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Michael S Watson

Publications and source records attributed to Michael S Watson.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Current status of newborn screening: decision-making about the conditions to include in screening programs.

Newborn screening is considered a highly successful public health program that has resulted in the reduction of mortality, mental retardation, and other serious disabilities in thousands of children since the introduction of screening for phenylketonuria (PKU) in the 1960s. Programs are based in state public health departments such that each state independently reaches decisions as to which conditions should be mandated for inclusion in programs, leading to considerable variability among the states as to what is being screened. New technologies and knowledge of the genetics of many conditions have greatly expanded the number of conditions with potential for inclusion in newborn screening.

Decision Making, Organizational↗
PubMed2006

Naming and counting disorders (conditions) included in newborn screening panels.

The rapid introduction of new technologies for newborn screening is affecting decisions about the disorders (conditions) that are required or offered as an option through public and private newborn screening. An American College of Medical Genetics report to the Health Resources and Services Administration summarized an extensive effort by a group of experts, with diverse expertise within the newborn screening system, to determine a process for selecting a uniform panel of newborn screening disorders. The expert panel did not propose a mechanism for counting or naming conditions. Differences in the nomenclature used to identify disorders have resulted in difficulties in developing a consensus listing and counting scheme for the disorders in the recommended uniform panel. We suggest a system of nomenclature that correlates the screening panel of disorders recommended in the American College of Medical Genetics report with the screening analyte and accepted standardized nomenclature. This nomenclature system is proposed to remove ambiguity and to increase national uniformity in naming and counting screening disorders.

Consensus↗
PubMed2002

Pretreatment cytogenetic abnormalities are predictive of induction success, cumulative incidence of relapse, and overall survival in adult patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia: results from Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB 8461).

We analyzed prospectively 1213 adults with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to ascertain the prognostic impact of cytogenetic abnormalities on complete remission (CR) rate, 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), and 5-year overall survival (OS). All patients received similar induction therapy. Median follow-up for surviving patients was 8.3 years. Nonprioritized cytogenetics distinguished t(8;21) and inv(16)/t(16;16) as conferring a significantly better prognosis than normal karyotype. Prognostic impact of many abnormalities could not be determined independently because of their association with complex karyotype. Neither complex karyotype nor secondary aberrations affected outcome of patients with t(8;21), inv(16)/t(16;16), or t(9;11). Among other patients, those with complex karyotypes had significantly worse outcomes than cytogenetically normal patients. Based on outcome for specific cytogenetic abnormalities and karyotype complexity, patients were divided into 3 risk groups: favorable (CR 88%, CIR 54%, OS 55%), intermediate (CR 67%, CIR 67%, OS 24%), and adverse (CR 32%, CIR 92%, OS 5%). Multivariate analyses confirmed the major contribution of cytogenetics to the probability of attaining CR, CIR, and OS. For the adverse-risk group, the probability of achieving CR was 4.0 and 11.9 times lower, the probability of relapse 3.0 and 4.4 times higher, and the risk of death 2.1 and 4.3 times higher than those for the intermediate and favorable groups, respectively. We conclude that although the prognostic impact of many recurring abnormalities has not been ascertained independently of complex karyotype, cytogenetics is among the most useful factors predicting attainment of CR, CIR, and long-term survival in adult AML.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

NIST physical standards for DNA-based medical testing.

As DNA and RNA become major targets for clinical laboratory analysis, benchmark reagents will play an increasingly important role in standardization. Reliable national and international nucleic acid standards promote automation and third-party reimbursement for clinical testing. Furthermore, nucleic acid standards provide materials for quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), and proficiency testing. Standard methods and training initially evolved from consensus guidelines endorsed by professional societies and governmental agencies. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a nonregulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, develops and certifies physical and chemical standards in support of national commerce, manufacturing, and science. In its role supporting U.S. science and industry, the NIST responds to specific standards needs, most recently for medically and biologically important analytes. Broad-based consensus developed through interdisciplinary NIST workshops initiated development of NIST-certified DNA standards. Such materials serve the diagnostic community and help manufacturers benchmark a variety of DNA diagnostic testing platforms. Here we summarize the NIST experience and programs for development of national standards for DNA-based medical diagnostic testing.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Standards and guidelines for CFTR mutation testing.

One mission of the ACMG Laboratory Quality Assurance (QA) Committee is to develop standards and guidelines for clinical genetics laboratories, including cytogenetics, biochemical, and molecular genetics specialties. This document was developed under the auspices of the Molecular Subcommittee of the Laboratory QA Committee by the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Working Group. It was placed on the "fast track" to address the preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical quality assurance practices of laboratories currently providing testing for CF. Due to the anticipated impact of the ACMG recommendation statement endorsing carrier testing of reproductive couples, it was viewed that CF testing would increase in volume and that the number of laboratories offering CF testing would also likely increase. Therefore, this document was drafted with the premise of providing useful information gained by experienced laboratory directors who have provided such testing for many years. In many instances, "tips" are given. However, these guidelines are not to be interpreted as restrictive or the only approach but to provide a helpful guide. Certainly, appropriately trained and credentialed laboratory directors have flexibility to utilize various testing platforms and design testing strategies with considerable latitude. We felt that it was essential to include technique-specific guidelines of several current technologies commonly used in laboratories providing CF testing, since three of the four technologies discussed are available commercially and are widely utilized. We take the view that these technologies will change, and thus this document will change with future review.

Cystic Fibrosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Outline of a medical genetics curriculum for internal medicine residency training programs.

To keep pace with the rapid advances in medical genetics, internal medicine residency training programs need to train internists to develop new attitudes, knowledge bases, and skill sets. Currently, such programs have no medical genetics curriculum. Thus, to set a minimum standard for genetics education in the context of training in internal medicine, the Internal Medicine Residency Training Program Genetics Curriculum Committee was formed, with members representing professional organizations of medical geneticists, internists, genetic counselors, internal medicine and genetics residency program directors, and internal medicine residents. The committee's task was to develop a concise outline of a medical genetics curriculum for residents in internal medicine in accordance with requirements of the Residency Review Committee for Internal Medicine of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The curriculum outline was drafted and circulated for comment. Before publication, the final document was approved by those member organizations that had a policy of approving curricula. Key learning objectives of the curriculum include appreciation of the rapid advances in genetics, the need for lifelong learning, the need for referral, and the role of genetic counselors and medical geneticists, as well as developing the ability to construct and analyze a three-generation pedigree. A wide variety of teaching methods can be useful in these regards, including didactic lectures, multimedia CD- ROMs, and clinical experience. Teaching should be related to clinical experiences whenever possible. The curriculum developed by the committee and presented in this article will assist in teaching residents the attitudes, knowledge, and skills they will require.

Accreditation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Technical standards and guidelines: venous thromboembolism (Factor V Leiden and prothrombin 20210G >A testing): a disease-specific supplement to the standards and guidelines for clinical genetics laboratories.

These standards and guidelines are designed primarily as an educational resource for clinical laboratory geneticists to help them provide quality clinical laboratory genetic services. Adherence to this statement does not necessarily ensure a successful medical outcome. These standards and guidelines should not be considered inclusive of all proper procedures and tests or exclusive of other procedures and tests that are reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. In determining the propriety of any specific procedure or test, the clinical molecular geneticist should apply his or her own professional judgment to the specific clinical circumstances presented by the individual patient or specimen. It may be prudent, however, to document in the laboratory record the rationale for any significant deviation from these standards and guidelines.

Factor V↗