Abstract INTRODUCTION: Dental caries is a major global issue that has been connected to a number of systemic issues, necessitating multidisciplinary investigation. Examining dental degradation in conjunction with Helicobacter pylori infection provides a unique perspective on gut and oral health in Tripoli, Libya. Previously linked to peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis, H. pylori has recently been linked to tooth health. This change in viewpoint is crucial because there was no discernible link between the infection and chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, or even smoking, indicating the necessity for measures to raise awareness of good oral hygiene among afflicted individuals. The prevalence of H. pylori was clearly linked to declining dental health when examining Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) scores; this relationship was particularly evident in older participants and those with poor oral hygiene. METHODS AND MATERIALS: a cross-sectional design was used, 135 randomly selected participants to ensure that our sample was representative of the local community. Following a thorough review of each patient's medical history, which included chronic conditions, socioeconomic status, and dental hygiene practices, a dentist qualified to perform this type of evaluation examined each patient for evidence of decay using well-known metrics such as the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) score. Based on previous research, serological tests (detection of H. pylori antibodies) were performed to determine the presence of H. pylori in order to minimize discomfort and avoid the bias that occasionally arises with more intrusive gut collection methods. THE AIM: of this study is to provide a significant contribution to the present literature with genuine potential to influence public health policies and dental care programs targeted at reducing health inequities in the region, provided that the study is carefully planned and some innovative data management is done. RESULTS: This result essentially shows that additional interdisciplinary research is required to adequately map out the cause-and-effect relationship between H. pylori and dental caries. Curiously, it also supports previous research that suggested this bacterium might contribute to oral disorders, supporting the notion that a comprehensive, multimodal strategy is required to address oral and general health concerns. By lowering the rate of dental decay, local, community-driven initiatives to enhance oral hygiene may hold the key to minimizing the effects of H. pylori. The study emphasizes that reducing the disparities in oral health observed in Tripoli may depend on making dental treatment more accessible, particularly for those from lower-income backgrounds. Conclusion: An infection with Helicobacter pylori is substantially linked to a higher prevalence of dental caries. Both dental decay and H. pylori infection are significantly influenced by age, with poorer oral health being seen in older people. Infrequent dental checkups and poor oral hygiene are two factors that raise the DMFT index. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, and acidity have far worse tooth health. Dental caries is significantly influenced by economic level, with slightly worse outcomes for those with greater incomes. The DMFT score and H. pylori prevalence do not seem to be significantly impacted by smoking or gender. This study confirms our presumptions between H. pylori and dental cavities while highlighting the critical necessity for integrated healthcare systems. Keywords: Dental Caries, Helicobacter Pylori, Gastritis, Tripoli, Libya.

The collection of comprehensive data is crucial for monitoring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns and implementing targeted interventions. However, there is a lack of data regarding the AMR status of pathogens in Libya, hinders the efforts to address the problem effectively. This retrospective study evaluates the prevalence of Escherichia coli AMR isolates to gentamycin, chloramphenicol, cefoxitin (or) ceftriaxone, meropenem, moxifloxacin (Mox), amoxicillin/clavulanate (AUG) or ampicillin-sulbactam (UNZ) among the visitors to the main pathology laboratories in Gharyan city. Reports from 107 AMR tests demonstrate that E. coli was mostly isolated from Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs, 85%) followed by vaginal infections (8.4%) and wound infections (6.5%). More than half of the isolates were multi-drug resistant which is a clear indicator of the need for continuous monitoring. The overall pattern demonstrates a high resistance rate to cephalosporins, and combinations of penicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitors (UNZ or AUG), followed by high resistance rates to Mox. In contrast, E. coli isolates showed high sensitivity to meropenem followed by gentamicin and chloramphenicol. However, the isolation site seems to affect the resistance patterns, most of the wound isolates were resistant to gentamycin. In contrast, all vaginal isolates were resistant to UNZ or AUG, yet both types showed high susceptibility to meropenem. 

