Genomic surveillance in Morocco tracks SARS-CoV-2 variant shift from Alpha to Omicron sublineage JN1.

The persistent evolution of SARS-CoV-2 highlights the crucial role of genomic surveillance in tracking emerging variants and guiding public health interventions. We performed whole-genome sequencing on 235 SARS-CoV-2-positive samples collected across Morocco between 2021 and 2024 to characterize viral evolution and variant dynamics. Our analysis revealed a temporal shift in variant prevalence that paralleled global trends: initial co-circulation of Alpha and Delta variants, followed by complete replacement by Omicron and its sub-lineages in 2022.

[Pierre Tiollais (1934-2024), a pioneer in genetic engineering with a lifelong commitment to the hepatitis B virus].

Pierre Tiollais, a French physician-biologist, died on August 5, 2024, at 89. He is celebrated for cloning and sequencing the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome and developing one of the first recombinant HBV vaccines. Professor at the Pasteur Institute and the University Paris VII (now University Paris Cité), Pierre Tiollais has played a key role in the application of molecular biology and genetic engineering in medical research, notably in the fight against HBV and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Correction: Desterke et al. Single-Cell RNA-Seq Analysis Links DNMT3B and PFKFB4 Transcriptional Profiles with Metastatic Traits in Hepatoblastoma. 2024, , 1394.

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Single-cell RNAseq reveals adverse metabolic transcriptional program in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma malignant cells.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICA) is a highly aggressive primary liver cancer, which originates from the epithelial cells of the bile ducts. The transcriptional profile of metabolic enzymes was investigated at both bulk and single-cell levels in tumor samples from distinct ICA cohorts. In a training cohort (TCGA consortium), 16 genes encoding for metabolic enzymes were found overexpressed in cases with poor survival.

Association of TNFRSF13B Gene Polymorphisms With SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Severity, and Humoral Immune Response in a Moroccan Population.

Background And Aims: Genetic factors, including polymorphisms in the TNFRSF13B gene, which regulates humoral immunity, can influence susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study aims to investigate the association between two polymorphisms, rs12603708 and rs3751987, and SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility, disease severity, and humoral immune responses in a Moroccan population.

Materials And Methods: A total of 303 unvaccinated COVID-19 patients (151 severe cases and 152 asymptomatic/moderate cases) and 150 individuals from a SARS-CoV-2-negative group were included in the analysis.

Ferroptosis Transcriptional Regulation and Prognostic Impact in Medulloblastoma Subtypes Revealed by RNA-Seq.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children, typically arising during infancy and childhood. Despite multimodal therapies achieving a response rate of 70% in children older than 3 years, treatment remains challenging. Ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death, can be induced in medulloblastoma cells in vitro using erastin or RSL3.

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals LEF1-Driven Wnt Pathway Activation as a Shared Oncogenic Program in Hepatoblastoma and Medulloblastoma.

(1) Background: Hepatoblastoma and medulloblastoma are two types of pediatric tumors with embryonic origins. Both tumor types can exhibit genetic alterations that affect the β-catenin and Wnt pathways; (2) Materials and Methods: This study used bioinformatics and integrative analysis of multi-omics data at both the tumor and single-cell levels to investigate two distinct pediatric tumors: medulloblastoma and hepatoblastoma; (3) Results: The cross-transcriptome analysis revealed a commonly regulated expression signature between hepatoblastoma and medulloblastoma tumors. Among the commonly upregulated genes, the transcription factor LEF1 was significantly expressed in both tumor types.

Cobalt Chloride-Mimicked Hepatocyte Cell Hypoxia Induces TREX1, Leading to Hepatitis B Virus Restriction.

Background: Restriction factors are host cell proteins that limit virus replication and form part of the intrinsic immune response, acting as a first line of defense. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) does not escape this rule and TREX1, a host restriction enzyme, plays a key role in inhibiting HBV replication.

Methods: TREX1-expressing constructs were generated and modified by site-directed mutagenesis.

Characterization of an Activated Metabolic Transcriptional Program in Hepatoblastoma Tumor Cells Using scRNA-seq.

