Hygienic quality and physicochemical characterization of Moulay Yacoub thermal therapeutic water of Fez region (Morocco)

The hydrothermal complex of Moulay Yacoub is located in the north center of Morocco. It is well-known for its large therapeutic benefits and is the most visited thermal station by Moroccans and foreign tourists. To determine the physicochemical composition and to assess the hygienic quality of these thermal waters, the water of the source and on others three points of use was studied monthly, from June 2009 to June 2010. The results of this study showed that these waters are characterized by high temperature (53.13 °C) and high values of the sodium (>1000 mg.L−1), chlorides (17440 mg.L−1) and calcium (1058 mg.L−1). This study demonstrates also that the water of the source is free from bacterial contamination, including Legionella. However, different rates of contamination were detected in the waters at several points of use (women pool, mixed pool), which are associated to visitor activities. The physicochemical characteristics and mineral composition of these thermomineral waters explain the benefit effect associated to its use in the therapy of some pathologies. The use of thermal water from the source is not associated to any risk of bacterial contamination. However, hygiene precautions must be applied and imposed to curists, in order to improve the hygienic quality of the water in different points of use

Human Papillomavirus Infection and Fertility Alteration: A Systematic Review

<div><p>Background</p><p>HPV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection and its effect in cancer induction is well documented. HPV infections are mostly asymptomatic, but it is unclear whether HPV infections can result in alterations of reproductive health.</p><p>Objective</p><p>To determine the relationship between human papillomavirus infections and reproductive health in both men and women.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A systematic literature review was performed in PubMed and ScienceDirect data bases from January 1994 through August 2014.</p><p>Results</p><p>HPV infections are shown to be significantly associated to many adverse effects in the reproductive function. These adverse effects were reported in different levels from cells production to pregnancy and may be related to the infecting genotype.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>It appears from this study that HPV detection and genotyping could be of great value in infertility diagnosis at least in idiopathic infertility cases. Like for the risk of carcinogenesis, another classification of HPV regarding the risk of fertility alteration may be considered after deep investigations.</p></div

Epidemiological data of HPV effects on semen parameters.

<p>^#: The reported effect is a tend that did not reach the statistical significance</p><p>Epidemiological data of HPV effects on semen parameters.</p

Studies selection data flow diagram.

<p>Studies selection data flow diagram.</p

Relationship between HPV and miscarriages.

<p>^a: HPV prevalence determined in women with history of spontaneous abortion (cases) or women without abortion history (control);</p><p>^b: HPV prevalence determined in women with recurrent miscarriages (cases) or women without miscarriage history but with at least one term pregnancy (control).</p><p>Relationship between HPV and miscarriages.</p

Phytochemical Screening, Polyphenols Content, Antioxidant Power, and Antibacterial Activity of Herniaria hirsuta from Morocco

The aim of this study is to investigate in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts for aerial parts of Herniaria hirsuta. Extracts were screened for their possible antioxidant activities by three tests: DPPH free radical-scavenging, reducing power, and molybdenum systems. The screening of antibacterial activity of extracts was individually evaluated against sixteen bacteria species using a disc diffusion method. Flavonoids, total phenols, and tannins content were performed for both extracts. It shows higher content in the hydroethanolic extract. The hydroethanolic extract showed a significant antioxidant activity for the three methods studies to the aqueous extract, but nonsignificant results compared to the reference (BHT). However, both extracts have negative effect on the strains studies for the antibacterial activity

Molecular Antimicrobial Resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a Moroccan Area

Objectives. To identify the prevalence and the types of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) resistance plasmids-mediated penicillin (PPNG) and tetracycline (TRNG), the ciprofloxacin resistance (CRNG), and related risk factors of each types of resistance. Methods. The beta-lactamase-producing plasmid types (Africa, Asia, and Toronto), tetM tetracycline resistance plasmid types (America and Dutch), and the determination of the Ser-91 mutation of GyrA were detected by specifics PCRs on 149 diagnosed NG positives samples followed by Hinf1 digestion for tetM and gyrA mutation. Results. 135 (90.1%) samples showed a profile of molecular resistance to at least one antibiotic with predominance of ciprofloxacin resistance. In fact, 36 (24.2%) and 69 (46.3%) cases harbored PPNG and TRNG, respectively, and 116 (77.9%) cases showed the mutation Ser-91 of GyrA (CRNG). From a total of 36 PPNG isolates, the Toronto, Asian, and Toronto/Asian types were detected in 13 (36.1%), 10 (27.8%), and 13 (36.1%) cases, respectively, whereas the African type was not detected. In addition, the American type of TRNG was detected in 92.8% (64/69) of cases, while the Dutch type was detected in 7.2% (5/69) of cases. The association of demographics and clinical variables with NG resistance to ciprofloxacin, penicillin, and tetracycline was studied and the risk factors have been determined. Conclusion. Resistance to penicillin, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin among NG samples positives remained at high levels in Morocco as determined by molecular profile. So, the use of molecular tools for NG antimicrobial resistance detection can help in the management and spread limitation of this infection