Multiple Group Comparisons Research Articles

Comparing Organizational Trust and Public Service Motivation Influence on Job and Organization Engagement Between Public and Private Sector Organizations Employees

This study investigates sectoral differences in the socio-motivational mechanism behind job engagement and organization engagement. Relying on the Job Demands-Resource Model and using a cross-sectional study of 350 employees in the Israeli labor market, we conduct a multiple group comparison and analysis within an SEM framework to identify the mechanisms by which the employment sector relates to the mediating role of PSM via the link between organizational trust and job and organization engagement. Differences were observed between sectors as the presence of PSM empowered the organizational trust effect on two engagement factors (job, organization) only among public servants. More specifically, the findings underline that, first, an individual’s PSM is expressed differently among private than public organizations; second, organization and job engagement are differentially related to antecedents; third, employees may vary in terms of the extent to which they are engaged in their organization role and in their job.

Determination of information and communication technologies attitudes of university students that received physical education and sports

This research was conducted to determine the attitudes of university students with different socio-economic structures towards information and communication technologies, using information and communication technologies (ICT), which are increasingly used in our daily life, by using a descriptive survey model and survey method. Günbatar (2014) and analyzed for validity and reliability, was used to determine the level of use of information and communication technologies by university students receiving Physical Education and Sports Education. The universe of the research consists of students studying at universities that provide sports education in Turkey. The sample consists of 166 students from Kafkas University, 172 students from Iğdır University and 164 students from Ardahan University, students studying in Physical Education and Sports Teaching, Coaching Education and Sports Management departments of Physical Education and Sports Schools of universities located in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. This study aims to determine the beliefs, opinions, perceptions and attitudes of university students who receive Physical Education and Sports education toward the integration of technology into physical education with students who are currently studying in higher education. A literature review of information and communication technologies was made in the first part of the investigation. In the second part, the attitude scale was used. The data obtained were evaluated in the SPSS 22.0 package program. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test and Barlett test were conducted to evaluate the suitability of the attitudes of university students who receive sports education towards information and communication technologies for factor analysis. Analysis of Variance in the comparison of multiple groups (LSD was used in cases where variances were homogeneous, Dunnet C was used in cases where they were not). Internal Validity With Cronbach α coefficient, normality distribution of data with Kurtosis and Skewness coefficients, frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, one-way data analysis Anova and t-test were used for independent groups. The significance level of the statistical analysis was accepted as p < 0.05. The difference in the mean score of the General ICT Tendency sub-dimension according to the university of education was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). It was observed that there were significant differences in the dimensions of communication in the virtual environment between universities (p < 0.05). The difference in the Software Use sub-dimension mean score according to the university of education was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The difference in the mean score of the Virtual Environment Information Access sub-dimension according to the departments was statistically significant (p < 0.05). It is thought that this research will create a gain in terms of determining the attitudes of university students who receive sports education toward information and communication technologies.

The role of inflammation in anxiety and depression in the European U-BIOPRED asthma cohorts

BackgroundGrowing evidence indicates high comorbid anxiety and depression in patients with asthma. However, the mechanisms underlying this comorbid condition remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of inflammation in comorbid anxiety and depression in three asthma patient cohorts of the Unbiased Biomarkers for the Prediction of Respiratory Disease Outcomes (U-BIOPRED) project. MethodsU-BIOPRED was conducted by a European Union consortium of 16 academic institutions in 11 European countries. A subset dataset from subjects with valid anxiety and depression measures and a large blood biomarker dataset were analysed, including 198 non-smoking patients with severe asthma (SAn), 65 smoking patients with severe asthma (SAs), 61 non-smoking patients with mild-to-moderate asthma (MMA), and 20 healthy non-smokers (HC). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to measure anxiety and depression and a series of inflammatory markers were analysed by the SomaScan v3 platform (SomaLogic, Boulder, Colo). ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used for multiple-group comparisons as appropriate. ResultsThere were significant group effects on anxiety and depression among the four cohort groups (p < 0.05). Anxiety and depression of SAn and SAs groups were significantly higher than that of MMA and HC groups (p < 0.05. There were significant differences in serum IL6, MCP1, CCL18, CCL17, IL8, and Eotaxin among the four groups (p < 0.05). Depression was significantly associated with IL6, MCP1, CCL18 level, and CCL17; whereas anxiety was associated with CCL17 only (p < 0.05). ConclusionsThe current study suggests that severe asthma patients are associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression, and inflammatory responses may underlie this comorbid condition.

