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Barium chloride (BaCl2), a known environmental pollutant, induces organ-specific oxidative stress through disruption of redox homeostasis. This study evaluated the protective effects and safety profile of sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC) and ascorbic acid (ASC) against BaCl2-induced oxidative damage in the liver and brain of mice using a two-phase experimental protocol. Animals received either SCC (40 mg/kg), ASC (160 mg/kg), or their combination for 14 days prior to BaCl2 exposure (150 mg/L in drinking water for 7 days), allowing evaluation of both preventive and therapeutic effects. Toxicological and behavioral assessments confirmed the absence of systemic toxicity or neurobehavioral alterations following supplementation. Body weight, liver and kidney indices, and biochemical markers (Aspartate Aminotransferase (ASAT), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALAT), creatinine) remained within physiological ranges, and no anxiogenic or locomotor effects were observed. In the brain, BaCl2 exposure significantly increased SOD (+49%), CAT (+66%), GPx (+24%), and GSH (+26%) compared to controls, reflecting a robust compensatory antioxidant response. Although lipid peroxidation (MDA) showed a non-significant increase, SCC, ASC, and their combination reduced MDA levels by 42%, 37%, and 55%, respectively. These treatments normalized antioxidant enzyme activities and GSH, indicating an effective neuroprotective effect. In contrast, the liver exhibited a different oxidative profile. BaCl2 exposure increased MDA levels by 80% and GSH by 34%, with no activation of SOD, CAT, or GPx. Histological analysis revealed extensive hepatocellular necrosis, vacuolization, and inflammatory infiltration. SCC significantly reduced hepatic MDA by 39% and preserved tissue architecture, while ASC alone or combined with SCC exacerbated inflammation and depleted hepatic GSH by 71% and 78%, respectively, relative to BaCl2-exposed controls. Collectively, these results highlight a differential, organ-specific response to BaCl2-induced oxidative stress and the therapeutic potential of SCC and ASC. SCC emerged as a safer and more effective agent, particularly in hepatic protection, while both antioxidants demonstrated neuroprotective effects when used individually or in combination.

One crucial step to improving maternal health outcomes in any region is understanding the social determinants of maternal health, which vary significantly across the world´s geographical areas and within individual countries. The variability in these determinants is manifested in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Using a scoping review process, we identified articles analyzing social factors influencing maternal health outcomes in the MENA region. A total of 50 articles were included in this review. Several social factors impact independently or in association with maternal health outcomes or utilization of maternal health in the MENA region. These factors include: residing in an area of conflict, residing in a rural region, low accessibility and quality of health care, low level of education, antagonistic relationship with spouse and family-in-law, cultural practices such as female genital mutilation and early marriage, traditional practices, and beliefs, low household wealth, women´s financial security, women's bad childbirth history, and interpersonal violence. Multi-sector collaboration across governmental ministries, non-governmental organizations, local authorities, healthcare delivery programs, and community members is critical to creating long-term solutions in maternal health for MENA nations. Together they must address traditional practices harmful to women, poor accessibility, availability, and affordability of health services. To benefit women, a long-term commitment of organizations at local, national, and international levels to social investments in women´s education, financial status, and cultural norms is recommended for MENA nations.

Although women play a central role in family planning, their ability to control their fertility is often influenced by social and relational factors. This study explores the knowledge, attitudes and practices of married women of childbearing age living in rural areas of Morocco regarding family planning and the contraceptive methods currently available. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with 49 married Moroccan women in a rural maternity ward during their postpartum period. Using open-ended questions, we examined their contraceptive practices, decision-making autonomy and the social influences determining their reproductive choices. Most participants reported using oral contraceptives, although many had experienced at least one unintended pregnancy due to contraceptive misuse. The women expressed a preference for smaller families in order to ensure financial stability and a better quality of life. However, they often encountered resistance from their husbands and extended families when attempting to use contraception or limit their family size. There were widespread misconceptions about intrauterine devices (IUDs), with many women requiring their spouse's consent due to concerns about sexual health. Our findings highlight the important role of social and relational factors in women's reproductive choices. Addressing misconceptions and improving access to reproductive health education is essential. Involving husbands in counselling sessions can strengthen family planning efforts and support women's autonomy in fertility-related decisions.

