University Ibn Zohr - Agadir

The pervasive presence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment is well established, yet many critical questions remain about their distribution and potential impacts on both ecological and human health. To assess the risks that MPs pose, especially through marine ecosystems and human consumption, monitoring their ingestion by fish in natural environments is essential. This study investigated the contamination of 12 fish species, the most commonly consumed in Morocco, collected from the Atlantic Ocean off the Moroccan coast. Analysis of 240 fish (20 individuals per species) revealed that 100 % of the samples contained microplastics. MPs were detected in the gills, gonads, and gastrointestinal tracts of all 12 species. The average abundance of microplastics per fish ranged from 20.6 to 133.2 MPs, with the forms identified as fragments (60 %), fibers (30 %), films (8 %), and pellets and foams (1 %). Additionally, omnivorous and demersal species presented the highest levels of MP contamination. Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) analysis identified seven polymers, with high-density polyethylene (34 %), polyethylene terephthalate (30 %), and polypropylene (17.5 %) being the most prevalent. The microplastics were predominantly dark or light in color, with a notable presence of red and blue particles. Fish ingest various sizes of microplastics, primarily particles smaller than 1 mm. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDX) revealed that most MPs exhibited visible signs of weathering and contained inorganic components on their surfaces. The potential risk of MPs to fish, as assessed by the polymer hazard index (PHI), was categorized as level V, indicating that MPs may pose significant risks to human health. The highest estimated daily intake (EDI) of microplastics was found in children (1620 MPs/year), whereas the lowest intake was estimated in women (350 MPs/year) and men (337 MPs/year). Given the widespread presence of microplastics in commonly consumed fish species in Morocco, there is an urgent need for regulatory measures to ensure the safety of fisheries, both for domestic consumption and export. Policymakers should consider the development of guidelines for acceptable levels of microplastic contamination in fish to safeguard public health.

Paints, coatings and varnishes play a crucial role in various industries and daily applications, providing essential material protection and enhancing aesthetic characteristics. However, they sometimes present environmental challenges such as corrosion, wear, and biofouling which lead to economic losses and ecological harm. Paint particles (PPs), including antifouling/anticorrosive paint particles (APPs), originate from marine, industrial, and architectural activities, primarily due to paint leakage, wear, and removal, thus significantly contributing to marine pollution. These particles are often misclassified as microplastics (MPs) because of their polymeric content, so the abundance of these materials is often underestimated. Standardized assessment methodologies are imperative to accurately differentiate and quantify them. Since PPs/APPs incorporate hazardous substances like metals, biocides, and additives that leach into the environment, further investigation into their potential impacts on organisms is of utmost importance to understand their complex composition and toxicity. While essential characterization techniques are needed, a holistic approach, focusing on sustainable paint formulations, is crucial for effective pollution mitigation. This review delves into the intricate structure of paint systems, elucidating the mechanisms governing the aging and formation of PPs/APPs, their prevalence and subsequent environmental and ecotoxicological repercussions. Additionally, it addresses challenges in sampling, processing, and characterizing PPs/APPs, advocating standardized approaches to mitigate their environmental threats, and proposing new perspectives for the future.

Citriculture is a primary agricultural product in Morocco, where water scarcity is a significant challenge exacerbated by climate change. This four-year study investigated the impact of deficit (50% of crop evapotranspiration, ETc) and excessive (150% ETc, and 200% ETc) irrigation on Esbal clementine quality in the Souss-Massa region of Morocco. Four irrigation treatments (50%, 100%, 150%, and 200% ETc) were applied to evaluate their influence on fruit size, acidity, and Brix degree, which measures the dissolved sugar content in a liquid solution. Results indicate that excessive irrigation (200% ETc) increased fruit size by 108% but decreased the Brix degree by 46%. Conversely, deficit irrigation (50% ETc) led to a smaller fruit size, yet maintained higher Brix values. Fruit acidity remained relatively stable across treatments, with values ranging from 2.53% in 2019 to 1.54% in 2022 under deficit irrigation (50% ETc) and showing no significant differences between deficit and excessive irrigation strategies. These findings contribute to understanding the balance between water use and fruit quality, informing sustainable irrigation strategies for citrus production in water-scarce regions.

