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Objectives. The HTLV-1 infection persists for life, remaining as asymptomatic viral reservoirs in most patients, ensuring the chain of transmission, but around 4% develop adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). HTLV-1 is an oncogenic retrovirus that transforms CD4+ T lymphocytes and deregulates the lymphoproliferative pathways that contribute to the development of ATLL. To achieve cell transformation, most oncogenic retroviruses use proto-oncogene capture transduction, with proviral integration disrupting the expression of tumor suppressors or proto-oncogenes. The aim. We conducted this study on the prevalence of HTLV-1 infection in blood donors to expand the HTLV-1 database, assess the risk of transmission via blood products, as well as evaluate the risk of persistent infection or development of neoplastic diseases in HTLV-1 carriers. Materials and methods. This is a cross-sectional study of blood donors of all categories. For this study, 265 blood donors were recruited at the Centre National de Transfusion Sanguine in Brazzaville. After testing for HTLV-1 antibodies by ELISA, proviral DNA was extracted from all ELISA-positive samples for detection by nested PCR, followed by RT qPCR using specific primers p53 and c-myc for gene expression. Results. 20/265 were positive for anti-HTLV-1 antibody, 5 donors were positive for proviral DNA. The prevalence of HTLV-1 was 1.8%. All HTLV-1-positive donors were male (1.8%), with a positive correlation (p = 0.05); the 1.1% of positive donors were regular, with the majority aged between 31 and 45 years (1.5%), and concubine donors were the most frequent (1.1%). All samples showed normal expression of the p53 and c-myc genes. Conclusion. The prevalence, though low, remains a serious problem. No abnormal p53 or c-myc gene expression was detected in HTLV-1-positive donors, which could mean that none of the T lymphocytes in these donors had been transformed by HTLV-1.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate whether germline alterations of exon 5 of TP53 gene could be detected in the blood of known men with prostate cancer and to assess the potential association between the genomic alteration affecting this gene and clinicopathological characteristics of the patients. Methods: Forty-eight blood samples from men diagnosed with prostate cancer were analyzed for TP53 germline mutations and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The frequency and distribution of high-frequency mutations were analyzed according to the pathological criteria of the patients and a computational study was performed to assess the effect of new mutations. Results: The Sanger sequencing revealed that 79% of the population studied carry mutations in TP53 gene. In summary, a total of 137 mutations have been identified in this gene, out of which 115 are new mutations. Frameshift mutations were the most frequent; the mutation c.392delA was recorded in fifteen cases (31%); the mutations c.383delC and c.432delG were observed at a frequency of 12.5% and 10% respectively. The most frequent missense mutation was the variant c.502C>A (p.His168Asn) identified in eleven patients (23%). One nonsense mutation was identified in one patient and resulted in a stop codon in position 126 (tyrosine). All codons affected by these alterations are part of the DNA binding domain of the protein TP53. Conclusions: The germline mutation frequency observed in prostate cancer patients, and the new mutations recorded in TP53 gene, could be in favor of a potential association of genomic alterations in this gene and prostate cancer genesis, thereby constituting a tool, similar to other genes in the DNA repair pathway such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. This could contribute to the advancement of diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for prostate cancer.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the molecular prevalence of high-risk HPV infection and the distribution of genotypes present in normal cytology, as well as to determine the vaccination status of our study population. Methods: 110 cervical samples were taken from individuals, and 1 ml of each sample was added to the Xpert HPV cartridge in the sample compartment before it was placed in the Cepheid GeneXpert system. Detection was performed simultaneously via amplification of the E6 and E7 genes in five fluorescent channels (HPV16, HPV18/45, HPV31/33/35/52/58, HPV51/59, and HPV39/56/66/68a). Results: 36/110 (33%) of all samples tested were positive for HPV DNA. The predominant genotypes were HPV16 (12.7%) and other pooled HR-HPV types (8.2%). All women who received the Gardasil-9 vaccine (3.6%) had HPV, and infection was associated with travel outside Africa. 96.4% of the screened individuals had not received any HPV vaccine. Conclusion: Our research confirms a widespread HR-HPV infection in our population and extends the importance of studies on the molecular prevalence of HPV, particularly in women with normal cytology and apparent good health, in view of the cruel lack of public awareness of HPV infections.

