Study of Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors in Patients with HIV/AIDS and Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study

The NCR receptors play a fundamental role in the cytotoxicity mediated by NK cells against tumor cells. In the current study, we investigated possible HIV/AIDS-related changes in the expression of the NCR receptors comparing healthy donors, HIV/AIDS patients, and HIV/AIDS patients with cancer (HIV/AIDSWC). The NCRs were quantified in NK cells (NKdim and NKbright) and T lymphocytes from peripheral blood samples by flow cytometry. We found a significant decrease in the frequency of NK cells expressing NKp46 in HIV/AIDS group (p=0.0012). There was a decrease in the frequency of NK cells expressing NKp46 in the HIV/AIDSWC group; however, this was not statistically significant. We found a significant decrease in the frequency of NK cells expressing NKp30 in the HIV/AIDS group (p=0.0144). There was a decrease in the frequency of NK cells expressing NKp30 and in the HIV/AIDSWC group, but this was not statistically significant. There were no changes in the distribution of NK cells and their subtypes in both groups

Tumors due to chronic exposure to benzene and biomarkers of exposure

Due to occupational activities, many people are exposed to carcinogenic airborne pollutants, such as benzene. Furthermore, benzene is also present in cigarette smoke. The main cancers associated with benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) are lung cancer and malignancies of the blood. At initial stages, lung cancer is often asymptomatic, but progression into metastasis is a huge clinical concern. We performed a review on possible biomarkers for monitoring increased genome instability and downregulation of the immune system in connection with overexposure to BTEX in a subgroup of workers being exposed to BTEX at Brazilian gas stations. The workers are subject to routine blood exams every semester; however, early genomic assessment is not routine. We evaluated available tests to be applied, including measuring benzene-derived metabolites in urine, determination of oxidative and inflammatory markers in blood, immunophenotypical profiling, micronucleus test, comet (single-cell gel electrophoresis) assay, (molecular) cytogenetics, chromosomal microarray, epigenetic-changes oriented tests, determination of mitochondrial (mt)DNA copy numbers, and studies on miRNA-level. However, no consensus was reached about their application and which test combination might be suited best

Complex karyotype including ring chromosome 11 in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia: case report

<div><p>ABSTRACT CONTEXT: Complex karyotypes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are characterized by an overall low response rate with frequent relapses after clinical treatment. CASE REPORT: Here, we describe the case of a 61-year-old obese female with clinically diagnosed AML who presented a complex karyotype involving an uncommon abnormality: ring chromosome 11. Immunophenotypic analysis confirmed the diagnosis. Classical and molecular cytogenetic analyses, using GTG banding and FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization), revealed the presence of complex structural rearrangement involving r(11), add(12)(p13), der(5) and der(13). CONCLUSIONS: Molecular cytogenetic analysis is suitable for better identification and characterization of chromosomal rearrangements in AML. Case reports like this, as well as population-based studies, are necessary for understanding the karyotypic changes that occur in humans.</p></div