Compared Research Articles

Development of the Reporting Infographics and Visual Abstracts of Comparative studies (RIVA-C) checklist and guide

People often use infographics (also called visual or graphical abstracts) as a substitute for reading the full text of an article. This is a concern because most infographics do not...

Head-to-head comparative study: evaluating three panels for MSI-PCR testing in patients with colorectal and gastric cancer

AimsDue to the lack of large clinical cohorts in the Chinese populations with colorectal cancer (CRC) and gastric cancer (GC), there is no consensus among the preferred panel for microsatellite...

Characterization and comparability study of a series of novel fluorinated polyacrylates with a rigid cyclohexane mesogenic core

Surface reconstruction has always been a pain point in the study of short-chain perfluoroalkyl acrylate polymers, and how to maintain the balance between environmental protection and good performance is the key issue. We exploited the high efficiency and selectivity of the reaction between the isophorone di-isocyanate group and the hydroxyl group, and the rigid cyclohexane structure contained in their molecule to efficiently prepare a series of novel fluoro acrylate monomers (IFAM) containing rigid cyclohexane as mesogenic core and their homopolymers (PIFAM) with different lengths of short-chain perfluoroalkyl side chains. Their structures, liquid crystal behavior, thermal properties, surface chemical compositions, surface morphologies, and hydrophobicity were characterized and comparatively studied by FTIR, NMR, XRD, POM, DSC, TGA, XPS, AFM, and static/dynamic contact angle tester and dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate (DFMA) and its homopolymer as a contrast. The results demonstrated that both the synthesized monomers and homopolymers possessed the expected chemical structures with thermotropic liquid crystalline behavior. Furthermore, the thermal stability and hydrophobicity of the polymers increased with the extension of the fluorocarbon chain length. The incorporation of the mesocrystalline motif and appropriate length of fluoroalkyl tails in the PIFAM polymers would enhance hydrophobic stability, as it promoted the crystallinity of the side chains and limited the structural rearrangement of the fluorocarbon chains. This study offers a straightforward method for synthesizing fluoro acrylate polymers with stable surface properties, highlighting their potential application in hydrophobic coatings.

Comparative study on total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy in dog

Comparative study on total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy in dog

A Comparison of Self-esteem, Body Image, and Depression in Hysterectomized and Non-hysterectomized Iranian Women: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study

Background: Hysterectomy is one of the factors that may affect women's body image and self-esteem and lead to serious psychological complications. Objective: The study aimed to compare self-esteem, body image, and depression in hysterectomized and non-hysterectomized Iranian women Methods: In this cross-sectional comparative study, 140 women of the reproductive age, who have undergone hysterectomy with benign causes, were compared in terms of self-esteem, body image, and depression with 140 women receiving medical treatment due to abnormal bleeding in educational and medical centers in Tabriz, Iran. Sampling was conducted by convenience method. Self-esteem was assessed with the Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire, body image was assessed with the multidimensional body-self relations questionnaire, and depression was assessed with the Beck II depression inventory. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation test, independent t-test, chi-square test, and general linear model. Results: The mean (standard deviation) of the body image in hysterectomized and nonhysterectomized women was 235.3 (28.5) and 250.1 (23.4) out of an achievable score of 69-395, respectively. The mean (standard deviation) self-esteem score for hysterectomized women was 20.4 (4.8) and it was 24.2 (3.4) in non-hysterectomized women (out of an achievable score of 0-30). The mean (standard deviation) depression score was 18.1 (9.7) and 5.5 (4.6) out of 0-63 in hysterectomized and non-hysterectomized women, respectively. The differences in self-esteem, body image, and depression variables were statistically significant in hysterectomized and non-hysterectomized women, respectively (P<0.001) Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, the body image and self-esteem in hysterectomized women were low compared to non-hysterectomized women, while the level of depression was high, and this difference was statistically significant.

AR3n: A Reinforcement Learning-Based Assist-as-Needed Controller for Robotic Rehabilitation

In this article, we present AR3n (pronounced as Aaron), an assist-as-needed (AAN) controller that utilizes reinforcement learning (RL), to supply adaptive assistance during a robot-assisted handwriting rehabilitation task. Unlike previous AAN controllers, our method does not rely on patient-specific controller parameters or physical models. We propose the use of a virtual patient model to generalize AR3n across multiple subjects. The system modulates robotic assistance in real time based on a subject’s tracking errors while minimizing the amount of robotic assistance. The controller is experimentally validated through a set of simulations and human subject experiments. Finally, a comparative study with a traditional rule-based controller is conducted to analyze differences in the assistance mechanisms of the two controllers.

