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Research Article
Assessing the Validity and Reliability of the Comet Assay in Detecting EMS-induced Genotoxicity
Samit Kadam*
,
Aditya Dipakrao Hajare,
Bhumika Nataraj
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
99-112
Received:
26 June 2026
Accepted:
11 July 2026
Published:
28 July 2026
Abstract: The widespread use of industrial chemicals has raised concerns about their potential to damage deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), a process linked to cancer and other serious diseases. To explore this risk, we examined the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS), a known mutagen, in mice using the comet assay. Saline and corn oil served as vehicle controls. Body weight (BW) measurements showed no major differences between controls and treated groups over two days, although higher EMS doses were associated with slight reductions and greater variability, suggesting systemic stress. In contrast, DNA damage was strikingly dose-dependent. Duodenum, stomach, and liver tissues all showed significant increases in DNA strand breaks after EMS exposure, with duodenal cells in females appearing particularly sensitive. Cell viability declined progressively with increasing EMS doses across all tissues, while ghost cell frequency, a marker of cytotoxicity, rose in parallel. Importantly, vehicle controls remained stable, confirming that observed effects were due to EMS rather than solvents. Together, these findings demonstrate that EMS induces clear, dose-dependent DNA damage and cell stress in gastrointestinal and hepatic tissues. The comet assay proved to be a sensitive and reliable tool for detecting such genotoxic effects, reinforcing its value in toxicity testing. By highlighting tissue-specific and sex-related responses, this study underscores the importance of considering biological variability when assessing chemical hazards.
Abstract: The widespread use of industrial chemicals has raised concerns about their potential to damage deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), a process linked to cancer and other serious diseases. To explore this risk, we examined the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS), a known mutagen, in mice using the comet assay. Saline and corn oil...
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Research Article
Chromosomal Translocations and Couple Infertility in Cotonou
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
113-116
Received:
28 June 2026
Accepted:
10 July 2026
Published:
28 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijgg.20261403.12
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Abstract: Background: Fertility disorders have been a significant issue affecting populations for decades. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this issue affects approximately 17.5% of the adult population roughly one in six people worldwide. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted over a seven-year period at the Cotonou cytogenetics laboratory. The study aimed to highlight the impact of chromosomal translocations on couple fertility. Participants included patients found to have a chromosomal translocation via karyotyping during an infertility workup. Patients whose karyotypes revealed abnormalities other than chromosomal translocations were excluded from the study. Conventional cytogenetic techniques were employed; specifically, G-banded metaphase karyotyping was performed using lymphocyte cultures incubated at 37°C for 72 hours. Results: A total of 36 cases of chromosomal translocations were identified. The genotypes involved 31 cases of Robertsonian translocations (88.9%) and 5 cases of reciprocal translocations (11.1%). Balanced Robertsonian translocations were found in 22 female patients during investigations into reproductive disorders. One case of a balanced homologous Robertsonian translocation was recorded in a patient with a history of recurrent miscarriages. Discussion: Chromosomal translocations whether balanced or unbalanced significantly impact couple fertility due to associated gamete and embryonic development abnormalities. Given this, would it not be beneficial to include karyotyping in prenuptial health screenings?
Abstract: Background: Fertility disorders have been a significant issue affecting populations for decades. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this issue affects approximately 17.5% of the adult population roughly one in six people worldwide. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted over a seven-year period at the Cotonou ...
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Research Article
In-Silico Multi-Omics Analysis of the Transcriptomic and Immuno-Genomic Significance of Gastric Cancer Hallmark Genes HMMR, CDH1, NPM1 and HDAC5 as Biomarkers
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
117-132
Received:
4 July 2026
Accepted:
20 July 2026
Published:
10 August 2026
Abstract: Important regulators of tumor growth, metastasis, and cellular regulation include Hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR), Cadherin-1 (CDH1), Nucleoplasmin-1 (NPM1), and Histone deacetylase-5 (HDAC5). This study used bioinformatics technologies to examine their interrelationships and differential expression in gastric cancer. GEO2R was implemented to analyze DEGs from publicly available gastric cancer datasets. Venn analysis was then used to identify common DEGs, and heat-map visualization was used to evaluate expression patterns. Gastric cancer transcriptomic data were retrieved from the NCBI GEO database and analysed using GEO2R and Limma to identify DEGs. Visualization included volcano, box, and UMAP plots. Overlapping genes were assessed via BioVenn. Functional enrichment used GSEA, while immune infiltration was analysed through TIMER. Gene datasets for HMMR, CDH1, NPM1, and HDAC5 were retrieved from NCBI GEO and analysed for differential expression, revealing variable up- and downregulation across samples. Venn analysis showed minimal gene overlap. Enrichment analysis indicated significant expression patterns, particularly for HMMR and NPM1. Immune correlation revealed weak-to-moderate associations with CD8+ T cells. Mutation frequencies varied, with CDH1 highest (35%). sCNA and RNA-seq analyses demonstrated statistically significant alterations, supporting their potential roles in gastric cancer progression. Overall, the integrated bioinformatic approach showed different expression profiles of HMMR, CDH1, NPM1, and HDAC5 in gastric cancer. While altered expression of HMMR and HDAC5 highlights their potential contribution to cancer-related signaling and epigenetic regulation, NPM1 overexpression and CDH1 loss indicate opposing roles in tumor progression.
Abstract: Important regulators of tumor growth, metastasis, and cellular regulation include Hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR), Cadherin-1 (CDH1), Nucleoplasmin-1 (NPM1), and Histone deacetylase-5 (HDAC5). This study used bioinformatics technologies to examine their interrelationships and differential expression in gastric cancer. GEO2R was impleme...
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Research Article
Genetic Variability and Differentiation of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genes in Female Breast Cancer in Senegal
Diallo Berenice Raissa*,
Cissokho Boubacar,
Sembene Mbacke
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
133-147
Received:
2 July 2026
Accepted:
11 August 2026
Published:
20 September 2026
Abstract: Breast cancer constitutes a major public health problem. In Senegal, this pathology ranks second in terms of incidence and third in terms of mortality among cancers. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two susceptibility genes for breast and/or ovarian cancer, implicated in hereditary breast cancer cases. These genes have been the subject of extensive research in the context of germline mutations; however, data on their role in sporadic breast cancer, particularly in sub-Saharan African populations such as Senegal, remain scarce or unavailable. To address this gap, the present study analyzed 51 surgical specimens of healthy and cancerous breast tissue to characterize the genotypic profile of BRCA mutations in Senegalese women. Three loci corresponding to founder mutations described in the Ashkenazi Jewish population BRCA1-185delAG, BRCA1-5382insC, and BRCA2-6174delT were targeted. The objectives were to determine the genotypic profile of each population at each locus and assess potential differences, to test genetic equilibrium, and to evaluate genetic differentiation between BRCA1- and BRCA2-associated breast cancer. Comparison of wild-type and mutant allele profiles between the two tissue types revealed no significant difference. Analysis of genetic diversity between healthy and cancerous tissues showed a heterozygote excess at both BRCA1 loci and a heterozygote deficit at the BRCA2 locus. Low genetic differentiation was observed between control and tumor tissues, attributable to the BRCA1-185delAG mutation, with an Fst value of 0.0072. These findings suggest that the BRCA1-185delAG mutation, despite its low penetrance, may be implicated in breast cancer among Senegalese women.
Abstract: Breast cancer constitutes a major public health problem. In Senegal, this pathology ranks second in terms of incidence and third in terms of mortality among cancers. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two susceptibility genes for breast and/or ovarian cancer, implicated in hereditary breast cancer cases. These genes have been the subject of extensive research in ...
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