This research adopts a tripartite methodology, by combining qualitative, quantitative, and case study approaches, to examine the underexplored issue of cyberviolence against Moroccan female academics. With three key research questions, the study explores the prevalence, characteristics, effects on mental well-being and professional fulfillment, and the coping strategies employed by the victims to counteract cyberviolence. The study concludes by stressing the urgency of targeted and efficient interventions and evidence-based policies to address the gendered nature of online harassment. In spite of its limitations, the research lays the ground for further studies and collaboration to secure safer online environments for female academics in Morocco.

Hepatic steatosis/non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease is a major public health delinquent caused by the excess deposition of lipid into lipid droplets (LDs) as well as metabolic dysregulation. Hepatic cells buildup with more fat molecules when a person takes high fat diet that is excessive than the body can handle. At present, millions of people in the world are affected by this problem. So, it is very important to know the effects of factors responsible for the disease. Here, the role of lipid droplet (LD) biogenesis and metabolism was analyzed and intended to investigate if defects in biogenesis/metabolic enzymes are responsible for the accumulation of lipids other than LDs in fatty liver disease in high‐fat‐induced conditions in mice model. To explore it, high‐fat diet (HFD), fast food (FF), and soft drinks (SD) were administered to wild‐type Swiss albino mice for 14 weeks following yogurt supplementation. After experimental period, glucose tolerance, enzyme function, lipid profile, plasma biochemistry, and other analytical tests were analyzed by auto‐analyzer including different oxidative stress markers. Lipids from hepatic tissues were extracted, and purified by Floatation Assay and subsequently analyzed by different biochemical and chromatographic techniques. Histological architecture of hepatocytes was performed using Zeiss microscope. Finally, increased amount of lipids biogenesis/accumulation was found in liver tissues that causes Fatty liver disease. Significantly, HFD, FF, and SD were identified as factors for the increased LD biogenesis and or lipid metabolic disorder. Nevertheless, yogurt supplementation can homeostasis those LD formation and metabolic syndrome as it increases the down regulation of lipid biogenesis as well as lipid metabolic rate. So, yogurt supplementation was considered as a novel agent for decreasing LD biogenesis as well as excessive accumulation of fat in hepatocytes which can be used as therapeutics for the treatment of NAFLD.

Water scarcity is currently a major worldwide issue, and many unconventional solutions are being tested to provide water to populations in remote areas. A promising method involves harvesting water from ambient air using a humidity adsorbent and solar energy. This approach was explored through a desiccant-based solar still, using river sand impregnated with a calcium chloride solution. The sorption-desorption stability of the bed sorbent was studied over five consecutive days. Absorption occurred at night, allowing the bed to capture water vapor from the surrounding air. Various parameters that influenced the kinetics of water vapor absorption were studied. The results showed that the bed could harvest 671.02 ml m⁻² of water vapor from the ambient air at an average ambient temperature of 25 °C and an average relative humidity of 80%. The daytime process involved simultaneous desiccant regeneration and water vapor condensation. Several parameters were recorded during the trials to evaluate their influence on the evaporation rate and collected condensate. Experimental findings showed that the total amount of evaporated water is affected by the initial desiccant concentration in the bed and the cumulative solar energy. Optimal conditions yielded 908.67 ml m⁻² of evaporated water at an initial desiccant concentration of 50% and 25.47 MJ m⁻² of solar energy. The water yield ranged from 561.51 ml m⁻² to 645.39 ml m⁻², with a maximum energy efficiency of 24.60%. The estimated cost of collected water was $0.086 per liter, with a payback period of 18.25 months.

We prove a new variation of constants formula for the mild solutions of a class of functional integrodifferential equations of neutral type with $L^p$-phase space. Additionally, we compute the spectrum of the generator of the $C_0$-semigroup in a relevant product Banach space linked to these equations. Furthermore, conditions that indicate the positivity of this semigroup are established.

