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This study aimed to investigate how pre-service teachers' intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19 were related to their perceptions of the causes of COVID-19, which are conspiracy thoughts, perceptions of environmental and faith factors, trust in scientists, and risk perceptions toward COVID-19 vaccines. In this study, a cross-sectional survey research method was used and an online questionnaire was administered to 434 Turkish pre-service teachers from 19 different universities in Türkiye. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to predict pre-service teachers' vaccination intentions and two multinomial logit models were evaluated. The results indicated that most pre-service teachers had a positive intention to vaccinate against COVID-19. Pre-service teachers with lower risk perceptions about COVID-19 vaccination and scores on conspiracy thoughts, and higher scores on perceptions of environmental factors about COVID-19 vaccination were more likely to have a positive intention of getting COVID-19 vaccination. However, trust in scientists and faith did not have significant relationships with the intention of getting COVID-19 vaccination. Based on our findings we suggest paying attention to increasing environmental perceptions of pre-service teachers, decreasing their beliefs in conspiracy theories and risk perceptions, and increasing trust in scientists, which are believed to contribute to the development of teacher education programs that would more likely equip teacher candidates with features necessary for dealing with global challenges in the world.

Abstract Background Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is characterised by its immunogenic and proangiogenic nature and its resistance to conventional therapies. The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has significantly improved patient survival, but resistance to these treatments remains a challenge. B7-H3, a potential immune checkpoint, has been implicated in modulating the tumour microenvironment and immune escape mechanisms in RCC. Methods Immunohistochemical analysis of B7-H3 expression was performed in 84 metastatic RCC patients. Tissue microarrays and separate sections of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue were used for immunohistochemical staining. Membranous staining of the tumor cells was scored and statistical analyses were performed to assess the correlation between B7-H3 expression and treatment outcome. Results B7-H3 expression was absent in 31% of patients, while 33.3% had a score of 1+, 31% had 2+, and 4.8% had 3+. High B7-H3 expression correlated with poorer OS (20 months vs. 45 months, p = 0.012). In patients receiving nivolumab, those with high B7-H3 expression had shorter PFS (2 months vs. 8 months, p = 0.037) and OS (17 months vs. 51 months, p = 0.01). B7-H3 expression was the only factor significantly affecting PFS and OS in multivariate analysis. Conclusion High B7-H3 expression is associated with poorer survival outcomes and reduced response to nivolumab in metastatic RCC patients. B7-H3 may serve as a predictive biomarker for immunotherapy response. Future studies should explore targeting B7-H3 in combination with existing therapies to enhance treatment efficacy.

Including systems thinking in science education helps students understand the complex global problems of the present era. The study aimed to trace and evaluate the system thinking (ST) skills in K-8 science curricula, with a focus on sustainability-related subjects and units. Firstly, the authors reviewed the related literature on the systems thinking models and identified the components of systems thinking skills needed to evaluate the science curricula. Secondly, they developed a systems thinking rubric with two parts. The first part included eleven systems thinking components, definitions, key concepts, and sample learning objectives. The second part contained four assessment criteria to evaluate the ST levels (novice, beginning, intermediate and advanced) in the science curricula and science textbooks. Finally, the authors pilot-tested the rubrics to analyze the Turkish K-8 science curricula and textbooks in terms of ST skills. The results revealed that science curricula and textbooks included nine out of eleven systems thinking components; however, they were mostly at the beginning level. This study suggests that the integrated rubric is a valid and reliable tool to evaluate the systems thinking components, and science educators can use it to decide how to integrate ST skills into science curricula.

