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Background and Objective: Congenital dislocation of the hip is a malformation of the lower limbs that could be complicated by a disabling physical handicap with long-term psychological and social repercussions if detected late. This study aims to describe the screening for congenital hip dislocation and to investigate the association between the occurrence of this anomaly and possible risk factors in Morocco. Methods: The study was based on the exploitation of the records of children treated at the trauma and orthopedics department of the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech, Morocco. It concerned 160 cases with a 5-year follow-up from January 2016 to March 2021. Results: The results of the study showed that 56.7% of the affected children had a bilateral dislocation and 25.8% of the cases had a left-sided dislocation. The malformation occurred more frequently in females 69.2%. A familial disposition to the malformation was found in about 22% of the cases. The diagnosis was late (at walking age) in 61% of children following the onset of lameness with or without pain in 91% of children. In 41.87% of the hips, the reduction was surgical, with 28% failure dominated by acetabular dysplasia in 11%. Conclusion: The risk factors for congenital hip dislocation identified in our setting were dominated by sex, primiparity, consanguineous marriage, and the presence of a family history of dislocation. Communication of risk factors specific to our setting to healthcare personnel will allow them to guide the diagnosis and increase vigilance in the at-risk population for management that prevents the development of complications.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Risk Factors , Early Diagnosis , Hip Dislocation, Congenital , Pregnant WomenABSTRACT
Healthcare-associated infections (HAI), also referred to as nosocomial infections, is defined as an infection acquired in a hospital setting. This infection is considered a HAI if it was not present or incubating at the time of admission. This includes infections acquired in the hospital but appearing after discharge, and also occupational infections among staff of the facility. HAI are a major patient safety measure to be considered in hospitals.
Subject(s)
Respiratory Tract Infections , Surgical Wound Infection , Urinary Tract Infections , Delivery of Health Care , Cross Infection , Prevalence , Meta-Analysis , Systematic Review , MoroccoABSTRACT
Date fruit is known to be the staple food in the Arab countries. It provides a lot of potential health benefits and can be the essential source of nutrients. The majority of Moroccan varieties are not characterized for their chemical, biochemical and quality properties. The aim of this work was to assess the chemical composition of 17 varieties of Moroccan date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and to determine their nutritive components. The analysis showed that the dates are rich in sugars (51.80-87.98%), they contain low concentration of proteins (1.09-2.80%) and lipids (0.16-0.39%). The predominant mineral is potassium (1055.26-1604.10 mg/100 g DW). Moreover, they contain high concentrations of malic acid (69.48-495.58 mg/100 g (DW)), oxalic acid (18.47-233.35 mg/100 g DW) and tartaric acid (115.70-484.168 mg/100 g DW). These results suggest that the date fruit are nutritious and can be an excellent source for human nutrition and health benefits.
A fruta da tâmara é conhecida por ser o alimento básico nos países árabes. Oferece muitos benefícios potenciais à saúde e pode ser a fonte essencial de nutrientes. A maioria das variedades marroquinas não se caracteriza por suas propriedades químicas, bioquímicas nem de qualidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a composição química de 17 variedades de frutos de tâmara marroquina (Phoenix dactylifera L.) e determinar seu valor nutritivo. A análise mostrou que as tâmaras são ricas em açúcares (51,80-87,98%) e contêm baixa concentração de proteínas (1,09-2,80%) e lipídios (0,16-0,39%). O mineral predominante é o potássio (1.055,26-1.604,10 mg/100 g DW). Além disso, contêm altas concentrações de ácido málico (69,48-495,58 mg/100 g DW), ácido oxálico (18,47-233,35 mg/100 g DW) e ácido tartárico (115,70-484,168 mg/100 g DW). Esses resultados sugerem que o fruto da tamareira é nutritivo e pode ser uma excelente fonte de nutrição humana e conferir benefícios à saúde.
