Search Results (1,651)

This study provides the first updated checklist of Moroccan freshwater molluscs, synthesizing faunistic knowledge accumulated between 1795 and 2026. The dataset was primarily compiled from specialized literature, complemented by the authors’ expertise and recent field investigations. Taxonomic classifications at the family, genus, and species levels were revised in accordance with current systematic interpretations. In total, 106 freshwater molluscan species, belonging to 55 genera and 14 families, were documented. Chorological analysis reveals a clear dominance of Palearctic elements, particularly of Mediterranean affinity, alongside a high proportion of strictly endemic Moroccan taxa. Most of these endemics are associated with springs (crenobionts) and subterranean habitats (stygobionts), emphasizing the role of these environments as key centres of micro-endemism and diversification. A comprehensive database comprising 838 occurrence records was assembled, including GPS coordinates and sampling dates. The analysis identifies biodiversity hotspots mainly concentrated in the Mediterranean part of Morocco, particularly within the Middle Atlas Mountains, followed by the northeastern regions, where the highest species richness and citation rates were recorded. Despite this progress, significant gaps remain in the knowledge of Moroccan freshwater molluscs. Several regions still require further exploration, while ongoing threats—including pollution, habitat degradation driven by anthropogenic activities, global environmental change, and biological invasions—pose significant challenges. Addressing these gaps calls for intensified research efforts, including comprehensive field surveys, integrative taxonomic and molecular approaches, and long-term ecological monitoring. Overall, this study represents a significant step toward advancing the knowledge and conservation of freshwater molluscan diversity in Morocco. Full article

In an increasingly digital global economy, cybersecurity capacity has become a key determinant of national resilience, economic competitiveness, and digital trust. However, preparedness remains uneven across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where levels of economic integration, governance quality, and institutional stability vary significantly. This paper examines the relationship between cybersecurity capacity, governance indicators, and international trade in selected MENA countries over the period 2010–2023. It evaluates whether rule of law and political stability are associated with cybersecurity capacity, whether trade openness predicts cybersecurity development, and whether cybersecurity capacity is dynamically associated with trade openness. The empirical analysis applies panel-data techniques, including panel unit-root tests, Pedroni cointegration tests, and the Toda–Yamamoto predictive causality framework within a multivariate VAR structure. Panel fixed-effects regressions with Driscoll–Kraay robust standard errors are also estimated to capture contemporaneous relationships while accounting for heteroskedasticity, serial correlation, cross-sectional dependence, and country-specific heterogeneity. The findings provide indicative evidence of a statistically significant bidirectional predictive relationship between trade openness and cybersecurity capacity. Greater trade integration appears to stimulate investment in secure digital infrastructure, while enhanced cybersecurity capacity may support trade expansion by strengthening digital trust and reducing transaction risks. In contrast, governance indicators do not exhibit consistent dynamic predictive relationships within the causality framework. The absence of cointegration indicates that cybersecurity capacity, governance indicators, and trade openness do not evolve within a stable long-run equilibrium relationship during the sample period. This finding may reflect the heterogeneous and policy-sensitive nature of digital infrastructure development across MENA countries. Full article

The delimitation of cryptic species represents one of the main challenges, particularly in groups with low external morphological differentiation. In this context, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) enables the detection of diagnostic characters at the microscale. This study evaluates the potential of ocular morphology for interspecific discrimination within a group of species of the genus Temnothorax. A total of 246 workers from 52 nests, 13 populations, and 8 species from the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa were analyzed. Morphometric variables related to compound eyes were quantified from SEM images (ommatidia number, interommatidial setae, eye diameter). Data were analyzed using ANOVA, effect size estimation (η²), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and Random Forest models. All variables showed significant differences among species (p < 0.001), with varying discriminative power. Variables related to ommatidial organization exhibited the highest classification performance, achieving high rates of correct species assignment in multivariate analyses. The use of nest-level means values substantially improved classification accuracy. These results demonstrate that ocular morphology analyzed through SEM represents a promising complementary tool for species discrimination in Temnothorax, complementing traditional and molecular approaches. Full article

