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Blastocystosis is an infection caused by Blastocystis sp., which colonizes the digestive tract of various hosts, including humans, although its pathogenicity is debated. It is crucial to detect and distinguish the different forms of Blastocystis to understand better its impact on human health and its epidemiological evolution. This study evaluated three diagnostic methods on 105 stool samples: direct examination, culture in Jones’ medium, and conventional PCR. PCR is considered the gold standard and revealed a high prevalence of Blastocystis (67.62%) compared to direct examination (20.95%) and culture in Jones’ medium (51.43%). Although the sensitivity of direct examination and culture was 31% and 76.1%, respectively, their specificity was 100%. No significant risk factors were identified. A statistically significant association was observed between Blastocystis infection and abdominal pain. Microscopic analysis revealed various morphological forms. Molecular diagnosis is an essential tool to determine the true prevalence of Blastocystis, and studying the different forms of this microorganism will contribute to a better understanding of its biological cycle and, therefore, the impact of this emerging infection on human health.

Vachellia tortilis is a medicinal plant of the Fabaceae family, widely distributed in arid and semi-arid regions of North, East and Southern Africa, the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula. In traditional medicine. It’s commonly used to treat certain ailments, including diabetes, asthma, hepatitis and burns. Different scientific search databases were used to obtain data on V. tortilis, notably Google Scholar, Scopus, Wiley Online, Scifinder, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and PubMed. The knowledge of V. tortilis was organized based on ethnomedicinal use, phytochemistry, and pharmacological investigations. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of a variety of phytocompounds, including fatty acids, monosaccharides, flavonoids, chalcones, and alcohols. Essential oils and organic extracts prepared from V. tortilis showed several biological properties, specifically antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities are due to the disturbance of cellular membranes and ultra-structural changes triggered by V. tortilis phytochemicals. While physiological and molecular processes such as apoptosis induction, preventing cell proliferation, and inflammatory mediators are responsible for the anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, further investigations concerning pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics should be carried out to validate their clinical applications.

Today, pharmaceutical drugs have been shown to have serious side effects, while the bioactive components of botanical plants are proven to be effective in the treatment of several diseases marked by enhanced oxidative stress and mild inflammation, often associated with minimal adverse events. Coumaroyltyramine, designated by various nomenclatures such as paprazine, N-p-trans-coumaroyltyramine, p-coumaroyltyramine and N-p-coumaroyltyramine, could be a promising bioactive ingredient to address health issues thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This review represents the first in-depth analysis of coumaroyltyramine, an intriguing phenylpropanoid substance found in many species of plants. In fact, an in-depth examination of coumaroyltyramine's biological characteristics, chemical attributes, and synthesis process has been undertaken. All previous research relating to the discovery, extraction, biosynthesis, and characterization of the biologically and pharmacologically active properties of coumaroyltyramine has been reviewed and taken into consideration in this analysis. All articles published in a peer-reviewed English-language journal were examined between the initial compilations of the appropriate database until February 12, 2024. A variety of phytochemicals revealed that coumaroyltyramine is a neutral amide of hydroxycinnamic acid that tends to concentrate in plants as a reaction against infection caused by pathogens and is extracted from several medicinal herbs such as Cannabis sativa, Solanum melongena, Allium bakeri, Annona cherimola, Polygonatum zanlanscianense, and Lycopersicon esculentum. Thanks to its effectiveness in suppressing the effect of the enzyme α-glucosidase, coumaroltyramine has demonstrated antihyperglycemic activity and could have an impact on diabetes and metabolic disorders. It has considerable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. These results were obtained through biological and pharmacological studies in silico, in vivo, and in vitro. In addition, coumaroyltyramine has demonstrated hypocholesterolemic and neuroprotective benefits, thereby diminishing heart and vascular disease incidence and helping to prevent neurological disorders. Other interesting properties of coumaroltyramine include anticancer, antibacterial, anti-urease, antifungal, antiviral, and antidysmenorrheal activities. Targeted pathways encompass activity at different molecular levels, notably through induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress-dependent apoptosis, arrest of the cell cycle, and inhibition of the growth of cancer cells, survival, and proliferation. Although the findings from in silico, in vivo, and in vitro experiments illustrate coumaroyltyramine's properties and modes of action, further research is needed to fully exploit its therapeutic potential. To improve our understanding of the compound's pharmacodynamic effects and pharmacokinetic routes, large-scale research should first be undertaken. To determine whether coumaroyltyramine is clinically safe and effective, further studies are required in the clinical and toxicological fields. This upcoming research will be crucial to achieving the overall potency of this substance as a natural drug and in terms of its potential synergies with other drugs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This research aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic, dermatoprotective, and antibacterial activities of Mentha viridis L. essential oil (MVEO) collected in the province of Ouezzane (Northwest Morocco). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed that the main constituents of MVEO were carvone (37.26 %), 1,8-cineole (11.82 %), limonene (5.27 %), α-terpineol (4.16 %), and β-caryophyllene (4.04 %). MVEO showed strong inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities, exceeding those of acarbose, but weak anti-elastase activity. The main compounds, β-caryophyllene (IC 50 =79.91±2.24 and 62.08±2.78 μg/mL) and limonene (IC 50 =90.73±3.47 and 68.98±1, 60 μg/mL), demonstrated the strongest inhibitory effects on both digestive enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase, respectively). In silico investigations, using molecular docking, also showed the inhibitory potential of these bioactive compounds against the enzymes tested. In conclusion, MVEO, due to its main components such as limonene, 1,8-cineole, β-caryophyllene, carvone, and α-terpineol, shows promising prospects for drug discovery and natural therapeutic applications., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