Subject(s)
Humans , Phoeniceae , Clone Cells/chemistry , Fruit/chemistry , Minerals/analysis , Nutritive ValueABSTRACT
Date fruit is known to be the staple food in the Arab countries. It provides a lot of potential health benefits and can be the essential source of nutrients. The majority of Moroccan varieties are not characterized for their chemical, biochemical and quality properties. The aim of this work was to assess the chemical composition of 17 varieties of Moroccan date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and to determine their nutritive components. The analysis showed that the dates are rich in sugars (51.80-87.98%), they contain low concentration of proteins (1.09-2.80%) and lipids (0.16-0.39%). The predominant mineral is potassium (1055.26-1604.10 mg/100 g DW). Moreover, they contain high concentrations of malic acid (69.48-495.58 mg/100 g (DW)), oxalic acid (18.47-233.35 mg/100 g DW) and tartaric acid (115.70-484.168 mg/100 g DW). These results suggest that the date fruit are nutritious and can be an excellent source for human nutrition and health benefits.
A fruta da tâmara é conhecida por ser o alimento básico nos países árabes. Oferece muitos benefícios potenciais à saúde e pode ser a fonte essencial de nutrientes. A maioria das variedades marroquinas não se caracteriza por suas propriedades químicas, bioquímicas nem de qualidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a composição química de 17 variedades de frutos de tâmara marroquina (Phoenix dactylifera L.) e determinar seu valor nutritivo. A análise mostrou que as tâmaras são ricas em açúcares (51,80-87,98%) e contêm baixa concentração de proteínas (1,09-2,80%) e lipídios (0,16-0,39%). O mineral predominante é o potássio (1.055,26-1.604,10 mg/100 g DW). Além disso, contêm altas concentrações de ácido málico (69,48-495,58 mg/100 g DW), ácido oxálico (18,47-233,35 mg/100 g DW) e ácido tartárico (115,70-484,168 mg/100 g DW). Esses resultados sugerem que o fruto da tamareira é nutritivo e pode ser uma excelente fonte de nutrição humana e conferir benefícios à saúde.
Subject(s)
Food Analysis , Phoeniceae/chemistry , Food QualityABSTRACT
Abstract Date fruit is known to be the staple food in the Arab countries. It provides a lot of potential health benefits and can be the essential source of nutrients. The majority of Moroccan varieties are not characterized for their chemical, biochemical and quality properties. The aim of this work was to assess the chemical composition of 17 varieties of Moroccan date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and to determine their nutritive components. The analysis showed that the dates are rich in sugars (51.80-87.98%), they contain low concentration of proteins (1.09-2.80%) and lipids (0.16-0.39%). The predominant mineral is potassium (1055.26-1604.10 mg/100 g DW). Moreover, they contain high concentrations of malic acid (69.48-495.58 mg/100 g (DW)), oxalic acid (18.47-233.35 mg/100 g DW) and tartaric acid (115.70-484.168 mg/100 g DW). These results suggest that the date fruit are nutritious and can be an excellent source for human nutrition and health benefits.
Resumo A fruta da tâmara é conhecida por ser o alimento básico nos países árabes. Oferece muitos benefícios potenciais à saúde e pode ser a fonte essencial de nutrientes. A maioria das variedades marroquinas não se caracteriza por suas propriedades químicas, bioquímicas nem de qualidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a composição química de 17 variedades de frutos de tâmara marroquina (Phoenix dactylifera L.) e determinar seu valor nutritivo. A análise mostrou que as tâmaras são ricas em açúcares (51,80-87,98%) e contêm baixa concentração de proteínas (1,09-2,80%) e lipídios (0,16-0,39%). O mineral predominante é o potássio (1.055,26-1.604,10 mg/100 g DW). Além disso, contêm altas concentrações de ácido málico (69,48-495,58 mg/100 g DW), ácido oxálico (18,47-233,35 mg/100 g DW) e ácido tartárico (115,70-484,168 mg/100 g DW). Esses resultados sugerem que o fruto da tamareira é nutritivo e pode ser uma excelente fonte de nutrição humana e conferir benefícios à saúde.
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Resumen (analítico) Las teorías sobre movimientos sociales dominantes basadas en experiencias occidentales, pero ¿en qué medida pueden ayudarnos a comprender el proceso de construcción solidaria de prácticas políticas en contextos no occidentales políticamente cerrados? Según Bayat parece imprescindible una aproximación teórica que tenga en cuenta tanto la excepcionalidad árabe como la aplicación crítica de los modelos de las ciencias sociales en otros contextos que, muchas veces, olvidan los rasgos específicos que la protesta política ha adoptado en el mundo árabe. Este artículo, en el marco del proyecto Transgang, analizará un movimiento social marroquí aparecido en el Rif en 2016, protagonizado por poblaciones en edad juvenil, atendiendo a sus especificidades culturales usando las perspectivas decoloniales. Con este análisis, se presentarán algunas conclusiones para la investigación sobre movimientos sociales juveniles en sociedades árabes.
