ABSTRACT
Despite the extensive use of nanoparticles (NPs) in various fields, adequate knowledge of human health risk and potential toxicity is still lacking. The human lymphocytes play a major role in the immune system, and it can alter the antioxidant level when exposed to NPs. Identification of the hazardous NPs was done using in vitro toxicity tests and this study mainly focuses on the comparative in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of four different NPs including cobalt (II, III) oxide (Co3O4), iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3), silicon dioxide (SiO2), and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) on human lymphocytes. The Co3O4 NPs showed decrease in cellular viability and increase in cell membrane damage followed by Fe2O3, SiO2, and Al2O3 NPs in a dose-dependent manner after 24 h of exposure to human lymphocytes. The oxidative stress was evidenced in human lymphocytes by the induction of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and depletion of catalase, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase. The Al2O3 NPs showed the least DNA damage when compared with all the other NPs. Chromosomal aberration was observed at 100 µg/ml when exposed to Co3O4 NPs and Fe2O3 NPs. The alteration in the level of antioxidant caused DNA damage and chromosomal aberration in human lymphocytes.
Subject(s)
Aluminum Oxide/toxicity , Cobalt/toxicity , Ferric Compounds/toxicity , Lymphocytes/drug effects , Nanoparticles/toxicity , Oxides/toxicity , Silicon Dioxide/toxicity , Adult , Antioxidants/metabolism , Cell Membrane/pathology , Chromosome Aberrations/chemically induced , DNA Damage , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma is a relatively uncommon entity detected in approximately 10% of gastric adenocarcinoma. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to estimate the frequency of EBV-associated gastric carcinoma and also to assess the nature of presentation, any significant difference between this subgroup and EBV-negative gastric adenocarcinomas with respect to age and sex predilection, lymph nodal status, site of presentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 100 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent either a partial or total gastrectomy during the period from March 2010 to August 2011. The tumour and the corresponding normal gastric tissue from the same patient were analyzed for the presence of Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULT: EBV was detected in 6% cases of gastric adenocarcinoma. All the positive patients were males. The majority of cases involved the proximal stomach and there was variable lymph nodal involvement. CONCLUSION: Our study endorses that there is an association between EBV infection and gastric adenocarcinoma in the Indian population. There was no significant difference between this subgroup and EBV-negative gastric adenocarcinomas with respect to age and sex predilection, lymph nodal status and site of presentation. Short-term follow-up of this subgroup of patients seems to indicate a good overall prognosis after appropriate treatment. However, a larger study with long-term follow-up is needed to further establish the role of EBV in gastric adenocarcinoma in this study population.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/virology , Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/epidemiology , Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens/genetics , Herpesvirus 4, Human/isolation & purification , RNA, Messenger/analysis , RNA, Viral/analysis , Stomach Neoplasms/virology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Case-Control Studies , Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/complications , Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/virology , Female , Humans , India/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Tertiary Care CentersABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The use of dried blood spots (DBS) for HIV-1 viral load determination could greatly enhance the management of HIV infected individuals in resource-limited countries. OBJECTIVE: To compare the HIV-1 viral load values obtained between parallel collected plasma and DBS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DBS and plasma samples were collected from 62 HIV-1 infected individuals and were used for determination of HIV-1 RNA concentrations using the Abbot real-time HIV-1 PCR. RESULT: Mean of the log difference of viral load values between plasma and DBS was -0.41 log. DBS viral load values significantly correlated with plasma viral load (r = 0.9818, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that DBS samples can be used as an alternative to plasma for the estimation of HIV-1 viral load if samples are appropriately stored.
