Since 2014, the cactus cochineal Dactylopius opuntiae has been decimating prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) plantations in Morocco and, more broadly, across the Maghreb, threatening nearly 160,000 hectares of cultivated land. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mathematical modelling and dynamics of this plant pest using the Caputo–Fabrizio fractional derivative, in the presence of phytosanitary quarantine, treatment, and destruction strategies, as mandated by the 2017 Moroccan ministerial decree. The existence and uniqueness of solutions for the fractional model are proved using fixed-point iterations. The model exhibits a pest-free equilibrium and an endemic equilibrium, whose stability is governed by the effective reproduction number Re, derived here via a fully detailed next-generation-matrix method. We construct a fractional version of the four-step Adams–Bashforth method to numerically approximate the model, and use it to illustrate the evolution of the infestation for varying fractional orders and control parameters. A nonlinear least-squares estimation procedure is proposed to calibrate the model, and its practical identifiability is assessed on synthetic data by comparing recovered parameters against known ground-truth values. Finally, an optimal control problem combining a natural control (biological control by predatory ladybirds) and an artificial control (reinforced administrative quarantine) is formulated and solved via Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle, revealing a policy trade-off between effective containment and precautionary destruction of healthy plant material. Mathematics Subject Classification 34A08 · 92D30 · 65L05 · 49K15
BACKGROUND:A crucial step in molecular oncology diagnostics is the acquisition of high-quality genomic DNA. However, DNA extracted from melanocytes frequently contains melanin a potent PCR inhibitor that co-purifies with nucleic acids. This contamination can significantly impair both research applications and molecular diagnostic assays essential for targeted therapies. To address the inhibitory impact of melanin on PCR amplification, particularly in DNA isolated from pigmented tissues such as melanoma lesions, we propose a rapid, efficient, and straightforward protocol for eliminating melanin contamination. METHODS AND RESULTS:PCR and Sanger sequencing were performed on 15 pigmented tissue specimens for which prior molecular testing and genotyping had yielded inconclusive results. Pre-treatment of sample lysates with phenol prior to DNA extraction significantly enhanced the removal of PCR inhibitors, improved DNA purity, and resulted in higher PCR amplification and genotyping success rates. CONCLUSIONS:This protocol enables simultaneous DNA extraction and purification, thereby enhancing the accuracy of genetic analyses, improving consistency in molecular biology and diagnostic research, and supporting more informed therapeutic strategies for patients with melanoma.
Religious coping may influence health behaviors, including adherence to long‑term antipsychotic treatment. Evidence from Muslim-majority contexts remains limited. We examined the association between religious coping and medication adherence among Muslim outpatients with schizophrenia in Morocco. Forty outpatients (mean age 41.6 ± 9.8 years; 69.2
Introduction: Bipolar disorder is a chronic psychiatric condition characterized by great heterogeneity and variable clinical severity, the manifestation of which may be influenced by certain sociodemographic factors and the use of psychoactive substances. This study aims to analyze the association between these factors and the clinical severity of bipolar disorder in a population under psychiatric care. Population and Methods : This is a cross-sectional study conducted between March 2024 and December 2025 among 98 patients with bipolar disorder types 1 and 2, as defined by DSM-5 criteria, who were hospitalized at the Arrazi University Psychiatric Hospital in Salé, Morocco. Socio-demographic, clinical, and substance use data were collected from medical records and semi-structured questionnaires administered directly to the patients. The substances assessed included tobacco, cannabis, alcohol, and cocaine, taking into account use at the time of assessment. Poly-substance use was defined as the concurrent use of at least two substances. Clinical severity was defined by the presence of at least three hospitalizations associated with at least two behavioral disorders. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to identify factors associated with greater clinical severity of bipolar disorder. All participants signed informed consent forms, and the study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in Rabat, Morocco. Results The results of this study highlight the prevalence of psychoactive substance use, which was 55.1% for tobacco, 34.7% for cannabis, and 37.8% for alcohol. Bivariate analysis revealed a significant association between tobacco use and clinical severity (p = 0.016; crude OR = 3.09, 95% CI [1.21–7.92]. Patients who use psychoactive substances have a higher number of hospitalizations and behavioral disorders. To control for potential confounding factors, a multivariate binary logistic regression was performed Conclusion Psychoactive substance use and certain sociodemographic factors appear to be associated with clinical worsening of bipolar disorder, highlighting the importance of integrated, individualized psychiatric care aimed at improving prognosis.
The contamination of beaches located in Moroccan mid-north coast by macro-, meso and microplastics has been investigated. Quemado beach is small and has peaceful conditions, with minimal wave action, a stable beach environment where plastic trash can pile up, Sabadilla beach, larger and with moderate wave activity, possesses a more active beach environment, one that could have an influence on the plastic pollution distribution and transport. The surveys and sample collection followed the standardized 100 m monitoring method, MPs particles were quantified after density fractionation, and identification using Raman spectroscopy. The analysis of litter composition revealed that artificial polymers were the predominant material at Quemado beach, accounting for 72% of the total. This dominance was more pronounced at Sabadilla beach, where artificial polymers represented 84%. Other materials, including paper, metals, textiles, rubber, and glass, were also identified. Microplastic contamination levels were quantified, yielding an average concentration of 35 ± 6 items/kg DW and 29.66 ± 4.41 items/kg DW respectively for Quemado and Sabadilla beach. The dominance of plastics fibers was observed, as well as particle sizes between 250µm and 5mm. the prevalence of size and type differs depending on the sampling area and the beach in question. Microplastics from Sabadilla beach exhibited higher surface roughness (Ra = 7,652 ± 573) and more degraded, irregular surfaces than those from Quemado beach (Ra = 7,320 ± 206). These findings reflect significant plastic pollution on both beaches with differences in composition and abundance possibly influenced by environmental conditions, hydrodynamics, anthropogenic activities and waste management.