MEYEstro software: an automatic tool for standardized refractive surgery outcomes reporting

BackgroundStandardization for reporting medical outcomes enables clinical study comparisons and has a fundamental role in research reproducibility. In this context, we present mEYEstro, a free novel standalone application for automated standardized refractive surgery graphs. mEYEstro can be used for single and multiple group comparisons in corneal and intraocular refractive surgery patients. In less than 30 s and with minimal user manipulation, mEYEstro automatically creates the required journal standard graphs while simultaneously performing valid statistical analyses.ResultsThe software produces the following 11 standard graphs; Efficacy: 1. Cumulative uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected visual acuity (CDVA), 2. Difference between UDVA and CDVA, Safety: 3. Change in line of CDVA, Accuracy: 4. Spherical equivalent (SEQ) to intended target, 5. Attempted vs. achieved SEQ, 6. Defocus equivalent (DEQ) accuracy, 7. Refractive astigmatism accuracy, 8. Target-induced astigmatism vs. Surgically-induced astigmatism, 9. Correction index histogram, 10. Angle of error histogram, Stability: 11. SEQ stability over time. Percent proportions, means, standard deviations, Cohen's d effect sizes, and p-values are calculated and displayed on each graph. All graphs can be easily exported as high-resolution TIFF images for figures to use in scientific manuscripts and presentations.ConclusionsmEYEstro software enables clinicians, surgeons, and researchers, to easily and efficiently analyze refractive surgery outcomes using the standardized methodology required by several peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals.

Comparison of the bond strength of five different composites used in the production of clear aligner attachments

AimThe aims of this study were to measure and compare shear bond strength (SBS) and manipulation time (MT) among five different composite resins (CR; two flowable and three highly viscous) which are used in the production of clear aligner attachments. Material and methodsThis in vitro experiment study comprised of 150 extracted premolars which were divided into 5 equal groups. Predictor variables were CRs; Tetric Evo Ceram (Ivoclar VivadentAG, Liechtenstein) (Group 1), Tetric NCeram; (Ivoclar VivadentAG, Liechtenstein) (Group 2), Tetric N-Flow (GC Dental Products, Tokyo, Japan) (Group 3), G-aenial Universal Injectable (GC Dental Products, Tokyo, Japan) (Group 4), GC Aligner Connect (GC Dental Products, Tokyo, Japan) (Group 5), respectively. Outcome variables were; SBS and MT for each CR attachment in each group of teeth. Oneway ANOVA was used to compare the groups. Levene's test was used to determine variance homogeneity. In terms of variance homogeneity, Bonferroni tests were used as a post-hoc test for multiple group comparisons. Results: SBS was statistically different between study groups (p < 0.001). Average SBS values ​​are found to be 16.6 ± 3.6 MPa for Tetric Evo Ceram; 20.7 ± 5.4 MPa for Tetric NCeram; 21.0 ± 4.0 MPa for Tetric N-Flow; 18.9 ± 5.0 MPa for G-aenial Universal Injectable; and 17.4 ± 3.5 MPa for GC Aligner Connect. The values ​​in the Tetric Evo Ceram group were significantly lower than the Tetric N-Ceram group (p = 0.004) and the Tetric N-Flow group (p = 0.001). Mean value of shear bond strength in the GC Aligner connect group were significantly lower than in the Tetric N-Ceram group (p = 0.047) and in the Tetric N-Flow group (p = 0.017). Flowable composite had a significantly shorter manipulation time than the high viscous one; mean 1,08 ± 0,22 min to mean 4,57 ± 0,51 min, respectively. ConclusionAlthough SBSs of CRs tested in the study was found to be statistically different, they all quite exceeded the accepted clinically sufficient value of 6–8 MPa. Besides, flowable composite required substantially less time to manipulate than the high viscosity composite.