Objective: Coronavirus Disease 2019’s (COVID-19) impact on rare disease populations such as lipodystrophy syndromes is unknown. We assessed COVID-19 infection outcomes in lipodystrophy syndromes and aimed to investigate the effect of restricted access to the hospital during the pandemic on metabolic parameters. Methods: A survey form consisting of descriptive questions about the situation of the patients during the COVID-19 pandemic was created. The survey was performed by phone in February and March 2021; all patients gave verbal consent. Patients diagnosed with lipodystrophy syndromes participated in our study. Demographic parameters were recorded. They were asked if they were diagnosed with COVID-19; if so, the hospitalization, intensive care unit need, oxygen requirement, and COVID-19 treatment were questioned. Laboratory data were recorded from the hospital records. Results: Seventy-one patients were investigated. Lipodystrophy patients in our study had at least 1 comorbid disease. Diabetes mellitus was the most common (87.1%). Six patients stated they had a COVID-19 infection (6/71, 8.5%). Three cases (50.0%) were hospitalized, and 1 (16.6%) patient was followed up in the intensive care unit. There were no deaths in our cohort. When the laboratory parameters of the entire group were evaluated, spot urine microalbumin increased significantly compared to the prepandemic period (P=.013). Conclusion: Lipodystrophy patients may experience COVID-19 more severely due to their numerous comorbidities. Further research should be conducted with larger patient cohorts to investigate this relationship.

Koray Özbay, Altu&gbreve; Semiz Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Memorial &Scedil;i&scedil;li Hospital, Istanbul, TurkeyCorrespondence: Koray Özbay, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gebze Yüzy&inodot;l Hospital, Ilyas Bey Cad. No:38, Gebze/Kocaeli, Turkey, Tel +90-5394737958, Email ozbaykoray@gmail.comPurpose: We aimed to assess uterine and arcuate artery Doppler indices in patients with mild primary dysmenorrhea.Patients and Methods: A total of 55 patients were included, consisting of women without dysmenorrhea (n=26, group A) and women with mild primary dysmenorrhea (n=29, group B). Doppler measurements of the uterine and arcuate arteries were performed in both groups on the 1st-2nd days and 21st-24th days (midluteal phase) of the menstrual cycle using transvaginal ultrasound and compared between the groups. The severity of dysmenorrhea was assessed using visual analog scale scores.Results: Doppler measurements of the uterine and arcuate arteries performed on the 1st-2nd days of the menstrual cycle and the midluteal phase were similar between the groups (p> 0.05). There was a significant decrease in the intragroup measurements of uterine and arcuate arteries performed on the first day of menstruation and the luteal phase in both groups (p< 0.01).Conclusion: Doppler findings of the uterine and arcuate arteries did not differ between patients with and without mild primary dysmenorrhea. The etiology of primary dysmenorrhea mainly involves ischemia and vasoconstriction, but mild primary dysmenorrhea appears to be associated with a different etiology other than decreased tissue perfusion.Keywords: color Doppler, primary dysmenorrhea, ultrasonography, blood circulation, menstruation

Due to its strong biological, pharmacological, and medical activities and rich chemical content, Liquidambar orientalis, known for its resinous exudate storax, has a widespread and well-established ethnopharmacological use. Although it is known that storax has anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, wound-healing and other ethnomedicinal properties, the number of existing scientific studies is very limited. In this context, the aims of this study were to determine the antibiofilm activity of storax and its cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in A549 lung cancer cells. In addition, with this study, it is also possible to make a very comprehensive biological evaluation by determining the effect of storax on certain microRNA expressions. According to our results, L. orientalis storax decreases cell proliferation in A549 lung cancer cells and the IC50 value was determined at 31.5 μg/mL at 24h. Storax also induces apoptosis via upregulating CASP3, 8, 9, and Bax gene expression and downregulating Bcl-2 expressions in A549 cells. Furthermore, storax decreases the expression of miR-146a, miR-21, and miR-223, while increasing the expression of miR-155. Storax inhibits biofilm formation and reduces the preformed biofilm of microbial strains including Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 33862), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and Candida albicans (ATCC 64548). The results suggest that storax has strong cytotoxic, apoptotic and antibiofilm properties and thus promising potential in medicine.

