Cytogenetic Endpoints Research Articles

Rosa damascena Mill. Essential Oil: Analysis of In Vitro and In Vivo Genotoxic and Cytotoxic Potentials by Employing Three Cytogenetic Endpoints.

The highly valued oil of Rosa damascena Mill. (Rosaceae), widely used in high perfumery, cosmetics, and other spheres of human life, obliges us to know and study the safety profile of the product obtained from the water-steam distillation of fresh rose petals. The genotoxicity of the essential oil (EsO) has not been thoroughly studied despite its wide range of applications. That predetermined the object of this study-to evaluate, through classical cytogenetic methods, the possible cytotoxic/genotoxic activities of R. damascena Mill. EsO (EsORdm) in three different test systems: plant root meristem cells, mammalian bone marrow cells, and human lymphocyte cultures. The rose essential oil showed varying concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxic and genotoxic effects depending on the test system used, and it was established that the oil showed moderate cytotoxicity in lymphocyte cultures and non-high cytotoxicity in ICR mice but none in barley. Both barley and human lymphocytes showed a genotoxic effect with a dose-dependent increase in chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and a substantial rise in micronucleus (MN) frequency, while no genotoxicity was observed in bone marrow cells at the applied concentrations. Human lymphocytes exhibited the highest susceptibility to cytotoxic and genotoxic actions of the EsO. As a valuable plant-derived aromatic product with versatile uses in human life, R. damascena Mill. essential oil should be used in an appropriate concentration range tailored to cellular sensitivity.

Biodosimetry of ionizing radiations at different LET levels through cytogenetic endpoints in Allium cepa meristems

- This paper aims to enhance our understanding of the effects of ionizing radiation using radiobiology and biodosimetry techniques applied to living plant organisms. Plants are particularly suitable for this purpose as they are highly sensitive to detecting potential genotoxic agents in the environment and their use allows us to avoid using animals in research in compliance with the 3R principle. Currently, the onion (Allium cepa) is recognized as a valid model for the analysis of environmental pollutants but has been relatively unexplored as an indicator of radiation exposure. In this study, analyses of the genotoxicity of X and alpha radiation were conducted using the micronucleus test and mitotic index analysis. Our results indicate that Allium cepa can be considered a valid alternative model to animal use for assessing the effects of ionizing radiation. In particular, it was found that alpha radiation caused significant damage, as evidenced by an increased number of micronuclei, which was 20 times higher compared to X-ray radiation. This was further confirmed through the observation of the effective dose parameter, as determined by the analysis of various weight factors associated with different types of radiation.

Biodosimetry of UV radiation through the detection of cytogenetic endpoints in Allium cepa meristems

In this study, we examined the response of Allium cepa sprout stem cells, or meristems, to UVB and UVC radiation. The choice of Allium cepa, or onion, was made to avoid the controversial use of animal models. Allium cepa is a well-established in vivo standard model that is frequently used in cytogenetic research connected to various environmental contaminants. Indicators such as micronuclei and chromosomal abnormalities were used to evaluate the genotoxicity of UVB and UVC radiation, and the mitotic index was used to investigate the cytotoxicity of the radiation, providing information on cellular proliferation. The Shapiro-Wilk test (p < 0.05) confirmed the normality of the data. The analysis of the Pearson linear correlation coefficient (r = 0.97), conducted across all dose points considered, including the negative control, revealed an almost perfect positive linear relationship between the dose and the number of cells with micronuclei, for both UVB and UVC. The frequency of induction of micronuclei as a function of dose for both radiation types was found to be similar. However, a difference in the morphology of the cells exposed to UVB radiation compared to those exposed to UVC radiation was observed. In conclusion, the mitotic index analysis showed no significant differences in cell activity between UVC and UVB irradiation compared with control samples. The results from this study support the use of Allium cepa and cytogenetic endpoints as a biodosimetric method for ultraviolet radiation.

