Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) research articles unpacked: a systemic functional linguistics (SFL) elemental genre approach

Figures & data

Table 1. Taxonomy of report genre (Derewianka & Jones, 2016; Martin & Rose, 2008).

Elemental genre	Social purpose	Generic structure	Description of stage function
Descriptive report	To describe the features, attributes, properties, etc., of an entity	Classification ^ Description	Classification: Categorize an entity or a phenomenon Description: Describe the features, property, etc. of an entity or a phenomenon
Classifying report	To describe the sub-types of an entity, a topic or a field	Classification ^ Description	Classification: Categorize an entity or a phenomenon Description: Describe the sub-types of an entity, a phenomenon, or a topic
Compositional report	To describe an entity, a topic or a field in relation to the parts of a whole	Classification ^ Description	Classification: Categorize an entity or a phenomenon Description: Describe each of the parts that compose an entity, a topic
Comparative report	To identify the similarities and differences between two or more of things	Classification ^ Description	Classification: Categorize an entity or a phenomenon Description: Offer systematic analysis of similarities and differences

Table 2. Taxonomy of explanation genre (Derewianka & Jones, 2016; Martin & Rose, 2008).

Elemental genre	Social purpose	Generic structure	Description of stage function
Sequential explanation	To explain how something occurs or is produced–usually observable sequences of activities which take place on a regular basis	Phenomenon^ Explanation sequence	Phenomenon: Provide information about a phenomenon, things Explanation: Explain sequential activities which describe how the phenomenon emerged
Factorial explanation	To explain events for which have a number of simultaneously occurring causes	Phenomenon ^ Explanation (factor 1-n)	Phenomenon: Provide information about a phenomenon, things Explanation: Explain different factors leading to an outcome
Consequential explanation	To explain events which have a number of simultaneously occurring effects	Input ^ Consequences (effect 1-n)	Input: Identify a main cause Consequence: Elaborate the major effects of the cause
Conditional explanation	To explain alternative causes and effects as contingent on variable factors	Phenomenon ^ Explanation (conditions, circumstances)	Phenomenon: Introduce a phenomenon Explanation: Explain the effects under certain conditions
Causal explanation	To explain events why an abstract and/or not readily observable process occurs	Phenomenon ^ Explanation	Phenomenon: Provide information about a phenomenon, things Explanation: Explain the cause-effect relationship of an event or a phenomenon

Table 3. Taxonomy of argument genre (Derewianka & Jones, 2016; Martin & Rose, 2008).

Elemental genre	Social purpose	Generic structure	Description of stage function
Exposition	To elaborate and argue for a single position	Thesis ^ Argument ^ (Reiteration)	Thesis: The statement of opinion, proposal, idea, or theory to which will be argued Arguments: reasons supporting the thesis Reiteration: Restatement of the thesis
Discussion	To present and discuss more than one position on an issue	Issue ^ Sides ^ Resolution	Issue: The issue is briefly stated and the views of the thing being discussed are summed up Sides: a series of arguments from varied sides Resolution: The author decides his/her own position regarding the issue by considering the given multiple sides
Challenge	To argue against or demolish an issue	Challenged position ^ Rebuttal argument ^Antithesis	Challenged position: Foreshadow the interpretation or belief that will be debated or denied Rebuttal argument: Arrange opposing argument along with the evidence against the arguments and evidence which support the position challenged Anti-thesis: Propose an alternative interpretation

Table 4. Taxonomy of recount genre (Coffin, 2006; Lai & Wang, 2018).

Elemental genre	Social purpose	Generic structure	Description of stage function
Historical recount	To retell public events in the past	Background ^ Record of events ^ Deduction	Background: Summarize a historical event. Record of events: Chronicle the episodes (sequences) of the historical event. Deduction: Draw out the historical importance of the event.
Procedural recount	To recount in order and with accuracy the steps or methods of a scientific activity	Procedure	Procedure: Recount a method or procedure of research

Figure 1. Overall distribution of elemental genres deployed in the TCM RAs.

Table 5. The results of elemental genres identified in the Introduction section of TCM RAs.

