Palestine Polytechnic University

Abstract Green growth integrates economic development with ecological sustainability, emphasizing emissions reduction, biodiversity conservation, and resource efficiency. However, the interplay of renewable energy diversification, education, and globalization in shaping green growth pathways remains understudied, particularly in emerging economies like India. This study aims to examine how solar energy (SOR), biomass energy (BIO), education (EDU), and globalization (GLO) influence green growth (GGW), selecting India as the focus due to its significant investments in biomass energy, solar energy, and education initiatives. This study used the wavelet quantile-based approaches to observed how these factors impact GGW across different quantiles and period. The result from the wavelet quantile regression (WQR) indicates that: (i) SOR exerts a positive and significant influence on GGW in the medium and long term, while in the medium term its effect is quantile-dependent, varying in sign and magnitude; (ii) BIO exhibits no significant effect on GGW across quantiles in the short run, while exerting a positive and statistically significant impact on GGW across most quantiles in the medium and long term; (iii) the role of EDU exhibits heterogeneous short-run effects, and becomes predominantly positive in the medium and long run (iv) GLO exerts a significant and negative effect on GGW at lower quantiles in the short run; in the medium and long term, the positive and significant effect is observed. Moreover, the result from the wavelet quantile correlation analysis gives validation to the result from the WQR method. Furthermore, the result of the Wavelet Quantile Granger Causality method revealed the evidence of causation from the explanatory variables to GGW. The study proposed policies based on these findings.

Amyand’s hernia defined as the presence of the appendix within an inguinal hernia sac, is rare in neonates and can deteriorate quickly. We report a preterm male twin (33 + 6 weeks; 1460 g) presenting at 1 month with 24 hours of progressive right inguinoscrotal swelling, erythema, irritability, and absent stooling. Exam showed a tender, nonreducible, non-transilluminating mass with abdominal distension. X-ray revealed dilated bowel loops; ultrasound suggested an indirect right inguinal hernia containing an inflamed appendix. Urgent inguinal exploration found incarcerated viable cecum and a gangrenous appendix. Appendectomy through the same incision with high sac ligation and posterior wall repair (no mesh) was performed. Recovery was uneventful: feeds resumed, weight gain continued, and the ipsilateral testis remained viable. This Type 2 Amyand’s hernia shows localized vascular compromise of the appendix in preterm infants and supports immediate targeted ultrasound and prompt surgery to avert perforation, sepsis, and gonadal injury.

A man in his early 50 s presented with a 7-day history of progressive, symmetrical weakness that began in the lower limbs and ascended to involve the upper limbs. His symptoms were accompanied by distal paresthesia and complete areflexia. Three weeks prior to presentation, he experienced a self-limiting febrile illness associated with dark urine and elevated transaminase levels, which resolved spontaneously. On admission, laboratory investigations demonstrated elevated liver enzyme levels and positive anti–hepatitis E virus Immunoglobulin M antibodies, confirming acute hepatitis E virus infection. Nerve conduction studies were consistent with the acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy variant of Guillain–Barré syndrome. The patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (0.4 g/kg/day for 5 days) and was closely monitored for respiratory and autonomic complications. Gradual neurological improvement was observed, along with normalization of liver function tests. To the best our knowledge, this case represents the first documented occurrence of hepatitis E virus-associated Guillain–Barré syndrome in Egypt after a careful review of the literature. It underscores the importance of considering hepatitis E virus infection in the differential diagnosis of Guillain–Barré syndrome, particularly in patients presenting with elevated liver enzymes or a recent history of hepatitis in hepatitis E virus-endemic regions. Early recognition and prompt initiation of immunotherapy may improve neurological recovery and clinical outcomes in this rare but clinically significant association.