Visual clarity is crucial for shoulder arthroscopy, directly influencing surgical precision and outcomes. Despite advances in imaging technology, intraoperative bleeding remains a significant obstacle to optimal visibility, with subjective evaluation methods lacking consistency and standardization. This study proposes a novel image processing system to objectively quantify bleeding and assess surgical effectiveness. The system uses color recognition algorithms to calculate a bleeding score based on pixel ratios by incorporating multiple color spaces to enhance accuracy and minimize errors. Moreover, 200 three-second video clips from prior arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs were evaluated by three senior surgeons trained on the system’s color metrics and scoring process. Assessments were repeated two weeks later to test intraobserver reliability. The system’s scores were compared to the average score given by the surgeons. The average surgeon-assigned score was 5.10 (range: 1–9.66), while the system scored videos from 1 to 9.46, with an average of 5.08. The mean absolute error between system and surgeon scores was 0.56, with a standard deviation of 0.50, achieving agreement ranging from [0.96,0.98] with 96.7% confidence (ICC = 0.967). This system provides a standardized method to evaluate intraoperative bleeding, enabling the precise detection of blood variations and supporting advanced technologies like autonomous arthropumps to enhance arthroscopy and surgical outcomes.

AIM: To demonstrate the importance of an integrated viral surveillance to tackle the changing epidemiology and the continuing disease burden of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). BACKGROUND: International institutions such as European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control provide guidance for integrated surveillance of respiratory viruses. However, SARS-CoV-2 is not an integral part of sentinel influenza like illness and severe acute respiratory infections surveillance in Türkiye. METHODS: We utilized the database from the Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network project in Türkiye between November 1st, 2022 and May 31st, 2024 over two seasons. Patients admitted to five hospitals with influenza like illness symptoms in the last 7 days and stayed overnight in the hospital were screened three days a week and swabbed within 72 hours of admission in a standardized year around surveillance methodology. An oligonucleotide panel analysis was utilized during November 1st 2022 to October 31st 2023 and multiplex PCR was utilized thereafter to test for influenza A and B, SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RESULTS: A total of 984 inpatients were enrolled and 969 of them, 724 (75%) of whom were adults, had valid laboratory results. RSV was the most prevalent pathogen detected in 4.9% of the samples, followed by SARS-CoV-2 (4.8%) and influenza A and B (3%). CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 is circulating and resulting in hospital admissions among all age groups adding onto the influenza and RSV peaks. Integrated respiratory virus surveillance is crucial to guide informed public health policies and effective vaccination programs.

In the article, a scientific analysis has been made on the idioms in the form of compound verbs expressing emotion encountered in the copies of Dîvân-ı Hikmet in the libraries of the cities of Saint Petersburg, Egypt, İstanbul and Kökşetav and in the private library of Emel Esin. Idioms in the form of emotional compound verbs used in Yesevî’s hikmets are compared with their usage in historical and contemporary Turkish dialects. While the comparison was made, first of all, the structural aspect of the idioms was taken into account, but also their lexical-semantic meanings were tried to be revealed. In other words, the semantic closeness, interrelationships and differences of idioms,structurally the same or similar, used in hikmets, other historical works and contemporary Turkish dialects are emphasized. First of all, idioms in the form of compound verbs expressing emotion are classified as Persian and Turkish origin in terms of syntactic and structural aspects. Idioms in the form of emotional compound verbs formed according to the structure of Turkish were examined under several sub-titles such as ‘emotional idioms formed with organ names’, ‘emotional idioms formed with words related to body names’, ‘emotional idioms formed with concrete nouns’, ‘emotional idioms formed by analogy and comparison’ and ‘idioms formed with verbs’ and scientific analysis was made.

The aim of this study is to examine the institutional identity construction of the faculties of sports sciences on Instagram. The study group for the research consists of individuals who manage the Instagram accounts of sports science faculties of eight universities operating in Turkey. In this study, the case study design, which is one of the qualitative research types, was used. Since there is more than one situation that can be perceived as a whole on its own, the holistic multiple-case design, which is one of the types of case study, was chosen. Before analyzing the data, a research triangulation was provided by an expert interviewer to ensure credibility. Data were collected through structured interviews with eight participants. It was recorded by interviewing the people who manage the Instagram page over the internet. The analysis of the data obtained from the interviews was carried out by making thematic content analyses with the MaxQDA program. According to content analysis results, the corporate identity construction process of the sports science faculties of eight state universities operating in Turkey via Instagram. Postmodern communication was evaluated in four main themes such as online instant interaction, online presentation of the institution, and the role of social media leader, and each theme was discussed within itself.

