Immunogenicity of two-dose sinopharm BBIB-CorV vaccine in Morocco: One-year follow-up and neutralizing activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants of concern.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of a two-dose Sinopharm BBIB-CorV (Vero cells) vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, at 28 days, 6 months, and 1-year postvaccination. And assess the capacity of two-dose vaccine recipients to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 strains B.1 (Wuhan/D614G), B.

Analysis of Wilms Tumour Epidemiology, Clinicopathological Features and Treatment Outcomes in 84 Moroccan Patients.

Background: Wilms tumour (WT), the second most reported childhood cancer in Morocco, is a malignant kidney tumour that affects children under 15 years old. Prognosis has improved with the adoption of multimodal treatment. However, data on WT in Morocco remain limited.

Clinical and genetic delineation of autosomal recessive and dominant ACTL6B-related developmental brain disorders.

Purpose: This study aims to comprehensively delineate the phenotypic spectrum of ACTL6B-related disorders, previously associated with both autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorders. Molecularly, the role of the nucleolar protein ACTL6B in contributing to the disease has remained unclear.

Methods: We identified 105 affected individuals, including 39 previously reported cases, and systematically analysed detailed clinical and genetic data for all individuals.

Development of a new experimental NMR strategy for covalent cysteine protease inhibitors screening: toward enhanced drug discovery.

In the development of antiviral drugs, proteases and polymerases are among the most important targets. Cysteine proteases, also known as thiol proteases, catalyze the degradation of proteins by cleaving peptide bonds using the nucleophilic thiol group of cysteine. As part of our research, we are examining how cysteine, an essential amino acid found in the active site of the main protease (M) enzyme in SARS-CoV-2, interacts with electrophilic groups present in ethacrynic acid (EA) and compounds 4, 6, and 8 to form sulfur-carbon bonds.

Establishing African genomics and bioinformatics programs through annual regional workshops.

The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) Open Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics aims to overcome barriers to capacity building through its distributed African regional workshops and prioritizes the exchange of grassroots knowledge and innovation in biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics. In 2023, we implemented 28 workshops on biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics, covering 11 African countries across the 5 African geographical regions. These regional workshops trained 408 African scientists in hands-on molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics techniques as well as the ethical, legal and social issues associated with acquiring genetic resources.

Prevalence of the protective OAS1 rs10774671-G allele against severe COVID-19 in Moroccans: implications for a North African Neanderthal connection.

The clinical presentation of COVID-19 shows high variability among individuals, which is partly due to genetic factors. The OAS1/2/3 cluster has been found to be strongly associated with COVID-19 severity. We examined this locus in the Moroccan population for the occurrence of the critical variant rs10774671 and its respective haplotype blocks.

Effectiveness of Sinopharm's BBIBP-CorV Booster Vaccination against COVID-19-Related Severe and Critical Cases and Deaths in Morocco during the Omicron Wave.

Objective: This study investigates the effectiveness of the 1st booster dose against COVID-19 severe and critical hospitalizations and deaths occurring due to the Omicron wave in Morocco.

Participants/methods: This study uses nationally representative data on COVID-19 from 15 December 2021 to 31 January 2022. The aim is to investigate the effectiveness of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) 1st booster dose against the Omicron wave in Morocco using real-world data established from nationally representative statistics on COVID-19 cases, deaths and vaccinations.

Genome sequencing of severe acute respiratory syndrome COVID-19 EF.1 variant strain obtained from a Moroccan patient.

Here, we report the identification and coding-complete genome sequence of a severe acute respiratory syndrome COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) strain obtained from a Moroccan patient. The detected strain EF.1 belongs to the BQ1.

Psychological Distress Associated with Enforced Hospital Isolation Due to COVID-19 during the "Flatten the Curve" Phase in Morocco: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: although much research has highlighted the mental health challenges faced by patients in hospital isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, data from low-middle-income countries, including Morocco, are lacking. The main objective of this study was to assess the psychological distress of patients undergoing enforced hospital isolation during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco. (2) Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study between 1 April and 1 May 2020, among patients hospitalized in isolation for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 at the Ibn Sina University Hospital of Rabat, Morocco.

Neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 give important information on Covid-19 epidemic evolution in Rabat, Morocco, March 2020-February 2021.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 is an extremely contagious and acute viral disease mainly affecting humans.

Objective: To estimate seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) for illegible armed force individuals living in Rabat, Morocco.

Method: A convenience sample (N = 2662) was conducted from May 2020 to February 2021.

Exploring the hemicellulolytic properties and safety of Bacillus paralicheniformis as stepping stone in the use of new fibrolytic beneficial microbes.

Bacillus strains from the Moroccan Coordinated Collections of Microorganisms (CCMM) were characterised and tested for fibrolytic function and safety properties that would be beneficial for maintaining intestinal homeostasis, and recommend beneficial microbes in the field of health promotion research. Forty strains were investigated for their fibrolytic activities towards complex purified polysaccharides and natural fibres representative of dietary fibres (DFs) entering the colon for digestion. We demonstrated hemicellulolytic activities for nine strains of Bacillus aerius, re-identified as Bacillus paralicheniformis and Bacillus licheniformis, using xylan, xyloglucan or lichenan as purified polysaccharides, and orange, apple and carrot natural fibres, with strain- and substrate-dependent production of glycoside hydrolases (GHs).