Objectives. Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) is rarely studied in Congo, despite its prevalence in Africa. Among healthy individuals, HHV-8 does not always lead to a life-threatening infection; however, in immunocompromised individuals, it could lead to more severe disease. The distribution of HHV-8 genotypes varies depending on ethnicity and geographic region. Method. A prospective cross-sectional study included 265 samples from healthy blood donors from the National Blood Transfusion Center in Brazzaville, with an average age of 35 years, with extremes ranging from 18 to 60 years. After DNA extraction, a nested PCR was carried out for molecular detection, followed by genotyping by amplification of specific primers. Result. In this study, 4.9% were positive for molecular detection of HHV-8 DNA. All HHV-8 positive DNA samples that were subjected to genotyping by amplification with specific primers allowing discrimination of two major genotypes (A and B). Genotype A was identified in 5 (1.9%) samples and genotype B in 2 (0.7%) samples, indicating that both genotypes were predominant. The remaining viral DNA samples not identified as the major genotypes were classified as «indeterminate» and consisted of 6 (2.3%) samples. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that Congo is an area where HHV-8 infection is endemic.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a serious problem among Saudis because of the country’s affluent lifestyle. Obesity is associated with various metabolic disorders and characterized by low-grade inflammation that leads to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, human growth factors (GFs), lipids, aberrant adipokines, and other chemokines from adipose tissue. The objective of this study is to delineate the effects of GFs on microbiota and their relationship to body mass index (BMI) and food habits. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 32 randomly selected participants (16 males and 16 females) were enrolled in a survey covering their sociodemographic information, medical history, lifestyle, and dietary practices. The information on diet, health condition, food and drink intake habits were examined under four distinct BMI categories: normal, underweight, overweight, and obese. The participants’ serum samples were analyzed for the various GFs using a human magnetic 30-plex panel multiplex assay. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to investigate which bacterial taxa are enriched and to predict the functional profiles of the samples. RESULTS: Correlational studies revealed sexbased differences between GFs and microbiota. Females exhibited a significant correlation between epidermal GF (EGF) and Proteobacteria, whereas males showed a significant correlation between fibroblast GF-basic and Actinobacteria. Interestingly, a combined analysis of both sexes showed a significant correlation between EGF and vascular endothelial GF with Firmicutes. The data in the underweight group revealed a correlation between granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and hepatocyte GF with Firmicutes. In the obese group, a correlation was found between G-CSF and Actinobacteria. CONCLUSIONS: Our results identified links between GFs, microbiota, and BMI in a Saudi cohort. The insights from this preliminary study will contribute to the predictive diagnosis of obesity. However, further research involving a larger cohort will be necessary to understand the mechanistic aspects of these GFs to provide biomarkers of potential obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, using a combinatorial approach, we give a combinatorial interpretation of sequences of numbers related to the partial Bell polynomials. Some recurrence relations for these polynomials may be deduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes in Moroccan women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer and to assess the association between HPV infection and some socio-demographic characteristics and clinicopathological features. Methods: In this study, 80 fresh biopsies from patients with confirmed diagnoses of cervical cancer during the study period (2020–2021) were collected. All cases were subject to HPV detection by nested PCR using MY09/11 and GP5+/6+ primers. HPV genotyping was performed by type-specific PCR targeting HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, and 33. Results: The average age of patients was 54 years. Most patients were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; 82.5%) at stage II (71.3%). Overall, 91.3% of cervical cancer cases were HPV-positive. HPV 16 is the most prevalent genotype, reported in 60.3% of HPV-positive cases, followed by HPV 18, 33, and 31 genotypes, identified in 20.5%, 12.3%, and 6.8%, respectively. No double infection with these genotypes was observed. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between HPV infection and age at menarche (P = 0.028), parity (P = 0.004), childbirth delivery (P = 0.040), and marital status (P = 0.042). Conclusions: HPV-DNA was prevalent in most examined cervical cancer tissues and HPV 16, HPV 18, HPV 33, and HPV 31 were present, at single infection, in all HPV-positive cases. These results emphasize already reported data on HPV distribution in Morocco and may contribute significantly to promoting the use of HPV DNA-based screening tests and available vaccines to limit HPV infection, viral dissemination, and cancer cervical development.