Genre family	Elemental genres	Occurrences (percentage)	Total
Report	Descriptive report	93 (33.9)	114 (41.6%)
	Compositional report	15 (5.47)
	Classifying report	6 (2.18)
Recount	Historical recount	69 (25.18)	96 (35.04%)
	Procedural recount	27 (9.85)
Argument	Exposition	45 (16.42)	51 (18.61%)
	Discussion	6 (2.18)
Explanation	Sequential explanation	7 (2.55)	13 (4.74%)
	Consequential explanation	3 (1.09)
	Factorial explanation	2 (0.73)
	Conditional explanation	1 (0.36)

Table 6. The results of elemental genres identified in the Methods section of TCM RAs.

Genre family	Elemental genres	Occurrences (percentage)	Total
Recount	Procedural recount	283 (79.49)	283 (79.49%)
Report	Descriptive report	54 (15.17)	68 (19.1%)
	Compositional report	13 (3.65)
	Classifying report	1 (0.28)
Explanation	Causal explanation	5 (1.4)	5 (1.4%)

Table 7. The results of elemental genres identified in the Results section.

Genre family	Elemental genres	Occurrences (percentage)	Total
Report	Descriptive report	240 (54.67)	248 (56.49%)
	Compositional report	5 (1.14)
	Comparative report	3 (0.68)
Recount	Procedural recount	183 (41.69)	190 (43.28%)
	Historical recount	7 (1.59)
Explanation	Causal explanation	1 (0.23)	1 (0.23%)

Table 8. The results of elemental genres identified in the Discussion section.

Genre family	Elemental genres	Occurrences (percentage)	Total
Report	Descriptive report	244 (47.47)	277 (53.89%)
	Comparative report	27 (5.25)
	Classifying report	2 (0.38)
	Compositional report	1 (0.19)
Recount	Historical recount	84 (16.34)	150 (29.18%)
	Procedural recount	66 (12.84)
Argument	Exposition	56 (10.98)	56 (10.98%)
Explanation	Causal explanation	16 (3.11)	32 (6.22%)
	Factorial explanation	10 (1.95)
	Sequential explanation	6 (1.16)

Table A. Case of deconstruction of the Introduction section into constitutional elemental genres.

