Atlas of genetics and cytogenetics in oncology and haematology, an interactive database

The 'Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology' (http://www.infobiogen.fr/services/chromcancer ) is a database devoted to chromosome abnormalities in cancer, cancer-prone diseases and genes involved in cancer. Information presented in each page is concise and updated. This database is made for and by: cytogeneticists, molecular biologists, clinicians in oncology and in haematology, and pathologists, who are encouraged to contribute.     

An Atlas on genes and chromosomes in oncology and haematology.

The "Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology" http://www.infobiogen.fr/services/chromcancer is a peer-reviewed and free internet database aimed at genes involved in cancer, cytogenetics and clinical entities in cancer, and cancer-prone diseases. It contains concise and updated review articles, a huge portal towards genetics and/or cancer databases, and teaching materials in genetics for the students. This database is made for and by clinicians and researchers, who are encouraged to contribute. The Atlas is part of the genome project. It provides information in cancer epidemiology. It contributes to research, university and post-university teaching, and telemedicine. It contributes to 'meta-medicine', a mediation using new information technology, between the overflowing information provided by the scientific community and the individual practitioner.     

Fetal haematology in rhesus isoimmunisation.

Haematological studies were carried out in pure fetal blood samples obtained fetoscopically in 29 rhesus isoimmunised pregnancies at 18-24 weeks'' gestation, and the values were compared with those obtained in 62 normal control pregnancies. Fetal reticulocytosis or erythroblastaemia was seen only in association with a haemoglobin concentration of 4 g/dl or less. Ten of the 14 fetuses with a haemoglobin concentration below 4 g/dl showed ultrasonographic evidence of hydrops.     

Comparative genomic hybridization in clinical cytogenetics.

We report the results of applying comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) in a cytogenetic service laboratory for (1) determination of the origin of extra and missing chromosomal material in intricate cases of unbalanced aberrations and (2) detection of common prenatal numerical chromosome aberrations. A total of 11 fetal samples were analyzed. Seven cases of complex unbalanced aberrations that could not be identified reliably by conventional cytogenetics were successfully resolved by CGH analysis. CGH results were validated by using FISH with chromosome-specific probes. Four cases representing common prenatal numerical aberrations (trisomy 21, 18, and 13 and monosomy X) were also successfully diagnosed by CGH. We conclude that CGH is a powerful adjunct to traditional cytogenetic techniques that makes it possible to solve clinical cases of intricate unbalanced aberrations in a single hybridization. CGH may also be a useful adjunct to screen for euchromatic involvement in marker chromosomes. Further technical development may render CGH applicable for routine aberration screening.     

A new R-banding technique in clinical cytogenetics

Summary Currently, standard methods of chromosome banding detect an abnormality in some 10%–15% of all patients referred for a cytogenetic study. Higher resolution by the study of the less contracted chromosomes with or without cell synchronization techniques may yield higher frequencies in the future. On the other hand, use of more complicated methodology adds to the time and expense needed for the study. The method of 5 bromodeoxyuridine pretreatment of cells in culture is commonly used to study the replication behavior of X chromosomes, and is known to demonstrate R bands along the other chromosomes. We have modified this technique with the addition of a cell synchronization step and evaluated several variables that are of importance in a clinical service laboratory setting. The method offers a simple way to obtain quality R-banded karyotypes. The advantages and limitations, based on our study of 120 consecutive cultures, are described.This work was presented in part at the 1979 Birth Defects Conference, Chicago