Unidirectional or Bidirectional? Relation between Parental Responsiveness and Emotion Regulation in Children with and without Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

Parenting is crucial for emotion regulation in children. Much less is known, however, concerning the association between parenting and emotion regulation in children with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), who are known to have poor emotion regulation. The current study aimed to examine how parental responsiveness and child emotion regulation related either unidirectionally or bidirectionally to one another over time and to investigate whether the associations were different in ODD and non-ODD groups. Data were collected each year for three consecutive years from a sample of 256 parents of children with ODD and 265 parents of children without ODD in China. The results from the random intercepts cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) suggested that the directionality of the link between parental responsiveness and child emotion regulation differs according to ODD status. The non-ODD group demonstrated a unidirectionallink between early emotion regulation and subsequent parental responsiveness, consistent with the "child effect". However, in the ODD group, the link between parental responsiveness and emotion regulation was transactional, in line with social coercion theory. Multiple-group comparisons found that increased parental responsiveness was more strongly associated with improved child emotion regulation in the ODD group only. The research established a dynamic and longitudinal relationship between parental responsiveness and emotion regulation and suggested that intensive interventions should aim to improve parental responsiveness to children with ODD.

Recurrent keratoconus: an analysis of breaks in Bowman’s layer in corneal grafts

ObjectiveTo study in a masked fashion whether an objective histological feature associated with keratoconus (KCN) occurs in donor corneas in eyes originally receiving a corneal graft for KCN.MethodsTwo ocular pathologists...

Different Designs of Deep Marginal Elevation and Its Influence on Fracture Resistance of Teeth with Monolith Zirconia Full-Contour Crowns.

Background and objectives: Even with the demand for high esthetics, the strength of the material for esthetic applications continues to be important. In this study, monolith zirconia (MZi) crowns fabricated using CAD/CAM were tested for fracture resistance (FR) in teeth with class II cavity designs with varying proximal depths, restored through a deep marginal elevation technique (DME). Materials and Methods: Forty premolars were randomly divided into four groups of ten teeth. In Group A, tooth preparation was conducted and MZi crowns were fabricated. In Group B, mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) cavities were prepared and restored with microhybrid composites before tooth preparation and the fabrication of MZi crowns. In Groups C and D, MOD cavities were prepared, differentiated by the depth of the gingival seat, 2 mm and 4 mm below the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ). Microhybrid composite resin was used for DME on the CEJ and for the restoration of the MOD cavities; beforehand, tooth preparations were conducted and MZi crowns were and cemented using resin cement. The maximum load to fracture (in newtons (N)) and FR (in megapascals (MPa)) were measured using the universal testing machine. Results: The average scores indicate a gradual decrease in the load required to fracture the samples from Groups A to D, with mean values of 3415.61 N, 2494.11 N, 2108.25 N and 1891.95 N, respectively. ANOVA revealed highly significant differences between the groups. Multiple group comparisons using the Tukey HSD post hoc test revealed that Group D had greater DME depths and showed significant differences compared with Group B. Conclusions: FR in teeth decreased when more tooth structure was involved, even with MZi crowns. However, DME up to 2 mm below the CEJ did not negatively influence the FR. Strengthening the DME-treated teeth with MZi crowns could be a reasonable clinical option, as the force required to fracture the samples far exceeded the maximum recorded biting force for posterior teeth.

Interrogating the precancerous evolution of pathway dysfunction in lung squamous cell carcinoma using XTABLE.

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is a type of lung cancer with a dismal prognosis that lacks adequate therapies and actionable targets. This disease is characterized by a sequence of low- and high-grade preinvasive stages with increasing probability of malignant progression. Increasing our knowledge about the biology of these premalignant lesions (PMLs) is necessary to design new methods of early detection and prevention, and to identify the molecular processes that are key for malignant progression. To facilitate this research, we have designed XTABLE (Exploring Transcriptomes of Bronchial Lesions), an open-source application that integrates the most extensive transcriptomic databases of PMLs published so far. With this tool, users can stratify samples using multiple parameters and interrogate PML biology in multiple manners, such as two- and multiple-group comparisons, interrogation of genes of interests, and transcriptional signatures. Using XTABLE, we have carried out a comparative study of the potential role of chromosomal instability scores as biomarkers of PML progression and mapped the onset of the most relevant LUSC pathways to the sequence of LUSC developmental stages. XTABLE will critically facilitate new research for the identification of early detection biomarkers and acquire a better understanding of the LUSC precancerous stages.