The Introduction of AJCM (2)	Analysis of social purposes, elemental genres, and their generic structure
[Osteoporosis (OP) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially atherosclerosis are two major causes of morbidity and mortality among the aging population.// Previous studies found that postmenopausal women with OP are at increased risk for acute cardiovascular events (Tanko et al., 2005); meanwhile, the risk of OP increased in subjects with atherosclerotic diseases or metabolic syndrome (Esposito et al., 2013; Lee et al., 2016). Hyperlipidemia, especially hypercholesterolemia, might be an underlying link which mediate those chronic metabolic diseases (Pirih et al., 2012). Hypercholesterolemia was found to accelerate bone loss in postmenopausal women (Tarakida et al., 2011). Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were shown to be negatively associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women (Yamaguchi et al., 2002; Orozco, 2004). Estrogen deficiency in a postmenopausal state not only contributed to bone loss but also is a crucial factor affecting the other metabolic abnormalities (Carr, 2003). In women, body fat composition changes from subcutaneous fat deposition to visceral obesity during postmenopause period, resulting in an increased incidence of metabolic syndrome (Ford et al., 2002).]	1. This long text chunk is coded as a historical recount as its overall purpose is to record previous studies related to the research topic. The generic structure of historical recount identified by Coffin (2006) is Background ^ Record of Events ^ (Deduction). This example has Background stage and Record of events stage. The Background stage, which is the first sentence, is a general statement introducing that OP and CVD are two major causes of mortality among elders. The Record of events stage records the previous studies relevant to the current topic of the diseases. The Deduction stage is not found here.
[Although hormone replacement therapy is classically used for treatment of postmenopausal syndrome (Bowring and Francis, 2011), its use has been severely limited by concerns about the increased risks of breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancers, heart attack and stroke.// Hence, it is worthwhile to search for a holistic approach for prevention and/or treatment of CVD and OP simultaneously.]	2. This segment is an exposition, in which the Thesis and the Argument are found. The exposition is structurally organized as Thesis ^ Argument ^ Reiteration. In this example, the Argument stage comes before the Thesis stage. The Argument stage points out that the use of hormone replacement therapy is limited due to some increased risks. The Thesis stage states the necessity of finding a holistic approach to preventing and treating the diseases.
[One of the major mechanisms by which estrogen deficiency and dyslipidemia negatively affect bone metabolism relate to oxidative stress (OS).// Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can induce the apoptosis of osteoblasts and osteocytes, thus inhibiting osteogenesis and mineralization (Domazetovic et al., 2017). OS in postmenopausal osteoporosis was produced by aging and the decrease of estrogen, which resulted in the activation of NADPH oxidase and/or decreased synthesis of anti-oxidant enzymes and GSH levels (Bellanti et al., 2013).]	3. This is a sequential explanation whose generic structure is Phenomenon identification ^ Explanation. The first sentence serves as the Phenomenon identification stage in which a major mechanism is proposed. In the Explanation stage, ROS induces the apoptosis of osteoblasts and osteocytes, thus, inhibiting osteogenesis and mineralization. Aging and the decrease of estrogen produce OS and then lead to the activation of NADPH oxidase. This is a sequential explanation in that one event is followed by the other.
[Under a hyperlipidemia condition, low density lipoprotein (LDL) particles which had undergone oxidative modifications in response to OS accumulates in vascular tissues and trigger atherosclerosis; such lipids also deposit in liver and bone tissues, where they may promote non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and OP by influencing osteoblast viability (Brodeur et al., 2008). Moreover, oxidized LDL plays critical roles in mediating hyperlipidemia induced PTH resistance in mice bones, which accelerates bone resorption (Sage et al., 2011).]	4. This is a conditional explanation whose social purpose is to explain the process of events under a certain circumstance. This elemental genre does not contain a Phenomenon identification stage, but only an Explanation stage at which two processes happen under a hyperlipidemia condition. First, low density lipoprotein (LDL) particles accumulate in vascular tissues and trigger atherosclerosis. Secondly, oxidized LDL mediates hyperlipidemia and then accelerates bone resorption.
[The rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort., also called chuanxiong (CX) in folk medicine, is a well-known Chinese herb widely used for treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in China (Li et al., 2012).// The essential bioactive compounds of CX include phenolic acids, alkaloids, phthalides, volatile oils, and others,// in which, ferulic acid (belonging to phenoic acids) is used as a marker to evaluate the quality of CX in Chinese pharmacopoeia; and tetramethylpyrazine (belong to alkaloids) is one of the important active ingredients in CX (Chen et al., 2018).]	5. This paragraph is a compositional report, in which the Classification stage and the Component stage are identified. The Classification stage states that CX, a folk medicine, is widely used for treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in China. The Component stage introduces the components of this folk medicine.
6. [//Current pharmacology studies demonstrated CX possesses anticerebral ischemia, antimyocardial ischemia, blood vessel protection, antithrombotic, antihypertensive, anti-atherosclerosis, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-asthma effects (Chen et al., 2018). CX and its bioactive components were proven to promote blood circulation, improve serum lipid profiles, and inhibit platelet aggregation (Li et al., 2014; Liu et al., 2016). CX contains many anti-oxidant components and CX ethanol extract possesses high anti-oxidant properties (Ge et al., 2018). Our previous studies have indicated that CX ethanol extract (CXE) could improve lipid profile, combat NAFLD, protect vascular endothelium in either estrogen-deficient ovariectomized (OVX) rats or high saturated fat-sucrose diet (HFS) induced OVX hyperlipidemic rats by its anti-oxidative activities and by upregulating endothelial nitric oxide synthesis (Li et al., 2013, 2014).//Limited systematic studies have been performed to determine the possibly bone protective effects of CX extracts. ]	6. This part is categorized as a historical recount in which the Record of events stage and the Deduction stage are identified. The Record of events stage recounts the previous studies on the Chinese medicine CX. Indicating a gap from previous studies is concluded in the Deduction stage.
7. [In the present study, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2Þ-induced MG63 preosteoblast cells were used as an in vitro model, the action and mechanism of CX ethanol extract (CXE) on osteoblastogenesesis were systematically studied. CXE was then administered to a six-month-old Sprague Dawley sham or ovariectomized (OVX) rats fed either a low saturated fat-sucrose (LFS) or a high fat-surose (HFS) diet (hyperlipidemic OVX rats as animal model for co-occurrence of postmenopausal OP and CVD) for 12 weeks, to confirm its anti-osteoporotic effects under dyslipidemic status of rats.]	The last paragraph is a procedural recount in which the author recounts the procedures deployed in the present study in detail. Only the Procedure stage is found in the Introduction section.

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