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Biomedical subjects

S Naiman

Publications and source records attributed to S Naiman.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

CAMAL: a new prognostic marker for remission in acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia.

A leukemia-associated antigen, CAMAL, shown to be present in bone marrow (BM) cells from patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) even during remission, has been examined using indirect immunoperoxidase and a monoclonal antibody, CAMAL-1. We are ending the third year of an ongoing blind study designed to monitor the number of BM cells expressing the CAMAL protein (CAMAL BM value) in ANLL patients over the course of their disease. Results thus far have revealed that the CAMAL BM value in individual patients often changed significantly post-chemotherapy. This change appeared to be a useful prognostic marker in many instances. ANLL patients at initial presentation whose CAMAL BM values increased or stayed the same post-chemotherapy had significantly (p less than 0.025) shorter remission lengths (x = 6.8 months, n = 24) than those whose CAMAL BM values decreased (x = 19.2 months, n = 10). There are indications that increasing CAMAL BM values during remission occur prior to clinical relapse.

Acute Disease↗

Demonstration of a leukemia-associated antigen (CAMAL) in peripheral blood leucocytes of bone marrow transplant patients prior to relapse.

We have previously described a monoclonal antibody (CAMAL-1) that reacts in an indirect immunoperoxidase slide test at high frequency with cells of patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL), both at presentation and in remission (1). This article reports on a 12-month blind study carried out on peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) of patients who had received bone marrow transplants for acute leukemias. PBL of patients attending the Royal Marsden Hospital were sent as cytospins to the University of British Columbia for staining and screening. Results of this study showed the following: of the 15 patients who remained in remission during the period of the study, 13 showed no abnormal increase in reactivity with CAMAL-1 (2 patients did show increased levels of reactivity over time); of the four patients relapsing but surviving within this period with ANLL, all showed elevated numbers of cells reactive with CAMAL-1 as long as 3 months prior to relapse (the two relapsing patients who had acute undifferentiated leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia did not show elevations of CAMAL-1-reactive cells); of the 14 patients dying during this time of causes other than leukemia, none had elevated levels of CAMAL-1-reactive cells--and, of 4 patients dying in relapse, all had extremely elevated levels of CAMAL-1-reactive cells as long as 4 months prior to relapse. The implications of these observations are discussed.

Acute Disease↗

Ultrasound diagnosis of splenic cysts.

Ultrasound is an effective modality for the study of splenic cysts because it is able to distinguish between cystic and solid lesions. Three cases of splenic cyst are presented in which definitive diagnosis was made with ultrasound B-scan.

Adolescent↗

Outplacement--who needs it?

In this article, Sandra Naiman writes from the employer's point of view on why and how outplacement counseling should be provided to the terminated employee. She also describes what services should be provided and how to choose the right outplacement firm.

Employment↗

Comparison of a weight-based heparin nomogram with traditional heparin dosing to achieve therapeutic anticoagulation.

Optimum anticoagulation with heparin within the first 24 hours of a thrombotic event is critical in preventing a recurrence. We believed that traditional nonweight-based heparin dosing at our institution resulted in delayed anticoagulation. A weight-based heparin nomogram was therefore created and compared to traditional heparin dosing in patients with a diagnosis of acute deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Fifty historical control patients were compared to 50 consecutive patients treated prospectively using the weight-based nomogram. The primary outcome assessed was time to achieve therapeutic anticoagulation, defined as an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) of 46-70 seconds (1.5-2.5 times the control aPTT). The weight-based nomogram achieved an aPTT above the therapeutic threshold more rapidly than the control group (10.7 hrs nomogram vs 33.3 hrs control group, p < 0.004). Similarly, the proportion of patients who exceeded the therapeutic threshold at the first aPTT measurement, at 24 hours, and at 48 hours was significantly higher in the nomogram group. There was no difference in the frequency of bleeding complications or recurrent thrombotic events between the two groups. The initial nomogram was revised for patients weighing more than 80 kg owing to a greater frequency of excessive anticoagulation in these patients. Subsequent analysis of 29 patients using the modified nomogram revealed sustained efficacy and a reduced number of supratherapeutic aPTTs. We concluded that a weight-based heparin nomogram is superior to traditional therapy in achieving rapid therapeutic anticoagulation without an increase in adverse outcomes.

Anticoagulants↗