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Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant epithelial tumor intimately associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). NPC is a characteristic tumor displaying epidemiological, genetic and regional distribution properties that makes it unique by its natural behavior. Objectives: To assess the expression pattern of LMP1 and p53 proteins in the different histological types of NPC in a sample of the Moroccan population and to define any association between the expression of those proteins with the sex, the age and the histological types of NPC. Methods: Archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded NPC biopsies were evaluated in 23 Moroccan patients for the presence of LMP1 and p53 using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: No LMP1 expression was observed whereas 8 of 23 cases (34. 7%) had detectable p53 protein in the nuclei of tumor cells. After statistical analysis according to the Fisher's exact probability test, no significant association between p53 expression and histological type, age and sex distributions was demonstrated (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study confirms that p53 overexpression is present in a subset of Moroccan NPC patients. Our results are consistent with those reported by other studies concerning the same NPC endemic risk area and provide original data concerning Morocco.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate dental professionals’ perception of biostatistics and interpretation of research results. Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among dental professionals of Casablanca Dental School, Morocco. 81 participants completed the questionnaire (rate of response 90%). The responses were assessed on 5-point Likert scale. With regards to biostatistics knowledge, one major result that stood out was the proportion of correct items in the questionnaire. Results: 60% of participants had a graduation duration ranging from 1 to 10 years. About two-thirds (62%) were professors and about 1 third (31%) were residents. 90% of the respondents wanted to learn more biostatistics. The overall mean percentage correct on statistical knowledge and interpretation of results was 19.4%. The most important response percentage was recorded for the knowledge of case-control studies (38.3%). The least important response percentage was 2.5% for Cox’s regression identification. Length of time after graduation and the participants’ grade were significantly associated with biostatistics knowledge. Discussion: The study concluded that dental professionals showed a low perceived knowledge of biostatistics concepts; thus, there is a need to implement biostatistics into dental programmes to meet dental professionals’ use in research and clinical practice.

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