Abstract (analytical) Dominant social movement theories are based on Western experiences, but to what extent can they help us to understand the process of solidarity construction of political practices in closed political non-Western contexts? As Bayat points out, a theoretical approach that takes into account both the Arab exceptionality and the critical application of social science models in other contexts -that often forget the specific features that political protest has adopted in the Arab World- seems essential. This article, within the framework of the Transgang project, will analyse a Moroccan social movement that appeared in the Rif in 2016, led by youth populations, attending to their cultural specificities, and using decolonial perspectives. Through this analysis, some conclusions will be presented for research on youth social movements in Arab societies.
Resumo (analítico) As teorias sobre os movimentos sociais dominantes são baseadas em experiências ocidentais. No entanto, ¿em que medida elas podem nos ajudar a compreender o processo de construção solidária de práticas políticas em contextos politicamente autoritário não-ocidentais? Bayat e a sua excepcionalidade árabe nos advertem que, nas ciências sociais, o uso de modelos epistemológicos ocidentais em contextos não-ocidentais tem frequentemente esquecido as múltiplas particularidades desses territórios, sociedades, dos processos que nelas surgem e se desenvolvem. Este artigo, no âmbito do projeto Transgang, tomará como caso de estudo um movimento social que surgiu na região do Rif em 2016 o qual foi liderado por jovens, visando analisar as suas particularidades culturais a partir de perspectivas decoloniais. Finalmente, apresentar-se-ão algumas conclusões abertas para futuras pesquisas sobre movimentos sociais juvenis nas sociedades árabes.
Subject(s)
Social Change , Adolescent , Social Class , SocietiesABSTRACT
Background: Cholesterol lowering drugs, statins, are a major and dominant group of hypolipidemics and are often prescribed in clinical practice for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Objective: To assess the consumption of statins, more specifically rosuvastatin, atorvastatin and simvastatin in two different countries; Morocco and North Cyprus. Setting: The study was conducted in Pharmacy Kounouz, Rabat, Morocco and Pharmacy Umut ÖKSÜZ in Nicosia North Cyprus. During the period of November, December 2018 and January 2019. Method: This study involves a sample of 100 patients of pharmacy Kounouz, Rabat Morocco and Pharmacy Umut ÖKSÜZ, Nicosia, North Cyprus, who were on regular therapy with statins (Atorvastatin, Simvastatin or Rosuvastatin) in the mentioned period. Main Outcome Measures: The difference in the frequency distribution of gender in the sample was visible in both countries where males represent a larger part of patients under statins treatment. Presence of remarkable difference between the consumption of atorvastatin, simvastatin and rosuvastatin in both countries. Results: The most common prescribed statin dose was 10 mg in North Cyprus, while in Morocco the most common dose was 20 mg. In this sample of patients, considering the prescribed doses in relation to gender, the female patients are prescribed somewhat lower doses of statins than male patients. Conclusion: While in North Cyprus, the most frequently prescribed drug was atorvastatin, in Morocco, rosuvastatin was most frequently prescribed statin.
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ABSTRACT. Executive functions (EF) play a central role in the development of social and cognitive skills and academic learning. Objective: For this reason, this study aims to determine the relationship between executive functions and academic performance among middle school students in the Middle Atlas of Morocco. Methods: This study focuses on 137 middle school students studying at four colleges located in the Middle Atlas of Morocco. The sample studied was divided into two groups: the first consisting of students with learning difficulties; and the second considered a control. To assess EF, three tests were administered to learners in both groups (Tracking Test, Stroop Test and Number Span Test). Results: In the sample, average age of the learners was 14.5±1.3 years and sex ratio was balanced. The students with learning difficulties had lower performance on tests measuring cognitive flexibility, inhibitory processes and working memory compared to the control group. Conclusion: From these results, it can be concluded that students with learning disabilities performed poorly on the three basic components of executive functions. Therefore, thorough neuropsychological diagnosis would be desirable to identify learners who may have cognitive or behavioural disorders and allow adequate intervention to improve their executive functions and subsequently their academic success.
