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.
This study aimed to identify the degree of frustration and guilt among addicts who hurt themselves with drug, and to know the addicts perspective who are in treatment clinics and rehabilitation centers in Palestine, in order to achieve this goal aDeterminationThe study population has been identified , this study population consisted of ' (82) addict, the researcher used the descriptive analytical method which is appropriate for this study, so the researcher questioned the addicts who are in treatment clinics and rehabilitation centers in Palestine and analyze their responses in light of some of the variables.
The study results showed that drug addicts who ar
... Show MoreThe research aimed at identifying the level of Acute stress disorder and orientation towards supplication among the wives of the martyrs and knowledge of the two levels according to the age groups, academic achievement and profession. Sample of (72) wife of a martyr, and the results of the research indicated that the wives of the martyrs have symptoms of distress disorder and have adherence to the supplication to alleviate that disorder, as well as the results indicated that there are statistical differences in distress disturbance according to the variable of age groups, the profession variable and the variable of enrollment The academic year. As for the measure of the trend towards supplication, there are no statistical dif
... Show MoreThe study seeks to examine the level of personal efficacy and its relation to mental alertness among university students. Besides, the statistically significant differences in regard of students' gender, and the correlation between male and female. To do this, the researcher adopted two scales: one to measure the personal efficacy which was made up by (abed al-jabaar, 2010) included (26) items, and the other to measure the mental alertness that designed by (abed Allah, 2012) included (36) items. A total of (120) student were selected randomly from three-different colleges at the Al-Mustansiriyah University for the academic year 2016-2017. The findings revealed there are no significant differences among students in regard of the personal
... Show Morestudy aimed to recognize the relationship shyness and depression and to recognize the differences between the genders, according to the variable of shyness and depression, the sample consisted (214) students, (141) female (73) male, and the sample responded scale of shyness and Inventory beck for depression, The Results of this study show that: the sample has a low degree shyness and a high degree depression, . There are no statistically significant differences according to gender variable in shyness, and there are statistically significant differences according to gender variable in depression favor for male, and there are statistically significant relationships between the variables of the study at lev
... Show MoreThe study aims to identify the level of existential frustration and the level of recrimination among the students of universities, identify the statistical differences between the existential frustration and recrimination based on gender, and finally, identify the correlation between the existential frustration and recrimination. To do this, the researcher adopted the existential frustration scale of ( al-saaedi, 2009) that consisted of (43) item, he also adopted the recrimination scale of ( al-zugeibi,2008) which composed of (31) item. The total sample was (120) male and female student were chosen randomly from four colleges within the university of Baghdad for the academic year ( 2015-2016). The results revealed that the targeted sampl
... Show MoreTo assess cultural competence among nursing students from nine countries to provide an international perspective on cultural competence.
A descriptive, cross‐sectional design.
A convenience sample of 2,163 nursing students from nine countries was surveyed using the Cultural Capacity Scale from April to November 2016.
The study found a moderate range of cultural competence among the students. The ability to teach and guide other nursing colleagues to displ
Background: This study aimed to assess the effect of tooth shape ratio on mandibular incisor arrangement. Materials and methods: The sample included dental casts of some dental students and orthodontic patients having Class I dental and skeletal patterns with normal occlusion and severe crowding. The sample was divided into two groups according to the severity of crowding into: group I had Class I normal occlusion with mild or no crowded mandibular dentition and group II had Class I malocclusion with severe crowded mandibular dentition. Each group comprising of 40 subjects (20 males and 20 females). The mesio-distal and facio-lingual crown diameters were measured manually for each cast using modified vernier caliper gauge. Descriptive sta
... Show MoreThe researcher seeks to know the extent of applying the concept of design by Iraqi electronic press sites to provide media product with the acceptance of their browsers and ensure their repeated visits to such sites in the framework of the guiding rules for laser browsing. The researcher uses analytical study on a sample of six Iraqi electronic newspaper sites to identify the general features of their design and the methods of distribution of the structural elements of the pages. The researcher also conducts a field study on a sample of the surfers of electronic newspaper sites to see the extent of their evaluation to their design and the degree of their satisfaction.
There are numerous bidirectional interactions between the reproductive system and the liver. Sex steroids regulate metabolic health through signaling effects in both peripheral and central metabolic tissues, including adipose tissue, liver, skeletal muscle, and brain, and have a role in the etiology of structural and functional liver diseases. Blood samples were obtained from 90 healthy women (control group) and 90 women that have hormonal changes (patients’ group). The levels of reproductive hormones (follicle stimulation hormone/FSH, luteinizing hormone/LH, estradiol/E2, progesterone/P4) were measured by using fully automated Cobas E411, whereas those of liver enzymes (alanine transaminase /ALT, aspartate aminotransferase/AST, a
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