Review on the Biogenesis of Platelets in Lungs and Its Alterations in SARS-CoV-2 Infection Patients.

Thrombocytes (platelets) are the type of blood cells that are involved in hemostasis, thrombosis, etc. For the conversion of megakaryocytes into thrombocytes, the thrombopoietin (TPO) protein is essential which is encoded by the TPO gene. TPO gene is present in the long arm of chromosome number 3 (3q26). This TPO protein interacts with the c-Mpl receptor, which is present on the outer surface of megakaryocytes. As a result, megakaryocyte breaks into the production of functional thrombocytes. Some of the evidence shows that the megakaryocytes, the precursor of thrombocytes, are seen in the lung's interstitium. This review focuses on the involvement of the lungs in the production of thrombocytes and their mechanism. A lot of findings show that viral diseases, which affect the lungs, cause thrombocytopenia in human beings. One of the notable viral diseases is COVID-19 or severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by SARS-associated coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 caused a worldwide alarm in 2019 and a lot of people suffered because of this disease. It mainly targets the lung cells for its replication. To enter the cells, these virus targets the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptors that are abundantly seen on the surface of the lung cells. Recent reports of COVID-19-affected patients reveal the important fact that these peoples develop thrombocytopenia as a post-COVID condition. This review elaborates on the biogenesis of platelets in the lungs and the alterations of thrombocytes during the COVID-19 infection.

Influence of SERPINA1 Gene Polymorphisms on Anemia and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Anemia is one of the predominant hematological conditions, whereas chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a predominant respiratory disease. These two diseases were found to be interlinked, but the physiological pathways are still unclear. Aim: The current study has been aimed at analysing the genetic interrelationship between anemia and COPD in accordance with different altitudes. Methodology. The genetic analysis was performed in the SERPINA1 gene of anemia, COPD, and healthy individuals for the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism at rs28949274 and rs17580 locations. Result and Discussion. The single nucleotide polymorphism at the locations rs28949274 and rs17580 was present in both anemic and COPD patients. The COPD patients were more prone to mutations (63% had rs28949274, and 11% had rs17580 polymorphisms) than the anemic patients (40% had rs28949274, and 1% had rs17580 polymorphisms). On the basis of altitude, high-altitude individuals were found to be more susceptible to both the polymorphisms. Conclusion: Based on the current findings, we suggest that the SERPINA1 gene has a positive correlation with anemia as well as COPD, and the increase in altitude also influences the diseased conditions in a positive manner.

Medicinal Plants, Phytochemicals, and Herbs to Combat Viral Pathogens Including SARS-CoV-2.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the most important health issue, internationally. With no specific and effective antiviral therapy for COVID-19, new or repurposed antiviral are urgently needed. Phytochemicals pose a ray of hope for human health during this pandemic, and a great deal of research is concentrated on it. Phytochemicals have been used as antiviral agents against several viruses since they could inhibit several viruses via different mechanisms of direct inhibition either at the viral entry point or the replication stages and via immunomodulation potentials. Recent evidence also suggests that some plants and its components have shown promising antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2. This review summarizes certain phytochemical agents along with their mode of actions and potential antiviral activities against important viral pathogens. A special focus has been given on medicinal plants and their extracts as well as herbs which have shown promising results to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection and can be useful in treating patients with COVID-19 as alternatives for treatment under phytotherapy approaches during this devastating pandemic situation.

Estimation of cytogenetic risk among coke oven workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) result from the incomplete combustion of natural or synthetic organic materials. The working environment at a coke plant can negatively affect the employed workers who were exposed to coke oven emissions containing PAHs, which formed and released into the environment by the process of pyrolysis of coke. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the exposure of PAHs and the risk of genetic damages such as chromosomal alteration (CA), micronucleus (MN), and DNA damage (PCR-RFLP) in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 27 coke oven workers and equal number of control subjects. The exposed subjects and controls were divided into two groups based on their age (group I<35 years and group II ≥35 years). The exposed subjects were further classified into two groups based on the exposure period (<12 years and ≥12 years). The frequencies of CA and MN in exposed subjects are relatively high with respect to controls. The XRCC1 399 Arg/gln polymorphism showed a substantial smaller difference in allele frequencies between exposed and control subjects. Based on present data, it was concluded that coke oven workers under risk should be monitored for adverse effects of the any long-term exposure.

