Finnish Sample Research Articles

The Effects of Peers’ Career Goal Appraisals on School to Work Transition Outcomes

Despite the growing body of research on the transition from school to work, an important aspect of young people’s social realities in this phase has been largely overlooked: their peers. This study investigates to what extent peer networks in late adolescence, and particularly peers’ appraisals of their own career goals, are related to young people’s subjective early transition outcomes in a Finnish sample ( N = 322) between the ages 17 and 20. The results show that having peers who positively appraise their goals as attainable is associated with more positive transition outcomes as young people more often reported having reached a (temporarily) satisfactory transition outcome which they intended to maintain unchanged. Negative peer appraisals showed no associations with transition outcomes. The present study offers an important step toward a comprehensive understanding of the social lives of young people in career transitions and provides new directions for research and counseling.

Online dating applications and risk of youth victimization: A lifestyle exposure perspective.

Based on lifestyle exposure theory (LET), this study examined online dating application (ODA) use and victimization experiences among adolescents using large cross-national samples of Finnish, American, Spanish, and South Korean young people between ages 15 and 18. According to logistic regression analyses in two substudies, ODA use was associated with more likely victimization to online harassment, online sexual harassment, and other cybercrimes and sexual victimization by adults and peers. According to mediation analyses, this relationship was mainly accounted for by the fact that ODA users engage in more risky activities in online communication and information sharing. Attention should be paid to the risks ODAs pose to vulnerable groups, such as young people, with insufficient skills to regulate their social relationships online.

Novel prostate cancer susceptibility gene SP6 predisposes patients to aggressive disease

Prostate cancer (PrCa) is one of the most common cancers in men, but little is known about factors affecting its clinical outcomes. Genome-wide association studies have identified more than 170 germline susceptibility loci, but most of them are not associated with aggressive disease. We performed a genome-wide analysis of 185,478 SNPs in Finnish samples (2738 cases, 2400 controls) from the international Collaborative Oncological Gene-Environment Study (iCOGS) to find underlying PrCa risk variants. We identified a total of 21 common, low-penetrance susceptibility loci, including 10 novel variants independently associated with PrCa risk. Novel risk loci were located in the 8q24 (CASC8 rs16902147, OR 1.86, padj = 3.53 × 10−8 and rs58809953, OR 1.71, padj = 4.00 × 10−6; intergenic rs79012498, OR 1.81, padj = 4.26 × 10−8), 17q21 (SP6 rs2074187, OR 1.66, padj = 3.75 × 10−5), 11q13 (rs12795301, OR 1.42, padj = 2.89 × 10−5) and 8p21 (rs995432, OR 1.38, padj = 3.00 × 10−11) regions. Here, we describe SP6, a transcription factor gene, as a new, potentially high-risk gene for PrCa. The intronic variant rs2074187 in SP6 was associated not only with overall susceptibility to PrCa (OR 1.66) but also with a higher odds ratio for aggressive PrCa (OR 1.89) and lower odds for non-aggressive PrCa (OR 1.43). Furthermore, the new intergenic variant rs79012498 at 8q24 conferred risk for aggressive PrCa. Our findings highlighted the power of a population-stratified approach to identify novel, clinically actionable germline PrCa risk loci and strongly suggested SP6 as a new PrCa candidate gene that may be involved in the pathogenesis of PrCa.

Dear old peonies\u2013for gene banks and gardeners; microsatellite fingerprinting of herbaceous peonies in Fennoscandia

The genetic diversity of 334 herbaceous peonies from Fennoscandia was analysed using 18 microsatellites (simple sequence repeats, SSRs). The samples included peonies mostly from Finnish home gardens (284) and nurseries (5) as well as from Norwegian (20) and Swedish (25) peony collections. The study focused on the following species and hybrids: Paeonia anomala L., P. × hybrida Pall., P. officinalis ‘Nordic Paradox’ (Marstein 2015), P. tenuifolia L., and P. × festiva Tausch. The 18 microsatellites amplified a total of 249 alleles and were used to calculate genetic distances between samples and to build a dendrogram. In the dendrogram, samples formed clear groups according to their species. The outcome from the genetic analysis was mainly confirmed by preliminary morphological observations of the Finnish home garden samples performed within the project and the previous morphological study of peonies in Norwegian clone archives. The results of the study will be used to create a Finnish genetic resources collection of the most diverse and vigorous peonies, and to update the Norwegian and Swedish collections.

