Background: Gallstone disease (GSD) is a significant global health burden with variable prevalence influenced by metabolic, genetic, and infectious factors. Increasing evidence suggests that Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus species, contribute to gallstone pathogenesis through enzymatic activity and biofilm formation. Objectives: To characterize Gram-positive bacteria within gallstones from Iraqi patients, evaluate their biofilm-forming capacity, and analyze the relationship between bacterial colonization, gallstone type, and cholesterol levels. Methods: A total of 100 gallstones were obtained from patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy between October 2024 and March 2025. Stones were aseptically processed for bacterial isolation and identification using selective culture media and the VITEK® 2 Compact System. Serum cholesterol levels were determined by enzymatic colorimetric assay. Biofilm formation was quantified via the 96-well microtiter plate method, and statistical correlations between gallstone type, cholesterol level, and bacterial presence were analyzed. Results: Cholesterol stones (57%) were more prevalent than pigment (40%) and mixed stones (3%). Bacterial growth was observed in 43% of gallstones, with Enterococcus species (31 isolates) predominating over S. aureus (12 isolates). Species-level identification revealed E. faecalis (n= 16), E. faecium (n= 9), and E. gallinarum (n= 6), marking the first reported isolation of E. gallinarum from gallstones. Cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in sterile stones (median 235 mg/dL) compared to bacteria-positive stones (173-186 mg/dL) (P < 0.0001). Biofilm analysis showed all S. aureus isolates as strong producers, whereas E. faecalis exhibited predominantly moderate-to-strong formation, while E. faecium and E. gallinarum displayed weaker capacities. Conclusion: A significant interplay between microbial colonization and gallstone composition. Strong biofilm-producing Gram-positive bacteria, particularly S. aureus and E. faecalis, may facilitate stone maturation and persistence. The novel isolation of E. gallinarum expands the spectrum of biliary microbiota.
Background: This study aims to assess the prevalence of malposed canines among students of College of Dentistry/ University of Baghdad and evaluate the relation between canine malposition and occlusal features.
Material and method: The prevalence of buccally malposed canines was estimated by intra-oral visual examination of 250 young adult subjects (106 males and 144 females), their ages were between 19-24 years.
Results: The prevalence of the mandibular malposed canine (12%) was higher than the maxillary buccally malposed canine (10%). Generally, malposed canines were found higher in f
... Show MoreThe present research is concerned with studying the appearance and essence of meaning in contemporary sculpture by addressing the problematic how to flow of meaning its multiplicity and the flow of its surplus, resulting from the transformations of the artistic form and the variety of its methods which results to a new and different strategies in circulation and aesthetic reception to achieve this task, we have relied on models of modern Iraq sculpture, which fit in its form and raw materials with the concept of phenomenon studied. Therefore, the research topic were divided into four axes:- the first axe included an introduction about the subject. The introduction included the problems of research and its importance, aim repr
... Show MoreBackground: Patients who have both neurological impairment and kyphotic deformity can be treated medically, and this treatment can be achieved with anti-tuberculous drugs alone.
Objective: To evaluate conservative medical management of patients with tuberculosis of the spine (Pott disease). The prognostic significance of various clinical, radiological, and long-term follow-up findings in these patients was also evaluated.
Methods: Between January 2009 and January 2018 data were collected prospectively at The Neurosciences Hospital/ Baghdad/ Iraq in 44 patients with Pott disease in the thoracic and lumbar spine. These patients had no major neurological deficits or
... Show MoreThe role of relaxation program for reducing anxiety of patients in dental clinic
Objectives: To determine the (QoL) for patients with permanent pacemaker and to find-out the relationship between
these patients’ (QoL) and their sociodemographic characteristics such as age, gender, level of education, and
occupation.
Methodology: ٨ purposive non-probability” sample of (62) patient with permanent pacemaker was involved in this
study. The developed questionnaire consists of (4) parts which include !.demographic data form, 2.disease-related
information form, 3.socioeconomic data form, and 4.Permanent pacemaker patient’s quality of life questionnaire data
form. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were determined through the application of a pilot study. ٨
descriptive statistical a
The present work involved synthesis of serval new substituted tetrazole via Schiff bases for trimethoprim drug by two steps. The first step involved direct reaction of different ketones and aldehydes with trimethoprim producing the corresponding Schiff bases (1-10), whereas the second step, involved preparation new tetrazoles derivatives (11-20) through reaction of the ready Schiff bases (in the first step) with sodium azidein in dioxin. The prepared compounds were characterized by UV, FT-IR, and some of them by 13C-NMR, 1H-NMR spectroscopy and physical properties.
New series of Schiff bases 2(a-j) and corresponding beta-lactam derivatives 3(a-j) were synthesized from cefalexin (1) as starting material. The compound (1) was reacted with different aldehydes and ketones to give Schiff bases derivatives 2(a-j). The synthesized Schiff bases were cyclized by chloroacetyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine to form beta-lactam derivatives 3(a-j). The compounds were characterized by deremination melting point, FT-IR and 1H NMR. The beta-lactam derivatives were screened in vitro antibacterial against some bacterial species