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.
Persons with spinal cord injury are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, and their caregivers are in a critical position to help prevent them. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program for caregivers of persons with spinal cord injuries to prevent pressure injuries in Iraq. A pre- and post-test design was used and involved 25 caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury during the acute care phase in an SCI-specific unit of a hospital. A scale and questionnaire were used to gather the participants’ demographic information, pre- and post-educational program knowledge, and observations of their pre- and post-program performance of pressure injury preventive tasks. Descriptive s
... Show MorePrecious stones enjoyed a high level of goodwill among people in the ancient world as they were considered as important source of their jewels, an effective medicine to cure their diseases and spiritual healing that bring optimism and happiness by holding it especially to those who believe their effects on the Human.
Arab woman didn't abandon the interests of the neighbor civilizations as she coped with them and took what she desired of jewelry like pearls, sapphires and emerald. She used some of precious stones like antimony, magnet and bezoar in prescriptions for curing diseases and injuries. She also used turquoise, onyx and cat eye stone to prevent envy and Exorcism purposes as she thought that these stones could protect her from
The aim of the current research is to measure the sense of coherence among individuals with physical disabilities. The researcher adopted a scale of (29) paragraphs spread over three domains designed by Antonovski (1993) to measure the sense of coherence. A sample of (210) disabled individuals was chosen randomly to collect the required data. The data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The result showed a lack of sense of coherence among the sample.
Christianity has rituals and rituals to be carried out, and can not be abandoned, and they see that the sacred statutes ordered by Christ () his followers, including: (the mystery of baptism between Christian denominations, descriptive study) A Christian is to be baptized as the seal of faith, as evidenced by the Bible in the words of Jesus to His disciples.
Baptism takes place in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This makes them Christian through the practice of this obligatory man enters the Church, represented by the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ according to their belief. And every person who has received the sacrament of baptism remains a Christian until death, in the light of what they see.
Background: Blastocystis spp. distributes world widely and the genus Blastocystis include many subtypes that are isolated from human intestinal tract. It is considered the most common parasite detected in human being.
Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of Blastocystis spp. among leukemic children, to find out its association with the presence of symptoms (diarrhea and abdominal pain), and to assess the efficacy of different staining methods in detection of Blastocystis spp.
Type of the study: cross-sectional study.
Method: 103 children were enrolled in this study, 53 leukemic patients and 50 healthy con
... Show MoreThe aim of the current research is to construct a scale of emotional adjustment for kindergarten children and to set a standard for its evaluation. To achieve this, a scale consisting of (19) items was prepared. The mother of the child answered by adopting the method of self-report, which is expressed in the form of reporting terms, as each item represents a situation in the child's life and each situation has three alternatives to answer that represent various responses to the mentioned situation. One of the alternatives represents the emotionally adaptive response, which is given a degree (3), the second response expresses the emotional adjustment partly that took the degree of (2), and the third response expresses the weakness of emot
... Show MoreThe prostheses sockets use normally composite materials which means that their applications may be related with the human body. Therefore, it was very necessary to improve the mechanical properties of these materials. The prosthetic sockets are subjected to varying stresses in gait cycle scenario which may cause a fatigue damage. Therefore, it is necessary or this work to modify the fatigue behavior of the materials used for manufacturing the prostheses sockets. In this work, different Nano particle materials are used to modify the mechanical properties of the composite materials, and increase the fatigue strength. By using an experimental technique, the effect of using different volu
Polymeric microsphere devices occupy a wide range in the field of controlled drug delivery. Subcutaneous injectable preparations of Poly(Lactide-co-Glycolide) (PLGA) microsphere of Daptomycine were prepared by solvent extraction/evaporation technique using different copolymers ratio and molecular weights. Four formulations were prepared (F1-F4) and characterized in term of particle size, surface morphology, bulk density and porosity in addition to the drug content. The effects of the above parameters on the in-vitro release study were evaluated. These formulas were evaluated also for their in-vivo release profile using rat (as an animal model) and
... Show MoreA synthesis series of new heterocyclic derivatives (A2-A7) (pyrrole, pyridazine, oxazine and imidazol) derived from 4-acetyl-2,5-dichloro-1-(3,5-dinitrophenyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylate(A1) have been synthesised. Synthesis of compound (A2) by the reaction of starting material (A1) with hydroxyl amine hydrochloride in the presence of pyridine. Compound (A2) was reacted with hydrazine hydrate in dry benzene to give (A3) derivative. The compound )A3( deals with sodium nitrite to give diazonium salt, and the reaction diazonium salt with ethyl acetoacetate to produce compound (A4). To a mixture of compound (A4) and hydroxyl amine with sttired to yield (A5).Compound (A6) was prepared by reaction compound (A4) with thiosemicarbazide in presence
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