Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology: A Global Health Threat in Rural Agricultural Communities-Prevalence, Suspected Causes, Mechanisms, and Prevention Strategies.

Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) is a worldwide hidden health threat that is associated with progressive loss of kidney functions without showing any initial symptoms until reaching end-stage renal failure, eventually leading to death. It is a growing health problem in Asia, Central America, Africa, and the Middle East, with identified hotspots. CKDu disease mainly affects young men in rural farming communities, while its etiology is not related to hypertension, kidney stones, diabetes, or other known causes.

Chemical Composition, Free Radicals and Pathogenic Microbes in the Extract Derived from : In Silico and In Vitro Approaches.

Marine algae are renowned for their health benefits due to the presence of functional bioactive compounds. In this context, this study aims to valorize the extract of a seaweed, (), through phytochemical characterization using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), as well as in vitro and in silico evaluation of its biological activities (antioxidant and antimicrobial). Phytochemical characterization revealed that the ethanolic extract of (DdEx) is rich in phenolic compounds, with a total of 22 phycocompounds identified.

Advances in structural modification of fucoidans, ulvans, and carrageenans to improve their biological functions for potential therapeutic application.

Marine sulfated polysaccharides constitute a class of bioactive polymers commonly found in cell walls of macroalgae. Among these macromolecular substances, fucoidans, ulvans, and carrageenans have attracted considerable attention providing interesting therapeutic properties affected by a combination of various structural factors, such as sulfation pattern, molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and glycosidic linkages. Remarkably, chemical modification, enzymatic hydrolysis and crosslinking are promising approaches for developing the application of these polysaccharides through enhancement and/or addition of new biological properties.

Latent Tuberculosis Infections in Different Intensity of Exposure within Moroccan Population: Influence of Age and Bacille Calmette-Guérin Vaccination.

Background: In Morocco, latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a public health concern affected by the country's location as transit area between sub-Saharan Africa with high TB burden to Europe. This study aimed to assess the influence of exposure intensity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), age, and Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination on LTBI prevalence in Morocco.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 131 participants, including 98 non-exposed healthy volunteers (NEHV) and 33 healthcare workers exposed to active TB (exposed healthcare workers [EHCW]), was conducted.

Sociodemographic Variables and Psychological Distress of Moroccan College Students.

Because college students are an important category of the population highly vulnerable to mental health problems, this study aims to investigate the sociodemographic variables associated with the increase in psychological distress levels among Moroccan college students. Participants ( = 1147; mean age 20.00, = 2.

Anticancer Effect of Mycotoxins From : Exploration of Natural Product Potential.

Research into biologically natural substances with antitumor properties, known for their potential to induce fewer side effects and exhibit specificity toward cancerous cells, remains imperative. The pressing demand for novel agents in cancer therapy underscores the intensive investigation of natural products from microorganisms. , frequently isolated from food and feed, emerges as a promising candidate against pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

Profile, source and ecological risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) along the Mauritanian Atlantic Coast, unveiling the silent menace.

The Mauritanian Atlantic coast is a vital economic and environmental region, currently facing increasing anthropogenic pressures, leading to pollution such as PAHs contamination which threatens its ecological integrity and economic value. To assess this pollution the coast was divided into 4 zones: 2 anthropogenically stressed (LBZ and PNkt) and 2 unstressed (PNBA and PDlt); next, 16EPA-PAHs concentrations were determined in sediments and bio-tissues. In sediments, the highest 16EPA-PAHs concentrations, as mean per zone, were found in PNkt (21.

Plastic pollution in a special protected area for migratory birds.

Plastic pollution in Special Protected Areas for Migratory Birds and Sites of Community Importance is a growing environmental concern. These areas, often designated to provide safe habitats for migratory bird species, are increasingly threatened by plastic litter. In this study, we conducted the first assessment of plastic litter, ranging from macro to microplastics, in beach sediments from two sites (Montorsoli Beach and Pylon Beach) along the coast of the Strait of Messina, a Special Protected Area, to assess beach quality and ecological risk.

The Hydrochidae (Coleoptera) of Morocco with a redescription of Hydrochus cf. obtusicollis Fairmaire, 1877.

A checklist of water beetles of the family Hydrochidae from Morocco is presented. The study compiles data gathered from a deep literature review and field surveys at 397 freshwater localities between 1985 and 2023. The checklist also contains information concerning type localities and detailed distributions for the eight species found.

The southernmost member of the Simulium venustum species group (Diptera: Simuliidae) in the Old World: a new species from the Rif Mountains of Morocco.

The polytene chromosomes, larva, pupa, and male are described for the black fly Simulium chaouikaidi n. sp., a member of the Simulium venustum group from Morocco.

Pseudoendemism in Mediterranean black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae): a new record for Africa.

The first record of a European black fly, Simulium ichnusae Rivosecchi & Contini, is documented for Africa, where it was found at elevations above 1000 m in the Djurdjura Mountains of Algeria. Considered an endemic species of Sardinia for 60 years, S. ichnusae must now be regarded as pseudoendemic.

Monitoring the Overall Quality of Groundwater Using a Geographic Information System in the Angads Plain (Oujda, Morocco).