Effects of osseous structure based on three-dimensional reconstructive imaging evaluation in the assessment of temporomandibular joint disc position

This pilot morphological study aimed to investigate the association between anterior disc displacement (ADD) and the status of the mandibular condyle and articular fossa. Thirty-four patients were divided into a normal articular disc position group and an ADD with and without reduction group. Images reconstructed were used to determine multiple group comparisons of these three different types of disc position, and the diagnostic efficacy for the morphological parameters with significant group difference was analyzed to assess. The condylar volume (CV), condylar superficial area (CSA), superior joint space (SJS), and medial joint space (MJS) all exhibited obvious changes (P < 0.05). Additionally, they all had a reliable diagnostic accuracy in differentiating between normal disc position and ADD with an AUC value from 0.723 to 0.858. Among them, the CV, SJS, and MJS (P < 0.05) had a significantly positive impact on the groups by analysis of multivariate logistic ordinal regression model. The CV, CSA, SJS, and MJS are significantly associated with different disc displacement types. The condyle in ADD exhibited altered dimensions. These could be promising biometric markers for assessing ADD. The morphological changes of mandibular condyle and glenoid fossa were significantly influenced by the status of disc displacement, and condyles with disc displacement had three-dimensionally altered condylar dimensions, irrespective of age and sex.

Determination Of Contributors Affecting Students’awareness Of Spiritual Care In A Faculty Of Health Sciences

This research was carried out using a cross-sectional and descriptive design in order to determine the factors affecting the awareness of spiritual care in students studying in the Faculty of Health Sciences. The population of the research consisted of a total of 802 nursing students in the 2018-2019 academic year. The research sample consisted of 453 (56.48%) nursing students who completed the research forms The questionnaire used in the research consisted of two parts (Sociodemographic Data Collection Form, Spiritual Care Awareness Scale). In evaluation of the data the shapiro-wilk test was used. The mann-whitney u test was used in paired group comparisons and the kruskal wallis test in multiple group comparisons. The students’ average spiritual care awareness score was found to be 51.36±8.96, which was high. As a result of the statistical analysis, it was determined that there was a statistically significant correlation between students’ age, sex and type of high school they graduated from and their score average of spiritual care awareness. As a result, it was determined that nursing students had a higher total score average of spiritual care awareness. This result shows that nursing students have a certain level of positive morale and spiritual care perception.

Examining Hurricane Ida's Impact on Mental Health: Results From a Quasi-Experimental Analysis.

Limited research has evaluated the mental health effects during compounding disasters (e.g., a hurricane occurring during a pandemic), and few studies have examined post-disaster mental health with alternative data sources like crisis text lines. This study examined changes in crisis help-seeking for individuals in Louisiana, USA, before and after Hurricane Ida (2021), a storm that co-occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. An interrupted time series analysis and difference-in-difference analysis for single and multiple group comparisons were used to examine pre-and post-changes in crisis text volume (i.e., any crisis text, substance use, thoughts of suicide, stress/anxiety, and bereavement) among help-seeking individuals in communities that received US Federal Emergency Management Agency individual and public assistance following a presidential disaster declaration. Results showed a significant increase in crisis texts for any reason, thoughts of suicide, stress/anxiety, and bereavement in the four-week, three-month, and four-month post-impact period. Findings highlight the need for more mental health support for residents directly impacted by disasters like Hurricane Ida.

Pediatric Dental Fluorosis and Its Correlation with Dental Caries and Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study among Preschool Children Living in Belagavi

This study aims to assess the prevalence of dental fluorosis and its association with dental caries, oral health behaviors, oral-health-related quality of life and parents' perceptions among preschool children in the 3-5-year-old preschool children living in the Belagavi district of Karnataka, a non-endemic fluorosis region. A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 1200 individuals of the preschool population from 48 government-sponsored child-care development centers in Belagavi, Karnataka, over a three-month period. They were examined following the Dean's fluorosis index (1942) and dmft (decayed, missed, and filled) scores of the participants were also recorded. Parents' perception of oral health was assessed using the self-administered Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). SPSS software (version 20) was used for statistical analysis. Chi-square test computed categorical data. One-way ANOVA test was used for multiple group comparisons. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of the 1200 children examined, 10 (0.83%) children exhibited dental fluorosis. Of the 10 children having fluorosis, six had fluorosis present on two or more of their primary teeth, and four had fluorosis on four or more teeth. The mean dmft score was 3.01 ± 1.38 to 3.60 ± 1.72 in 3-5-year-old children, respectively, with statistical significance difference (p < 0.001). The mean score of oral health-related quality of life was 10.74 ± 2.06, which was significantly correlated to the child's age and parents' education level (p < 0.05). The study shows a negligible amount of prevalence of dental fluorosis in the non-endemic fluorosis residential district. It also elucidates that children from lower and lower-middle socioeconomic status are more prone to suffer from dental fluorosis as compared to other groups. The mean score of ECOHIS increased proportionally with the caries experience, indicating a significant relationship between the dmft and ECOHIS score. Deciduous dentition fluorosis is often neglected, especially in areas that are not considered endemic for fluorosis and with only optimum fluoride levels in their groundwater, which supports the disease's nature as multi-factorial and shows that a broader perspective is of prime importance to assess, diagnose, and prevent dental fluorosis among the preschoolers, thereby appraising their overall health and hygiene status.

