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Background: Most of our current understanding of the biological effects of exposure to ionising radiation is based on conventional cytogenetic techniques, which enable us to determine the relationship between chromosomal aberration and dose received by radiation workers. However, conventional techniques have numerous limitations and chromosomal aberrations can be easily missed. Since FISH plays an important role in detecting chromosomal changes, this method was used to reassess data derived from previous studies employing conventional techniques.

Materials and Methods: Two groups of radiographers were the subject of a study on conventional chromosomal aberration and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) for translocation. The first group was chosen following an accidental contamination incident in a nuclear medicine department. The second group was composed of six radiographers working in an X-ray department with a previous record of overdose as recorded by film-badges these workers had been the subjects of a previous chromosomal study. Coded blood samples from 11 radiographers and 11 controls were analysed for chromosomal aberration and by FISH for translocation. 200 metaphases from the peripheral blood lymphocytes per subject were analysed to investigate possible frequencies of chromosome and chromatid type aberration and 2000 metaphases per subject were scored in FISH method.

Results: There was no significant difference between the radiographers and the control groups in conventional analysis also there was no significant difference at the 95% level of confidence in FISH analysis. There was no correlation between levels of translocation and total lifetime doses from occupational (according film-badge and TLD) and/or background irradiation.

Conclusion: The overall conclusion is that the frequency of chromosomal damage in both groups of radiographers did not exceed that of the control group. Iran . J. Radiat. Res., 2004 1(4): 195-198

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Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a safe modality and useful in characterizing normal and abnormal bone marrow (BM). MRI also presents a more global view of BM than biopsy therefore, it may provide a better understanding of hematologic disorders. The purpose of this study was to monitor radiation-induced alterations of BM in acute phase of irradiation (1-10 day after total body irradiation (TBI)) with conventional MRI.

Materials and Methods: Twelve New Zealand adult male white rabbits (10 for TBI and 2 as controls) were irradiated to 6 Gy gamma rays. MRI was performed for each rabbit femoral
marrow and marginal muscles around femur region (as internal control) using T1- weighted (W) and SPIR (TR/TE 631/15) techniques before and after (24h, 48h, 72h, 5d, 10d) post TBI.

Results: The results were expressed as MR signal ratio (mean MR signal of femur/mean MR signal of muscle). The BM MR –signal intensity (SI) values were subsequently compared to the histologic values of BM cellularity, edema and hemorrhage. Values of T1-SI of BM for 1 to 5 days after irradiation was smaller than those the values for before irradiation data (P < 0.006). SPIR-SI values of BM in 3, 5 and 10 days were less than values for before irradiation
(P < 0.001). Since SI depends to edema and hemorrhage the high correlation between cellularity and T1-SI (r = 0.725, P = 0.018) or SPIR-SI(r = 0.814, P = 0.004) was not found.

Conclusion: This study indicated that radiation-induced modification of BM-SI is tightly linked to the parameters like decline of all hematopoietic cell lines, edema and hemorrhage. It was
concluded that MRI can distinguish normal from irradiated BM so that radiation-induced
alterations in BM could be assessed with MRI. Iran . J. Radiat. Res., 2004 2 (3): 117-126

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Background: Study of vascular and its secretory profile changes is an important issue in pathogenesis of radiation myelopathy. This paper reports the prostacyclin concentration changes after low-moderate doses of X-irradiation within a short period of time. Materials and Methods: Cervical cords of Wistar rats were irradiated to doses of 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 Gy X-rays. After 24 hours, 2 and 13 weeks post-irradiation, prostacyclin contents were quantified and cords specimens were also stained routinely for histological studies. Results: Twenty four hours post-irradiation, showed a decrease in the content of prostacyclin after doses of 0.5 and 1 Gy 91.67±1.47% 96.80±2.17% of respectively age-matched control group. After 2 weeks the concentration of prostacyclin showed significant decreases after 6 Gy. After 13 weeks irradiation shows marked differences even after a small dose of 2 Gy (p<0.001), and after doses of the low dose group. The differences between concentration values at doses of 4 Gy and 6 Gy were significant in comparison with the control (p<0.001 and p<0.002, respectively). Conclusion: Results suggested that the response of the vascular tissues to low and moderate doses of radiation occurs prior to that of the nervous tissue of the spinal cord. It means that the asymptomatic interval after radiation is characterized by sequential physiological changes which are imperfectly reflected in routine histological study and that even in the histologically unaffected spinal cord severe impairment is present in substructures and biochemistry of irradiated spinal cord.