Impact of acceptance and intake of COVID – 19 vaccines among rural people in TamilNadu

The novel beta-coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is believed to have emerged last year in 2019 in Wuhan from Bats. Crossing the species barrier it entered human beings with furtherance of infection through human to human transmission. As studies indicate that people perceive COVID-19 as a threatening disease, the demand for a vaccine against the disease could be expected to be high. Vaccine safety concerns might nevertheless outweigh the perceived disease risks when an individual decides whether or not to accept the vaccine. We investigated the role of perceived risk of COVID-19 (i.e., perceived likelihood of infection, perceived disease severity, and disease-related worry) and perceived safety of a prospective vaccine against COVID-19 in predicting intentions to accept a COVID-19 vaccine. Three Finnish samples were surveyed: 825 parents of small children, 205 individuals living in an area with suboptimal vaccination coverage, and 1325 Facebook users nationwide. As points of reference, we compared the perceptions of COVID-19 to those of influenza and measles. COVID-19 was perceived as a threatening disease—more so than influenza and measles. The strongest predictor of COVID-19 vaccination intentions trusted the safety of the potential vaccine. Those perceiving COVID-19 as a severe disease were also slightly more intent on taking a COVID-19 vaccine. Informing the public about the safety of a forthcoming COVID-19 vaccine should be the focus for health authorities aiming to achieve a high vaccine uptake. The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major threat to public health and has had a significant impact on all aspects of life. An effective vaccine is the most anticipated resolution. This study aims to evaluate acceptance and intake of COVID- 19 vaccinated. © 2021 Karadeniz Technical University. All rights reserved.

Age of first alcohol intoxication and psychiatric disorders in young adulthood – A prospective birth cohort study

ObjectiveEarly onset of alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of substance use disorders (SUD), but few studies have examined associations with other psychiatric disorders. Our aim was to study the association between the age of first alcohol intoxication (AFI) and the risk of psychiatric disorders in a Finnish general population sample. MethodsWe utilized a prospective, general population-based study, the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986. In all, 6,290 15–16-year old adolescents answered questions on AFI and were followed up until the age of 33 years for psychiatric disorders (any psychiatric disorder, psychosis, SUD, mood disorders and anxiety disorders) by using nationwide register linkage data. Cox-regression analysis with Hazard Ratios (HR, with 95% confidence intervals (CI)) was used to assess the risk of psychiatric disorders associated with AFI. ResultsStatistically significant associations were observed between AFI and any psychiatric disorder, psychosis, SUDs, and mood disorders. After adjustments for other substance use, family structure, sex and parental psychiatric disorders, AFIs of 13–14 years and ≤12 years were associated with SUD (HR = 5.30; 95%CI 2.38–11.82 and HR = 6.49; 95%CI 2.51–16.80, respectively), while AFI ≤ 12 years was associated with any psychiatric disorder (HR = 1.59; 95%CI 1.26–2.02) and mood disorders (HR = 1.81; 95%CI 1.22–2.68). After further adjustments for Youth Self Report total scores, AFI ≤ 14 was associated with an increased risk of SUD and AFI ≤ 12 with an increased risk of any psychiatric disorder. ConclusionsWe found significant associations between the early age of first alcohol intoxication, later SUD and any psychiatric disorder in a general population sample. This further supports the need for preventive efforts to postpone the first instances of adolescent alcohol intoxication.