Cytotoxic and Mitodepressive Effect of Insecticide Profenofos on Root Meristem of Allium cepa L.

A study was performed for cytotoxic and mitodepressive effect of pesticide through root meristem of Allium cepa L. Various concentration (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% and 1.0%) of organophosphate insecticide profenofos for 24, 48 and 72 hrs time points exposed to A. cepa. The cytotoxic and genotoxic effects were evident through inhibited mitotic division and increased percentage of chromosome abnormality. Dose and duration dependent statistically significant reduction in mitotic index was recorded. The minimum mitotic index (3.94%) was estimated at 1.0% for 72 hrs. Cytogenetic endpoints like mitotic depression, relative abnormality rate and frequency of chromosomal abnormality were found to be increased when compared to control plants. Various chromosomal aberration like stickiness, laggard, bridge, fragmentation and micronuclei were also observed. Cytogenetic biomarker is very efficient and non-expensive tool to screening and biomonitoring cytotoxicity at chromosomal and DNA level.

Co-occurrence of acrocentric chromosome associations with dicentric chromosomes in irradiated human lymphocytes.

The occurrence of acrocentric chromosome association (ACA) after radiation exposure is an interesting cytogenetic endpoint, known to show adose-dependent increase in irradiated lymphocytes suggesting its potential use in radiation biodosimetry. Here, an attempt was made to study the complexity and correlation of the occurrence of ACA with dicentric chromosomes (DC) in lymphocytes exposed to gamma radiation. Ninety metaphases each with DC and without DC were chosen randomly from lymphocytes irradiated with different doses (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Gy) of gamma radiation. ACA along with chromosomal types of aberrations were scored and analyzed for complexity and co-occurrence, retrospectively. The number of associations between 2and ≥ 3acrocentric chromosomes showed an increase with each irradiation dose. Concomitantly, the total number of chromosomal type of aberrations showed an increase in number at each radiation dose studied. The number of DC showed an increase, however, metaphases containing 1DC decreased while ≥ 2DC increased as the radiation dose increased. The number of tricentric chromosomes increased at doses higher than 2 Gy. Importantly, the association of DC with an acrocentric chromosome was noticed at doses 2 Gy and above. Asignificant (p < 0.05) increase was noticed in ACA frequency in 1DC and ≥ 2DC metaphases at 1and 2 Gy, in 1DC at 3 Gy, and in ≥ 2DC 4and 5 Gy compared to the frequency in no DC metaphases. When average ACA frequency was plotted against DC frequency, asignificant (p = 0.0009) correlation was observed, producing regression equation y = 0.9025x + 0.1283; R2 = 0.9522. The present analysis showed increasing ACA complexity with increasing radiation dose. Furthermore, ahigher frequency of ACA in cells with 1DC or ≥ 2DC compared to the ACA in cells without DC from the same sample of irradiated lymphocytes demonstrated the co-occurrence of ACA and DC in the same cells.

Modulation of phytotoxic and cytogenetic effects of cadmium by humic acid: Findings from a short-term plant-based bioassay.

The study of the modulation of the toxicity of heavy metals by coexisting chemicals in the environment is vital for realistic ecological risk assessment. Our study was aimed at determining possible toxicity modulations of Cd by humic acid (HA) using the Allium cepa test system. A. cepa bulbs were exposed to Cd (1 and 5 mg/L) and HA (10 mg/L) individually or in mixtures. The root lengths of the bulbs and cytogenetic endpoints in root meristematic cells, including the mitotic index (MI), nuclear abnormalities (NAs), and chromosomal abnormalities (CAs), were determined. The results revealed that the MIs of A. cepa co-exposed to HA and Cd were significantly recovered by >15% compared with those of A. cepa subjected to Cd-only treatments, and this response was more sensitive than the phytotoxic response (root length). Furthermore, the burden of NAs was significantly decreased in the co-exposed bulbs by >20% compared with bulbs with Cd-only treatments. The frequencies of CAs were also reduced in the bulbs co-exposed to HA and 1 and 5 mg/L Cd by >15 and >25%, respectively, compared with bulbs receiving Cd-only treatments. Therefore, our findings indicated that HA plays a significant protective role in Cd toxicity in A. cepa.

