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.
The process for preparing activated carbon (AC) made from tea residue was described in this paper. Investigated were the physicochemical characteristics and adsorption efficiency of the produced AC. Activation with potassium hydroxide (KOH) and carbonization at 350 °C are the two key steps in the manufacturing of AC. The activated carbon was used to adsorb Tetracycline (TC). Different parameters were studied at room temperature to show their effects on the adsorption efficiency of TC. These parameters are the initial concentration of adsorbate TC, solution acidity pH, time of adsorption, and adsorbent dosage. The prepared active carbon was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (
... Show MoreIn 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 MoreThis work concerned on nanocrystalline NiAl2O4 and ZnAl2O4 having spinel structure prepared by Sol–gel technique. The structural and characterization properties for the obtained samples were examined using different measurements such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), finally, Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM).The Spinel-type for two prepared compound (NiAl2O4) and (ZnAl2O4) at different calcination temperature examined by XRD. Williamson-Hall Methods used to estimate crystallite size, Average distribution crystallite size of two compound were, 34.2 nm for NiAl2O4 and32.6 for ZnAl2O4, the increase in crystallite size affecting by increasing in calcination temperature for both comp
... Show MoreThis research included the preparation of 2-mercaptobenzoxazole (N1) by the reaction of ortho-aminophenol with carbon disulfide in an alcoholic potassium hydroxide solution. The 2-mercapto benzoxazole (N1) was then treated with hydrazine to obtain the 2-hydrazino benzoxazole (N2). A number of hydrazones (N3-N5) were prepared through the reaction of N2 with different benzaldehydes. The compound (N6) was also prepared whereby the ring closing of hydrazone (N3) using chloroacetylchloride, while the compound (N7) was prepared by treating 2-hydrazino benzoxazole with acetylacetone. When the compound (N1) was treated with formaldehyde, it afforded the compound (N8). Also, the N9 was obtained from the reaction of N1 with chloroacetic acid in th
... 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
... Show MoreIn the present study, chalcone derivatives were synthesized via the Claisen-Schmidt condensation of 2-methyl acetanilide or 4-nitro acetanilide with p-dimethyl amino benzaldehyde in an ethanolic sodium hydroxide solution. The resulting chalcone reacted with urea or thiourea to produce several novel pyrimidine derivatives. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by FTIR, 1HNMR and 13CNMR spectroscopy. Before the synthesis process, molecular docking studies were performed to evaluate the potential of the synthesized molecules as drug candidates. Thus, molecular docking studies were performed using the CCDC GOLD suite (version 2025). The molecular docking results showed that the synthesized molecules had a noticeable affinity towards
... Show MorePolyaniline (PANI) was prepared by polymerization via the chemical oxidation of aniline monomer with ammonium persulfate as the initiator. The interfacial polymerization method was used to prepare PANI/1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [BMIM][BF4] polyionic liquid (PIL). The obtained PANI/ [BMIM][BF4] PIL was investigated by the XRD, EDX, SEM, FTIR, and UV-Visible characterizations. X-ray diffractogram of PANI showed five prominent characteristic peaks at 27.1°, 24o, 21.8°, 19.8°, and 18.2°. This demonstrates the semi-crystalline character of the polyaniline produced through the interfacial polymerization process. Incorporation of [BMIM][BF4] into PANI reduced the crystalline phase and enhanced amorphicity. From the
... Show MorePiroxicam (PIR) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug of oxicam category, used in gout, arthritis, as well as other inflammatory conditions (topically and orally). PIR is practically insoluble in water, therefore the aim is prepare and evaluate piroxicam as liquid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system to enhance its dispersibility and stability. The Dispersibilty and Stability study have been conducted in Oil, Surfactant and Co-surfactant for choosing the best materials to dissolve piroxicam. The pseudo ternary phase diagrams have been set at 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 as well as 4:1 ratio of surfactants and co-surfactants, also there are 4 formulations were prepared by using various concentrations of transcutol HP, cremophore EL and triacetin
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