Trend of knowledge production of research centers in the field of medical sciences in Iran

Establishment of medical research centers at universities and health-related organizations and annually evaluation of their research activities was one of the strategic policies which followed by governmental organization in last decade in order to strengthening the connections between health research system and health system. The aim of this study is to scrutinize the role of medical research centers in medical science production in Iran. This study is a cross sectional which has been performed based on existing reports on national scientometrics and evaluation results of research performance of medical research centers between years 2001 to 2010. During last decade number of medical research centers increased from 53 in 2001 to 359 in 2010. Simultaneous scientific output of medical research centers has been increased especially articles indexed in ISI [web of science]. Proper policy implementation in the field of health research system during last decades led to improving capacity building and growth knowledge production of medical science in recent years in Iran. The process embedding research into the health systems requires planning up until research products improves health outcomes and health equity in country

analysis of health research system evaluation in medical sciences universities

Based on Iran by 2025 defined vision, we must to receive the first grade of science position in south western Asian region. Thus we need to have a comprehensive evaluation program. A comprehensive WHO Health Research System Analysis [HRSA]- based evaluation system was developed to evaluate the HRS in Iran. This article has explored the results of the five-year evaluation [2003-2008] and aims to introduce this method to other developing countries. Here we explore the results of research performance evaluation from 2002 to 2010 and by comparing the results with previous available information, we reveal the probable role of this method in research promotion and proposed approach to facilitate and expedite achieving the prospects for goals of health research based on the visions of Iran by 2025. All of the indicators of stewardship and capacity building axes are received to their predefined levels. Moreover all of the medical science university research policies are based on their strategic plannings which are extracted from national visions of Iran by 2025. Most of the predefined goals in knowledge production domain had a significant grow trend but for more growth for commitments they should be closely follow. We developed an HRS-based comprehensive evaluation program to our national vision as well as our regional and international research competition

evaluation of international relationship role in promotion of health system research

Regarding the need for scientific development and achievement our national goals, it is clear that international cooperation has the main role in this way. Here is a report on what we have done during past almost 10 years [2001-2011] in the field of international medical research activities in Deputy Ministry for Research and Technology, Ministry of Health, Iran. Our effort was focused to identify and contact with the prominent scientific centers among the world where could make a connection between our researchers in medical science universities with those centers

Health research evaluation and its role on knowledge production

Knowledge production and evaluation are two important functions of health research system [HRS]. In this article, we aimed to reveal the correlation between evaluation of health research organizations and health knowledge production promotion. A comprehensive evaluation system was developed to evaluate the academic performance of national medical science universities on an annual basis. It assess following domains; stewardship, capacity building and knowledge production. Measurable indicators for each domain were assigned, a 'research profile' for each department was provided. In this study, we compared the results of annually national Health Research System evaluation findings during 2005-2008. The number of scientific articles has been increased from 4672 to 8816 during 2005 to 2008. It is mentionable that, the number of articles which has been published in indexed data bases has risen too. This fact could be related to directed policy for more international publication of scientific articles from Iran. The proportion of total articles to the number of academic members was 1.14 in 2008, comparing to 0.84 in 2005. It means that this proportion have increased about twice [0.7 Vs 0.45] during mentioned time. Moreover, other scientific products such as authored books based on domestic researches and cited articles in textbooks have increased according to special attention to knowledge production by policy makers. We conclude that Health System Research evaluation could be used as a mean for implementing policies and promoting knowledge production

Correlation between nitrogen fixation rate and alginate productivity of an indigenous Azotobacter vinelandii from Iran

