Seasonal fluctuations of phlebotomines sand fly populations (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the Moulay Yacoub province, centre Morocco: Effect of ecological factors

An entomological survey of phlebotomine sand flies was conducted in the Moulay Yacoub province, central Morocco. An anthropic niche (Ouled Aid) and a wild niche (Zliligh) were selected. Sand flies were collected twice a month between April 2011 and March 2012, using sticky traps and CDC light traps. 3675 specimens were collected (78.3% males/21.7% females) which composed of eight species divided into two genera: Phlebotomus (90.34%), wide Phlebotomus papatasi (49.78%), Phlebotomus sergenti (27.17%), Phlebotomus longicuspis (13.69%), Phlebotomus pernicuosis (9.36%) and Sergentomyia (9.66%) composed of Sergentomyia fallax (52.36%), Sergentomyia minuta (34.26%) Sergentomyia antennata (11.16%) and Sergentomyia dreyfussi (2.22%). P. papatasi is dominant in the anthropic niche and P. longicuspis is dominant in the wild niche. The population dynamics showed a bimodal pattern with a first peak in June for both studied stations and a second one in September for Ouled Aid and in August for Zliligh. A significant positive correlation between the density and the temperature(r = 0.64, r = 0.66) and a significant negative correlation with humidity (r = -0.64, r = -0.62) are shown. Density (119 specimens/m2/night) of sand flies showed that Moulay Yacoub’s province presents a risk for the inhabitants in the vicinity of Fez. This situation requires continuous monitoring to prevent and reduce the leishmania risk.Key words: Sand flies, leishmaniasis, seasonality; risk period, Moulay Yacoub, Morocco

Qualité physicochimique et bactériologique de trois stations thermales dans les régions de Fès, Maroc

Les sources thermales au Maroc constituent une richesse inestimable et sont fréquemment exploitées par la population pour différents usages. Cette dernière peut être exposée à des risques de contamination par des germes pathogènes dans les stations thermales mal entretenues. C'est dans ce cadre qu'une étude portant sur la qualité physicochimique et bactériologique de trois sources situées près de la ville de Fès : Sidi Harazem, Moulay Yaâcoub et Ain Allah a été réalisée. Les prélèvements d'eau effectués mensuellement entre Octobre 2012 et Mars 2013 dans les trois stations et à différents points, ont été analysés selon des protocoles standardisés conformément aux normes. Les résultats ont montré que les paramètres physico-chimiques des eaux des trois stations prélevées au niveau des fontaines et du réservoir répondent aux normes marocaines en vigueur. Les analyses bactériologiques ont montré l’absence des germes pathogènes dans les eaux de fontaine des trois stations étudiées. Les eaux de piscine de la station Ain Allah ont présenté, une forte contamination par la flore mésophile et les indicateurs de pollution fécale (coliformes totaux, coliformes fécaux, Escherichia coli et les streptocoques fécaux) par rapport aux eaux de piscine de la station Moulay Yaâcoub qui présentent des densités très faibles. Cette charge bactérienne est liée essentiellement à la fréquentation de cette station par nombre important de baigneurs durant cette saison ainsi qu’à la température qui favorise la croissance des micro-organismes. L’utilisation de ces eaux pour la baignade pourrait être à l’origine de maladies transmises par les eaux de baignade. Ces piscines doivent donc être soumises à un contrôle régulier de la charge et de la nature de la flore microbienne de leurs eaux.Mots-clés: sidi harazem, moulay Yaâcoub, ain allah, physico-chimie, bactériologie, fès, Maroc. Physicochemical and bacteriological quality of three spas in Fez region (Morocco)Hot springs in Morocco are an invaluable wealth and are frequently used by the population for different purposes. The latter may be exposed to the risk of contamination by pathogens in poorly maintained spas. It is in this context, a study of the physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of three springs near Fez city: Sidi Harazem, Moulay Yaâcoub and Ain Allah was performed. Water samples collected monthly between October 2012 and March 2013 in the three stations and at different points were analyzed according to standardized and normalized protocols. The results showed that the physico-chemical parameters of the three station’s waters collected from fountain and reservoir meet Moroccan standards (NM 03.07.001/2006). Bacteriological analysis showed the absence of pathogens in the fountain’s water of the three studied stations. The swimming pool’s water of Ain Allah station presented a strong contamination by mesophilic flora and by faecal pollution indicators (total coliforms, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli and faecal streptococci) comparing to the water of Moulay Yacoub station swimming pool which exhibit very low bacterial densities. This bacterial density is mainly related to the large number of bathers in this station during this season and also to the temperature that promotes the microorganism’sgrowth. The use of these waters for swimming could be the cause of diseases and illness transmitted by bathing waters. These swimming pools must be subject to regular monitoring of the density and the nature oftheir water’s microbial flora.Keywords: sidi harazem, moulay yaâcoub, ain allah, physico-chemical, bacteriology, fez, Morocco

Quantitative Methylation Profiles for Multiple Tumor Suppressor Gene Promoters in Salivary Gland Tumors

Methylation profiling of tumor suppressor gene (TSGs) promoters is quickly becoming a powerful diagnostic tool for the early detection, prognosis, and even prediction of clinical response to treatment. Few studies address this in salivary gland tumors (SGTs); hence the promoter methylation profile of various TSGs was quantitatively assessed in primary SGT tissue to determine if tumor-specific alterations could be detected.DNA isolated from 78 tumor and 17 normal parotid gland specimens was assayed for promoter methylation status of 19 TSGs by fluorescence-based, quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP). The data were utilized in a binary fashion as well as quantitatively (using a methylation quotient) allowing for better profiling and interpretation of results..Screening promoter methylation profiles in SGTs showed considerable heterogeneity. The methylation status of certain markers was surprisingly high in even normal salivary tissue, confirming the need for such controls. Several TSGs were found to be associated with malignant SGTs, especially SDC. Further study is needed to evaluate the potential use of these associations in the detection, prognosis, and therapeutic outcome of these rare tumors

Radial Basis Function Solution for the LIBOR Market Model PDE

This research paper is intended at analyzing the interpolation of LIBOR (London Inter Bank Offer Rate) Model PDE (Partial Differential Equation) in one and two dimensions using Radial Basis Functions (RBF) on full grids. The LIBOR Market model is considered an effective and standard approach for pricing the derivatives which is based on interest rates. In recent times, Monte Carlo methods are often used in practice to price derivatives instruments because of the high dimensionality of the model. This research paper highlights the applicability of the RBF method rather than Finite Difference Method (FDM) for solving the LMM PDE, LIBOR Market Model, with the Bermudan Swaption or Chooser Option as a boundary condition. The results have suggested faster convergence to reference value than FDM in one dimension. Also, the calculation of price is similar to FDM in two dimension.&nbsp

Radial Basis Function Solution for the LIBOR Market Model PDE

This research paper is intended at analyzing the interpolation of LIBOR (London Inter Bank Offer Rate) Model PDE (Partial Differential Equation) in one and two dimensions using Radial Basis Functions (RBF) on full grids. The LIBOR Market model is considered an effective and standard approach for pricing the derivatives which is based on interest rates. In recent times, Monte Carlo methods are often used in practice to price derivatives instruments because of the high dimensionality of the model. This research paper highlights the applicability of the RBF method rather than Finite Difference Method (FDM) for solving the LMM PDE, LIBOR Market Model, with the Bermudan Swaption or Chooser Option as a boundary condition. The results have suggested faster convergence to reference value than FDM in one dimension. Also, the calculation of price is similar to FDM in two dimension