Background and objective :Helicobacter pylori [H.pylori] infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections worldwide especially in the developing countries. This bacterium is the cause of many diseases such as MALT lymphoma, gastritis, peptic ulcers, and stomach cancer. According to recent reports, H.pylori infection may increase the risk of colorectal cancer. The current study aimed at investigating the association of H. pylori infection and the risk of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps. Methods: The current study was conducted on 52 patients with colon cancer as the case group and 200 subjects without pathological finding (i e, polyps, neoplasms, or inflammatory diseases) as the control group. Blood samples were collected from the patients in order to assess the presence of anti-H. pylori infection antibodies by the serum titer levels of anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with commercial kit by (Dia.Pro Diagnostic Bioprobes-Italy). Results: This study demonstrates distinct associations between H.pylori infection markers and CRC risk. While IgG seropositivity showed a significant 2.16-fold increased CRC risk (p = 0.019). Conclusion: This research finding IgG seropositivity may serve as a broader risk marker.

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 

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.

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

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.

A new record for Leptadenia arborea (Forssk.) Schweinf. is reported for the first time in the flora of Libya. This species was collected from Ariggiba region (110 km southwest Sabha city). A full description and habitat information on the plant are provided. A brief discussion about the most important traits of this species is presented.

Abstract

For the first time in Libyan flora, a new record for Boerhavia repens L is recorded. This widespread wild weed was collected from the Ariggiba region (110 km west-south Sabha city). A full description, habitat information, distribution map, and distribution data are provided to facilitate further identification and future detection. A brief discussion about the most important threats this species poses is presented.

Clostridioides difficile is widely recognised as one of the most common causes of healthcare-associated C. difficile infections due to the ability of spores to survive for prolonged periods in the hospital environment. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of UV-C 254 nm light in the inactivation of the spores of different C. difficile ribotypes on brain heart infusion (BHI) agar plates or in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) with varying spore densities. Furthermore, the effectiveness of a sporicidal surface disinfectant against C. difficile spores was determined on different surfaces. Spore suspensions of different C. difficile strains in the range of 10⁵–10⁷ colony-forming units (CFUs) mL⁻¹ were inoculated on BHI agar plates or in PBS and exposed to UV-C light for up to 30 min. Additionally, a spore suspension of 10³–10⁵ CFUs was spread over a 1 cm² test area on different surfaces, and sporicidal surface wipes were used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The findings demonstrated that spores of C. difficile ribotypes exhibited a complete reduction in log₁₀ CFU on BHI agar plates and PBS following 20 min of exposure to a UV-C dose of 2208 mJ cm⁻². The surface wipes with sporicidal properties demonstrated efficacy in reducing the number of C. difficile spores on the Formica, stainless steel, and plastic surfaces by 2.03–3.53 log₁₀. The present study demonstrates that moist surfaces or liquids can enhance the efficacy of UV-C treatment in reducing C. difficile spores. This approach may be applicable to the surfaces of healthcare facilities and to water disinfection systems.