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Background: This study was carried out to observe the radioprotective effects of Rosemarinus officinalis leaves extract (ROE) against radiation-induced histopathological alterations in liver of mice. Materials and Methods: Adult Swiss albino mice were exposed to 6 Gy gamma radiation in the presence (experimental) or absence (control) of ROE to study the qualitative and quantitative alterations in the liver. Results: Normal hepatocyte counts were found to be declined up to day 10th post-irradiation in both the groups but thereafter such cells increased reaching to near normal level at the last autopsy interval, only in experimental group. Contrary, frequency of abnormal hepatocytes increased up to day 10th after irradiation in both the groups. Binucleate hepatic cells showed a biphasic mode of elevation after irradiation, first at 12 hrs and second on day 10th in control group whereas in experimental group, the elevation was comparatively less marked and even the second peak was not evident. Irradiation of animals resulted in an elevation in lipid peroxidation (LPx) and a significant decrease in glutathione (GSH) concentration in liver as well as in blood. Conversely, experimental group showed a significant decline in LPx and an elevation in GSH concentration. Conclusion: These results indicate that Rosemarinus officinalis leaves extract (ROE) is able to protect the liver of Swiss albino mice against radiation induced histopathological alterations. Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2007 4 (4): 161- 168

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Background: From the time immemorial man has been exposed to ionizing radiation from the environment in which he lives. Radiation protection concepts and philosophy have been evolving over the past several decades. Materials and Methods: The radioprotective of effect of Aloe vera leaf extract (1000 mg /kg b.wt. orally for 15 consecutive days) has been studied against 6 Gy of gamma radiation in the intestine of Swiss albino mice at various post - irradiation intervals viz. 12 hrs, 24 hrs. and 3, 5, 10, 20 and 30 days. Results: Crypt survival, villus length, apoptic cells, mitotic figures and goblet cells in jejunum were studied after irradiation. Irradiaton produced a significant decrease in crypt survival, mitotic figures and villus length whereas goblet and apoptic cells showed a significant increase from sham irradiated animals. The major changes were observed on day 3 after irradiation. AVE pre-treated irradiated animals resulted in a significant increase in the number of crypt cells, mitotic figures and villus length whereas the counts of apoptic and goblet cells showed a significant decrease from respective control group at all the autopsy intervals. Irradiated animals resulted in the elevation in lipid peroxidation and a reduction in glutathione acitivity. On contrary, AVE treatment before irradiation caused a significant depletion in lipid peroxidation and elevation in glutathione activity. Conclusion: The present study suggests the possible radioprotective ability of Aloe vera leaf extract.

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Background: Total Body Irradiation (TBI) is different from standard radiotherapy in many aspects, so it is not easy to predict the delivered dose to the patient under TBI treatment. Diode dosimetry procedures for surface dose reading can help to define variations of the actually delivered dose from the prescribed one. The aim of this study was to describe the measurements made to calibrate diodes in order to implement as a dosimeter for TBI tratment. An algorithm was also proposed based on diode dosimetry in order to determine the midplane dose. Materials and Methods: In this study, four p-type diodes connected to a MULTIDOSE electrometer were implemented as dosimeter. For diode calibration a water phantom with dimension of 30×30×32cm3 along with a 0.6 cc Farmer ion chamber were used. Directional dependence of diodes, the effects of thickness correction factor and complete backscatter factor were studied. Three algorithms, arithmetic, geometric mean and proposed algorithm were used to investigate midplane dose determination in TBI condition. Results: It was found by measurements that the effect of angle incident on diode response was significant and should have been taken into account. Variation in thickness correction factor was found about 0.7%. The accuracy in midplane dose determination in the arithmetic, geometric mean and proposed algorithm was about 3.8, 12.5 and 3.3%, respectively. Conclusion: Diode dosimetry is very useful as a check of midplane dose delivered to patients under TBI treatment. When the calibration and correction factors are carefully determined, high precision can be obtained. The proposed algorithm by this study seems to be useful in order to midplane dose determination in TBI condition. Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2008 6 (1): 43-50

