Evaluation of Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress Markers Related To Inflammation in The Cumulus Cells and Follicular Fluid of Women Undergoing Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: A Prospective Study.

Background: Oxidative/nitrosative stress in the oocyte microenvironment could have an impact on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes. The presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) can stimulate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to chronic inflammation and potentially affecting embryo as well as oocyte quality. This study aimed to examine the relationship of lipid peroxidation [measured by the malondialdehyde (MDA) assay] with protein carbonyl [measured by the 2,4 dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) assay] levels in cumulus cells (CCs), as well as nitric oxide (NO), peroxynitrite (ONOO), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in follicular fluid (FF).

Neutralization Capacity of Tissue Alterations Caused by the Venoms of the Most Dangerous Scorpions in North Africa Using a Selective Antivenom.

In North Africa, scorpion stings pose an urgent public health problem, particularly for children with high morbidity and mortality rates. The main species implicated are the (), (), and (). Immunotherapy is the specific therapeutic approach aimed at directly neutralizing toxins, despite their severity and rapid diffusion.

Epidemiological, Clinicopathological and Prognosis Features of Moroccan Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Proposal: A distinct epidemiology, etiology, clinical characteristics, and therapeutic outcomes characterize nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) from other head and neck cancers. An actualized analysis of NPC patients' features enables a global view of NPC management. Accordingly, the current study investigated the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Moroccan patients with NPC, as well as their 4-years survival outcomes and influencing prognostic factors.

Assessment of cell-free DNA and apoptosis in an oocyte microenvironment: promising biomarkers to predict intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes.

Cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) is defined as DNA fragments that are released into the body fluids from apoptosis or necrosis cells, including follicular fluid (FF), which can affect the microenvironment of the oocyte associated with infertility. We aimed to investigate a relationship between apoptosis of cumulus cells (CCs) and cf-DNA levels in FF and clinical outcomes of women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Therefore, 82 FF samples were collected, and the corresponding CCs were isolated for ICSI procedures.

Comparison between density gradient centrifugation method, an extended version of the horizontal swim up method and the combination of both for sperm selection.

Objective: To compare the degree of efficiency between density gradient centrifugation (DGC) method and an extended horizontal swim-up (SU) method.

Methods: A total of 97 couples undergoing in vitro fertilization were enrolled in the study. Semen samples were divided into three aliquots and treated using DGC, extended horizontal SU, and combined methods.

Assessment of lipid peroxidation status in the serum of Moroccan patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Introduction: Many studies have addressed the role of oxidative stress products in the carcinogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The current study aimed to assess malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the serum of patients with NPC before and after chemo- radiotherapy (CRT), to evaluate its potential role as a biomarker in the management of this disease.

Material And Methods: A total of 112 patients with newly diagnosed NPC, occurring between January 2017 and February 2019, were enrolled and followed up.

The Dynamic Change in Plasma Epstein-Barr Virus DNA Load over a Long-Term Follow-Up Period Predicts Prognosis in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

The current study was designed to investigate the changes in the circulating Epstein−Barr virus DNA load (EBV DNA) at various time points before and after treatment and its clinical significance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A total of 142 patients with NPC were prospectively enrolled in this study. The plasma EBV DNA concentration was measured before and after treatment using qPCR.

Pretreatment [F]FDG PET/CT and MRI in the prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the prognostic interest of metabolic and anatomic parameters derived from 2-deoxy-2-[F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([F]FDG PET/CT) and head and neck magnetic resonance imaging (HN-MRI) for better management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: In this study, pre-treatment [F]FDG PET/CT and HN-MRI parameters of NPC patients diagnosed between January 2017 and December 2018, were prospectively investigated. Correlation between those parameters and 4-year patient's survival outcomes was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression analyses.

Anti-Cancer Activity of Venom on Hepatocellular Carcinoma in 3D Cell Culture.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most dominant primary liver cancer, which can be caused by chronic hepatitis virus infections and other environmental factors. Resection, liver transplantation, and local ablation are only a few of the highly effective and curative procedures presently accessible. However, other complementary treatments can reduce cancer treatment side effects.

Induced pathophysiological alterations by the venoms of the most dangerous Moroccan scorpions and : A comparative pathophysiological and toxic-symptoms study.

Scorpion envenomation is a serious public health issue.  () and  () are the most dangerous scorpions in Morocco. Despite their medical relevance, no study has yet related their kinetics of symptom apparition and the consequent tissue disorders at the same interval post-injection.

Anti-Cancer Effect of Moroccan Cobra Venom and Its Fractions against Hepatocellular Carcinoma in 3D Cell Culture.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer in adults, the fifth most common malignancy worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer related death. An alternative to the surgical treatments and drugs, such as sorafenib, commonly used in medicine is necessary to overcome this public health problem. In this study, we determine the anticancer effect on HCC of Moroccan cobra venom and its fraction obtained by gel filtration chromatography against Huh7.

Mass spectrometry-based top-down and bottom-up approaches for proteomic analysis of the Moroccan Buthus occitanus scorpion venom.

Buthus occitanus (B. occitanus) is one of the most dangerous scorpions in the world. Despite the involvement of B.

Circulating cell-free epstein-barr virus DNA levels and clinical features in Moroccan patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: The identification of effective prognosis biomarkers for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is crucial to improve treatment and patient outcomes. In the present study, we have attempted to evaluate the correlation between pre-treatment plasmatic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA load and the conventional prognostic factors in Moroccan patients with NPC.

Methods: The present study was conducted on 121 histologically confirmed NPC patients, recruited from January 2017 to December 2018.

[Current antiplatelet agents, new inhibitors and therapeutic targets].

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of deaths in the world. Platelets play a major role in the occurrence of these diseases and the development of antiplatelet drugs is a priority in the fight against cardiovascular diseases-associated mortality. Aspirin and thienopyridine-based P2Y12 inhibitors are the main drugs currently used.

Chromosomal Abnormalities in Patients with Intellectual Disability: A 21-Year Retrospective Study.

Background: Intellectual disability (ID) has been defined as a considerably reduced ability to understand new or complex information and to learn new skills. It is associated with life-long intellectual and adaptive functioning impairments that have a profound impact on individuals, families, and society. It affects about 3% of the general population.