Impact des lixiviats de la décharge sauvage de la ville de Taza sur les ressources hydriques (Maroc)

La population de Taza, estimée à environ 154 496 habitants, produit 18 000 tonnes par jour de déchet solide et ceci malgré la faible activité industrielle de cette région. Ces déchets sont essentiellement domestiques(0,85 kg/ jours/ habitant) et sont réacheminés vers la décharge publique de Taza. Cette dernière est installée sur une plaine alluviale s’étendant sur une superficie de 4 hectares et n’ayant bénéficié, ni d’une étude  préliminaire géologique ni hydrogéologique ni d’impact. De plus, le site de la décharge est à 1,2 Km du centre de l'agglomération et au coeur de l'Oued Larbâa ce qui pourrait générer de sérieux problèmes de pollution.L’objectif du présent travail est l’étude de la qualité des eaux superficielles et souterraines pour évaluer le degré de pollution provenant des lixiviats de la décharge et des cours d’eaux dans lesquels les rejets des eaux usées de la ville sont directement déversés. Les résultats obtenus, sur la base d’analyse des échantillons, ont montré une dégradation plus ou moins forte de la qualité physico-chimique des eaux de la nappe  souterraine et des eaux de surface spécialement en aval de la décharge et la présence d’une contamination bactérienne des eaux de surface et souterraines.Mots-clés : décharge sauvage, lixiviats, pollution, physico-chimie, Taza

Qualité des eaux de surface et souterraine de la région de Taza (Maroc) : bilan et situation des eaux

L’objectif de ce travail est de cerner l’état de la pollution des eaux superficielles et souterraines de la région de Taza (Maroc). Pour ce faire, une étude hydrochimique a été réalisée. Cette dernière est basée surla détermination des paramètres physico-chimiques de l'eau de surface ainsi que celle souterraine. Les résultats obtenus montrent que les différents paramètres : la demande biologique en oxygène, la demande chimique en oxygène ainsi que les concentrations en nitrate et nitrite présentent des valeurs trop élevées par rapport aux normes   internationales dans plusieurs échantillons analysés. Cette contamination, s’accentue par les activités humaines et les conditions climatiques de la région qui se caractérisent par des débits des oueds très faibles durant la saison d’été. S’ajoute à cela le déversement de la totalité deseffluents urbains et industriels dans les cours d’eau sans traitement préalable. Ceci a pour conséquence d’augmenter les concentrations de polluants déversés dans les cours d’eau entraînant alors une dégradation de la qualité des eaux superficielles et souterraines.Mots-clés : qualité de l’eau, DCO, DBO5, polluants

Inhibition of corrosion of steel in 1 M HCl solution by polyphenol extract: Application for Steel used in the automotive industry in Morocco

An experimental study was carried out to measure the inhibitory efficiency of polyphenol extracted from vegetable water  (MA) and polyphenol extracted from pomace (GO)  as green corrosion inhibitors for high yield strength steel (AHLE) and mild steel (AD) in an acid solution hydrochloric 1 M.  The experiments revealed that the MA and GO behaved as mixed type inhibitors. This study was performed using the weight loss method, potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The MA inhibits corrosion of both AD and AHLE in 1M HCl. Inhibition efficiency increases with increasing inhibitor concentrations to reach a maximum value of 95.7% for steel AHLE and a maximum value of 95.50% for mild steel. For the GO it inhibits the corrosion of steel AHLE and mild steel in HCl 1M. The efficiency increases with increasing inhibitor concentrations to reach a maximum value of 96.68% for AD and a maximum value of 95.23% for AHLE. According to the Langmuir isothermal model, the inhibitors MA and GO were adsorbed on the steel surfaces AHLE and AD by physical and chemical bonds. SEM and EDX examinations have proven the formation of a protective layer of inhibitors adsorbed on the steel surface

Effects of sludge compost as an amendment on the morphological responses and on production parameters of radish and potato

The elimination of sewage sludge is one of the current environmental problems; their valorisation appears as a matter of organization and optimization of the techniques of their management or elimination can play the role of organic fertilizer because of their richness of organic matter and mineral compounds.This study examines the use of sludge compost elaborated as a fertilizer and compares it with compost without sludge, Manure (traditional input) and bare soil (no input). We studied the impact of these fertilizers on the soil (before and after cultivation), on the parameters of vegetative growth (morphological) and on the parameters of production. The application test was carried out on two crops: radishes and potatoes.The obtained results showed a significant increase in vegetative growth and production levels compared to bare soil (without input) and manure. For the physicochemical characterizations studied of the soil before and after the planting of the culture tested, the results show that the compost has an effect on soil

IMPACT ANTHROPIQUE SUR LA QUALITE DES EAUX SOUTERRAINES DU BASSIN VERSANT DE L’OUED TAZA (MAROC) ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACT ON GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN THE WATERSHED OF OUED TAZA (MOROCCO)

