Background: This study was conducted to determine the major dietary patterns and their association with risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); and to compare the level of glycemic control among women with and without GDM. Method: This is a case-control study was conducted in the primary healthcare centers, in the year 2021, among 210 pregnant women, with gestational age ≥ 24 weeks, aged 20-40 years (70 cases and 140 controls matched for age and geographical location), selected by a purposive sampling method. A validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and the international physical activity questionnaire short-form were used. Furthermore, the demographic-socioeconomic and medical history data were collected using an interview-based questionnaire. The WHO criteria were used for the diagnosis of GDM. Additionally, the HbA1c was used as a marker of glycemic control. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Results: The principle component analysis show two major dietary patterns (Healthy and unhealthy). After adjustment for confounding variables, women in the lowest tertile of the healthy dietary pattern had a lower odd for GDM [OR, CI 95%: 0.730 (0.596-.895); P-value 0.002]; whereas women in the lowest tertile of the unhealthy dietary pattern had a higher odd for GDM [OR, CI 95%: 3.41 (0.033-0.154); P-value 0.003]. Conclusion: The healthy dietary pattern may be associated with a lower risk of GDM; whereas the unhealthy dietary pattern may be associated with a high risk of GDM in Gaza Strip, Palestine.

Triazolopyridines are a family of compounds that, owing to their biological activity, have many pharmaceutical applications. In this study, 3-(pyridine-4-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine and 6-bromo-3-(pyridine-4-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine were synthesized by using the chlorinated agent NCS for hydrazones under very mild conditions. The characterization of these compounds was achieved by 1H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FTIR, MS and X-ray diffraction. The compound 3-(pyridine-4-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine was crystallized in the monoclinic space group P 2₁/c with a = 15.1413(12), b = 6.9179(4), c = 13.0938(8) Å, β = 105.102(6)°, V = 1324.16(16)ų, Z = 4, and R = 0.0337. Also compound 6-bromo-3-(pyridine-4-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine was crystallized in the monoclinic space group P 2₁/c with a = 14.3213(11), b = 6.9452(4) (4), c = 12.6860(8)Å, β = 100.265(6)°, V = 1241.62(14)ų, Z = 4, and R = 0.0561.

Pre-senile cataract is the opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye before the age of 50 years. Recently, the incidence of early-onset cataracts has been on the rise. It is closely linked with oxidative stress and antioxidant deficiency. To identify the relationship between serum antioxidant levels (vitamin E and glutathione) and the occurrence of pre-senile cataract, to measure serum vitamin E and glutathione levels in patients with pre-senile cataract and compare them with those of people without a cataract, to determine the effect of dietary habits and socioeconomic status on pre-senile cataract patients and identify the relationship between anthropometric measurements and occurrence of pre-senile cataract, a retrospective case–control study was conducted at an eye hospital in Gaza City. The study consisted of 44 cases of pre-senile cataract patients and 44 cases of region-, sex-, and age-matched controls. Data collection was performed by direct methods that included anthropometric measurement and serum vitamin E and glutathione levels and indirect methods through a structured interview questionnaire. SPSS software version 24 was used to analyze the data. Regarding serum antioxidant status, serum vitamin E and glutathione levels in pre-senile cataract patients were equal to those of healthy controls. The majority of patients were illiterate, married women. An increase in body weight and obesity had a strong association with pre-senile cataract formation. Concerning dietary factors, a high intake of fruits, meat and meat products, starchy food (grains), and healthy snacks was inversely correlated with pre-senile cataract. A direct relationship between vitamin E and glutathione was found. The study concluded that pre-senile cataract is a multifactorial disease and many risk factors (dietary factors, socio-economic factors, medical factors, and anthropometrics factors) play a role in pre-senile cataract formation.

Cancer is a challenge for the majority of the population’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL), compromising their physical health and emotional well-being. This study aimed to assess the QoL, differentiate QoL among different groups, and explore its association with other factors in adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. All adult newly diagnosed cancer patients from the Oncology Department at the European Gaza Hospital (EGH) were eligible for participation in an ongoing prospective short cohort study. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core30 (EORTC QLQ-C30 was used to assess QoL in cancer patients after the completion of the chemotherapy regimen. A simple, self-administered assessment tool, Patient Neurotoxicity Questionnaire (PNQ) which is increasingly used in clinical praxis with significantly positive results has been used. The mean age of patients was 48.58 years. The global health status and functional scales, in most domains, were low, while the symptoms scales were moderate-to-high for most items, showing worse QoL. Fatigue and pain were the most disturbing symptoms. Global health and social functioning were better in over-weight and obese patients (p < 0.05). Malnourished patients and patients at risk of malnutrition showed a worse level of global health status in comparison to well-nourished patients (p = 0.049). Cancer stage significantly affects QoL (p < 0.05). The correlation of functional scales with global health status was found higher; the Spearman correlation r > 0.30 and showed a significant positive relationship (p < 0.05). Patients with a high PNQ score (more severe chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) symptoms) reported a worse global quality of life and worse physical, work, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning compared with those with a low PNQ score. Cancer patients had a worse QoL regarding overall global health status as well as functional and symptom scales. CIPN is associated with HRQoL in cancer patients. Future studies should focus on understanding the mechanisms underlying CIPN so targeted interventions can be developed to reduce the impact of CIPN on patients’ lives.

In the title compound, C₂₀H₁₀Cl₃N₅O, the 13-membered ring system makes dihedral angles of 78.64 (9)° with the trichlorophenyl ring and 62.60 (10)° with the pyridine ring. The crystal packing is dominated by π–π interactions between the 13-membered ring systems [centroid–centroid distance = 3.6655 (11)°].