In vivo cytogenotoxicity testing of isotretinoin by the micronucleus assay in the blood of male Sprague-Dawley rats Isotretinoin is cytotoxic and genotoxic

Isotretinoin (ISO), one of vitamin A-derived retinoids, is comparatively the most widely prescribed drug in acne vulgaris pathogenesis. Despite its excellent therapeutic success, the systemic use of this drug showed undesirable serious side effects such as teratogenesis, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity. The uses of retinoids in cancer therapy are limited due to severe adverse reactions. This has led the scientific community to ask for further studies qualifying ISO features and comparing their efficacy and safety. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytogenotoxicity of multiple oral doses (5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/kg, daily for seven consecutive days) of ISO in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The micronucleus assay was used to investigate genotoxicity biomarkers such as the percentage of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (%MNPCEs) and the percentage of aberrant cells (%Abc). Another goal was to test the cytotoxicity of the drug by measuring the ratio between PCEs and normochromatic erythrocytes (NCEs) (PCEs/NCEs). In comparison with the control, the three cytogenetic endpoints: %MNPCEs, P/N, and %Abc significantly (P ≤ 0.0017) dose-dependent increase. This suggested genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of the tested ISO doses. Therefore, the therapeutic uses of ISO should be restricted to a very narrow range border. Further studies are needed to shed more light on the safety profile of ISO therapy.

Genetic Instability among Hitnü People Living in Colombian Crude-Oil Exploitation Areas.

Oil exploitation, drilling, transportation, and processing in refineries produces a complex mixture of chemical compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which may affect the health of populations living in the zone of influence of mining activities (PZOI). Thus, to better understand the effects of oil exploitation activities on cytogenetic endpoint frequency, we conducted a biomonitoring study in the Hitnü indigenous populations from eastern Colombia by using the cytokinesis micronucleus cytome assay (CBMN-cyt). PAH exposure was also measured by determine urine 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) using HPLC. We also evaluated the relationship between DNA damage and 1-OHP levels in the oil exploitation area, as well as the modulating effects of community health factors, such as Chagas infection; nutritional status; and consumption of traditional hallucinogens, tobacco, and wine from traditional palms. The frequencies of the CBMN-cyt assay parameters were comparable between PZOI and Hitnü populations outside the zone of influence of mining activities (POZOI); however, a non-significant incremental trend among individuals from the PZOI for most of the DNA damage parameters was also observed. In agreement with these observations, levels of 1-OHP were also identified as a risk factor for increased MN frequency (PR = 1.20) compared to POZOI (PR = 0.7). Proximity to oil exploitation areas also constituted a risk factor for elevated frequencies of nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) and APOP-type cell death. Our results suggest that genetic instability and its potential effects among Hitnü individuals from PZOI and POZOI could be modulated by the combination of multiple factors, including the levels of 1-OHP in urine, malnutrition, and some traditional consumption practices.

Assessment of genotoxic potential of the treated hospital wastewater using cytogenetic assays.