A comprehensive analysis of plausible genotoxic covariates among workers of a polyvinyl chloride plant exposed to vinyl chloride monomer.

The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of chromosomal aberrations-including chromatid type aberrations (CTAs), chromosomal type aberrations, micronucleus (MN) comet assay, and XRCC1 399 Arg/Gln polymorphism-in peripheral blood lymphocytes of workers occupationally exposed to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). A total of 52 workers and an equal number of controls were recruited into the study to explore the potential cytogenetic risk of occupational exposure to VCM. Questionnaires were administered to obtain details of habitual cigarette-smoking, alcohol-consumption pattern, and occupation, etc. The exposed subjects and controls were classified into two groups based on age (group I <40 years; group II ≥40 years), and exposed subjects were further classified based on exposure duration (>8 and ≥8 years). CTA, MN, and comet assay frequency were significantly greater in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) factory workers (p < 0.05) with long-duration work. CTA, MN, and comet assay values were found to be increased with age in exposed subjects as well as in controls, with exposed subjects showing a statistically greater degree. An extensively greater MN frequency was observed in smokers exposed to VCM than in the control group (P < 0.05). The mean tail length of exposed subjects was greater compared with controls. The study on XRCC1 399 Arg/gln polymorphism in PVC factory workers showed less significant difference in allele frequency compared with controls. In conclusion, this results of work provides evidence for an apparent genotoxic effect associated with VCM exposure. Our results reinforce the greater sensitivity of cytogenetic assays for biomonitoring of occupationally exposed populations. Statistics indicate that workers exposed to VCM are at carcinogenic risk and should be monitored for long-term adverse effects from their exposure.

Analysis of genetic damage and gene polymorphism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in a South Indian population.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in many regions of Asia and the etiology of human HCC is clearly multi-factorial. The development of effective markers for the detection of HCC could have an impact on cancer mortality and significant health implications worldwide. The subjects presented here were recruited based on the serum alpha-fetoprotein level, which is an effective marker for HCC. Further, the chromosomal alterations were elucidated using trypsin G-banding. HCCs with p53 mutations have high malignant potential and are used as an indicator for the biological behavior of recurrent HCCs. The functional polymorphism in the XRCC1 gene, which participates in the base-excision repair of oxidative DNA damage, was associated with increased risk of early onset HCC. Thus, in this investigation, the p53 and XRCC1 gene polymorphisms using the standard protocols were also assessed to find out whether these genes may be associated with HCC susceptibility. METHODS: Blood samples from HCC patients (n = 93) were collected from oncology clinics in South India. Control subjects (n = 93) who had no history of tumors were selected and they were matched to cases on sex, age, and race. Peripheral blood was analyzed for chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and micronuclei (MN) formation. p53 and XRCC1 genotypes were detected using a PCR-RFLP technique. RESULTS: Specific biomarkers on cytogenetic endpoints might help in diagnosis and treatment measures. The frequencies of genotypes between groups were calculated by χ(2) test. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in CA was observed in HCC patients compared to their controls as confirmed by ANOVA and MN shows insignificant results. The study on p53 Arg72Pro and XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism in HCC patients demonstrated differences in allele frequencies compared to their controls. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that chromosomal alterations and the genetic variations of p53 and XRCC1 may contribute to inter-individual susceptibility to HCC. A very limited role of genetic polymorphism was investigated in modulating the HCC risk, but the combined effect of these variants may interact to increase the risk of HCC in the South Indian population.

Evaluation of chromosomal alteration in electrical workers occupationally exposed to low frequency of electro magnetic field (EMFs) in Coimbatore population, India.

