Generic Structure of Discussion Sections in ESP Research Articles across International and Iranian Journals

Reviewing literature reveals that identifying generic structure of research articles (RAs) in different fields of study, especially ESP, has received much attention. The major purpose behind such trends of research has been raising researchers' awareness of the common conventions in writing RAs. Along with this universal trend, a lot of genre studies have been done in Iranian context; however, it seems that ESP RAs have not been paid due attention yet. Hence this study aimed at investigating the generic structure of ESP RAs in international and Iranian journals. Applying Kanoksilapatham's (2007) model to the compiled corpus, it was found that contextualizing the study (Move 1) and consolidating results (Move 2) were the obligatory moves in Discussion section of ESP RAs across international and Iranian journals. Evaluation of the findings was a new step found in international Discussion sections but absent in Iranian ones. Related discussion of these findings prepares the researchers for publishing in international and Iranian ESP journals.Keywords: ESP, Discussion section, Move, Step, Author presence, Generic structur

Evaluation of offspring sex ratio, sex hormones and antioxidant enzymes following exposure to methyl tertiary butyl ether in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats

Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is an oxygenated fuel additive which has been used widely in many parts of the world. This experiment was performed to determine the effect of MTBE on offspring sex ratio, sex hormones and antioxidant enzymes. A total of 20 adult Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into four groups and received 0, 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg/day MTBE by gavages for 30 consecutive days. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken for determination of sex hormones and antioxidant enzymes. Then, male rats were mated with healthy unexposed female rats and sex of offspring was determined after birth. Sex ratio was 0.48, 0.50, 0.43 and 0.50 in 0, 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg/day MTBE groups, respectively (P = 0.91). There was significant decreasing trend for luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone in experimental groups (rs = -0.50, P = 0.030 and rs = -0.67, P = 0.002, respectively). No changes were observed for superoxide dismutase. However, decrease in glutathione peroxidase (GPX) was observed in all treatment groups compared with control which was significant in 400 mg/kg/day MTBE group (P = 0.016). The present study showed that paternal exposure to oral MTBE has no effect on offspring sex ratio; while, MTBE exposure could exert dose-dependent changes in serum testosterone and LH in treatment groups. The results of the present study, need to be clarified in the future studies

The efficacy of recombinant versus urinary HCG in ART outcome

Background: Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) has been used as a replacement for the mid-cycle luteinizing hormone (LH) surge for several years. The recent arrival of recombinant DNA technology has made recombinant HCG (rHCG) accessible. Objective: To assess efficacy of rHCG compared to urinary HCG (uHCG) for triggering of ovulation and induction of final oocyte maturation in assisted reproductive cycles. Materials and Methods: 200 patients who were candidate for ICSI were randomly divided in two groups. In group I (rHCG), patients received 250μg of rHCG for final oocyte maturation, and in group II (uHCG) the patients received 10000 IU of uHCG. Measured outcomes were number of retrieved oocyte and mature oocyte, maturation rate of oocyte, fertilization rate and clinical pregnancy rate. Results: The rates of oocyte maturity were similar in both groups. Fertilization rate was similar in two groups (58.58% in rHCG group versus 60.58% in uHCG group p=0.666). The clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was similar in both group 34.0% in rHCG group versus 39% in uHCG group (p=0.310). Conclusion: We demonstrated that rHCG is as effective as uHCG, when it is used for final oocyte maturation in ICSI cycles. The numbers of retrieved oocyte and maturation rates were similar in both groups; also fertilization and clinical pregnancy rates were similar

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium and risk factors related to cryptosporidiosis in hospitalized children under 5 years of age due to diarrhea (Shahrekord-2005)

& Objective: Cryptosporidium is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite which is recently known as one of the main causes of diarrhea in children and immunocompromised cases. Majority of studies on this parasite in the last 3 decades focusing on immunocompromised cases has been reported from developed countries and no comprehensive study has evaluated the prevalence and risk factors related to cryptosporidiosis in Iran. This study aimed at investigating the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and risk factors related to ..