RESUMO. As funções executivas (FEs) desempenham um papel central no desenvolvimento de habilidades sociais e cognitivas e no aprendizado acadêmico. Objetivo: Por esse motivo, nosso estudo teve como objetivo determinar a relação entre FEs e desempenho acadêmico entre estudantes do ensino médio no Atlas Médio de Marrocos. Métodos: Nosso estudo se concentrou em 137 alunos do ensino médio que estudavam em quatro colégios localizados no Atlas Médio de Marrocos. A amostra estudada foi dividida em dois grupos, o primeiro composto por alunos com dificuldades de aprendizagem e o segundo considerado como controle. Para avaliar os FEs, três testes foram administrados aos alunos de ambos os grupos (Testes de Trilhas, Teste de Stroop e Teste de Extensão de Dígitos). Resultados: A idade média dos alunos em nossa amostra foi de 14,5±1,3 anos, com uma relação entre gêneros equilibrada. Em nosso estudo, os alunos com dificuldades de aprendizagem apresentaram desempenho inferior nos testes que mediram flexibilidade cognitiva, processo inibitório e memória de trabalho em comparação ao grupo controle. Conclusão: Do nosso resultado, podemos concluir que alunos com dificuldades de aprendizagem apresentam um desempenho fraco nos três componentes básicos das FEs. Por esse motivo, seria desejável um diagnóstico neuropsicológico completo, para identificar alunos que possam ter distúrbios cognitivos ou comportamentais para uma correção adequada para melhorar seus FEs e, posteriormente, seu sucesso acadêmico.
Subject(s)
Humans , Executive Function , Students , Education, Primary and Secondary , Learning Disabilities , MoroccoABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to analyze Moroccan regulations on bioequivalence studies and compare them with someinternational guidelines. It emerged that, as most common guidelines, Moroccan regulations treated essential questionsrelating to the conduct of bioequivalence studies while remaining general. An effort to harmonize the Moroccanregulations as closely as possible with international guidelines such as European Medicines Agency and World HealthOrganization was made. The decree 2-12-198 on bioequivalence studies includes worldwide gold standards such asinclusion and exclusion criteria, study design, choice and number of subjects, conduct of the study, pharmacokineticparameters, BE acceptance criteria, and biowaiver requirements. It specifically addresses issues such as pro-drug,metabolites, urinary samples, and endogenous substances. Specific precisions such as the case of the modified releaseforms, the replacement of subjects on the withdrawal, or drop-out of a volunteer are not covered by this general decreeand should be part of new directives, in the future. For an emerging country, the integration of BiopharmaceuticsClassification System biowaivers within the decree confirms the efforts being made by the Moroccan regulations tojoin the most advanced guidelines on the investigation of bioequivalence and to prepare the International Council onHarmonisation M9 adoption
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Background: The purpose of the study is to investigate hormonal risk factors and their impact on the development of this cancer.Methods: This is a case-control study conducted at the Mohammed VI Centre for Cancer Treatment in Casablanca.Results: The average age of the patients is 50.43 years with a standard deviation of 11.21. Exposure to endogenous estrogens appears to have an impact on the occurrence of breast cancer in the population. The early age of menarche in patients is on average 13.31±1.69 years compared to 13.65±1.54 years in controls, with a significant difference (p = 0.01). Parity is on average 2.54 children in cases versus 2.94 in controls with a significant difference (p = 0.02). Regarding the distribution of the cumulative duration of breastfeeding, 19.3% of patients compared to 12.3% of controls breastfed their children for less than one year; 80.7% of cases compared to 87.7% of controls breastfed their children for more than one year (OR=0.58; 95% CI: 0.35 - 0.97; P trend=0.03). In addition, hypovitaminosis D was noted in 2.3% of patients compared to 0.3% of controls with OR=7.14; 95% CI: 0.87 - 58.39; P trend=0.06. In addition, the supply of exogenous estrogen would also be incriminated. The risk of breast cancer appears to be influenced mainly by oral contraceptive use, which was found in 60% of cases vs. 41.3% of controls with OR=2.07; 95% CI: 1.50 - 2.86; P trend=0.0001.Conclusions: The results highlighted that breast cancer risk is highly dependent on early and prolonged exposure to estrogenic impregnation. This effect would be modulated by ovarian activity, puberty or menopause age, parity and breastfeeding.