Electrocardiographic Risk Markers of Cardiac Death: Gender Differences in the General Population.

BackgroundCardiac death is one of the leading causes of death and sudden cardiac death (SCD) is estimated to cause approximately 50% of cardiac deaths. Men have a higher cardiac mortality than women. Consequently, the mechanisms and risk markers of cardiac mortality are not as well defined in women as they are in men.AimThe aim of the study was to assess the prognostic value and possible gender differences of SCD risk markers of standard 12-lead electrocardiogram in three large general population samples.MethodsThe standard 12-lead electrocardiographic (ECG) markers were analyzed from three different Finnish general population samples including total of 20,310 subjects (49.9% women, mean age 44.8 ± 8.7 years). The primary endpoint was cardiac death, and SCD and all-cause mortality were secondary endpoints. The interaction effect between women and men was assessed for each ECG variable.ResultsDuring the follow-up (7.7 ± 1.2 years), a total of 883 deaths occurred (24.5% women, p < 0.001). There were 296 cardiac deaths (13.9% women, p < 0.001) and 149 SCDs (14.8% women, p < 0.001). Among those who had died due to cardiac cause, women had more often a normal electrocardiogram compared to men (39.0 vs. 27.5%, p = 0.132). After adjustments with common cardiovascular risk factors and the population sample, the following ECG variables predicted the primary endpoint in men: left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with strain pattern (p < 0.001), QRS duration > 110 ms (p < 0.001), inferior or lateral T-wave inversion (p < 0.001) and inferolateral early repolarization (p = 0.033). In women none of the variables remained significant predictors of cardiac death in multivariable analysis, but LVH, QTc ≥ 490 ms and T-wave inversions predicted SCD (p < 0.047 and 0.033, respectively). In the interaction analysis, LVH (HR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.2–4.9; p = 0.014) was stronger predictor of primary endpoint in women than in men.ConclusionSeveral standard ECG variables provide independent information on the risk of cardiac mortality in men but not in women. LVH and T-wave inversions predict SCD also in women.

Academics’ Societal Engagement in Diverse European Binary Higher Education Systems: A Cross-Country Comparative Analysis

This article aims to investigate whether national differences in the institutionalization of the binary divide between universities and Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) lead to different outcomes in performing Academics’ Societal Engagement (ASE). Two institutional theory-based core differences of European binary higher education (HE) systems were used to select a theory-led purposeful sample: First, the sequence of UAS-institutionalization and ASE-policy emphasis and second the political drive for a practically oriented research drift. Based on the Finnish, German and Portuguese survey data provided by the cross-country study “Academic Profession in Knowledge Society,” three dimensions of ASE are derived: techno-commercial ASE, dissemination ASE and training-related ASE. These ASE-dimensions cover the diversity of ASE across different disciplinary fields. Survey results of the Finnish sample show that all three ASE-dimensions are more strongly performed by UAS-academics than by university-academics. In Germany, robust stronger correlations of research (productivity) and all three ASE-dimensions for UAS-academics, compared to university-academics, were observed. In Portugal, convergence of ASE performed by UAS-academics and university-academics was indicated. Thus, core country-differences in the institutionalization of ASE in binary HE-systems are reflected in the results.

