EFL Learners’ Writing Accuracy: Effects of Direct and Metalinguistic Electronic Feedback

The present study investigated the effects of direct and metalinguistic electronic feedback (E-feedback) on Iranian EFL learners’ writing accuracy and attitudes toward computer assisted language learning (CALL). Twenty nine students in two intact English writing classes comprised the participants of the study.  A mixed-method design was used for data collection and analysis. In addition to the instruction provided similarly in both classes, based on random assignment, the students in one group received direct electronic corrective feedback (DECF) using Ginger software. In the other class, the students received metalinguistic electronic corrective feedback (MECF) in the form of error codes provided through Markin4 software. Results revealed that the use of E-feedback developed the learners’ writing accuracy and attitudes toward CALL. However, there were no significant differences between the final overall writing accuracy scores of the DECF and MECF groups and their gain scores. Regarding writing accuracy components (i.e., structure, vocabulary, and punctuation), although the MECF group obtained higher scores in three components, a statistically significant difference between the two groups was found only in terms of vocabulary gain scores. Finally, in the interviews, the students in both groups referred to some barriers in the implementation of CALL in their context as well as some of its merits

Exploitation of resources and cardiovascular outcomes in low-risk patients with chest pain hospitalized in coronary care units

Habibollah Saadat¹, Hossein Shiri², Zahra Salarpour², Tahereh Ashktorab² , Hamid Alavi Majd², Zahra Saadat¹, Hosein Vakili¹ 1Cardiovascular Research Center, Modarres Hospital, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran; 2Nursing School, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Background: Most patients who present to medical centers due to chest pain do not suffer from acute coronary syndromes and do not need to be hospitalized in coronary care units (CCUs). This study was done to determine exploitation of resources and cardiovascular outcomes in low-risk patients with chest pain hospitalized in CCUs of educational hospitals affiliated with a major medical university. Methods: Over a 4-month period, 550 patients with chest pain who were hospitalized in the CCUs belonging to six hospitals affiliated to the authors' medical university were recruited by census method. Using Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction risk score, 95 patients (17.27%) were categorized as low-risk patients. This group was evaluated with respect to demographics, bed occupancy rate, mean hospitalization period, expenses during admission, and cardiovascular outcomes in the 30-day period postdischarge. Results: Mean (± standard deviation) hospitalization duration was 3.04 (±0.71) days. No significant difference was seen between the six surveyed hospitals regarding hospitalization duration (P = 0.602). The highest bed occupancy rate was seen in Taleghani and Shohada Tajrish hospitals and the lowest was in Modarres Hospital. The mean paid treatment expenses by low-risk patients was IRR 2,050,000 (US$205). Mean total hospitalization expenses was US$205. No significant difference was seen between the six surveyed hospitals (P = 0.699). Of the patients studied, 89.5% did not show any cardiovascular complications in 1 month and no deaths occurred. Conclusion: Given the high bed-occupancy rate by low-risk patients, associated high hospitalization costs, and the lack of cardiovascular complications in patients observed at 1-month follow-up after discharge, it is recommended that appropriate evaluations be performed in emergency units to prevent unnecessary admissions. Keywords: bed occupancy, hospitalization expenses, low-risk patients, chest pain, exploitation of resource

Adherence to Antihypertensives in Patients With Comorbid Condition.