Across the Saharan region of North Africa, oasis territories constitute the dominant form of human settlement. In Algeria, the Sahara is undergoing rapid urban and agricultural expansion, resulting in significant spatial and demographic transformations and increased environmental pressures on oasis systems. Despite these critical dynamics, existing studies have addressed oasis sustainability only superficially, lacking quantitative, territory-scale indicators that integrate both spatial and demographic dimensions. As a result, preserving oasis territories has become a critical challenge for national economic and industrial development. Spatial planning and demographic balance are key drivers for oasis landscape sustainability. This study focuses on the Tolga oasis territory, one of the largest in North Africa, to investigate the spatial and demographic relationships among the built environment, urban perimeters, population dynamics, and palm grove areas. The methodology combines: (1) historical cartographic analysis using georeferenced maps from 1900 to 2020 processed in QGIS (RMSE < 5 m); (2) GIS-based digitization of built-up areas (BuA) and palm grove areas (PGA) across four reference periods (1900, 1940, 1980, 2020); (3) polynomial regression modeling for urban perimeter vs. inter-oasis distance; and (4) least squares method for the population–palm tree correlation. Using spatial and statistical analyses, the results indicate that the built-up area should remain below a threshold ratio of 0.05 relative to the cultivated area to maintain the oasis landscape. Strong polynomial correlations (0.5876 ≤ R² ≤ 0.974) confirm the structural link between urban perimeter growth and inter-oasis distance, outperforming linear regression (mean ΔR² = +0.226). In addition, a strong correlation is identified between population size and palm tree abundance, as expressed by the relationship PT = 1.6376 Po + 755,050, where P denotes population size (F-statistic = 178.4; p < 0.01; N = 24; 95% CI of slope = ±0.24). Adopting a territorial-scale approach, this study proposes novel quantitative indicators, including ratio and formula-based models that can be integrated into Saharan territorial planning strategies to support sustainable oasis development. Full article

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is an economically significant viral disease of cattle, widely prevalent across Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan regions. In 2024, Tunisia reported its first outbreak. Understanding the genetic characteristics of lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) and related poxviruses is critical for surveillance and control. Twenty-nine samples from 26 suspected cases were screened for LSDV using qPCR, followed by a High-Resolution Multiplex Melting (HRM) assay. Three representative samples, two LSDV-positive and one bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV)-positive, were subjected to whole-genome sequencing using Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) HiFi long-read technology. Phylogenetic analyses of the LSDV-marker gene RPO30 and complete genomes were performed alongside SNP and InDel profiling. The Tunisian LSDV isolates clustered with Clade 1.2.2 field strains and were 100% identical to each other and to the Italian isolate LSDV_Italy_Sardinia_2025, sharing 99.99% nucleotide identity with LSDV_V281_Nigeria. Although only two LSDV isolates were sequenced which showed no genetic differences, these findings suggest genomic stability within Clade 1.2.2. The Tunisian BPSV isolate showed high similarity (98.15–98.59%) to strains reported in Germany and Switzerland. This study presents the first genetic characterization of LSDV and BPSV in Tunisia, highlighting the importance of accurate differential diagnosis among poxviruses and continuous genomic surveillance to inform control strategies. Full article

Multisource remote sensing data is utilised for the purpose of monitoring annual and interannual changes associated with climate change in the water bodies of the Chotts of Merouane and Melrhir, which are located in the Zone of Chotts in North Africa. These endorheic depressions are distinguished by recurrent flooding events of varying magnitude and frequency, which are contingent on fluctuations in climate parameters. It has been determined that certain cities located within the surrounding watersheds, such as Biskra, are subject to the intermittent threat of severe flooding. This has been shown to result in land degradation and soil salinisation during the drying-up process. A detailed examination of chronological data from the 1960s onwards reveals a decline in the frequency of flooding in Chott Melrhir in recent years. It is noteworthy that the region has not experienced any substantial flooding since 2020. This phenomenon is concomitant with the marked decline in precipitation levels observed in the region. Since 1980, there have been at least ten significant floods, resulting in varying degrees of damage and disruption. In contrast, Chott Merouane exhibits a more consistent hydrological pattern, with water flowing almost year-round due to wastewater and the drainage of the palm groves by the Oued Righ. Until the 1970s, the occurrence of flooding in the region was exclusively attributable to the direct overflow of the Biskra River and its tributaries. However, from the 1980s onwards, a new type of flooding emerged, linked to insufficient infiltration and drainage capacity in the soil and sewage systems during rainfall that was sometimes considered normal. The hydrological regime in the area has severe ramifications for the water supply and the state of the oases, which are vulnerable to salinisation. Full article

