Cytogenetic analysis of nuclear abnormalities in the erythrocytes of gecko lizards (Phyllopezus periosus) collected in a semi-arid region of northeast Brazil: Possible effects of natural background radioactivity.

Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen

Programa de Pós-graduação em Desenvolvimento e Meio, Ambiente da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; Departamento de Botânica e Zoologia, UFRN, Brazil. Electronic address:

Published: May 2021

High natural-background radioactivity levels occur in the semi-arid region of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil. We have studied the lizard Phyllopezus periosus, an endemic species of the Brazilian caatinga with saxicolous habitat, as a bioindicator of environmental quality. Specimens were collected in three areas, an environmental protection area and two areas recognized as having high natural background radiation, one of these being a mining area. Level of metals and gamma radiation emitters present in the water sources potentially used by the lizards were measured. The biological endpoints assessed were micronuclei and nuclear abnormalities in blood samples. Significant differences in background radioactivity levels were found among the assessed areas. Statistically significant differences in micronuclei and nuclear abnormality frequencies were seen, among the study areas and a relationship between radioactivity level and genetic damage was observed.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mrgentox.2021.503346DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

nuclear abnormalities
8
phyllopezus periosus
8
semi-arid region
8
natural background
8
background radioactivity
8
radioactivity levels
8
micronuclei nuclear
8
cytogenetic analysis
4
analysis nuclear
4
abnormalities erythrocytes
4

Similar Publications

Understanding cataract development in axial myopia: The contribution of oxidative stress and related pathways.

Redox Biol

January 2025

Department of Ophthalmology, Kornel Gibiński University Clinical Center, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; GlaucoTech Co, Katowice, Poland.

Myopia is an evolving global health challenge, with estimates suggesting that by 2050 it will affect half of the world's population, becoming the leading cause of irreversible vision loss. Moreover, myopia can lead to various complications, including the earlier onset of cataracts. Given the progressive aging of the population and the increase in life expectancy, this will contribute to a rising demand for cataract surgery, posing an additional challenge for healthcare systems.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is marked by extracellular beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and intracellular Tau tangles, leading to progressive cognitive decline and neuronal dysfunction. Impaired autophagy, a process by which a cell breaks down and destroys damaged or abnormal proteins and other substances, contributes to AD progression. This study investigated Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1 Group D Member 1 (NR1D1) as a potential therapeutic target for modulating autophagy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Sepsis is a serious and life-threatening condition, which can lead to organ failure and death clinically. Abnormally increased cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and inflammatory cytokines are involved in the development and progression of sepsis. Thus, cfDNA clearance and down-regulation of inflammatory factors are essential for the effective treatment of sepsis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study analyzes the laboratory characteristics and prognosis of patients between PML-RARα negative APL and PML-RARα positive APL and compares the differences in order to improve the understanding of this rare APL and guide clinical diagnosis and treatment. A total of 81 patients with newly diagnosed APL based on bone marrow cell morphology were included, with 14 in the PML-RARα gene negative group and 67 in the PML-RARα gene positive group. The sex, age, peripheral blood routine test, coagulation related indicators, bone marrow cell morphology, flow cytometric immunophenotype, abnormal chromosome expression and prognosis of the 2 groups were analyzed and compared.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: To identify the macular retinal layer thickness changes in polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) patients without pathological findings appearing in color fundus photography (CFP), and to investigate the correlations with disease durations.

Methods: A total of 24 PAN patients who had been for 3 years or more and underwent SD-OCT were recruited from the UK Biobank, with exclusions for diabetes, eye disease, or abnormal CFP findings. Only the right eyes were included, with each PAN patient paired one-to-one with a control matched for age, sex, and ethnicity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!