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.
BACKGROUND: In pregnancy, several physiological changes occur that lead to decrease in the level of hemoglobin. Anemia during pregnancy is a major public health concern in underdeveloped nations, with a high rate of morbidity and death among pregnant women. Inadequate prenatal care, a lack of information about the nutritional requirements of pregnant women, and general low socioeconomic circumstances all contribute to these high rates of morbidity and death. As pregnant women’s and husbands’ education levels increased, the frequency and severity of anemia decreased in the investigated community of pregnant women. AIM: This study aims to find out the level of knowledge about anemia in pregnancy among adult females attending pr
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The study aims to examine the relationships between cognitive absorption and E-Learning readiness in the preparatory stage. The study sample consisted of (190) students who were chosen randomly. The Researcher has developed the cognitive absorption and E-Learning readiness scales. A correlational descriptive approach was adopted. The research revealed that there is a positive statistical relationship between cognitive absorption and eLearning readiness.
Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a problem for pregnant women, and it affects general and oral health. This problem increases as vitamin D requirements increase during pregnancy. This study was conducted among pregnant women in urban and rural areas in order to assess the relation between salivary vitamin D3 and dental caries. Materials and methods: In this comparative cross-sectional study, all women participating were attending the primary Health Care Centers in Baghdad city in AL-Karkh sector, they were with age ranged from (15-44) years old. The total number 90 pregnant women in the second trimester only which include: The first group consists of (45) pregnant women attendance seeking dental treatment in urban areas, The second gr
... Show MoreBackground: Emergency contraception (EC) is a general term used to describe drugs and devices that are utilized to prevent pregnancy following unprotected intercourse or in the event of contraceptive failure. This postcoital birth-control option is available by means of hormonal pills or copper-bearing intrauterine device.Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the women's knowledge regarding EC, to compare the knowledge of school teachers with other women in the community, as well as assessing the pre-post test knowledge of teachers.Type of the study: A cross sectional and quasi- experimental study.Methods: It was carried out in Duhok during the period from 20th of November 2014 to 6th of January 2015. A Simple and system
... Show MoreBACKGROUND: In pregnancy, several physiological changes occur that lead to decrease in the level of hemoglobin. Anemia during pregnancy is a major public health concern in underdeveloped nations, with a high rate of morbidity and death among pregnant women. Inadequate prenatal care, a lack of information about the nutritional requirements of pregnant women, and general low socioeconomic circumstances all contribute to these high rates of morbidity and death. As pregnant women’s and husbands’ education levels increased, the frequency and severity of anemia decreased in the investigated community of pregnant women. AIM: This study aims to find out the level of knowledge about anemia in pregnancy among adult females attending pr
... Show MoreDetermination of the level of adipokines (obestatin, vaspin, tumor necrosis factor-? and interleukin-6)in hypo-and hyperthyroid patients from Educational Baghdad Hospital in Baghdad City was investigated. Fifty patients with hypothyroidism and Fifty patients with hyperthyroidism were selected. A control group of thirty euthyroid persons was included. Blood was collected by vein puncture and serum was separated and stored at –20C. Adipokines (obestatin, vaspin, tumor necrosis factor-? and interleukin-6) were estimated using ELISA method. The findings show a significant (p<0.05) increase in obestatin level in hypothyroid patients, while there is no significant difference in hyperthyroid patientsas compared with the euthyroid subjects.
... Show MoreThree hundred and fifty five patients with hepatitis were investigated in this study all cases gave negative result with HBs Ag , IgM-anti HCV , IgM-anti HEV, IgM-anti HDV and anti-HIV tests . The frequency of IgM-anti HAV was 113 and the percentage was 32 % in all ages but when these patients divided into five groups dependent on ages. The highest percentage of IgM-anti HAV was (45%) in age <10 and the percentage declined with age increase till to 9% in age >41 year.
Background/Aim: Knee osteoarthritis is a frequently crippling chronic condition. Numerous pharmacological medications have been successfully utilised to treat knee osteoarthritis. This research aimed to compare the efficiency of metformin and serratiopeptidase in treating and preventing osteoarthritis development via distinct mechanisms. Methods: Between 1 January and 30 May 2019, a randomised-clinical-trial was done at Al-Kindy Hospital on 80 osteoarthritis patients, divided in two groups. Group I was given metformin 850 mg orally, whereas Group II was given serratiopeptidase 20 mg and metformin 850 mg orally. Parameters in these groups were compared with forty healthy normal controls. Results: Following treatment, patients in Grou
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Background: The overproduction of thyroid hormones is known as hyperthyroidism. Increased susceptibility to caries and periodontal disease are two potential oral symptoms. The interleukin-6 (IL-6) was observed to significantly increased in the hyperthyroid group. According to multiple research, IL-6 dysregulation has been linked to a number of oral disorders, including periodontal diseases. The study aimed to evaluate periodontal health status in relation to IL6 among hyperthyroidism patients. Subjects and Methods: The sample was composed of 90 female patients aged 25-45 years attending endocrine disorder |
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women world. Multiple Cytokines appear to have a dominant role in human breast cancer formation. Estimation of the in situ expression of IL-6 and IL-1β in breast cancer patients. A sixty patients with breast cancer BC were divided into two clinical subgroups, (30) with malignant breast cancer MBC and (30) with benign breast tumor as a control group according to histological examination. In situ hybridization technique used for detection of IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA sequence in two groups. The results showed that percentages of mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-1β were in (≥ 11-50%) for malignant breast cancer. This research also investigated that (73.3%) of beni
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