Despite the relative abundance of sunny weather, surprisingly, there is increasing evidence that vitamin D deficiency is extremely prevalent in females of reproductive age in Middle East countries. There is also increasing interest in the non-classical roles of vitamin in health and disease including its relation to incidence of gestational diabetes, its impact on glycaemic control in diabetes mellitus, and its association with some complications of pregnancy like preeclampsia. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant diabetic patients in west Libya and analyse potential links to socioeconomic and cultural factors. This is a cross sectional observational study. Random plasma was collected form expected mothers attending the Antenatal Diabetes Clinic at Tripoli’s Main Maternity Hospital. Demographics and socioeconomic and cultural factors were recorded at the same time. Samples were analysed for vitamin D level and biochemical screening panel. Vitamin D level was obtained from 160 patients (mean age 35 years). Over all 95 % of the study population had vitamin D levels below normal (defined as vitamin D level of < 20 ng/mL). Results were subcategorised into severe deficiency ( 30 ng/ml, only 1.3%, 2 patients). All patients were taking daily vitamin D Supplements at a dose of 400 IU as per hospital policy. Vitamin D deficiency is extremely prevalent in pregnant diabetic patients in Libya. There is no clear association with socioeconomic risk factors like employment, type of accommodation or geographic distribution. However, most of the study population had life style characterized by minimal exposure to direct sun arabic 11 English 70
G Murad, A Bashein(1-2019)

Abstract Introduction: Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC type, carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), are important mechanisms of resistance among Enterobacteriaceae. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ESBL, AmpC and CRE among Enterobacteriaceae isolates recovered from pediatric patients in Tripoli, Libya. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Tripoli Children Hospital (TCH), a total of 915 Gram negative bacteria isolates were evaluated for susceptibility to a panel of antimicrobials and were analyzed phenotypically for the ESBL, AmpC type and CRE using chromagen media, E-test and combination disc test. Results: The predominant organisms were Escherichia coli (56.8%) and Klebsiella spp. (21.4%). The overall prevalence of ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae was 24.5% (224/915). Out of 224, Enterobacteriaceae proved ESBL producer, Klebsiella spp. (54%) and E. coli (34.4%) were the leading ESBL producers. ESBL-producers were more often resistant to major classes of antibiotics compared with non-ESBL producers, significantly high resistance rates (P < 0.001) were observed for ceftriaxone, cefepime, and ceftazidime (87.5 - 95.9%) among ESBL producers compared to non-ESBL producers (7.2 - 13.5%). MDR was documented for 50/224 (22.3%) of ESBL producers and was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) among ESBLs compared with non-ESBL producer isolates. Phenotypic detection of AmpC revealed 60/915 (6.6%) isolates as potential AmpC β-lactamase producers, E. coli exhibited a lower level of AmpC (8.3%) compared with Klebsiella spp. (56.6%). The overall prevalence of CRE was 9% (83/915). Carbapenemase-producing organisms in this study were as follows: Klebsiella spp. (44.6%); Acinetobacter spp. (24%); Pseudomonas spp. (9.6%). Conclusion: This study revealed that the prevalence of ESBL, AmpC, CRE and MDR Enterobacteriaceae isolates in Children hospital was within acceptable frequency. arabic 11 English 91
Abdulaziz Zorgani, Abdulla Bashein, (1-2017)

Background— The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) promotes independently of its enzymatic activity the degradation of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor. PCSK9 gain of function in humans leads to autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia, whereas the absence of functional PCSK9 results in ≈7-fold lower levels of LDL cholesterol. This suggests that lowering PCSK9 may protect against atherosclerosis. Methods and Results— We investigated the role of PCSK9 in atherosclerosis in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT), apolipoprotein E–deficient, and LDL receptor–deficient mouse models. Circulating cholesterol levels, fast protein liquid chromatography profiles, aortic cholesteryl esters (CE), and plaque sizes were determined. Intima-media thicknesses were measured by ultrasound biomicroscopy. First, mice expressing null (knockout [KO]), normal (WT), or high (transgenic [Tg]) levels of PCSK9 … arabic 12 English 86
Maxime Denis, Ahmed Zaid(1-2012)