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Pan Afr Med J 2022 22;41:156. Epub 2022 Feb 22.

Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofail University-CNESTEN, Rabat-Kenitra, Morocco.

Introduction: obesity and anemia remain global public health problems, having major negative effects on human health. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of anemia and investigate its association with overweight/obesity and excess body fat among Moroccan adolescents.

Methods: a total of 292 adolescents aged 11-17 years were recruited. Read More

Ann Hum Biol 2022 May 20:1-8. Epub 2022 May 20.

Faculty of Science Semlalia, Laboratory of Human Ecology, University of Cadi Ayyad Marrakesh, Marrakesh, Morocco.

Background: Adolescents are a vulnerable group to body dissatisfaction that causes unhealthy attitudes and behaviours. It has been shown that many factors affect body image dissatisfaction.

Aim: To describe body image size perception, degree of body dissatisfaction, avoidance behaviours, and their relationship with gender, age, and weight status, and to assess the relationship between body dissatisfaction and avoidance behaviours among a group of Moroccan adolescents. Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2022 25;41:69. Epub 2022 Jan 25.

Hassan II Hospital, Moroccan Ministry of Health, Agadir, Morocco.

Introduction: given the lack of information about monoclonal gammopathies, our primary study outcome was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and biochemical profiles of monoclonal gammopathies in the Souss-Massa region, in southern Morocco.

Methods: we conducted a retrospective study, by selecting only complete medical records. We used records of patients diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy at the local oncology center during a period of over 10 years. Read More

MethodsX 2022 8;9:101657. Epub 2022 Mar 8.

National School of Business and Management, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tangier, Morocco.

The kingdom of Morocco has launched over the last decade major reform projects in order to strengthen youth entrepreneurship. Therefore, it is important to identify factors contributing to enhanced youth entrepreneurship activity. Hence, this method article examines the determinants of public university students' entrepreneurial intention, by focusing on the importance of action-based entrepreneurship education. Read More

Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig 2022 ;73(1):27-37

Laboratory of Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Nutrition, Training and Research Unit on Nutrition and Food Sciences, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24-000, Morocco.

Background: Despite the efforts of health systems, the prevalence of malnutrition reflected by weight status still poses challenges for many countries around the world. In fact, with the decrease in undernutrition, excess weight and obesity are gradually increasing in parallel with that of chronic diseases. Among school-going adolescents, however, weight status is less studied, particularly in developing countries. Read More

Front Psychol 2022 25;13:830987. Epub 2022 Feb 25.

Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Sciences of Education, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain.

Mixture modeling technics are not the one and only to perform person-centered analyses, but they do offer the possibility of integrating latent profiles into models of some complexity that include antecedents and results. When analyzing the contribution of socioemotional resources to the preservation of mental health, it is the variable-centered approaches that are the most often performed, with few examples using a person-centered approach. Moreover, if the focus is on the Arab adolescent population, to our knowledge, there is an absence of such studies. Read More

Front Psychiatry 2021 21;12:752539. Epub 2022 Feb 21.

Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco.

Background: Adolescent high school students may be particularly susceptible to suffering from the effect of isolation, physical distancing restrictions, and school closures imposed during the COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) pandemic. Given the biological and psychological changes that occur during this period of development, adolescents' experiences of these pandemic measures could significantly threaten their mental health and cause long-term consequences.

Aim: The main objectives of the study were to determine the impact of confinement because of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on the psychological distress of Moroccan adolescents and identify the risk and protective factors that could influence their mental health. Read More

Child Neuropsychol 2022 Feb 17:1-24. Epub 2022 Feb 17.

Univ Angers, LPPL EA 4638, SFR Confluences, F-49000 Angers, France.

Studies regarding executive functions (EFs) in children rarely focus on populations of North Africa countries. In this context, this research aimed to adapt EFs tests to the Moroccan context and provide preliminary normative data on the development of inhibitory control and working memory (WM). In addition, the executive performance of school-age Moroccan children was examined, as well as the effects of gender, parents' education level and multilingualism. Read More

Sci Rep 2021 11 2;11(1):21504. Epub 2021 Nov 2.

Cellular and Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco.

In human gliomas, anti-tumor T cell responses are inhibited through induction of local and systemic immunosuppression. Immune checkpoint blockade is proving to be a success in several types of cancers. However, many studies reported that the treatment of glioblastoma patients with anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1 has no survival benefit compared to standard chemotherapy. Read More

Int J Psychol 2022 Apr 26;57(2):240-250. Epub 2021 Aug 26.

Department of Psychology, University of Almería, Spain. Centre of Study of Migrations and Intercultural Relations. CEMyRI.

The objective of this study was to analyse the relationship between variables of the family context (perceived family support, quality of parent-adolescent communication and family ethnic socialisation) and the acculturation process (perceptions and preferences of cultural maintenance and adoption) among adolescents of Moroccan origin living in Spain. The sample consisted of 360 Moroccan adolescents (58.7% females) between 12 and 19 years old, enrolled in different schools, who filled out a self-report questionnaire. Read More

Metab Syndr Relat Disord 2021 10 24;19(8):460-468. Epub 2021 Aug 24.