Azotobacter vinelandii, a gamma-proteobacterium, is an obligate aerobic free-living gramnegative soil bacterium capable of fixing nitrogen. Oxygen transfer rate into the cell is reduced by the increase of alginate concentrations during the course of A. vinelandii cultivation. This phenomenon provides a low intracellular oxygen concentration needed for nitrogenase activity. The aim of this study was to design a simple strategy to explain the alginate production, cell growth and nitrogenase activity correlation in A. vinelandii under aerobic conditions. Thirty-five different soil samples were taken from the rhizosphere of agricultural crops of Iran. Enrichment and isolation strategies were employed for microbial isolation. Physiological and biochemical characteristics were determined. Molecular identification was performed using selective nifH-g1 primers. Alginate production and nitrogenase activity assay by each isolate of Azotobacter were carried out. Bacterial growth, alginate production and Nitrogenase activity were conducted by time-coursed quantitative measurements. Total of 26 isolates were selected after enrichment, isolation, and screening. The isolate was identified by molecular tests as A. vinelandii. The highest alginate productions of 1.02 g/l and 0.91g/l were noted after 4 days in 8 isolates, cell biomass of which were estimated 4.88-5.26 g/l. Six of 8 isolates were able to fix atmospheric N[2] on nitrogen-free medium. Rates obtained in isolates were in the range of 12.1 to 326.4 nmol C[2]H[4] h[-1] vial[-1]. Nitrogen fixation and alginate production yielded significant and positive Pearson's correlation coefficient of R[2] = 0.760, p tilde 0.02. Finally association between bacterial growth, alginate production and nitrogenase activity almost noticeable yielded significant and positive Pearson's correlation coefficient R2 = 0.723, p tilde 0.04.

frequency of extended spectrum beta lactamase and CTX M-I of Escherichia coli isolated from the urine tract infection of patients by phenotypic and PCR methods in the city of Khoy in Iran

The production of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases [ESBLs] by Escherichia coli is the main cause of resistance to Cephalosporins. In the past decade, CTX-M enzymes have become the most prevalent ESBLs in Europe, Canada, and Asia. In this study, the frequency of ESBL- producing E.coli and molecular detection of the CTX-M-I group was investigated. A total of 400 urine samples were collected from both hospitalized and out-patients in Khoy's hospitals between November 2009 and April 2010. Out of these samples, 188 were identified as E.coli by standard biochemical tests. The antibiotic Susceptibility tests to 10 antibiotics were performed by the-disk-agar diffusion [DAD] method. ESBL production was screened by phenotypic test that including disk diffusion agar and combined disk as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute [CLSI] Screened isolates were investigated by PCR assay for detection of CTX-M-I group genes. The results show that out of 188 E.coli isolates identified, 56 [29.8%] were producing ESBls by phenotypic test. All isolates were sensitive to imipenem. Overall, 49 [87.5%] isolates were confirmed as CTX-M-I producer by PCR. The results of this study showed that about 30% of the identified E.coli were producing ESBL Therefore, we recommend to use molecular methods in such researches

[Health research priority setting in Iran]

Priority setting is one of the most important issues in health research systems. No national health system can afford to finance all research projects proposed by researchers, especially in developing countries. Therefore, we decided to set the main national health research priorities in Iran using the Essential National Health Research [ENHR] method. All of the Iranian universities of medical sciences and other stakeholders collaborated in this study. The methodology for research priority setting was based on needs assessment and ENHR. The total number of research priorities gathered from universities of medical sciences was 6723. The proportions of topics related to basic science, applied and development subjects were 17%, 78% and 5%, respectively. Further analysis of the data showed that almost half [46.3%] of the research priorities were descriptive, 36.0% analytical, and 17.6% interventional. The research priorities were divided into 9 main areas, namely, communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases, health system research, pharmaceutical sciences and industrial pharmacy, basic science, traditional and herbal medicine, nutrition, environmental health, and dentistry. Up to now the common procedure for research priority setting has been, with a top-to-bottom approach, managed by a limited number of researchers and experts, while in the method presented in this paper a bottom-to-top approach is used, which is more effective

[ in-vitro comparison between antimicrobial activity of nanosilver and chlorhexidine against streptococus sanguis and actinomyces viscosus]