The development of natural substances derived from nature poses a significant challenge as technologies for the extraction and characterization of active principles advance. Hispolon has received a lot of attention in recent years, ascribable to its wide range of biological activities. It is a phenolic molecule that was extracted from several mushroom species such as Phellinus igniarius, Phellinus linteus, Phellinus lonicerinus, Phellinus merrillii, and Inonotus hispidus. To provide a comprehensive overview of the pharmacological activities of hispolon, this review highlights its anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-diabetic activities. Several scientific research databases, including Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, SciFinder, SpringerLink, Science Direct, Scopus, and, Wiley Online were used to gather the data on hispolon until May 2024. The in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed that hispolon exhibited significant anticancer properties through modifying several signaling pathways including cell apoptosis, cycle arrest, autophagy, and inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis. Hispolon's antimicrobial activity was proven against many bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens, highlighting its potential use as a novel antimicrobial agent. Additionally, hispolon displayed potent anti-inflammatory activity through the suppression of key inflammatory mediators, such as inducible NO synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and cyclooxygenases-2 (COX-2), and the modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. The antioxidant potential of hispolon was attributed to its capacity to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes, indicating a possible involvement in the prevention of oxidative stress-related illnesses. Hispolon's antidiabetic activity was associated with the inhibition of aldose reductase and α-glucosidase. Studies on hispolon emphasized its potential use as a promising scaffold for the development of novel therapeutic agents targeting various diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases, inflammatory disorders, and diabetes., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

Blastocystis is an intestinal protist frequently identified in humans and other animals, though its clinical significance remains controversial. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis in faecal samples from symptomatic (n = 55) and asymptomatic (n = 50) individuals seeking medical care in Meknes, Morocco. Detection of the protist was accomplished through coproparasitological examination and culture in Jones medium. Culture-positive samples were subjected to molecular analyses (PCR and Sanger sequencing) based on sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Epidemiological questionnaires on demographics and potential risk factors were collected from participating patients. The overall Blastocystis infection rate was 51.4% (54/105), with no differences between symptomatic (52.7%, 29/55) and asymptomatic (50.0%, 25/50) individuals. Sequence analyses identified three Blastocystis subtypes, with ST3 being the most prevalent (42.0%), followed by ST1 (34.0%), and ST2 (12.0%). Regarding intra-subtype diversity, allele 4 was found within ST1; alleles 11/12 and alleles 34/36 (alone or in combination) were identified within ST2 and ST3 respectively. Allele 34 in ST3 (40.8%) and allele 4 in ST1 (34.7%) were the most common genetic variants circulating in the surveyed clinical population. A statistically significant association between ST2 and the presence of flatulence was observed. This is the first study assessing the epidemiology and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in the Meknes region, Morocco., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The field of nutrigenomics studies the interaction between nutrition and genetics, and how certain dietary patterns can impact gene expression and overall health. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), characterized by a high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, has been linked to better cardiovascular health (CVH) outcomes. This review summarizes the current state of research on the effects of nutrigenomics and MedDiet on cardiovascular health. Results suggest that MedDiet, through its impact on gene expression, can positively influence CVH markers such as blood pressure, lipid profile, and inflammation. However, more research is needed to fully understand the complex interactions between genetics, nutrition, and CVH, and to determine the optimal dietary patterns for individualized care. The aim of this scientific review is to evaluate the current evidence on the effects of nutrigenomics and MedDiet on cardiovascular health. The review summarizes the available studies that have investigated the relationship between nutrition, genetics, and cardiovascular health, and explores the mechanisms by which certain dietary patterns can impact CVH outcomes. The review focuses on the effects of MedDiet, a dietary pattern that is rich in whole foods and healthy fats, and its potential to positively influence CVH through its impact on gene expression. The review highlights the limitations of current research and the need for further studies to fully understand the complex interplay between nutrition, genetics, and cardiovascular health.