This paper presents two analytical formulations for the distribution of the square of a sum of products involving independent Rician random variables. The expressions are derived through the application of the central limit theorem (CLT) and Laguerre series. To assess their accuracy, the derived expressions are compared with the empirical distribution acquired through a comprehensive simulation study. The comparison is made based on the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Anderson-Darling, and Cramer-von Mises statistics, supplemented by information criteria such as AIC and BIC as indicators of goodness of fit. Finally, an application in wireless communications is presented to illustrate the importance of the proposed work. As a conclusion, it is shown that the expression obtained by Laguerre expansion method is more accurate and simpler than the one obtained by CLT. Journal of Statistical Research 2025, Vol. 59, No. 2, pp. 203-219

To determine the attitude of the medical students towards the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in undergraduate medical students at Jordanian universities. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted over three months, from October 2023 to December 2023, and 1099 medical students participated from different Jordanian universities. The survey comprised four key sections: demographics, AI Exposure, perceptions and future outlook, and ethical concerns. The survey revealed a notable gender disparity in AI usage among medical students, in which females constituted a larger proportion (74%). Among the types of chatbots used, ChatGPT (GPT-3.5) was the most popular and used by 47.5% of students, and 49.4% indicated 1–5 h saved per week when using chatbots in general. 35.4% agreed that AI would benefit their future careers as doctors, and 30% agreed that medical students should be educated about the limitations and potential risks of AI technologies in patient care. The findings underscore the importance of integrating discussions about AI in medical curricula to ensure students are well-informed and prepared for the evolving landscape of healthcare.

Abstract Background: Anemia is a common comorbidity in patients with heart failure and is strongly associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, specifically dapagliflozin, may improve anemia-related biomarkers. However, findings from individual trials have been inconsistent, leaving the magnitude and consistency of these effects unclear. Objective: Our study aims to clarify the effects of dapagliflozin on anemia in patients with heart failure. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and trial registries for randomized and non-randomized clinical trials. Outcomes included changes in hemoglobin, ferritin, transferrin saturation (TSAT), and serum iron. Mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using random-effects models. We performed sensitivity analyses by sequentially excluding studies and assessed bias using Cochrane tools and ROBINS-I, grading evidence via GRADE. Results: Six studies (n=5,075) were included. Dapagliflozin significantly increased hemoglobin (MD 1.05; 95% CI 0.75–1.35; P < 0.00001). Ferritin was significantly reduced (MD –14.50; 95% CI –22.13 to –6.86; P = 0.0002); sensitivity analyses excluding Bhaganagarapu et al. amplified this reduction (MD –23.37; 95% CI –34.57 to –12.17; P < 0.00001). While TSAT changes were non-significant overall (MD 0.37), sensitivity analysis demonstrated a significant reduction (MD –1.36; 95% CI –2.37 to –0.35). Serum iron remained unchanged (MD –0.09). Evidence certainty was moderate-to-high for hemoglobin and ferritin but low for TSAT and serum iron. Conclusion: In heart failure patients, dapagliflozin reliably increases hemoglobin and decreases ferritin. While the primary analyses for transferrin saturation were non-significant, sensitivity testing revealed significant changes. These findings suggest that dapagliflozin may beneficially influence iron metabolism. However, further large-scale, dedicated trials are warranted to confirm these mechanisms.

Abstract Background SLC29A3-related disorders encompass a spectrum of rare autosomal recessive conditions characterized by multisystem involvement, including immunodeficiency, lymphoproliferation, cutaneous findings, endocrine dysfunction, and growth failure. Delayed recognition is common because phenotypes are heterogeneous and overlap with more frequent disorders. Case presentation : A 33-year-old Palestinian woman born to consanguineous parents presented with lifelong recurrent severe chest infections, growth failure with short stature and microcephaly, recurrent nephrolithiasis, chronic vomiting, dysmorphic facial features, generalized hirsutism, long toes with bilateral hallux valgus, and preserved cognitive development. Laboratory evaluation revealed marked hypogammaglobulinemia, microcytic anemia, severe vitamin D deficiency with secondary hyperparathyroidism, and mildly elevated liver enzymes. Imaging demonstrated chronic small airway changes in the lungs and a right pelvi-ureteric junction stone with hydronephrosis. Whole-exome sequencing identified a homozygous pathogenic SLC29A3 variant (c.1309G > A p.Gly437Arg), confirming a genetic diagnosis of autosomal recessive histiocytosis-lymphadenopathy plus syndrome. A multidisciplinary management plan was instituted, including immunologic, pulmonary, endocrine, nephrology, and reproductive counseling pathways, with recommendations for ongoing surveillance and carrier testing. Conclusion This case highlights the value of molecular diagnosis in adults with longstanding, multisystem presentations that include immunodeficiency, growth and skeletal anomalies, endocrine abnormalities, and cutaneous features. Recognition of SLC29A3-related disease permits targeted multidisciplinary care, genetic counseling, and anticipatory surveillance for complications.

