12 research outputs found
Erratum
No full textBouymajane A, Rhazi Filali F, Oulghazi S, Ed-dra A, Benhallam F, El Allaoui A, Anissi J, Sendide K, Ouhmidou B, Moumni M [...
Enhancing Security and Chemicals Management in University Science Laboratories: Creating a Secure Environment for Students and Researchers in Morocco
No full textDiversity and Antimicrobial Activities of Actinobacteria Isolated from Mining Soils in Midelt Region, Morocco
No full textMultidrug-resistant bacteria have emerged as a serious global health threat that requires, more than ever before, an urgent need for novel and more effective drugs. In this regard, the present study sheds light on the diversity and antimicrobial potential of Actinobacteria isolates in mining ecosystems. We have indeed investigated the production of bioactive molecules by the Actinobacteria isolated from abandoned mining areas in Midelt, Morocco, where average contents of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are higher than normal world levels. One hundred and forty-five Actinobacteria isolates were isolated and characterized based on morphological, chemotaxonomical, biochemical, and molecular data. Most of the 145 isolates were identified as Streptomyces. Isolates affiliated to the genera Amycolatopsis, Lentzea, Actinopolymorpha, and Pseudonocardia were also found. Antimicrobial producing potentials of Actinobacteria isolates were assessed against eight test microorganisms Gram(+) and Gram(−) bacteria and yeast. Out of 145 isolates, 51 showed antimicrobial activities against at least one test microorganism. 31 isolates inhibited only bacteria, 7 showed activity against bacteria and Candida albicans, and 13 displayed activity against C. albicans solely. Our findings suggest that Actinobacteria isolated from natural heavy metal ecosystems may be a valuable source of novel secondary metabolites and therefore of new biotechnologically promising antimicrobial compounds
Effect of the Use of Information and Communication Technologies ICT Resources on the Scholastic Performance of Middle School Students in Biology and Geology Courses
No full textAbstractThe performance in Mathematics and Sciences of a large proportion of Moroccan students in middle and high schools has been ranked recently below expectations. The Center of Information Technology Innovation (CITI) for human development at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) is investigating how IT-based education could improve both motivation and performance of students in middle and high schools. To demonstrate the positive effect of these ICT resources on the scholastic performance of middle school students, CITI experimented the project in two pilot middle schools. The two schools belong to two different socio-economics environments; one is located in Ifrane (small city) and the other in Fez (large city). In each school, two groups, of 20 students each, have been selected randomly at the beginning of the academic year for the three middle school levels. For each level, one of the groups is the experimental group and the other is the control group. In each the three levels in each middle school, both groups were taught the Biology and Geology course by the same teacher.For each academic level, we developed electronic content matching the intended learning objectives of the Biology and Geology course to be taught using information and communication technologies to the experimental groups in both cities. The control groups in each level learn the same course material from the same instructor using the traditional (non ICT) means. It should be noted that each middle has been equipped with an ICT enabled classroom where experimental groups where taught the Biology and Geology course. For each level, both groups were evaluated using the same tests.Having designed and run the experiment described above for one semester, we conducted statistical analysis to compare the performance of the experimental and control groups for each level in each middle school. The analysis revealed that the experimental group outperformed the control group for the three levels in the Fez middle school with a 85% confidence. In Ifrane middle school, the performance of the experimental group was superior for the third level but was found to be similar to the control group for the first and second levels with the same confidence level
Antioxidant activities and total phenol content of Inula viscosa extracts selected from three regions of Morocco
No full textABSTRACTObjectiveTo investigate antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content of ethanol (E) and ethyl acetate (A) extracts of Inula viscosa aerial parts selected from three regions of Morocco (Imouzzer, Sefrou and Taounate).MethodsAntioxidants properties were measured by three different test systems of assay namely free radical scavenging activities against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, total antioxidant capacity and iron-reducing capacity. Total phenolic content was measured by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent.ResultsAll the extracts showed significant antioxidant activities and contained important levels of phenols. The ethanol extract (0.3 mg/mL) from Sefrou showed the greatest antioxidant capacity in the three systems of assay, which was probably due to its high content of polyphenols (274.39±6.94) mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry extract. Total flavonoid content was found equal for all extracts.ConclusionsOur results of antioxidant assays were justified and partially supported the popular usage of the tested plants. The high antioxidant activity found in the plant from Sefrou and its great biomass in this region suggested that Inula viscosa is a good source of natural antioxidants compounds which might have benefits for health
Principaux facteurs influençant les usages des TICE chez des enseignants marocains