A successful application of cooperative learning in mother tongue teaching, from the point of view of improving the quality of students' knowledge, requires great didactic and methodical expertise of teachers in group forming, cooperative task structuring, basic principles of cooperative learning, etc. The theoretical starting point of this paper is represented by the theory of social interdependence, Slavin's integrative model and revised Bloom's taxonomy of knowledge. In this paper, we will present the results of the ex-post-facto research conducted to examine whether and to what extent the application of cooperative learning can improve the quality of factual, conceptual and procedural knowledge of students in their mother tongue. On a systematic sample of students of the fourth grade of primary schools from 14 districts in Serbia (n = 720), two knowledge tests were applied for the initial and final measurement. The results of the research showed that various practices of the application of strategies of cooperative learning in the current teaching of the mother tongue contribute to the adoption and sustainability of students' knowledge, mostly factual, and then conceptual and procedural.

Bu çalışmanın amacı okul öncesi dönemde baba kişiliği, babalık rolü algısı ve çocukların sosyal davranışları arasındaki ilişkinin ve bu ilişkide baba katılımının aracı rolünün incelenmesidir. Çalışmada veri toplama aracı olarak, Babalık Rolü Algı Ölçeği, Baba Katılım Ölçeği, Beş Faktör Kişilik Ölçeği ve Demografik Bilgi Formu kullanılmıştır. Çalışma kapsamında toplanan veriler 2021-2022 yılının güz döneminde Google forms üzerinden çevrimiçi ölçekler vasıtasıyla elde edilmiştir. Betimsel araştırmaların türlerinden olan tarama modelinin seçildiği bu çalışmada ilişkisel desen ve tarama deseni tercih edilmiştir. Çalışmada ulaşılan veriler AMOS 23 ve SPSS 26 programları aracılığıyla analiz edilmiştir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu Türkiye’de yaşayan 3-6 yaş aralığında çocuğu olan 504 baba oluşturmaktadır. Araştırma elde edilen sonuçlara göre baba katılımı babanın kişilik özelliklerinden deneyime açıklık ve dışadönüklük yalnızca çocuğun kaygı-geri çekilme için anlamlı bir aracılık rolü göstermektedir. Babanın kişilik özelliklerinden nörotizm için ise baba katılımımın çocuğun öfke-agresyon, kaygı-geri çekilme ve sosyal yetkinlik düzeylerinin üçü için de anlamlı bir aracı olduğu görülmüştür. Babanın kişilik özellikleri, modern babalık rolü algısı, çocuğun sosyal davranışları ve baba katılımı arasındaki doğrudan ilişkiler bulgular bölümünde ayrıntılı olarak sunulmuştur. Araştırma da ulaşılan bir diğer sonuçta baba katılımının modern babalık rolü algısı ile çocuğun öfke-agresyon, kaygı-geri çekilme ve sosyal yetkinlik düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkide anlamlı bir aracılık rolü olduğudur. Modern babalık rolü algısı baba katılımını pozitif bir biçimde yordamaktadır. Ayrıca modern babalık rolü algısı çocuğun öfke-agresyon ve kaygı-geri çekilme düzeylerini negatif bir biçimde yordarken, sosyal yetkinlik düzeyini ise pozitif bir biçimde yordamaktadır.

Purpose: Subject teachers can contribute to education for sustainability by integrating sustainability concept into their courses. By relating mathematics topics with today's world problems, mathematics teachers can realize the significance of teaching sustainability. As a starting point, this study aimed to investigate the opinions of middle school pre-service mathematics teachers related to incorporating sustainability to their teaching. Method: In this study, a basic qualitative research design was used. The data were collected using semistructured interviews with 10 middle school pre-service mathematics teachers. A coding manual was developed considering the relevant literature. Findings: The findings revealed that pre-service mathematics teachers, except one of them, were aware of the concept of sustainability. However, most of them could not describe multiple aspects of sustainability; particularly, they defined sustainability concerning its environmental dimension. They also defined the purpose of education for sustainability as increasing individuals' environmental awareness. Pre-service mathematics teachers stated that while teaching mathematics, sustainability can be both a goal and a context or sustainability can be used as a context. Implications for Research and Practice: While teaching mathematics, sustainability topics can be used to design worthwhile problems using real-life examples. As a follow-up study, when these pre-service mathematics teachers start their profession, they can be asked to prepare sustainability integrated mathematics lessons and implement with their students. They can be observed and interviews can be conducted to understand their perceptions and experiences related to sustainability integrated mathematics teaching.