Extremely low frequency electro magnetic fields (EMFs) have been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. An increased number of chromosomal alterations in peripheral lymphocytes are correlated with elevated incidence of cancer. The aim of the present study was to assess occupationally induced chromosomal damage in EMF workers exposed to low levels of radiation. We used conventional metaphase chromosome aberration (CA) analysis and the micronucleus (MN) assay as biological indicators of non ionizing radiation exposure. In the present study totally 70 subjects were selected including 50 exposed and 20 controls. Informed written consent was obtained from all participants and the study was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the approval of the local ethical committee. A higher degree of CA and MN was observed in exposed subjects compared to controls, the frequency of CA being significantly enhanced with long years of exposure (P<0.05). Moreover increase in CA and MN with age was noted in both exposed subjects and controls, but was significantly greater in the former. The results of this study demonstrated that a significant induction of cytogenetic damage in peripheral lymphocytes of workers occupationally exposed to EMFs in electric transformer and distribution stations. In conclusion, our findings suggest that EMFs possess genotoxic capability, as measured by CA and MN assays; CA analysis appeared more sensitive than other cytogenetic end-points. It can be concluded that chronic occupational exposure to EMFs may lead to an increased risk of genetic damage among electrical workers.

Evaluation of the genetic alterations in direct and indirect exposures of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] in leather tanning industry workers North Arcot District, South India.

PURPOSE: The focal aim of the present study was to identify the genetic alterations occurring in the tannery workers and surrounding inhabitants chronically exposed to hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]. METHODS: A total of 108 samples which includes 72 exposed subjects [36 directly exposed (DE) subjects and 36 indirectly exposed (IE) subjects] and 36 controls were recruited for this study. The exposed subjects and controls were selected based on the Cr level present in air and their urine. Directly exposed subjects were categorized based on their work duration in the tannery industries, whereas the indirectly exposed subjects were categorized based on their year of residence in the place adjacent to tannery industries for more than 3 decades. Controls were normal and healthy. Age was matched for the exposed subjects and controls. The exposed subjects as well as the controls were categorized based on their age (group I, <40 years; group II, >41 years). Cell cultures were established from blood samples (5 ml from each subject) collected from the subjects (exposed subjects and controls) after obtaining informed consent. G-banding (Giemsa staining) of the cultures, micronucleus (MN) assay and comet assay were used to identify the genetic alterations of individuals exposed to Cr(VI) in comparison with the controls. RESULTS: A higher degree of total CA [12 ± 8.49 (21-25 years)] and MN [18.69 ± 7.39 (11-15 years)] was found in DE subjects compared to other groups. In IE subjects, elevated levels of CA [5.67 ± 1.15 (51-60 years)] and MN [25 ± 9.89 (71-80 years)] were observed. As expected, controls exhibited minimal number of alterations. The overall CA frequency due to Cr exposure was significantly different from that of the controls for both chromatid and chromosome type aberrations (P < 0.05 by ANOVA). The MN/1,000 binucleated cells were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the peripheral lymphocytes of DE and IE subjects in comparison with controls. The mean tail length of comet assay for DE, IE and controls were analyzed. The mean tail length of DE subjects [4.21 (3.21-10.98)] was higher compared to that of IE subjects [3.98 (2.98-11.27)] and controls [3.01 (2.68-9.40)]. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this work shows a clear genotoxic effect associated with chromium exposure, both directly and indirectly. Our result reinforces the higher sensitivity of cytogenetic assays for the biomonitoring of occupationally exposed populations. There is a strong need to educate those who work with potentially hazardous heavy about its adverse effects and highlight the importance of using protective measures.

Cytogenetic methods for assessing human exposure to toluene in Coimbatore, South India.

The aim of the present study was to identify genetic alterations occurring in rotograving workers chronically exposed to toluene. A total of 60 samples from 30 exposed subjects and 30 age-matched controls, selected based on the toluene level present in their urine, were recruited. Exposed subjects were categorized based on their duration of exposure and smoking habitats. Controls were normal and healthy and categorized based on their smoking habits. Cell cultures were established from blood samples collected from the control and experimental subjects after obtaining informed consent. G-banding and comet assays were used to identify genetic alterations. A higher degree of total chromosome aberration was identified in exposed subjects compared to controls. As expected, controls exhibited minimal number of alterations. The overall CA frequency due to toluene exposure was significantly different from that of the controls for both chromatid and chromosome type aberrations (P\0.05 by ANOVA). . The habit of cigarette smoking among the workers had a synergistic effect on inducing DNA damage. In conclusion, this work shows a clear genotoxic effect associated with toluene exposure, our results also reinforcing the conclusion of higher sensitivity of cytogenetic assays for the biomonitoring of occupationally exposed populations. There is a strong need to educate those who work with potentially hazardous materials about adverse effects and highlight the importance of using protective measures.