Al-Aqsa University (Arabic: جامعة الأقصى) is a Palestinian university established in 1955 in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Established in 1955 as the first higher education institution, Al-Aqsa University is the oldest governmental higher education institution. It caters for some 26,000 students and has some 1400 employees, 300 of whom are lecturers and professors..
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.
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.
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.
This paper aims to introduce new significant forms of the Legendre matrix polynomials (LMPs) with two variables, and establish matrix differential recurrence relations and matrix partial differential recurrence relations for LMPs with two variables, and double generating functions. A bilinear double generating function, a special property, and expansion of LMPs with two variables as a series of Hermite matrix polynomials (HMPs) are discussed.
