Short Working Memory Impairment Associated with Hippocampal Microglia Activation in Chronic Hepatic Encephalopathy.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a major neuropsychological condition that occursas a result of impaired liver function. It is frequently observed in patients with advanced liver disease or cirrhosis. Memory impairment is among the symptoms of HE; the pathophysiologic mechanism for this enervating condition remains unclear. However, it is possible that neuroinflammation may be involved, as recent studies have emphasized such phenomena. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to assess short working memory (SWM) and examine the involvement of microglia in a chronic model of HE. The study was carried out with male Wistar rats that were induced by repeated thioacetamide (TAA) administration (100 mg/kg i.p injection for 10 days). SWM function was assessed through Y-maze, T-Maze, and novel object recognition (NOR) tests, together with an immunofluorescence study of microglia activation within the hippocampal areas. Our data showed impaired SWM in TAA-treated rats that was associated with microglial activation in the three hippocampal regions, and which contributed to cognitive impairment.

Microbiological and physicochemical quality of raw milk of Beni Mellal-Khenifra.

Background: Milk is a nutritious food for humans, but it is also an ideal growth medium for pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes or Campylobacter spp, which can cause food poisoning. Objective: For this reason, we evaluated the microbiological, physicochemical and hygienic quality of raw milk samples in 9 milk collection centres and cooperatives in the Beni-Mellal-Khenifr region before and after the implementation of the quality management system, hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP). Materials and Method: The microbiological and physico-chemical quality of 184 raw milk samples in 9 milk collection centres and cooperatives in the Beni-Mellal-Khenifra region was evaluated before and after the implementation of the quality management, hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) system. Results: The physico-chemical results obtained after the implementation of HACCP revealed that 78% of the samples analysed were below the maximum limits authorised at international level. A pH between 6.6 ±0.11 and 6.8±0.02, an acidity of 15°D, the milk is stable according to the Ramsdell test which is negative at 0.9. The temperature remains within the acceptance range with an average of 6.62 ±0.45°C to 7.7 ±0.36°C and the fat content is between 33 and 45g/ml. We also noted an improvement in the microbiological quality of milk in 81% of collection centres and cooperatives. The level of contamination by total coliforms is from 2.5x104 to 11.5x104 CFU/ml lower than the Moroccan standard (NM 08.0. 100) of 1.5x104 CFU/ml to 20.3x104 CFU/ml, the total aerobic mesophilic flora and the psychrotrophs have an average of 2.5x105 germs/ml to 82x105 germs/ml lower than before improvement (12.5x105 germs/ml to 192x105 germs/ml). Conclusion: We can conclude that the work done leads to an improvement and satisfaction of the quality of raw milk compared to the standard after the implementation of HACCP.

Hyperammonemia induced gut microbiota dysbiosis and motor coordination disturbances in mice: new insight into gut­brain axis involvement in hepatic encephalopathy.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric hepatic­induced syndrome in which several factors are involved in promoting brain perturbations, with ammonia being the primary factor. Motor impairment, incoordination, and gut dysbiosis are some of the well­known symptoms of HE. Nevertheless, the link between the direct effect of hyperammonemia and associated gut dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of HE is not well established. Thus, this work aimed to assess motor function in hyperammonemia and gut dysbiosis in mice. Twenty­eight Swiss mice were distributed into three groups: two­week and four­week hyperammonemia groups were fed with an ammonia­rich diet (20% w/w), and the control group was pair­fed with a standard diet. Motor performance in the three groups was measured through a battery of motor tests, namely the rotarod, parallel bars, beam walk, and static bars. Microbial analysis was then carried out on the intestine of the studied mice. The result showed motor impairments in both hyperammonemia groups. Qualitative and quantitative microbiological analysis revealed decreased bacterial load, diversity, and ratios of both aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria, following two and four weeks of ammonia supplementation. Moreover, the Shannon diversity index revealed a time­dependent cutback of gut bacterial diversity in a treatment­time­dependent manner, with the presence of only Enterobacteriaceae, Streptococcaceae, and Enterococcaceaeat at four weeks. The data showed that ammonia­induced motor coordination deficits may develop through direct and indirect pathways acting on the gut­brain axis.

Sensory Motor Function Disturbances in Mice Prenatally Exposed to Low Dose of Ethanol: A Neurobehavioral Study in Postnatal and Adult Stages.

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) refers to fetal exposure to alcohol during pregnancy through placental barrier transfer from maternal blood. The postnatal outcomes of PAE differ among exposed individuals and range from overt (serious) alcohol-related behavioral and neurophysiological impairments to covert (silenced) symptoms. The aims of the present investigation were to assess the postnatal neurobehavioral disturbances, particularly, motor coordination and sensory-motor function in mice with PAE. Female mice with positive vaginal plugs were divided into three groups: group 1: Et + Pyr: received two i.p injections of ethanol (1 g/kg) followed by pyrazole (100 mg/kg). Group 2: Pyr: received an i.p injection of pyrazole (100 mg/kg). Group 3: C: of saline controls received, in equal volume, saline solution (NaCl 0.9%). After birth, mice pups were weighed and subjected to behavioral tests for motor function screening using the motor ambulation test, cliff aversion, surface righting, and negative geotaxis, while at the adult stage, mice were subjected to the open field, rotarod, parallel bars, and static rods tests. Our data show an obvious decrement of body weight from the first post-natal day (P1) and continues over the adult stage. This was accompanied by an obvious impaired sensory-motor function which was maintained even at the adult stage with alteration of the locomotor and coordination abilities. The current data demonstrate the powerful neurotoxic effect of prenatal ethanol exposure on the sensory-motor and coordination functions, leading to suppose possible structural and/or functional neuronal disturbances, particularly the locomotor network.

