Chromosome banding techniques were applied and standardized to obtain karyotype characteristics for the first time in Brazil of Nelore cattle – Bos taurus indicus Linnaeus, 1758 – (bovine subspecies most prominent in Brazilian livestock). Blood samples were collected from the animals of the School of Agrarian and Biological Sciences of the Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás, two males and two females of pure breed. These samples were submitted to the cell culture method to study metaphase chromosomes. Chromosome banding techniques (C, G and NOR) revealed the karyotype architecture of Nelore cattle common with that of other breeds of zebu cattle formerly karyotyped. The diploid chromosome number was invariably normal, 2n = 60. C-banding revealed C-positive heterochromatin in centromeric regions almost in all chromosomes. G-banding presented the expected band pattern in the respective chromosome pairs in correspondence with the established chromosomal patterns for the species. Ag-staining for nucleolus organizer regions (AgNOR) was identified on the telomeric end of the long arm in 7 autosomal chromosomes. In this study we found more regions in chromosomes with staining than presented in the literature for the Bos indicus group (BIN). These NOR regions were repeated on the same chromosomes for the 4 animals studied.

Evaluation of polymorphisms in repair and detoxification genes in alcohol drinkers and non-drinkers using capillary electrophoresisAlcohol use disorder (AUD) causes about 3.3 million deaths around the world each year. It is the primary risk factor for the global burden of diseases in American countries. Longterm abuse of alcohol induces numerous molecular and biochemical changes in tissues exposed to alcohol. The toxic effects of alcohol are mediated by DNA damage through various mechanisms, such as induction of oxidative damage, DNA adducts, crosslinks, and DNA strand breaks. The main aim of the current study was to compare the frequency of SNP polymorphisms in XRCC1 (rs7997782) and GSTP1 (rs1695) genes involved in DNA repair of single strand breaks (SSB) and xenobiotic detoxification between alcohol addicts and a control group comprised of non-drinkers. Genetic polymorphisms were identified following allelic specific PCR designed to generate the amplicons containing the variants. Then amplicons were sequenced, and sequences were aligned against the human genome reference deposited in GenBank using the CLC Sequence Viewer software (version 7.6.1). The GG homozygotes in rs1695 (GSTP1) were significantly (p = 0.023) 3.8x more frequent among those with AUD when compared to the control group. No SNP variation was observed in rs7997782 (XRCC1). rs1695 variant has been associated with susceptibility to various diseases, including those related to alcohol consumption.

Exposure to pesticides is an important risk factor for genotoxicity in farmworkers. Once there is a possibility that genotoxicity is related to the autoimmunity process, the present study aimed to characterize genotoxicity and possible immunological alterations related to chronic and direct exposure to a complex mixture of pesticides. It employed Interleukin–6 (IL-6), Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), IL-12 and IL-10 as biomarkers of cellular immune function. DNA damage was greater in the exposed group (p < 0.05). Both IL-6 and IL-12 were significantly increased in the exposed group (p < 0.05 and < 0.01, respectively); on the other hand, Il-10 levels were decreased (p < 0.01). Evaluation of the association between cytokine levels and epidemiological variables showed a correlation between alcohol consumption and higher levels of IL-12 (p < 0.05). In addition, negative correlation between % DNA and IFN-γ (p < 0.05) as well as % DNA and IL-6 (p < 0.05) and positive correlation was found between IL-6 levels and absolute number of T CD8+ lymphocytes (p < 0.05) as well as between IL-10 levels and absolute number of T CD4+ lymphocytes (p < 0.05). No association between all the evaluation parameters was found in the non-exposed group. The observed alterations related to chronic and direct exposure to a complex mixture of pesticides may allow the monitoring of these workers to minimize the negative impact caused on their health.

The Quilombola communities are mostly isolated and deprived of sources of treated water, garbage collection and sewage, consuming fresh water from wells, streams, lakes, among others. This lack of basic infrastructure can be a relevant factor in exposing residents to substances and factors that are harmful to the integrity of their genetic material that can lead to carcinogenesis. Based on this, the objective of this study was to evaluate the genomic and mutagenic/cytotoxic damage in the adult population of two Quilombola communities (one urban and another rural region), in the state of Goiás, Brazil. For this purpose, the leukocyte of peripheral blood Comet Assay in 68 individuals and Micronucleus Test from exfoliated buccal cells of oral mucosa in 21 volunteers were performed. The results evidenced genomic damage, especially for the community of Aparecida de Goiânia city, which detected significant values ( p < 0.05), for the length of the comet’s tail and for of the Olive Tail Moment. In the micronucleus test, significant differences were only detected ( p < 0.05), when it came to the distribution of nuclear changes among the groups. Therefore, it is essential to perform constant population biomonitoring studies to help guarantee health and, consequently, the quality of life.