BACKGROUND: In this article, we estimated the combined effect of radiotherapy (RT) with ultrasound (US) wave and the ability of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) to improve their combined therapeutic effects. METHODS: At first, HeLa cells received the various treatment modalities: RT (6 MV; 0.5, 1, and 2 Gy), US irradiation (1 MHz; 0.5, 1, and 1.5 W/cm2, 1 minute), and RT+US. Afterwards, the enhanced effect of US on RT was evaluated. Then, the effect of the synthesized GNPs at different concentrations (0.2, 1, and 5 µg/mL, 24 hours) was evaluated to assess the effect on HeLa cells combined with RT+US. Cell survival rates in the different treatment groups at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-treatment were evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and trypan blue assays. RESULTS: Our results show US irradiation could enhance the effect of RT at the same radiation dose and could be utilized as a sensitizer agent for RT. Moreover, our findings indicate RT+US in combination with different nanoparticle concentrations could enhance the effect of RT+US so that they can improve the treatment results up to 9.93 times and act as sonodynamic-radiosensitivity. These results also indicate that the combination of RT with US along with GNPs has synergistic effects compared to RT or US alone. Cell survival results show that combining the low US waves (1.5 W/cm2), GNPs (5 μg/mL), and X-rays (2 Gy) increase the cytotoxicity on HeLa cell up to 95.8%. CONCLUSION: We concluded that GNPs could act as a good sensitizing agent in RT+US irradiation and could result in the synergistic effects.
Cell Survival ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Nanoparticles ; Radiotherapy ; Therapeutic Uses ; Trypan Blue ; Ultrasonography ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Objective: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an alkylating agent commonly used in cancer treatment. It is known to have detrimental effects on the reproductive system, including the potential to cause infertility. Recently, herbal remedies have gained traction as a complementary approach to addressing these side effects. In this study, our goal was to investigate whether the aqueous-alcoholic extract of Withania somnifera (WS) could mitigate the adverse impacts of CP on testicular tissue. Methods: Animals were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: control, WS (500 mg/kg), CP (100 mg/kg), CP+WS pre-treatment, and CP+WS post-treatment. WS was administered orally through gavage for 1 month. We assessed sperm parameters, testicular histopathology, and the expression of the Bax and Bcl2 genes in the experimental groups. Results: Sperm parameters (including count, viability, and motility), the number of spermatogonia, the seminiferous tubule diameter, and Bcl2 gene expression, significantly decreased after CP injection (p<0.05). Conversely, the number of immotile sperm and Bax gene expression significantly increased (p<0.05). Treatment with WS, especially when administered as a pre-treatment, ameliorated the sperm parameters, histological alterations, and the expression of apoptosis-related genes (p<0.05). Conclusion The data suggest that WS may mitigate the detrimental effects of CP on testicular tissue by reducing apoptosis. Consequently, WS has the potential to be used as an adjunctive therapy to reduce the complications associated with CP treatment.

Objective: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an alkylating agent commonly used in cancer treatment. It is known to have detrimental effects on the reproductive system, including the potential to cause infertility. Recently, herbal remedies have gained traction as a complementary approach to addressing these side effects. In this study, our goal was to investigate whether the aqueous-alcoholic extract of Withania somnifera (WS) could mitigate the adverse impacts of CP on testicular tissue. Methods: Animals were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: control, WS (500 mg/kg), CP (100 mg/kg), CP+WS pre-treatment, and CP+WS post-treatment. WS was administered orally through gavage for 1 month. We assessed sperm parameters, testicular histopathology, and the expression of the Bax and Bcl2 genes in the experimental groups. Results: Sperm parameters (including count, viability, and motility), the number of spermatogonia, the seminiferous tubule diameter, and Bcl2 gene expression, significantly decreased after CP injection (p<0.05). Conversely, the number of immotile sperm and Bax gene expression significantly increased (p<0.05). Treatment with WS, especially when administered as a pre-treatment, ameliorated the sperm parameters, histological alterations, and the expression of apoptosis-related genes (p<0.05). Conclusion The data suggest that WS may mitigate the detrimental effects of CP on testicular tissue by reducing apoptosis. Consequently, WS has the potential to be used as an adjunctive therapy to reduce the complications associated with CP treatment.

