Available epidemiological information seems to indicate that Balkan endemic nephropathy is associated with consumption patterns involving foodstuffs contaminated with ochratoxin A (OTA) and with a higher frequency of OTA-positive blood samples. The aim of this preliminary study was to assess OTA concentrations in human plasma in Morocco. Therefore, samples from 309 healthy volunteers (213 males, 96 females) were analysed. The analyses revealed that 60% of the human plasma sampled was positive for OTA (61.5% in the male and 56% in the female population), and an average concentration of 0.29 ng// /mL (0.31 ng///mL in males, 0.26 ng// /mL in females). The highest concentration found was 6.59 ng// /mL. The results suggest that the Moroccan population is exposed to OTA, even though the OTA plasma levels are lower than that reported in some North African countries.

In a preliminary study, samples of Moroccan wines (n = 30), beers (n = 5) and fruit juices (n = 14) were assayed for ochratoxin A (OTA) by HPLC with fluorimetric detection, followed by confirmation by cleavage of the OTA molecule using carboxypeptidase with HPLC-fluorimetric determination of ochratoxin alpha (OT alpha). All the wine samples were contaminated, and the overall median OTA concentration was 0.65 microg/l (range 0.028-3.24 microg/l). One of the 14 samples of fruit juices was contaminated with a concentration of 1.16 microg/l, whereas none of the five beer samples was contaminated. This is the first report on the occurrence of OTA in various beverages from Morocco.

BACKGROUND፡ The ability of mercury to deposit throughout the body and alter a wide range of molecular and cellular pathways results in a polymorphic and complex clinical phenotype with over 250 possible symptoms. However, some of them are recurrently cited as evoking chronic mercury poisoning. In this light, dentists users of dental amalgams are chronically exposed to mercury so that in-depth epidemiological investigations and adapted statistical methods are required to highlight adverse effects of this exposure.METHODS: In order to study the health impact of the occupational mercury exposure in a population of liberal dentists practicing in two Moroccan regions, a list of eighteen subjective symptoms commonly associated with micro-hydrargyrism was drawn up. Then, seven statisctical models adapted to count data were fitted. Finally, three methods were used to compare their relative performance in order to choose the most appropriate one.RESULTS: The adopted logical path, from the response variable selection till models’ comparison, led us to lean towards quasi- Poisson regression as the best way to predict the number of symptoms declared by dentists according to mercury exposure.CONCLUSIONS: Interpretation of the selected model allowed us to conclude that the reduction of dental amalgam use allows the reduction of subjective symptoms related to mercury exposure.

In Morocco, nursing education is currently undergoing a major evolution, allowing training institutes to comply with the higher education system. As a result, there is an emerging need for additional training in the form of a Master's degree and a PhD. This provides an opportunity to aspire to an academic and especially a research qualification, and gives an interesting impulse to teaching and research in nursing. This study sought to investigate teachers' perception towards research at the Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Technics of Health in Rabat. A cross-sectional survey started in Avril 15th 2021 and completed in May10th 2021 was used with a convenience sample of teachers from the High Institute of Nursing Professions and Technics of Health in Rabat and It’s Kenitra annex. Data analysis was performed using the software Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Chi Square test and value at 95% confidence level were used to measure the association between study variables and the teachers research perception. Significance was when 𝑝≤0.05. A total of 77 teachers enrolled in this study. 55.8% were aged 30 to 40 years old, 68.8% were female, 57.1% had a master diploma and 60% had more than 5 years teaching experience. Analyses showed that the most correlated variable were age respectively with research motivation (p=0.03), having research skills (p=0.04) and the fact that the research is stressful (p=0.02). The correlations are significant between the level of education, research skills (p=0.04) and research is stressful (p<0.001). Significant association was demonstrated between training in research methodology and the development of research skills. Research experience was correlated with both research skills (p=0.02) and perception of research as stressful (p<0.001). Despite positive participant’s perception towards research, their lack of skills and educational training in research may influences their involvement in research activities. These shortcomings could be reduced by additional education, support, improved communication, and opportunities to undertake research activities.

BACKGROUND: Mercury used in dental amalgams constitutes a significant source of chronic exposure to this heavy metal among dentists. Thus, the safety of dental amalgam remains a controversial issue despite its long history of use. In Morocco, most studies about dental mercury were mainly focused on the environmental risk related to the management of mercury-contaminated waste. OBJECTIVE: In order to evaluate the occupational exposure to mercury among liberal dentists practicing in two Moroccan regions, a multidimensional statistical approach was used to analyze the collected data. The main objective was to help establishing a targeted prevention plan aiming to reduce the mercury exposure among Moroccan dentists. METHODS: Fifteen variables from 146 dentists were elected for a three-step classification procedure: a multiple correspondence analysis followed by a hierarchical ascendant clustering consolidated by the k-Means algorithm. RESULTS: Three homogenous clusters were identified. The most important one includes 57.5% of the population as well as the majority of the risky factors. The characterization of these clusters allows proposing concise guidelines for a targeted preventive plan. CONCLUSIONS: A real mercurial risk has been observed in the studied population. However, its impact on health as well as the efficiency of simple preventive recommendations remains to be unveiled.