Learning Objectives in ESP Books Based on Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy

University English books as the chief source of learning English are remarkably important and investigating their content quality can lead to English learning improvement. This study investigates learning objectives in ESP books for students of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacology in IUMS. Using Bloom’s taxonomy, learning objectives reflected in ESP books for students of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacology in IUMS were investigated in this library research. The frequency of each learning level used was determined. Descriptive statistics was used to depict the findings. of all the activities following each lesson in ESP books, only %8, %23, and %14 were aiming at improving higher cognitive levels of learning. There was no balance between applications of different learning levels throughout the books. Further studies are recommended to shed light on the issue. Key Words: Learning Objectives, Bloom's Revised Taxonomy, Textboo

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil from Myrtus communis leaves

Abstract: Nosocomial pathogens are associated with increased hospital stay lengths and mortality rates. Increasing resistance to antibiotics makes the treatment of these infections more difficult. Novel antimicrobial compounds derived from natural sources may be useful for addressing antiobiotic resistance. The objective of this study is to determine the chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of essential oils from Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae) leaves against pathogens causing nosocomial infections. The chemical composition of essential oil from M. communis leaves was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil against bacteria and fungi was evaluated by broth micro-dilution as per the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) methods. GC-MS analysis revealed that the major constituents of the essential oil were α-pinene (39.2 %), 1,8-cineole (22.0 %), and linalool (18.4 %). The essential oil exhibited antimicrobial activity against all Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria with MICs in the range of 0.5-32 μL/mL and 8-64 μL/mL, respectively. MICs for the tested clinical and standard fungi were in the range of 0.03-16 μL/mL. The essential oil exhibited strong antibacterial and antifungal activities against all the causative agents of nosocomial infections examined, particularly against strains with antibiotic resistance. The essential oil from M. communis leaves is a potential source of novel antimicrobial agents for the treatment of nosocomial infections

Comparison effects of olive leaf extract and oleuropein compounds on male reproductive function in cyclophosphamide exposed mice

Spermatogenesis is a complicated process in which sperm is susceptible to various chemotherapy drugs such as cyclophosphamide (CP). As olive leaf extract (OLE) and its active ingredient, oleuropein, have variousantioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of OLE and oleuropein on male reproductive function focusing antioxidative effects and histological modifications in the testes of CP-exposed mice. In order to do this, 80 NMRI male mice were divided into eight groups including control group, group received CP, group received OLE, group received oleuropein, group received OLE following CP exposure, group received oleuropein following CP exposure, group received OLE plus oleuropein and group received OLE plus oleuropein following CP exposure. In all groups CP (single dose of 100 mg/kg (, OLE (100 mg/kg for consequence 28 days) and oleuropein (100 mg/kg for consequence 28 days) were injected intraperitoneally. Moreover, testis histology, sperm parameters and serum levels of LH, FSH, MDA and antioxidant capacity were investigated. Results showed that CP caused oxidative state and abnormal changes in sperms and testes. Besides, treatments with oleuropein and OLE led to mitigate the harmful effects of CP on the male reproductive system. In conclusion, our findings showed that olive's compounds can diminish the hazardous effects of CP on spermatogenesis in mice. Keywords: Spermatogenesis, Olive leaf extract, CyclophosphamideMice, Oleuropein, Cell biology, Plant biology, Pharmaceutical science, Pathophysiology, Laboratory medicin

Comparative Analysis of the Viewpoints of the Usulis and Sunni and Shi’ite Commentators on Exegesis of the Most Important Verses about the Principle of Bira’at

Analysis of the arguments for Bira’at (presumption of innocence) -as one of the most fundamental principles among Shi’ite Usulis (the majority Twelver Shi’ite Muslim group)- is immensely important; and some Usulis have made reference to the verses in the Qur’an to prove this presumption. This article aims to mention the most important Qur'anic verses on the principle of Bira’at such as Surah al-Isra: 15, Surah at-Talaq: 7, Surah al-Anfal: 42; and then to compare the Usulis and Shi’ite and Sunni commentators’ viewpoints in order to determine their commonalities and differences. The Usulis have two perspectives on the given verses. One perspective denotes that those verses imply presumption of innocence and another does not so. Given the first verse (Surah al-Isra: 15), Sunni exegeses mostly point to the difference between religious and rational Bira’at. Moreover, in Twelver exegeses there are perspectives like those of Usulis. Shi’ite and Sunni commentators perceive the second verse (Surah at-Talaq:7) as the negation of unbearable duty from God, and have pointed to some instances of unbearable duties such as Infaq (charity) more than one can afford, insight without having its requirement and so on. These exegeses are compatible with the interpretation of the verse denoting ban on every unbearable duty. Many commentators of both denominations have interpreted the third verse (al-Anfal: 41) with regard to its occasion of revelation (asbab al-Nuzul). Usuli verses have undergone changes and transformations through history. Since Sunni and Shi’ite commentators as well as Usuli scholars in both Islamic jurisprudent denominations have much commonality on the given verses, so comparative analysis of their views can contribute to the convergence and affinity between Fiqh principles and exegesis