Oxidative stress results from a persistent imbalance in oxidation levels that promotes oxidants, playing a crucial role in the early and sustained phases of DNA damage and genomic and epigenetic instability, both of which are intricately linked to the development of tumors. The molecular pathways contributing to carcinogenesis in this context, particularly those related to double-strand and single-strand breaks in DNA, serve as indicators of DNA damage due to oxidation in cancer cases, as well as factors contributing to epigenetic instability through ectopic expressions. Oxidative stress has been considered a therapeutic target for many years, and an increasing number of studies have highlighted the promising effectiveness of natural products in cancer treatment. In this regard, we present significant research on the therapeutic targeting of oxidative stress using natural molecules and underscore the essential role of oxidative stress in cancer. The consequences of stress, especially epigenetic instability, also offer significant therapeutic prospects. In this context, the use of natural epi-drugs capable of modulating and reorganizing the epigenetic network is beginning to emerge remarkably. In this review, we emphasize the close connections between oxidative stress, epigenetic instability, and tumor transformation, while highlighting the role of natural substances as antioxidants and epi-drugs in the anti-tumoral context., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

Among the numerous variants of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that have been reported worldwide, the emergence of the Omicron variant has drastically changed the landscape of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Here, we analyzed the genetic diversity of Moroccan SARS-CoV-2 genomes with a focus on Omicron variant after one year of its detection in Morocco in order to understand its genomic dynamics, features and its potential introduction sources. From 937 Omicron genomes, we identified a total of 999 non-unique mutations distributed across 92 Omicron lineages, of which 13 were specific to the country. Our findings suggest multiple introductory sources of the Omicron variant to Morocco. In addition, we found that four Omicron clades are more infectious in comparison to other Omicron clades. Remarkably, a clade of Omicron is particularly more transmissible and has become the dominant variant worldwide. Moreover, our assessment of Receptor-Binding Domain (RBD) mutations showed that the Spike K444T and N460K mutations enabled a clade higher ability of immune vaccine escape. In conclusion, our analysis highlights the unique genetic diversity of the Omicron variant in Moroccan SARS-CoV-2 genomes, with multiple introductory sources and the emergence of highly transmissible clades. The distinctiveness of the Moroccan strains compared to global ones underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance and understanding of local genomic dynamics for effective response strategies in the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

Bioactive metabolites obtained from fruits and vegetables as well as many drugs have various capacities to prevent or treat various ailments. Nevertheless, their efficiency, in vivo, encounter many challenges resulting in lower efficacy as well as different side effects when high doses are used resulting in many challenges for their application. Indeed, demand for effective treatments with no or less unfavorable side effects is rising. Delivering active molecules to a particular site of action within the human body is an example of targeted therapy which remains a challenging field. Developments of nanotechnology and polymer science have great promise for meeting the growing demands of efficient options. Encapsulation of active ingredients in nano-delivery systems has become as a vitally tool for protecting the integrity of critical biochemicals, improving their delivery, enabling their controlled release and maintaining their biological features. Here, we examine a wide range of nano-delivery techniques, such as niosomes, polymeric/solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and nano-emulsions. The advantages of encapsulation in targeted, synergistic, and supportive therapies are emphasized, along with current progress in its application. Additionally, a revised collection of studies was given, focusing on improving the effectiveness of anticancer medications and addressing the problem of antimicrobial resistance. To sum up, this paper conducted a thorough analysis to determine the efficacy of encapsulation technology in the field of drug discovery and development., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