The Genomic Resources Collection Policy of the Finnish Museum of Natural History

The Genomic Resources Collection is a separate, independently managed part of the natural history collections of the Finnish Museum of Natural History Luomus specifically intended for consumptive research. The GRC policy deals with the materials that are archived for the very purpose of enabling the study of biological diversity at the genome level, DNA extractions of animal, fungal and plant specimens, and animal tissue samples stored deep-frozen for purposes of future DNA extraction. The GRC policy defines the purpose of the collections, the objectives and content of the procedures and activities related to them, the distribution of responsibilities for collection management and maintenance in Luomus, and the principles of collection accumulation, preservation and accessibility. The aim of the GRC is to store and loan genomic samples for research purposes. In taxonomic coverage the collection overlaps with all the taxonomically delimited specimen collections managed by the Zoology and Botany Units, but is distinguished as being directed to preserve the genomic (DNA) information irrespective of the phenotypic variation that are the focus of specimen collections. The GRC includes both Finnish and foreign samples, all legally and ethically obtained, mostly linked to a specimen voucher in the taxonomic collections. The GRC samples are documented and trackable in Luomus collections management system. In accordance with the Universities Act, the GRC belongs to the national natural science collections of Luomus. For their part, the GRC collection implement the mission of Luomus, which is to be “responsible for the preservation, accumulation and exhibition of the national natural history collections and for research and education relating to them”.

An exploration of adolescent facial shape changes with age via multilevel partial least squares regression

Background and ObjectivesMultilevel statistical models represent the existence of hierarchies or clustering within populations of subjects (or shapes in this work). This is a distinct advantage over single-level methods that do not. Multilevel partial-least squares regression (mPLSR) is used here to study facial shape changes with age during adolescence in Welsh and Finnish samples comprising males and females. Methods3D facial images were obtained for Welsh and Finnish male and female subjects at multiple ages from 12 to 17 years old. 1000 3D points were defined regularly for each shape by using “meshmonk” software. A three-level model was used here, including level 1 (sex/ethnicity); level 2, all “subject” variations excluding sex, ethnicity, and age; and level 3, age. The mathematical formalism of mPLSR is given in an Appendix. ResultsDifferences in facial shape between the ages of 12 and 17 predicted by mPLSR agree well with previous results of multilevel principal components analysis (mPCA); buccal fat is reduced with increasing age and features such as the nose, brow, and chin become larger and more distinct. Differences due to ethnicity and sex are also observed. Plausible simulated faces are predicted from the model for different ages, sexes and ethnicities. Our models provide good representations of the shape data by consideration of appropriate measures of model fit (RMSE and R2). ConclusionsRepeat measures in our dataset for the same subject at different ages can only be modelled indirectly at the lowest level of the model at discrete ages via mPCA. By contrast, mPLSR models age explicitly as a continuous covariate, which is a strong advantage of mPLSR over mPCA. These investigations demonstrate that multivariate multilevel methods such as mPLSR can be used to describe such age-related changes for dense 3D point data. mPLSR might be of much use in future for the prediction of facial shapes for missing persons at specific ages or for simulating shapes for syndromes that affect facial shape in new subject populations.

Fearing the disease or the vaccine: The case of COVID-19

As studies indicate that people perceive COVID-19 as a threatening disease, the demand for a vaccine against the disease could be expected to be high. Vaccine safety concerns might nevertheless outweigh the perceived disease risks when an individual decides whether or not to accept the vaccine. We investigated the role of perceived risk of COVID-19 (i.e., perceived likelihood of infection, perceived disease severity, and disease-related worry) and perceived safety of a prospective vaccine against COVID-19 in predicting intentions to accept a COVID-19 vaccine. Three Finnish samples were surveyed: 825 parents of small children, 205 individuals living in an area with suboptimal vaccination coverage, and 1325 Facebook users nationwide. As points of reference, we compared the perceptions of COVID-19 to those of influenza and measles. COVID-19 was perceived as a threatening disease—more so than influenza and measles. The strongest predictor of COVID-19 vaccination intentions was trusting the safety of the potential vaccine. Those perceiving COVID-19 as a severe disease were also slightly more intent on taking a COVID-19 vaccine. Informing the public about the safety of a forthcoming COVID-19 vaccine should be the focus for health authorities aiming to achieve a high vaccine uptake.

Post-Concussion Acute Signs and Reliable Cognitive Decline in a Finnish Youth Ice Hockey Sample.

