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.
You Mohammed, you're prophet of God and I'm Gabriel)). With this heavenly call which Mohammed, the messenger of God (may God's mercies be on him), got and when he left Hiraa cave and after getting the aye ((read with your God's name)), a new period of mankind's history started. From that time, the greatest state was established. There was no public treasury and no public financial resources at that time. Abu Baker (God bless him) spent a lot of money to support the costs of the new mission. After Al-Hijra, the bases of establishing the Islamic state were available but it lacked administrative and financial organizing. Therefore the prophet was very keen to find Islamic system which ensures justice and availability of
... Show MoreThe role of filamentous bacteria represented by Streptomycessp was studied as biological treatment for activated sludge AL- Restomia treatment unit in Baghdad city. The result shows reducing in phosphate concentration where apprise in started entrance the treatment unit 12.083 mg/L fast the unit stages reached to 8.426 mg /L where nitrate concentration apprises 3.59 mg/l and ending in 2.43 mg/L The concentration of ammonia apprises 1358 mg/L and reached to 140 mg/L. also the TDS concentration reduced from 1426 to 1203 mg/L where nutrient which represented (SO4, Mg, Ca, Na, K) reduced by range 30.883- 23.337 , 194- 121 , 440- 321 , 109.03- 101.53 and 16.85- 15.4mg/L respectively COD reduce from427.263- 82mg/L with absorbance0.018- 0.027
... Show MoreBackground: This study aimed to determine whether there is a relationship among the bite force with facial dimensions and dental arches in a sample of Iraqi adults with Class I skeletal and dental relations. Materials and methods: Forty dental students (20 males and 20 females) were selected under certain criteria. For those individuals, dental impressions, frontal facial photographs and maximum bite force at molar and incisor regions were taken. The dental arches widths and facial dimensions were measured using the AutoCAD program 2007, while the bite force was determined using special device. Descriptive statistics for the measured variables were performed and gender difference was determined using independent sample t-test, while the rel
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The current study aims to identify the resilience of university students, as well as identify the differences in resilience according to the variable of gender and specialization. The research sample consisted of (382) students studying at Baghdad University. To measure Resilience, a questionnaire of (48) items was designed to collect the needed data. The results showed that the students of the University of Baghdad possess resilience. There are no differences in resilience according to gender and specialization.
Two groups of chronic hepatitis B and C virus patients were divided into Pre-treated patients (25 CHB patients with positive HBs Ag for more than 6 months and 40 CHC patients), and post-treated patients [12 CHB patients (4, 6, and 2 were treated with lamivudine, IFN-? and combination of LMV + IFN-? respectively), and 27 patients for CHC (3, 13 and 11 patients were treated with Ribavirin, IFN-? and combination therapy (RBV+ IFN-?) respectively].These patients were followed up for 6 months. By using ELISA technique, levels of IL-6, IL-10, IFN-? and TNF-? were measured in vivo and in vitro (supernatant of PBMCs stimulated with PHA) and compared with healthy control. The mean level of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-? in CHB patients showed significant dif
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