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.
Aim: The reduction in the amount of marginal bone is the most important demand for the long term success of dental implants. This prospective clinical study was aimed to investigate the marginal bone loss of early loaded SLActive implants with different dimensions and surgical approaches. Materials and methods Fifteen patients aged from 18 to 60 years were divided into 2 groups (flapped and flapless approach) that underwent delayed implant placement protocol with SLActive implants. The marginal bone level was estimated by cone-beam computed tomography during three different periods: preoperatively, 8 weeks after surgery and 24 weeks after loading of the prosthesis. Results: The mean value of marginal bone level was not significantly chan
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Abstract:
The models of time series often suffer from the problem of the existence of outliers that accompany the data collection process for many reasons, their existence may have a significant impact on the estimation of the parameters of the studied model. Access to highly efficient estimators is one of the most important stages of statistical analysis, And it is therefore important to choose the appropriate methods to obtain good estimators. The aim of this research is to compare the ordinary estimators and the robust estimators of the estimation of the parameters of
... Show MoreThe Ilkhanid Mongols (651-756 AH / 1253-1355 AD) were interested in urbanization and construction in keeping with civilized countries and to have an architectural imprint that competed with the neighboring nations. The Ilkhan Öljeitü Muḥammad Khudābandeh (703-716 AH / 1303-1316 AD), known for his love of building and construction, wanted to have a capital that would immortalize his name and history, so he ordered its construction to compete with contemporary cities, and he summoned workers and engineers from all over the world to contribute to its construction. The city has several educational and service institutions such as schools, ribats, khanqas, mosques, hospitals, markets, and baths, as well as a mausoleum for him, which
... Show Morefour coordinated complexes for divalent metal ions : Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Cd have been synthesized using bidentate Schiff base ligand type (NN)formed by the condensation of o-phenylenediamine , p- methylbenzadehyde and furfural in methanol. The ligand was reacted with divalent metal chloride forming complexes of the types :[M(L)Cl2] where : MII=Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Cd . These new compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, U.V-Vis, 1HNMR (for ligand only and atomic absorption) , magnetic susceptibility, chloride content along with conductivity measurement. These studies revealed that the geometry for all complexes about central metal ion is tetrahedral.
This present work is concerned with one of the syntactic issues that has been researched by many linguists, grammarians, and specialists in Islamic studies, the estimated answer to a condition. However, this topic is researched this time by examining Imam Al-Qurtbi’s opinions in interpreting related ayas from the holly Quraan in his book (Collector of Quranic Rules) or its transliteration (Al-Jami’ Li Ahkam Al-Quran). Such a step involves commenting on, tracking what Al-Qurtbi said in this regard, discussing it from the points of view of other grammarians, and judging it accordingly, taking into account the apparent surface structures of the examples collected. To achieve this objective, the inductive analytical approach has be
... Show MorePurpose: To determine the effect of information technology governance (ITG) under the control objectives for information and related technologies (COBIT) on financial performance is the objective of this study. Additionally, the article seeks to look into the relationships between the factors under consideration. Theoretical framework: Information technology and operational processes are evaluated and ensure their compliance with the instructions of the Central Bank of Iraq. Therefore, the research dealt with a conceptual framework by reviewing the literature on the importance of the COBIT framework in assessing financial performance. Design/methodology/approach: To investigate the effect of information technology; we the valu
... Show MoreAbstract: In the present work, the heat transfer of Nano Aluminum Oxide -NAO- has been studied practically to define the appropriate insulation conditions. This study focuses on finding of the amount of heat transfer through a glass substrate that is coated with nanoalumina doped on PMMA matrix. The optical and thermal properties were systematically investigated. The density of heat flow rate, was calculated in the range values (240-260) W/m2 while the optimum values confine between (250-260) W/m2 at temp. (25-35)Co. The results showed that the thermal insulation of the sample was significantly enhanced at temp. (30-50)Co. The simulated net heat transfer through window decreased linearly with incr
... Show MoreSpecial exercises in individual games are an important pillar in learning their basic skills. The aim of the research is to prepare special exercises using tools and their effect on learning the skill of landing with Salto backward tucked to stand - knowing the effect of special exercises using tools and their effect on learning the skill of landing with Salto backward tucked to stand on the horizontal bar. Either the research assumes the existence of significant differences in the pre- and post-tests in learning the skill of landing with Salto backward tucked to stand on the horizontal bar in favor of the post-test. The researchers used the experimental method with a single sample design to suit the research problem, as the researc
... Show MoreA total of 48 experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of slit weir dimensions and locations on the maximum scour depth and scour area created upstream. The slit weir model was a 110 mm slit opening, and it was installed at the end of the working section in a laboratory flume. The flume was 10.0 m long, 30 cm wide, 30 cm deep, and almost middle. It includes a 2 m working section with a mobile bed with 110 mm in thickness. In the mobile bed, two types of nonuniform sand (with a geometric standard deviation of 1.58 and 1.6) were tested separately. The weir dimensions and location were changed with flow rates. Then dimensions of the slit weir were changed from 60 x 110 mm to 60 x 70 mm (width x height), while th
... Show MoreIn this research, an experimental study was conducted to high light the impact of the exterior shape of a cylindrical body on the forced and free convection heat transfer coefficients when the body is hold in the entrance of an air duct. The impact of changing the body location within the air duct and the air speed are also demonstrated. The cylinders were manufactured with circular, triangular and square sections of copper for its high thermal conductivity with appropriate dimensions, while maintaining the surface area of all shapes to be the same. Each cylinder was heated to a certain temperature and put inside the duct at certain locations. The temperature of the cylinder was then monitored. The heat transfer coefficient were then cal
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