Objective: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an alkylating agent commonly used in cancer treatment. It is known to have detrimental effects on the reproductive system, including the potential to cause infertility. Recently, herbal remedies have gained traction as a complementary approach to addressing these side effects. In this study, our goal was to investigate whether the aqueous-alcoholic extract of Withania somnifera (WS) could mitigate the adverse impacts of CP on testicular tissue. Methods: Animals were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: control, WS (500 mg/kg), CP (100 mg/kg), CP+WS pre-treatment, and CP+WS post-treatment. WS was administered orally through gavage for 1 month. We assessed sperm parameters, testicular histopathology, and the expression of the Bax and Bcl2 genes in the experimental groups. Results: Sperm parameters (including count, viability, and motility), the number of spermatogonia, the seminiferous tubule diameter, and Bcl2 gene expression, significantly decreased after CP injection (p<0.05). Conversely, the number of immotile sperm and Bax gene expression significantly increased (p<0.05). Treatment with WS, especially when administered as a pre-treatment, ameliorated the sperm parameters, histological alterations, and the expression of apoptosis-related genes (p<0.05). Conclusion The data suggest that WS may mitigate the detrimental effects of CP on testicular tissue by reducing apoptosis. Consequently, WS has the potential to be used as an adjunctive therapy to reduce the complications associated with CP treatment.

Objective: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an alkylating agent commonly used in cancer treatment. It is known to have detrimental effects on the reproductive system, including the potential to cause infertility. Recently, herbal remedies have gained traction as a complementary approach to addressing these side effects. In this study, our goal was to investigate whether the aqueous-alcoholic extract of Withania somnifera (WS) could mitigate the adverse impacts of CP on testicular tissue. Methods: Animals were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: control, WS (500 mg/kg), CP (100 mg/kg), CP+WS pre-treatment, and CP+WS post-treatment. WS was administered orally through gavage for 1 month. We assessed sperm parameters, testicular histopathology, and the expression of the Bax and Bcl2 genes in the experimental groups. Results: Sperm parameters (including count, viability, and motility), the number of spermatogonia, the seminiferous tubule diameter, and Bcl2 gene expression, significantly decreased after CP injection (p<0.05). Conversely, the number of immotile sperm and Bax gene expression significantly increased (p<0.05). Treatment with WS, especially when administered as a pre-treatment, ameliorated the sperm parameters, histological alterations, and the expression of apoptosis-related genes (p<0.05). Conclusion The data suggest that WS may mitigate the detrimental effects of CP on testicular tissue by reducing apoptosis. Consequently, WS has the potential to be used as an adjunctive therapy to reduce the complications associated with CP treatment.

PURPOSETraffic injuries are among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Pedestrians have been considered as a high-risk group among road users, especially in middle- or low-income communities. This study attempted to determine the burden of pedestrians' fatalities in Fars, the southern province of Iran using years of life lost (YLL) approach.

METHODSThe data used in this study were retrieved from Fars Forensic Medicine Organization database on pedestrian traffic accidents. The YLL from 2009 to 2013 was estimated using the method presented by World Health organization. Some epidemiological characteristics of pedestrians' fatalities were analyzed by SPSS.

RESULTSAlthough YLL among 1000 male pedestrians decreased from 2.5 in 2009 to 1.5 in 2013, it increased from 0.9 to 2.1 among 1000 females during the same period. Higher proportion of death was found in female, illiterate, and married pedestrians (p < 0.001). In addition, mortality was higher in pedestrians living the cities, during daytime, at home, and in hospitals (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONConsistent with the global trends, burden of pedestrian accidents in Fars was also exceptionally high. Considering the national and cultural aspects of different countries, improving the safety of pedestrians demands a multi-dimensional approach with interventional factors concerning policies, rules, pedestrians, motor vehicles and environmental conditions taken into consideration.

PURPOSEUnsafe behaviors are an important cause of accidents in adolescent age groups. This study was designed to examine the behaviors of adolescent pedestrians in southern Iran.

METHODSThis is a descriptive analytical cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of high school students in Shiraz, capital city of Fars Province, Iran. Five hundred and sixteen students were selected by multi-stage sampling. Data were collected by the use of three questionnaires, which included Persian copies of adolescent road user behavior questionnaire (ARBQ), Duke University Religious Index (DUREL), as well as the context and independent variables questionnaire.

RESULTSThe results showed that a decrease in dangerous behaviors on the road resulted in an increase in respondents' intrinsic religiosity. Also, engagement in unsafe crossing behavior in the road decreased with increasing respondents' intrinsic religiosity. Another finding showed that female students were less involved in dangerous play and planned protective behaviors on the road.

CONCLUSIONFindings clearly indicate that intrinsic religiosity has a significant role in reducing the risky road behaviors of students. Hence, religion may improve road safety in school students' road behavior in Iran.

Objective To determine the wash resistance of Olyset