3562
BERKELEY, Northside, Rose & Walnut, short term, furn. 1 & 2-bdrm apts, incl. local phone, utils., linen & weekly cleaning, near UCB/LBNL shuttle, $975-$1200/mo. Viki, 549-1876
NO. BERKELEY, nr Solono & The Alameda, upstairs rm w/view in 3-bdrm, 1-bth home, looking for mature, quiet tennant w/no pets to share with 1 or 2 women, avail. June to Sept., $500. Barbara, 528-9221
NO. BERKELEY, rm avail. in 4-bdrm, 2-bth house, hardwd flrs, w/d, yd, sun-porch, lots of living space, non-smoking, academic & professional, $425/mo. + util., last mo. + $200 dep. Michele, Laura or Dan 843-1633 (eve.)
WEST BERKELEY, 2-bdrm house avail. for the mo. of July, garden, frpl, deck, nr trans., 10 min. drive to LBNL, $800 + dep. Ted, X4203, Cloe, 848-4104
EL CERRITO HILLS, 2-bdrm, 1 bth house, ofc. space, dining rm, hardwd flr, 1-car garage, washer/dryer, bay view, yd, $950/mo. X6460, 778-0280
EL CERRITO HILLS, nr Kensington, 3-bdrm, 2-bth home, view, sauna, frpl, hardwd flrs, piano, deck, re- modeled kitchen w/skylights, trees, min. 1 yr. lease, avail. 8/1, $1500/mo. w/gardener. 528-1614
EMERYVILLE, Emerybay, bdrm in 3-bdrm, 2-bth apt, frpl, swimming pool, spas, fitness center, garage, completely gated, shuttle to BART, prefer female/non-smoker, $425/mo. 841-5109
KENSINGTON, lg. furn. house for 1-4 people, all or part of 7/20-8/30, $700-$1200/mo. X7853, 526-7388
KENSINGTON, 1-bdrm in-law, pvt. entrance & bth, share house w/LBNL scientists & lovely dog, no smoking, prefer 1 mature person, avail. 7/1, $750/mo.+1/3 utils. 848-4330
OAKLAND, 1-bdrm apt. nr Children's Fairyland, $550/mo. + elec. Jin, X7531, 530-3760 (eve.)
OAKLAND HILLS, rm w/view in lg. Spanish-style home, share w/4 others & 1 lg. charming dog, nr Rockridge BART & buses, bay view, hdwd flrs, frpl. in LR w/vaulted ceilings, share full bath w/1 person, patios, gardens, no pets/smokers, $425/mo. Jnet X4058, 655-3921
OAKLAND, Rockridge, sublet from 6/10 - 8/20 (all or part), furn. rm in 2-story, 1.5 bth house, rm has carpet & phone hookup, share house w/3 grad students, lg. kitchen, dishwasher, microwave, washer/dryer, TV in furn. LR, lg. DR, lg. backyd, 15 min. bike, 10 min. bus ride from UCB, 3 blks from BART, 1 blk from bus, 4 blks from hwy, ~3 blks from LBNL shuttle, $400/mo. 601-9893
WANTED: 2-3 bdrm apt/house to rent for a visiting scholar from Japan, for 1 yr. from Aug. $1K- 1.5K/mo. X6759
WANTED: 1-bdrm, cottage, apt or share, furn./unfurn., for LBNL employee, 7/1 or earlier. Steven, X6966, 204-9494
WANTED: 1-bdrm apt/house for LBNL visiting scientist, long term, bay view, Berkeley Hills, Kensington, Albany, El Cerrito, No. Berkeley, single, non-smoker, no pets. Alex, X4213, 549-9049, [email protected]
WANTED: apt, cottage or house for LBNL employee, in East Bay, long term, max. rent $800/mo. X5006, 524-2327
WANTED: housing for visiting German scientist (LBNL/ALS), 6/24 - 7/16. Jens, (+49)6221/512-326, [email protected]
WANTED: house/apt, 2/3 bdrm, 6/15 - 8/31, for visiting German scientist & quiet family (wife & 2 teenage daughters), non-smokers, prefer near UCB or nr public trans. Ernst, (+49)22544452, [email protected]
WANTED: house for visiting French scientist w/3 children, 6/20 thru Aug., animals welcome, could exchange 4-bdrm, 2-bth apt & car (Volvo 740) in cent. Paris. 33 1 43389440 (msg.), [email protected]