Water erosion is a critical issue for Morocco, especially in its semi-arid regions, where climatic and edaphic conditions only allow erratic soil formation and vegetation growth. Therefore, water erosion endangers human activity both directly (loss of arable land, landslides, mudflows) and indirectly (siltation of dams, river pollution). This study is part of the Kingdom’s effort to assess the risk of water erosion in its territory. It is dedicated to the Bin El-Ouidane dam water catchment, one of the biggest water storage facilities in the country, located in the High Atlas Mountains. The poorly developed soils are very sensitive to erosion in this mountainous area that combines steep slopes and sparse vegetation cover. The calculation of soil losses is carried out with the RUSLE model and corrected by estimating areas of deposition based on the unit stream power theory. This method produces a mean erosion rate of around 6.3 t·ha -1·y -1, or an overall annual loss of 4.1 mln t, consistently with the siltation rate of the dam. Primary risk areas (erosion rates > 40 t·ha -1·y -1) account for 54% of the total losses, while they cover only 7% of the catchment. This distribution of the soil losses also shows that the erosion risk is mainly correlated to slope, directing the means of control toward mechanical interventions.

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.

The control of water erosion is an important economic and societal challenge. Reduction of the agronomic potential of the parcels, muddy flows, siltation of dams are harmful consequences that mobilize farmers, water managers, local authorities and scientific researchers. This study focuses on mapping and quantifying seasonal soil losses in the territory of the former Nord-Pas-de- Calais administrative region, using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) which incorporates five factors: rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, topography, land use and erosion control practices. The seasonal (3-months) time scale is chosen to better account for the parameters governing the soil water erosion, especially rainfall and vegetation cover, that show great asynchronous intra-annual variability. Also, high resolution data concerning agricultural plots allows to evaluate which type of culture are the more subject to soil losses. In Nord-Pas-de-Calais, water erosion occurs almost ubiquitously, but the areas characterized by steep slopes are the most at risk (Artois Hills and Flanders), with loss rates up to 54 t∙ha–1∙y–1. The majority of erosion occurs during fall (46% of the computed annual losses of 1.69∙Mt), on plots left bare after harvest (especially corn and beets crops). The study also demonstrates that extending the intercrop technique over the region, and therefore maintaining a fall and winter cover, could reduce the soil losses by 37%.

Background/Objectives: Brown tumors are rare bone lesions associated with hyperparathyroidism, particularly secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), in chronic renal failure. While brown tumors commonly affect bones rich in marrow, the involvement of the sphenoid sinus is extremely rare and can present with neurological symptoms. This study reports a case of a sphenoid sinus brown tumor in a patient on hemodialysis, highlighting its clinical presentation and diagnostic challenges. Methods: A 31-year-old woman undergoing chronic hemodialysis presented with a severe headache, diplopia, and progressive vision loss in her left eye. Laboratory tests revealed hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, consistent with SHPT. The diagnosis was confirmed through a clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: The clinical examination confirmed decreased visual acuity in the left eye. The laboratory results revealed serum calcium of 15.5 mg/dL, phosphate of 1.0 mg/dL, and PTH of 2000 pg/mL, consistent with SHPT. The imaging studies identified a brown tumor in the sphenoid sinus exerting a mass effect on adjacent structures. This case underscores the rarity of brown tumors in this location, with very few similar reports in the literature. Conclusions: Although rare, brown tumors should be considered in patients with SHPT who present with neurological symptoms or cranial lesions. An early diagnosis through biochemical and imaging studies is crucial to prevent severe complications. The management involves treating the underlying hyperparathyroidism, with surgical intervention indicated in cases of neural compression.

Since it first appeared in 2022, the phenomenon referred to as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has affected several regions of Morocco to varying degrees. In order to assess the possible impact of pesticides on the appearance of this syndrome, we conducted a study aimed at evaluating the impact of pesticide use on the emergence of this syndrome through a year-long survey involving 160 beekeepers in the Beni Mellal–Khenifra Region (BKR) who also experienced an unprecedented desertion of hives during the same period. The majority of surveyed beekeepers practice mixed (45%) or migratory beekeeping (42%) and provide supplementary feeding (83.75%) to support their bees. Nearly 37.5% of the hives are located near crops treated with pesticides, exposing the bees to these chemicals. The results showed that the majority of beekeepers reported a cessation of queen laying (74.38%), high mortality rates among worker bees (81.25%), drones (65.63%), and queens (61.88%). Abnormal behaviors such as immobility with trembling (42.50%), reduced flights (47.50%), and disoriented navigation (28.75%) were also observed. Correlation analyses indicate that proximity to treated crops significantly increases the risk of queen laying cessation (Odds Ratio 6.0) and a reduction in waggle dances (Odds Ratio 2.41). Extended foraging flights show a borderline statistical significance (Odds Ratio 2.33), suggesting a disruption of natural food sources. These results highlight the potential impact of pesticides on colony health and bee behavior, pointing out the need to adapt beekeeping practices and implement protective measures against pesticides.