The regulation of gene expression is fundamental to health and life and is essentially carried out at the promoter region of the DNA of each gene. Depending on the molecular context, this region may be accessible or non-accessible (possibility of integration of RNA polymerase or not at this region). Among enzymes that control this process, DNA methyltransferase enzymes (DNMTs), are responsible for DNA demethylation at the CpG islands, particularly at the promoter regions, to regulate transcription. The aberrant activity of these enzymes, i.e. their abnormal expression or activity, can result in the repression or overactivation of gene expression. Consequently, this can generate cellular dysregulation leading to instability and tumor development. Several reports highlighted the involvement of DNMTs in human cancers. The inhibition or activation of DNMTs is a promising therapeutic approach in many human cancers. In the present work, we provide a comprehensive and critical summary of natural bioactive molecules as primary inhibitors of DNMTs in human cancers. The active compounds hold the potential to be developed as anti-cancer epidrugs targeting DNMTs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction Since its emergence, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has undergone extensive genomic evolution, impacting public health policies, diagnosis, medication, and vaccine development. This study leverages advanced bioinformatics to assess the virus's temporal and regional genomic evolution from December 2019 to October 2023. Methods Our analysis incorporates 16,575 complete SARS-CoV-2 sequences collected from 214 countries. These samples were comparatively analyzed, with a detailed characterization of nucleic mutations, lineages, distribution, and evolutionary patterns during each year, using the Wuhan-Hu-1 strain as the reference. Results Our analysis has identified a total of 21,580 mutations that we classified into transient mutations, which diminished over time, and persistent mutations with steadily increasing frequencies. This mutation landscape led to a notable surge in the evolutionary rate, rising from 13 mutations per sample in 2020 to 96 by 2023, with minor geographic variations. The phylogenetic analysis unveiled three distinct evolutionary branches, each representing unique viral evolution pathways. These lineages exhibited a tendency for a reduced duration of dominance with a shortening prevalence period over time, as dominant strains were consistently replaced by more fit variants. Notably, the emergence of the Alpha and Delta variants in 2021 was followed by the subsequent dominance of Omicron clade variants that have branched into several recombinant variants in 2022, marking a significant shift in the viral landscape. Conclusion This study sheds light on the dynamic nature of SARS-CoV-2 evolution, emphasizing the importance of continuous and vigilant genomic surveillance. The dominance of recombinant lineages, coupled with the disappearance of local variants, underscores the virus's adaptability., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Essabbar et al.)

Cyanobacteria and microalgae contain various phytochemicals, including bioactive components in the form of secondary metabolites, namely flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, and tannins, with remarkable anticancer effects. This review highlights the recent advances in bioactive compounds, with potential anticancer activity, produced by cyanobacteria and microalgae. Previous in vitro investigations showed that many of these bioactive compounds exhibit potent effects against different human cancer types, such as leukemia and breast cancers. Multiple mechanisms implicated in the antitumor effect of these compounds were elucidated, including their ability to target cellular, subcellular, and molecular checkpoints linked to cancer development and promotion. Recent findings have highlighted various mechanisms of action of bioactive compounds produced by cyanobacteria and microalgae, including induction of autophagy and apoptosis, inhibition of telomerase and protein kinases, as well as modulation of epigenetic modifications. In vivo investigations have demonstrated a potent anti-angiogenesis effect on solid tumors, as well as a reduction in tumor volume. Some of these compounds were examined in clinical investigations for certain types of cancers, making them potent candidates/scaffolds for antitumor drug development., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

