International medical students face elevated risks of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; characterized by re-experiencing, avoidance, and a sense of threat per ICD-11), and complex PTSD (C-PTSD; encompassing core PTSD symptoms alongside disturbances in self-organization, including emotion dysregulation, negative self-concept, and relationship difficulties). This study aims to determine the prevalence of these conditions among students at Ain Shams University (n = 310) and to compare those from conflict-affected regions with those from non-conflict regions. This analytical cross-sectional survey (October 2024–January 2025) employed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress 21 Scale (DASS-21) and the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Students experienced a high symptom burden: 36.5
Despite the growing evidence of increasing divorce rates and marital distress among Egyptian couples, there are scarce studies that have explored marital satisfaction in Egypt. This study aimed to assess marital dissatisfaction, utilization of marital counseling services, and attitude toward seeking these services among married women in Upper Egypt. A cross-sectional study design was applied. An Interviewer-administered questionnaire was filled out by 540 formally married women attending outpatient clinics at Aswan University Hospital. It inquired about personal data, the Marital Satisfaction Scale (MSS), whether marital counseling services were utilized, and attitudes toward seeking such services. The median and range values of total MSS and attitudes towards seeking marital counseling services were 24 (1–87) and 3 (0–7), respectively. The prevalence of utilizing marital counseling services was 8
Acute appendicitis is one of the most common general surgical diseases in children. The high misdiagnosis rate and high complication rate of appendicitis in the pediatric population have led to a more serious incidence of appendicitis in children. Therefore, for pediatric appendicitis, early accurate diagnosis and timely intervention are of vital importance. This cross-sectional study used data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database to analyze the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), and age-standardized disability-adjusted life year rate (ASDR) of appendicitis in children aged 0 to 14 years from 1990 to 2021. We calculated the average estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) using linear regression and analyzed the trends using the joinpoint analysis. The analysis was stratified by region, country, and Socioeconomic Development Index (SDI). We examined the associations of the EAPC with SDI and baseline rates. A total of 63,401,760 children were included. In 2021, the global number of incident cases of pediatric appendicitis was estimated at 2,193,019.79 (95
Labor pain and maternal comfort during childbirth can influence women’s childbirth experience, labor progress, and psychological well-being. Non-pharmacological interventions are increasingly used to support labor pain management in a safe and supportive manner. Quran recitation, a culturally familiar auditory intervention for Muslim women, may help reduce pain perception and promote relaxation during labor. This study aims to examine the effect of listening to Quran recitation on labor pain, childbirth comfort, and blood pressure among nulliparous women in Oman. A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Khoula Hospital, Oman, among 120 nulliparous women with singleton term pregnancies in active labor. Participants were allocated into two groups: a Quran recitation group (n = 60) and a back massage group (n = 60). Women in the intervention group listened to a recorded Quran recitation during labor, while the comparison group received a standardized back massage. Labor pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pain behavior using the Pain Behavioral Observation Scale (PBOS-3), and childbirth comfort using the Childbirth Comfort Questionnaire (CCQ). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were also recorded. Measurements were obtained before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests, independent t-test, chi-square, and multivariate linear regression. Women in the Quran recitation group showed a significant reduction in mean VAS pain scores, decreasing from 76.45 ± 8.20 before the intervention to 58.32 ± 7.16 after the intervention (p < 0.001). In contrast, the back massage group showed no statistically significant change (62.88 ± 8.44 to 61.10 ± 7.98; p > 0.05). The Quran recitation group also demonstrated significantly improved pain behavior and higher overall childbirth comfort scores (CCQ total score, p = 0.002). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that Quran recitation was significantly associated with lower systolic (β = − 0.53, p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (β = − 0.49, p < 0.001) after adjustment for gestational age, time of admission, and prior Quran exposure. Quran recitation was associated with reduced labor pain, improved childbirth comfort, and lower blood pressure among nulliparous women during labor. As a culturally acceptable non-pharmacological intervention, it may support more holistic maternity care for Muslim women.
BackgroundAluminum (Al) is the most abundant element in the Earth's crust. Occupational exposure to aluminum can lead to serious adverse health effects for workers in the aluminum industry. Genetic variations could be considered as contributing internal factors for the susceptibility of individuals to toxicities related to Al exposure. Different experiments have investigated genetic polymorphism variations in metabolic pathways, which could significantly modulate an individual's susceptibility to aluminum-induced toxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of aluminum exposure on oxidant-antioxidant status, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and free testosterone levels. Also, to show whether an association exists between MTHFR A1298C (rs1801131) and CBS (844ins68) gene polymorphisms with the aforementioned biochemical parameters among occupationally exposed workers to Al.MethodsUrinary heavy metals (Al, Cd, Ni, Cr, Pb) were measured through ICP-MS in 95 workers in the aluminum industry and 90 control individuals. We also analyzed serum MT-1, MDA, PTH, free testosterone, and TAC using ELISA methods. CBS (844ins68) and MTHFR A1298C gene polymorphisms were performed by (PCR-RFLP).ResultsRevealed a significant rise in serum MT-1, MDA, and urinary heavy metals levels with reductions in TAC, Free testosterone, and PTH levels. A negative relation was found between serum TAC, duration of exposure, and between age and serum free testosterone levels. In workers, the association of the wild type of MTHFR A1298C genotype with a rise in serum MT-1 and MDA levels and a decrease in TAC was observed compared to the control, while the heterozygote genotype AC was associated with reduced serum free testosterone, TAC, and PTH levels among the workers group. Moreover, serum MT-1 showed a significant rise in NN genotype of the CBS gene with a decline in serum TAC and PTH levels, while Heterozygote NI recorded reduced TAC levels among the worker group compared to the control. Significant reduction in serum TAC was shown in the heterozygote NI among the worker group compared to the control.ConclusionAssociation of wild-type and heterozygote genotype of both MTHFR A1298C (rs1801131) (AA and AC) and CBS (844ins68) (NN and NI) with reduced TAC levels among the worker group. Moreover, the AC genotype of MTHFR was associated with a decrease in the PTH and free testosterone levels among Al industry workers.