The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles has been investigated in medical fields in recent years, but its effect on dental plaque micro-organisms has not been studied. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial properties of nanosilver on two dental plaque microorganisms and to compare it with chlorhexidine. In this experimental study, antibacterial effects of silver nanoparticles and chlorhexidine against Streptococus sanguis and Actinomyces viscosus were determined by minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC] using microdilution method. Each experiment was repeated at least five times to ensure the accuracy of testing. Results showed that the MIC of soluble silver nanoparticles and chlorhexidine for Streptococcus sanguis were 16 and 256 microg/ml, respectively. Soluble silver nanoparticles had an MIC of 4 and chlorhexidine had an MIC of 64 micro g/ml for Actinomyces viscosus. The MBC of soluble silver nanoparticles and chlorhexidine for Streptococcus sanguis were 64 and 512 microg/ml, respectively and for Actinomyces viscosus these figures were 16 and 102 microg/ml, respectively. Silver nanoparticles have strong antibacterial activity against Streptococus sanguis and Actinomyces viscosus which was achieved by lower doses in comparison to chlorhexidine mouthwash

Phytobiological characteristics of Rosa hemisphaerica Herrm. extract

Roses are one of the most important groups of ornamental plants referred to as the queen of flowers and their fruits and flowers are used in a wide variety of food, nutritional products and different traditional medicines. A large diversity is expected to be found in Iranian Damask rose landraces with different biological properties. The antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxicity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Rosa hemisphaerica Herrm. were studied. Methods: The agar disc diffusion method was employed for the determination of antimicrobial activities. Total phenol contents of both extracts were estimated. Antioxidative properties of the extracts were determined by bleaching of beta carotene or 2, 20-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl [DPPH]. The Ferric-Reducing Antioxidant Power [FRAP] was expressed as gallic acid equivalents. Cytooxicity of the extracts were tested using Hela and human healthy peripheral blood cells. of various microorganisms tested, only S. aureus was found susceptible. The total phenol contents of the methanolic and aqueous extracts were 138.33 +/- 11.37and 129.67 +/- 4.51 micro g Gallic acid equivalent/mg sample respectively. DPPH scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition effects were higher than those of the synthetic antioxidants. Ferric-reducing antioxidant power [FRAP] of the methanolic and aqueous extracts were determined as 96.134 +/4.25 mg/g and 98.63 +/- 2.51 mg/g respectively. The 50% cytotoxic concentrations were found to be 0.327 mg/ml 0.177 mg/ml for Hela cells and human lymphocytes respectively. It can be concluded from the above results that R. hemisphaerica extract exhibited antimicrobial activity only against S. aureus. The extracts provided better antioxidative activity as compared with synthetic antioxidants. The extracts were toxic to the Hela cells as well as human lymphocytes. Hence, the R. hemisphaerica extract may be exploited as a natural antioxidant and health promoting agent

Effects of sub-inhibitory concentrations of essential oils of Mentha spicata and Cumminum cyminum on virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of important opportunistic pathogen, that cases serious infections. It produces many virulence factors, and this bacterium usually is resistance against antimicrobial agents. The aim of this study was evaluate the effects of sub-MICs of essential oils of Mentha spicata and Cumminum cyminum on alginate production, biofilm formation, swimming, twitching and adhesion in P. aeruginosa 8821M. Minimal inhibitory concentrations [MIC] of essential oils of Mentha spicata and Cumminum cyminum were determined by macrodilution method. Alginate production, biofilm formation, swimming, twitching and adhesion in the present of sub-MICs [1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 MIC] of essential oils were determined in mucoid P. aeruginosa 8821M and compared with controls. The MICs of essential oils against P. aeruginosa for M. spicata and C. cyminum oils were obtained 16 and 32 micro g/ml respectively. The results show that all oils at 1/2 and 1/4 MICs were significantly reduced all tested virulence factors. At 1/8 MICs, M. spicata had effect just on adhesion but C. cyminum had effect on Alginate production, biofilm formation, swimming and twitching. This study showed that sub-MIC levels of M. spicata and C. cyminum essential oils affected alginate production, biofilm formation, swimming, twitching and adhesion in P. aeruginosa 8821M and it is probable to use of these medicinal plants for treating