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Background: The human leukocyte antigen-B*44 (HLA-B*44) allele has been reported to have promising results in the control of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection and associated with protection against HIV-1 disease progression. In the Moroccan HIV-1 infected patients, the contribution of this allele has not been established. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of HLA-B*44 allele among HIV-1-infected in Morocco. Additionally, investigate HLA-B*44 allele association with demographical and HIV clinical parameters.Methods: One hundred and sixty-seven HIV-1 infected, antiretroviral naive individuals were enrolled in this study. The HLA-B*44 allele screening was performed using the PCR amplification.Results: Of the 167 individuals genotyped, 26 (16%) of them expressing the HLA-B*44 allele. Clinical stages at diagnosis, median pre-treatment HIV viral load (pVL) and CD4 T cell counts differ significantly (p = 0.0001, p=0.001 and p=0.0001 respectively) between the patients who had been expressing the HLA-B*44 allele and patients who had not been expressing this allele. The presence of HLA-B*44 allele was significantly associated with pVL and CD4 T cell counts (p=0.004 and p=0.0001 respectively). The bivariate analysis has showed that the expression of the HLA-B*44 allele was strongly associated with advanced HIV infection (Odd ratio (OR) 0.12 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04-0.37), p=0.0001).Conclusions: Author have described for the first time in Morocco the association of the HLA-B*44 allele with the clinical parameters of HIV infection. These results expand the knowledge of the distribution and effect of this allele in the Moroccan population.
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Objective: This work aimed to screen the antioxidant activity of marine macroalgae from the Moroccan Atlantic coast (region of El Jadida). Methods: Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of different collected species, lyophilized and extracted with a solvent mixture chloroform/methanol (2/1; v/v) was conducted according to two techniques, first by thin layer chromatography (tlc) then by spectrophotometry, using a free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (dpph). The sampling on a distance of 110 km allowed to harvest 86 algal species (16 brown algae, 47 red algae, 14 green algae and 9 algae being identified). Results: The analysis by thin layer chromatography reveals an antioxidant activity in nearly half of harvested algal species (52.32 %). This activity varies depending on the concentration of the extract and in function of incubation time in the presence of dpph. The monitoring of the kinetics of degradation of dpph by spectrophotometer in the presence of extracts which were active by tlc allowed to confirm the results and select the most active algal species based on the percentage of remaining dpph in the medium after 120 min of reaction: Fucus spiralis (17.02 %), Cyctoseira ericoides (12.16 %) (Phaeophyceae), and Gracilaria multipartita (36%), Halopitys incurvus (5%) (Rhodophyceae). Conclusion: The results show that the methodology adopted in this work is reliable and can be used for rapid screening of antioxidant property in plants and the species: Fucus spiralis, Cyctoseira ericoides, Gracilaria multipartita, and Halopitys incurvus can be a promising source of natural compounds endowed with high antioxidant potential.
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Background: In early 2014, Morocco took steps to prevent the Middle East respiratory syndrome disease from entering into the country. Several facilities have been equipped to accommodate suspected cases. We aimed to report the plan prepared by Morocco to prevent the importation of this infection and to evaluate our experience in the monitoring of suspected cases.Methods: We analyze the data on the forms of surveillance witch collect demographic informations, symptoms, hospitalization, travel history, risk contacts and MERS-CoV test results.Results: Since 2014, 152 patients were addressed to the Mohammed 5 Military Teaching Hospital for suspicion of MERS-CoV. The compliance with the suspect case definition was positive in 78 cases. Of these patients, 93.6% were Moroccans. All of them came from the Middle East and 77% returned from a Hajj trip. The most reported symptoms were fever (92.3%) and cough (84.6%). The most reported underlying conditions were asthma (17.9%) and diabetes (12.8%). All of these patients were negative for RT-PCR detection of MERS-CoV.Conclusions: Moroccan pilgrims go to Hajj despite the warnings of the WHO. To date, Morocco has not reported any cases of MERS-CoV. Overall, the management plan to prevent importation and transmission of MERS-Cov is satisfactory
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Objective: To assess knowledge and behaviour related to toxoplasmosis which remains a neglected disease in Morocco. Methods: Observational investigations were conducted among 600 pregnant women from Essaouira Province. The interview items covered respondents' knowledge of the disease, its preventive practices and risk behaviours. Results: A total of 22/600 women had already carried out the anti-toxoplasmosis test, while, 96% have never done any screening of anti- Toxoplasma antibodies. Only 16/600 women have good information about the disease, its mode of transmission and its complications in both the fetus and his mother. Although most women adopt a healthy diet, the consumption of raw or undercooked meat is far to be considered as a risk factor, along with other potential factors that may foster the acquisition of the disease, such as possessing a domestic cat, educational status and knowledge of the disease. However, in this study, contact with soil was revealed the most important risk factor (P = 0.045), followed by the hygiene conditions after handling raw meat (P = 0.048). Conclusion: The underestimation of the Toxoplasma gondii sero-prevalence in Essaouira Province can be explained by the absence of toxoplasmosis serology in health institutions, as well as the gap of knowledge about the disease by local population.