The future of groundwater is one of the key challenges for sustainable water management, hence the need to monitor its overall quality. The objective of this work is to assess the overall quality and determine the spatiotemporal evolution of the Angads aquifer in northeastern Morocco in 2014 and 2020, based on the parameters NH , NO , EC, Cl, and FC, as well as the Geographic Information System (GIS). The results of the comparison of these five parameters between 2014 and 2020 show a general increase in NH and a decrease in NO and FC at most sampling points.

Enhancing Performance of Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses with Hydrophilic Polyphenolic Coatings.

This study explores the application of a dopamine-assisted co-deposition strategy to modify the surface of daily disposable silicone hydrogel contact lenses. Aiming to enhance the hydrophilicity of these typically hydrophobic lenses, we developed an industry-friendly process using simple dip coating in aqueous solutions. By co-depositing tannic acid, dopamine and chitosan derivative and employing periodate oxidation, we achieved a rapid and efficient coating process.

Water quality classification using self-organizing maps and cluster analysis: Case of Meknes-El Hajeb Springs, Morocco.

The Ouislane sub-watershed is currently experiencing severe water shortages and is highly dependent on its water supply. The sub-watershed spans two communes: Meknes to the north and El Hajeb to the south. It serves as the primary water source for irrigation and drinking purposes for the local population.

An investigation of the adsorption of Congo red dye on two naturally occurring adsorbents Hydroxyapatite and Bentonite: An Experimental Analysis, DFT calculations, and Monte Carlo simulation.

Congo Red (CR) dye is classified as a toxic and carcinogenic substance, posing significant health and environmental risks. To address this issue, the adsorption efficiency of CR on natural bentonite and hydroxyapatite (HA) was systematically studied. The adsorbents were successfully characterized by XRD, FTIR, and SEM analysis.

Association between pesticide exposure and end-stage renal disease: A case-control study from Morocco based on the STROBE guidelines.

Experimental studies have shown that various pesticides can damage kidney function, but epidemiological information on the effects of long-term low-level pesticide exposure is lacking. A study in Fez Meknes, Morocco, examined the link between 31 pesticides and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study involved 12 hemodialysis centers in various areas.

Improved wind power assessments by bias adjusted reanalysed data with applications near Morocco's coast.

The wind energy requirements for high temporal and spatial observations, unavailable in many countries, are met by reanalysed wind data, which are increasingly used in wind power assessments. However, these data also include unrealistic features, making their validation compulsory. The validation analysis of ERA5 and MERRA-2 wind data, two of the most successful wind reanalyses, with observations near Morocco's coast, highlighted the existence of bias in both datasets, and other shortcomings.

Long-term hydroclimatic projections and climate change scenarios at regional scale in Morocco.

Morocco urgently needs an updated understanding of its water resources, considering the current knowledge's insufficient and uncertain state. Incorporating the latest Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) is crucial for a more accurate and informed assessment. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining the hydrological dynamics of major basins, offering insights vital for strategic water resource management.

Re-evaluation of F-FDG absorbed and effective dose in adult and pediatric phantoms using DoseCalcs Monte Carlo platform: a validation study.

Positron emission tomography (PET) using F-FDG is a well-known modality for the diagnosis of various diseases in patients of different ages, sexes, and states of health, which implies that internal radiation dosimetry is highly desired for different phantom anatomies. In this study, we validate "DoseCalcs," a new Monte Carlo platform that combines personalized internal dosimetry calculations with Monte Carlo simulations. To achieve that, we used the specific absorbed fraction (SAF) calculated by DoseCalcs and those from ICRP publication 133 to estimate the absorbed dose per injected activity (AD/IA) and effective dose per injected activity (ED/IA) for F-FDG.

Exploring the potent corrosion inhibition properties of phenolic Schiff bases on mild steel in acidic environments, part A: coupling experimental and theoretical investigations.

In this study, we conduct a comparative investigation into the corrosion inhibition properties of two Schiff base compounds, namely 4,4'-((1E,1'E)-(ethane-1,2 diylbis(azaneylylidene))bis(methaneylylidene))diphenol (PSB5) and (1E,1'E)-N,N'-(ethane-1,2 diyl)bis(1-(4-nitrophenyl)methanimine) (PSB6), on mild steel in an acidic environment. The inhibitory efficiency and adsorption behavior of the inhibitors were assessed through electrochemical and gravimetric analyses. The inhibitors' deposition was further verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).

Rapid invasion and expansion of the invasive macroalgae Rugulopteryx okamurae in the Mediterranean and Atlantic: A 10-year review.

This review seeks to establish a baseline on the current knowledge and gaps in the scientific literature on the invasive macroalgae Rugulopteryx okamurae. Through a systematic literature analysis we summarize the insights regarding distribution and potential impacts as non-indigenous species associated with its expansion from the Strait of Gibraltar since first detected by 2015. After 10 years, this invasive alien macroalgae has broadly expanded across the Mediterranean Sea (France, Spain, Morocco and Italy) and the Atlantic coasts (Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Madeira, Azores and Canary Islands).