Microorganisms in hot deserts face heat and other environmental conditions, such as desiccation, UV radiation, or low nutrient availability. Therefore, this hostile environment harbour microorganisms with acquired characteristics related to survival in their habitat, which can be exploited in biotechnology. In this work, the genome of Paenibacillus sp. MDMC362 isolated from the Merzouga desert in Morocco was sequenced to understand its survival strategy's genetic basis; and to evaluate the thermostability of a catalase extracted from genomic annotation files using molecular dynamics. Paenibacillus sp. MDMC362 genome was rich in genetic elements involved in the fight against different stresses, notably temperature stress, UV radiations, osmotic stress, carbon starvation, and oxidative stress. Indeed, we could identify genes of the operons groES-groEL and hrcA-grpE-dnaK and those involved in the different stages of sporulation, which can help the bacteria to survive the high temperatures imposed by a desertic environment. We also observed the genetic components of the UvrABC system and additional mechanisms involved in DNA repair, which help overcome UV radiation damage. Other genes have been identified in the genome, like those coding for ectoine and proline, that aids fight osmotic stress and desiccation. Catalase thermostability investigation using molecular dynamics showed that the protein reached stability and conserved its compactness at temperatures up to 373.15 K. These results suggest a potential thermostability of the enzyme. Since the studied protein is a core protein, thermostability could be conserved among Paenibacillus sp. MDMC362 closely related strains; however, bacteria from harsh environments may have a slight advantage regarding protein stability., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Trichostatin A (TSA), a natural derivative of dienohydroxamic acid derived from a fungal metabolite, exhibits various biological activities. It exerts antidiabetic activity and reverses high glucose levels caused by the downregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in Schwann cells, anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing the expression of various cytokines, and significant antioxidant activity by suppressing oxidative stress through multiple mechanisms. Most importantly, TSA exhibits potent inhibitory activity against different types of cancer through different pathways. The anticancer activity of TSA appeared in many in vitro and in vivo investigations that involved various cell lines and animal models. Indeed, TSA exhibits anticancer properties alone or in combination with other drugs used in chemotherapy. It induces sensitivity of some human cancers toward chemotherapeutical drugs. TSA also exhibits its action on epigenetic modulators involved in cell transformation, and therefore it is considered an epidrug candidate for cancer therapy. Accordingly, this work presents a comprehensive review of the most recent developments in utilizing this natural compound for the prevention, management, and treatment of various diseases, including cancer, along with the multiple mechanisms of action. In addition, this review summarizes the most recent and relevant literature that deals with the use of TSA as a therapeutic agent against various diseases, emphasizing its anticancer potential and the anticancer molecular mechanisms. Moreover, TSA has not been involved in toxicological effects on normal cells. Furthermore, this work highlights the potential utilization of TSA as a complementary or alternative medicine for preventing and treating cancer, alone or in combination with other anticancer drugs.

Introduction: Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has continuously evolved with many variants of concern emerging across the world., Methodology: In order to monitor the evolution of these variants in Morocco, we analyzed a total of 2130 genomes of the delta variant circulating around the world. We also included 164 Moroccan delta variant sequences in our analysis., Results: Our findings suggest at least four introductions from multiple international sources and a rise of a dominant delta sub-lineage AY.33 in Morocco. Moreover, we report three mutations in the N-terminal domain of the S protein specific to the Moroccan AY.33 isolates, T29A, T250I and T299I. The effect of these mutations on the secondary structure and the dynamic behavior of the S protein N-terminal domain was further determined., Conclusions: We conclude that these mutations might have functional consequences on the S protein of SARS-CoV-2., Competing Interests: No Conflict of Interest is declared, (Copyright (c) 2022 Safae El Mazouri, Houda Bendani, Nasma Boumajdi, Tarik Aanniz, Ilham Kandoussi, Saaid Amzazi, Lahcen Belyamani, Azeddine Ibrahimi, Mouna Ouadghiri.)

Here, we report the near-complete genome sequence and genetic variations of a clinical sample of SARS-CoV-2 for the newly emerged Omicron variant (BA.1). The sample was collected from a nasopharyngeal swab of a Moroccan patient, and the sequencing was done using Ion S5 technology.

Cancer is a complex pathology that causes a large number of deaths worldwide. Several risk factors are involved in tumor transformation, including epigenetic factors. These factors are a set of changes that do not affect the DNA sequence, while modifying the gene's expression. Histone modification is an essential mark in maintaining cellular memory and, therefore, loss of this mark can lead to tumor transformation. As these epigenetic changes are reversible, the use of molecules that can restore the functions of the enzymes responsible for the changes is therapeutically necessary. Natural molecules, mainly those isolated from medicinal plants, have demonstrated significant inhibitory properties against enzymes related to histone modifications, particularly histone deacetylases (HDACs). Flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic acids, and alkaloids exert significant inhibitory effects against HDAC and exhibit promising epi-drug properties. This suggests that epi-drugs against HDAC could prevent and treat various human cancers. Accordingly, the present study aimed to evaluate the pharmacodynamic action of different natural compounds extracted from medicinal plants against the enzymatic activity of HDAC.

The progression of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in Africa has so far been heterogeneous, and the full impact is not yet well understood. In this study, we describe the genomic epidemiology using a dataset of 8746 genomes from 33 African countries and two overseas territories. We show that the epidemics in most countries were initiated by importations predominantly from Europe, which diminished after the early introduction of international travel restrictions. As the pandemic progressed, ongoing transmission in many countries and increasing mobility led to the emergence and spread within the continent of many variants of concern and interest, such as B.1.351, B.1.525, A.23.1, and C.1.1. Although distorted by low sampling numbers and blind spots, the findings highlight that Africa must not be left behind in the global pandemic response, otherwise it could become a source for new variants.