Background & aimsPrognostic factors of metastatic rectal cancer are not well known. We aim to determine prognostic factors affecting survival for metastatic rectal cancer patients and also to investigate the effect of tumor localization on overall survival.MethodsMetastatic rectal cancer patients who received treatment in 5 different centers between 2012 and 2022 were included. Prognostic factors for survival were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis. The statistical methods included Pearson’s chi-square test, Fisher exact test, Log-rank test, and Cox regression model.ResultsA total of 283 patients with metastatic rectal cancer were included in the study. The median OS was not significantly different among the three groups (upper rectum 30.1 months, middle rectum 28.3 months, and low rectum cancer 24.8 months; log-rank p = 0.25). In univariate analysis, Grade 3, ECOG performance status 2, the presence of multiple metastatic sites, the presence of KRAS mutation, the presence of liver metastases, the presence of nonregional lymph node metastases, and the presence of bone metastases were significant predictors of poor survival. In multivariate analysis, Grade 3, ECOG performance status 2, and the presence of multiple metastatic sites were determined as indicators of worse prognosis.ConclusionOur findings, primary tumor location did not affect survival in metastatic rectal cancer. The most important factors affecting survival were multiple metastatic sites, tumor grade, and ECOG performance status.

PurposeThere is no clear information in the literature about the relationship between the efficacy of CDK 4/6i combined with ET and HR positivity. However, we know that the longest overall survival was in the ER-strong positive/PR intermediate or strong positive groups. Therefore, we aimed to investigate CDK4/6i treatments that create positivity in HR.MethodsPatients with the diagnosis of HR+/HER2- MBC who were treated with CDK 4/6i and HR >10% were retrospectively evaluated. To analyze the role of HR positivity, ER was moderately positive (10-49%) and ER was strongly positive (50-100%); PR was grouped as moderately positive (10-49%) and PR strongly positive (50-100%).ResultsMedian follow-up of 150 patients included in the study was 15.2 months (95% CI, 2.1-40.9 months). The highest response in the whole group was obtained in the ER-strong positive/PR moderate or strong positive group, and the ER moderate positive/PR moderate or strong group. This was followed by the ER strong positive/PR negative group, and then the ER moderate positive/PR negative group. Although these advantages were not statistically significant, they were numerically higher (ORR: 83.8% vs. 83.3% vs. 77.4% vs. 62.5%, p=0.488, respectively). The highest survival in the whole group was achieved in the ER strong positive/PR moderate or strongly positive group, followed by the ER moderately positive/PR moderate or strongly positive group, the ER strongly positive/PR negative group followed by the ER moderate positive/PR negative group, respectively(p=0.410). However, these advantages were not statistically significant.ConclusionAs a result, HR+/HER2- MBC patients receiving CDK 4/6i combined with ET suggest that the percentage of HR positivity may have a predictive and prognostic role.

