Background Malnutrition is a usually observed condition among patients on hemodialysis and is considered one of sturdiest indicators of mortality and morbidity. Objectives The current study was performed to assess the prevalence of malnutrition, to verify whether functional status is associated with malnutrition, and to explore the probable factors related to malnutrition among a sample of hemodialysis patients at Hebron Governmental Hospital in West Bank, Palestine. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on hemodialysis patients in Hebron Governmental Hospital at Hebron city/Palestine. An interview-based questionnaire was used to obtain information related to socio-demographics, dialysis, medical history, lifestyle, anthropometric measurements, dietary data, and functional status. Renal inpatient screening tool (renal iNUT) was also utilized to screen hemodialysis patients for malnutrition. Furthermore, biochemical tests were obtained during the study period from medical files of the studied patients. Results A total of 153 patients, having a mean age of 50.1 ± 16.6 years, were involved in the final analysis. The results indicated that the prevalence of high risk of malnutrition (45.4 %). Moreover, high risk of malnutrition was significantly associated with occupation, and walking. It was further found that patients with high risk of malnutrition are more likely to had osteoporosis, unable to ambulate, didn’t feel that the amount of food they eat is enough. Our findings also figured out that some complications during hemodialysis session (e.g., headache, nausea, hypotension) and some hemodialysis side effects (e.g., itching, access site complication) were significantly correlated to malnutrition. Conclusions A high prevalence of malnutrition was revealed among hemodialysis using renal iNUT screening tool. Improving nutritional assessment methods for patients on hemodialysis is highly needed. Findings reveals that risk of malnutrition is associated with multiple factors such as osteoporosis, occupation, walking, ability to ambulate, certain complication during hemodialysis session, and some hemodialysis side effects. Further studies are highly recommended.

Background Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is considered one of the most prevailing disorders among childbearing age women that could considerably interfere with daily living activities life. PMS is underrecognized in Palestine. It is reported that binge eating symptoms are significantly related to premenstrual syndrome. In this regard, the study aimed to determine factors linked with premenstrual symptoms and to explore whether binge eating symptoms are linked with premenstrual syndrome. Methods This descriptive study was performed among female undergraduates at Palestine Polytechnic University, using a cross-sectional design. A self-administrated questionnaire was used in order to collect data. Moreover, participants’ nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test and Chi-square were performed. Results A sum of 289 undergraduate females were involved in the final analysis. The results indicated that nearly half of undergraduates (47.8%) were classified as having binge eating symptoms. The most frequently noted premenstrual symptoms were lethargy, anger feelings, lack of interest, and anxiety. Chi-square analysis showed that moderate and severe psychological symptoms were significantly more prevalent among females with binge eating symptoms. Besides it was found that moderate and severe physical symptoms were significantly more prevalent among females with binge eating symptoms. Moreover, participants who reported no premenstrual syndrome symptoms were significantly less prevalent among females with binge eating symptoms. The findings also reveal that sociodemographic characteristics was not significantly correlated with premenstrual syndrome symptoms. In multiple adjusted models, both smoking (p < 0.05) and binge eating (p < 0.0001) were significantly related to PMS. Conclusion Findings reveals that moderate and severe psychological and physical symptoms were significantly more prevalent among females with binge eating symptoms. The current research also reported that the severity of PMS was not significantly related to sociodemographic variables.

Objectives Cinnarizine is used for the treatment of vestibular disorders. However, its poor solubility limits its clinical uses due to many challenges. Liposomes were utilised to improve the release profile of many poorly soluble drugs. However, liposomes face many stability challenges during the storage period. This study aims to develop proliposomes designed for the oral delivery of cinnarizine with enhanced stability characteristics. Methods Three cinnarizine entrapping Proliposomal formulations were prepared with different ingredients and compared with their liposomal counterparts. Both vesicular approaches were characterised for their particle size, encapsulation efficiency, drug release and stability. Results The proliposomes were superior to liposomes in their stability and release profiles. Although no significant changes were noticed between the encapsulation efficiency percentage of the liposomal and proliposomal formulations on the day of preparation, storing the formulations for two weeks ended up with significant leakage of the drug from liposomes (p < 0.05) due to stability issues, but not in proliposomes. Moreover, the proliposomes released 100% of cinnarizine throughout the dissolution experiment in gastric fluid in comparison with the total released drug of 70% from the liposomes. Conclusions Proliposomes provided a successful approach to deliver lipophilic drugs orally to improve their pharmacokinetic properties by converting their crystalline nature into more amorphous agents.