Comparative Study on Torque Ripple Reduction Considering Minimum Losses for Synchronous Reluctance Motor Drives

Comparative Study on Torque Ripple Reduction Considering Minimum Losses for Synchronous Reluctance Motor Drives

The Optimal Suture Bite Depth in Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty: A Comparative Study in Children.

Background: Modified Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty is currently preferred for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Extravasation of urine and anastomotic stenosis are the most common complications after Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty, which are closely linked with the technique for anastomosis. However, there are currently no clear guidelines for the suture bite depth in suturing the anastomosis during pyeloplasty. Objective: To analyze the optimal suture bite depth in laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty. Study Design: A total of 90 children aged 4-14 years with UPJO-induced hydronephrosis who were surgically treated in the First People's Hospital of Lianyungang from July 2019 to July 2022 were prospectively recruited. All received laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty using 5-0 Vicryl continuous sutures. According to the suture bite depth, the patients were divided into group A (depth 1 mm, n = 46) and group B (depth 0.5 mm, n = 44). Operation time, postoperative drainage volume, time of ureteral stent removal, incidence of postoperative complications, and time to hydronephrosis resolution were compared between groups. Results: Group A showed significantly less postoperative drainage volume, and shorter time of ureteral stent removal and hydronephrosis resolution (all P < .05). Four cases in group B received replacement of a double-J stent. Except for 1 patient receiving reoperation for anastomotic stenosis caused by massive extravasation of urine, the replaced double-J stent was successfully removed from the remaining 3 patients at 3 months, and the symptoms of anastomotic stenosis disappeared. No significant difference was detected in the operation time between groups (P > .05). Conclusion: An appropriate deeper suture bite depth for anastomosis may reduce postoperative urine extravasation and related complications in children who received laparoscopic pyeloplasty for UPJO-induced hydronephrosis.

Quantification of eosinophils in the lower gastrointestinal tract of adults: a review of surgical specimens with normal histology from the Free State province, South Africa.

Eosinophils are normal residents of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). They are noted in small numbers with significant variation between anatomic locations. An idiopathic increase of eosinophils is known as eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (EGID). EGIDs are a heterologous group of disorders that produce a range of enteric and colonic syndromes. Their incidence has been increasing worldwide. Our study aimed to quantify eosinophils in each segment of the GIT in surgical specimens with normal histology to facilitate the histological diagnosis of EGID. Similarly, we aimed to describe the effect of race and gender on gastrointestinal eosinophil numbers. A retrospective, quantitative comparative study was performed. We assessed 360 surgical specimens with normal histology from the lower gastrointestinal tract of African and Caucasian adults from the Free State Province, South Africa. The number of eosinophils per mm² was counted. Overall, comparable eosinophil values were noted for both males and females, and African and Caucasian South Africans. However, Caucasians recorded a higher concentration of eosinophils in the appendix and the left colon. Eosinophils were most numerous in the lamina propria, with only small numbers present in the epithelium. Our results show that the South African population has similar eosinophil distribution trends to international studies. However, South Africans had far fewer eosinophils than Japanese and North American adults in each segment. Specific eosinophil reference ranges were formulated to quantify reference ranges of eosinophils in the lower GIT, allowing for the accurate diagnosis of EGIDs in our population in future.

Nano-scale characterization of iron-carbohydrate complexes by cryogenic scanning transmission electron microscopy: Building the bridge to biorelevant characterization

Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia pose significant health challenges worldwide. Iron carbohydrate nanoparticles administered intravenously are a mainstay of treatment to deliver elemental iron safely and effectively. However, despite decades of clinical use, a complete understanding of their physical structure and the significance for their behavior, particularly at the nano-bio interface, is still lacking, underscoring the need to employ more sophisticated characterization methods. Our study used cryogenic Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (cryo-STEM) to examine iron carbohydrate nanoparticle morphology. This method builds upon previous research, where direct visualization of the iron cores in these complexes was achieved using cryogenic Transmission Electron Microscopy (cryo-TEM). Our study confirms that the average size of the iron cores within these nanoparticles is approximately 2 nm across all iron-based products studied. Furthermore, our investigation revealed the existence of discernible cluster-like morphologies, not only for ferumoxytol, as previously reported, but also within all the examined iron-carbohydrate products. The application of cryo-STEM for the analyses of product morphologies provides high-contrast and high-resolution images of the nanoparticles, and facilitates the characterization at liquid nitrogen temperature, thereby preserving the structural integrity of these complex samples. The findings from this study offer valuable insights into the physical structure of iron-carbohydrate nanoparticles, a crucial step towards unraveling the intricate relationship between the structure and function of this widely used drug class in treating iron deficiency. Additionally, we developed and utilized the self-supervised machine learning workflow for the image analysis of iron-carbohydrate complexes, which might be further expanded into a useful characterization tool for comparability studies.

Comparative Proteomic Study of Retinal Ganglion Cells Undergoing Various Types of Cellular Stressors.

Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) damage serves as a key indicator of various retinal degenerative diseases, including diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma, retinal arterial and retinal vein occlusions, as well as inflammatory and traumatic optic neuropathies. Despite the growing body of data on the RGC proteomics associated with these conditions, there has been no dedicated study conducted to compare the molecular signaling pathways involved in the mechanism of neuronal cell death. Therefore, we launched the study using two different insults leading to RGC death: glutamate excitotoxicity and optic nerve crush (ONC). C57BL/6 mice were used for the study and underwent NMDA- and ONC-induced damages. Twenty-four hours after ONC and 1 hour after NMDA injection, we collected RGCs using CD90.2 coupled magnetic beads, prepared protein extracts, and employed LC-MS for the global proteomic analysis of RGCs. Statistically significant changes in proteins were analyzed using the Shiny Go program to identify GO biological processes and molecular functions resulting from the treatment. We identified unique and common alterations in protein profiles in RGCs undergoing different types of cellular stressors. Additionally, we observed the absence of certain proteins in treated RGCs compared to the control group. Our study not only identified both unique and shared proteomic changes but also laid the groundwork for the future development of a therapeutic platform for testing gene candidates for DR and glaucoma.

Examining the Effect of Missing Data and Unmeasured Confounding on External Comparator Studies: Case Studies and Simulations.

Missing data and unmeasured confounding are key challenges for external comparator studies. This work evaluates bias and other performance characteristics depending on missingness and unmeasured confounding by means of two case studies and simulations. Two case studies were constructed by taking the treatment arms from two randomised controlled trials and an external real-world data source that exhibited substantial missingness. The indications of the randomised controlled trials were multiple myeloma and metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Overall survival was taken as the main endpoint. The effects of missing data and unmeasured confounding were assessed for the case studies by reporting estimated external comparator versus randomised controlled trial treatment effects. Based on the two case studies, simulations were performed broadening the settings by varying the underlying hazard ratio, the sample size, the sample size ratio between the experimental arm and the external comparator, the number of missing covariates and the percentage of missingness. Thereby, bias and other performance metrics could be quantified dependent on these factors. For the multiple myeloma external comparator study, results were in line with the randomised controlled trial, despite missingness and potential unmeasured confounding, while for the metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer case study missing data led to a low sample size, leading overall to inconclusive results. Furthermore, for the metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer study, missing data in important eligibility criteria led to further limitations. Simulations were successfully applied to gain a quantitative understanding of the effects of missing data and unmeasured confounding. This exploratory study confirmed external comparator strengths and limitations by quantifying the impact of missing data and unmeasured confounding using case studies and simulations. In particular, missing data in key eligibility criteria were seen to limit the ability to derive the external comparator target analysis population accurately, while simulations demonstrated the magnitude of bias to expect for various settings.

A comparative ethnic study on the urban integration of the migrant populations in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during the process of urbanization

ABSTRACT This paper constructs an urban integration index system of the migrant population to compare differences in the level of urban integration among different ethnic groups on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The study finds that Tibetan migrants have the highest level of urban integration, followed by Han and then Hui migrants. The migrants of each ethnic group have their own advantages in urban integration among the different dimensions used in this study. Han migrants have the highest level of economic integration, Tibetan migrants have the highest level of social participation, and Hui migrants have the highest level of psychological and cultural integration. There are also regional differences, with the level of urban integration of migrants in Qinghai Province being higher than that of migrants in the Tibet Autonomous Region. From the perspective of the different dimensions of integration, the economic integration of migrants in Qinghai Province and the social participation of migrants in the Tibet Autonomous Region have integration advantages. In addition, factors affecting the urban integration of the migrant population of different ethnic groups share some similarities and have some differences.