African swine fever (ASF) poses a persistent and escalating threat to global swine production. To comprehensively characterize its global spatiotemporal dynamics from 1996 to 2025, we developed an integrated framework combining multi-distance spatial analysis and advanced time series forecasting, utilizing a dataset of 57,253 outbreak records. Our findings reveal a clear divergence in transmission patterns: wild boar accounted for approximately 70% of outbreaks and predominantly sustained transmission in Eastern Europe, whereas domestic pig outbreaks were largely concentrated in Southeast Asia. A pronounced epidemiological shift occurred between 2017 and 2020, during which ASF spread transitioned from a predominantly north–south axis linking Africa and the Caucasus to a broad east–west expansion across Eurasia, coinciding with rapid dissemination throughout Asia. In the Northern Hemisphere, ASF outbreaks exhibited a bimodal seasonal pattern, with peaks observed in January–March and July–August. Comparative forecasting analyses demonstrated that machine learning approaches consistently outperformed both traditional statistical and deep learning models. Among these, the random forest algorithm achieved the highest predictive accuracy, surpassing SARIMA, Prophet, XGBoost, and GRU. Collectively, these findings underscore the pivotal role of wild boar in maintaining global ASF transmission and highlight the necessity of integrated surveillance at wildlife–livestock interfaces. Furthermore, they support the application of machine learning-based approaches for improving early warning systems and enhancing the effectiveness of global ASF control strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Recent advancements in digital health have facilitated the expansion of mobile health (mHealth) apps. This study examines the top-ranked Arabic wellness mHealth apps in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and evaluates wellness apps in Saudi Arabia for their potential to promote health-related behavior change using the App Behavior Change Scale (ABACUS). Methods: A cross-sectional review was conducted using a systematic three-phase approach to identify and evaluate Arabic wellness apps, with the dataset extracted from the Sensor Tower platform. In Phase 1, apps were identified based on predefined country, language, and wellness criteria. In Phase 2, app descriptions were screened for behavior change features. In Phase 3, eligible apps available in Saudi Arabia were downloaded and evaluated using the ABACUS. Results: Egypt had the highest number of identified Arabic wellness apps (n = 9), followed by Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (n = 8 each), while Yemen had the fewest identified apps. For potential behavior change apps, Tunisia and the UAE had the highest apps (n = 7), whereas Yemen and Libya had the lowest (n = 1 each). All Arabic wellness apps identified in Saudi Arabia were classified as promoting physical activity with only one app encouraging healthy eating. The total ABACUS scores were relatively consistent, ranging from 15 to 17 out of 21. Conclusions: Arabic mHealth wellness apps identified across the included MENA countries were limited in number, while apps available in Saudi Arabia showed variability in the incorporation of behavior change features. Full article

Objective: Nutrition is critical for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV); nonetheless, nutritional interventions have not been conducted among PLHIV in the Middle East and North Africa region. This study evaluated the effects of a nutrition-related education intervention on total knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) scores and on the intake of immune-enhancing foods and nutrients among PLHIV. Methods: Sixty-three PLHIV were recruited from an outpatient HIV clinic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, between August and November 2023 and randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 31) or control group (n = 32). The intervention group participated in an individualized, six-session nutrition education program based on the Health Belief Model, whereas the control group received usual care plus a nutrition education brochure on HIV nutrition and health. Data were collected at baseline and after the five-month intervention period using validated instruments assessing HIV-related nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practices. A food frequency questionnaire and two non-consecutive 24 h dietary recalls were used to assess the intake of immune-enhancing nutrients. Results: Post-intervention KAP score distributions differed significantly between the control and intervention groups for knowledge, attitude, and practices (p < 0.001, 0.003, and 0.001, respectively). Immune-enhancing vitamin intake did not differ significantly between groups, except vitamin E, which increased in the intervention group (p = 0.042). Conclusions: The intervention improved participants’ nutrition-related KAP scores but did not increase the intake of immune-enhancing nutrients, except for vitamin E. Further studies are warranted to develop interventions that improve the intake of immune-enhancing nutrients. Full article

