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 Present study aims to shed some light on the concept of authority of university students and to find statistically significant differences as regards this concepts in accordance with three variables gender (males, females),field of study(scientific ,humanities)and grade(second ,fourth). To accomplish the study a ( 7) level scale was developed for the concept of authority and it subjected to validity and credibility the scale was used with 590 student sample (237) males and (353) females Results show that male students show obedience to authority forms below the Avery e component with the theoretical Avery of the scale besides ,reinforcement was on the top of authority chain ,followed by person traits ,friends, affect punishment and t
... Show MoreObjectives: To assess the psychological adjustment of middle school students and to identify the relationship between differences in demographic characteristics and psychological adjustment.
Methodology: A descriptive correlation design was used. The study utilized a simple random sample to select (381) students using self-report to select students who will be recruited into the study for the period from November 26th, 2021 to April 1st, 2022. A scale approved in the study consisting of 40 items was chosen. It measures four trends which are personal, social, familial, and emotional adjustment. The data were analyzed by applying the descriptive statistical dat
... Show MoreThe present study was identified the type of bacterial contamination of Iraqi banknotes currency (Iraqi dinars) in circulation. 68 Iraqi banknotes currency of different denominations samples were randomly gathered from different locations and different occupational groups in Baghdad city. The results showed 61 (89.70%) of the samples were determined to be contaminated with bacteria, whereas 7 (10.29%) were confirmed to be sterile. A total of 11 different species of bacteria resulting in 72 isolates were found from those 61 contaminated Iraqi banknotes currency. Based on culture, morphological and biochemical tests, 11 isolates were identified as Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Corynebacterium diphtheria, Leu
... Show MoreThroughout what mentioned above, It is obvious that the aware narrator in these biography models was the strongest tool in presenting the content, especially the biographies under study were written by feminine hands, striving to prove her identity by all means and ways. In addition, we can suppose that the hiding of she writer behind the character is no more than a mask, by which she want to mask herself so that she can express herself frankly and freely, especially when she talks about subjects that are inconsistent with the society, customs and traditions. It is important to refer that the existence of the participant narrator in the biographies under study does not prevent the presence of another narrator such as external or aware na
... Show MoreCOVID-19 is a unique viral infectious illness that causes a variety of symptoms and health hazards, particularly to the respiratory system and has been declared a worldwide pandemic. The disease is characterized by a cytokine release in severe conditions. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a proinflammatory cytokine, mediates an important immunomodulatory process. Also, vitamin D was identified to have a role in the innate immunity of individuals. Our study was designed to find the role of IL-6 and vitamin D in COVID-19 patients, as well as, to see whether there is a link between vitamin D deficiency and cytokine syndrome development. The study included 90 COVID-19 patients and 30 control people from Baghdad, Iraq. The age of the participants was non-s
... Show MoreBackground: Diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis are two common medical disorders that are becoming more common as the population ages. T2DM patients have a higher fracture hazard, having a high BMD, which is primarily due to the raise hazard of falling. Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) is one of the hematopoietic growth factor family, and It plays an important function in fracture repair by attracting stem cells to the fracture site and influencing the production of hard calluses by promoting osteoclast genesis.Aims of study: The purpose of this research was to assess the blood level of macrophage colony-stimulating factor in Iraqi osteoporotic patients with and without type 2 diabetes. in addition, that M-CSF may be a predictiv
... Show MoreObjectives of the study: The study aims to assess satisfy of the coronary artery patients for the care product from
the nurse and physician and to find out the relationship between patient satisfaction with the social and the
clinical characteristics of the patients.
Methodology: A descriptive design study conducted using the evaluation approach for the duration of June 3
rd
2012 to January 31, 2013. Non-probability sample of (60) patients who were visiting or admitted (inpatient or
outpatient) to the teaching hospital in Baquba with the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. A questionnaire have
been built and develop by the researcher based on review of literature and previous research, the form included of
(3) p
Background: COVID-19 has caused a considerable number of hospital admissions in China since December 2019. Many COVID-19 patients experience signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome, and some are even in danger of dying. Objective: to measure the serum levels of D-dimer, Neutrophil-Lymphocyte count ratio (NLR), and neopterin in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 in Baghdad, Iraq. And to determine the cut-off values (critical values) of these markers for the distinction between the severe patients diagnosed with COVID‐19 and the controls. Materials and methods: In this case-control study, we collect blood from 89 subjects, 45 were severe patients hospitalized in many Baghdad medical centers who were diagnosed with COVID
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