Hepatoblastoma is the most common primary liver malignancy in children, with metabolic reprogramming playing a critical role in its progression due to the liver's intrinsic metabolic functions. Enhanced glycolysis, glutaminolysis, and fatty acid synthesis have been implicated in hepatoblastoma cell proliferation and survival. In this study, we screened for altered overexpression of metabolic enzymes in hepatoblastoma tumors at tissue and single-cell levels, establishing and validating a hepatoblastoma tumor expression metabolic score using machine learning.

Metabolic and Epigenetic Mechanisms in Hepatoblastoma: Insights into Tumor Biology and Therapeutic Targets.

Background: Hepatoblastoma, the most common pediatric liver malignancy, is characterized by significant molecular heterogeneity and poor prognosis in advanced stages. Recent studies highlight the importance of metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic dysregulation in hepatoblastoma pathogenesis. This review aims to explore the metabolic alterations and epigenetic mechanisms involved in hepatoblastoma and how these processes contribute to tumor progression and survival.

NOD1 and NOD2 genetic variants: Impact on hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility and progression in Moroccan population.

Background: Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1) and NOD2 are involved in carcinogenic processes by recognizing bacterial cell wall components and triggering inflammation. This study explored the association between genetic variations in NOD1 and NOD2 and susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its progression in a Moroccan population.

Methods: Genotyping of NOD1 rs2075820 (C>T) and NOD2 rs718226 (A>G) was performed using the TaqMan allelic discrimination assay in 467 Moroccan individuals.

Routes of SARS-Cov2 transmission in the intensive care unit: A multicentric prospective study.

Background: The risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to health care workers in intensive care units (ICU) and the contribution of airborne and fomites to SARS-CoV-2 transmission remain unclear. To assess the rate of air and surface contamination and identify risk factors associated with this contamination in patients admitted to the ICU for acute respiratory failure due to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

Methods: Prospective multicentric non-interventional study conducted from June 2020 to November 2020 in 3 French ICUs.

Geographic heterogeneity of SARS-CoV-2 circulation in Abidjan, Ivory Coast: a prospective study.

Introduction: Few studies on SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Ivory Coast have been conducted since the first case was reported on March 11, 2020. The main objective of this study was to observe and better understand the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in Abidjan.

Methodology: This prospective study collected data concerning age, sex, vaccination status, municipality of origin, monthly income, frequency of malaria, and frequency of diarrheal diseases in persons who gave their informed consent.

Impact of and variants on HIV-1 susceptibility and progression to AIDS: a case-control study in a Moroccan population.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is an important regulator of the inflammatory immune response. We aimed to assess the association of common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in (rs1800795 G > C, rs1800797 A > G) and () (rs2228145 A > C) genes with HIV-1 infection, AIDS progression, and response to treatment. In this case-control study involving 199 individuals living with HIV-1 and 200 HIV-uninfected controls, we conducted genotyping of SNPs using TaqMan real-time PCR assays.

A preoperative risk score based on early recurrence for estimating outcomes after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma in the non-cirrhotic liver.

Background: Liver resection is the mainstay treatment option for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in the non-cirrhotic liver (NCL-HCC), but almost half of these patients will experience a recurrence within five years of surgery. Therefore, we aimed to develop a rationale-based risk evaluation tool to assist surgeons in recurrence-related treatment planning for NCL-HCC.

Methods: We analyzed single-center data from 263 patients who underwent liver resection for NCL-HCC.

Concealed for a Long Time on the Marches of Empires: Hepatitis B Virus Genotype I.

Genotype I, the penultimate HBV genotype to date, was granted the status of a bona fide genotype only in the XXIst century after some hesitations. The reason for these hesitations was that genotype I is a complex recombinant virus formed with segments from three original genotypes, A, C, and G. It was estimated that genotype I is responsible for only an infinitesimal fraction (<1.

Association between and genetic variants and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in Moroccan population.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common human malignancy and the fourth most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), are known to play a key role in hepatocarcinogenesis through induction of inflammation. We aimed to investigate the association between rs3804099, rs4986790, rs4986791, and rs11536889 and 5 rs5744174 and HCC risk in a total of 306 Moroccan subjects, including 152 HCC patient and 154 controls using a TaqMan allelic discrimination assay.