Myasthenia gravis primarily affects young adults, with a higher incidence in women, particularly between the ages of 20 and 30. When a young woman with myasthenia gravis contemplates pregnancy, healthcare providers must consider the potential implications. The interplay between hormonal factors and changes in the immune system establishes a complex relationship between myasthenia gravis and pregnancy. On one hand, pregnancy can alter the course of the disease, while on the other hand, the disease can impact the progression of the pregnancy and the well-being of the fetus. In this case report, we present the case of a 28-year-old woman suffering from myasthenia gravis who had undergone a thymectomy 5 years ago and was being treated with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. After a planned conception, the patient presented a relapse of her disease during the third trimester of pregnancy, with the onset of severe hydramnios. This observation highlights a specific case of decompensation of myasthenia gravis during pregnancy, associated with the presence of severe hydramnios. Subsequently, we delve into the existing literature to examine the reciprocal influence between myasthenia gravis and pregnancy, as well as the effects of anti-myasthenic treatments on pregnancy outcomes.

Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the implantation of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity. Common symptoms include cyclical pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility. Although endometriosis can spread to various extrauterine locations including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and peritoneal surfaces, umbilical endometriosis is a rare manifestation of the disease. We report an intriguing clinical case of primary umbilical endometriosis in a 36-year-old female patient admitted to our department due to the notable manifestation of a painful swelling at the umbilicus, accompanied by cyclic episodes of bleeding. Subsequent investigations, incorporating ultrasound and computed tomography, indicated the presence of umbilical endometriosis, a finding that was subsequently confirmed by pathological examination of a mass biopsy. Surgical resection of the umbilical mass was performed, and histopathological analysis definitively confirmed the diagnosis of endometriosis. This case report aims to discuss in depth the diagnosis and management of umbilical endometriosis.

Spatialization of biomass and carbon stocks is essential for a good understanding of the forest stand and its characteristics, especially in degraded Mediterranean cork oak forests. Furthermore, the analysis of biomass and carbon stock changes and dynamics is essential for understanding the carbon cycle, in particular carbon emissions and stocks, in order to make projections, especially in the context of climate change. In this research, we use a multidimensional framework integrating forest survey data, LiDAR UAV data, and extracted vegetation indices from Landsat imagery (NDVI, ARVI, CIG, etc.) to model and spatialize cork oak biomass and carbon stocks on a large scale. For this purpose, we explore the use of univariate and multivariate regression modeling and examine several types of regression, namely, multiple linear regression, stepwise linear regression, random forest regression, simple linear regression, logarithmic regression, and quadratic and cubic regression. The results show that for multivariate regression, stepwise regression gives good results, with R2 equal to 80% and 65% and RMSE equal to 2.59 and 1.52 Mg/ha for biomass and carbon stock, respectively. Random forest regression, chosen as the ML algorithm, gives acceptable results, explaining 80% and 60% of the variation in biomass and carbon stock, respectively, and an RMSE of 2.74 and 1.72 Mg/ha for biomass and carbon stock, respectively. For the univariate regression, the simple linear regression is chosen because it gives satisfactory results, close to those of the quadratic and cubic regressions, but with a simpler equation. The vegetation index chosen is ARVI, which shows good performance indices, close to those of the NDVI and CIG. The assessment of biomass and carbon stock changes in the study area over 35 years (1985–2020) showed a slight increase of less than 10 Mg/ha and a decrease in biomass and carbon stock over a large area.