The cultural context influences women’s antenatal care and postpartum knowledge. This study aims to determine the traditional practices related to maternal health in Morocco. We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 37 women from three different Moroccan regions on the first postpartum day. We used thematic content to analyze data, and an a priori coding framework was created utilizing the pertinent literature. Beliefs regarding pregnancy and postpartum positively affect maternal health, such as family support, prolonged rest for health recovery, and specific dietary precautions according to the mode of delivery of the new mother. However, some practices may negatively affect maternal health, such as cold postpartum treatment through traditional medicine and not seeking prenatal care after the first pregnancy experience. Such practices include painting newborns with henna, using kohl and oil to hasten the umbilical cord’s descent, and producing solutions based on chicken throat to cure respiratory ailments in newborns that might harm their health.

Family size control in Morocco: a qualitative exploratory study among rural womenObjective. Although women play a central role in family planning, their ability to control their fertility is often influenced by social and relational factors. This study explores the knowledge, attitudes and practices of married women of childbearing age living in rural areas of Morocco regarding family planning and the contraceptive methods currently available.Method. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with 49 married Moroccan women in a rural maternity ward during their postpartum period. Using open-ended questions, we examined their contraceptive practices, decision-making autonomy and the social influences determining their reproductive choices.Results. Most participants reported using oral contraceptives, although many had experienced at least one unintended pregnancy due to contraceptive misuse. The women expressed a preference for smaller families in order to ensure financial stability and a better quality of life. However, they often encountered resistance from their husbands and extended families when attempting to use contraception or limit their family size. There were widespread misconceptions about intrauterine devices (IUDs), with many women requiring their spouse's consent due to concerns about sexual health.Conclusion. Our findings highlight the important role of social and relational factors in women's reproductive choices. Addressing misconceptions and improving access to reproductive health education is essential. Involving husbands in counselling sessions can strengthen family planning efforts and support women's autonomy in fertility-related decisions.Le contrôle de la taille de la famille au Maroc?: une étude exploratoire qualitative auprès de femmes ruralesObjectif. Les femmes jouent un rôle central dans la planification familiale, mais leur capacité à exercer un contrôle sur leur fertilité est souvent influencée par des facteurs sociaux et relationnels. Cette étude explore les connaissances, attitudes et pratiques des femmes à l'égard de la planification familiale et des méthodes contraceptives actuellement disponibles, parmi la population des femmes mariées en âge de procréer vivant dans les zones rurales au Maroc.Méthodes. Nous avons mené des entretiens approfondis en face à face avec 49 femmes marocaines mariées dans une maternité rurale pendant leur période post-partum. À l'aide de questions ouvertes, nous avons examiné leurs pratiques contraceptives, leur autonomie décisionnelle et les influences sociales qui déterminent leurs choix en matière de procréation.Résultats. La plupart des participantes a déclaré utiliser des contraceptifs oraux, bien que nombre d'entre elles ait connu au moins une grossesse non désirée en raison d'une mauvaise utilisation des contraceptifs. Les femmes ont exprimé leur préférence pour des familles moins nombreuses afin d'assurer leur stabilité financière et une meilleure qualité de vie. Cependant, elles se heurtent souvent à la résistance de leur mari et de leur famille élargie lorsqu'elles tentent d'utiliser un moyen de contraception ou de limiter la taille de leur famille. Les idées fausses concernant les dispositifs intra-utérins (DIU) étaient très répandues, de nombreuses femmes exigeant le consentement de leur conjoint en raison de préoccupations liées à la santé sexuelle.Conclusion. Nos résultats soulignent le rôle important des facteurs sociaux et relationnels dans les choix des femmes en matière de procréation. Il est essentiel de s'attaquer aux idées fausses et d'améliorer l'accès à l'éducation en matière de santé génésique. L'implication des maris dans les séances de conseil peut renforcer les efforts de planification familiale et soutenir l'autonomie des femmes dans les décisions relatives à la fécondité.