Plants and microbes interact with each other via different chemical signaling pathways. At the risophere level, the microbes can secrete molecules, called elicitors, which act on their receptors located in plant cells. The so-called elicitor molecules as well as their actions differ according to the mcirobes and induce different bilogical responses in plants such as the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Microbial compounds induced phenotype changes in plants are known as elicitors and signaling pathways which integrate elicitor's signals in plants are called elicitation. In this review, the impact of microbial elicitors on the synthesis and the secretion of secondary metabolites in plants was highlighted. Moreover, biological properties of these bioactive compounds were also highlighted and discussed. Indeed, several bacteria, fungi, and viruses release elicitors which bind to plant cell receptors and mediate signaling pathways involved in secondary metabolites synthesis. Different phytochemical classes such as terpenoids, phenolic acids and flavonoids were synthesized and/or increased in medicinal plants via the action of microbial elicitors. Moreover, these compounds compounds exhibit numerous biological activities and can therefore be explored in drugs discovery., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Centaurium erythraea is an important medicinal plant in many countries, e.g. Morocco, Algeria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and countries of Balkan Peninsula. It is used in folk medicine to treat various illnesses. It is also used as an antiapoplectic, anticoagulant, anticholagogue, antipneumonic, hematocathartic, and as a hypotensive agent., Aim of the Review: In this review, previous reports on the taxonomy, botanical description, geographic distribution, ethnomedicinal applications, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, and toxicity of Centaurium erythraea were critically summarized., Materials and Methods: Scientific search engines including PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Web of Science, Scopus, Wiley Online, SciFinder, and Google Scholar were consulted to collect data on C. erythraea. The data presented in this work summarized the main reports on C. erythraea phytochemical compounds, ethnomedicinal uses, and pharmacological activities., Results: C. erythraea is used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases such as diabetes, fever, rhinitis, stomach ailments, urinary tract infections, dyspeptic complaints, loss of appetite, and hemorrhoids, and as diuretic. The essential oils and extracts of C. erythraea exhibited numerous biological properties such as antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, antileishmanial, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, diuretic, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, dermatoprotective, neuroprotective, and inhibitory agent for larval development. Phytochemical characterization of C. erythraea revealed the presence of several classes of secondary metabolites such as xanthonoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and fatty acids., Conclusions: Ethnomedicinal studies demonstrated the use of C. erythraea for the treatment of various disorders. Pharmacological reports showed that C. erythraea especially its aerial parts and roots exhibited potent, and beneficial activities. These findings confirmed the link between the traditional medicinal use and the results of the scientific biological experiments. Considering these results, further investigation using diverse in vivo pharmacological assays are strongly recommended to validate the results of its traditional use. Toxicological tests and pharmacokinetic studies are also required to validate the safety and efficacy of C. erythraea and its bioactive contents., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Here, we report the near-complete genome sequence and the genetic variations of a clinical sample of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) harboring the N501Y mutation assigned to the B.1.1.7 lineage. The sample was collected from a nasopharyngeal swab of a female patient from Temara, Morocco, and the sequencing was done using Ion S5 technology., (Copyright © 2021 Ouadghiri et al.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Pinus halepensis Mill., is a Mediterranean medicinal plant with numerous traditional applications such as anti-scarring, antiseptic, astringent, antifungal, and anti-tuberculosis. It is used against diarrhea, wounds, rheumatism, cough, gastrointestinal illnesses, hypertension, and hemorrhoids., Aim of the Review: We critically summarized previous reports on the botanical, taxonomical, ecological, geographical distribution, phytochemical, and pharmacological results of P. halepensis Mill., Materials and Methods: To gather data on P. halepensis Mill., different scientific search engines were consulted such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Wiley Online, Scifinder, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, PubMed. The collected data on P. halepensis Mill., were organised according to ethnomedicinal use, phytochemistry, and pharmacology., Results: Ethnomedicinal studies indicated that P. halepensis Mill., is used as a protective remedy against respiratory and digestive disorders, arterial hypertension, microbial infections. These medicinal uses vary based on the part used and regions. The extracts and essential oils of P. halepensis Mill., demonstrated several biological effects including antimicrobial, antidiabetic anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antiparasitic, and hepatoprotective. Traditional uses and biological effects of P. halepensis Mill., were attributed to the numerous molecules that belong to different chemical classes such as terpenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, fatty acids and steroids, aldehydes and ketones., Conclusions: In vitro and in vivo investigations of P. halepensis Mill., extracts and essential oils showed interesting pharmacological activities supporting the traditional use of this species. Previous reports indicated that P. halepensis Mill., extracts and their constituents exhibited potent antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, protective, anticoagulant, anti-hemolytic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Further investigation is needed to reveal the full biological spectra of P. halepensis Mill., extracts and essential oils (using in vivo models) and to validate their industrial applications as a food additive. However, in-depth studies are required to investigate the biological properties and molecular mechanisms of P. halepensis Mill., secondary metabolites in the management of diabetes mellitus and the prevention of the neurodegenerative disorders development such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Studies exploring pharmacological effects of P. halepensis Mill., bioactive components such as the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic drugs are required to validate the clinical use of these molecules. The safety of P. halepensis Mill., and its bioactive compounds should be also investigated by carrying out further pharmacokinetic and toxicological experiments., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We report the nearly complete genome sequence and the genetic variations of a clinical sample of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) collected from a nasopharyngeal swab specimen from a male patient from Harhoura-Rabat, Morocco. The sequence, which was obtained using Ion Torrent technology, is valuable as it carries a recently described deletion (His69-Val70) and substitution (Asn439Lys)., (Copyright © 2021 Aanniz et al.)