The cytogenetic study using hospital effluent was carried out engaging three cytogenetic end points-chromosomal aberration (CA) assay, mitotic indices (MIs), and micronucleus (MN) Analysis. These bioassays were performed in hematopoietic bone marrow cells of Mus musculus. The experiment commenced with the collection of hospital effluent from the final outlet when wastewater gets collected after undergoing treatment by a multistep process. The pure treated sample water was collected at different times between March 2019 to January 2020 and was given ad libitum to mice at its low (90% dilution) and high (pure form), i.e. 100% concentration for 3 different durations i.e. 7, 15, and 30days, respectively. The results indicated a significant (P<0.01) decrease in the MI in all the groups but was more pronounced in the group which was given 100% concentrated sample water collected in the month of March 2019. Besides this, the major finding was presence of CAs like breaks, fragments, rings, and pulverization in bone marrow cells in different groups; however, the frequency of these aberrations varied from group to group. A significant (P<0.01) increase in MN Induction and decreased ratio (P<0.01) of polychromatic to normonochromatic erythrocytes were observed in samples collected in month of March both at 10% and 100% concentrations. However, decrease in the ratio was observed in the samples of September and January at low-concentration sample water. The results thus indicated that there was some lacuna in the treatment process earlier in the month of March, which was rectified to some extent in the subsequent months. Hence, the treated wastewater collected in the month of January next year was more suitable for its use than other samples. Summary: These findings thus draw attention toward ensuring efficiency of the treatment plant and quality of water by the hospital management before it being disposed off into the municipal supply; a step that can help society to live a healthy life. With these findings, it is conveyed that all the hospitals, diagnostic labs, and other health care establishments must pay utmost attention at liquid waste disposal mechanism to make environment pollution-free.

Effect of Gamma Radiation on Cytogenetic and Growth Endpoints of Allium cepa Seedlings in Long-Term Experiments

The effect of γ-radiation on the growth and cytogenetic endpoints of Allium cepa L. seedlings in a long period after irradiation in absorbed doses from 1.0 to 10.7 Gy were examined. The chromosome aberration rate was most sensitive to the radiation: it increased immediately after exposure at all doses. In the recovery period (up to 216 h) after irradiation, the chromosome aberration frequency naturally decreased but at the end of experiment in maximum doses remained above the control values. The impact of the initial level of chromosome aberrations on the inhibition of onion roots growth in the long terms after irradiation is discussed.

Application of Pteris vittata L. for phytoremediation of arsenic and biomonitoring of the process through cyto-genetic biomarkers of Trigonella foenum-graecum L.

The arsenic (As) contamination demands its remediation from the environment which is naturally possible by the application of Pteris vittata L. However, biomonitoring of phytoremediation potential of P. vittata at chromosomal and DNA level is still meager. The present study was designed to biomonitor the phytoremediation efficiency of P. vittata through phytotoxic and cyto-genotoxic biomarkers assessment using Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fenugreek; Methi) as test system. Study revealed hyperaccumulation potential of P. vittata which extracted arsenic in its tissues. Biomonitoring evaluation depicted that phytotoxic damage was reduced in Trigonella exposed to remediated soil, which was revealed through reduced electrolyte leakage, hydrogen peroxide and MDA content. Moreover, cyto-genetic endpoints like mitotic depression (44.03%), relative abnormality rate (16.6%) and chromosomal abnormality frequency (1.06%) were also lesser in test plants grown in remediated soil compared to those grown in non-remediated soil. Along with this various chromosomal aberrations like stickiness, breaks, laggards, bridges, fragmentations and micronuclei were also augmented in test plants exposed to non-remediated arsenic enriched soil. It was evident that arsenic enriched soil caused toxicity to plants in dose-dependent manner that was assessable through the analysis of biochemical parameters and cyto-genetic biomarkers. The cyto-genetic biomarkers are very efficient, simple and non-expensive tools to biomonitor arsenic toxicity at chromosomal as well as DNA level to assess the remediation potential of P. vittata in field conditions.

