Yassine Zouheir - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Yassine Zouheir

South African journal of botany, May 1, 2024

ChemistrySelect, Feb 9, 2021

A new efficient strategy using diphosphate Na2CaP2O7 (DPH) for the synthesis of phenylhydrazone d... more A new efficient strategy using diphosphate Na2CaP2O7 (DPH) for the synthesis of phenylhydrazone derivatives in solvent‐free media is described. The synthesis of eight variously substituted phenylhydrazone derivatives (3 a to 3 h) can be carried out with a small amount of the catalyst, which can be easily recovered and reused several times without significant loss in catalytic activity. This protocol developed in our study is considered simple, clean, and characterized by short reaction time and high conversion. The antibacterial activity was evaluated for the synthesized compounds against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative strains. A structure‐activity relationship (SAR) study and the connection between antibacterial activity of the compounds was discussed and showed that electron donating groups increase the antibacterial activity.

European journal of public health, Aug 1, 2014

The epidemiological transition has reduced infectious diseases mortality in most European countri... more The epidemiological transition has reduced infectious diseases mortality in most European countries, yet increased migrant influx risks importing diseases. All reported prevalence rates must be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the disease in question, respective European Union (EU) country and migratory patterns at work. Tuberculosis has seen a re-emergence in Europe and is concentrated among migrants. Migrants arriving from North Africa (NA) and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) carry higher rates of hepatitis C and B than the local EU population. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) impact of NA migrants to Europe is very low but a hallmark of the HIV epidemic is the penetration and circulation of non-B strains, recombinant forms and HIVdrug-resistant profiles through SSA migrants using NA as a transit point into Europe. Leishmaniasis is a reemerging zoonotic disease prevalent to Southern Europe although not specifically isolated in migrant groups. Although not endemic in NA countries, malaria represents a risk in terms of re-emergence in Europe through transitory migrants arriving from SSA with the destination to Europe. Schistosomiasis has been largely eliminated from NA. High migrant flux into European countries has resulted in changing patterns of communicable disease and collectively requires a continuous surveillance. World Health Organization guidelines recommend targeted screening and preventative vaccination, followed by integration of migrants into the local health-care systems allowing for long-term treatment and follow-up. Finally, effective public health campaigns as a form of prevention are essential for the mitigation of disease dissemination in the migrant pool and for secondgeneration children of migrants.

Journal of cancer prevention, Jun 30, 2016

Cervical cancer is a major public health problem in Morocco. The cervical cancer has a long preca... more Cervical cancer is a major public health problem in Morocco. The cervical cancer has a long precancerous period that provides an opportunity for the screening and treatment. Improving screening tests is a priority goal for the early diagnosis of cervical cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the combination of p16 INK4a protein expression, human papillomavirus (HPV) typing, and histopathology for the identification of cervical lesions with high risk to progress to cervical cancer among Moroccan women. A total of 96 cervical biopsies were included in this study. Signal amplification in situ hybridization with biotinylated probes was used to detect HPV. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of p16 INK4a protein. HPV DNA was detected in 74.0% of the biopsies (71/96). Of the seventy-one positive HPV cases, we detected 67.6% (48/71) of high risk (HR)-HPV (HPV 16 and 18), 24% of low risk-HPV (HPV 6 and 11), 1.4% intermediate risk-HPV (HPV 31, 33, and 35), and 7% coinfections (HPV 6/11 and 16/18). Overexpression of p16 INK4a protein was observed in 72.9% (70/96) of the biopsies. In addition, p16 INK4a protein detection was closely correlated with recovery of HR HPV. Our result showed that p16 INK4a expression level is correlated with HR-HPV status.

Water Quality Research Journal

In this study, the denitrification of nitrate-contaminated groundwater by the heterotrophic denit... more In this study, the denitrification of nitrate-contaminated groundwater by the heterotrophic denitrification (HD) method was studied to produce drinking water. Preliminary tests were carried out in a denitrification reactor, consisting of an opaque PVC column filled with a plastic packing, and fed with a synthetic solution based on glycerol, in which activated sludge bacteria were added. The performance of the reactor was monitored by measuring physicochemical parameters such as pH, turbidity, nitrates, and nitrites. This monitoring was carried out for different tests within the same reactor to evaluate the adaptation possibilities of the denitrifying bacteria. At the end of each test when the substrate was exhausted, a new synthetic solution was added to the reactor under discontinuous aeration (aeration period = 1 h). The results obtained showed that the nitrate removal efficiency reached a value of 99.42% after 8 h of treatment depending on the adaptation of the denitrifying bacte...

