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 work includes the synthesis of new ester compounds containing two 1,3,4-oxadiazole rings, 15a-c and 16a-c. This was done over seven steps, starting with p-acetamido-phenol 1 and 2-mercaptobenzoimidazole 2. The structure of the products was determined using FT-IR, 1H NMR, and mass spectroscopy. The evaluation of the antimicrobial activities of some prepared compounds was achieved against four types of bacteria (two types of gram-positive bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, and two types of gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. Coli), as well as against one types of fungus (C. albino). The results show moderate activit against the study bacteria, and the theoretical analysis of the toxi
... Show MoreA Ligand (ECA) methyl 2-((1-cyano-2-ethoxy-2-oxoethyl)diazenyl)benzoate with metals of (Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+) were prepared and characterization using H-NMR, atomic absorption spectroscopy, ultra violet (UV) visible, magnetic moments measurements, bioactivity, and Molar conductivity measurements in soluble ethanol. Complexes have been prepared using a general formula which was suggested as [M (ECA)2] Cl2, where M = (Cobalt(II), Nickel(II) and Copper(II), the geometry shape of the complexes is octahedral.
Reservoir characterization is an important component of hydrocarbon exploration and production, which requires the integration of different disciplines for accurate subsurface modeling. This comprehensive research paper delves into the complex interplay of rock materials, rock formation techniques, and geological modeling techniques for improving reservoir quality. The research plays an important role dominated by petrophysical factors such as porosity, shale volume, water content, and permeability—as important indicators of reservoir properties, fluid behavior, and hydrocarbon potential. It examines various rock cataloging techniques, focusing on rock aggregation techniques and self-organizing maps (SOMs) to identify specific and
... Show MoreBackground: Periodontal diseases are inflammatory diseases affecting the supporting tissues of the teeth. One of the leading environmental factors that are closely related not only to the risk but also to the prognosis of periodontitis is smoking. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of smoking on periodontal health status and to measure the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in smokers and nonsmokers chronic periodontitis patients, also it aimed to test the correlation between the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and the clinical periodontal parameters. Materials and Methods: Five milliliters samples of un-stimulated whole saliva and full-mouth clinical periodontal recordings (plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing,
... Show MoreBackground: Asymmetry assessment is an important component of orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. Several studies attempted to find the relationship between craniometric asymmetry and skeletal jaws relationship and many authors found some extent of asymmetry in individuals with normal jaws relationship. The use of Computed tomography (CT) allows for the assessment of asymmetry on a dimensionally accurate volumetric image, aim of the study is to determine if there are differences in craniometric asymmetry between patient with skeletal class I and patients with skeletal class II relationship using Helical CT scan. Materials and Methods: Ninety individuals with clinically symmetrical faces were imaged with Helical CT scan, and aging
... Show MoreThe research dealt with a topic that has been practiced and transmitted news in satellite channels in recent years a lot. That is to say the role of satellite channels in the culture of a protest. In general, this study aims to reach to know the extent of the impact of television, especially the impact of the programs that bear the contents of protest and remonstration on the public; and what can be resulted out of these programs as cognitive, emotional and behavioral effects as a result of the individual's exposure to these programs and their impact from the culture of pretense. In addition to that, the research was interested in explaining the role of Iraqi satellite channels in developing and cultivating such culture; and following up
... Show MoreIn the present work, a kinetic study was performed to the extraction of phosphate from Iraqi Akashat phosphate ore using organic acid. Leaching was studied using lactic acid for the separation of calcareous materials (mainly calcite). Reaction conditions were 2% by weight acid concentration and 5ml/gm of acid volume to ore weight ratio. Reaction time was taken in the range 2 to 30 minutes (step 2 minutes) to determine the reaction rate constant k based on the change in calcite concentration. To determine value of activation energy when reaction temperature is varied from 25 to 65 , another investigation was accomplished. Through the kinetic data, it was found that selective leaching was controlled by
... Show MoreAbstract The surface of kaolin was diagnosed by an AFM and the results were shown The height of the highest peak reached by a quantity of Kaolin surface is 2.5 µm, the granules, and their diameter with an average diameter of 666.1nm. Using Kaolin's adsorption properties, erythrosine was removed of its aqueous solution. It was determined that the maximal dye adsorption ranged 36.53–40.61%. The results of using the Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin adsorption isotherms revealed that at temperatures of (298,308,318) K, the Freundlich model was followed, the Langmuir model did not match, and the Temkin model could only be partially applied. There is also physical adsorption. One of the three kinetic models of the
... Show MoreThe aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of binary solvent for regeneration of spent lubricating oil by extraction-flocculation process. The regeneration was investigated by bench scale experiments by using locally provided solvents (Heavy Naphtha, n-Butanol, and iso-Butanol). Solvents to used oil, mixing time, mixing speed and temperatures were studied as operating parameters. The performance on three estimated depended key parameters, namely the percentage of base oil recovered (Yield), percent of oil loss (POL), and the percent of sludge removal (PSR) were used to evaluate the efficiency of the employed binary solvent on extraction process. The best solvent to solvent ratio for binary system were 30:70 for Heavy Naph
... Show MoreIn the present work, a kinetic study was performed to the extraction of phosphate from Iraqi Akashat phosphate ore using organic acid. Leaching was studied using lactic acid for the separation of calcareous materials (mainly calcite). Reaction conditions were 2% by weight acid concentration and 5ml/gm of acid volume to ore weight ratio. Reaction time was taken in the range 2 to 30 minutes (step 2 minutes) to determine the reaction rate constant k based on the change in calcite concentration. To determine value of activation energy when reaction temperature is varied from 25 to 65 , another investigation was accomplished. Through the kinetic data, it was found that selective leaching was controlled by surface chemical reactio
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