Assessment of Salivary Interleukin-1β Levels in Patients with Gingivitis and Periodontitis

Introduction: The study aimed to analyze the level of salivary Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in subjects with healthy periodontium and patients with gingivitis and periodontitis stage I-III. Methods: A total of 90 individuals participated in the research, separated into five groups, clinically healthy (n = 10), gingivitis (n = 20), stage I periodintitis (n = 20), stage II periodontitis (n = 20), and stage III periodontitis (n = 20). Level of salivary IL-1β was assessed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Result: A statically significant difference (P &lt; 0.001) found amongst study groups, further multiple group comparison revealed a statistically significant difference (P &lt; 0.05) when comparing the experimental groups with control and when comparing gingivitis with stage II and III groups. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this cross-sectional study, IL-1β can be considered as a potential salivary biomarkers to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy periodontium.

IMPLEMENTATION OF VISUAL EVOKED POTENTIAL FOR THE DETECTION OF PRERETINOPATHY AND PROGNOSTICATION IN DIABETES MELLITUS

Introduction: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is one of the complications of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) which affects the retinal blood vessels. It is one of the preeminent causes of blindness in the age group of 20 to 74 years albeit that visual loss due to it may be preventable by adequate glycaemic control. Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) can be used in diagnosis of retinal changes and ascertainment of prognosis can be done by it. Aim: To evaluate the ability of VEP in identifying preclinical neuro-degenerative changes in patients with diabetic preretinopathy by studying changes in VEP. Materials and Methods: This study comprises of 30 diabetic patients without retinopathy and 30 non diabetic controls. Patients were selected from the outpatient Department of Ophthalmology for the screening of DR. Latency of P100 was analysed because of its reliability and less inter-subject variability. Mean P100 wave latency of both groups were compared and analysis was done regarding any discrepancy in P100 wave latency with respect to the duration and the control of diabetes. Data was analysed using IBM-SPSS 27. Student's t- test was applied when two groups were compared whereas Analysis of Variance test was applied for multiple group comparisons. The p value &lt;0.001 was considered statistically signicant. Results: There was signicant prolongation of P100 latency in diabetics without retinopathy. It was also observed that there was positive correlation between prolongation of P100 latency and duration of diabetes. Conclusion: VEP could be a better tool for the detection of very early retinal changes before any clinical evidence of retinopathy has set in. Adequate glycaemic control, dietary modication, appropriate dosage of medications could prevent the early development of retinopathy if done at this stage

Influence of the Scalpel Finishing Technique on Marginal Gap Formation in Class II Resin Composite Restorations.

