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Aim: In the present study, we sought to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy via increasing the cellular uptake of Fe3O4@AuNPs as radiosensitizing agents using reversible electroporation, attaining a higher sensitivity for cancer cells to therapy-induced damage. Methods: The KB human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line was treated with different concentrations of gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles. The cells then received electroporation (750[Formula: see text]V/cm, 8 pulses for a duration 100[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]s with 100[Formula: see text]ms intervals) and radiotherapy (6MV X-ray, 2[Formula: see text]Gy). Control groups were carefully considered to assess the pure effect of both single and combinational therapeutic protocols. The MTT test and flow cytometry assay using Annexin V-PI kit were performed to evaluate potential effects on cell survival rate and to determine the induced level of apoptosis. Additionally, cellular uptake of nanoparticles was assessed and quantified using ICP-OES analysis. Results: Our study showed that nanoparticles and the applied procedure of electroporation had no considerable effects when utilized separately, but their combined application induced significant cell death ([Formula: see text]45%) and apoptosis ([Formula: see text]17%). Besides, the application of Fe3O4@AuNPs in the presence of electric field, 24[Formula: see text]h before the radiotherapy of tumor cells enhanced the cancer cell death ([Formula: see text]53%) as well as apoptosis rate ([Formula: see text]33%). The same scenario was also observed with normal HGF human gingival fibroblasts, confirmed by significantly lower levels of cell death and apoptosis. Conclusion: It can be concluded that electric fields at low voltage levels may significantly and selectively enhance the entry of nanoparticles into cancer cells, thereby accentuating the sensitivity of these cells to nanoparticle-mediated radiation therapy.

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Although a long time has passed since its outbreak, there is currently no specific treatment for COVID-19, and it seems that the most appropriate strategy to combat this pandemic is to identify and isolate infected individuals. Various clinical diagnosis methods such as molecular techniques, serologic assays, and imaging techniques have been developed to identify suspected patients. Although reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) has emerged as a reference standard method for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, the high rate of false-negative results and limited supplies to meet current demand are the main shortcoming of this technique. Based on a comprehensive literature review, imaging techniques, particularly computed tomography (CT), show an acceptable level of sensitivity in the diagnosis and follow-up of COVID-19. Indeed, because lung infection or pneumonia is a common complication of COVID-19, the chest CT scan can be an alternative testing method in the early diagnosis and treatment assessment of the disease. In this review, we summarize all the currently available frontline diagnostic tools for the detection of SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals and highlight the value of chest CT scan in the diagnosis, prognosis, staging, management, and follow-up of infected patients.