A Comparative Study of Histopathology of the Inferior Turbinate in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With and Without Polyp

A Comparative Study of Histopathology of the Inferior Turbinate in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With and Without Polyp

Organocatalytic Synthesis of (Hetero)arylidene Malononitriles Using a More Sustainable, Greener, and Scalable Strategy.

The establishment of a green and sustainable Knoevenagel condensation reaction in organic chemistry is still crucial. This work aimed to provide a newly developed metal-free and halogen-free catalytic methodology for the synthesis of CS and (hetero-) arylidene malononitriles in the laboratory and industrial scale. The Knoevenagel condensation reaction of various carbonyl groups with malononitrile was investigated in ethanol, an ecofriendly medium, in the presence of seven nitrogen-based organocatalysts. A comparative study was conducted using two as-obtained and four commercially available nitrogen-based organocatalysts in Knoevenagel condensation reactions. The synthesis of CS gas (2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile) using a closed catalytic system was optimized based on their efficiency and greener approach. The conversion of 100% and excellent yields were obtained in a short time. The products could be crystallized directly from the reaction mixture. After separating pure products, the residue solution was employed directly in the next run without any concentration, activation, purification, or separation. Furthermore, the synthesis of 2-chlorobenzylidenemahmonitrile (CS) was carried out on a large scale using imidazole as a selected nitrogen-based catalyst, afforded crystalline products with 95 ± 2% yield in five consecutive runs. Energy efficiency, cost saving, greener conditions, using only 5 mol% of organocatalyst, high recyclability of catalyst, prevention of waste, recycling extractant by a rotary evaporator for non-crystallized products, demonstrated the potential commercial production of CS using imidazole in ethanol as an efficient and highly recyclable catalytic system.

Comparative Study Among Boer, Damascus and Their Crossbred Goats: Performance, Digestion, Nutritive Values and Blood Parameters

Comparative Study Among Boer, Damascus and Their Crossbred Goats: Performance, Digestion, Nutritive Values and Blood Parameters

A comparative study of breadth and depth of content in junior secondary biology syllabi in four jurisdictions

ABSTRACT Breadth and depth of curriculum are important for success in science teaching and learning. Curriculum theorists recommend less breadth and more depth than overloaded, superficial science curricula. This study investigates breadth and depth in the official biology syllabi in the seventh to eighth or ninth years in four diverse jurisdictions, Kenya, South Africa, British Columbia (Canada) and Singapore. Breadth was the number of generic topics included in each syllabus. Depth comprised focus, meaning the proportion of statements devoted to each topic, and demand, meaning the complexity and abstractness of each topic. High-performing jurisdictions, British Columbia and Singapore, have contrasting profiles of breadth and depth, with British Columbia having low breadth, high focus and high demand, while Singapore has high breadth, low focus and lower demand than British Columbia. Low-performing South Africa has high breadth, some focus but lower demand than the high-performing jurisdictions. Kenya has low breadth, high focus, but low demand. Breadth, focus and demand are independent parameters of biology syllabus. High-performing jurisdictions have higher demand but not focus nor breadth than South Africa and Kenya. The British Columbia syllabus best fits the appeal for less breadth and more depth.

