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

Developing data elements for research information system in health; a starting point for systems integration

This study defines necessary data elements required for the research information system in the domain of health, and its level of accountability to national health research indicators from the experts' perspective is being explored. This qualitative study was conducted based on comparative approach using the focus group method. Data were collected through 6 semi-structured group discussions held at the Undersecretary for Research and Technology, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran. For this study, 48 researchers were selected for the group discussions. All interviews and group discussions were recorded and transcribed. The Data analysis was performed simultaneously using Strauss and Corbin method. Based on content analysis, the necessary data elements identified for the National Health Research Information System designed for all databases were the following: organizations, researchers, journals, articles, research projects and dissertations. Also, extracted from the focus group discussion were three main themes regarding data elements of these databases for the National Health Research Information System: 1] essential elements for each database 2] the system's data elements accountability to the national indicators in the domain of health research and 3] recommendations in the direction of optimizing the data. The results obtained from this study can serve as a valuable source in designing research information system in the domain of health within the country and in the region as well

[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

Molecular epizootiology of rodent leishmaniasis in a hyperendemic area of Iran

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis [ZCL] is an expanding disease and public health problem in Iran. In the current study, natural Leishmania infection rate and seasonal fluctuation of the infection in Rhombomys opimus population of a hyperendemic focus of ZCL in Iran was investigated. The study was conducted from October 2006 to October 2008 in Esfahan Province, central part of Iran. An extensive sampling of rodents using Sherman traps was done in different seasons. Nested PCR assay was used for detection and identification of Leishmania species and the results were confirmed using PCR-RFLP. Leishmania infection rate was 58.6% [34 of 58] using nested PCR. 44.8% of the gerbils were infected only with L. turanica and 1.7% with L. gerbilli alone. A mixed natural infection with L. major and L. turanica was seen in 12.1% of the rodents. L. major infection alone was not seen in R. opimus population in the study area. The highest and lowest Leishmania infection rates were observed in fall and spring respectively. L. turanica infection was observed throughout the year whereas mixed infections with L. major and L. turanica was not seen in spring. It is concluded that in the study area, L. major, L. gerbilli and L. turanica circulate in the population of R. opimus. Leishmania major infection usually accompanied by L. turanica in naturally infected gerbils with the highest rate in fall. It is recommended that the role of L. turanica in the epidemiology and transmission of ZCL be revisited

[Extra cellular superoxide dismutase activity in lung injuries due to sulfur mustard]

Pulmonary complications are known to occur in over half of the patients exposed to sulfur mustard [SM]. There is controversial regarding the role of extracellular superoxide dismutase [EC-SOD] in different airway diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between lung function and EC-SOD activity in patient with lung injuries due to SM. This was a case-control study carried out on 220 patients with lung complication due to SM in the city of Sardasht [Iran] in 2007. Spirometry was used to assess pulmonary function followed by measurement of EC-SOD activity. T test was employed to examine the differences between study groups. Pearson correlation coefficient was also used to find the possible correlation between EC-SOD activity and the lung function. The mean EC-SOD activity in control group [70.5 +/- 10.8U/L] was higher than that of moderate to severe group 67.0 +/- 6.1 U/L [p < 0.001]. There was no significant difference for mean EC-SOD activity between mild and control groups. Significant and direct association between EC-SOD activities and lung function was established [p < 0.001]. According to our findings, inactivation of EC-SOD may lead to progressive inflammation and lung injury due to sulfur mustard

[Alanin aminotransferase activity in veterans exposed to sulfur mustard]

Until now, few studies have focused on late effect of sulfur mustard on the liver; at present there is no data published on liver enzymes in sulfur mustard exposed veterans. The current study was conducted with the aim of determining alanine aminotransferase [ALT] levels in veterans exposed to sulfur mustard. In this cross-sectional study, 263 sulfur mustard exposed veterans were selected from among individuals referring to the respiratory clinic in Bagiyatallah hospital in 2005. ALT was determined in all subjects. Demographic data, exposure related variables, respiratory status and Body Mass Index [BMI] were collected. ALT over 40 unit/liter was considered as abnormal. From a total of 263 sulfur mustard exposed veterans, 43 [16.3%] patients had an elevated ALT level. Range of ALT was 3-94 with a mean [SD] of 26.43 +/- 15.22 unit/liter. ALT was correlated with the BMI [r=0.153, p=0.013]. ALT was not significantly correlated with age, grading of chemical and overall disability. Mean ALT levels in patients with BMI > 25 [28.81 +/- 15.05] were significantly higher than those with BMI less than 25 [21.93 +/- 14.58] [p=0.001]. Mean ALT level was higher in those with FEV1/FVC, in comparison to others [p<0.05]. ALT was not significantly correlated with other study variables [p>0.05]. Although any conclusion of the impact of mustard gas on ALT needs a controlled study, we mean while suggest serial measurement of the activity of this enzyme and other measures of liver status