Modern adhesives and composites allow the restoration of deep defects. In such cases, the matrix technique is particularly challenging, and excess composite is a common problem. Removing such overhangs with a scalpel has already been described as a substance preserving or selective finishing technique. Clinically, restoration margins may appear as a white line after scalpel finishing, and it is unclear whether this line represents a marginal gap and/or whether scalpel finishing promotes marginal gap formation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of scalpel finishing of deep Class II composite restorations on marginal gap formation. Standardized mesioocclusal-distal (MOD) cavities were prepared and restored in 60 human molars randomly divided into six finishing protocol groups: G1, scalpels (SC); G2, oscillating files (OF); G3, finishing strips (FS); G4, scalpels and finishing strips (SC+FS); G5, scalpels and polishing discs (SC+PD); G6, polishing discs alone (PD, controls). The groups were additionally assigned to finishing and polishing in a phantom head (groups 1-4) or hand-held setting (groups 5-6) to simulate clinical and in-vitro research conditions, respectively. After restoration, artificial aging was performed by thermocycling (5-55°C, 2500 cycles) and mechanical loading (50 newtons (N) with 500,000 cycles) prior to scanning electron microscopy analysis of proximal restoration margin quality on the mesial and distal surfaces (n=120) of each tooth. Outcomes (perfect margin, marginal gap, overhang, marginal fracture) were statistically analyzed by t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, single-factor analysis of variance, post-hoc t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn-Bonferroni correction for multiple group comparisons. Cohen's effect size d(Cohen) was calculated to show the strength of the relationship between variables. Overall, marginal quality was significantly better in the hand-held setting (SC+PD and PD) than the phantom head setting (SC, OF, FS, SC+FS). The best marginal quality was achieved with oscillating files in the phantom head setting and with scalpels plus polishing discs in the hand-held setting. Marginal gaps occurred significantly more often with scalpels, but the proportion of gaps was very low and clinically insignificant. Finishing strips were the least effective instruments for removing overhangs but performed better in combination with scalpels. Scalpel finishing can effectively and gently remove overhangs from enamel. However, blades should be used with caution as they can cut the dentin and cementum. Scalpel finishing does not lead to a clinically relevant increase in marginal gaps, but should be followed by polishing, whenever possible, to eliminate any marginal fractures that might be present.

Dental Phobia in Medical Students of Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan

Background: Dental phobia the fear to dental procedures, dental instruments or dentist is the common fear among people of all ages that cause delay of dental treatments. By finding out the response of students towards dental treatment will help in the apprehension and overcoming the dental phobia. The purpose of this study conducted in LMDC among the medical graduates was to know the prevalence of dental phobia in them. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted to access the dental phobia among the BDS, MBBS, DPT and Pharm D students of Lahore Medical and dental college using the MDAS . Descriptive statistics including means, standard deviations, and percentages were calculated. Group comparisons were analyzed using t-tests and analysis of variance. Multiple group comparisons were conducted using Tukey’s post-hoc test. P &lt; 0.05 was considered as the significance level. Results: Three hundred students took part in this study. Equal number of response was recorded by BDS, MBBS, DPT and Pharm D students. There was significant difference seen in dental phobia among gender. Females had higher level of dental phobia than males. Past negative dental experiences have valid impact on people and lead to increased prevalence towards dental phobia. Dental students exhibited the least amount of dental phobia. Conclusion: BDS students had lowest level of dental phobia. By increasing the dental health education and awareness about oral health the dental phobia can be reduced among people Keywords: Dental student, Dental phobia, Anxiety Scale.

OR09-3 Integrins as Potential Molecular Targets in Thyroid Cancer Imaging and Therapy

Abstract Background Integrins are cell adhesion receptors consisting of 24 transmembrane heterodimers generated from a combination of 18α integrin and 8β integrin subunits. A subset of integrins consists of receptors recognizing Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide motifs. One of the RGD-recognizing receptors is integrin αvβ3 that has been recently shown to play a role in neovascularization and progression of several cancers. Radiolabeled RGD analogs have emerged as potential imaging and therapeutic options in cancers characterized by a high expression of integrin αvβ3. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish the expression of integrin αvβ3 in thyroid cancer (TC). Methods We analyzed the mRNA expression of integrin αvβ3 in 496 BRAF-like and RAS-like human TC tissue samples, including 65 paired samples of tumor vs normal tissue based on The Cancer Genome Atlas. We assessed the protein expression of integrin αvβ3 in 70 TC tissue samples and 10 normal thyroid tissues, as well as in 14 TC cell lines. BRAF-like or RAS-like tumor status was determined by BRS score based upon standard expression profiles ranging from -1 to 0 for BRAF-like cancer and 0 to 1 for RAS-like tumors. The association between BRS and αvβ3 expression was tested using the Spearman correlation coefficient (r). T-tests and paired T-tests were used to compare the continuous variables between the two groups as appropriate, and Kruskal-Wallis test was used for multiple group comparisons with an adjusted p-value of ≤ 0.05 as statistically significant. Results αv integrin subunit mRNA expression was significantly higher in TC than normal thyroid (log fold change 0.3, p=0.001), while the expression of the β3 subunit was similar between paired normal and malignant samples (log fold change -0.2, p=0.30). BRAF-like tumors were characterized by a higher mRNA expression of αvβ3 integrins as documented by a moderate negative correlation between BRS and αv (r=-0.5, p&amp;lt;0.001) as well as β3 (r=-0.27, p&amp;lt;0.001). Consistently, the BRAF-like TC cell lines OCUT2 (BRS=-1), TPC1 (BRS=-0.4), K1 (BRS=-0.29), as well as Hurthle cell TC cell line XTC1 (BRS=-0.46), were characterized by the highest αvβ3 mRNA and/or protein expression. Immunostaining revealed αv expression in all malignant samples, with classic papillary TC characterized by the highest expression as compared with follicular TC (p&amp;lt;0.001), poorly-differentiated TC (p=0.006) and normal thyroid (p&amp;lt;0.001). β3 protein expression had lower intensity than αv integrin and was present in 31.8% of papillary TC, 15% of follicular TC and was not detected in poorly-differentiated TC nor normal thyroid. Conclusions TC is characterized by a differential expression of αvβ3 integrin, which is particularly high in the most common type of TC - BRAF-like papillary TC. The αvβ3 integrin could potentially serve as a molecular target for imaging and therapy with radiolabeled RGD analogs in TC. Presentation: Saturday, June 11, 2022 12:00 p.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Root-associated fungal microbiota of the perennial sweet sorghum cultivar under field growth.