The Consequences of Various Types of Environments and Their Changes on the Cytogenetic Endpoints Affected by Epigenetic Settings

The Consequences of Various Types of Environments and Their Changes on the Cytogenetic Endpoints Affected by Epigenetic Settings

Cytogenetic monitoring of peripheral blood lymphocytes from medical radiation professionals occupationally exposed to low-dose ionizing radiation

In order to assess the health risk of low-dose radiation to radiation professionals, monitoring is performed through chromosomal aberration analysis and micronuclei (MN) analysis. MN formation has drawbacks for monitoring in the low-dose range. Nucleoplasmic bridge (NPB) analysis, with a lower background level, has good dose-response relationships at both high and relatively low dose ranges. Dicentric and ring chromosomes were analyzed in 199 medical radiation professionals, and NPB/MN yields were analyzed in 205 radiation professionals. The effects of sex, age of donor, types of work, and length of service on these cytogenetic endpoints were also analyzed. The yields of the three cytogenetic endpoints were significantly higher in radiation professionals versus controls. Frequencies of dicentric plus ring chromosomes were affected by length of service. NPB frequencies were influenced by type of work and length of service. MN yields were affected not only by types of work and length of service but also by donor sex and age. In conclusion, dicentric plus ring chromosomes, NPB, and MN can be induced by low-dose radiation in radiation professionals. NPB is a potential biomarker to assess the health risk of occupational low-dose radiation exposure.

Meta-analysis of transcriptomic datasets using benchmark dose modeling shows value in supporting radiation risk assessment

Purpose Benchmark dose (BMD) modeling is used to determine the dose of a stressor at which a predefined increase in any biological effect above background occurs (e.g. 10% increase from control values). BMD analytical tools have the capacity to model transcriptional dose-response data to derive BMDs for genes, pathways and gene ontologies. We recently demonstrated the value of this approach to support various areas of radiation research using predominately ‘in-house’ generated datasets. Materials and methods As a continuation of this work, transcriptomic studies of relevance to ionizing radiation were retrieved through the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The datasets were compiled and filtered, then analyzed using BMDExpress. The objective was to determine the reproducibility of BMD values in relation to pathways and genes across different exposure scenarios and compare to those derived using cytogenetic endpoints. A number of graphic visualization approaches were used to determine if BMD outputs could be correlated to parameters such as dose-rate, radiation quality and cell type. Results Curated studies were diverse and derived from experiments with varied design and intent. Despite this, common genes and pathways were identified with low and high dose thresholds. The higher BMD values were associated with immune response and cell death, while transcripts with lower BMD values were generally related to the classic DNA damage response/repair processes, centered on TP53 signaling. Analysis of datasets with relatively similar dose-ranges under comparable experimental conditions showed a bi-modal distribution with a high degree of consistency in BMD values across shared genes and pathways, particularly for those below the 25th percentile of total distribution by dose. The median BMD values were noted to be approximately 0.5 Gy for genes/pathways that comprised mode 1. Furthermore, transcriptional BMD values derived from a subset of genes using in vivo and in vitro datasets were in accord to those using cytogenetic endpoints. Conclusion Overall, the results from this work highlight the value of the BMD methodology to derive meaningful outputs that are consistent across different models, provided the studies are conducted using a similar dose-range.

Developmental, Morphological and Physiological Traits in Plants Exposed for Five Generations to Chronic Low-Level Ionising Radiation.

The effects of ionising radiation (IR) on plants are important for environmental protection but also in agriculture, horticulture, space science, and plant stress biology. Much current understanding of the effects of IR on plants derives from acute high-dose studies but exposure to IR in the environment frequently occurs at chronic low dose rates. Chronic low dose-rate studies have primarily been field based and examined genetic or cytogenetic endpoints. Here we report research that investigated developmental, morphological and physiological effects of IR on Arabidopsis thaliana grown over 7 generations and exposed for five generations to chronic low doses of either 137Cs (at a dose rate of c. 40 μGy/h from β/γ emissions) or 10 μM CdCl2. In some generations there were significant differences between treatments in the timing of key developmental phases and in leaf area or symmetry but there were, on the basis of the chosen endpoints, no long-term effects of the different treatments. Occasional measurements also detected no effects on root growth, seed germination rates or redox poise but in the generation in which it was measured exposure to IR did decrease DNA-methylation significantly. The results are consistent with the suggestion that chronic exposure to c. 40 μGy/h can have some effects on some traits but that this does not affect function across multiple generations at the population level. This is explained by the redundancy and/or degeneracy between biological levels of organization in plants that produces a relatively loose association between genotype and phenotype. The importance of this explanation to understanding plant responses to stressors such as IR is discussed. We suggest that the data reported here provide increased confidence in the Derived Consideration Reference Levels (DCRLs) recommended by the International Commission for Radiological Protection (ICRP) by providing data from controlled conditions and helping to contextualize effects reported from field studies. The differing sensitivity of plants to IR is not well understood and further investigation of it would likely improve the use of DCRLs for radiological protection.

