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 study aimed to explore the relationship between future anxiety and life orientation of male and female nurses, working in government hospitals of Gaza Strip governorates. The study sample consisted of 228 nurses (131 male nurses and97 female nurses. To achieve the study objectives , the researcher used the future anxiety scale, prepared by the researcher, and life orientation scale prepared by Scheier and Craver (1985 ) and translated into Arabic by Bader Al-Ansari . The results indicated that the level of future anxiety among nurses working at government hospitals was (64.85%), a high percentage, whereas life orientation was (65.96%), a low percentage. Additionally , the results showed that the Pearson correlation coefficient betwee
... Show MoreObjective: To identification environmental and psychological violence's components among collegians’ students of different stages, and gender throughout creating specific questionnaire, and estimating regression of environmental domain effect on psychological domain, as well as measuring powerful of the association contingency between violence's domains in admixed form with respondent characteristics, such that (Demographics, Economics, and Behaviors), and extracting model of estimates impact of studied domains in studying risks, and protective factors among collegians’ students in Baghdad city. Methodolog
The study seeks the relationship between the mathematical-procedural Knowledge and the logical-mathematical intelligence among students at the third stage in mathematics department. To this end, three questions were arisen: what is the level of mathematical-procedural Knowledge among the third stage students in mathematics department regarding their gender? Do male or female students have more logical-mathematical intelligence and are there significant differences base on their gender? What kind of correlation is between the level of mathematical-procedural Knowledge and the logical-mathematical intelligence of male and female students in the third stage in the mathematics department? A sample of (75) male and female students at the thir
... Show MoreThis study aimed to determine the radioactivity and radiation hazard indicators of rice samples potentially for human consumption. Gamma spectroscopy was used to calculate the specific activity of natural and artificial radionuclides (238U, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs) in local and imported rice samples collected from local markets in Baghdad Governorate, Iraq, in addition to various radiological hazard indices. The radionuclide concentrations in the samples varied from 2.123 ± 1.457 Bq/kg to 13.032 ± 3.610 Bq/kg for 238U, 2.906 ± 1.705 Bq/kg to 17.290 ± 4.158 Bq/kg for 232
Abstract
Leadership has now become a process for applying methods and techniques that make the Organization at the top of its competitive pyramid a greater market share. Leadership has become a focus for all leaders and managers، and leaders and managers are increasingly seeking to develop their skills and leadership skills. The research started with a clear problem of specific questions to ensure that the general objective of the research is to describe the characteristics of the leader and to clarify the dimensions of empowering the workers and to highlight the role of the leader in empowering the workers. The study examines the relation between the role of the leader in
... Show MoreBackground: This in vitro study was carried out to investigate the effect of post space regions (coronal, middle and apical), the effect of post types ( Manually Milled Zirconia post, Prefabricated Fiber post, prefabricated Zirconia post) and the type of cement used (GIC, self-adhesive resin cement) on the bond strength between the posts and root dentin by using push-out test. Material and methods: Forty eight mandibular premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons (single rooted) were instrumented with ProTaper system (hand use) and obturated with gutta percha for ProTaper using AH26® root canal sealer following the manufacturer instructions. After 24 hours, post space was prepared using Zirix and Glassix drills no.3 creating 8 mm dept
... Show MoreThe study aimed to achieve the following: Developing comprehensive quality standards for evaluating the curricula of Arabic Language Departments in Colleges of Education at Iraqi universities. Evaluating the curricula of Arabic Language Departments in light of comprehensive quality standards. The study was delimited to: The Arabic language curricula—namely (grammar, morphology, literature, rhetoric, criticism, and prosody)—taught in Arabic Language Departments across their four academic years for the academic year (2010/2011). Arabic Language Departments in Colleges of Education at Iraqi universities (Baghdad, Diyala, Mosul, Basra, and Babylon). Faculty members of Arabic Language Departments in Colleges of Education at Iraqi universitie
... Show MoreThe current study is designed to achieve the goal of early detection of heart disease because it is the main risk of death. Some biomarkers were measured as well as the percentage of the effect of certain risk factors in people with myocardial infarction and heart failure. The study included 40 serum samples from people with heart disease. The effectiveness of the creatine kinase (CK-MB), as well as its temporal and albumin effects, as well as sodium ions in people with myocardial infarction and heart failure, were compared with the control group. as shown below:
-The first group consisted of 25 blood samples from people with myocardial infarction and 15 serum samples from people with heart failure. Blood
... Show More