BackgroundComorbidity has been noted as a potential barrier to proper adherence to antihypertensive medications.ObjectivesWe decided to investigate whether comorbidity could significantly affect adherence of Iranian patients with hypertension to their medication regimen.Patients and methodsTwo hundred and eighty consecutive hypertensive patients were interviewed in 4 cities of Iran. The 8-item Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS-8) (validated in Persian) was used to assess medication adherence. This scale determines adherence by scores as lower than 6 (low adherence), 6 or 7 (moderate adherence), and 8 (high adherence). Comorbidity was considered as any concomitant medical condition, which necessitates the patient to take medicine for a minimum of 6 months prior to the interviews.ResultsThe most common comorbid conditions were ischemic heart disease (65 patients, 23.2%), diabetes mellitus (55 patients, 19.6%), and dyslipidemia (51 patients, 18.2%). Mean (± SD) MMAS-8 score in comorbid group was 5.68 (± 1.85) and in non-comorbid hypertensive patients, it was 5.83 (± 1.91) (P = 0.631). Mean (± SD) number of comorbidities was 1.53 (± 0.75) in low adherence group compared to 1.54 (± 0.77) in moderate/high adherers (P = 0.98). With increasing the number of comorbid diseases, the proportion of patients with high adherence decreased successively from 20% in those with no comorbid disease to 14.1% in those with one or two comorbid conditions, and finally 11.1% in those with 3 to 5 comorbid conditions.ConclusionsWith increasing the number of comorbid conditions, the proportion of patients with high adherence decreases. In our opinion, this finding is a useful clinical note for healthcare providers when managing patients with hypertension who have other medical problems at the same time

Genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) and susceptibility to pre-eclampsia

The objective of the present hospital-based case-control study was to assess the association between glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to pre-eclampsia (PE) in Shiraz (Fars province, southern Iran). A total of 200 healthy pregnant women and 151 pre-eclamptic women were included. The healthy control group was frequency matched with the age of the pre-eclamptic women. Control women had neither PE in current pregnancy nor history of pregnancies with PE previously. The genotypes of GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms were determined using a PCR-based method. Neither GSTM1 null genotype (OR=1.07, 95 % CI: 0.70-1.64, P=0.736) nor GSTT1 null genotype (OR=0.73, 95 % CI: 0.44-1.21, P=0.233) was associated with risk of PE. Association between combination genotypes and risk of PE was not significant. When family history was entered as a covariate in analysis, adjusted ORs revealed that neither GSTM1 nor GSTT1 polymorphisms was associated with risk of PE. For meta-analysis, we identified 5 eligible studies, including 1217 subjects (515 patients, and 702 healthy controls) in relation to the study polymorphisms and risk of PE. Our present meta-analysis indicated that there neither GSTM1 (OR=0.99, 95 % CI: 0.78-1.25, P=0.955) nor GSTT1 polymorphisms (OR=0.85, 95 % CI: 0.66-1.10, P=0.223) was associated with susceptibility to PE. Taken together it seems that the polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 are not risk factors for PE. Further investigations adjusting for confounding factors are needed to confirm the present findings

Effect of laser heat treatment on Pull-out bond strength of fiber posts treated with different silanes

This study evaluated the effect of three different silanes and post-silanization treatments on the retentive strength of fiber posts luted with an etch-and-rinse resin cement. One hundred intact maxillary central incisors were randomly divided into 10 groups after endodontic treatment and post space preparation (n=10). The fiber posts were etched using 24% hydrogen peroxide. Posts of the control group did not receive silane. In nine experimental groups, each of the three silanes used, Scotchbond Universal adhesive, Bis-Silane and Porcelain Primer, was subjected to three treatments: air-drying at 25°C, warm air-drying and CO2 laser heat treatment. After cementation of the treated posts using One-Step Plus/Duo-Link cement, the specimens were stored for one weak and then subjected to pull-out bond strength (PBS) testing. The data in Newton (N) were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (?=0.05). PBS was significantly affected by silane type and post-silanization treatment (p<0.001). The interaction of the two factors was not statistically significant (p=0.15). The effect of Porcelain Primer on PBS was significantly higher than those of universal adhesive (p<0.001) and Bis-Silane (p=0.01), with similar results for the two latter. Warm air-drying and laser treatment significantly increased PBS (p<0.001). The lowest and highest PBS was obtained in the control (no silane) group (190.9±31) and laser-treated/ Porcelain Primer group (377.1±50), respectively. Warm air-drying and CO2 laser heat treatment had a significantly beneficial effect on retentive strength of fiber posts. Porcelain Primer was significantly more effective than universal adhesive and Bis-Silane

Is Current Fragile X Syndrome Counseling Enough? Expanding the Clinical Phenotype of Fragile X in Premutation And Intermediate Allele Carriers

