Classification sous contraintes probabilistes par les cartes topologiques

National audienc

A probabilistic approach for constrained clustering with topological map

International audienc

Novel pathogenic WHRN variant causing hearing loss in a moroccan family

International audienceThe most prevalent sensory disease in humans is deafness. A variety of genes have been linked to hearing loss, which can either be isolated (non-syndromic) or associated with lesions in other organs (syndromic). It has been discovered that WHRN variants are responsible for non-syndromic hearing loss and Usher syndrome type II

A novel PEX1 mutation in a Moroccan family with Zellweger spectrum disorders

International audienceMutations in the PEX1 gene are usually associated with recessive inherited diseases including Zellweger spectrum disorders. In this work, we identified a new pathogenic missense homozygous PEX1 mutation (p.Leu1026Pro, c.3077T>C) in two Moroccan syndromic deaf siblings from consanguineous parents. This variation is located in the P-loop containing nucleoside triphosphate hydrolase of protein domain and probably causes an alteration in the hydrolysis of ATP

Further Evidence for the Implication of the MET Gene in Non-Syndromic Autosomal Recessive Deafness

International audienceMutations in the mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (MET) gene are frequently associated with multiple human cancers but can also lead to human non-syndromic autosomal recessive deafness (DFNB97). In the present study, we identified a novel homozygous missense mutation in the METgene causing a non-syndromic hearing impairment DFNB97 form. Whole-exome sequencing was performed to determine the genetic causes of hearing loss in a Moroccan consanguineous family with an affected daughter. The structural analysis of native and mutant in the SEMA domain of the MET receptor was investigated using a molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) approach. We identified a novel pathogenic homozygous c.948A>G (p.Ile316Met) mutation in the MET gene in one deaf Moroccan young girl carrying a total bilateral non-syndromic hearing impairment. The results of the MDS approach show that an Ile316Met mutation in the SEMA domain leads to protein flexibility loss. This may produce a major impact on the structural conformation of the MET receptor, which also affects the function and binding site of the receptor. This is the first time that a mutation in the MET gene is described in a Moroccan family. Moreover, this study reports the second family in the world associating deafness and mutation in the MET gene

Phytochemical Screening, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiviral, Cytotoxic, and Anti-Quorum-Sensing Properties of Teucrium polium L. Aerial Parts Methanolic Extract

The chemical profile of Teucrium polium L. (T. polium) methanolic extract was tested using liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (HR-LCMS). Disc diusion and microdilution assays were used for the antimicrobial activities. Coxsackievirus B-3 (CVB3) and Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) were used for the antiviral activities. Chromobacterium violaceum (ATCC 12472 and CV026) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 were used as starter strains for the anti-quorum sensing tests. Isoprenoids are the main class of compounds identified, and 13R-hydroxy-9E,11Z-octadecadienoic acid, valtratum, rhoifolin, sericetin diacetate, and dihydrosamidin were the dominant phytoconstituents. The highest mean diameter of growth inhibition zone was recorded for Acinetobacter baumannii (19.33 1.15 mm). The minimal inhibitory concentrations were ranging from 6.25 to 25 mg/mL for bacterial strains, and from 6.25 to 25 mg/mL for Candida species. The 50% cytotoxic concentration on VERO (African Green Monkey Kidney) cell lines was estimated at 209 g/mL. No antiviral activity was recorded. Additionally, T. polium extract was able to inhibit P. aeruginosa PAO1 motility in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the tested extract was able to inhibit 23.66% of the swarming and 35.25% of swimming capacities of PAO1 at 100 g/mL. These results highlighted the role of germander as a potent antimicrobial agent that can interfere with the virulence factors controlled by the quorum-sensing systems

Storm surge and tsunami deposits along the Moroccan coasts: state of the art and future perspectives

International audienceThe Moroccan coasts are occasionally inundated by storm surges and tsunamis. Local historical archives recorded some of these events, such as the storm surge of 1913 CE and the tsunami of 1755 CE. The latter remains the most destructive event the country has ever faced, with major human and economic losses recorded mainly between the two cities of Tangier and Safi. The privileged way to prevent any hazard related to these events is to study their past occurrences and impacts. However, historical evidences about these natural hazards are often very scarce to determine their return periods and evaluate their intensities. The scientific community increasingly uses sedimentary archives from coastal environments, since they offer a viable complement to historical archives. Several studies using this approach have been conducted on the Moroccan coast in recent years; however, until now, there has been no review dealing with these studies, which is the main objective of this paper. Twenty sites with traces of coastal inundation deposits have been inventoried during this work, and most of them are located along the Atlantic coast. The Mediterranean side remains poorly studied despite the presence of tsunami and storm surge risks. The review draws attention also to the absence of chronological data for most of the coastal inundation deposits recognized up to now along the Moroccan coasts, which is a majorissue that prevents the determination of the return period of these events

The Mediterranean region under climate change

This book has been published by Allenvi (French National Alliance for Environmental Research) to coincide with the 22nd Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22) in Marrakesh. It is the outcome of work by academic researchers on both sides of the Mediterranean and provides a remarkable scientific review of the mechanisms of climate change and its impacts on the environment, the economy, health and Mediterranean societies. It will also be valuable in developing responses that draw on “scientific evidence” to address the issues of adaptation, resource conservation, solutions and risk prevention. Reflecting the full complexity of the Mediterranean environment, the book is a major scientific contribution to the climate issue, where various scientific considerations converge to break down the boundaries between disciplines