ObjectiveSulfonylureas, the first available drugs for the management of type 2 diabetes, remain widely prescribed today. However, there exists significant variability in glycemic response to treatment. We aimed to establish heritability of sulfonylurea response and identify genetic variants and interacting treatments associated with HbA1c reduction.Research design and methodsAs an initiative of the Metformin Genetics Plus Consortium (MetGen Plus) and the DIabetes REsearCh on patient straTification (DIRECT) consortium, 5,485 White Europeans with type 2 diabetes treated with sulfonylureas were recruited from six referral centers in Europe and North America. We first estimated heritability using the generalized restricted maximum likelihood approach and then undertook genome-wide association studies of glycemic response to sulfonylureas measured as HbA1c reduction after 12 months of therapy followed by meta-analysis. These results were supported by acute glipizide challenge in humans who were naïve to type 2 diabetes medications, cis expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL), and functional validation in cellular models. Finally, we examined for possible drug-drug-gene interactions.ResultsAfter establishing that sulfonylurea response is heritable (mean ± SEM 37 ± 11%), we identified two independent loci near the GXYLT1 and SLCO1B1 genes associated with HbA1c reduction at a genome-wide scale (P < 5 × 10-8). The C allele at rs1234032, near GXYLT1, was associated with 0.14% (1.5 mmol/mol), P = 2.39 × 10-8), lower reduction in HbA1c. Similarly, the C allele was associated with higher glucose trough levels (β = 1.61, P = 0.005) in healthy volunteers in the SUGAR-MGH given glipizide (N = 857). In 3,029 human whole blood samples, the C allele is a cis eQTL for increased expression of GXYLT1 (β = 0.21, P = 2.04 × 10-58). The C allele of rs10770791, in an intronic region of SLCO1B1, was associated with 0.11% (1.2 mmol/mol) greater reduction in HbA1c (P = 4.80 × 10-8). In 1,183 human liver samples, the C allele at rs10770791 is a cis eQTL for reduced SLCO1B1 expression (P = 1.61 × 10-7), which, together with functional studies in cells expressing SLCO1B1, supports a key role for hepatic SLCO1B1 (encoding OATP1B1) in regulation of sulfonylurea transport. Further, a significant interaction between statin use and SLCO1B1 genotype was observed (P = 0.001). In statin nonusers, C allele homozygotes at rs10770791 had a large absolute reduction in HbA1c (0.48 ± 0.12% [5.2 ± 1.26 mmol/mol]), equivalent to that associated with initiation of a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor.ConclusionsWe have identified clinically important genetic effects at genome-wide levels of significance, and important drug-drug-gene interactions, which include commonly prescribed statins. With increasing availability of genetic data embedded in clinical records these findings will be important in prescribing glucose-lowering drugs.

ObjectiveLeft ventricular assist devices (LVADs) fail in up to 10% of patients due to the development of pump thrombosis. Remote monitoring of patients with LVADs can enable early detection and, subsequently, treatment and prevention of pump thrombosis. We assessed whether acoustical signals measured on the chest of patients with LVADs, combined with machine learning algorithms, can be used for detecting pump thrombosis.Methods13 centrifugal pump (HVAD) recipients were enrolled in the study. When hospitalized for suspected pump thrombosis, clinical data and acoustical recordings were obtained at admission, prior to and after administration of thrombolytic therapy, and every 24 hours until laboratory and pump parameters normalized. First, we selected the most important features among our feature set using LDH-based correlation analysis. Then using these features, we trained a logistic regression model and determined our decision threshold to differentiate between thrombosis and non-thrombosis episodes.ResultsAccuracy, sensitivity and precision were calculated to be 88.9%, 90.9% and 83.3%, respectively. When tested on the post-thrombolysis data, our algorithm suggested possible pump abnormalities that were not identified by the reference pump power or biomarker abnormalities.SignificanceWe showed that the acoustical signatures of LVADs can be an index of mechanical deterioration and, when combined with machine learning algorithms, provide clinical decision support regarding the presence of pump thrombosis.

The development and advancement of technology, new opportunities, and effective environments are being created in education, and the role of technology in education, delivered to students through computers, smartphones, or mobile devices, mainly through the Internet, is gaining momentum. With the opportunities provided by technology, students can offer differentiated learning activities according to their learning needs, preferences, and styles. In contrast, students can personalize their technological tools with the application and content they want and participate in this process in line with their learning preferences. The purpose of this study was to examine the acceptance of mobile learning tools and mobile learning attitudes of physical education teacher candidates in Turkey. A random stratified sampling method was used. According to the findings of the research; Physical education teacher candidates' attitude levels towards mobile learning are seen to be relatively higher than their acceptance levels of mobile devices. It has been observed that motivation and satisfaction variables, which are sub-factors of Attitude Towards Mobile Learning, have a high level of correlation with each other. On the other hand, it can be said that the willingness to use mobile devices mostly affects the acceptance of mobile learning tools. In general, students perceive mobile learning positively in educational environments. In this context, with the support of educational institutions, it is possible to include mobile devices in learning-teaching processes because of their advantages such as motivating, interesting and easy-to-use physical education teacher candidates, as well as supporting learning and being independent of time and space.