Is it forever? Genotoxicological impact of marine contaminants on Arabian/Persian Gulf bivalves: An experimental approach

A novel approach of combining manipulative field experiments and cytogenetic endpoints was used to assess the genotoxic impact of chemical contamination on a local model bivalve species, the pearl oyster -Pinctada imbricata radiata. Baseline levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs) and trace metals were determined from surface sediments and pearl oyster tissue collected from 3 coastal locations in Qatar (Umm Bab, Dukhan and Al-Wakra). Initial aneuploidy –numerical chromosomal abnormality-level in oysters was also assessed during the baseline survey. The oysters’ ability to adapt to new sites, with distinct signatures in terms of chemical contamination, was assessed using a reciprocal transplantation experiment among the same 3 coastal locations, from February to April 2016. Significant differences in sediment contamination levels were detected among the 3 sites. TPHs were in higher concentrations at Umm Bab (western coast), while higher concentrations of metals and PAHs were found at Dukhan (western coast) and Al-Wakra (eastern coast), respectively. Oysters transplanted between locations showed lower levels of aneuploidy, relative to those kept in the original location (controls). Transplanted oysters, regardless of the contamination levels at the origin and destination, showed recovery from initial aneuploidy levels. Moreover, there was a larger percentage of aneuploid cells with chromosomal gain than with chromosomal loss in all treatments, which contrasts with the pattern usually observed in bivalves.

Different chromosome damage in lymphocytes of newly diagnosed gastrointestinal and breast cancer patients.

Structural chromosome aberrations are a predictive biomarker of cancer risk. Conventional chromosome analysis widely used for these purposes detects unstable chromosome aberrations that are eliminated during cell division. Stable aberrations that may persist in the body and tend to accumulate during a lifetime can be detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The aim of the study was to investigate the level of chromosome damage in newly diagnosed cancer patients and control subjects by FISH. Both groups of untreated cancer patients had increased frequency of aberrant cells. However, chromosome damage affected different cytogenetic endpoints. Stable translocations and cells with complex rearrangements were elevated in breast cancer patients whereas unstable chromosome aberrations (dicentric chromosomes and acentric fragments) were elevated in gastrointestinal cancer patients. These associations observed in nonsmokers were typically not pronounced in smokers (with the exception of dicentric chromosomes in gastrointestinal patients). Exposure to tobacco smoke increased aberrations in healthy controls but not in the cancer patients. Our study suggests an association between cancer and stable chromosomal rearrangements in breast cancer patients. Unstable aberrations elevated in gastrointestinal cancer patients may be at least partly ascribed to the exposure to diagnostic X-rays.