Applied Sciences

A facile and novel synthesis of thirteen 2-amino-3-cyanopyridine derivatives 5(a–m) by a one-pot ... more A facile and novel synthesis of thirteen 2-amino-3-cyanopyridine derivatives 5(a–m) by a one-pot multicomponent reactions (MCRs) is described for the first time, starting from aromatic aldehydes, malononitrile, methyl ketones, or cyclohexanone and ammonium acetate in the presence of the nanostructured diphosphate Na2CaP2O7 (DIPH) at 80 °C under solvent-free conditions. These compounds were brought into existence in a short period with good to outstanding yields (84–94%). The diphosphate Na2CaP2O7 was synthesized and characterized by different techniques (FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and TEM) and used as an efficient, environmentally friendly, easy-to-handle, harmless, secure, and reusable catalyst. Our study was strengthened by combining five new pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives 6(b, c, g, h, j) by intermolecular cyclization of 2-amino-3-cyanopyridines 5(b, c, g, h, j) with formamide. The synthesized products were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR and by comparing measured melting ...

Cancer Biology and Therapeutic Oncology, 2020

European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 2015

Introduction :The overexpression of p16INK4a is considered to be strong and consistent in HPV-ind... more Introduction :The overexpression of p16INK4a is considered to be strong and consistent in HPV-induced cancers. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of HPV DNA in cervical biopsies, and to study the overexpression of p16INK4a as a marker of precancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix. Material and methods :A total of 75 cervical biopsies were included in this study involving cervicitis (n = 11), mild dysplasia (n = 17), severe dysplasia (n = 30) and invasive carcinomas (n = 17). The presence of HPV was assessed using an examination in situ hybridization (CSA). p16INK4a protein expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Results: p16INK4a expression was very low in benign cervical lesions, while 18.8% of these lesions showed positivity for HPV DNA detection. Forty seven percent of mild dysplastic lesions presented overexpression of p16INK4a protein, and 76.4% were HPV positive. Strong signal of p16INK4a was observed in 100% of severe dysplastic les...

Medicinal and Aromatic plants, 2020

The increasing incidence of microorganisms becoming resistant to antibiotics has continuously bec... more The increasing incidence of microorganisms becoming resistant to antibiotics has continuously become a scientific community concern. Many essential oil components and plant secondary metabolites are known to possess broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, including against antibiotic resistant bacteria. These compounds may be a useful source of new and novel antimicrobials. However, there is limited research on the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of essential oil compounds, which is important for a target identiﬁcation and lead optimization. Quantitative Structure Activity Relationships (QSAR or SAR) have helped scientists to establish mathematical relationships between molecular structures and their biological activities. This study aimed to elucidate SARs of essential oil components from experimental and literature sources. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of essential oil components were collected against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and then compared t...

ChemistrySelect, 2021

The Journal of Antibiotics, 2018

Neisseria meningitidis is one of the most crucial causes of bacterial meningitis worldwide. The i... more Neisseria meningitidis is one of the most crucial causes of bacterial meningitis worldwide. The incidence of meningitis due to N. meningitidis greatly changes from one geographical area to the other: 500,000-1,200,000 invasive meningococcal diseases occur each year, with 50,000-135,000 deaths. Once the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is made, parenteral antibiotic treatment is started as soon as possible. A preventive treatment can also be proposed for those subjects at risk of exposure. Globally, resistance to antibiotics used in the treatment of prophylaxis of meningococcal disease is relatively rare. Penicillin is becoming less useful in the treatment of invasive meningococcal diseases because meningococcal isolates are increasingly less susceptible to this antibiotic. Meningococcal strains less susceptible to ceftriaxone or ciprofloxacin are rare. In addition, resistance to rifampicin is not a current concern as resistant isolates are rarely reported. In conclusion, the emergence of new meningococcal strains with decreasing susceptibility during the last decade should not be ignored, as this could be a worrying phenomenon in the future and justifies a judicious epidemiological survey on a continuous basis.

Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 2016

The human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is necessary cause of 99.7% of cervical cancer. Vaccines... more The human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is necessary cause of 99.7% of cervical cancer. Vaccines can prevent up to 70% of the cervical cancer caused by HPV 16 and 18. The present study was designed to define the knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccine acceptability among Moroccan youth. A nationwide anonymous questionnaire with a sample of 688 adolescents (12-17 years) and 356 young adults (18-30 years) was organized, that asked about HPV, origin of cervical cancer, Pap test and acceptability of HPV vaccine. Data analyzed by using univariate and multivariate logistic regression method. Overall, a low frequency (20%) of HPV knowledge was observed among studied population. A multivariate model analysis showed that age, educational level and heard of Pap test remained significantly associated factors with HPV knowledge. Additionally, only (27%) of participants were willing to accept HPV vaccination. Highest acceptability was observed among young adults compared to adolescents (46.6% vs 16.9%). Sixty two percent of males accepted the HPV vaccine compared to only 20.4% of females. Educational level, type of school and knowledge of Pap test were associated factors to HPV vaccine acceptability by multivariate model analysis. The present study showed a low level of HPV knowledge and HPV vaccine acceptability among Moroccan youth. Promoting activities and sensitization are required to maximize public awareness in the future. This objective can be achieved by using media, active efforts by healthcare providers, and introducing of the sexual education in schools program.

Trials in Vaccinology, 2015

A combined vaccine against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Sheep/Goat Pox (SGP) was develope... more A combined vaccine against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Sheep/Goat Pox (SGP) was developed and applied in the field, using a new association of vaccine strains: PPR Nigeria 75 strain with a titre of 10 4.1 TCID50 and Sheep Pox Romania strain with a titre of 10 4.0 TCID50. Safety and efficacy were evaluated on goats and sheep in comparison with monovalent PPR and SGP vaccines. Goats were challenged by PPR virulent strain and sheep by SP virulent strain. The result shows that the combined PPR/SGP vaccine confers a good protection against both PPR and SGP infection with no significant difference with monovalent vaccines. The combined vaccine was used in the field on sheep flocks and good sero-conversion was detected for both diseases as soon as 14 days post vaccination.

The European Journal of Public Health, 2014

Modern Pathology, 2004

Adolescents have high rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and persistent high-risk HPV... more Adolescents have high rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and persistent high-risk HPV infection can lead to the development of cervical cancer. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p16 INK4a is overexpressed in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), probably due to a persistent and integrated HPV infection. This study investigated p16 INK4a expression, grades of CIN, and high-risk HPV infection in adolescent cervical biopsies. Biopsies were immunohistochemically stained for p16 INK4a. The presence of wide-spectrum, low-risk, or highrisk HPV was determined by amplifying DNA extracted from the cervical biopsies. Biopsies were classified as cervicitis, 15 cases; CIN 1, 48 cases; CIN 2, 46 cases, and CIN 3, 52 cases. The distribution of p16 INK4a staining was graded as patchy, diffuse basal, and diffuse full thickness. Pearson's v 2 tests analyzed the relationships between p16 INK4a staining, HPV infection, and CIN. Biopsies of cervicitis were negative for HPV and for p16 INK4a expression. High-risk HPV 16, 18, and 31 increased from 18% in CIN 1 to 66% in CIN 2/3 (Po0.001). In CIN 1, p16 INK4a was positive in 44% of biopsies with 35% showing patchy, 7% diffuse basal, and one case (2%) showing diffuse full thickness staining. In CIN 2/3, p16 INK4a was positive in 97% of biopsies with 23% showing patchy, 21% diffuse basal, and 53% diffuse full thickness staining. The difference in the proportions of biopsies showing patchy p16 INK4a staining in CIN 1 and diffuse full thickness staining in CIN 2/3 was significant (Po0.001). In CIN 1, 61% of high-risk HPV-positive biopsies were p16 INK4a negative, while all high-risk HPV-positive CIN 2/3 biopsies were p16 INK4a positive. Diffuse, full thickness p16 INK4a expression discriminated low-grade from high-grade CIN and appears to be a marker of persistent high-risk HPV infection.