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by a triplet repeat expansion on the FMR1 gene. Individuals with \u3e200 repeats have FXS, while individuals between 45-54 and 55- 200 repeats have the FMR1 intermediate allele and premutation, respectively. FXS is characterized by autism and intellectual disability while the premutation is associated with fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI). However, recent research shows that the premutation may be associated with psychiatric manifestations. Currently, there are no established clinical features associated with the intermediate allele. This study sought to 1) study knowledge regarding FXTAS, FXPOI, as well as the potential for psychiatric manifestations in individuals with the premutation; 2) study which features, if any, intermediate allele carriers exhibit, and 3) learn which resources are most helpful for FXS. Participants were recruited through online Facebook groups and completed one of two surveys. Results showed that 1) individuals in both groups overestimated their chances for FXS-related disorders; 2) significantly more individuals with the intermediate allele experienced depression/anxiety than expected; and 3) the most helpful resources for learning about FXS were internet websites and conversations with health providers and other individuals with the FMR1 premutation. These findings reveal that genetic counselors should place more emphasis on the genetics of FXS and its associated phenotypes to both groups and offer both traditional sources of support as well as referral to Facebook groups to facilitate conversations with others in similar situation

Comparison of Face to Face vs. Group Training on Self-pulse Rate taking Ability of Patients

Introduction: Determining the rate and regularity of peripheral arterial pulses has a major role in assessing the clinical status of patients with cardiovascular disorders. We compared two training methods on the ability of patients to take their radial pulse rate accurately.Methods: Three-hundred patients were randomly divided into two arms. One arm received individual face-to-face training and the other arm received group training via displaying an animation movie. Immediately after the training and then after 48 hours, the patients were tested by a nurse to find out whether they have learned the correct technique of taking radial pulse rate or not.Results: Immediately after the intervention, 84.9% in face-to-face arm and 81.8% in group training arm were able to correctly count their radial pulse rate (P = 0.536). After 48 hours, 71.7% in face-to-face and 60.8% in group training arm were able to correctly count their radial pulse rate (P = 0.051).Conclusions: Both methods were effective to improve the ability of the patients to count their radial pulse rate correctly though face-to-face method was marginally superior to group training

Is It Time to Review our Educational Program for the Electrocardiography Operators?

No abstract available

GENETIC POLYMORPHISMS OF GLUTATHIONE S-TRANSFERASE M1 (GSTM1) AND T1 (GSTT1) AND SUSCEPTIBILITY TO PRE- ECLAMPSIA: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY AND A META-ANALYSIS

ABSTRACT The objective of the present hospital-based case-control study was to assess the association between glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to pre-eclampsia (PE) in Shiraz (Fars province, southern Iran). A total of 200 healthy pregnant women and 151 pre-eclamptic women were included. The healthy control group was frequency matched with the age of the pre-eclamptic women. Control women had neither PE in current pregnancy nor history of pregnancies with PE previously. The genotypes of GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms were determined using a PCR-based method. Neither GSTM1 null genotype (OR=1.07, 95 % CI: 0.70-1.64, P=0.736) nor GSTT1 null genotype (OR=0.73, 95 % CI: 0.44-1.21, P=0.233) was associated with risk of PE. Association between combination genotypes and risk of PE was not significant. When family history was entered as a covariate in analysis, adjusted ORs revealed that neither GSTM1 nor GSTT1 polymorphisms was associated with risk of PE. For meta-analysis, we identified 5 eligible studies, including 1217 subjects (515 patients, and 702 healthy controls) in relation to the study polymorphisms and risk of PE. Our present meta-analysis indicated that there neither GSTM1 (OR=0.99, 95 % CI: 0.78-1.25, P=0.955) nor GSTT1 polymorphisms (OR=0.85, 95 % CI: 0.66-1.10, P=0.223) was associated with susceptibility to PE. Taken together it seems that the polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 are not risk factors for PE. Further investigations adjusting for confounding factors are needed to confirm the present findings