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 Unpublished reports of Argiope species were recorded in 1934 along the Libyan coast.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are considered the most widespread bacterial infections and among the most common nosocomial infections, second only to lower respiratory tract infections. The risk of developing a UTI increases with age, making UTIs among the most commonly diagnosed infections in elderly people, representing a significant public health problem. This study aimed to isolate and detect the microbial responsible for urinary tract infections in elderly individuals and determine their resistance patterns and sensitivity to antibiotics among Libyan patients in Tripoli city. The study was conducted simultaneously in Alsharik, Eltafoq, and Ibn Al Nafis laboratories in Tripoli, Libya, during July and August 2024. One hundred and one urine samples were collected from elderly participants suffering from UTI symptoms (38 males and 63 females), with ages ranging from 60 to 97 years. Isolation, biochemical identification, and antibiotic susceptibility analyses were performed. Thirteen antibiotics were testedin this study. Among the 101 isolated samples from elderly patients with suspected UTI, females had a higher prevalence of bacterial infections (62.4%) compared to males (37.6%). The highest number of infections was in the 60–69 years age group (45.4%). Gram-negative organisms accounted for 91.1% of isolates compared to Gram-positive organisms. Escherichia coli was the most common organism isolated (43.6%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (29.7%). Most isolates were resistant to Ampicillin (31.7%) and Amoxicillin (23.8%), followed by Tetracycline (10.9%). The Gram-positive organisms Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp., and Staphylococcus aureus were most susceptible to Amoxicillin, Amikacin, and Meropenem, with sensitivity rates of 75%, 66.7%, and50%, respectively. E. coli was more susceptible to Imipenem (25%), Amikacin (22.7%), and Nitrofurantoin (13.6%), whereas Amoxicillin and Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim showed lower efficacy. Gram-negative bacteria were the main cause of UTIs in the study population, mainly belonging to the E. coli and Klebsiella families. Age and gender were significant factors in determining UTI etiology, and considering these factors can improve the accuracy in identifying causative uropathogens and guide empirical treatment.Keywords:UTI, Antibiotic Resistance, Sensitivity Antibiotics, Uropathogenic E.Coli

In recent years, English language learners are becoming highly dependent on the 

use of their smart phones to find out meanings of the vocabulary they usually do 

not know. A study by Soy (2022) highlighted that English language teachers need 

to introduce the use of smartphones as a learning tool to their students and take 

serious actions by not allowing them to use them during classes or making good 

classroom management and strict regulation concerning smartphone use in the 

classroom. The researcher in this paper attempts to shed lights on research 

conducted in this field by exploring advantages and disadvantages of the use of 

smartphones by (EFL) English language learners. This paper aims to identify the 

effectiveness of smartphones in enhancing language acquisition among learners 

by synthesizing data from various studies. The data of this study included 

analyzing 47 articles published between (2014) and (2023). The topics of the 

articles predominately were about smartphones and English language learning. 

This simple paper offers valuable insights for educators and stockholders seeking 

to optimize smartphone use in language education.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is a medical plant known for its antioxidant properties, which are attributed to bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and terpenoids. The study aimed to compare the antioxidant efficacy of natural chamomile with three commercial brands, A (Italian chamomile (Sonny)), B (Italian chamomile (Restora)), and C (German chamomile (UTZ)) available in Libyan markets. Methanol extracts of all samples were prepared by maceration, and antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. All data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, with A p-value < 0.05, which was considered statistically significant. Results revealed significant differences in IC50 values, with natural chamomile exhibiting the highest potency (IC50 = 3.35 mg/ml ± 0.055), followed by Brand A (IC50= 3.56 mg/ml ± 0.04) and Brand C (3.88 mg/ml ± 0.21). Brand B showed the weakest activity (IC50= 5.01 mg/ml ± 0.04). The statistical analysis confirmed the superiority of natural chamomile over commercial variants. Our findings suggest that processing methods, storage conditions, or potential additives in commercial products may degrade bioactive compounds, reducing antioxidant efficacy. This study highlights the advantage of minimally processed natural chamomile for optimal antioxidant benefits, and it underscores the implications for consumer choice and quality control in the manufacturing of herbal products.

Energy drinks are widely consumed by teenagers and young adults to enhance focus and energy.

However, excessive consumption may lead to negative health effects, especially when they contain

preservatives like sodium benzoate. In this study, the concentration of sodium benzoate was

determined in four imported energy drink samples available in Asb'ah markets. The analysis was

conducted using a UV spectrophotometric method, which proved to be both simple and accurate. The

concentration of sodium benzoate in the samples ranged from 1361 to 1424.55 mg/L. The results

indicated that all tested samples contained sodium benzoate levels within the upper safety limits

established by the FDA

Abstract: Vitamin D deficiency is a public health concern affecting many individuals as it is highly prevalent in

all parts of the world. Recent studies have reported an association of vitamin D deficiency with cardiometabolic

alterations such as dyslipidemia. The study aimed to evaluate vitamin D and lipid profile levels among the Libyan

adult population and investigate the correlation of vitamin D deficiency with the alteration of lipid profile levels.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Janzour Hospital among 193 subjects (107 males and 86 females) whose

ages ranged between 20 and 50 years over three months from Sept to Dec 2023. Vitamin D, cholesterol,

triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein levels were estimated. The total mean vitamin

D levels were 8.31±4.74, 23.83±2.78, and 42.67±7.95 ng/dl for deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency,

respectively. The findings revealed significant alterations in cholesterol (increase), triglyceride (increase), LDLcholesterol

(increase), and HDL-cholesterol (decrease) among subjects who had vitamin D deficiency or

insufficiency as compared to subjects having vitamin D sufficiency. Vitamin D levels were negatively correlated

with cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol, and they were positively associated with HDL cholesterol.

The incidence of dyslipidemia is higher in the vitamin D deficiency group than in the insufficiency and sufficiency

groups. It is essential to frequently monitor lipid profiles among vitamin D-deficient individuals to avoid

subsequent disorders or damages associated with the alterations of lipid profile patterns.