Psychometrics of the Persian version of the scale for assessing the autonomous work behavior of faculty members in Iran

Background: The autonomy of faculty members is vital for making the right decision in their work and professional development. Given the need and lack of appropriate tools to measure the autonomous work behavior of faculty members, the current study was conducted with the collaboration of the faculty members from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, aiming at assessing the psychometrics of the Persian version of a scale for assessing autonomous work behavior of faculty members in Iran. Methods: The Persian version of a scale developed by Evers et alwas validated in this psychometric study. A total of 480 faculty members were selected using convenience sampling. After translation and cultural adaptation, face and content validity and reliability were checked, and construct validity was calculated using confirmatory factor analysis with Lisrel factor analysis software. Results: Of the 480 study participants, 225 (46.9%) were males, and 255 (53.1%) were females. The mean age of the subjects was 37.39±7.58 years. The majority (360; 75%) had the rank of assistant professor, and 360 (75%) had less than 15 years of work experience. Content validity among 20 experts was 0.88. Confirmatory factor analysis for all 25 items loaded across four factors, and this four-factor scale showed a good fit in the Iranian community. Reliability using Cronbach’s alpha was calculated at 0.85, and 0.9 using the test-retest method. Conclusion: The Persian version of this scale has good validity and reliability in Iran and is a useful tool for assessing the autonomous work behavior of faculty members that educational administrators can use

Evaluation of Suitable Connection Point of Skin Probe for Temperature Control in Premature Infants under Radiant Heating Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Background and Objectives: Placement of skin heat probe for continuous monitoring of infant body temperature is one of the main components of neonatal care. Therefore, managing the body temperature of newborns under radiation warmers requires a lot of attention from nurses to prevent unwanted complications. The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate connection point of skin probe for temperature control in premature infants under radiant heating admitted to neonatal intensive care units in Hamadan in 2020. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 140 infants aged 34 to 37 weeks admitted to neonatal intensive care units in Hamadan in 2020 who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study by available methods. The incubator temperature was set at 37 degrees and it was the same for all infants. For each infant, the probe was attached to the forehead, chest between the ribs, right axillar, arms adjacent to the nipple, right armpit, back of the legs, and upper thigh, respectively. The baby's temperature displayed on the digital warmer screen was recorded two minutes later. A researcher-made checklist was used to record the data and the data were analyzed using t-test and Paired t-test. Results: The correlation between left and right axillary was highest, meaning that the best location for the incubator thermometer probe, after the left axillary is the right axillary (r = 0.91, P = 0.001). Conclusions: The most suitable place for connecting skin probe for temperature control after left axillary, is the right axillary

Optic Neuropathy following Botulinum Toxin Injection into the Medial Rectus Muscle for Diplopia

Purpose: To report a case of optic neuropathy (ON) following botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection into the medial rectus muscle. Case Report: We describe a 37-year-old man with unilateral ON after a BTA injection into the left medial rectus for treatment of traumatic sixth nerve palsy. Oral prednisolone was prescribed for 14 days. After two weeks, his visual acuity returned to 20/20. Conclusion: Botulinum toxin-induced neuropathy is a rare and vision-threatening complication of BTA. In patients with recent injection of BTA who present with visual complaints, botulinum toxin-induced neuropathy should be considered

Sublethal effect of nanosilver on the structure of gill of Caspian roach (Rutilus rutilus caspicus) fingerlings

Widespread use of nanosilver can be led the contamination of aquatic environment and impact on living organisms such as fishes. We investigated histopathological changes in the gills tissue of Caspian roach fingerlings after two weeks exposure to sublethal concentrations of nanosilver. Following one and two weeks exposure, necrosis, shortening of secondary lamellae, edema, destruction of epithelial lamella, shortening of secondary lamellae, epithelial lifting and curling of secondary lamellae were observed in gill tissues. This observation showed that exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of nanosilver is caused damages in the gill tissues of Caspian roach. The results demonstrated direct correlation of gill tissue damage and toxin exposure i.e. increasing nanosilver concentration is caused more tissue damage. Hence, histopathological changes of gill can considered as a proper indicator for nanosilver contamination of aquatic environments