In sports concussion research, the importance of an individualized approach incorporating neuropsychological assessment data has been emphasized. This study examined the impact of acute signs of concussion on post-injury cognitive functioning using reliable change methodology in a sample of Finnish, elite-level, youth ice hockey players. From a sample of 1,823 players (all male, 14-20years old) who completed preseason baseline testing with the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT®) battery, two subgroups were identified. First, in total, 312 uninjured athletes, who completed baseline testing twice-1 year apart. The scores were contrasted to calculate reliable change indices (RCIs). Second, from a subsample of 570 athletes participating in an intensive follow-up arm of the project, the analysis included 32 concussed athletes. The RCIs were determined for the five ImPACT composite scores and used in identifying athletes with declined performance 3 days post-injury. Test-retest reliability ranged from .39 to .71. Athletes who had experienced an acute loss of consciousness, amnesia, or postural instability had increased odds for declines in two or more areas assessed by ImPACT (odds ratio=7.67-8.00, p<.05). In contrast, acute disorientation or vacant look did not lead to cognitive change that met the reliable change threshold. The reliability coefficients and RCIs differed from those published earlier emphasizing the importance of national reference values. The presence of acute loss of consciousness, amnesia, or postural instability may indicate a more severe injury and predict the need for more intensive cognitive follow-up.

Spanish adaptation of a film music stimulus set (FMSS): Cultural and gender differences in the perception of emotions prompted by music excerpts

The literature review reveals different conceptual and methodological challenges in the field of music and emotion, such as the lack of agreement in terms of standardized datasets, and the need for replication of prior findings. Our study aimed at validating for Spanish population a set of film music stimuli previously standardized in Finnish samples. In addition, we explored the role of gender and culture in the perception of emotions through music using 102 excerpts selected from Eerola and Vuoskoski’s dataset. A total of 129 voluntary undergraduate students (71.32% females) from different degrees participated voluntarily in this study, where they were instructed to rate both discrete emotions (Happiness, Sadness, Tenderness, Fear, Anger) and affective dimensions (Valence, Energy Arousal, Tension Arousal) using a 9-point scale after presentation of each excerpt. Strong similarities between Finnish and Spanish ratings were found, with only minor discrepancies across samples in the evaluation of basic emotions. Taken together, our findings suggest that the current database is suitable for future research on music and emotions. Additional theoretical and practical implications of this validation are discussed.

Continuity of care is associated with satisfaction with local health care services

BackgroundSatisfaction is a major element in assessing quality of care. It has decreased in Finland in recent decades as well as continuity of care. We investigated which demographic, health-related, and local health care service factors, especially continuity of care, are associated with the population’s satisfaction with local health care services.MethodsThe data are part of the Health and Social Support (HeSSup) study’s follow-up questionnaire in 2012. The study is based on a random Finnish population sample. Satisfaction was studied based on the question “How satisfied are you with your local health care services?” Demographic factors, obesity, self-assessed health status, depressive mood (BDI-12 questionnaire), New York Heart Association class, and chronic diseases were asked in the questionnaire. Questions describing local health care services were also presented. We assessed the association of an assigned and named GP and the respondents’ proactivity in contacting the same doctor with satisfaction. We used crosstabulation and binary logistic regression in the analyses.ResultsThe Health and Social Support study was answered in 2012 by 15,993 participants (45.4%) and majority (61.3%) was satisfied with their local health care services. An assigned and named GP (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.67–1.92) and the respondent’s proactivity in contacting the same doctor (OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.15–1.32) were associated with satisfaction in the adjusted multivariate analysis. BDI score < 19 had the strongest association with satisfaction (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.65–2.23). Older participants, males, and those in a relationship were more likely to be satisfied.ConclusionsA named GP in primary care proved to have a positive correlation with patient satisfaction. Depression was associated with decreased satisfaction. A named GP indicates continuity of care, and it should be seriously considered when planning treatment for patients with chronic conditions.