The protection of agricultural crops and the preservation of the organoleptic and health qualities of food products represent a major challenge for the agricultural and agro-food industries. Essential oils have received greater attention as alternatives to replace the control strategies based on pesticides against phytopathogenic bacteria and synthetic compounds in food preservation. The aims of this work were to study the chemical composition of Teucrium polium subsp. polium and Micromeria graeca essential oils and to examine their antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. To carry out this work, the chemical composition of the essential oil was determined using gas chromatography (GC) with the detection feature of mass spectrometry (MS). Subsequently, the antioxidant activity was investigated by DPPH and FRAPS assays. The antimicrobial effect was studied against phytopathogenic and foodborne pathogenic bacteria using the disc and the microdilution methods. Our results showed that GC-MS analysis of EOs allowed the identification of 30 compounds in T. polium EO (TPpEO), while 5 compounds were identified in M. graeca EO (MGEO). TPpEO had as major compounds β -pinene (19.82%) and germacrene D (18.33%), while geranial (36.93%) and z-citral (18.25%) were the main components of MGEO. The most potent activity was obtained from MGEO (IC 50  = 189.7 ± 2.62  µ g/mL) compared to TPpEO (IC 50  = 208.33 ± 3.51  µ g/mL. For the FRAP test, the highest reducing power was obtained from 1.32 ± 0.1 mg AAE/g of TPpEO compared to MGEO 0.51 ± 0.13 mg AAE/g of EO. Both EOs exhibited varying degrees of antibacterial activities against all the tested strains with inhibition zones in the range of 9.33 ± 0.57 mm to >65 mm and MIC values from 0.19 to 12.5 mg/mL. However, MGEO exhibits an interesting anticandidal effect with inhibition zone 44.33 ± 0.57 mm. The findings of this research establish the riches of EOs on volatile compounds, their important antioxidant activity, and their antimicrobial effect against the bacteria tested., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Taoufiq Benali et al.)

The COVID-19 pandemic has been ongoing since its onset in late November 2019 in Wuhan, China. Understanding and monitoring the genetic evolution of the virus, its geographical characteristics, and its stability are particularly important for controlling the spread of the disease and especially for the development of a universal vaccine covering all circulating strains. From this perspective, we analyzed 30,983 complete SARS-CoV-2 genomes from 79 countries located in the six continents and collected from 24 December 2019, to 13 May 2020, according to the GISAID database. Our analysis revealed the presence of 3206 variant sites, with a uniform distribution of mutation types in different geographic areas. Remarkably, a low frequency of recurrent mutations has been observed; only 169 mutations (5.27%) had a prevalence greater than 1% of genomes. Nevertheless, fourteen non-synonymous hotspot mutations (>10%) have been identified at different locations along the viral genome; eight in ORF1ab polyprotein (in nsp2, nsp3, transmembrane domain, RdRp, helicase, exonuclease, and endoribonuclease), three in nucleocapsid protein, and one in each of three proteins: Spike, ORF3a, and ORF8. Moreover, 36 non-synonymous mutations were identified in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein with a low prevalence (<1%) across all genomes, of which only four could potentially enhance the binding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the human ACE2 receptor. These results along with intra-genomic divergence of SARS-CoV-2 could indicate that unlike the influenza virus or HIV viruses, SARS-CoV-2 has a low mutation rate which makes the development of an effective global vaccine very likely.

