BackgroundMiddle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) remains a major concern for global public health. Dromedaries are the source of human zoonotic infection. MERS-CoV is enzootic among dromedaries on the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East and in Africa. Over 70% of infected dromedaries are found in Africa. However, all known zoonotic cases of MERS have occurred in the Arabian Peninsula with none being reported in Africa.AimWe aimed to investigate serological evidence of MERS-CoV infection in humans living in camel-herding areas in Morocco to provide insights on whether zoonotic transmission is taking place.MethodsWe carried out a cross sectional seroprevalence study from November 2017 through January 2018. We adapted a generic World Health Organization MERS-CoV questionnaire and protocol to assess demographic and risk factors of infection among a presumed high-risk population. ELISA, MERS-CoV spike pseudoparticle neutralisation tests (ppNT) and plaque neutralisation tests (PRNT) were used to assess MERS-CoV seropositivity.ResultsSerum samples were collected from camel slaughterhouse workers (n = 137), camel herders (n = 156) and individuals of the general population without occupational contact with camels but living in camel herding areas (n = 186). MERS-CoV neutralising antibodies with ≥ 90% reduction of plaque numbers were detected in two (1.5%) slaughterhouse workers, none of the camel herders and one individual from the general population (0.5%).ConclusionsThis study provides evidence of zoonotic transmission of MERS-CoV in Morocco in people who have direct or indirect exposure to dromedary camels.

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) has been identified as the main receptor of MERS-CoV facilitating its cellular entry and enhancing its viral replication upon the emergence of this novel coronavirus. DPP4 receptor is highly conserved among many species, but the genetic variability among direct binding residues to MERS-CoV restrained its cellular tropism to humans, camels and bats. The occurrence of natural polymorphisms in human DPP4 binding residues is not well characterized. Therefore, we aimed to assess the presence of potential mutations in DPP4 receptor binding domain (RBD) among a population highly exposed to MERS-CoV in Morocco and predict their effect on DPP4 –MERS-CoV binding affinity through a computational approach. DPP4 synonymous and non-synonymous mutations were identified by sanger sequencing, and their effect were modelled by mutation prediction tools, docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to evaluate structural changes in human DPP4 protein bound to MERS-CoV S1 RBD protein. We identified eight mutations, two synonymous mutations (A291 =, R317 =) and six non-synonymous mutations (N229I, K267E, K267N, T288P, L294V, I295L). Through docking and MD simulation techniques, the chimeric DPP4 –MERS-CoV S1 RBD protein complex models carrying one of the identified non-synonymous mutations sustained a stable binding affinity for the complex that might lead to a robust cellular attachment of MERS-CoV except for the DPP4 N229I mutation. The latter is notable for a loss of binding affinity of DPP4 with MERS-CoV S1 RBD that might affect negatively on cellular entry of the virus. It is important to confirm our molecular modelling prediction with in-vitro studies to acquire a broader overview of the effect of these identified mutations.

Background: An energy drinks supposed to give a boost of energy to the consumer. It usually contains caffeine and lot of sugar. We studied the risks associated with the consumption of these drinks, the conditions in which they are consumed and the frequency of obesity in the determination of body mass index among 195 students of the Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik. Methods: This is a survey conducted by students of the Ben M'sik Faculty of Sciences, Hassan II Casablanca University, during the year 2015, using a questionnaire exploring the consumption of energy drinks. Results: Our study shows 195 of surveyed students consuming energy drinks, of which 22.0% are girls and 78.0% are boys, of which 16.5% were overweight, 5.5% moderate and 2% severe obesity. 9.2% of students consume them to quench the thirst, 10.8% to bring their body energy, 7.7% for their taste, 21.5% to mitigate fatigue, 6.2% to stimulate and 44.6% for all the reasons cited. 4.6% say they associate them with tobacco, 4.0% with alcohol and 6.8% with some drugs during review periods. The consequences of poisoning these drinks can be serious health and manifest as tachycardia (3.2%), agitation or confusion (29.3%), abdominal pain (7.9%), hypertension (19.4%). These symptoms experienced are significantly higher among consumers of these drinks compared to controls. Witnesses consume either energy drinks or sugary drinks. Discussion/Conclusion: That frequent consumption of energy drinks may pose a risk and a danger to the health of consumers, hence the need for awareness especially young people against their effects. Public health organizations must also keep a close watch on this new trend. How to cite this paper: M'Touguy, I.,

The aim behind this study is to determine the quality of the groundwater surrounding the landfill that has taken place in Mohammedia-Benslimane since 2012. It is a matter of seven wells dedicated to irrigation and/or daily use. The results obtained are compared to Moroccan standards and clearly show that the chlorides levels are abnormally high amongst all the wells (158.2 to 845.6 mg/L) and go well beyond the irrigation's standards (105 mg/L). The chemical oxygen demand (COD) varies between (34.6 and 67.2 mg O2/L) in five of the wells: values that exceed the allowed drinking water's

Effluents from the surface treatment industry often have a high load o f highly toxic chemicals that need to be treated in accordance with increasing ly stringent regulations. In this work, we performed a characterization of liqu id effluents from a surface treatment unit in Morocco that revealed high collo idal pollution (Turbidity=131 NTU), high stainless material (COD=960 mg/l ) and metal elements (Iron, copper, zinc, nickel, aluminum, chromium and cy anide). The objective of this experimental study is to apply a physico-chemical treatment by coagulation-flocculation to these toxic industrial wastewater in order to comply with the discharge standards in the local sewage system. This treatment, preceded by pH adjustment, cyanide oxidation and reduction of hexavalent chromium, resulted in a very satisfactory reduction in toxicity of these effluents with abatement rates of 94% for COD and up to 99% for turbidity and metal load.