PCR inhibitors and facilitators - Their role in forensic DNA analysis.

Since its inception, DNA typing technology has been practiced as a robust tool in criminal investigations. Experts usually utilize STR profiles to identify and individualize the suspect. However, mtDNA and Y STR analyses are also considered in some sample-limiting conditions.

Genotoxic Potential of Nanoparticles: Structural and Functional Modifications in DNA.

The rapid advancement of nanotechnology enhances the production of different nanoparticles that meet the demand of various fields like biomedical sciences, industrial, material sciences and biotechnology, etc. This technological development increases the chances of nanoparticles exposure to human beings, which can threaten their health. It is well known that various cellular processes (transcription, translation, and replication during cell proliferation, cell cycle, cell differentiation) in which genetic materials (DNA and RNA) are involved play a vital role to maintain any structural and functional modification into it.

A new systematic approach of teaching and learning of forensic science for interdisciplinary students: A step towards renovating the forensic education system.

The new pedagogical approach of teaching and learning provides better deliverables by the teachers and better understanding and student engagement. In this order, a course was designed on Forensic Science for undergrad students from interdisciplinary background. Six pedagogies were used in this course with the aim to develop creativity, critical and logical thinking, practical learning, social accountability and research aptitude among the students.

ZnO nanoparticles-associated mitochondrial stress-induced apoptosis and G2/M arrest in HaCaT cells: a mechanistic approach.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with their wide range of consumer applications in day-to-day life received great attention to evaluate their effects in humans. This study has been attempted to elucidate the DNA damage response mechanism in a dermal model exposed to ZnO NPs through Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM)-mediated ChK1-dependent G2/M arrest. Further, viability parameters and mechanism involved in the cell death with special reference to the consequences arising due to DNA damage were explored.

Forensic application of comet assay: an emerging technique.

Postmortem interval (PMI) estimation is a recurring problem in the field of forensic medicine. Conventional methods are effective but are insufficient to estimate accurate and precise time of death or PMI. In addition, degradation of biological samples is another major problem in forensic science which affects the investigation process and misleads the result.

TiO₂ NPs Induce DNA Damage in Lymphocytes from Healthy Individuals and Patients with Respiratory Diseases-An / Study.

Little is known of the effects of nanoparticles in human systems, let alone in diseased individuals and nanotechnology has preceded nanotoxicology. Therefore, the effects of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles in peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with respiratory diseases [lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma] were compared with those in healthy Individuals, to determine differences in sensitivity to nanochemical insult. The Comet assay was performed according to recommended guidelines.

Synthesis of biocompatible iron oxide nanoparticles as a drug delivery vehicle.

Over the last decade, there has been growing interest in developing novel nanoparticles (NPs) for biomedical applications. A safe-by-design approach was used in this study to synthesize biocompatible iron oxide NPs. The size of the particles obtained was ~100 nm.

Cellular internalization and antioxidant activity of cerium oxide nanoparticles in human monocytic leukemia cells.

Overproduction of free radicals contributes to oxidative stress and inflammation leading to various disease conditions. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) have been shown to scavenge free radicals and have the potential for being used as a therapeutic agent in disease conditions. Therefore, in the present study, human monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1) were used as a model to evaluate the uptake and free radical scavenging activity of nanoceria.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticle-induced oxidative stress triggers DNA damage and hepatic injury in mice.

Background: The use of metal oxide nanoparticles (titanium dioxide) in consumer and industrial products improves their quality but also underscores the possible adverse effects to human and environmental health.

Materials & Methods: Mice were exposed orally for 14 consecutive days and analyzed for alteration in different hepatic enzymes, histopathological changes, oxidative stress, DNA damage, tumor suppressor and proapoptotic protein expression in liver cells.

Results: We observed a significant alteration in the level of hepatic enzymes and liver histopathology at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight.

2.45 GHz microwave irradiation-induced oxidative stress affects implantation or pregnancy in mice, Mus musculus.

The present experiment was designed to study the 2.45 GHz low-level microwave (MW) irradiation-induced stress response and its effect on implantation or pregnancy in female mice. Twelve-week-old mice were exposed to MW radiation (continuous wave for 2 h/day for 45 days, frequency 2.

TiO(2) nanoparticles induce oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis in human liver cells.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO(2) NPs), widely used in consumer products, paints, pharmaceutical preparations and so on, have been shown to induce cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenic responses in vitro and in vivo. The present study revealed that TiO(2) NPs induce significant (p < 0.05) oxidative DNA damage by the Fpg-Comet assay even at 1 µg/ml concentration.

Toxicity of graphene in normal human lung cells (BEAS-2B).

Graphite nanomaterials such as thermally exfoliated graphite oxide (GO) are versatile in many applications. However, little is known about its effects on biological systems. In this study we characrerized the GO using dynamic light scattering (DLS) along with the toxicological aspects related to cytotoxicity and apoptosis in normal human lung cells (BEAS-2B).

Stable metal oxide nanoparticle formulation for toxicity studies.

Metal oxide nanoparticles such as TiO2 (< 100 nm) are used in lotions and sunscreens. Toxicity studies so far have reported the use of TiO2 NPs with size > 100 nm as determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique. We used non-reactive chemical agents such as propylene glycol (PG), glycerol (G), ethylene glycol (EG) to prevent aggregation and maintain NPs in monodispersed state closer to the reported TEM size.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis in human keratinocyte cells.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are the most commonly used metal oxide NPs in various industrial and commercial products. The present study has demonstrated a significant cellular uptake of TiO2 NPs in the human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) using transmission electron microscopy and flow cytometry. The data exhibited a significant (p < 0.

ROS-mediated genotoxicity induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles in human epidermal cells.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO(2) NPs) are among the top five NPs used in consumer products, paints and pharmaceutical preparations. Since, exposure to such nanoparticles is mainly through the skin and inhalation, the present study was conducted in the human epidermal cells (A431). A mild cytotoxic response of TiO(2) NPs was observed as evident by the MTT and NR uptake assays after 48 h of exposure.

DNA damaging potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles in human epidermal cells.

At present, more than 20 countries worldwide are manufacturing and marketing different varieties of nanotech-based consumer products of which cosmetics form the largest category. Due to the extremely small size of the nanoparticles (NPs) being used, there is a concern that they may interact directly with macromolecules such as DNA. The present study was aimed to assess the genotoxicity of zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs, one of the widely used ingredients of cosmetics, and other dermatological preparations in human epidermal cell line (A431).