Absence of FGFR3–TACC3 rearrangement in hematological malignancies with numerical chromosomal alteration

FGFR–TACC, found in different tumor types, is characterized by the fusion of a member of fibroblast grown factor receptor (FGFR) tyrosine kinase (TK) family to a member of the transforming acidic coiled-coil (TACC) proteins. Because chromosome numerical alterations, hallmarks of FGFR–TACC fusions are present in many hematological disorders and there are no data on the prevalence, we studied a series of patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome who presented numerical alterations using cytogenetic traditional analysis. None of the analyzed samples showed FGFR3–TACC3 gene fusion, so screening for this mutation at diagnosis is not recommended.     

DNA ploidy and cell-cycle analysis in pancreatic and ampullary carcinoma: flow cytometric study of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue

Summary The cellular DNA content of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens from 47 ductal adenocarcinomas of the pancreas and 5 adenocarcinomas of the ampulla of Vater was analysed using flow cytometry. Ploidy and the fraction of cells in the S and G2M phases were determined and correlated with tumour stage and grade as well as patients' survival. Cell populations with aneuploid DNA content were observed in 15% of the tumours. The S + G2M fractions ranged between 1% and 10%. Compared to non-neoplastic tissue of the pancreas the S + G2M fraction was significantly higher in the carcinomas. Cox regression analysis revealed the S + G₂M fraction as an independent prognostic factor (p< 0.05). Ploidy was of no prognostic value for survival, but correlated weakly with tumour stage and tumour grade. All patients without lymph node metastases at time of surgery had diploid tumours. Aneuploidy was restricted to tumours in advanced stages and tended to be more frequent in high-grade tumours.     

HepG2细胞染色体着丝粒点变异的研究

背景与目的:探讨HepG2瘤细胞染色体着丝粒点(Cd)的变异与其非整倍性畸变的关系.材料与方法:用Cd-NOR同步银染分析技术研究HepG2细胞染色体Cd的变异.结果:HepG2细胞染色体Cd缺失率为2.30%、Cd迟滞复制率为1.02%、小Cd率为2.58%、Cd-NOR融合率为0.64%;与正常人胚胎绒毛细胞染色体Cd变异相比较,HepG2细胞染色体Cd缺失、Cd迟滞复制和小Cd升高,而Cd-NOR融合差异无显著性.结论:HepG2细胞染色体非整倍性畸变的途径可能主要涉及Cd缺失、Cd迟滞复制、小Cd.     

女性年龄与卵细胞染色体非整倍体异常的相关关系

目的 :直接从卵细胞水平研究女性年龄与其卵细胞染色体非整倍体间的相关关系。方法 :取试管婴儿助孕技术后未能受精成功的卵细胞 ,采用多色荧光原位杂交方法检测卵细胞 13,16 ,18,2 1和 2 2号染色体的情况。结果 :卵细胞的非整倍体率为 2 7.1% ,随着女性年龄的增加 ,卵细胞的非整倍体率也随之上升 ,两者呈较强的正相关关系 ( r=0 .88,P<0 .0 0 1)。结论 :女性年龄与其染色体非整倍体异常间存在相关性 ,对于 35岁以上行试管婴儿助孕术的妇女应同时进行遗传咨询     

Screening for fetal chromosomal and subchromosomal disorders

Screening for fetal chromosomal disorders has evolved greatly over the last four decades. Initially, only maternal age-related risks of aneuploidy were provided to patients. This was followed by screening with maternal serum analytes and ultrasound markers, followed by the introduction and rapid uptake of maternal plasma cell-free DNA-based screening. Studies continue to demonstrate that cfDNA screening for common aneuploidies has impressive detection rates with low false-positive rates. The technology continues to push the boundaries of prenatal screening as it is now possible to screen for less common aneuploidies and subchromosomal disorders. The optimal method for incorporating cfDNA screening into existing programs continues to be debated. It is important that obstetricians understand the biological foundations and limitations of this technology and provide patients with up-to-date information regarding cfDNA screening.