Elemental composition of surface soils in Nature Park Shumen Plateau and Shumen City, Bulgaria

Abstract Anthropogenic activities cause environmental pollution and alter biogeochemical cycles. Soils in cities and their vicinity are exposed to different pollutants. Nature Park Shumen Plateau is a protected area situated in the proximity of Shumen (Bulgaria). The aim of this research was to compare elemental composition of surface soil samples from Nature Park with two areas in Shumen city. Soil samples from seven sites on the territory of Nature Park and from two urban sites were collected. The elemental composition of the samples was determined using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence technique. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were performed to interpret the complex data. The content of 24 elements was determined: Br, Y, Zr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce Si, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, and Pb. Results presented here and previously showed that concentrations of heavy metals Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb are below the upper limit according to Bulgarian legislation. Concentrations of Mn and Fe in samples from Nature Park were comparable to the literature data reported for unpolluted areas. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis show similarity of the content of 24 elements between samples from Nature Park and from Shumen city. These findings are in accordance with our previous positive results from Allium-test: cytogenetic endpoints showed a presence of harmful compounds in Nature Park soils. The content of heavy metals in the surface soils studied show a lack of environmental risk for Nature Park. However, a similar distribution pattern of the investigated elements in the park and two anthropologically influenced areas in Shumen city indicated a potential hazard in Nature Park.

Geospatial analysis of residential proximity to open-pit coal mining areas in relation to micronuclei frequency, particulate matter concentration, and elemental enrichment factors

During coal surface mining, several activities such as drilling, blasting, loading, and transport produce large quantities of particulate matter (PM) that is directly emitted into the atmosphere. Occupational exposure to this PM has been associated with an increase of DNA damage, but there is a scarcity of data examining the impact of these industrial operations in cytogenetic endpoints frequency and cancer risk of potentially exposed surrounding populations. In this study, we used a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) approach and Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) methods to perform a spatial and statistical analysis to explore whether exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 pollution, and additional factors, including the enrichment of the PM with inorganic elements, contribute to cytogenetic damage in residents living in proximity to an open-pit coal mining area. Results showed a spatial relationship between exposure to elevated concentrations of PM2.5, PM10 and micronuclei frequency in binucleated (MNBN) and mononucleated (MNMONO) cells. Active pits, disposal, and storage areas could be identified as the possible emission sources of combustion elements. Mining activities were also correlated with increased concentrations of highly enriched elements like S, Cu and Cr in the atmosphere, corroborating its role in the inorganic elements pollution around coal mines. Elements enriched in the PM2.5 fraction contributed to increasing of MNBN but seems to be more related to increased MNMONO frequencies and DNA damage accumulated in vivo. The combined use of GIS and IDW methods could represent an important tool for monitoring potential cancer risk associated to dynamically distributed variables like the PM.

Hyperdiploidy is a Positive Prognostic Factor for Progression-Free Survival in Multiple Myeloma with High and Intermediate Risk Cytogenetics

Background: Risk stratification in Multiple Myeloma is typically done based on a set of chromosomal abnormalities including translocations and deletions and karyotype abnormalities such as hypodiploidy and hyperdiploidy. Hyperdiploidy has been considered a favorable prognostic factor for survival of Multiple Myeloma patients. Methods: We analyzed data from 48 Multiple Myeloma cases at the King Fahad specialist hospital in Saudi Arabia and detected an array of endpoints including riskassociated cytogenetic endpoints. We analyzed data from 48 Multiple Myeloma cases at the King Fahad specialist hospital in Saudi Arabia and detected an array of endpoints including risk-associated cytogenetic endpoints. We sought to test if and how hyperdiploidy affects the survival outcomes of 14 multiple myeloma patients classified as high or intermediate risk based on cytogenetic abnormalities. Results: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with a Cox proportional hazards regression model showed that progression-free survival (PFS) of Multiple Myeloma patients was higher (hazard ratio 1.9) in those with hyperdiploidy compared to non- hyperdiploidy group. Overall survival in our study appeared to be unaffected (hazard ratio 1.0) by hyperdiploidy. Survival percentage for hyperdiploidy cases was >50% at the median time point. Conclusion: Our data indicates that hyperdiploidy is a favorable prognostic factor for progression-free survival in Multiple Myeloma. Further studies are warranted to investigate hyperdiploidy subtypes and cytogenetic parameters which may be of value in risk stratification and prognosis of Multiple Myeloma cases.