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Precision Medicine is being increasingly used in the developed world to improve health care. While several Precision Medicine (PM) initiatives have been launched worldwide, their implementations have proven to be more challenging particularly in low- and middle-income countries. To address this issue, the “Personalized Medicine in North Africa” initiative (PerMediNA) was launched in three North African countries namely Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. PerMediNA is coordinated by Institut Pasteur de Tunis together with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, with the support of Institut Pasteur in France. The project is carried out along with Institut Pasteur d’Algérie and Institut Pasteur du Maroc in collaboration with national and international leading institutions in the field of PM including Institut Gustave Roussy in Paris. PerMediNA aims to assess the readiness level of PM implementation in North Africa, to strengthen PM infrastructure, to provide workforce training, to generate genomic data on North African populations, to implement cost effective, affordable and sustainable genetic testing for cancer patients and to inform policy makers on how to translate research knowledge into health products and services. Gender equity and involvement of young scientists in this implementation process are other key goals of the PerMediNA project.In this paper, we are describing PerMediNA as the first PM implementation initiative in North Africa. Such initiatives contribute significantly in shortening existing health disparities and inequities between developed and developing countries and accelerate access to innovative treatments for global health.

The polycrystalline BiPbSrCaCu MO, with M = Zr ( x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.04), were synthesized by solid-state reaction method and studied by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive of X-ray analysis (SEM/EDX) and resistivity versus temperature measurements. The influence of the Zr addition on the Tc and microstructure properties of the superconducting compounds has been studied. SEM observations show whiskers grains randomly distributed and microstructural change due to the addition of Zr. The ZrO was incorporated into the crystalline structure of BSCCO system in all samples. The crystallographic structure remains in a tetragonal form where a= b≠ c. Generally, all samples exhibit semiconductor behaviour above $T_{\mathrm {c}}^{\text {onset}}$ . The onset critical temperature $T_{\mathrm {c}}^{\text {onset}}$ increases up to 86 with x = 0.02. There is an enhancement in the critical temperature for doped samples as compared with pure BiPbSrCaCuO.Changes in superconducting properties of ZrO nanoparticle added Bi-2212 system were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we report the effects of the substitution of Sr by Eu on the properties of Bi-2201 ceramics. Samples with nominal compositions of Bi2Sr2−x Eu x CuO y (x =0–0.4) are elaborated in air by solid state reaction. They are characterized by means of X ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), magnetic and resistivity measurements. The undoped sample (x =0) is monophasic and its structure belongs to phase A. No trace of superconductivity is observed down to 2K for this sample and the variation of resistivity with temperature shows a semiconducting behaviour. As Eu is added and for x ≥0.2, the samples convert totally to B or Raveau phase and become superconducting. The highest T c, obtained from both magnetic and resistivity measurements, is observed for x =0.3. In the normal state, all the samples exhibit a semiconducting character which decreases as well as resistivity when the Eu content increases. The refinement of cell parameters is done with considering the structural modulation. The study shows that the substitution of Sr2+ by Eu3+ leads to an increase of a and b parameters, while c decreases similarly to those of the La doped phases. The a axis component of the modulation is observed to be independent of Eu content, while the c axis one increases slightly as this content increases. The XRD analysis has also revealed that the limit solubility of the used Eu2O3 oxide is situated between x =0.3 and 0.4 of Eu content. The SEM micrographs show that the undoped sample consists of poorly connected grains with a random distribution. A quite different microstructure is obtained for the doped samples. The grains are more connected and have a flat shape which is characteristic of the Bi-based superconductors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim: Assess the impact of stress and Burnout syndrome on health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic., Method: A survey through an online questionnaire was conducted among health personnel, completed with a paper questionnaire collection, Information was collected on demographics, COVID-19 unit activity, the Burnout syndrome calculated by the Maslach Burnout Inventory scale, is defined by high levels of exhaustion and depersonalization when the total score reaches 30 and 12 points respectively and by a low level of professional accomplishment from a total score of 40, the level of stress perception is calculated by the post-traumatic stress scale, whose threshold is equal or greater than 44 points., Results: 345 responses were included concerning doctors, paramedics and technical-administrative staff working in an Algerian health facility between October 2021 and January 2022. Prevalence rates were 44.3% for burnout, 30.1% for depersonalization and 56.2% for low achievement, the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was 38.6% of study participants. Analysis of risk factors among caregivers (physicians and paramedics) showed that burnout was related to age (p=0.041), the notion of the workplace in a dedicated COVID-19 patient unit (p=0.009) and the occurrence of death in the health professional's entourage (p=0,015). The occurrence of a death event among those around caregivers is a risk factor for post-traumatic stress syndrome with a OR=2.02, IC 95% [1,17-3,47]., Conclusion: Knowledge of the impact of COVID-19 on health professionals is an important element in maintaining their mental health and is a key consideration when managing health crises.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is recognized worldwide as the leading cause of orofecal-transmitted hepatitis. However, blood transmission has been increasingly implicated in recent years raising health concerns. In Algeria, updated prevalence data are lacking. We aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies in the sera of volunteer blood donors from the Setif region in eastern Algeria. A total of 434 Samples were analyzed for anti-HEV IgG and IgM antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Wantai). Logistic regression modelling was used to identify associated risk factors. The IgG seroprevalence rate was 17.05%. Seven sera (0.16%) were weakly positive for IgM. No HEV RNA was detected. The IgG prevalence was significantly correlated with increasing age (p < 1p.1000). Our data demonstrate a relatively high prevalence of anti-HEV IgG, indicating a possible risk of HEV blood transmission which requires vireamic seroprevalence studies to assess the real risk.