Laboratory of Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Nutrition, Training and Research Unit on Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that may promote the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of MetS and its components and, to study their association with CKD among Moroccan adult population living in an agricultural province. The study involved 210 adult participants of 18 and over years, of both sexes, sampled from urban and rural areas of Sidi Bennour province in Morocco. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021 08 9;15(8):e0009655. Epub 2021 Aug 9.

Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Trachoma is a blinding disease caused by repeated conjunctival infection with different Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) genovars. Ct B genovars have been associated with more severe trachoma symptoms. Here, we investigated associations between Ct genovars and bacterial loads in ocular samples from two distinct geographical locations in Africa, which are currently unclear. Read More

Case Rep Pediatr 2021 27;2021:8941847. Epub 2021 Jul 27.

Department of Pediatrics, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Oujda, Morocco.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a vasculitis mostly seen in children aged less than 5 years. It can involve different organs and tissues. Its diagnosis is based on the clinical criteria of the American Heart Association (AHA). Read More

Appl Neuropsychol Child 2021 Jul 2:1-12. Epub 2021 Jul 2.

LPPL, Univ. Angers, Université de Nantes, SFR Confluences, Angers, France.

North African countries such as Morocco are scarcely the focus of neuropsychological studies, although the role of culture in cognition processes is widely recognized. Currently, studies on flexibility and planning skills in the Moroccan context are still lacking and there are no adapted tools to assess these functions in the country. In this scenario, this study aimed to adapt the Child Executive Functions Battery (CEF-B) tasks and the playing cards task of the Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome for Children (BADS-C) to Morocco and provide preliminary normative data on the development of flexibility and planning. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 05 23;18(11). Epub 2021 May 23.

Amsterdam University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The recreational use of nitrous oxide (N2O; laughing gas) has largely expanded in recent years. Although incidental use of nitrous oxide hardly causes any health damage, problematic or heavy use of nitrous oxide can lead to serious adverse effects. Amsterdam care centres noticed that Moroccan-Dutch young adults reported neurological symptoms, including severe paralysis, as a result of problematic nitrous oxide use. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2021 5;2021:8893467. Epub 2021 May 5.

Laboratory of Cytogenetics, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, Casablanca, Morocco.

Chromosomal abnormalities are the main genetic risk factor associated with reproductive and sexual development disorders (DSD). The goal of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in Moroccan subjects with problems of procreation or sexual ambiguity. A total of 1005 individuals, including 170 infertile couples, underwent cytogenetic analysis in the Cytogenetic Laboratory of the Pasteur Institute of Morocco. Read More

Med Microbiol Immunol 2021 Aug 24;210(4):187-196. Epub 2021 May 24.

Virology Unit, Immuno-Virology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) infections are characterized by dysfunctional cellular and humoral antiviral immune responses. The progressive loss of effector functions in chronic viral infection has been associated with the up-regulation of programmed death-1 (PD-1), a negative regulator of activated T cells and Natural Killer cells. In HIV-1 infection, increased levels of PD-1 expression correlate with CD8 + T-cell exhaustion. Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2021 12;38:162. Epub 2021 Feb 12.

Genetics Department, Clinical Research Center, University Hospital Centre Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Morocco.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is a rare autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease. Its clinical presentation is a progressive cerebellar ataxia associated with cone and retinal dystrophy. The CAG repeat expansion in the ataxin-7 gene (ATXN7) causes spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 - a mutation that results in the degeneration of the brain stem cells, retina and cerebellum. Read More

Rev Esp Sanid Penit 2021 Jan-Apr;23(1):37-42

Primary Care Service Team, La Roca del Vallès-2 Prison. Catalonian Health Institute. Regional Government of Catalonia.

Objectives: To describe patients with scabies in a prison setting. Document what type of treatment was carried out. Prepare an intervention protocol to improve scabies control in the Penitentiary Center. Read More

J Youth Adolesc 2021 Aug 7;50(8):1709-1725. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 14, 3584CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Schools can be important for the development of national belonging in students with immigrant backgrounds. Following Contact Theory and prior research on diversity norms, this cross-sectional survey study examined if intergroup contact and perceived diversity norms of teachers and classmates predicted national belonging in ethnic minority (i.e. Read More

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2021 Jul 13;100(3):115372. Epub 2021 Mar 13.

Laboratoire de Pathologie Humaine Biomédecine et Environnement, Equipe micro-organismes génomique et facteurs oncogènes, Faculté de médecine et de Pharmacie de Fès (FMPF), Université Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah (USMBA), Fès, Maroc.; Laboratoire de microbiologie et de Biologie Moléculaire, FMPF, USMBA. Electronic address:

Helicobacter pylori infection is the most important etiological factor in gastroduodenal diseases development. Its evolution is influenced by several factors, including bacterial virulence genes such as cagA and cagE. This work aimed to evaluate the predictive value of cagE alone and in combination with cagA and CagA-EPIYA-C motifs number as a marker of the infection evolution. Read More

PLoS One 2021 30;16(3):e0248522. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Laboratory of Biomedical and Translational Research, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco.