The main objective of this work is to determine the status of the groundwater quality in the watershed of Taza river, based primarily on physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters of groundwater. The Oued Taza is a small mountain river, 13.44 Km long, which drains a watershed of 40.07 km ². The outlet located at an altitude of 420 m corresponds to the confluence with the Oued Iarbaa. The average annual rainfall varies between 352 mm and 719mm while the annual average temperature is 18.1 ° C. Very high concentrations of nitrates, nitrites, heavy metals and bacterial load in some points near urban areas, illustrate the effect of human activities on degradation of water quality. This contamination could have several causes, the most important are related to household and industrial discharges (especially waters) spilled without any treatment in the rivers, and the use of fertilizers in agricultural areas. These results will enrich the database on water quality in the basin, and help policy makers to better decide on the management of water resources for a better sustainable development of the regio

Expression and Function of Serotonin 2A and 2B Receptors in the Mammalian Respiratory Network

Neurons of the respiratory network in the lower brainstem express a variety of serotonin receptors (5-HTRs) that act primarily through adenylyl cyclase. However, there is one receptor family including 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C receptors that are directed towards protein kinase C (PKC). In contrast to 5-HT2ARs, expression and function of 5-HT2BRs within the respiratory network are still unclear. 5-HT2BR utilizes a Gq-mediated signaling cascade involving calcium and leading to activation of phospholipase C and IP3/DAG pathways. Based on previous studies, this signal pathway appears to mediate excitatory actions on respiration. In the present study, we analyzed receptor expression in pontine and medullary regions of the respiratory network both at the transcriptional and translational level using quantitative RT-PCR and self-made as well as commercially available antibodies, respectively. In addition we measured effects of selective agonists and antagonists for 5-HT2ARs and 5-HT2BRs given intra-arterially on phrenic nerve discharges in juvenile rats using the perfused brainstem preparation. The drugs caused significant changes in discharge activity. Co-administration of both agonists revealed a dominance of the 5-HT2BR. Given the nature of the signaling pathways, we investigated whether intracellular calcium may explain effects observed in the respiratory network. Taken together, the results of this study suggest a significant role of both receptors in respiratory network modulation

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p<0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p<0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised

Malaria in Africa: Vector Species' Niche Models and Relative Risk Maps

A central theoretical goal of epidemiology is the construction of spatial models of disease prevalence and risk, including maps for the potential spread of infectious disease. We provide three continent-wide maps representing the relative risk of malaria in Africa based on ecological niche models of vector species and risk analysis at a spatial resolution of 1 arc-minute (9 185 275 cells of approximately 4 sq km). Using a maximum entropy method we construct niche models for 10 malaria vector species based on species occurrence records since 1980, 19 climatic variables, altitude, and land cover data (in 14 classes). For seven vectors (Anopheles coustani, A. funestus, A. melas, A. merus, A. moucheti, A. nili, and A. paludis) these are the first published niche models. We predict that Central Africa has poor habitat for both A. arabiensis and A. gambiae, and that A. quadriannulatus and A. arabiensis have restricted habitats in Southern Africa as claimed by field experts in criticism of previous models. The results of the niche models are incorporated into three relative risk models which assume different ecological interactions between vector species. The “additive” model assumes no interaction; the “minimax” model assumes maximum relative risk due to any vector in a cell; and the “competitive exclusion” model assumes the relative risk that arises from the most suitable vector for a cell. All models include variable anthrophilicity of vectors and spatial variation in human population density. Relative risk maps are produced from these models. All models predict that human population density is the critical factor determining malaria risk. Our method of constructing relative risk maps is equally general. We discuss the limits of the relative risk maps reported here, and the additional data that are required for their improvement. The protocol developed here can be used for any other vector-borne disease

COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients with Inborn Errors of Immunity Reduces Hospitalization and Critical Care Needs Related to COVID-19: a USIDNET Report

Background The CDC and ACIP recommend COVID-19 vaccination for patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI). Not much is known about vaccine safety in IEI, and whether vaccination attenuates infection severity in IEI. Objective To estimate COVID-19 vaccination safety and examine effect on outcomes in patients with IEI. Methods We built a secure registry database in conjunction with the US Immunodeficiency Network to examine vaccination frequency and indicators of safety and effectiveness in IEI patients. The registry opened on January 1, 2022, and closed on August 19, 2022. Results Physicians entered data on 1245 patients from 24 countries. The most common diagnoses were antibody deficiencies (63.7%). At least one COVID-19 vaccine was administered to 806 patients (64.7%), and 216 patients received vaccination prior to the development of COVID-19. The most common vaccines administered were mRNA-based (84.0%). Seventeen patients were reported to seek outpatient clinic or emergency room care for a vaccine-related complication, and one patient was hospitalized for symptomatic anemia. Eight hundred twenty-three patients (66.1%) experienced COVID-19 infection. Of these, 156 patients required hospitalization (19.0%), 47 required ICU care (5.7%), and 28 died (3.4%). Rates of hospitalization (9.3% versus 24.4%, p < 0.001), ICU admission (2.8% versus 7.6%, p = 0.013), and death (2.3% versus 4.3%, p = 0.202) in patients who had COVID-19 were lower in patients who received vaccination prior to infection. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, not having at least one COVID-19 vaccine significantly increased the odds of hospitalization and ICU admission. Conclusion Vaccination for COVID-19 in the IEI population appears safe and attenuates COVID-19 severity