Al-Aqsa University

Traditional medicinal plants are valuable sources of bioactive compounds, many acting synergistically and their therapeutic uses are increasingly recognized. In this study, we examined the antimicrobial activity, antioxidant potential, and phytochemical constituents of four traditional medicinal plants (Verbascum sinuatum, Amaranthus spinosus, Carduus getulus, and Heterotheca subaxillaris) from the Gaza Strip in Palestine. Hexane extracts of each species were used for phytochemical characterization using Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC) were measured, followed by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay to examine the antioxidant activity. The antibacterial activity was assessed using the disc diffusion method. GC-MS analysis revealed that each species contained distinct lipophilic compounds. The major classes of components identified in V. sinuatum included saturated fatty acid esters, phenolic antioxidants, and a putative alkaloid. A. spinosus contained oxygenated monoterpenes, fatty acid derivatives, and aromatic compounds. C. getulus was characterized by monoterpenes, diterpenes, fatty acid derivatives, and phenolic antioxidants. H. subaxillaris primarily yielded terpenoids, fatty acid esters, and phenolic compounds. Quantitative phytochemical profiling revealed that H. subaxillaris exhibited the highest TPC and TFC among the four species. Hexane extracts of H. subaxillaris, A. spinosus, V. sinuatum, and C. getulus demonstrated measurable antioxidant activity and inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among the extracts, H. subaxillaris exhibited the strongest antioxidant and antibacterial activities followed, by V. sinuatum, C. getulus, and A. spinosus. These findings highlight the importance of phytochemical profiling in the discovery of new potential bioactive compounds and support future endeavors to isolate valuable metabolites, investigate their biosynthetic processes, and any structure-activity relationships.

ABSTRACT Introduction Glucagon receptor agonists (GRAs) are an emerging class of therapies for obesity and type 2 diabetes, demonstrating encouraging metabolic and weight‐reducing effects. Several investigational GRA‐based agents, including retatrutide, cotadutide, mazdutide, and survodutide, have reported promising results across early and mid‐phase clinical trials. This comprehensive meta‐analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of these agents in individuals with type 2 diabetes, overweight, or obesity. Methods PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Scopus databases were systematically searched. Fourteen randomised controlled trials meeting the inclusion criteria were analysed using frequentist network meta‐analysis. Random‐effects models were applied to assess mean differences (MD) in weight change, both absolute and percent changes, HbA1c, adverse events, and discontinuation due to adverse events. Heterogeneity was quantified using the I2 statistic. Results Retatrutide demonstrated the greatest weight reduction versus placebo (MD −13.44 kg; 95% CI [−18.38, −8.51]), followed by survodutide (MD −10.74 kg; 95% CI [−15.68, −5.80]) and mazdutide (MD −6.47 kg; 95% CI [−10.71, −2.24]). Cotadutide showed the smallest and nonsignificant effect (MD −3.41 kg; 95% CI [−11.63, 4.81]). Regarding HbA1c reduction, retatrutide showed the largest effect, followed by survodutide, mazdutide, and cotadutide; however, only the effect of retatrutide reached statistical significance. In terms of safety, mazdutide demonstrated the most favourable tolerability profile, whereas retatrutide and cotadutide were associated with comparatively lower tolerability. Conclusions Retatrutide and survodutide exhibit the most favourable efficacy profiles for obesity and T2DM, with acceptable safety. These findings support their potential clinical use and highlight the need for future head‐to‐head trials.

The escalating conflict in Gaza since October 2023 has caused an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, widespread destruction, and mass displacement, profoundly impacting mental health. While depression is prevalent in war-affected regions, Gaza shows exceptionally high rates, with some studies reporting up to 99.5% prevalence. Crucially, comparative studies directly examining depression prevalence between Gaza war survivors who remained and those who fled have been notably absent. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare screened depression prevalence among Gaza war survivors, specifically differentiating between those who remained within Gaza and those who fled to outside Palestine, and to assess associated sociodemographic and war-related factors. Data were collected from 788 adult Palestinian participants, including 383 individuals who fled Palestine and 405 who remained in Gaza. Depression symptoms were assessed using the online self-administered Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Depression severity levels were classified according to standard cut-off scores, and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with depression. An alarmingly high overall prevalence of moderate-to-severe depression (82%) was found, with 37% experiencing severe depression. The fled group exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of moderate-to-severe depression (90.86%) compared to the non-fled group (72.59%), with nearly half (49.87%) of the fled group suffering from severe depression. Logistic regression analysis revealed that being in the fledgling group, younger age, and losing a family member significantly increased the odds of moderate-to-severe depression. Over 20% of respondents reported suicidal ideation nearly every day. Risk factors for depression appeared to operate similarly across both populations. This study highlights an exceptionally high prevalence of depression among Gaza war survivors, with those who fled experiencing significantly greater severity. The findings underscore the profound psychological burden of forced displacement and emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive, long-term mental health support for all war survivors.

This study investigates the difficulties encountered by third-year English language students at Al-Aqsa University in translating nominal relative clauses in news texts between Arabic and English. Nominal relative clauses, introduced by forms such as whoever and whatever, present significant translational challenges due to structural and functional differences between the two languages. Adopting a qualitative approach, the study analyzed students’ translations of authentic-like news sentences using Skopos Theory and Newmark’s semantic and communicative translation framework. The findings revealed recurrent difficulties related to structural transfer, grammatical accuracy, lexical choice, and communicative appropriateness. Students frequently relied on literal translation, resulting in unnatural or inaccurate renderings. The study highlights the importance of functional translation strategies and contrastive linguistic awareness in improving the translation of complex grammatical structures in news discourse.

The prolonged Israeli war in the Gaza Strip since October 2023 has created severe humanitarian and public-health conditions, including mass displacement, overcrowding, deteriorating water and sanitation services, environmental degradation, and major healthcare disruption. This narrative review synthesizes published evidence and selected health and humanitarian reports on dermatological conditions in the Gaza Strip during 2023–2026, complemented by intermittent field visits, interviews with relevant specialists, and photographic documentation when circumstances permitted. The review examines infectious and parasitic diseases, inflammatory and allergic conditions, burns and traumatic skin injuries, arthropod-associated risks, environmental and nutritional factors, and healthcare challenges. Available evidence indicates a substantial dermatological burden, particularly involving scabies, impetigo, and other skin conditions among children and displaced populations. A teledermatology registry documented 12,638 visits during 2025–2026, while clinical studies reported associations between skin diseases, overcrowding, inadequate water and sanitation, displacement, pain, sleep disturbance, and reduced quality of life. Field observations and specialist interviews provided supplementary contextual information but were not treated as representative epidemiological data. Emerging reports also suggest skin and hair changes among nutritionally vulnerable children, although these findings remain incompletely characterized. Overall, dermatological morbidity appears to reflect interacting humanitarian, environmental, nutritional, and healthcare-related factors. However, heterogeneous evidence and incomplete geographic coverage prevent reliable estimation of population-wide prevalence. Strengthening dermatological surveillance, access to treatment, water and sanitation, hygiene resources, nutritional support, and integrated skin-health services is therefore warranted