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BACKGROUND@#Physical activity levels are low among adolescents in Morocco; however, the influences on physical activity behavior of adolescents have not yet been explored in a qualitative study. Here, we explored potential social-ecological barriers and facilitators of physical activity in Moroccan adolescents with the goal of developing a successful intervention program aimed at improving their physical activity level.@*METHODS@#For this study, we conducted 17 focus group discussions (100 participants, composed of 56 adolescents, 26 parents, and 18 teachers from two middle schools in Taza city, Morocco). Discussions during focus groups were facilitated by a semi-structured interview guide. Guide questions were underpinned by the social-ecological model as a theoretical framework. Data analysis was carried out by two coders using thematic analysis.@*RESULTS@#We found that barriers and facilitators of physical activity in adolescents are organized into six themes that belong to different levels of the social-ecological model. Three themes belonged to the intrapersonal level (perceived motivating and limiting factors, physical activity awareness, and time constraints), two themes were classified into the interpersonal/cultural level (social support and gender and cultural norms), and one theme belonged to the environmental level (access to opportunities). Most of the themes were at the individual level, with each theme including both barriers and facilitators.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Adolescent participation in physical activity can be facilitated or hampered by many factors. Results from the focus group discussions showed that these factors belonged to different levels of the social-ecological model, but most were at the individual level. Our findings have several implications. First, they may offer suggestions for a tailored intervention program aimed at improving adolescent physical activity. Second, they can improve quantitative research by enriching the battery of questions of physical activity instruments (e.g., a question related to physical disability). Third, the proposed thematic map can contribute to understanding interactions and causal pathways in the social-ecological model.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Female , Humans , Male , Adolescent Behavior , Psychology , Exercise , Psychology , Focus Groups , Morocco , Parents , Psychology , Qualitative Research , Risk Factors , School Teachers , Psychology , Social Environment , Students , PsychologyABSTRACT
Objective: To assess knowledge and behaviour related to toxoplasmosis which remains a neglected disease in Morocco. Methods: Observational investigations were conducted among 600 pregnant women from Essaouira Province. The interview items covered respondents' knowledge of the disease, its preventive practices and risk behaviours. Results: A total of 22/600 women had already carried out the anti-toxoplasmosis test, while, 96% have never done any screening of anti- Toxoplasma antibodies. Only 16/600 women have good information about the disease, its mode of transmission and its complications in both the fetus and his mother. Although most women adopt a healthy diet, the consumption of raw or undercooked meat is far to be considered as a risk factor, along with other potential factors that may foster the acquisition of the disease, such as possessing a domestic cat, educational status and knowledge of the disease. However, in this study, contact with soil was revealed the most important risk factor (P = 0.045), followed by the hygiene conditions after handling raw meat (P = 0.048). Conclusion: The underestimation of the Toxoplasma gondii sero-prevalence in Essaouira Province can be explained by the absence of toxoplasmosis serology in health institutions, as well as the gap of knowledge about the disease by local population.