Draft genome sequence of a mosquito repellent strain Ba1 isolated from desert soil.

Microbial volatile organic compounds have been shown to affect a wide insect behavior. In this paper, we report the draft genome sequence of strain Ba1 previously isolated from desert soil in Morocco. The assembled and annotated draft genome contains 4,726 coding genes, 6 rRNAs and 97 tRNAs.

Circulating microRNA profiles in Wilms tumour (WT): A systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy.

Background: Wilms tumour (WT) is caused by aberrant embryonic kidney development and associated with dysregulated expression of short, non-protein-coding RNAs termed microRNAs (miRNAs). At present, there is no reliable circulating biomarker of WT, and this remains an urgent unmet clinical need. Such biomarkers may assist diagnosis, subtyping/prognostication, and disease-monitoring.

Coding-Complete Genome Sequences of an Omicron Subvariant (BA.5.2.20) of SARS-CoV-2.

Here, we present the complete coding sequences of two severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains that were recovered from a nasopharyngeal swab from a female patient and the second viral passage in cell culture. After testing, both strains were identified as BA.5.

SARS-CoV-2-Neutralizing Antibody Response and Correlation of Two Serological Assays with Microneutralization.

SARS-CoV-2 has caused a huge pandemic affecting millions of people and resulting innumerous deaths. A better understanding of the correlation between binding antibodies and neutralizing antibodies is necessary to address protective immunity post-infection or vaccination. Here, we investigate the humoral immune response and the seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies following vaccination with adenovirus-based vector in 177 serum samples.

Improvement of the Chemical Reactivity of Michael Acceptor of Ethacrynic Acid Correlates with Antiproliferative Activities.

The present study aims to report the design, synthesis, and biological activity of new ethacrynic acid () analogs () obtained by the double modulation of the carboxylic acid moiety and the aromatic ring with the aim to increase the chemical reactivity of Michael acceptor of . All obtained compounds were characterized by H and C NMR, IR, and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The antiproliferative activity was evaluated in vitro using MMT test, in a first step, against HL60 cell line and in a second step, on a panel of human cancer cell lines such as HCT116, A549, MCF7, PC3, U87-MG, and SKOV3, and normal cell line MRC5 in comparison with positive control doxorubicin.

Synthesis, Anticancer Activities and Molecular Docking Studies of a Novel Class of 2-Phenyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo [1,2-]pyridazine Derivatives Bearing Sulfonamides.

In the present study, new 2-phenyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo [1,2-]pyridazines bearing sulfonamides were synthesized, characterized and evaluated for their anticancer activities. The structures of these derivatives were elucidated by H NMR, C NMR, infrared and high-resolution mass spectrometry for further validation of the target compound structures. The anticancer activities of the new molecules were evaluated against five human cancer cell lines, including A-549, Hs-683, MCF-7, SK-MEL-28 and B16-F10 cell lines using 5-fluorouracil and etoposide as the reference drugs.

Coding-Complete Sequence of a SARS-CoV-2 Strain from an Omicron (B.1.1.529+BA.1) Variant Detected in Morocco.

Here, we describe the coding-complete sequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strain HM36, identified as a strain of concern of B.1.1.

Novel Mutation Is Responsible for a Severe Form of Leucocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type 1.

Leukocyte adhesion deficiency type 1 (LAD1) is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary disorder characterized by recurrent infections, impaired pus formation, delayed wound healing, omphalitis, and delayed separation of the umbilical cord as hallmark features of the disease. It results from mutations in the integrin 2 subunit gene , which encodes the integrin beta chain-2 protein CD18. In this study, we aimed to investigate the case of a five-month-old boy who presented with a clinical phenotype and flow cytometry results suggesting LAD1 disease.

Coding-Complete Genome Sequences of a Delta Subvariant (AY.33) of SARS-CoV-2 Obtained from Moroccan COVID-19 Patients.

We report here the complete genome sequences of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains obtained from Moroccan patients with COVID-19. The analysis of these sequences indicates that the identified strains belong to the AY.33 sublineage of the Delta variant.

Computational screening of potential drugs against COVID-19 disease: the Neuropilin-1 receptor as molecular target.

Unlabelled: The transmembrane receptor Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) was reported to serve as a host cell entry factor for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causal agent of COVID-19 disease. Therefore, molecular compounds interfering with SARS-CoV-2 binding to NRP-1 seem to be potential candidates as new antiviral drugs. In this study, NRP-1 receptor was targeted using a library of 1167 compounds previously analyzed in COVID-19 related studies.

Genome Sequences of the Delta Variant (B.1.617.2) and the Kappa Variant (B.1.617.1) Detected in Morocco.

Here, we report the identification and coding-complete genome sequences of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains obtained from patients with COVID-19. The strains identified belong to variant of concern B.1.