This study aimed to estimate the incidence of KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF mutations in the Moroccan population, and investigate the associations of KRAS and NRAS gene mutations with clinicopathological characteristics and their prognosis value. To achieve these objectives, we reviewed medical and pathology reports for 210 patients. RAS testing was investigated by Sanger sequencing and Pyrosequencing technology. Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2021 13;38:33. Epub 2021 Jan 13.

Hematology research team, Hematology laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.

The COVID-19 pandemic could have a major impact on the capacity of health systems to continue the delivery of essential health service. While health systems around the world are being challenged by increasing demand for care of COVID-19 patients, it is critical to maintain preventive and curative services, especially for the most vulnerable populations such people living with chronic conditions like thallasemics. In this context and since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 health crisis, the National Blood Transfusion Center of Morocco has ranked among its priorities the need to maintain transfusion management for chronic polytransfused patients, particularly those with thalassemia. Read More

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2021 Mar 3. Epub 2021 Mar 3.

Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Knowledge on determinants of children's psychosocial care use is important to improve their access to care. This study examined the independent contributions of need and predisposing factors to psychosocial care use in 9-year-old children, guided by the Gateway Provider Model. Data of the Generation R Study, a prospective cohort of children born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, were analysed using multivariable logistic regression (n = 4714). Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2020 26;37:281. Epub 2020 Nov 26.

Laboratory of Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Nutrition, Training and Research Unit on Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco.

Introduction: the association of diabetes with pregnancy is a frequent gestational situation that constitutes a real public health problem with prevalence and risk factors varying according to the population type. The present study aims to determine the prevalence of gestational diabetes (GD) and associated risk factors (socio-demographic characteristics, medical and obstetric history) in pregnant women from the Moroccan province of Safi.

Methods: this cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study was conducted during the period from October 2018 to February 2019, on 208 pregnant women, attending the antenatal consultation services of four health centers equally distributed between urban and rural areas of Safi Province in Morocco. Read More

Sante Ment Que 2020 ;45(2):97-113

Maison de Solenn, Hôpital Cochin - Université de Paris, Laboratoire PCPP, France ; CESP, Fac. de médecine - Univ. Paris-Sud, Fac. de médecine - UVSQ, INSERM, « DevPsy » Université Paris-Saclay, F-94807 Villejuif, France.

Objectives The article presents the clinical description and discussion of a 17 years old Moroccan unaccompanied minor who migrated on his own to France. This case illustrates the complexity of the foreign unaccompanied minors' trajectories and the challenges of the clinical and institutional accompaniment provided in France. In the lights of the results of our clinical work and research, we suggest transcultural tools and perspectives that facilitate the construction of a narrative and that reinforce trust with the professionals-care givers working along with this population. Read More

Mol Vis 2021 15;27:17-25. Epub 2021 Jan 15.

MitoLab team, Institut MitoVasc, UMR CNRS 6015, INSERM U1083, SFR ICAT, Angers University, Angers, France.

Purpose: Progressive inherited retinal dystrophies, characterized by degeneration of rod photoreceptors and then cone photoreceptors, are known as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), for which 89 genes have been identified. Today, only five Moroccan families with RP with a genetic diagnosis have been reported, justifying our investment in providing further clinical and genetic investigations of families with RP in Morocco.

Methods: The clinical diagnosis based on a combination of a history of night blindness, abnormal rod or rod-cone responses in electroretinography (ERG), and constricted visual field or difficulty perceiving side objects identified three Moroccan families with an RP phenotype. Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2020 1;35(Suppl 2):57. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Paediatrics, Cheikh Khalifa´s Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco.

Introduction: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new coronavirus. The first cases were identified in Wuhan. It rapidly spread causing a pandemic worldwide. Read More

Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2021 Aug 17;77(8):1235-1246. Epub 2021 Feb 17.

Centre Anti Poison et de Pharmacovigilance du Maroc, Rue Lamfadel Cherkaoui, Madinate Al Irfane, BP: 6671, Rabat, Morocco.

Purpose: The study aimed to describe the epidemiological profile of medication errors (MEs) reported to the Moroccan Pharmacovigilance Center (MPVC), to determine factors associated with serious MEs, and to describe signals related to them.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective descriptive analysis of MEs reported to the MPVC from 2006 to 2016 and a secondary analysis of the seriousness of MEs with adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The reports were sorted by demographic profile and by ME and ADR characteristics. Read More

Front Psychol 2020 11;11:610644. Epub 2021 Jan 11.

Center for the Study of Migration and Intercultural Relations, University of Almería, Almeria, Spain.

Although the relationship between stereotypes and acculturation preferences has been previously studied from the majority perspective among adults, the perspective of adolescents and minority groups is understudied. This research analyzed the contribution of four stereotype dimensions (i.e. Read More