Effect of Laser Irradiance and Fluoride Varnish on Demineralization around Dental Composite Restorations

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the effects of CO2 and erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) lasers with and without fluoride varnish on demineralization around composite restorations.Methods: This in vitro experimental study evaluated 96 extracted human premolars. After preparation and restoration of class V cavities in the buccal surface of the teeth with composite resin, they were randomly divided into 8 groups of control, CO2 laser (L1), CO2 laser-NaF (L1F), NaF-CO2 laser (FL1), Er:YAG laser (L2), Er:YAG laser-NaF (L2F), NaF-Er:YAG laser (FL2) and NaF (F). The entire surface of the teeth, except for the restored cavity in the buccal surface and 1 mm around the margin, was coated with two layers of nail varnish. The teeth then underwent pH cycling for 10 days (3 hours in demineralizing solution and 21 hours in remineralizing solution) to artificially induce demineralization. The amount of calcium and phosphorous released into the cariogenic solution was quantified using atomic absorption spectroscopy and spectrophotometry. The Vickers hardness tester was used to measure the hardness of the tooth structure adjacent to composite restoration. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test.Results: The four groups of L1F, FL1, FL2 and L2F showed minimum loss of calcium and phosphorous ions, and the mean hardness of FL1 and FL2 groups was higher than that of other groups.Conclusion: The CO2 and Er:YAG lasers alone have no significant effect on the resistance of tooth structure to cariogenic solution. However, they can exert a synergistic effect when used along with NaF varnish. Fluoride varnish applied prior to laser irradiation confers further resistance to the tooth structure and positively affects its hardness

Comparison of Two-‏Bag ‎ and Three-‏Bag ‎ N-acetyl cysteine Treatment ‏Protocols in Acute Acetaminophen Poisoning: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Acetaminophen poisoning is a major medical challenge requiring effective interventions. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a commonly used antidote. While the FDA has approved the three-bag method, some sources suggest that the two-stage treatment offers comparable effectiveness in preventing liver damage, resulting in fewer adverse reactions, a lower risk of anaphylaxis, and more flexibility in timing adjustments. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and adverse effects of the two-bag and three-bag NAC prescription methods in individuals with acetaminophen poisoning. In this prospective, double-blind, quasi-experimental study, patients with paracetamol overdose who required NAC (N-acetylcysteine) treatment over a one-year period at Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran were included. The two-bag regimen consisted of a loading dose followed by a maintenance dose, while the three-bag regimen included three separate doses. Clinical parameters such as blood levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), along with demographic data (age, gender) and poisoning characteristics (ingested dose, blood acetaminophen levels, time of overdose), as well as adverse reactions to NAC, were examined. A total of 61 patients participated in the two-bag group and 49 people in the three-bag group. A significant decrease was found in AST in both groups (p < 0.05) compared to the time of arrival, and a significant decrease in ALP was seen only in the two-bag group (p = 0.007). No cases of hepatotoxicity or acute liver injury were observed. The two groups had no significant difference in the average NAC consumed and the patients' adverse reaction to NAC. The initial and discharge levels of liver enzymes ALT, AST, and ALP did not show a statistically significant difference between the two groups. The two-bag method may be a viable alternative to the traditional three-bag method, as it can ease the workload for ward nurses and has not resulted in any reported deaths

The Effect of Adjuvant Zinc Therapy on Recovery from Pneumonia in Hospitalized Children: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives. Pneumonia is one of the common mortality causes in young children. Some studies have shown beneficial effect of zinc supplements on treatment of pneumonia. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of short courses of zinc administration on recovery from this disease in hospitalized children. Methods. In a parallel Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial at Ayatollah Golpaygani Hospital in Qom, 120 children aged 3–60 months with pneumonia were randomly assigned 1 : 1 to receive zinc or placebo (5 mL every 12 hours) along with the common antibiotic treatments until discharge. Primary outcome was recovery from pneumonia which included the incidence and resolving clinical symptoms and duration of hospitalization. Results. The difference between two groups in all clinical symptoms at admittance and the variables affecting the disease such as age and sex were not statistically significant (P<0.05) at baseline. Compared to the placebo group, the treatment group showed a statistically significant decrease in duration of clinical symptoms (P=0.044) and hospitalization (P=0.004). Conclusions. Supplemental administration of zinc can expedite the healing process and results in faster resolution of clinical symptoms in children with pneumonia. In general, zinc administration, along with common antibiotic treatments, is recommended in this group of children. It can also reduce the drug resistance caused by multiple antibiotic therapies. This trial is approved by Medical Ethic Committee of Islamic Azad University in Iran (ID Number: 8579622-Q). This study is also registered in AEARCTR (The American Economic Association's Registry for Randomized Controlled Trials). This trial is registered with RCT ID: AEARCTR-0000187

Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017

Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2—to end preventable child deaths by 2030—we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends. Here we quantified, for the period 2000–2017, the subnational variation in mortality rates and number of deaths of neonates, infants and children under 5 years of age within 99 low- and middle-income countries using a geostatistical survival model. We estimated that 32% of children under 5 in these countries lived in districts that had attained rates of 25 or fewer child deaths per 1,000 live births by 2017, and that 58% of child deaths between 2000 and 2017 in these countries could have been averted in the absence of geographical inequality. This study enables the identification of high-mortality clusters, patterns of progress and geographical inequalities to inform appropriate investments and implementations that will help to improve the health of all populations

The Minimum Dataset and Inclusion Criteria for the National Trauma Registry of Iran: A Qualitative Study

Background Burden of injuries is an important public health problem, especially in developing countries. However, a national standard tool for data collection of trauma registry has not been developed in Iran yet. Objectives The present study aimed to describe the steps undertaken in the development of the minimum dataset (MDS) and define the inclusion and exclusion criteria for a case of trauma registry by the national trauma registry of Iran (NTRI). Methods The working group consists of sixteen elected expert representatives from seven established countrywide active trauma research centers. Following a structured extensive review of the literature, the working party identified the data variables that included key registry goals for pre-hospital and hospital, outcome and quality assurance information. We used data variables from three trauma registry centers: National trauma data standard questionnaire, European trauma care (UT stein version), and Sina trauma and surgery research center. Then, we performed two email surveys and three focus group discussions and adapted, modified and finally developed the optimized MDS in order to prepare the quality care registry for injured patients. Results The finalized MDS consisted of 109 data variables including demographic information (n = 24), injury information (n = 19), prehospital information (n = 26), emergency department information (n = 25), hospital procedures (n = 2), diagnosis (n = 2), injury severity (n = 3), outcomes (n = 5), financial (n = 2), and quality assurance (n = 1). For a patient sustained one or more traumatic injury in a defined diagnostic ICD-10 codes, the inclusion criteria considered as one of the followings: If the patient stayed > 24 hours in the hospital, any death after hospital arrival, any transfer from another hospital during the first 24 hours from injury. Conclusions This study presents how we developed the MDS in order to uniform data reporting in the NTRI and define our inclusion and exclusion criteria for trauma registry. Applying the MDS and the case definition in pilot studies are needed in next steps

Nationwide Prevalence of Diabetes and Prediabetes and Associated Risk Factors Among Iranian Adults: Analysis of Data from PERSIAN Cohort Study

Introduction Over the past decades prevalence of diabetes has increased in Iran and other countries. This study aimed to update the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in Iran and to determine associated sociodemographic risk factors, as well as diabetes awareness and control. Methods This is a nationally representative cross-sectional survey that included 163,770 Iranian adults aged 35-70 years, from different ethnic backgrounds, between 2014 and 2020. Diabetes was diagnosed at fasting blood sugar of >= 6.99 mmol/L (126 mg/dL), or receiving blood glucose-lowering treatment. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to detect determinants associated with prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes, as well as predictors of diabetes awareness and glycemic control. Results Sex- and age-standardized prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes was 15.0% (95% CI 12.6-17.3) and 25.4% (18.6-32.1), respectively. Among patients with diabetes, 79.6% (76.2-82.9) were aware of their diabetes. Glycemic control was achieved in 41.2% (37.5-44.8) of patients who received treatment. Older age, obesity, high waist to hip ratio (WHR), and specific ethnic background were associated with a significant risk of diabetes and prediabetes. Higher awareness of diabetes was observed in older patients, married individuals, those with high WHR, and individuals with high wealth score. Moreover, glycemic control was significantly better in women, obese individuals, those with high physical activity, educational attainment, and specific ethnic background. Conclusions The prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes is increasing at an alarming rate in Iranian adults. High proportion of uncontrolled patients require particular initiatives to be integrated in the health care system