Objective: To objectively assess the quality of "crisis communication" media, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the three Greater Maghreb countries (Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco)., Methods: A compliance audit for press releases and epidemiological bulletins was analyzed against a quality benchmark, which had been specifically designed by the authors. This framework, made up of five dimensions and 50 items, graded (0/1), was applied by two researchers in preventive medicine. Multiplying the scores by a coefficient of two resulted in a partial score of 20 points for each dimension and a total score of 100 points for the checklist taken as a whole. The quality of the communication media was considered to be good when exceeding the thresholds of 15/20 for the different dimensions and 75/100 for the entire grid., Results: A total of 141 information media were included in this audit (Tunisia: 60; Algeria: 60; Morocco: 21). The overall median quality score for these media was only 56/100 (IIQ: [46-58]), without major variability between countries. The most appreciated dimension was "maintaining the confidence of the population", with an overall median score of 14/20 (12/20 for epidemiological bulletins and 16/20 for press releases). The most poorly rated dimension was "strengthening community participation", with a median score of only 4/20 (6/20 for epidemiological bulletins and 4/20 for press releases)., Conclusion: The quality of the Maghreb crisis communication media during COVID-19 was insufficient in most of its dimensions and items, particularly from a psychosocial standpoint. Reinforcement of the capacities of communication officers to develop information material and supports during health crises is indispensable and should be considered as an urgent matter., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Objectives: To describe trends of gross and specific mortality rates for all five countries of the Great Maghreb and to identify the typology and the main causes of death during the period 1990-2015., Methods: This is an observational and descriptive study of causes of death in the Great Maghreb (Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania and Libya) using the database Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). Causes of death were categorized according to the IHME into three categories: "Communicable Diseases", "Non Communicable Diseases" and "Trauma". These following tracer years (1995, 2005, 2015) were considered in the study of global and specific causes of death by country, disease group, sex and age group., Results: During the period 1990-2015, the general trend in gross mortality rates was going down, reaching in 2015 rates that varied from 547/100 000 inhabitants in Tunisia to 437/100 000 inhabitants in Algeria. The trend in specific mortality from Communicable Diseases has been declining, particularly in Mauritania. Among the "Top 10" list of causes of death, four to eight were "Non Communicable Diseases" including ischemic heart disease, which was ranked first in the Maghreb except Mauritania. For children under 5 years old, prematurity was the leading cause of death in the five Maghreb countries in 2015., Conclusion: This analysis of causes of death in the Great Maghreb confirmed the similarity of the epidemiological transition and health priorities. Hence the urgency of developing common North African strategies for monitoring, training and intervention in public health.

Background: Prematurity is the leading cause of death in neonates, accounting for 75% of neonatal mortality, and the second leading cause of death among children under 5 years of age., Objective: To study the extent of prematurity in the Great Maghreb, concerning its various aspects: frequency, risk factors and complications., Method: We conducted a systematic review of the literature by searching for all data from the Greater Maghreb related to prematurity published between 2000 and 2018. The search strategy relied on the Medline and Google Scholar databases. Prematurity is defined as any birth occurring at a gestational age less than 37 weeks of amenorrhea., Results: In the Maghreb, the prevalence of prematurity ranged from 6.7% to 15.4%. The main risk factors were infections and chronic maternal conditions, extreme maternal ages and adverse socio-economic conditions. The mortality rate among premature infants ranged from 28% to 45%. Short-term complications were dominated by respiratory and metabolic disorders and infections., Conclusion: In view of the serious complications and high mortality caused by prematurity, prevention strategies must be put in place. These should be based on the development of pregnancy surveillance programs, the fight against precariousness and the upgrading of neonatal care structures.

One proposed contributing factor to the rise in overweight and obesity is exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals. Tributyltin chloride (TBT), an organotin, induces adipogenesis in cell culture models and may increases adipose mass in vivo in vertebrate model organisms. It has been hypothesized that TBT acts via the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)γ-dependent pathway. However, the mechanisms involved in the effects of TBT exposure on in vivo adipose tissue metabolism remain unexplored. Semitransparent zebrafish larvae, with their well-developed white adipose tissue, offer a unique opportunity for studying the effects of toxicant chemicals and pharmaceuticals on adipocyte biology and whole-organism adiposity in a vertebrate model. Within hours, zebrafish larvae, treated at environmentally-relevant nanomolar concentrations of TBT, exhibited a remarkable increase in adiposity linked to adipocyte hypertrophy. Under the experimental conditions used, we also demonstrated that zebrafish larvae adipose tissue proved to be highly responsive to selected human nuclear receptor agonists and antagonists. Retinoid X receptor (RXR) homodimers and RXR/liver X receptor heterodimers were suggested to be in vivo effectors of the obesogenic effect of TBT on zebrafish white adipose tissue. RXR/PPARγ heterodimers may be recruited to modulate adiposity in zebrafish but were not a necessary requirement for the short term in vivo TBT obesogenic effect. Together, the present results suggest that TBT may induce the promotion of triacylglycerol storage in adipocytes via RXR-dependent pathways without necessary using PPAR isoforms., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)