Unipolar versus bipolar hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures: A pooled analysis of 30,250 participants data

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical outcomes of unipolar versus bipolar hemiarthroplasty for displaced intracapsular femoral neck fractures in older patients and to report whether bipolar implants yield better long-term functional results. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library for relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies, comparing unipolar and bipolar hemiarthroplasty. Data were extracted from eligible studies and pooled as relative risk (RR) or mean difference (MD) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) using RevMan software for Windows. RESULTS: A total of 30 studies were included (13 RCTs and 17 observational studies). Analyses included 30,250 patients with a mean age of 79 years and mean follow-up time of 24.6 months. The overall pooled estimates showed that bipolar was superior to unipolar hemiarthroplasty in terms of hip function, range of motion and reoperation rate, but at the expense of longer operative time. In the longer term the unipolar group had higher rates of acetabular erosion compared to the bipolar group. There was no significant difference in terms of hip pain, implant related complications, intraoperative blood loss, mortality, six-minute walk times, medical outcomes, and hospital stay and subsequently cost. CONCLUSIONS: Bipolar hemiarthroplasty is associated with better range of motion, lower rates of acetabular erosion and lower reoperation rates compared to the unipolar hemiarthroplasty but at the expense of longer operative time. Both were similar in terms of mortality, and surgical or medical outcomes. Future large studies are recommended to compare both methods regarding the quality of life

The investigation of the mediating role of coping trategies on the relationship between childhood traumas, depression and alcohol use disorder in university students

The aim of this study is to investigate the mediating effect of coping strategies on the relationship among childhood traumas, depression, and alcohol use disorder in university students. The participants of this study consisted of 735 (209 males and 526 females) university students. Participants completed measures of depressive symptoms, childhood traumas, problematic alcohol consumption, and coping strategies as well as a socio-demographic information form. According to results, coping strategies fully mediated the relationship between childhood traumas and alcohol use disorder, and partially mediated the relationship between childhood traumas and depression

N-Doped Graphene Oxide as Additive for Fumed Silica Based Gel Electrolyte of Valve Regulated Lead Acid Batteries

In this work, nitrogen doped graphene oxide powder (N-GrOP) was used as an additive for fumed silica based gelled electrolyte of valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries for the first time in the literature. Optimum amount of additive was determined as 0.4 wt% N-GrOP by using of electrochemical methods and corrosion tests. The structural features of fumed silica based gelled electrolyte with and without N-GrOP was investigated by SEM analysis. Then, the effects of agitation time and stirring rate on the formation and structure of the fumed silica based gelled electrolyte were optimized as 180 min and 1250 rpm, respectively, by using of electrochemical technics. Corrosion tendency of the electrodes were determined by Tafel curves. Cyclic charge/discharge tests were also carried out to determine the discharge capacity of the electrolytes. The discharge capacities of fumed silica based gelled electrolyte with and without N-GrOP and non-gelled electrolyte were determined as 33 mAh.cm(-2), 16 mAh.cm(-2) and 0.70 mAh.cm(-2) at 20 mA.cm(-2) charge/discharge current densities, respectively. The interaction of N-GrOP with hydrolyzed fumed silica particles occurred and the discharge capacities of the fumed silica-based gel electrolyte increased in VRLA batteries