Berberine, a natural alkaloid sensitizes human hepatocarcinoma to ionizing radiation by blocking autophagy and cell cycle arrest resulting in senescence.

Objective: To study the radiosensitizing potential of Berberine and the underlying mechanism in human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells.

Methods: HepG2 cells were challenged with X-rays in combination with Berberine treatment and several in vitro assays were performed. Alteration in cell viability was determined by MTT assay.

Interrogation of an autofluorescence-based method for protein fingerprinting.

In the present study, we have designed a laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) based instrumentation and developed a sensitive methodology for the effective separation, visualization, identification and analysis of proteins on a single platform. In this method, intrinsic fluorescence spectra of proteins were detected after separation on 1 or 2 dimensional Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (SDS-TCEP) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and the data were analyzed. The MATLAB assisted software was designed for the development of PAGE fingerprint for the visualization of protein after 1- and 2-dimensional protein separation.

Polymorphisms in double strand break repair related genes influence radiosensitivity phenotype in lymphocytes from healthy individuals.

Background: A range of individual radiosensitivity observed in humans can influence individual's susceptibility toward cancer risk and radiotherapy outcome. Therefore, it is important to measure the variation in radiosensitivity and to identify the genetic factors influencing it.

Methods: By adopting a pathway specific genotype-phenotype design, we established the variability in cellular radiosensitivity by performing γ-H2AX foci assay in healthy individuals.

DNA double-strand break analysis by γ-H2AX foci: a useful method for determining the overreactors to radiation-induced acute reactions among head-and-neck cancer patients.

Purpose: Interindividual variability in normal tissue toxicity during radiation therapy is a limiting factor for successful treatment. Predicting the risk of developing acute reactions before initiation of radiation therapy may have the benefit of opting for altered radiation therapy regimens to achieve minimal adverse effects with improved tumor cure.

Methods And Materials: DNA double-strand break (DSB) induction and its repair kinetics in lymphocytes of head-and-neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation therapy was analyzed by counting γ-H2AX foci, neutral comet assay, and a modified version of neutral filter elution assay.

Predictive and prognostic significance of glutathione levels and DNA damage in cervix cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Purpose: To assess the predictive significance of serum glutathione (GSH) and tumor tissue DNA damage in the treatment of cervical cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy.

Methods And Materials: This study included subjects undergoing hysterectomy (for normal cervix tissue) and cervical cancer patients who underwent conventional concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cisplatin once per week for 5 weeks with concurrent external radiotherapy of 2 Gy per fraction for 5 weeks, followed by two applications of intracavitary brachytherapy once per week after 2 weeks' rest). Blood was collected after two fractions, whereas both blood and tissues were collected after five fractions of radiotherapy in separate groups of subjects.

Preparation, in vitro characterization, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic evaluation of chitosan-based plumbagin microspheres in mice bearing B16F1 melanoma.

The present study was aimed to evaluate the anti-tumor efficacy and systemic toxicity of chitosan-based plumbagin microspheres in comparison to free plumbagin. The optimized formulation had a mean particle size of 106.35 mum with an encapsulation efficiency of 80.

Transgenerational changes in somatic and germ line genetic integrity of first-generation offspring derived from the DNA damaged sperm.

Objective: To report a more quantitative approach to study the influence of varying levels of sperm DNA damage on transgenerational changes in genomic instability in a mouse model.

Design: Experimental prospective study.

Setting: Embryology research laboratory.