Abstract Background Elucidation of specific and recurrent/founder pathogenic variants (PVs) in BRCA (BRCA1 and BRCA2) genes can make the genetic testing, for breast cancer (BC) and/or ovarian cancer (OC), affordable for developing nations. Methods To establish the knowledge about BRCA PVs and to determine the prevalence of the specific and recurrent/founder variants in BRCA genes in BC and/or OC women in North Africa, a systematic review was conducted in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Results Search of the databases yielded 25 relevant references, including eleven studies in Morocco, five in Algeria, and nine in Tunisia. Overall, 15 studies investigated both BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, four studies examined the entire coding region of the BRCA1 gene, and six studies in which the analysis was limited to a few BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 exons. Overall, 76 PVs (44 in BRCA1 and32 in BRCA2) were identified in 196 BC and/or OC patients (129 BRCA1 and 67 BRCA2 carriers). Eighteen of the 76 (23.7%) PVs [10/44 (22.7%) in BRCA1 and 8/32 (25%) in BRCA2] were reported for the first time and considered to be novel PVs. Among those identified as unlikely to be of North African origin, the BRCA1 c.68_69del and BRCA1 c.5266dupC Jewish founder alleles and PVs that have been reported as recurrent/founder variants in European populations (ex: BRCA1 c.181T>G, BRCA1 c1016dupA). The most well characterized PVs are four in BRCA1 gene [c.211dupA (14.7%), c.798_799detTT (14%), c.5266dup (8.5%), c.5309G>T (7.8%), c.3279delC (4.7%)] and one in BRCA2 [c.1310_1313detAAGA (38.9%)]. The c.211dupA and c.5309G>T PVs were identified as specific founder variants in Tunisia and Morocco, accounting for 35.2% (19/54) and 20.4% (10/49) of total established BRCA1 PVs, respectively. c.798_799delTT variant was identified in 14% (18/129) of all BRCA1 North African carriers, suggesting a founder allele. A broad spectrum of recurrent variants including BRCA1 3279delC, BRCA1 c.5266dup and BRCA2 c.1310_1313detAAGA was detected in 42 patients. BRCA1 founder variants explain around 36.4% (47/129) of BC and outnumber BRCA2 founder variants by a ratio of ≈3:1. Conclusions Testing BC and/or OC patients for the panel of specific and recurrent/founder PVs might be the most cost-effective molecular diagnosis strategy.

The three human Enterovirus serotypes D-68, D-70, and A-71, are common pathogens that are transmitted by fecal-oral and aerosol routes. These positive RNA viruses were known to exhibit high levels of genetic diversity and variability. Currently, no vaccines are available to protect humans from these three serotypes. Therefore, efforts are needed for the development of a vaccine directed against heterologous viruses. In our study, an immunoinformatics approach is used to identify T- and B-cell epitopes that may help for the generation of a universal vaccine against EV-D70, EV-A71, and EV-D68. B and T cell epitopes were selected based on their length. As a result, 5 B cell epitopes and 18 T cell epitopes were predicted. Our B cell epitope prediction results showed that there are a number of linear regions. Position 150-170 was found to be the most immunogenic for the different strains. Regarding the epitopes of the T lymphocytes, the result of the interactions shows that 95% of the predicted epitopes are common between the 3 sequences and the 5 methods used. These results demonstrate the great immunogenic potential of these sequences and their capacities to trigger immune reactions in people with different HLA alleles. The “VFYDGFAGF” epitope is the most important and most immunogenic for triggering an immune response. Our study results allowed us to identify epitopes to be used in the development of cross-protection vaccines against the three Enterovirus serotypes. However, in vivo and in vitro studies are needed to assess the potential of the epitopes predicted by our study.

Viral outbreaks can result from the consumption of contaminated bivalve mollusks. However, despite the regulation related to enteric bacteria in food products, the consumption of raw and undercooked mollusks remains linked to viral epidemics in human populations. Real-time RT-PCR is a highly sensitive approach for detecting and quantifying enteric viruses, and after eliminating enzymatic amplification inhibitors from samples of interest, sensitive and specific tests, like real-time RT-PCR, can facilitate the detection and quantification of a wide range of viruses that are concentrated in mollusk digestive tissues. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of Group-A rotaviruses in mussel (Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758) specimens (n=576) collected downstream of the Oued El Maleh Estuary, which is along the coast of Mohammedia City in Morocco, using real-time RT-PCR. Rotavirus A RNA was detected in 37.5% (n=18) of the 48 sample batches, and viral loads ranged from 0.42×101 to 1.8603×104 genomic copies per g digestive tissue. Most (72.22%) of the positive samples were collected during the wet season (September-April), and the probability of detecting rotaviruses was significantly greater during the wet season than during the dry season (P