Endogenous growth theory explains the asymmetric dynamic relationship between economic and social development through human capital accumulation and innovation, institutional quality, and demand channels. The objective of this paper is to assess the dynamic relationship between social and economic development in developing countries, where institutional imperfections and development instability create the most pronounced asymmetries. A composite social development index, obtained using the entropy method, operationalizes social development as the expansion of human capabilities in three dimensions: health, education, and material security. A panel vector error correction model (PVECM), estimated using the generalized method of moments (GMM) on panel data from 18 countries in Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa for the period 2001–2023, revealed asymmetric dynamic relationships: improved social indicators are associated with a short-term slowdown in economic indicators and more favorable economic dynamics in the medium term. In contrast, economic growth is accompanied by a positive lagged response in social development, although the short-term response may reflect the costs of social adjustment. The influence of control variables confirms the positive role of agglomeration for economic development, revealing the social costs of rapid urbanization and demographic pressure on social development. Estimates of the error correction coefficients indicate a slow adaptation of the system to long-term equilibrium, high inertia, and institutional rigidity of macrosocial processes. Impulse response functions confirm the dynamic and delayed nature of the interaction between economic and social development and positive shocks in the medium term. The obtained empirical results substantiate the need for institutional regulation of policy decisions on human capital accumulation and innovation, as well as social reforms. Full article

Invasive alien species threaten the security of agricultural and natural ecosystems. Aethina tumida Murray, 1867, threatens bee colony health and apicultural sustainability. However, the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser, 1955), may be a potential biocontrol agent. Models (MaxEnt and CLIMEX) were used to predict the potential global distribution of both species under climate change. The results indicated that under the current climatic conditions, both models found suitable habitats for A. tumida primarily in South America, southern Africa, and South Asia, whereas S. carpocapsae exhibited a broader global spread. Notably, CLIMEX predicted a more extensive distribution than MaxEnt for both species. The MaxEnt results indicated that North America, Europe, and central Australia are suitable habitats for A. tumida expansion in SSP245 (2050s) and SSP585 (2070s), whereas S. carpocapsae was predicted to expand into Asia, North America, and Africa in SSP126 (2090s), SSP245 (2030s), and SSP585 (2070s). The CLIMEX results indicated that under the A1B and A2 climate scenarios, highly suitable habitats for both species decreased significantly, whereas they are predicted to moderately and marginally increase markedly in the 2100s. The potential distribution of A. tumida will depend on suitable climatic conditions and the presence of host bees. These results provide a scientific basis and support in preventing or controlling A. tumida. Full article