Color polymorphisms in lizards are maintained by complex interactions between environmental factors, genetics, and physiological traits (e.g., immunity) that can differ among morphs. Here, we investigated the relationship between mite load, throat coloration (orange, yellow, and white), and cell‐mediated immune responsiveness (CMI) in the Atlas day gecko, Quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus (Boettger, 1874) during its post‐mating period. We also evaluated the relationship between the patterns of infestation by ectoparasites and sex, throat color, and host size. The prevalence and intensity of infestation by mites did not differ by sex, host body length, or throat color. Furthermore, there was no significant relationship with host body condition. The CMI was related to sex and lizard body size (SVL). Additionally, there was a positive correlation between the intensity of infestation and the CMI response of the gecko hosts. Likewise, there was a significant positive correlation between CMI and the scaled mass index (SMi) of the lizards. In addition, geckos with broken tails had a significantly higher CMI than those with regenerated or intact tails. Moreover, CMI differed significantly among morphs; orange morphs had a higher immune response than yellow one, while the white individuals presented the lowest response. Thus, CMI is morph‐specific in this gecko, suggesting that this immunological trait could play a determinant role in maintaining throat color polymorphism in this species.

Introduction Syringocystadenocarcinoma papilliferum is an extremely rare malignant adnexal tumor that typically arises from a papilliferous syringocystadenoma (World Health Organization classification of skin tumors, 2018.). This tumor predominantly occurs in the cephalic region. Case presentation We present the case of a 68-year-old Moroccan male with no significant medical history who presented with a slowly progressing skin mass in the perianal region. Despite the chronic nature of the swelling, the patient remained in overall good health. Physical examination revealed a firm 2.3-cm mass in the perianal area, with no other remarkable findings. The patient underwent surgical excision of the mass. Macroscopic examination showed a solid-cystic, rounded mass. Microscopic examination revealed a malignant adnexal tumor with apocrine differentiation and papillary architecture. Immunohistochemistry was positive for p63, cytokeratin 7 (CK7), and smooth muscle actin, with a Ki67 labeling index in 60% of tumor cells, and negative for p16. The diagnosis of syringocystadenocarcinoma papilliferum was confirmed. A further surgical resection was performed, and the patient’s postoperative course was unremarkable. Conclusion Syringocystadenocarcinoma papilliferum is an extremely rare tumor, with its occurrence in the perianal region being particularly uncommon. This case contributes to the limited literature on this malignancy, highlighting its clinical and pathological features.

This study utilizes montmorillonite (MMT) and ground tire rubber (GTR) particles to modify the morphology of PA6/ABS immiscible polymers by suppressing phase retraction and coalescence. MMT and GTR were incorporated at weight contents ranging from 1 to 5 wt.% and 5 to 25 wt.%, respectively, to manipulate the morphology through selective localization at the polymer interface. The morphology of the resulting composites was analyzed, and the cooperative effect between the fillers was evaluated with the structural, thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images confirmed the formation of a finer multimicro-/nanolayer morphology in composites containing low clay content (less than 5 wt.%); additionally, the inclusion of 10 wt.% GTR effectively suppressed coalescence and promoted the formation of a compatibilized polymer blend. The stiffness of the blend matrix increased with clay content up to 4 wt.% and thermal stability to 437 °C, while the ductility of the composites improved with the addition of GTR, reaching its peak at 10 wt.% with higher thermal degradation at 412 °C. Overall, the composites exhibited synergistic properties, demonstrating the combined benefits of both fillers. The use of chemically modified nanolayered clay and GTR particles proved to be an effective strategy for achieving multimicro-/nanolayered morphologies and for compatibilizing immiscible polymer blends, paving the way for new applications of immiscible polymer blends.

Over time, computing power and storage resource advancements have enabled the widespread accumulation and utilization of data across various domains. In the field of air quality, analyzing data and developing air quality models have become pivotal in safeguarding public health. Despite significant progress in modeling, the critical need for accurate pollutant predictions persists. In addressing this challenge, deep learning models have garnered substantial attention in research due to their outstanding performance across diverse applications. However, the optimization of hyperparameters and features remains a challenging task. This study seeks to leverage historical data to construct the long short-term memory–based model for forecasting multistep PM10. To refine its architecture, a modified genetic algorithm is employed for automatic design. Furthermore, we explore principal component analysis and exhaustive feature selection to identify the optimal feature set. This paper introduces a novel hybrid deep learning model named EFS-GA-LSTM, tailored for multistep hourly PM10 forecasting. To assess its performance, we compare it with other hyperparameter optimization algorithms, including particle swarm optimization, variable neighborhood search, and Bayesian optimization with Gaussian process. The input dataset comprises hourly PM10 concentrations, meteorological variables, and time variables. The results reveal that for 3-h-ahead forecasting tasks, the EFS-GA-LSTM network demonstrates improvements in root mean square error, mean absolute percentage error, correlation coefficient, and coefficient of determination.

