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.
In this paper, CdS/Si hetrojunction solar cell has been made by
Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD) of CdS thin film on to
monocrystalline silicon substrate. XRD measurements approved that
CdS film is changing the structure of CdS films from mixed
hexagonal and cubic phase to the hexagonal phase with [101]
predominant orientation. I-V characterization of the hetrojunction
shows good rectification, with high spectral responsivity of 0.41
A/W, quantum efficiency 90%,and specific detectivity 2.9*1014
cmHz1/2W -1 .
Oily wastewater is one of the most challenging streams to deal with especially if the oil exists in emulsified form. In this study, electrospinning method was used to prepare nanofiberous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes and study their performance in oil removal. Graphene particles were embedded in the electrospun PVDF membrane to enhance the efficiency of the membranes. The prepared membranes were characterized using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to verify the graphene stabilization on the surface of the membrane homogeneously; while FTIR was used to detect the functional groups on the membrane surface. The membrane wettability was assessed by measuring the contact angle. The PVDF and PVDF / Graphene membranes efficiency
... Show MoreCoblatcomplex has been prepared by reaction between C16H19N3O3S (L) as ligand and metal salt (II). The prepared complex were characterized by infrared spectra, electromic spectra, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductivity measurement and metal analysis by atomic absorption and (C.H.N) analysis. From these studies tetrahedral geometry structure for the complex was suggested. The photodegredation of complex were study using photoreaction cell and preparednanoTiO2 catalyst in different conditions (concentration, temperatures, pH).The results show that the recation is of a first order with activation energy equal to (6.6512 kJ /mol).
Nano-crystalline iron oxide nanoparticles (magnetite) was synthesized by open vessel ageing process. The iron chloride solution was prepared by mixing deionized water and iron chloride tetrahydrate. The product was characterized by X-Ray, Surface area and pore volume by Brunauer-Emmet-Teller, Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR) . The results showed that the XRD in compatibility of the prepared iron oxide (magnetite) with the general structure of standard iron oxide, and in Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, it is strong crests in 586 bands, because of the expansion vibration manner related to the metal oxygen absorption band (Fe–O bonds in the crystals of iron ox
... Show MoreChitosan-schiff base with three different ratios of para-Dimethyl aminobenzaldehyde& chitosan Schiff base hydrogels have been prepared for controlled drug release study. The synthesized chitosan Schiff base and chitosan Schiff base hydrogel were characterized by FT-IR, UV-Visible, SEM, analysis. Swelling properties of the hydrogel were investigated at three different media pH (2, 7, 10). The swelling degree varied with the pH, amount of crosslinking agent glutaraldehyde and with the amount of paraDimethylaminobenzaldehyde for the hydrogels. All hydrogels were used for controlled drug release system. Aspirin was used as model drug, in three different buffer solution (2, 7, 10) as release media. The rate of release of drugs in the pH2 is m
... Show MoreSchiff base of chitosan with Para-Dimethyl aminobenzaldehyde /PVA-Ag Nanocomposite have been prepared as antimicrobial polymer. The prepared chitosan Schiff base and chitosan Schiff base / PVA-Ag nanocomposite were characterized by FT-IR, SEM analysis and biological activity. The nanocomposite showed good activity against different types of bacteria.
The synthesis, characterization and liquid crystalline properties of N4,N40-bis((1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-2- yl)methyl)-3,30-dimethyl-[1,10-biphenyl]-4,40-diamine and of their corresponding Mn(II), Fe(II), Ni (II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes are described. The ligand and complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility measurements (meff), conductometric measurements and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR), (13C-NMR) and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Spectral investigations suggested octahedral coordination geometrical arrangement for M(II) complexes. The phase transition temperatures were detected by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and the phases are confirmed by op
... Show MoreCoupling reaction of 4-amino antipyrene with 2,6-dimethyl phenol gave bidentate azo ligand. The prepared ligand was identified by Microelemental Analysis, 1HNMR, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopic techniques. Treatment of the prepared ligand with the following metal ions (CoII, NiII, CuII, ZnII, CdII, and HgII) in aqueous ethanol with a 1:2 M:L ratio and at optimum pH, yielded a series of neutral complexes of the general formula [M(L)2Cl2]. The prepared complexes were characterized using flame atomic absorption, (C.H.N) Analysis, FT-IR and UVVis spectroscopic methods as well as magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements. Chloride ion content was also evaluated by (Mohr method). The nature of the complexes formed were studied followin
... Show MorePolyaniline (PANI) and Ag/PANI nanocomposite thin films have prepared by microwave induced plasma. The Ag powder of average particle size of 50 nm, were used to prepare Ag/PANI nanocomposite thin films. The Ag/PANI nanocomposite thin films prepared by polymerization in plasma and characterized by UV-VIS, FTIR, AFM and SEM to study the effect of silver nanoparticles on the optical properties, morphology and structure of the thin films. The optical properties studies showed that the energy band gap of the Ag/PANI (5%wt silver) decreased from 3.6 to 3.2 eV, where the substrate location varied from 4.4 to 3.4 cm from the axis of the cylindrical plasma chamber. Also the optical energy gap decreased systematically from 3.3 to 3 eV with increas
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