title: Should gaps be included in chromosomal aberration analysis? Evidence based on the comet assay.
abstract: This study evaluated DNA damage in human lymphocytes due to occupational exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation using two assays: the comet assay and chromosomal aberration (CA) analysis including and excluding gaps. The results obtained reveal a higher correlation between both methods when chromatid and chromosome gaps were included in the correlation analysis (r=0.78 versus r=0.50). This increased correlation support the hypothesis that the gaps constitute a type of chromosome aberration, and suggest that these events should be scored in this type of analysis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Genética Molecular y Citogenética Humana, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, P.O. Box 17-1-2184, Quito, Ecuador. cpazymino@puceuio.puce.edu.ec
authors.forename: César
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paz-y-Miño
authors.forename: María Verónica
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Dávalos
authors.forename: María Eugenia
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arévalo
authors.forename: Paola E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Leone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000528:radiation effects*; D020552:Comet Assay / Q000379:methods*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D011871:Radiology