Background Hydatid disease, a parasitic infection caused by the larval form of Echinococcus granulosus, infrequently involves the thyroid gland, whether through direct invasion or hematogenous spread. Case presentation We report the case of a 62-year-old female patient from Morocco who presented with an anterior cervical mass, initially suspected to be a goiter. A histopathological evaluation of the thyroidectomy specimen identified the presence of a hydatid cyst. A comprehensive review of the literature is also included. Conclusion Given that Morocco is an endemic region for hydatid disease, clinicians should consider this parasitic infection in the differential diagnosis of thyroid cystic lesions, recognizing the clinical and laboratory indicators of the disease.

Species distribution modelling is a valuable tool for understanding and managing protected areas globally. This study used MaxEnt modelling with high-resolution environmental data and extensive in-situ observations to create habitat suitability maps for 16 reptile species in the highly biodiverse Souss-Massa National Park (SMNP), Morocco. The study examined the influence of environmental variables on species distribution and identified ecologically significant areas (species-rich areas). The results indicated that 94% of the models exhibited excellent predictive performance (AUC >0.9). Habitat types emerged as the most influential environmental variable for 75% of species, while the remaining taxa were primarily affected by soil type, vegetation density, and ocean proximity. Habitat suitability maps revealed distinct habitat preferences among species. The potential species richness map revealed variations within SMNP. Fenced reserves and undisturbed habitats both had a greater composition of highly diverse areas compared to unfenced and disturbed areas, respectively. The substantial proportion of disturbed areas with low species richness further supports the findings from a recent study conducted in the same area, which indicated that habitat disturbance can lead to the loss or decline of reptile populations. Priority for conservation should shift towards less protected areas to better safeguard reptile biodiversity, as most areas needing attention are outside wellprotected reserves.

This study investigates the green corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 1.0 M HCl using Myrtus communis essential oil (EOMC). Experimental and computational methods were combined to evaluate the corrosion inhibition effectiveness of EOMC. Weight loss measurements and electrochemical techniques, demonstrated that EOMC achieves a maximum corrosion inhibition efficiency of 94.81% at a concentration of 400 ppm of MCEO extract. The icorr significantly decreased from 983 µA/cm² in the 1.0 M HCl solution to 51 µA/cm² at 10⁻³ M, demonstrating the inhibitor's effectiveness. Polarization studies suggested mixed‐type inhibition, affecting both anodic and cathodic reactions, supported by changes in Tafel slopes. The Rct reached 462 Ω cm² at 400 ppm of EOMC, enhancing the steel's protective capability. Higher temperatures increased the corrosion rate, with icorr values rising from 51 µA/cm² at 298 K to 501 µA/cm². Surface analysis using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM‐EDX) confirmed the formation of a protective layer on the steel surface in the presence of EOMC. Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provided further insights into the adsorption behavior of the EOMC molecules on the MS surface, revealing that the inhibition process involves both physisorption and chemisorption mechanisms.

This study investigates the chemical variability and antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) from Asphodelus microcarpus Salzm. & Viv. flowers, collected from five Moroccan regions. Analysis by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) revealed EO yields ranging from 0.01% to 0.12%. One hundred forty-four compounds, comprising 90.24–97.31% of the total content, were identified. A new chemotype, trans-Ferruginol (58.33%), was identified in the Meknes region. This is the first study to assess the antibacterial activity of EOs from these flowers, showing significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli, with MICs between 0.78 and 25 mg. mL−1. Theoretical studies, including ADME-Tox, molecular docking and dynamics, indicated that trans-Ferruginol is non-toxic and strongly interacts with antimicrobial target proteins. The findings suggest that these EOs could serve as an alternative to antibiotics, potentially mitigating bacterial resistance.

