ABSTRACT
Introduction: One of the most important criteria for assessment of research activities is the quantitative evaluation of scientific output, for which the most effective method is the assessment of indexed articles in valid databases. This study aimed at mapping the scientific output of indexed thyroid disease in the Web of Science database between 2007-2013.Materials and Methods: For the present study, we conducted an analytical survey, using a scientometric approach. The study population included all populations of scientific publications on indexed thyroid diseases in the web of science database between the years 2007-2013. Data were analyzed by Excel software, and the scientometric tool "HistCite" was used for mapping of scientific output in the region. Results: Our findings showed that from the 2294 records retrieved, 7344 authors affiliated to 1339 institutions, had published their research in 700 journals, using 6 document types. The Thyroid journal had the largest number of local and global citations. Majority of scientific productions in the Middle-East belonged to Turkey and Iran, i.e. 60.7%, 17% respectively. In the scientific map, 5 scientific clusters were developed based on TGCS and TLCS. Conclusion: According to the results, Iran, in the field of thyroid disease, Iran with a rate of 17%, ranked as the second country in the middle-east in scientific publications, a relatively low ranking with regard to the significance of thyroid disease. To increase the scientific output in Iranian universities and research facilities, precisely designed strategies are urgently needed, based on which Iranian researchers in this field can achieve top rankings with research output in the Middle-East in the near future
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Verbal memory and executive function might be disturbed in subclinical hypothyroidism. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of levothyroxine treatment on the memory quotient of Anti-TPO-Ab positive subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism
Materials and Methods: Sixty Anti-Tpo-Ab positive subjects [51 female, 9 male] with subclinical hypothyroidism with a mean age of 34 were enrolled in this randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. Subjects were randomized into two groups, i.e. the case [26 females-4 males] and the controls [25 females, 5 males] groups. Using the Weschler memory test, memory quotient was assessed at the beginning and three months after initiation of levothyroxine treatment
Results: The mean age of subjects was 34.22 +/- 10.75 y and the mean TSH level was 8.25 +/- 3.64 mIU/l. There was no difference between two groups in relation to the memory quotient at the beginning of the study [10.5.70 +/- 11.66 vs 105.87 +/- 11.49, P=0.83]. Following treatment the mean for the memory quotient rose by 9.9 +/- 8.01 in the cases and 3.23 +/- 7.63 in the controls [P=0.002]
Conclusion: In this study we observed an increase in the memory quotient after treatment with levothyroxine in individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism, demonstrating that levothyroxine treatment could be recommended to improve verbal memory and executive function in this group of subjects
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Thyroxine/therapeutic use , Memory , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Double-Blind MethodABSTRACT
The alterations of the RANKL/OPG system and the relationship between diabetes and periodontitis have been implicated in several studies. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between salivary RANKL and OPG concentration and periodontitis in patients with type 1 diabetes. Upon obtaining un-stimulated whole saliva samples from 50 volunteers including 27 type 1 diabetic patients, of whom 12 had periodontitis and 23 systemically healthy subjects, clinical periodontal measurements were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman correlations. Although lowest RANKL and OPG concentration and their relative ratio were observed in diabetic patients without periodontitis, there was no significant difference in RANKL and OPG concentration and RANKL/OPG ratio between the four groups of the study, but OPG concentration and RANKL/OPG ratio correlated positively with the duration of diabetes [p<0.05]. In comparison of the two groups of diabetic patients [with or without periodontitis], there was a significant difference in OPG concentration [p<0.05]. There was also a positive correlation between CAL and RANKL concentration [p<0.01] and RANKL/OPG ratio [p<0.05] in diabetic patients with periodontitis. Based on the limitation of the study, it seems that OPG level and OPG/RANKL ratio may serve as indicators of periodontal destruction in type 1 diabetes