Background: Vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms have been widely investigated as genetic determinants of neurodegenerative diseases, yet findings remain inconsistent and population-dependent. Evidence from the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENA&T) regions, which is characterized by widespread vitamin D deficiency and distinct genetic backgrounds, has not been comprehensively synthesized. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating associations between four common VDR polymorphisms (ApaI rs7975232, FokI rs2228570, TaqI rs731236, and BsmI rs1544410) and the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in MENA&T populations. Six databases were searched from inception to November 2025. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using fixed- and random-effects models across multiple genetic contrasts. Subgroup analyses by ethnicity were conducted for MS. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS), and the certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Results: Nineteen unique case–control studies (20 reports), including 4744 participants, were included. For MS, the ApaI polymorphism showed consistent associations with increased risk across genetic models (random-effects ORs = 1.4–1.9), with stronger effects in Arab and Iranian populations and no association in Turkish cohorts. FokI showed associations with MS under selected genetic models, particularly recessive and homozygous contrasts, although findings were not consistent across all analytical approaches. TaqI showed model-dependent associations with substantial heterogeneity, while BsmI showed no significant association. For AD, a meta-analysis of two studies showed no significant associations. For PD, ApaI showed associations with increased risk across several models without heterogeneity; however, these findings were based on a limited number of studies. Overall certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate. Conclusions: In MENA&T populations, VDR ApaI polymorphism shows consistent evidence of association with MS susceptibility, while FokI may be associated under specific genetic models; evidence for AD and PD remains limited and should be considered exploratory. These findings highlight population-specific genetic heterogeneity and underscore the need for further large-scale studies to confirm these associations. These population-specific genetic associations underscore the importance of incorporating VDR genotyping into precision medicine frameworks for neurodegenerative disease risk stratification in MENA&T populations, where vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent. Full article

This study investigates the macroeconomic, institutional, and energy-related determinants of agricultural value added in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries over the period 2000–2023, with particular emphasis on whether international clean energy finance operates as a conditionally effective driver depending on energy endowments. Using a panel fixed-effects framework with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors to address cross-sectional dependence, heteroskedasticity, and serial correlation, the analysis incorporates an interaction term between clean energy finance and an oil-exporting dummy to capture structural heterogeneity. Robustness is ensured through Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSEs), Granger causality tests, and System GMM estimation. The findings reveal that GDP per capita and clean energy finance are positively and significantly associated with agricultural value added, while trade openness negatively affects the sector. Importantly, the interaction results indicate strong asymmetry: the positive contribution of clean energy finance is concentrated in non-oil economies but becomes weak or insignificant in oil-exporting countries, consistent with diminishing marginal returns in energy-abundant contexts. Inflation captures nominal price effects, while short-run dynamics suggest the presence of adjustment costs. Overall, the study highlights that clean energy finance acts as a structurally conditional mechanism, offering nuanced and policy-relevant insights for sustainable agricultural transformation in MENA economies. Full article

Dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a newly introduced term for the condition previously known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). MASLD affects 38% of the global population and is now diagnosed based on the presence of steatosis but also with cardiometabolic risk factors indicating metabolic dysfunction. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB), another significant public health issue, impacts over 296 million people worldwide, or approximately 3.2% of the global population. Studies have consistently reported a complex relationship between MASLD and CHB. Previous studies indicate that MASLD may protect against high viral loads, while other studies indicate that coexisting MASLD and CHB may lead to more advanced fibrosis and an elevated risk of HCC. Additionally, numerous studies highlight a strong association between CHB and metabolic syndrome components. This review article examines the relationship between CHB and MASLD, considering what has been previously published. Full article

Background/Objectives: Term and preterm premature ruptures of membranes (PROM and PPROM) are serious pregnancy complications associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Although widely studied in the global literature, data on the risk factors and outcomes of PROM and PPROM in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region remain limited. This mapping review aimed to identify and assess existing evidence and highlight gaps in knowledge regarding risk factors for PROM, including preterm PROM, and related maternal and neonatal outcomes among women in the region. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive and systematic search of articles published in English and Arabic between January 2000 and June 2025 across Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed/Medline. Eligible studies included observational and interventional studies conducted in MENA countries. Data were extracted and synthesised using thematic mapping. Results: Out of 5359 retrieved records, 136 met the inclusion criteria. The main study design was cross-sectional (51 studies), followed by case–control (41), cohort (26), and 15 randomised controlled trials. The geographic distribution of the evidence varied significantly. Research has mainly focused on PROM and its biological risk factors, such as infections and chronic medical conditions. Psychological and environmental factors have been the least reported. Neonatal and gestational outcomes have frequently been addressed, whereas maternal outcomes have received less attention. Conclusions: The findings reveal significant geographic, thematic, and methodological disparities in research throughout the MENA region. The results underscore the need for further studies on the prevention and identification of women at higher risk of PROM. Full article