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.
Polyaniline (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
... Show MoreIn this study, tin oxide (SnO2) and mixed with cadmium oxide (CdO) with concentration ratio of (5, 10, 15, 20)% films were deposited by spray pyrolysis technique onto glass substrates at 300ºC temperature. The structure of the SnO2:CdO mixed films have polycrystalline structure with (110) and (101) preferential orientations. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) show the films are displayed granular structure. It was found that the grain size increases with increasing of mixed concentration ratio. The transmittance in visible and NIR region was estimated for SnO2:CdO mixed films. Direct optical band gap was estimated for SnO2 and SnO2 mixed CdO and show a decrease in the energy gap with increasing mixing ratio. From Hall measurement, it was fou
... Show MoreNew hydrazone derivatives of Fenoprofen were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity by means of egg white induced paw edema method. All the synthesized target compounds were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, 1HNMR analysis and by measure of their physical properties. The synthesis of the target compounds(H1-H4) was accomplished by multistep reaction procedures. The synthesized target compounds were show activity in reducing paw edema thickness and their anti-inflammatory effect was comparable to that of the standard (Fenoprofen) except for compound H3 which show anti-inflammatory activity higher than Fenoprofen.
In this present work, [4,4`-(biphenyl-4,4`-diylbis(azan-1-yl-1-ylidene))bis(methan-1-yl-1-ylidene)bis(2-methoxyphenl)(A1),4,4`-(biphenyl-4,4`-diylbis(azan-1-yl-1-ylidene))bis(methan-1-yl-1-ylidene)diphenol(A2),1,1`-(biphenyl-4,4`-diylbis(azan-1-yl-1-ylidene))bis(methan-1-yl-1-ylidene) dinaphthalen-2-ol (A3)]C.S was prepared in 3.5% NaCl. Corrosion prevention at (293-323) K has been studied by using electrochemical measurements. It shows that the utilized inhibitors are of mixed type based on the polarization curves. The results indicated that the inhibition efficiency changes were used with a change according to the functional groups on the benzene ring and through the electrochemical technique. Temperature increases with corrosion current
... Show MoreWe prepared polythiophene (PTH) with single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) nanocomposite thin films for Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gas sensing applications. Thin films were synthesized via electrochemical polymerization method onto (Indium tin oxide) ITO coated glass substrate of thiophene monomer with magnesium perchlorate and different concentration from SWCNT (0.012 and 0.016) % in the presence130mL of Acetonitrile used. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used to characterized these nanocomposite thin films. The response of these nanocomposite for NO2 gas was evaluated via monitoring the change
... Show MoreAn attempt to synthesize the benzoimidazol derivatives from the reaction of o-phenylenediamine and benzoic acid derivatives in the presence of ethanol and various ketones under microwave irradiation, 1 , 5 - benzodiazepinum salt derivatives were obtained instead of them. Unexpected reaction was happened for synthesis a new series of benzodiazepinium salt derivatives in a selective yield . The reaction mechanism was also discussed. The new compounds were purified and identified their structures were elucidated using various physical techniques like; FT- IR spectra, micro elemental analysis (C.H.N) and 1H NMR spectra.
The researchers wanted to make a new azo imidazole as a follow-up to their previous work. The ligand 4-[(2-Amino-4-phenylazo)-methyl]-cyclohexane carboxylic acid as a derivative of trans-4-(aminomethyl) cyclohexane carboxylic acid diazonium salt, and synthesis a series of its chelate complexes with metalions, characterized these compounds using a variety technique, including elemental analysis, FTIR, LC-Mass, 1H-NMRand UV-Vis spectral process as well TGA, conductivity and magnetic quantifications. Analytical data showed that the Co (II) complex out to 1:1 metal-ligand ratio with square planner and tetrahedral geometry, respectively while 1:2 metal-ligand ratio in the Cu(II), Cr(III), Mn(II), Zn(II), Ru(III)and Rh(III)complexes
... Show MoreObjective: Econazole nitrate (ECZ) is one of the triazole antifungal drugs with poor aqueous solubility and dissolution rate; there is a need for enhancement of solubility. Therefore; inclusion complexation with β cyclodextrin (βCD) was performed. Methods: In this study kneading method and co-evaporation method of preparation of inclusion complex between βCD and ECZ using two molar ratios of βCD. The solubility of these complexes in isotonic saline solution and distilled water was studied. Complexes prepared by kneading method were used for the preparation of different ophthalmic gel formulas using carbomer (CB) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (sod CMC) as a gelling agent. The release profile and the rheological behaviour of the gel w
... Show MoreDiabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) formerly called non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes is a common disease. Rheumatoid factor is a well-established test used in the diagnosis and follows the prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Rheumatoid factor is sometimes found in serum of patients with other diseases including diabetes mellitus (DM), due to the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF- α which play an important role in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the study is to investigate the associations between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in scope of rheumatoid factor (RF), hyperglycemia a
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