Euphorbia glyptosperma Engelm is recorded for the first time as part of the flora of Libya. This widespread wild weed was collected during 2023–2024 from various locations, including regions in Sabha and Ariggiba (approximately 110 km southwest of Sabha city). To aid in its identification and facilitate future studies, a comprehensive description of the species, habitat information, a distribution map, and distribution data are provided. Additionally, a brief discussion highlights the most significant threats associated with this species. Keywords: Identification key, Ariggiba Region, Field work, Sabha taxonomy, Alena 

Spiders are widespread, abundant predators, making them familiar and readily accessible to people everywhere. Despite having venom glands, most spiders bite humans in some situations, only when they are annoyed, trapped or injured. Studies on spider bites in Libya are limited, neglected, and affected by misdiagnosis and underreporting. The study aimed to interpret, analyze, and characterize the clinical characteristics of spider bite patients and their variations at Tripoli Medical Center (TMC), Tripoli, Libya, between 2004 and 2012. A retrospective study of 102 reported patients with spider bites at Tripoli Medical Center during the period from 2004 to 2012. A total of 102 patients were reported, mostly in May and June (16 cases in each month). The cases were mostly reported in 2007 and 2009 (17 each). The majority of cases were in age group of 19-29 years (41 cases), and female cases (68 cases, 66.6%) were higher than males (34 cases, 33.3%). The most bitten sites were proximal extremities (71.5%). Overall, most patients suffered from erythema (90%) and swelling (36%), followed by itching (33%), necrosis (29%) and fever (17%). Spider bites are common in Libya, but most bites cause minimal or no clinical effects and do not require medical attention. Diagnosing a spider bite is extremely challenging, but a comprehensive history and careful evaluation of symptoms, with correct verification of spider bites are helpful in diagnosing and treating spider bites.

Abstract:

This research deals with estimating the likely switch of own car and private vehicles modes

users to public transport modes in the main cities as Tripoli Capital city of Libya due to

reduced travel time of all trips influenced by travel costs through the introducing the public

transport modes such as public buses and increasing cost of car parking. The data on other

factors (variables) that could potentially reason a model switch of from own cars and private

transport to public transport were collected through a survey (questionnaire) with a specified

preference approach. Mode-switch models to describe the switch of behaviour of own car

operators to public transport are developed. A binary logit regression model was used to

assessment the transport displacement model for work and study trips. Mode-switch

likelihood curves have also, been developed to serve as a user-friendly tool to analyse the

likely model-switch for a variety of variables. One way to achieve this objective is by

establishing reserved public transport lanes on main urban Tripoli city roads. The providing of

private road lanes will reduce the level of road traffic congestion and this may effect in a

switch of all or some private transport mode users to public transport modes.

Key words: Own car, Public transport modes, logit model, Travel time, Travel cost, parking

cost and switch probabilities.

Background/Objectives: Clostridioides difficile is a “One Health” pathogen and a cause of antibiotics-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) have been documented in the genomes of clinical C. difficile strains; however, the presence of MGEs in environmental strains remains poorly characterized. Thus, the present study was conducted with the objective of identifying the prevalence of MGEs, including mobilizable transposons (MTns), conjugative transposons (CTns), plasmids, and insertion sequences, in whole genome sequences (WGSs) of environmental C. difficile isolates. Methods: The analysis of MGEs was conducted using 166 WGSs obtained from C. difficile strains isolated from various environmental sources contaminated with feces. The MGEs were identified using bioinformatic tools. Results: A total of 48.2% (80/166) of the studied genomes were identified to harbor nine transposons, including Tn916, Tn6194-like, Tn5397, Tn6215, Tn4001, Tn6073, Tn6110, Tn6107, or Tn5801-like. The majority of MTns and CTns could be found within C. difficile sequence types ST11, ST3, and ST35. The results demonstrated close genetic relatedness among the studied genomes, the array of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, such as tetM, ermB, and aac(6′)-aph(2″), and the presence of CTns. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that 24.7% (41/166) of the genome sequences of isolates were associated with various predominant plasmid groups, including pCD6, pCD-ECE4-6, pCD-WTSI1-4, pCDBI1, and pCd1_3, which belonged to 16 different sequence types. Furthermore, several plasmids were identified as harboring the prophage phiCDHM19. Conclusions: The results of the current study suggest that the identified plasmids are abundant and may encode functions that are relevant to C. difficile physiology. The genomes of C. difficile strains examined contain closely related CTns, suggesting that horizontal transfer of AMR is important in this species or other bacterial species. Further research is required to ascertain the effect of these genetic elements and their transferability on the biology of C. difficile.