[Body mass index in veterans exposed to chemical warfare agents with chronic bronchiolitis]

One of the leading risk factors for various diseases is obesity, a nutritional burden and an independent factor which increases mortality. Patients with chronic bronchiolitis due to mustard gas have low levels of physical activity, owing to respiratory problems, and comorbidities like psychological disorders. The aim of this study was to assess obesity in veterans exposed to chemical warfare agents. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 434 veterans exposed chemical warfare agents, admitted to the chest of clinic of Baqiyatallah Hospital during 2006 were studied. Patients were divided into three age groups as follows: 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59 years. Respiratory symptoms, including dyspnea, cough, sleep fragmentation and bloody sputum, pulmonary function and body mass index [BMI] were assessed in subjects. Mean BMI was 26.4 +/- 3.9 kg/m2 in patients, 26.3 +/- 4.1 kg/m2 in 30-39, 26.3 +/- 3.9 kg/m2 in the 40-49, and 27.1 +/- 3.9 kg/m2 in 50-59 year olds. In addition, 32.9%, 35.9%, 32.9% and 17.6% of patients had normal weight, and 54.7%, 61.3%, 64.8% and 82.4% were overweight or obese in all patients, 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59 age groups. BMI was not correlated with the severity of cough, sleep fragmentation, dyspnea, the presence of bloody sputum and respiratory volumes. The prevalence of obesity and overweight in was veterans exposed to chemical warfare agent seems to be higher than in the normal population. Given the importance of obesity, there should be more focus on balancing weight in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases; in this regard, such patients will benefit greatly from collaboration between nutritionists, endocrinologists, pulmonologists and psychologists

Clinical review of mustard lung

More than 45,000 of 100,000 exposed patients are suffering from late effects of sulfur mustard [SM] after almost 20 years post-exposure. Respiratory complications of SM exacerbate over time and are the greatest cause of long-term disability in exposed patients. A triad of cough, expectoration and dyspnea has been found to be the main symptoms among patients. Even those who had not developed acute symptoms may suffer from late respiratory complications. Pulmonary function test studies have revealed more obstructive patterns than restriction. High-resolution computed tomography [HRCT] is supposed to be the diagnostic imaging tool of choice in patients with history of SM exposure while chest x-ray may not be helpful. In contrary to earlier reports of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in these patients, HRCT and pathological studies revealed the diagnosis of bronchiolitis obliterans. Bronchodi-lators and corticosteroids are widely used to resolve respiratory symptoms of mustard lung. Macrolides and antioxidants may improve respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function. Interferon gamma could improve pulmonary function of SM exposed patients with bronchiolitis

[Effect of vitrification and slow freezing on development of bovine cumulus oocytes complex]

Cryo-preservation is a suitable method for preservation and protection of genome, cells and embryo, especially in cases of endangered species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect two cryopreservation techniques on survival, maturation, fertilization and development of bovine cumulus oocyte complex [BCOC]. After aspiration of BCOC, they were cryo-preserved using slow freezing or vitrification. For slow freezing 1.5 M DMSO + 0.1M sucrose was used, while for vitrification 40% Ethelyenglycol + 18% V/W Ficol + 3 M sucrose + 105mg/ml BSA was used. After thaw percentage survival of BCOC were assessed using trypan blue vital staining, while percentage cleavage and development to 8-cell were taken as an index for BCOC maturation, fertilization rate and embryo development, respectively. The results showed no difference between the survival rate of BCOC in slow freezing [79%] and vitrification method [74.4]. However, the percentage of 2 and 8-cell embryos were significantly higher in the vitrification group as compared to slow freezing group. Although there is no difference between the survival rates of BCOC between the two procedures, however the maturation and development of BCOC is greater in the vitrification method, suggesting that this method preferred for cryo-preservation of BCOC