Objective: There is not enough data in the literature regarding Her-2 overexpression in uterine carcinosarcomas or its association with the prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine the Her-2 overexpression rate in uterine carcinosarcoma and to evaluate its relationship with the prognosis. Material and Method: Her-2 protein and gene status were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), respectively, in hysterectomy specimens from 51 patients with uterine carcinosarcoma. Results: Her-2 protein expression in the epithelial component was negative in 42 patients (score 0 in 33 cases, score (+1) in 9 cases), score (+2) in 7 patients and score (+3) in 2 patients. None of the patients had Her-2 protein expression within the sarcomatous component of the tumors. Her-2 gene was not amplified in epithelial or mesenchymal tumor areas according to the FISH method. There was no difference between the Her-2 overexpression negative and positive groups in terms of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Her-2 overexpression was significantly higher in tumors of patients diagnosed at 65 years or older (p=0.046). Conclusion: In our study, no relationship could be shown between Her-2 overexpression and prognosis in uterine carcinosarcoma. More comprehensive studies are needed to illustrate the relationship between Her-2 overexpression and carcinosarcoma prognosis.

Due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, certain adjustments in the way that extracurricular activities in school are implemented had to be introduced. Given the importance of extracurricular activities in the realization of the school's educational role and student development, research with the aim of investigating the manner of organization and implementation of extracurricular activities during the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted. A descriptive, non-experimental method and the survey technique were applied. The research included primary school teachers from three districts in Serbia (N = 242). According to the teachers, extracurricular activities were only partially organized due to the pandemic, most commonly directly and through a combination of face-to-face (direct) instruction and online learning platforms, but their implementation was marred by numerous difficulties, which had numerous implications for the areas and possibilities of student participation in school competitions, and the level of engagement in them. The assumption about the influence of independent variables (town, grade year, level of education, professional experience, attitude toward digitization in education, development of a teacher's digital competencies) on the teachers' opinions regarding the organization and implementation of extracurricular activities during the pandemic was partially confirmed. Based on the results obtained, recommendations regarding direct instruction were given, and directions for further research in this area were outlined.

Better understanding of crop yield response under salinity and water deficit conditions is essential to meet food need under the circumstance of population growth and climate extremities. It has been well known that plant species response differently under stress conditions. Recent studies show that these different responses occur not only among species but also in different varieties within the same species. The aims of the study are to examine and to compare yield, yield response factors (ky), salinity thresholds, biomasses, and water productivity responses of six varieties of pepper plant (Sürmeli-Hot, Yalova, BT016-Hot, BT 016, BT Ünsal, BT Demok) under salinity conditions. In another experiment under the same conditions (location, time, growth media etc.), water deficit was applied to two of these six varieties (BT Ünsal and BT Demok) separately, and their responses to salinity and water deficit conditions were compared. The experiment was carried out in containers. The amount of irrigation water was determined manually by weighing each container. Water deficit treatments were consisted of meeting 120, 100, 70 and 50% of soil water depleted from field capacity. Water salinity levels were 0.25 (control), 2, 4 and 6 dS m-1. There was no difference in yield under non-stress and excessive stress conditions, but the yield difference was as high as 38.9% under moderate stress conditions. Varietal differences were also observed for water productivity. Salinity threshold values vary between 0.89 and 1.83 dS m-1. Yield response factor (ky) were high for all varieties under salinity. Comparing the ky values obtained under water deficit and salinity experiments, sensitivity to salinity induced water stress was found higher than that of applied water deficit itself. Using salinity (Model 1) and water deficit (Model 2) data set of two varieties, two models were created plotting relative yield and water potentials (osmotic potential + matric potential) and compered their predications statistically. Statistically better predictions were obtained from Model 2.