Evaluation of the physicochemical and hygienic quality of cow's milk and its derivatives in El Jadida city Morocco.

Background: Despite the efforts and investments made for traceability and the guarantee of a fair and safe milk product, the informal sector threatens the safety of milk. In fact, during this circuit, the product does not undergo any treatment and therefore presents serious risks for the health of the consumer. In this context, studies have been carried out on samples of peddled milk and products derived from it. Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relevance of the informal circuit in Morocco's Doukkala region (El Jadida Province) by physicochemical and microbiological investigation of raw milk and its derivatives at various points of sale. Materials and method: 84 samples were taken between (23 for raw milk, 30 for the «Lben¼, and 31 for the «Raib¼) between January 1st, 2021 and October 30th, 2021. According to Moroccan rules, microbiological analyses revealed an extremely high non-compliance rate in most samples obtained at the level of outlets situated in the El Jadida region, with a non-compliance ratio of 65 percent for raw milk sold, 70 percent for the «Lben¼, and 40 percent for the «Raib¼. Results: Likewise, these analyses revealed that majority of the samples did not fulfill international criteria for the pH values of raw milk samples «Lben¼ and «Raib¼, which are respectively between 5.85 and 6.71; 4.14 and 4.43 and 4.5. Other characteristics, including lactose, proteins, fat, mineral salts, density, and additional water, have also yielded results. Conclusion: This has allowed us to analyze the major impact of the peddling circuit at the regional level, which is a risk factor for consumer health.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Rabies in El Jadida Region, Morocco.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding rabies in the El Jadida region, Morocco. We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire among randomly selected residents across 24 study sites. In total, 407 respondents took part in the survey. The majority (367, 92%) were male and had no formal education (270, 66%).Some (118, 29%) believed that rabies does not affect humans. Most respondents (320, 79%) were aware that vaccination could prevent rabies, but nevertheless did not vaccinate their dogs (264, 64.9%) and allowed their dogs to roam freely in search of food. Some (52.8%) would visit traditional healers for treatment in the event of a dog bite incident. Age and educational level were found to be significantly associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices (p<0.05). Although respondents demonstrated some level of knowledge about rabies, overall this study reveals critical gaps in their attitudes and practices. These shortcomings may be associated with a low level of education. Therefore, decision-makers need a new approach to control rabies, with a special focus on public awareness and health education, in order to sustain rabies control programs.

Contributing factors and variability of energy expenditure in non-obese, obese, and post-obese adolescents.

Energy expenditure (EE) is a major determinant of energy balance and body composition. The objectives of this paper were to review the contributing factors of the main components of daily EE (DEE) and the inter-individual variability in these components in non-obese (NOb), obese (Ob), and post-obese (POb) adolescents. Body composition especially fat-free mass (FFM), is the major determinant of the basal metabolic rate which contributes 50-70% of DEE, whereas fat mass (FM) is a significant factor only in obese subjects. Physical activity is the second main variation factor of DEE, whereas growth, the thermic effect of food, and thermoregulation are generally of marginal importance. The energy costs and EE associated with various sedentary and physical activities were assessed in NOb, Ob and POb subjects both in standardised and in free-living conditions. The interindividual variability of DEE is high, even after adjustment for body composition, mainly because of great differences in time devoted to the various physical activities. DEE and EE associated with sleep and sedentary activities are significantly higher in Ob than in NOb, but not after adjustment for FFM. On the contrary, EE associated with physical activities is not significantly different between Ob and NOb adolescents, but 61% lower in Ob subjects after adjustment for body composition. Multidisciplinary weight-reduction programmes including moderate energy restriction and physical training result in great FM loss, maintenance of FFM, improvement of physical capacities, but reductions in organ and tissue metabolic rate and in EE associated with the various sedentary and physical activities, which may favour body weight regain in the less active POb subjects.

Assessment of energy expenditure associated with physical activities in free-living obese and nonobese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Information on activity patterns and the energy cost of activities is critically missing. OBJECTIVE: We measured the energy cost of and time devoted to various activities in obese and nonobese adolescents. DESIGN: Daily energy expenditure (DEE) and its main components were determined in 27 obese and 50 nonobese adolescents aged 12-16 y by using whole-body calorimetry with the same activity program and the heart rate-recording method in free-living conditions. RESULTS: In whole-body calorimetry, energy expenditures (EEs) during sleep and sedentary activities were 18.9% and 21.5%, respectively, higher in obese subjects than in nonobese subjects (P < 0.001), but not significantly different after adjustment for fat-free mass (FFM). EEs during walking and DEEs were significantly higher in obese than in nonobese subjects, both absolutely (71% and 33%, respectively) and after adjustment for body weight or FFM (16% and 11%, respectively). In free-living conditions, EEs associated with physical activities did not differ significantly between obese and nonobese subjects, but they were 51% lower in obese subjects after adjustment for body weight (P < 0.001). The obese adolescents spent more time in light physical activities but much less time in moderate activities and sports than did the nonobese subjects. The activity-related time equivalent corrected for sedentary EE (ARTE EE(2)) averaged 69 and 122 min/d in obese and nonobese subjects, respectively (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Physical activity is low in obese subjects and can be assessed satisfactorily in both obese and nonobese adolescents by using ARTE EE(2) when DEE and the basal metabolic rate are known.