Importance of work and diagnosis for economic well-being of disability pensioners

Abstract Background Disability pensioners' economic well-being is weaker than that of the same-age population on average. Approximately 80 per cent of the partial disability pensioners continue working alongside a pension. The same figure for full disability pensioners is 10 per cent. The aim of this study was to examine how working alongside a pension and how the cause of disability are associated with partial and full disability pensioners' economic well-being. Methods The data consisted of longitudinal register-based (100% sample of Finns) data from Statistics Finland and the Finnish Centre for Pensions. The data included 18,291 partial disability pensioners and 116,376 full disability pensioners aged 30-62 who were on a disability pension in 2017 and had received a disability pension for at least two years. Economic well-being was measured via disposable income. Linear regression analysis was used to analyze the economic well-being of disability pensioners. Results In 2017, the disposable income of disability pensioners who were working alongside a pension was, on average, 50 per cent higher than that of non-working disability pensioners. The median income from work was approximately 16,700 euros/year for working partial disability pensioners and 11,100 euros/year for working full disability pensioners. Adjusted regression models showed that working alongside a pension was associated with a higher economic well-being. Disability pensioners with a mental diagnosis, on the other hand, were working less often and had a lower economic well-being than others. Conclusions Working alongside a disability pension has a positive effect on the economic well-being of disability pensioners. Mental diagnosis, on the other hand, often leads to a lower income. Key messages Disability pensioners who work alongside a pension have a higher economic well-being than their non-working counterparts. Mental diagnosis was associated with working less often alongside a disability pension and a weaker economic well-being of disability pensioners.

Occupational health check-ups and health-promoting programs and asthma

BackgroundThe focus in occupational health check-ups is in work and health, but they offer also a possibility to assess health behavior and give guidance e.g. on weight control. We wanted to study whether having occupational health checks-up, receiving physicians’ advice to change health behavior or participation in health promotion programs had an effect on obesity in a five-year follow-up from 1998 to 2003 in asthmatic and non-asthmatic workers.MethodsAltogether 23,220 individuals aged 20–54 years were picked up from a randomized Finnish population sample. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the risk for obesity in 2003. The variables used in the modelling were gender, age, smoking, asthma, depression, and physical workload.ResultsBoth asthmatic and non-asthmatic workers gained weight during the follow-up. Of the asthmatics 48 and 47% of the non-asthmatics had occupational health-check-up in the last 5 years. Of the asthmatics 18 and 14% of the non-asthmatics had received physician’s advice to change their health behavior (p < 0.001). Associated factors for obesity (BMI > 30) in 2003 were gender (men OR 1.19), older age (OR 1.25), smoking (OR 1.07) or depression (OR 1.44).ConclusionsResults show that having occupational health checks-up or receiving physicians’ advice to change health behavior or participation in health promotion programs did not stop gain of weight during a five-year follow-up. Asthmatic workers did not differ from non-asthmatics. Male gender, older age, smoking, and depression were associated with obesity but not the physical workload.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescent with post-traumatic stress symptom: A comparison of 16D and condition-specific instruments

The objective of this study was to compare Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) as measured by the 16D instrument with four condition-specific instruments in children and adolescents with significant post-traumatic stress disease (PTSD), to assess the validity of the 16D instrument. In addition, we test for differences in health for the PTSD population compared to a representative sample of Finnish schoolchildren. The study included 156 children and adolescents with trauma-related symptoms in Norway. The condition-specific instruments included were; Child PTDS Symptom Scale (CPSS); Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ); Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), and; Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). We found that the 16D HRQoL score was significantly correlated with all condition-specific instruments (CPSS, SCARED, MFQ, and SDQ), where SCARED had the highest correlation with the 16D (-0.659, p &lt; 0.01). Several of the corresponding items (sleep, distress, discomfort and symptoms, mental functioning, and school and hobbies) of the condition-specific instruments were correlated above the threshold (convergent validity, ρ &gt; 0.4). Children and adolescents with symptoms of post-traumatic stress experienced a significant health loss of 0.177 compared to a representative sample of Finnish 12 to 15-years-old schoolchildren with a Cohen’s d of 1.07, and the health difference was significant for all 16 dimensions. These findings support the use of the 16D to measure health outcomes in cost-utility analysis. More studies are needed to examine the responsiveness.&#x0D; Published: Online August 2020.