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Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the radioprotective capacity of some novel aminoalkylated dithiocarbamic acid potassium salts against γ-irradiation in mice. Materials and Methods: Eight compounds containing 2-aminoethyl-, 3- aminopropyl-, 4-aminobutyl-, 5-aminopentyl-, 6- aminohexyl-, 7-aminoheptyl-, 8-aminooctyl and 9- aminononyl of dithiocarbamate derivatives were prepared. Male NMRI mice were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with a geometric progression of doses (300 -1000 mg/kg), through the dose response range for lethal toxicity. To evaluate the radioprotecive activity, one-half of the toxic LD50 of each compound were injected IP to groups of twenty mice, 30 minutes prior to γ-irradiation. The treated animals were kept for 30 days, and the lethality was recorded each day. Results: Among Eight compounds of alkyl dithiocarbamic acid derivatives, 5-aminopentyl, 7-aminoheptyl, 8-aminooctyl and 9-aminononyl dithiocarbamic acid mono potassium salts are new compounds. All evaluated compounds showed a concentrationdependent effect on the survival in mice. The LD50 values were found to be more than 599 mg/kg. The percentages of 30-day survival of mice for 2- aminoethyl, 7-aminoheptyl and 8-aminooctyl dithiocarbamic acid derivatives were 7%, 40% and 13.5%, respectively, when injected 30 minutes before γ- irradiation. Other compounds had no radioprotective effects. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the treated and control groups for the 7-aminoheptyl derivative (p<0.05). Conclusion: Among the compounds investigated in this study, 7- aminoheptyl dithiocarbamate derivative showed more radioprotective effects in comparison with the others. Although it seems that the radioprotective effects in these derivatives correlate with the size of the alkyl chain, more experiments are required to support this hypothesis. Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2009 7 (2): 91-96

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Background: The approaches chosen for control of Outbreaks of infectious diseases in Aquatic farming industry include improvement of environmental conditions, stocking of specific pathogen free (SPF) brood stockings, and application of vaccines and immunostimulants. Despite numerous studies on the effects of Ergosan on immune system of aquatic animals, there is no data available on antioxidant activities of Ergosan. The aim of the present study was to investigate and evaluate the radical scavenging activities of Ergosan extract by DPPH (1, 1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay, and the possible effects of gamma irradiation on its assumed radical scavenging activities. Materials and Methods: Ergosan was irradiated with gamma rays (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 kGy), and their structural changes and antioxidant activities were investigated by UV absorbanceand DPPH (1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assays, respectively. Results: The gamma irradiation decreased the average pH of irradiated Ergosan, and UV spectra of irradiated product showed increase in the number of carboxyl groups and double bonds. Our results showed that 30 kGy irradiated Ergosan suspension had significant higher level of antioxidant activity in comparison with non-irradiated Ergosan (P<0.05). Also, the reducing power values of 30 and 50 kGy irradiated Ergosan were higher than that of nonirradiated (P<0.05) and the other doses of irradiation couldn’t make any significant difference in reducing power of Ergosan. Conclusion: Results indicate that the 30 kGy irradiated Ergosan might be an appropriate candidate for the use in aquatic animal diets as a natural antioxidant agent besides its immunostimulant role. Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2012 9(4): 245-249

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Background: Saffron, the dried stigmas of crocus sativus, is the world's most expensive spice which has been used as food additive and flavoring agent. The aim of the present study has been to investigate the combination effects of gamma irradiation and silver nano particles packing on the chemical properties of saffron during storage time. A combination of hurdles can ensure stability and microbial safety of foods. Materials and Methods: To investigate the combination effects, saffron samples were packed by Poly Ethylene films which were possed up to 300 ppm nano silver particles as antimicrobial agents and then irradiated in cobalt – 60 irradiator (gamma cell Model: PX30, dose rate 0.55 Gy/sec ) to 0, 1, 2 ,3 and 4 kGy at room temperature. UVspectrophotometer was used to quantify the most important components crocin, picrocrocin and safranal which were respectively responsible for color, taste and odor. Results: Statistical analysis showed that irradiation and silver nano particles films packing could increase the flavor and aroma of saffron, and the best optimum dose of irradiation was 2 kGy. Also, sensory evaluation showed no significant difference between them (P<0.05). Conclusion: Hurdle technology has been more effective than irradiation or nano-silver particles packing methods. Therefore combined method can be used for microbial decontamination of saffron with no significant differences on chemical characteristics and sensory attributes. Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2012 9(4): 265-270

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Background: Radiotherapy is an established therapeutic modality for prostate cancer. Resveratrol, a natural antioxidant, has been shown to inhibit carcinogenesis and to block the process of tumor initiation and progression. No data is available on the response of cellular spheroid to Reseveratol. In this study we have examined the effect of Resveratol on the radiation response of human prostate cell line DU145 in monolayer and spheroid cultures. Materials and Methods: Radiosensitivity was assessed using viability and colony formation assay. Apoptosis and necrosis were assessed using acridine orange/ ethidium bromide double staining. Results: The colony formation assay did not show any significant radio-sensitizing effect, but apoptosis assay showed significant radio-sensitizing effect of Resveratol on DU145 cells grown as monolayer. In the spheroid cells the results of apoptosis test were not significant and corresponded closely to the result of survival curve. Conclusion: While Resveratol could sensitize DU145 cells in monolayer to ionizing radiation, it did not have any effect on sensitivity of cells cultured in spheroid cultures. Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2012 10(3‐4): 177‐181