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OBJECTIVES@#Diabetes is one of the most life-threatening chronic metabolic disorders and is considered a global health problem due to its prevalence and incidence. In Morocco, several herbal preparations are utilized to treat this disease. For this reason, the current study aimed to identify and to collect data about the medicinal plants utilized in folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes in the Beni Mellal region of Morocco.@*METHODS@#An ethnobotanical survey was carried out among 400 herbalists, competent villagers and traditional healers from the Beni Mellal region through direct interviews using a semistructured questionnaire.@*RESULTS@#Forty-five medicinal plants belonging to 25 families were identified for their use in diabetes treatment. Interview results showed that the most frequently used plants were Olea europaea, Salvia officinalis, Allium sativum and Trigonella foenum-graecum, with a relative frequency of citation values of 24.3%, 23.0%, 22.5% and 20.5%, respectively. Moreover, in this study, the Fabaceae family was the most commonly reported plant family, and the leaves and roots were the most commonly used parts, for the treatment of diabetes.@*CONCLUSION@#The Beni Mellal region of Morocco has an important floristic biodiversity of plants used to treat diabetes in traditional medicinal practice. This result provides a good database for pharmacological screenings in the search for plant-based antidiabetic medications.
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The effect of composite endomycorrhizal inoculums was studied on the strawberry plant growth under greenhouse conditions. After six months, a significative effect was observed. Leaves number, fruits number, fresh roots weight and fresh fruits weight under greenhouse conditions compared to controls were 28.9/11.2, 58/1, 12.59g/9.62g and 367g/230g. Mycorrhizal intensity, arbuscular content and spores number in mycorrhized and non mycorrhized strawberry seedlings were respectively 54.1, 28.3 and 220. The spores detected belong to eight species and four genera: Glomus, Rhizophagus, Gigaspora and Scutellospora.
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The study was conducted to determine fungal communities associated to strawberry plant roots, densities of nematodes in fumigated soil and physico-chemical properties of soil in three commercial strawberry plots (Dlalha, Ouled Aguile and Gnafda) located in Gharb region and visited three times during 2013-2014 season. Under a slight variation of soil temperature and humidity with specific physico-chemical characteristics, a high infestation level of soil by nematodes was marked in the studied farms over the periods of sampling. The lowest number was observed in the first visit attaining 1000 units/g of soil, increased to 5000 units/g of soil in the second sampling period at one site and in the last visit, a significant decrease trend occurs for the big plot which the number of nematodes was reduced to 1500 units/g of soil. The analysis of fungal communities colonizing roots of strawberry plants showed the presence of 13 fungal species. Rhizoctonia solani presented a higher frequencies of isolation from roots of Festival variety reaching respectively 36% and 26.72% in the first and the second visits of Dlalha farms compared to those recorded in the second visit of Ouled Aguile (18%) and Gnafda (13.6%) farms. The Fusarium genus was represented by F. solani, Fusarium sp.1 and Fusarium sp.2 detected at frequencies not exceeding 7.08%. Those of C. gloeosporioides reached 12%, Phytophthora sp. (15.8%). In addition, the appearance of A. alternata, C. herbarum, Aspergillus sp., Circinella sp., Ulocladium sp. and Trichoderma asperellum was more frequent during the three sampling periods.
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Aims: The gastrointestinal tract is one of the most important organs of the human body and is vulnerable to different diseases. Available drugs often have low efficacy or are associated with many adverse effects. Therefore, alternative drugs are necessary to treat gastrointestinal complications. This study intended to identify medicinal plants in the Western Middle Atlas, Morocco, that can affect gastrointestinal disorders. Place and Duration of Study: Field studies were carried out approximately over a period of two years (2013-2014). Methodology: During the field trips, the information was collected through interviews, including various data obtained from local healers and traditional medicine men, herbalists, shepherds, patients and elderly persons. Results: A total of 58 medicinal plants, grouped in 30 taxonomic families and 55 genera were identified. In addition, their popular uses, the part or parts employed, form of use and their biological activity are described. Lamiaceae was the most dominant family reported to be used for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases (9 species). Among all the plant parts leaves and seeds were the most preferred plant parts used by the informants. Decoction and powder were the most popular form of treatment used. The four main disorders cured by the plants are: Stomachache/Stomach pain (39.65%), diarrhoeas (22.41%), abdominal pain (17.24%) and bowel disorders (17.24%). Conclusion: This study aims at emphasizing the profound importance of investigating those species of plants that have not been the subject of any pharmacological study, in spite of existing reports on their traditional use.