Micronucleus-centromere assay in workers occupationally exposed to low level of benzene.

Benzene is a well-known carcinogen that induces chromosomal instability, including chromosome aberration and aneuploidy. In order to assess aneugenic effect of low-level benzene, micronucleus-centromere assay using specific probes for chromosomes 7 and 9 was performed in workers occupationally exposed to low-dose benzene at a petroleum refinery. A micronucleus-centromere assay using a pan-centromeric probe was also performed to determine the origin of benzene-induced micronucleus (MN).

Quercetin prevents necrotic cell death induced by co-exposure to benzo(a)pyrene and UVA radiation.

The phototoxicity of low-energy ultraviolet radiation, such as UVA, can be enhanced by the presence of photosensitizing agents. Hence, co-exposure of cells to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a widespread environmental carcinogen and photosensitizing agent, and UVA may synergistically induce DNA damage. In this study, exposure of cells to various concentrations of BaP for 1h followed by UVA irradiation (2J/cm(2)) increased DNA damage and decreased cell viability.

Association of the NQO1, MPO, and XRCC1 polymorphisms and chromosome damage among workers at a petroleum refinery.

Benzene is a leukemogen, and exposure to benzene is an occupational hazard in the petroleum refining industries. The effects of genetic polymorphisms in the NQO1 (rs1800566), MPO (rs2333227), and XRCC1 (rs25487) genes on benzene-induced chromosome abnormalities were assessed in 108 benzene-exposed workers and 33 office workers. The mean benzene exposure for exposed workers was 0.

Desferrioxamine (DFX) has genotoxic effects on cultured human lymphocytes and induces the p53-mediated damage response.

Desferrioxamine (DFX), which is an iron chelator, mimics hypoxia by enhancing HIF1-alpha accumulation and upregulating inflammatory mediators. DFX is usually beneficial, with preventive effects related primarily to its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species. However, toxic effects on skeletal and ocular organs have been reported.

Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced cytotoxicity in cultured human lymphocytes.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated after exposure to hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R) play a pivotal role in the stimulation of cell death. In this study, we explored H/R-induced cytotoxicity in human lymphocytes. Compared to cells under normoxic conditions, H/R-treated cells exhibited significantly decreased viability and increased DNA breakage.

[Does living nearby a garbage dumping site degrade the quality of life? A case study based on Shin-dong Myeon residents, Chun-cheon Si].

Objectives: This study aims to examine if a garbage dumping site has real and negative influence on the quality of life (QOL) for the nearby residents. The net effects of the residential distance from the garbage dumping site and from the garbage truck route were investigated for five domains of the QOL.

Methods: Two hundred fifty seven Shin-dong Myeon residents, Chun-cheon Si, participated in a self-administrated survey.

Nek2 localizes to multiple sites in mitotic cells, suggesting its involvement in multiple cellular functions during the cell cycle.

Nek2 is a mammalian protein kinase that is structurally homologous to NIMA, a mitotic regulator in Aspergillus nidulans. To understand the possible cellular processes in which Nek2 participates during the cell cycle, we investigated the expression and subcellular localization of Nek2 in mitotic cells. The Nek2 protein levels were observed to be regulated in a cell cycle stage-specific manner in cultured cells.