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has been increasingly emphasized within undergraduate medical education; however, its implementation remains inconsistent across many low- and middle-income countries. In Palestine, restricted access to scientific resources, inconsistent mentorship, and limited institutional funding and support may have affected students’ competencies in EBM. This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and information-seeking behaviours related to EBM among undergraduate medical students in the West Bank. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 14 September 2025 and 1 November 2025, among second to sixth-year medical undergraduates at five Palestinian universities. The questionnaire was distributed through convenience sampling and included five sections: demographics, information-seeking behaviours, EBM knowledge, skills, and students’ attitudes towards it. Analyses were performed using Jamovi 2.6.44 statistical package. A total of 709 students participated, with a mean age of 21.3 years, of whom 37% had trained in EBM. Practical workshops were the most preferred learning modality (31%), while medical books were the most frequently used source of information (83.6%). Regarding search engines, PubMed, Google and Google scholar were the most accessed. Attendance at biostatistics or research methodology courses was significantly associated with prior EBM training. Overall, students showed positive attitudes towards EBM, and average self-rated skills. However mean score for each skill was significantly higher in EBM-trained undergraduates compared to non-trained peers (p value < 0.001). Understanding of EBM-related terms varied, with participants being more familiar with basic terms than advanced terms, such as heterogeneity, and number needed to treat (NNT), and prior EBM training was consistently associated with higher knowledge scores for key terms. As for research barriers, the majority reported limited access to paid databases, limited funding, and inconsistent mentorship. Palestinian medical students held positive stance towards evidence-based medicine, recognizing its clinical value. However, their skills and terminology knowledge were still somehow limited. Integrating EBM training into curriculum, enhancing faculty support, and expanding access to resources can strengthen students’ competency and prepare them for evidence-based clinical practice.

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the development of benign tumors in multiple organs. This report presents an unusual case of early-onset renal cystic disease in a 1-year-old male with TSC, despite the absence of detectable mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes. Postnatal imaging revealed bilateral polycystic kidney disease by 2 months of age. The patient presented with secondary hypertension and seizures. Neuroimaging confirmed cortical tubers and a subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA), while echocardiography identified cardiac rhabdomyomas. Despite these clinical findings, genetic testing failed to detect mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes. This case highlights the importance of considering TSC as a potential diagnosis in cases of early-onset renal cystic disease, even in the absence of detectable TSC gene mutations. Additionally, the case emphasizes the risk of severe renal involvement in TSC, necessitating early recognition and management.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is considered a major factor in both severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality. The two main characteristics of preeclamptic patients are high blood pressure and high proteinuria. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the prevalence of PE among Palestinian pregnant. Methods: A hospital-based case–control study was conducted. Medical records were reviewed for clinical and laboratory results. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to compare cases and controls. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was used to compare between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was computed to identify factors associated with preeclampsia. Results: A total of 5462 deliveries were recorded, with 109 preeclamptic cases at a rate of 5%. The vast majority of both preeclamptic and the control groups had no previous abortion (69.4% and 85.9% respectively) and first-time pregnancy was higher among the preeclamptic group (38.8%) as compared to the control (15.3%). Maternal age of ≥ 34 years (AOR, 4.87, 95% CI, 1.92-12.37), Gestational age (AOR, 5.75, 95% CI, 2.01-16.45), abortion (AOR, 3.60, 95% CI, 1.51- 8.58), and first pregnancy (AOR, 3.59, 95% CI, 1.57-8.20) were significantly associated with PE. HELP syndrome (AOR, 7.94, 95% CI, 1.44-43.72), organ dysfunction (AOR, 9.02 95% CI, 2.25-36.24), low Hemoglobin (AOR, 1.65, 95% CI, 0.79-3.42), elevated aPTT (AOR, 5.05, 95% CI, 1.70-14.98) were considered risk factors of severe PE. Conclusion: Our findings imply that early systematic evaluation of PE risk factors should be carried out, followed by ongoing vigilant observation of PE symptoms and indications.