No full textAfin de décrire les usages que font les enseignants marocains des TICE ainsi que les facteurs déterminants ces usages, nous avons mené une enquête auprès de 1400 enseignants avec un taux de réponse de 54,6%. Seule une minorité de répondants (14 %) a intégré les TICE dans la pratique de la classe. En effet, les usages faits des TICE sont d’ordre strictement personnel (un tiers des répondants) ou professionnel (un autre tiers), mais hors classe. L’analyse a en outre révélé une réduction voire une quasi-absence de toute exploitation pédagogique des TICE. En témoigne l’exploitation que font 80 % des enseignants de la recherche sur Internet.Plusieurs facteurs expliqueraient cette exploitation rudimentaire des TICE : le décalage informationnel ressenti par les enseignants et leur qualification technique et technopédagogique, la disponibilité ou non d’équipements aussi bien personnels que dans les établissements ainsi que la discipline enseignée. Cette dépendance n’est que peu significative dans le cas du cycle d’enseignement et celui du nombre d’élèves par classe
Mycobacterium bovis BCG Urease Attenuates Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Trafficking to the Macrophage Cell Surface
No full textInternational audienceWe have previously shown that Mycobacterium tuberculosis attenuates cell surface expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules in response to gamma interferon (IFN-γ) by a mechanism dependent on intracellular sequestration of α,β dimers. In this study we examined whether intracellular alkalinization due to mycobacterial urease could account for the defect in intracellular trafficking of class II molecules. Phagocytosis of wild-type Mycobacterium bovis BCG was associated with secretion of ammonia intracellularly, which increased substantially upon addition of exogenous urea to the culture medium. Increased intracellular ammonia, due to urea degradation by the bacterium, correlated with inhibition of class II surface expression. Conversely, no ammonia was detected in cells infected with a urease-negative mutant strain of M. bovis BCG, which also displayed a reduced effect on surface expression of class II molecules. A direct cause-effect relationship between urease and class II molecule trafficking was established with experiments where cells ingesting beads coated with purified urease showed an increased ammonia level and decreased surface expression of class II in response to IFN-γ. In contrast to BCG, infection of macrophages with Mycobacterium smegmatis , which expresses relatively greater urease activity in cell-free culture, had a marginal effect on both the intracellular level of ammonia and class II expression. The limited effect of M. smegmatis was consistent with a failure to resist intracellular killing, suggesting that urease alone is not sufficient to resist macrophage microbicidal mechanisms and that this is required for a more distal effect on cell regulation. Our results demonstrate that alkalinization of critical intracellular organelles by pathogenic mycobacteria expressing urease contributes significantly to the intracellular retention of class II dimers
Analyse des attitudes et des besoins des enseignants Marocains dans le domaine des TICE. Cas de l'académie (AREF) de FES-Boulemane, Maroc
No full textLa place des TICE est explicitement décrite dans les nouveaux programmes du Maroc, mais leur intégration dans les pratiques scolaires est lente. En déterminer les causes et proposer des stratégies d’accélération de l’appropriation des TICE, sont les buts de l’identification des profils professionnels des enseignants, de l’inventaire des équipements personnels et institutionnels disponibles et de l’identification des besoins en formation présentés dans cet article. Les résultats montrent que bien que 77,7 % des enseignants sondés possèdent un ordinateur personnel seulement 14% pratiquent un enseignement impliquant les TICE avec leurs élèves. Différents facteurs peuvent expliquer cette faible propagation des TICE en contexte scolaire : le faible niveau de maîtrise des logiciels, le manque de formation initiale et continue aux applications pédagogiques des TICE ainsi que le manque d’équipement institutionnel. Il apparaît pour 50 % des enseignants concernés, qu’il existe un impérieux besoin de formation : sensibilisation à l’intérêt de l’utilisation des TICE en classe, formation technique à leur utilisation et formation pédagogique proposant des scénarios d’intégration en situation d’apprentissage
Physiological difference during ethanol fermentation between calcium alginate-immobilized Candida tropicalis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
No full textOccurrence, Molecular and Antimicrobial Resistance of Enterococcus spp. Isolated from Raw Cow’s Milk Trade by Street Trading in Meknes City, Morocco
No full textBackground: Enterococcus spp. belongs to a group of pathogens which are responsible for serious infections. This study aims at highlighting the raw milk microbiological contamination and at providing data for prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus spp. isolated from raw cow’s milk marketed (without any pasteurization) by street traders. Methods: During the period of May 2015 through April 2016, 150 cow’s raw milk samples were collected from street traders in Meknes city. They were examined for the identification of Enterococcus spp. using biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was determined. Results: The results showed that 11.3% (17/150) of samples were positive for the presence of Enterococcus spp., of which 64.7% were identified as Enterococcus faecalis, 17.6% as Enterococcus faecium, 11.8% as Enterococcus durans and 5.9% as Enterococcus hirae. The antimicrobial susceptibility showed that all Enterococcus spp. were resistant to ampicillin. The species E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. durans and E. hirae were resistant to streptomycin, with percentages of 52.9% (9/17), 11.8% (2/17), 11.8% (2/17), and 5.9% (1/17) respectively. All isolated strains of E. faecalis and E. faecium were resistant to tetracycline. The multiple antibiotic resistance index was elevated in the majority of Enterococcus spp., reaching values higher than 0.5, indicating a risk for public health. Conclusion: This study shows that the raw milk consumed by the population is contaminated with strains of Enterococcus resistant to antibiotics used in breeding for prophylactic purposes. This requires raising the awareness of those involved in the production and marketing of milk, so as to take measures to apply good hygienic practices and rationalize the use of zootechnical antibiotics
