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Due to its therapeutic and pharmaceutical benefits as well as its culinary applications, caper (Capparis spinosa L.) is quite interesting. This study aimed to evaluate some biological activities of the aqueous extracts of Capparis spinosa L. leaves, including the phytotoxic effect, antioxidant capacity, and the determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents. The germination bioassay of the cress seeds (Lepidium sativum L.) was used to evaluate the phytotoxic effect. In addition, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical was used as a determinant of antioxidant capacity. The results obtained showed an important antioxidant capacity with an IC50 of 0.212 ± 0.096 mg/mL. Also, a total phenolic content of 116.3 ± 0.06 mg GAE/g DM and 18.9 ± 0.08 mg RE/g DM for flavonoids were obtained. In addition, the extract showed a very significant (p < 0.001) dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the germination and root length of Lepidium sativum L. seeds. The qualitative study carried out by HPLC measurement allowed the detection of chlorogenic acid (3.2 %), vanillin (1.3 %), rutin (1.2 %), and some quercetin derivatives (6.9 %). The results obtained in this study revealed the potential of caper in bioactive molecules. In addition, it could be a natural bioactive product for therapeutic purposes, such as the prevention of oxidative stress and related disorders.

Background. The consumption of food supplements is increasing. This evolution is due to several factors, including nutritional deficiencies in the population, a sedentary lifestyle, and a decrease in physical activity. In addition, stress and an active lifestyle led to several dysfunctions (fatigue, deconcentration) that food supplements can help to overcome. Objective. This study aimed to determine the profiles of food supplement consumers in the Fes-Meknes region (Morocco), distribution, and production of these products. In addition, this survey aimed to evaluate consumers’ knowledge of food supplements as part of their self-medication. Material and methods. The present study was conducted in the form of a survey using a questionnaire composed of two parts. The first part provides information on the socio-demographic status of respondents, including gender, age, and level of education. The second part concerned various information on the consumption of food supplements. Results. The results obtained showed that of the 498 subjects, 68.88% declared that they had already consumed the food supplements. The study revealed the predominance of the female gender at 69.68% and the age group 21-30 years (80.32%). Among the reasons for consumption, improving general health comes first with 56.29%. Our results also showed high consumption of vitamins (44.04%) and minerals (24.79%), next come proteins and plant extracts at 16.62% and 14.54% respectively. The consumption of food supplements is most often done on the advice of a doctor or dietician with 43.60%, and the pharmacy and para-pharmacy remains the main distribution channel at 75.78%. Conclusion. The present survey allowed us to update the current situation of food supplement consumption and a way of regulatory monitoring and more control for an organization of the sector.

In order to identify the medicinal plants used in agri-food and traditional medicine by the population of Fez-Meknes region (Morocco), a floristic and ethnobotanical study was carried out in 4 provinces of this region (Fez, Meknes, Azrou, Taza). Questionnaire forms were used to survey the usual users of the plants and herbalists and to collect as much information as possible on the therapeutic and dietary use of aromatic and medicinal plants in the region. For plants used for food, our survey identified 29 species divided into 26 genera and 16 families, including herbaceous plants (70%), trees (16.60%), shrubs (10%) and bushes (3.30%). The study of the medicinal flora used in traditional medicine also allowed the inventory 81 species belonging to 47 families. Leaves are the most commonly used part and the majority of remedies were prepared in the form of infusion (47%) and decoction (26%). Among all the diseases treated, digestive diseases are the most cited (25%), followed by dermatological diseases (21%). The present study allowed us to evaluate some traditional practices used by the Fez-Meknes region population. In this context, it is essential to carry out similar investigations in other regions of the kingdom, in order to safeguard this precious natural heritage by means of a monograph that is as complete as possible and to validate the remedies and preparations identified using rigorous scientific protocols.

Currently several species are threatened with extinction due to climatic factors, population pressure and the strong global demand for a continuous and uniform supply of fragrant, aromatic and medicinal plants. The multiplication and domestication of these species remains the only way to save them from extinction, our study is within the framework of propagation by cuttings of odorous verbena (Aloysia citrodora). In fact, some parameters influencing the success of cuttings have been studied, namely the nature of the substrate, the effect of certain rooting products and the position of the cutting in relation to the mother plant (basal or apical), the tests were carried out in a tunnel greenhouse at the ibn tofail university, faculty of sciences kenitra, Morroco. Out of 144 trials, the success rate of cuttings according to the type of substrate was 91.66%, 75% and 83.33% respectively for substrates S1 (soil only), S2 (1/2 sand and 1/2 compost) and S3 (1/3 soil; 1/3 compost and 1/3 peat). For the three products, we didn’t make combinations. but we followed the effect of each product alone, For the treatment effect, 77%, 0% and 69% respectively were obtained for Product 1 (auxin), Product 2 (based on mineral matter and amino acids) and Product 3 (seaweed extract). With regard to the position of the cutting, high percentages were obtained for cuttings from the basal position.

Abstract Background Many unmarried young people in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) want to avoid pregnancy but do not use modern methods of contraception—as a result, half of teen births in these countries are unintended. Researchers have identified numerous barriers that prevent youth from using contraception. However, much of the research in West Africa is narrowly focused on married women, and relatively little research has been done to understand the needs, preferences, barriers, and solution set for sexually active unmarried young people who would like to avoid pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the behavioral barriers that prevent unmarried young people in eastern Senegal from using modern methods of contraception. Methods This qualitative study conducted in 2017 in the Tambacounda and Kedougou regions in Senegal explores attitudes and beliefs relating to sex and contraception among unmarried young women and men through 48 in-depth individual interviews with young people aged 15–24 and parents of youth and 5 sex-segregated focus groups with 6–9 young people per group. The research team conducted a thematic content analysis and synthesized the findings by major theme following the behavioral diagnosis methodology. Results Drawing insights from behavioral science, the analysis yields five key findings: (1) unmarried young people avoid making a decision about contraception because thinking about contraceptive use provokes uncomfortable associations with a negative identity (i.e., being sexually active before marriage); (2) unmarried young people see modern methods as inappropriate for people like them; (3) unmarried young people are overconfident in their ability to prevent pregnancy through traditional and folk methods; (4) unmarried young people overestimate the social and health risks of modern contraceptive methods; and (5) unmarried young people fail to plan ahead and are not prepared to use modern contraceptive methods before every sexual encounter. Conclusions Interventions aimed at increasing uptake of contraceptives among unmarried young people in eastern Senegal must address several significant behavioral barriers in addition to structural, informational, and socio-cultural barriers in order to be successful.

To investigate whether the X-ray unit type used for interventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures may affect patient radiation doses. A total of 471 ERCP procedures performed in 4 hospitals with 4 types of X-ray units were studied. Kerma–area product (KAP), fluoroscopy time (T) and total number of radiographs acquired (F) were recorded. KAP, T and F values exhibited a great variation, ranging from 0.1 to 130.2 Gy cm2 (mean 16 Gy cm2), 0.13 to 33.7 min (mean 5.4 min) and 0 to 26 radiographs (mean 3.5), respectively. The respective mean values for the four types of X-ray units that were investigated were as follows: KAP: 17.4, 12.5, 5.6 and 36.3 Gy cm2, T: 4.7, 5.2, 3.8 and 11.5 min and F: 1.7, 7.4, 1.9 and 4.6 radiographs. The type of the X-ray unit seems to significantly affect patient radiation dose, with the C-arm delivering the lowest and the angiography unit the highest patient doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]