Research Performance in Reproductive Biomedicine: A National Scientometrics Study

Recent achievements in reproductive biomedicine have led to a revolution in infertility treatment. A comprehensive understanding of the current status of reproductive medicine is necessary for the development of a forward-looking plan by health policymakers, based on fundamental requirements. This study is a systematic review of the Scopus database to assess reproductive biomedicine publications within Iran and compared to the rest of the world from 1990 to 2020. The data were categorized by geographical distribution across five continents. National data were assessed in comparison with the world and with neighboring countries. Finally, prominent national research institutes in the field of reproductive biomedicine in Iran were identified, and their contributions to the field highlighted. Of the five continents, the highest number of publications and citations is from Europe (36% publications and 41.5% citations). Corresponding numbers for the other continents are 32 and 33% for America, and 26 and 18.4% for Asia respectively. The remaining publications and citations were from Australia (3.8 and 4.1%) and Africa (2.6 and 3.1%). In a national analysis, the highest-ranking institutes in reproductive biomedicine are in Tehran province (50.9% of all Iranian publications), Shiraz (8.8%), Yazd (7.8%), Isfahan (7.1%), and Tabriz (6.9%). More specifically, Tehran University of Medical Science (15.9%), the Royan Institute (12.2%), Shahid Beheshti Medical University (10.1%), Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences (6.9%), and Tarbiat Modares University (6.7%) account for more than 50% of all Iranian scientific publications. In recent decades, reproductive biomedical research has grown significantly in Iran. Reviewing publications in this field helps health policy decision makers to monitor the direction of research and adjust investment in the treatment of infertility. In addition, it is necessary to expand and organize inter-organizational and international collaborations to improve the research, gain the benefits of different experiences, and engage in international multicenter studies.

Development of an optimized RT-LAMP test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2

SARS-COV-2 is the causative agent of an acute respiratory syndrome called Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with a varying mortality rate from 2019 to 2022. There are several measures for control and prevention of Covid-19 including using mask, vaccine injections, as well as screening the potential cases. We aimed to design and develop a molecular method (RT-LAMP) for detecting coronavirus in biological samples that is cheaper, faster and easier than conventional molecular methods. In this study, various reaction components were explored to make the optimal combination of an RT-LAMP master mix composition. The results revealed the ability of this RT-LAMP test in specifically identifying 100 copies of mixture of N and E genes in just 30-45 min. This study demonstrated the reliable performance of the RT-LAMP method for the detection of SARS-COV-2 in biological samples. Given the significant advantages of this method compared to the gold standard qRT-PCR, it can be employed as a promising tool for the diagnosis of coronavirus as well as other pathogenic viruses.

Establishment and characterization of a PCOS and a normal human granulosa cell line

Oocyte maturation is an important phase in fertility and any disorder in this process could lead to infertility. The most common disorder during folliculogenesis is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Due to the secretive activity of granulosa cells (GCs), they play a vital role in folliculogenesis. Although scientists use various cellular and molecular methods to have a better understanding of the mechanism of these cells, some limitations still exist in GC culture such as low primary cell yield and proliferation capability. Therefore, immortalization of primary cells is an approach to overcome these limitations. In the current study, GCs were obtained from two females, one with PCOS and one with normal folliculogenesis. In the first stage, we established two human GC (hGC) lines by immortalizing them through retrovirus-mediated transfer of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and c-Myc genes. Subsequently, the normal and PCOS cell lines were characterized and were investigated for their growth features. The cell lines were also examined in terms of immortal markers of hTERT, follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), aromatase, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), estrogen, and progesterone. Our results indicated that the normal and PCOS cell lines both showed similar characteristics to GCs during the follicular stage in normal and PCOS women. The normal and PCOS cell lines demonstrate molecular mechanisms similar to that of GCs such as folliculogenesis, oogenesis, and steroidogenesis, which enable researchers to perform further investigations in future.

The Benefits of vitamin E on liver function and the hemopoietic System in thalassemia Patients

BACKGROUND

β-Thalassemic children have oxidative stress and antioxidant deficiency even without iron overload status. In these patients, tissue damage due to oxidative stress may be occurred. Also, it seems that thalassemic patients have higher levels of ALT, AST therefore, the main aim of the present study was to determine the benefits of vitamin E as an antioxidant supplements in β-Thalassemia children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This clinical trial was carried out on 45 beta-thalassemic patients undergoing occasional transfusions (24 males, 21 females), mean age 16± 8 years, admitted to Yazd and Shahid Sadoughi hospital in 2011. Fallowing three months treatment of vitaminE (vitamin E 400-600 unit/day),liver function test and hemopoitic system parameters were measured.

RESULTS

Fourty five patients with laboratory confirmation of β-Thalassemia were recruited following three months vitamin E supplementation, liver function test had higher improvement compared to hemopoitic system parameters , and also serum SGOT was significantly reduced (P-value<0.004 ).

CONCLUSION

It seems clear that treatments of β-thalassemic patients with vitamins E have benefits in promoting antioxidant status and may improve liver function test, as AST and ALT to decrease but this supplement is not effective for hemopoietic system variables.