Dietary Fat Intake and KRAS Mutations in Colorectal Cancer in a Moroccan Population

Epidemiologic data support an association between diet and mutations in the Kirsten-ras (KRAS) gene involved in colorectal cancer (CRC) development. This study aimed to explore the associations between fat intake and KRAS mutations in codons 12 and 13 in cases of CRC in the Moroccan population. A multicenter case-series study nested in a large-scale Moroccan CRC case-control study was conducted. Among all CRC cases recruited, 151 specimens were available for the DNA mutation analysis. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (Cis) for KRAS mutation status according to the fat intake variables. A KRAS mutation was detected in the CRC tumor of 34.4% of the patients among whom 65.4% had a single mutation at codon 12 and 34.6% had a single mutation at codon 13. Compared to low levels of consumption, a positive association was observed between high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) consumption (>16.9 g/day) and prevalence of KRAS mutations (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.01–4.59). No statistically significant associations were observed for total fat, monounsaturated fatty acids, saturated fatty acids and KRAS mutations. The results of this study suggest that PUFA may be relevant in the etiology of CRC, possibly through the generation of G > A transitions at the KRAS oncogene. Further studies are needed to verify and explain this finding.

The threshold of sweet taste recognition among a sample of Moroccan population

Purpose Sugar consumption in Morocco is high, which is involved in triggering serious health conditions. Hence, assessing the recognition threshold of sweet taste among Moroccans is strongly needed. This study aims to determine the threshold of sweet taste recognition and to evaluate differences by sex, age and body mass index among a sample of Moroccan population. Design/methodology/approach This single-blind trial was conducted among 199 healthy participants to determine the sweet taste. Age and anthropometric characteristics were registered. Nine sucrose solutions of the following concentrations (0; 0.111; 0.333; 1; 3; 9; 27; 81; 243 mmol/L) were prepared. Sweet taste perception thresholds were determined based on the validated 3-alternative forced choice test method. Findings The average age of the sample population was 21.5 ± 26.1. And more than half (51.7%) detected the taste at the concentration of 9 mmol/L, while 91.9% recognized it at a concentration of 27 mmol/L. In terms of sex, the recognition of taste was not different between females and males (p > 0.05). The mean values of the threshold among women were significantly lower (20 ± 20.8 mmol/L) compared to men (23.9 ± 33.2 mmol/L). The age group 49–59 years old had the lowest threshold with a mean of 13.4 ± 10.2 mmol/L, and the groups with BMI in the overweight category had mean of 16.9 ± 18.2 mmol/L. However, no statistical difference was observed among either age groups or BMI categories. Originality/value The sweet recognition threshold among the studied population is high. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to educate the population about the necessity of a progressive reduction of sugar in food items to combat non-communicable disorders.

ANXIETY-DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS IN THE GENERAL POPULATION DURING A PERIOD OF CONFINEMENT IN MOROCCO

Summary:Facedwith the spread of the coronavirus, the Moroccan population is in confinement, thisperiod of confinement isdifficult to live for all and especially for somevulnerable people, they are worried for theirhealth and that of theirfamilies, and theyriskhavingpsychologicalrepercussionsanxio- depressive, whichnegatively influences theirsocio-professional life. Objective: to measure the degree of depression and anxiety in the general population during a period of confinement Method: cross-sectional, descriptive and analyticalstudyconductedfrom 30 April to 10 August 2020, using a questionnaire, including the BECK scales for depression, the GAD (GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder) for anxiety Results: 632 responseswerecollected, of which 70.8% werewomen, 40.9% werebetween 18 and 30 yearsold, 47.8% were single, 76% hadhighereducation, 14.4% had a psychiatrichistory. 64.8% of the participants haddepression, of which 28.6% hadmilddepression, 24.3% hadmoderatedepression, 11.9% hadseveredepression and 8.3% hadanxiety. Age, presence of children, marital status, agreement to confinement, workduring confinement and type of occupation;presented a statisticallysignificantdifferencewith a P <0.005 between the 2 groups presenting or not a depression. Univariatelogisticregressionanalysisshowedthat the presence of anxiety (OR = 7.307; 95% CI: 2.4977 -21.379), and physicalpresence at the work site compared to the non-work group (OR = 0.5097; 95% CI: 0.2728 -0.950) wereindependentlyassociatedwith the occurrence of depression. Conclusion: Exploration of depression and anxietyconcludedthattherewas a definite impact of containment on the general population in Morocco. Research data are needed to developstrategies to reducepsychological impacts and psychiatricsymptomsduring the epidemic.

Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases in Morocco: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE: To provide a systematic review of studies on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and their risk factors in the Moroccan population. METHODS: A systematic analysis was performed based on PRISMA guidelines by retrieving data bases (Medline, Embase, and other) using technical keywords in addition to manual research on official websites. Published studies in the English or French language, conducted in Morocco or concerning the Moroccan population within the last two decades, were identified. RESULTS: This is the first systematic review of CVD in Morocco. Data from 159 studies were retrieved and analyzed. Most studies were written in the English language (75.89%) and published between 2010 and 2019 (85.47%). The mortality rate caused by CVD in Morocco has reached 38%, with ischemic heart disease and stroke as the main events causing death (31.0% and 22.5% respectively). The risk factors present in the population studied were headed by tobacco smoking (45- 50%), followed by physical inactivity (21.1%), elevated rate of hypertension (25.3%), and depression (5.47%). Impacted by a high rate of illiteracy and poverty and an unprepared health care system in Morocco, these numbers are expected to increase over the next decade. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these alarming incidences, investment in scientific research and epidemiological studies should be increased to determine the needs of the local population. The available evidence shows that the risk of cardiovascular disease and the associated mortality is very high in Morocco and will rise in the next years prospectively, which calls for urgent multi-sectorial approaches and treatment strategies.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of the Combination of Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin in the Treatment of Covid-19 in a Moroccan Population

Context: Morocco has adopted the protocol combining hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine with azithromycin to treat patients with Covid-19, mainly based on Chinese studies and those of the IHU Mediterranee team in Marseille. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of this association in a Moroccan population. Methods: We conducted a prospective descriptive analytical study at the center of virology, infectious and tropical diseases to assess the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine associated with azithromycin for the treatment of patients with Covid-19. All patients hospitalized at the center between March 16, 2020 and May 16, 2020 were included in this study with a positive RT-PCR result for SARS-Cov2. Results: 125 patients were hospitalized during this period meeting the inclusion criteria. All patients benefited from the combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin. We studied the clinical, biological and CT parameters that could be associated with early viral clearance with a negative RT-PCR on D6 and D8. The average age at diagnosis is 37.98 +/- 12.13 years. 121 patients (96.8%) are cured after 10 days of treatment. 32 patients (25.6%) had a viral clearance on D6 and D8. We did not find any factors significantly associated with early viral clearance. Conclusion: Our study is inconsistent with work published by other teams regarding early viral clearance in patients treated with the combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, although clinical healing has been achieved in the majority of patients.