Obstetric Characteristics and Outcomes of Gestational Carrier Pregnancies

Advancements in assisted reproductive technology (ART) have led to an increase in gestational carrier (GC) pregnancies. However, the perinatal outcomes of GC pregnancies remain understudied, necessitating a deeper understanding of their associated risks. To assess maternal characteristics and obstetric outcomes associated with GC pregnancies. A comprehensive systematic search of publications published before October 31, 2023, using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted. Two authors selected studies examining obstetric characteristics and outcomes in GC pregnancies with 24 or more weeks' gestation. Studies with insufficient outcome information, unavailable data on gestational surrogacies, and non-English language studies were excluded. Adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, 2 investigators extracted and synthesized both quantitative and qualitative data. Both fixed-effect and random-effect analysis were used to pool data. The primary outcomes were obstetric characteristics and outcomes, including hypertensive disorders, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Secondary outcomes included severe maternal morbidity and mortality associated with GC pregnancies. Six studies from 2011 to 2023 involving 28 300 GC pregnancies and 1 270 662 non-GC pregnancies were included. GCs accounted for 2.5% of in vitro fertilization cycles (59 502 of 2 374 154 cycles) and 3.8% of ART pregnancies (26 759 of 701 047 ART pregnancies). GC pregnancies were more likely to be conceived by frozen embryo transfer compared with non-GC ART pregnancies (odds ratio [OR], 2.84; 95% CI, 1.56-5.15), and rates of single embryo transfer were similar between the 2 groups (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.94-1.48). GCs were rarely nulliparous (6 of 361 patients [1.7%]) and were more likely to have multifetal pregnancies compared with non-GC ART patients (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02-1.35). Comparator studies revealed lower odds of cesarean delivery (adjusted OR [aOR], 0.42; 95% CI, 0.27-0.65) and comparable rates of hypertensive disorders (aOR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.45-1.64), preterm birth (aOR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.68-1.00), and low birth weight (aOR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.50-1.26) in GC pregnancies vs non-GC ART pregnancies. Comparatively, GC pregnancies had higher odds of hypertensive disorders (aOR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.13-1.84) vs general (non-GC ART and non-ART) pregnancies with comparable cesarean delivery risk (aOR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.90-1.25). Preterm birth and low birth weight data lacked a comparative group using multivariate analysis. Severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality were rare among GCs. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, although GC pregnancies had slightly improved outcomes compared with non-GC ART pregnancies, they posed higher risks than general pregnancies. Contributing factors may include ART procedures and increased rates of multiple gestations which influence adverse perinatal outcomes in GC pregnancies.

Suicidal ideation in adolescence: an explanation from three of its associated variables in Bogotá, 2009

Objective: To determine the relationship between hopelessness, loneliness and the level of family health in school-age adolescents with and without suicidal ideation to deepen in the knowledge of this phenomenon from a nursing point of view and to pose promotion and prevention options in Bogotá, Colombia. Method: This was a cross-sectional, comparative, correlational, descriptive and quantitative study. The sample was selected in the period between February and April 2009, through mixed sampling and 482 school-attending 14-17 year-old adolescents were included. Widely recognized and highly qualified psychometric tools were used to measure the variables concerned. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistic analysis were used to describe the behavior of each variable, to explore the relationships and contrasts between these variables and to estimate the effect of the independent variables on the presence of suicidal thoughts. This study has followed the ethical considerations necessary for research involving human beings.Results: 20% of the sample used reported the presence of suicidal thoughts or desires. All variables studied influence the presence of suicidal thoughts except age, socioeconomic strata, borough and type of school. However, with the use of logistic regression methods, the variables that best express the presence of suicidal thoughts are: previous suicide attempt, low self-esteem, depression and belonging to an unhealthy family.Conclusions: Data on suicidal ideation and attempts made in this study support the idea of implementing greater preventive efforts within families and schools. Identifying adolescents at risk of suicide or mental health disorders, and build effective prevention and treatment programs is a priority.

A Comparation Study of Transmission Line Routing Based on A* and RRT Algorithms

Transmission line design is an important part of power grid engineering design, and transmission line path selection is the basis of line design. Transmission line route selection is to select a line path that can not only meet the requirements of power transmission and consumption, but also consider the cost control of the line, and avoid the farmland, highways, ecological exclusion zone between the start and end of the transmission line. The path scheme is constrained by geographical factors, project cost, construction conditions, operation and maintenance conditions, which makes the path selection show the characteristics of comprehensive diversity, spatial complexity, policy influence and so on. In the traditional route selection of transmission lines, line design specialists need to go through blind route selection, site survey and other steps to determine the path scheme, but because of insufficient effectiveness of the map, it is difficult to reflect the real environmental information, resulting in repeated route selection work to determine the final path scheme. In this paper, the selection principle of transmission line path is introduced first. Then, two path optimization algorithms, i.e. A* algorithm and rapidly expanding random tree (RRT) algorithm, are used to select transmission lines respectively. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of these two algorithms in practical engineering line selection design are comparatively analyzed. Compared with the way of A* algorithm, RRT algorithm is more suitable for practical application of power system. It aims to provide a reference for the method of intelligent line selection in subsequent transmission design.