Levels of DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients undergoing standard hemodialysis vs on-line hemodiafiltration: A comet assay investigation

A critical review on genotoxicity potential of low dimensional nanomaterials

Low dimensional nanomaterials (LDNMs) have earned attention among researchers as they exhibit a larger surface area to volume and quantum confinement effect compared to high dimensional nanomaterials. LDNMs, including 0-D and 1-D, possess several beneficial biomedical properties such as bioimaging, sensor, cosmetic, drug delivery, and cancer tumors ablation. However, they threaten human beings with the adverse effects of cytotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and genotoxicity when exposed for a prolonged time in industry or laboratory. Among different toxicities, genotoxicity must be taken into consideration with utmost importance as they inherit DNA related disorders causing congenital disabilities and malignancy to human beings. Many researchers have performed NMs' genotoxicity using various cell lines and animal models and reported the effect on various physicochemical and biological factors. In the present work, we have compiled a comparative study on the genotoxicity of the same or different kinds of NMs. Notwithstanding, we have included the classification of genotoxicity, mechanism, assessment, and affecting factors. Further, we have highlighted the importance of studying the genotoxicity of LDNMs and signified the perceptions, future challenges, and possible directives in the field.

DNA damage levels in electronics workers in Southern China: A micro-whole blood comet assay

We evaluated DNA damage levels of different categories of workers exposed to hazards inside electronics factories in Southern China. To find out the most dangerous risk factor, a cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 584 exposed subjects and 138 controls in an electronics factory in Southern China, where the electronics industry is prevalent. The exposed hazards included isopropanol (IPO), lead, noise, video display terminals (VDT), lead in a high-temperature (high-temp) environment, and IPO in a high-temp environment. DNA damage detection was performed by the micro-whole blood comet assay using peripheral blood. DNA damage levels were estimated by percent tail DNA (%T). Linear regression models were used to test DNA damage differences between exposed groups and control group with adjustments for potential confounding factors. The level of DNA damage was more significant in both lead in a high-temp and IPO in a high-temp environment groups than in that of the controls (p<0.05). The differences remained significant after stratifying by smoking status (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between groups exposed to IPO, lead, noise, VDT environment and controls. In conclusion, we identified potential risk factors for DNA damage to electronics workers. Special attention should be paid to workers exposed to IPO and lead in a high-temp environment.

The various aspects of genetic and epigenetic toxicology: testing methods and clinical applications

Genotoxicity refers to the ability of harmful substances to damage genetic information in cells. Being exposed to chemical and biological agents can result in genomic instabilities and/or epigenetic alterations, which translate into a variety of diseases, cancer included. This concise review discusses, from both a genetic and epigenetic point of view, the current detection methods of different agents’ genotoxicity, along with their basic and clinical relation to human cancer, chemotherapy, germ cells and stem cells.