Root-associated fungal microbiota, which inhabit the rhizosphere, rhizoplane and endosphere, have a profound impact on plant growth and development. Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, also called broomcorn or sweet sorghum, is a multipurpose crop. The comparison between annual and perennial sweet sorghum cultivars in terms of plant growth, as well as their interactions with belowground fungal microbiota, is still poorly understood, although there has been growing interest in the mutualism between annual sweet sorghum and soil bacteria or bacterial endophytes. In this study, the perennial sweet sorghum cultivar N778 (N778 simply) and its control lines TP213 and TP60 were designed to grow under natural field conditions. Bulk soil, rhizosphere soil and sorghum roots were collected at the blooming and maturity stages, and then the fungal microbiota of those samples were characterized by high-throughput sequencing of the fungal ITS1 amplicon. Our results revealed that the alpha diversity of the fungal microbiota in rhizosphere soil and root samples was significantly different between N778 and the two control lines TP213 and TP60 at the blooming or maturity stage. Moreover, beta diversity in rhizosphere soil of N778 was distinct from those of TP213 and TP60, while beta diversity in root samples of N778 was distinct from those of TP213 but not TP60 by PCoA based on Bray-Curtis and WUF distance metrics. Furthermore, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and multiple group comparisons revealed that OTU4372, a completely unclassified taxon but with symbiotroph mode, was enriched in sorghum roots, especially in N778 aerial roots at the blooming stage. Our results indicate that Cladosporium and Alternaria, two fungal genera in the rhizosphere soil, may also be dominant indicators of sorghum yield and protein content in addition to Fusarium at the maturity stage and imply that the perennial sweet sorghum N778 can primarily recruit dominant psychrotolerant bacterial taxa but not dominant cold-tolerant fungal taxa into its rhizosphere to support its survival below the freezing point.

Effects Of COVID-19 Pandemic on Bilingual Students' L2 Basic Language Skills

This study investigated the effect of adverse learning conditions (the COVID-19 pandemic and multi-grade classrooms) on bilingual students' L2 (Turkish) speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. The study looked into the basic language skills of bilingual children who have been receiving education in multi-grade classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: The sample consisted of 69 third- and fourth-grade students from four primary schools. The study sought answers to three questions: (1) What level of speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills do students have (2) How do independent variables (gender, the age of Turkish acquisition, grade level, parents’ education, and school) affect students’ language skills (3) What kind of relationship is there between students’ speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills. The study adopted a multiple case study design. Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests, correlation, and multiple group comparisons. Findings The results revealed findings regarding participants’ speaking, reading, and listening skills. The independent variables did not affect participants’ language skills. The results showed that participants had below-average L2 speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. The results indicate that bilingual students in multi-grade classrooms have low L2 language skills during the COVID-19 pandemic. And The results indicate that bilingual students in multi-grade classrooms in the schools in the rural areas of Turkey have significant gaps in their L2 language skills.