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.
A variety of liquid crystals comprising heterocyclics 1,3,4-oxadiazol ring [III], aminooxazol [IV]a, and aminothiazol [IV]b were synthesized through a number of steps, beginning of the reaction of 3, 3'- dimethyl - [1, 1'-biphenyl] -4, 4'- diamin, ethyl monochloroacetate and sodium acetate to synthesize diacetate compound[I]. The diester reacted with hydrazine hydrate(N2H4-H2O) to give dihydrazide compound [II], then reacted with Pyruvic acid and phosphorous oxychloride to produce diketone compound [III]. The last compound was reacted with urea and thiourea to give aminooxazol and aminothiazol respectively. The synthesized compounds actually characterized and determined the structures by melting points, FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopies. By u
... Show MoreMany managers in geometrical and technical organizations prefer to deal with quantitative values to choose between the available options and choose the best alternative to avoid randomization and bias in decision making. One of them Baghdad Water Department, which seeks to develop the quality of its product (drinking water) and achieve its objectives under increasing growing population and the demand for water, Some of TQM tools, especially the statistical, have this ability because there is chance to use historical data and experiment of employees in Application . Two statistical tools were applied: the nominal group technique, matrix data analysis technique as well as the brainstorming tool to search for the best o
... Show MorePseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common opportunistic pathogen causing morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients due to its multiple resistance mechanisms. Therefore, as a therapeutic option becomes restricted, the search for a new agent is a preference. So P. aeruginosa is an extremely versatile Gram-negative bacterium capable of thriving in a broad spectrum of environments, and this performs main problems to workers in the field of health. One hundred and fifty samples were collected from different sources from Baghdad hospitals, divided into two main groups: clinical (100) specimens and (50) samples as an environmental, collected from October 2019 to the March 2020. All of these samples were cultured by specific and differential
... Show MoreThe research aims to find out the impact of cognitive strategies in the mathematical competence of the students of the fourth scientific in the preparatory mahmoudiyah in the Directorate General of The Education of Karkh 2. A post-test of the mathematical competence prepared by (Jassim, 2018) was applied to the sample of (65) students, distributed into two groups of (33) students as experimental group and (32) students as a control group. The results found there are significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in testing the mathematical competence of students for the experimental group.
Background: Body image is one of the most important psychological factors that affects adolescents’ personality and behavior. Body image can be defined as the person’s perceptions, thoughts, and feelings about his or her body.
Objectives: to identify the prevalence of body image concerns among secondary school students and its relation to different factors.
Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in which 796 secondary school students participated and body shape concerns was investigated using the body shape questionnaire (BSQ-34).
Results: The prevalence of moderate/marked concern was (21.6%). Moderate/ marked body shape concern was significantly associated
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