The mangrove fungi provide a vast and unexplored source of diverse and unique chemicals and biological properties. The plant Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco and its endophytic fungus aspergillus species were collected from different sites of the Baleswar river region in Sundarban. Hence, we compared the antioxidant properties of the associated fungus ACSF-1 and the methanolic bark extract of Aegiceras corniculatum (MBAC) by measuring the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and DPPH free radical assay. Subsequently, antimicrobial activity was measured using the disc diffusion method, and cytotoxic activity was measured using the brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The results showed that MBAC has even more DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 = 44.036 μg/mL), TPC (310.275 mg GAE/g), and TFC (66.275 mg QE/g) in comparison with DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 = 92.542 μg/mL), TPC (234.832 mg GAE/g), and TFC (134.887 mg QE/g) in ACSF-1. The median lethal concentration value (LC50) of MBAC and ACSF-1 was found to be 43.93 μg/mL and 336.84 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, MBAC showed a dose-dependent antimicrobial response to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, whereas ACSF-1 was found to have activity against Bacillus subtilis and S. aureus. These results emphasize the unique pharmacological characteristics of both the plant and fungus, indicating their potential usefulness in various therapeutic fields.

Bayoud disease, which is caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis (FOA), is a severe threat to date palm cultivation in North Africa and the Middle East; thus, effective antifungal treatments are urgently required. In response to this, the present study develops, characterizes, and tests imidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine–Schiff base derivatives as potential antifungal compounds. A series of these derivatives (labeled IMP‐1 to IMP‐6) was obtained using a facile conventional synthetic route that holds the potential for scalable production. The structures of the samples were characterized using traditional spectroscopic techniques, while IMP‐1 and IMP‐3 were subjected to single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis to verify the structural assignment of the synthesized compounds. Screening analysis of the antifungal activity of the IMPs against FOA demonstrated remarkable inhibition effects, with IC50 values ranging from 4.7 to 2.6 μg/mL. In particular, IMP‐6 demonstrated exceptional potency, with an inhibition rate exceeding 97% at a low concentration of only 16.42 μM, thus outperforming many previously reported antifungal compounds. Homology modeling and molecular docking analysis were also conducted to understand how these novel antifungal agents interact with their target, with the experimental and theoretical approaches producing consistent results.

The development of drug delivery systems that allow precise control over drug release pattern has fetched significant attention in the pharmaceutical field. This research work investigates the potential of a pH-sensitive interpenetrating network (IPN) composed of tragacanth and pectin as a carrier for the controlled release of levosulpiride. To enhance the solubility of poorly soluble drug levosulpiride, inclusion complexes were formed with beta cyclodextrin (βCD). The IPN was prepared by cross-linking tragacanth with pectin by adopting a green chemistry approach. The resulting cross-linked polymeric network was subjected to repetitive freeze-drying cycles for preparation of spongy mass. The physicochemical properties of the resultant product were thoroughly characterized using a range of analytical techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analyses (DSC/TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The physical parameters like sol–gel fraction (%), drug loading (%), swelling behavior, electrolyte responsiveness, and in vitro drug release profile of the developed sponge were systematically evaluated under varying pH conditions. Results of FTIR demonstrated the formation of cross-linked network, ruling out drug-excipient interaction. SEM analysis unveiled porous and rough geometry. Thermal analyses proved the hydrogel network thermally stable whereas, PXRD demonstrated the overall amorphous nature of the hydrogel sponge. The outcomes of physical parameters demonstrated an incremental trend in gel fraction from 63 to 85% on raising the molar concentration of cross-linker from TP1 to TP3. However, increasing tragacanth content escalation in gel fraction from 75 to 79% was noticed. While gel fraction was augmented from 79 to 83% with increasing pectin contents. The maximum drug loading formulation TP3 was computed to be 89%. Hydrogel sponges also demonstrated electrolyte responsiveness. The release profile indicated a pH-responsive behavior, with sustained release up to 10 h observed in a buffer solution of pH 6.8 and 7.4. In an acidic medium, a minor amount of drug was released during 10 h dissolution. Drug release kinetics was observed to be in zero order. The findings of this study highlight the promising potential of the tragacanth/pectin hydrogel sponge as a pH-sensitive dais for the controlled delivery of levosulpiride, emphasizing its potential application in personalized drug therapy and the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.