In recent years, the town of Settat has seen a considerable industrial growth, which has resulted in increased environmental pollution. This includes pollution by household and industrial wastewaters, which are released into the Boumoussa River without any preliminary treatment. The river valley crosses the community of Mzamza 8 km to the north of the town. Years of drought forced members of the community to use this polluted ground water for irrigation and put themselves and the environment at risk.The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical and metal profile of Settat wastewaters and to assess their impact on the water table. The second objective was to investigate the genotoxic potential of wastewater on human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro, using the micronucleus test and cellular proliferation index.This study demonstrated significant pollution of Boumoussa valley groundwater and of the local wells. Sampled water induced a clear increase in the frequency of micronucleated cells and a lower cell proliferation in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro. Nagli industrijski razvoj u gradu Settatu posljednjih je godina rezultirao povećanim one _išćenjem okoliša, osobito putem otpadnih voda iz kućanstava i industrije. Te se otpadne vode bez ikakve prethodne obrade odlažu u dolinu rijeke Boumoussa na podru _ju zajednice Mzamza, 8 km sjeverno od grada. Uzastopne sušne sezone lokalnoj su zajednici nametnule potrebu za uporabom tih voda za navodnjavanje, _ime su i zajednica i okoliš postali izloženi povećanim rizicima od one _išćenja tla i izvora podzemnih voda. Svrha ovog istraživanja bila je provesti fizikalno-kemijsku karakterizaciju i utvrđivanje sadržaja metala u otpadnim vodama grada Settata te procijeniti njihove u _inke na gornji sloj podzemnih voda. Ujedno je istraživan genotoksi _ni potencijal otpadnih voda u uvjetima in vitro na limfocitima periferne krvi _ovjeka primjenom mikronukleusnog testa i proliferacijskog indeksa. Istraživanje je potvrdilo visok stupanj one _išćenja vodâ u dolini Boumoussa, kao i vodâ iz bunara smještenih u neposrednoj blizini. Štetni su u _inci one _išćenja potvrđeni i na osnovi povišene u _estalosti stanica s mikronukleusima te snižene vrijednosti proliferacijskog indeksa u limfocitima periferne krvi u uvjetima in vitro.

With the increasing use of landfill sites, leachates produced by uncontrolled waste disposal have became a serious threat for the aquatic environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxicity of leachate and of well water sampled close to the town of Settat in Morocco using the micronucleus test and proliferation kinetics of human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro. We also analysed a number of physical and chemical parameters, including pH, % O 2 , chemical oxygen demand (COD), HCO 3 - , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Cl - , and conductivity. The analysis showed much higher levels of nearly all parameters than the Moroccan standard. Increased micronucleus frequencies were also found for both leachate and well water. Preliminary results indicate that both types of water are genotoxic and pose environmental and human health risk.

Sve veća uporaba i stvaranje procjednih voda iz nekontroliranih odlagališta krutoga otpada postali su ozbiljna prijetnja vodenom okolišu. Cilj je ovog istraživanja bio procijeniti genotoksičnost takvih procjednih voda te podzemnih voda uzorkovanih iz bunara u blizini odlagališta otpada grada Settata u Maroku. U tu svrhu rabili smo mikronukleusni test in vitro i usporedno istražili kinetiku proliferacije limfocita periferne krvi zdrave dobrovoljne ispitanice. Osim toga, analizirano je više fizikalno-kemijskih parametara (nitrati, ortofosfati, nitriti, pH, otopljeni kisik, kemijska potrošnja kisika, temperatura, zamućenost vode). Te su analize procjednih voda i vode iz bunara pokazale brojna odstupanja od propisanih marokanskih standarda. Usto je u limfocitima izlaganim ovim vodama utvrđena i povišena učestalost mikronukleusa. Preliminarni nalazi pokazuju da su obje vrste voda genotoksične i da su mogući izvor rizika za okoliš i ljudsko zdravlje.

Nagli industrijski razvoj u gradu Settatu posljednjih je godina rezultirao povećanim onečišćenjem okoliša, osobito putem otpadnih voda iz kućanstava i industrije. Te se otpadne vode bez ikakve prethodne obrade odlažu u dolinu rijeke Boumoussa na području zajednice Mzamza, 8 km sjeverno od grada. Uzastopne sušne sezone lokalnoj su zajednici nametnule potrebu za uporabom tih voda za navodnjavanje, čime su i zajednica i okoliš postali izloženi povećanim rizicima od onečišćenja tla i izvora podzemnih voda. Svrha ovog istraživanja bila je provesti fi zikalno-kemijsku karakterizaciju i utvrđivanje sadržaja metala u otpadnim vodama grada Settata te procijeniti njihove učinke na gornji sloj podzemnih voda. Ujedno je istraživan genotoksični potencijal otpadnih voda u uvjetima in vitro na limfocitima periferne krvi čovjeka primjenom mikronukleusnog testa i proliferacijskog indeksa. Istraživanje je potvrdilo visok stupanj onečišćenja vodâ u dolini Boumoussa, kao i vodâ iz bunara smještenih u neposrednoj blizini. Štetni su učinci onečišćenja potvrđeni i na osnovi povišene učestalosti stanica s mikronukleusima te snižene vrijednosti proliferacijskog indeksa u limfocitima periferne krvi u uvjetima in vitro.