The approach to delivering education in Libya has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Various tools now support the educational process, shifting it from rote learning to creativity, interaction, and skill development. This study aims to examine the feasibility of implementing e-learning in Libyan universities. A statistical analysis was conducted on approximately 400 samples to identify patterns. The findings highlight the importance of e-learning in enhancing the quality of education by outlining its benefits and limitations. Moreover, it was found that employees consider e-learning an effective alternative to traditional education. Despite this consensus, concerns remain regarding the availability of sufficient infrastructure. 

This study presents a strategic synthetic approach to functionalize the traditionally unreactive C3 position of the benzothiophene core. A series of 3-chloro-N-(aryl)benzothiophene-2-carboxamides (2a–d) were synthesized in good to excellent yields (53–83%) via amidation of 3-chloro-2-chlorocarbonylbenzothiophene[b]thiophene (1).Subsequent oxidation with hydrogen peroxide in acetic acid afforded the corresponding sulfone derivatives (3a–d), a transformation that reduced aromaticity and activated the C3 position. This activation enabled anucleophilic aromatic substitution, where chlorine in sulfone 3b was replaced by ethylamine, isopropylamine, and diethylamine, yielding novel 3-aminobenzothiophene-1,1-dioxides (4a–c) in moderate yields (50–64%). All new compounds were fully characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The synthesized derivatives were evaluated in vitro for antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and fungal strains (Candida albicans, Crysosporium pannical, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus oryzae). While overall activities were slight to moderate compared with standard drugs, compounds 3a and 3b displayed a promising broad-spectrum profile. These findings establish an efficient and versatile methodology for accessing C3-functionalized benzothiophenes, providing a valuable foundation for the design of new lead structures against resistant microbes.

This study integrates compliance evaluations and organic solvent risk assessments to enhance laboratory safety in Gharyan University chemistry laboratories. Six laboratories (Analytical, Biochemistry, Organic, Physical, Inorganic, and Research) were assessed for safety compliance across five elements: storage, PPE, usage areas, emergency management, and documentation. Concurrently, a systematic risk assessment was performed for seven common organic solvents (ether, chloroform, benzene, methanol, hexane, acetone, and ethanol), considering inherent hazard severity and laboratory-specific probability. Results showed moderate overall compliance (26.09%-38.26%), with the organic laboratory exhibiting the highest. "Emergency Management" was a universal weakness (20.00% compliance). Risk assessment revealed 62.5% of solvent-laboratory combinations posed very high risks, with ether, chloroform, and benzene consistently hazardous. A clear link emerged between laboratory compliance and risk profiles; higher compliance correlated with lower solvent risks. This research provides empirical evidence that improved safety compliance mitigates risks, offering a novel framework for integrated safety assessment in academic settings. Findings emphasize strengthening safety management, particularly in emergency preparedness and PPE use, to reduce risks from organic solvents in university chemistry laboratories. Keywords: organic solvents, risk assessment, compliance analysis, chemical hazards, safety management.

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.

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.

ABSTRACT

Argemone ochroleuca Sweet, Brit. Fl. Gard. Ser.1 3(2): pl. 242 (1828) of the family Papaveraceae is reported here for the first time from Libya. This species is native to Mexico. Flowering specimens of A. ochroleuca were collected from the region Ariggiba (26°35’11.8”N 13°29’24.8”E), 110 km southwest of the city of Sabha, which lies about 700 km south of Tripoli. It is presented with updated nomenclature, taxonomic description, geographical distribution, key to genera, location in Libya, and colour photographs taken in the field. The voucher specimens are deposited in the Herbarium of Botany Department (ULT), University of Tripoli, Libya.

SUMMARY This research documents the initial finding of Chloris pycnothrix Trin., frequently referred to as spiderweb chloris, in Libya, particularly from the Ariggiba region close to Sabha city. This grass, originating from tropical and subtropical regions, is versatile and may become invasive. It was recognized via morphological examination during field surveys in 2023–2024, with samples stored in a herbarium. The species flourishes in alluvial plains as well as in disturbed habitats like road shoulders. It can be mistaken for Chloris virgata, although they differ in some important morphological aspects. It was previously believed that only one species of Chloris existed in Libya. This study provides a revision and an identification key for them in the context of Libyan flora. The tolerant nature of C. pycnothrix to drought, combined with its ability to colonize poorly maintained land, makes its potential introduction—most likely through anthropogenic means—alarming ecologically and emphasizes the need for management strategies to contain its spread and monitor its impact. 

Abstract. The cosmopolitan or banded garden spider, Argiope trifasciata (Forskål, 1775), the lobed spider, A. lobata (Pallas, 1772) and the MENA lobed spider, A. sector (Forsskål, 1776) are reported, figured and described for the first time in Gharyan city, northwestern of Libya, based on adult female specimens gathered from different plants:- amaranth, haloxylon, prickly saltwort, retama, safflower, vetches, across various sites in the city. Unpublished reports of Argiope species were recorded in 1934 along the Libyan coast.