Phytoprevention of aflatoxin production

Consumption of mycotoxic foods is associated with several cases of human poisoning, or mycotoxicosis, sometimes resulting in death. Phytopreventive inhibition of Aspergillus parasiticus growth and its aflatoxin production by the essential oils extracted from Thymus kotschyanus Boiss and Hohen and Zataria multiflora Boiss. is reported in this study. Minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC], minimal fungicidal concentration [MFC] and fungicidal kinetics of the oils were determined and compared with each other. The oils from the above mentioned plants were found to be strongly fungicidal and inhibitory to aflatoxin production. Both oils inhibited aflatoxin B[1] [AFB[1]] production by A.parasiticus. T. kotschyanus and Z. multiflora oils at 25 ppm concentration, reduced AFB1 levels by 100% and 47.87% respectively. Aflatoxin production was significantly inhibited at lower than fungistatic concentration of both oils. The analysis of oils by GC and GC/MS led to identification of 27 and 22 components in T. kotschyanus and Z. multiflora Boiss. respectively which were very similar to each other. Prevention of fungal growth and aflatoxin production by natural compounds is recom

effect of essential oil of Matricaria chamomilla L. on biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen. The mucoid strains of P. aeruginosa produce hyperviscous substances consisting mainly of alginate which have important roles in formation of biofilm. We investigated the effect of essential oil of Matricaria chamomilla L. on biofilm production in P. aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa 8821M was used as standard strain for biofilm production. Antibacterial effects of essential oil of M. chamomilla L. [50% in DMSO] was tested by disk diffusion method. The effect of essential oil on biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa 8821M was evaluated following inoculation of bacteria in LB broth medium containing 0.5, 0.35 and 0.2 microgram/ml of oil which were incubated for 24h at 37°C. The biofilm formation was measured by Fonseca method. Bacteria inoculated and un-inoculated media without oil were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. The results showed that the essential oil did not have any antibacterial effect or reduction in biofilm formation in the presence of 0.35 and 0.2 microg/ml of oil. On the other hand, bacteria biofilm formation was significantly reduced in the presence of 0.5 microg/ml of oil in comparison with positive control. This research showed that the essential oil of Matricaria chamomilla L. had no antibacterial effect, but caused reduced biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa. Biofilm formation is an important virulence factor in mucoid strains and our results may suggest the possible use of essential oil in control of infections caused by P. aeruginosa or other related infections

[Antibiotic resistance patterns of isolated pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from infections of burned patients]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most important pathogens, particularly in immunocompromised hosts, and remains a prominent gram-negative bacterium that causes hospital-associated infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of 110 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to routine antibiotics and antibiotyping of these strains. One hundred and ten bacterial isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from 99 burned patients [Shahid Motahary Burn Hospital, Tehran, Iran, during March to April 2006] with different types of infections. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by disc diffusion method and clones of bacteria were determined by antibiotyping. Demographic data of patients were recorded too. The frequency of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to imipenem, amikacin, gentamicin, trimethoprim, tetracycline, carbenicillin, piperacillin, ceftazidime ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin were 32.1%, 47.2%, 89%, 100%, 70%, 90%, 88.1%, 91.8%, 93.6% and 77.2%, respectively. Antibiotyping showed that 110 isolates were distributed in 33 patterns, but 19 isolates were resistant to all antibiotics and 65 isolates belonged to 7 patterns of antibiotyping. Other isolates [45 isolates] created 26 patterns. The results showed that most of isolates were resistant to routine antibiotics and it is necessary to introduce urgent measures for restriction of the spread of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in Shahid Motahary Burn Hospital. It is possible that most infections were carried by special clones and it is probable that the source of these clones is environmental