The factorial structure of the Hong Psychological Reactance Scale in two Finnish samples

Psychological assessment scales need to be psychometrically sound, but previous research on the factorial structure of one of the most common measures of trait reactance, the Hong Psychological Reactance Scale (HPRS), has provided multiple latent structures and contradicting findings, and the statistical methodology of previous research can be criticized. These issues raise questions regarding the interpretability and usefulness of the HPRS as a measure of trait reactance. In this two-part study, we followed contemporary statistical recommendations and tested the fit of 12 previously observed factor solutions of the HPRS using confirmatory factor analysis in two relatively large Finnish samples (n = 624 & 518). Furthermore, we tested what factor structure was supported by a data-driven exploratory factor analysis approach. Both our confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses supported a one-factor solution for the HPRS. However, in the exploratory analyses, the single factor accounted for only approximately 40% of the total variance. Our results also indicated that a reduced scale provided the best fit in our confirmatory analyses. Combined, these findings imply that the HPRS could use some improvement. Finally, to shed more light on the reactance construct and the construct validity of the HPRS, we replicated previous research showing negative associations between trait reactance and the Big Five Agreeableness and Conscientiousness traits.

Interrelationship Between Inquiry-Based Learning and Instructional Quality in Predicting Science Literacy

Recent international comparison studies such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) repeatedly argued that inquiry-based learning (IBL) indicated a negative effect on science literacy (SL). However, those studies included two limitations in revealing the relationship between IBL and SL as they did not consider (1) instructional quality and (2) different types of IBL. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore relationships between two types of IBL (open and guided) and SL, and how four types of instructional quality (classroom management, adaptative teaching, teacher–student relationship, and teacher support) moderated the relationships between IBL and SL. For this purpose, a PISA 2015 Finnish sample was used and analyzed by latent moderated structural equation modeling in order to explore the latent interaction between IBL and the quality of instruction. The results of this study presented that the teacher–student relationship was the most potent predictor of SL and moderated the effects of guided and open inquiry on SL. Classroom management also indicated moderation effects for both guided and open inquiry. Also, this study showed the overruling effect of open inquiry on guided inquiry in predicting SL.

MicroRNAs Associated With Biological Pathways of Left- and Right-sided Colorectal Cancer.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to investigate miRNAs and their relation to cancer-related signaling pathways in site-specific CRC. We used a total of 24 left- and right-sided Finnish CRC samples (discovery cohort) and The Cancer Genome Atlas public mature miRSeq dataset of 201 CRC samples (validation cohort). MiRNA differential expression and biological pathway analyses were performed using DESeq2 and the DIANA/mirPath tool, respectively. We found 17 significantly differentially up-regulated [false discovery rate (FDR) <0.05] miRNAs in left-sided CRC ("left miRNAs"), and 15 in right-sided CRC ("right miRNAs"). The left miRNAs participate in the mTor, Wnt, PI3K-Akt signaling pathways (FDR<0.05). The right miRNAs participate in the TGF-β signaling pathway. We also observed that both cohorts share six miRNAs. One of these (hsa-miR-196b-5p) was significantly (FDR<0.05) up-regulated in left-sided CRC. The rest of them (hsa-miR-625-3p, hsa-miR-155-5p, hsa-miR-625-5p, hsa-miR-31-5p and hsa-miR-330-5p) showed significant (FDR<0.05) up-regulation in right-sided CRC. Left and right miRNAs are associated with predominant biological pathways of left- and right-sided CRC, respectively. Our results may be beneficial for classifying CRC and for future biomarker studies of site-specific CRC.