This research examines the effect of opposing thermal buoyancy on momentum and heat transfer characteristics of a confined cylinder submerged in Newtonian fluid. The detailed flow and temperature field are shown in term of streamlines and isotherm contours. The numerical investigation are done for the range of conditions as Re = 5 to 40, Richardson number Ri = -0.1 to -4, Pr = 1, and blockage ratio β = 0.2. When the buoyancy is opposed, it is depicted that the flow separation becomes asymmetrically and diminishes gradually and at some critical value of Richardson number it totally disappears resulting a creeping flow. Two rotating regions appear under the cylinder and behind the cylinder under the upper channel wall. Moreover, the total drag coefficient and the average Nusselt number are calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) contamination in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Cherrat estuary (Moroccan Atlantic Coast), Morocco. In total, 52 samples (n = 12 mussels/each) were collected at four sites in the estuary, monthly, between March 2019 and March 2020. HAV and HEV were detected by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) according to the ISO/TS 15216 method. HAV was detected in 46.15% of analyzed samples. Conversely, HEV was not detected in any sample. Moreover, the HAV detection rate was significantly associated with seasonal rainfall variations. This qualitative study on HAV and HEV contamination highlights the interest of studying mussel samples from wild areas. As HAV presence in mussels represents a potential health risk, viral contamination surveillance of mussels is necessary to protect consumers. HAV shellfish contamination must be monitored at Cherrat estuary because of the role played by shellfish as HAV reservoirs and/or vehicles in fecal-oral HAV transmission.

Resistance to antimicrobials and particularly multidrug resistance is one of the greatest challenges in the health system nowadays. The continual increase in the rates of antimicrobial resistance worldwide boosted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic poses a major public health threat. Different approaches have been employed to minimize the effect of resistance and control this threat, but the question still lingers as to their safety and efficiency. In this context, new anti-infectious approaches against multidrug resistance are being examined. Use of new antibiotics and their combination with new β-lactamase inhibitors, phage therapy, antimicrobial peptides, nanoparticles, and antisense antimicrobial therapeutics are considered as one such promising approach for overcoming bacterial resistance. In this review, we provide insights into these emerging alternative therapies that are currently being evaluated and which may be developed in the future to break the progression of antimicrobial resistance. We focus on their advantages and limitations and potential application in medicine. We further highlight the importance of the combination therapy approach, wherein two or more therapies are used in combination in order to more effectively combat infectious disease and increasing access to quality healthcare. These advances could give an alternate solution to overcome antimicrobial drug resistance. We eventually hope to provide useful information for clinicians who are seeking solutions to the problems caused by antimicrobial resistance.

Le Maroc demeure un pays de la diversité, de l’ouverture et de l’interculturel. Le champ de la production symbolique est marqué par une pluralité de codes linguistiques et culturels qui se sont succédé depuis belle lurette. Partant de la situation linguistique et culturelle qui caractérise le pays, les chercheurs explorent la dimension plurilinguistique et pluriculturelle. Dans cette hétérogénéité linguistique, les interférences restent un phénomène incontournable. L’intérêt de cet article est de mettre en relief la déviation interférentielle relative aux prépositions qui peut être considérée en milieu institutionnel comme stratégie d’apprentissage grâce à l’approche contrastive entre le français, première langue étrangère au Maroc et le tachelhit, langue maternelle des apprenants.

The French language, the first living language in a school system in great difficulty, has gone from the status of a "second language" to a "foreign language"; it is for this reason that it is laborious to determine the real status of this language in Morocco. The sociolinguistic difficulty of the field raises the question of the parameters that must prevail in the management of the didactic field of French. In this contribution, we would like to know the place of the French language in Non Linguistic Disciplines (henceforth DNL). First of all, it is about the language of instruction, namely French, which promotes academic, academic and professional success and the social rise of the learner; in a second time, this language is apprehended as socioprofessional inhibition for those who do not master it.

In this current study, we examine the abundances and breeding phenology of three sympatric grebes (little, great crested and black-necked grebes) in Dayet El Ferd. These grebes were observed during all the period (2011-2018) in this wetland, except in September when the great crested grebe leaves the region. The abundances of these three grebes show a significant difference. In 2017, the total number of 71 nests was measured. The mean clutch size was 5.23 ± 1.49 eggs per nest. The highest number of eggs per nest was ten eggs, and most nests contained three eggs (N=18).