Open versus closed reduction and internal fixation in children with femoral neck fractures. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

Background: Femoral neck fractures in children are uncommon, making up little more than 1% of all paediatric fractures. It's not apparent which type of internal fixation-closed or open-is preferable in these situations when it comes to therapeutic options. When treating children with displaced femoral neck fractures, serious problems can arise. Methods: Five databases were examined: Medline Plus, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science. The outcomes that were relevant for the meta-analysis were non-union, coxa vara, and avascular necrosis. Using the RevMan file, we extracted the data and carried out the analysis (Review Manager Version 5.3). Results: 294 patients had ORIF procedures and 266 patients had CRIF procedures in the included trials. Regarding the outcome of avascular necrosis, we discovered that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (RR = 0.84, [95% confidence range (CI) = 0.60, 1.18], P = 0.32). There was homogeneity in the data (P = 0.22, I2 = 27%). When it came to coxa vara, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (RR = 0.69, [95% CI = 0.30, 1.58], P = 0.38). There was homogeneity in the data (P = 0.22, I2 = 27%). Regarding non-union, the similar outcome was seen (RR = 0.45, [95% CI = 0.16, 1.14], P = 0.12). There was homogeneity in the data (P = 0.49, I2 = 0%). Conclusion: Regarding reducing the risk of non-union, coxa vara, and avascular necrosis, we did not find any difference between CRIF and ORIF. To validate this outcome, however, additional research on the various variables (fracture type, age, displacement, fixation technique, and duration of surgery) is required. Sorting patients based on the kind of fracture will ensure that the right approach is used for each type.

The impact of stress-coping strategies on perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic among university students an interventional study.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a public health emergency. During the outbreak, a broad range of psychological disorders affected people at the individual, community, and international levels. This study aimed to assess the role of stress-coping strategies in relieving perceived stress among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This interventional study was nested on a cross-sectional design and involved students at Faiyum University in 2022. RESULTS: Out of a sample of 2640 students, 2176 (82.4%) experienced moderate perceived stress, while 56 (2.1%) had more severe levels. Being female, nonmedical students, and rural inhabitants having a low socioeconomic status were associated with scores for severe and moderate levels of perceived stress. Among the interventional group, Modified Perceived Stress Scale scores significantly decreased after the implementation of the stress-coping program, with a p value < 0.001. Improvements in perceived stress levels were observed among male, medical, and high-socioeconomic-status students. CONCLUSION: Perceived stress levels were associated with being female, engaging in nonmedical study, and having low socioeconomic status and decreased after a stress-coping program was implemented. These findings assert the need to develop regular campaigns to provide psychological support and stress-coping strategies that may help students overcome different stressors.

Screening of subclinical functional hemoglobin and red blood cell abnormalities among blood donors of Fayoum University Hospital in Egypt: Are RET-He, and IRF useful screening tools?

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of red cell transfusion in a given blood unit that relied on both quantity and quality of donated cells undoubtedly affects prognostic outcomes. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the frequency of subclinical functional hemoglobin and red cell abnormalities in donated blood of Fayoum University Hospital in Egypt. Additionally, to assess the usefulness of reticulocyte mean hemoglobin content (RET-He) and immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) as screening measures for such abnormalities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 200 volunteer blood donors who met the national standard criterion of blood donation. Complete blood count with reticulocyte parameters, serum ferritin, sickling test, G6PD assay, Mentzer index, and naked-eye single tube red cell osmotic fragility test were carried out. RESULTS: Functional red cell abnormalities represented 44 % of this cohort. Out of them, 4.5 % had iron deficiency, 11 % had a positive sickling test, 19 % had G6PD deficiency, and 9.5 % had suspicious thalassemia. The sensitivity and specificity test for RET-He in selective identification of functional hemoglobin abnormalities in donated blood were 83.3 % and 61.2 %, respectively at a cutoff value of 26.9. Though there was no statistically significant effect of RET-He on the selective detection of G6PD deficiency, IRF had a statistically significant high level with a p-value of 0.04. CONCLUSION: Subclinical functional red cell abnormalities seem to be prevalent among blood donors. Reticulocyte/ erythrocyte indices could be useful screening tools for red cell abnormalities. Further studies are required for assessing the impact of transfusing such abnormalities to neonates and other critical recipients.