Helicobacter pylori affects up to 50% of people worldwide. Here, we present the draft genome sequences of six H. pylori strains isolated from Moroccan patients with different gastric diseases. Multilocus sequence typing analysis showed that all of the H. pylori isolates belonged to the hspWAfrica group., (Copyright © 2020 Kartti et al.)

In order to discover new natural resources with biological properties, the chemical composition, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and the potential use as food preservative of essential oils of Moroccan Achillea odorata subsp. pectinata (AO p EO) and Ruta montana (RMEO) were studied. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed the presence of 21 and 25 compounds in AO p EO and RMEO, respectively. The results showed that the major compounds of AO p EO are camphor (45.01%), bornyl acetate (15.07%), borneol (11.33%), β -eudesmol (4.74%), camphene (3.58%), and 1.8-cineole (eucalyptol) (2.96%), whereas 2-undecanone (63.97%), camphor (3.82%) and cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (3.66%) were the main components of RMEO. The antioxidant activities were evaluated by diphenylpicrylhydraziyl radical (DPPH) and reducing power assays. The antimicrobial activities of essential oils were tested against bacterial strains and food contaminant yeast using agar disc diffusion and microdilution methods. A significant antimicrobial activity of AO p EO was observed against Bacillus subtilis , Proteus mirabilis and Candida albicans , compared to RMEO. The efficacy of AO p EO was also evaluated in model food systems (cabbage and barley) artificially inoculated during storage. The results found that the adding of a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and 4× MIC were potent in decreasing the Proteus mirabilis growth in food model systems. Our findings suggested that AO p EO may be potentially used as an alternative food preservative.

Introduction: The emergence of new omics approaches, such as genomic algorithms to identify tumor mutations and molecular modeling tools to predict the three-dimensional structure of proteins, has facilitated the understanding of the dynamic mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of low-grade gliomas including oligodendrogliomas and astrocytomas., Methods: In this study, we targeted known mutations involved in low-grade gliomas, starting with the sequencing of genomic regions encompassing exon 4 of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 ( IDH1 ) and isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 ( IDH2 ) and the four exons (5-6 and 7-8) of TP53 from 32 samples, followed by computational analysis to study the impact of these mutations on the structure and function of 3 proteins IDH1, IDH2 , and p53 ., Results: We obtain a mutation that has an effect on the catalytic site of the protein IDH1 as R132H and on the catalytic site of the protein IDH2 as R172M. Other mutations at p53 have been identified as K305N, which is a pathogenic mutation; R175 H, which is a benign mutation; and R158G, which disrupts the structural conformation of the tumor suppressor protein., Conclusion: In low-grade gliomas, mutations in IDH1, IDH2 , and TP53 may be the key to tumor progression because they have an effect on the function of the protein such as mutations R132H in IDH1 and R172M in IDH2 , which change the function of the enzyme alpha-ketoglutarate, or R158G in TP53 , which affects the structure of the generated protein, thus their importance in understanding gliomagenesis and for more accurate diagnosis complementary to the anatomical pathology tests., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interests:The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2020.)

The diversity of thermophilic bacteria was investigated in four hot springs, three salt marshes and 12 desert sites in Morocco. Two hundred and forty (240) thermophilic bacteria were recovered, identified and characterized. All isolates were Gram positive, rod-shaped, spore forming and halotolerant. Based on BOXA1R-PCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the recovered isolates were dominated by the genus Bacillus (97.5%) represented by B. licheniformis (119), B. aerius (44), B. sonorensis (33), B. subtilis (subsp. spizizenii (2) and subsp. inaquosurum (6)), B. amyloliquefaciens (subsp. amyloliquefaciens (4) and subsp. plantarum (4)), B. tequilensis (3), B. pumilus (3) and Bacillus sp. (19). Only six isolates (2.5%) belonged to the genus Aeribacillus represented by A. pallidus (4) and Aeribacillus sp. (2). In this study, B. aerius and B. tequilensis are described for the first time as thermophilic bacteria. Moreover, 71.25%, 50.41% and 5.41% of total strains exhibited high amylolytic, proteolytic or cellulolytic activity respectively.