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.
This research explores the concept of cruel optimism in the context of challenging patriarchal, cultural, and social traditions in Ayad Akhtar’s The Who and the What. Cruel optimism, a term coined by Lauren Berlant, refers to the paradoxical attachment to positive aspirations that may ultimately obstruct personal fulfillment and well-being. This study examines how individuals who resist patriarchal norms and entrenched cultural traditions often face significant emotional, psychological, and social challenges. Through a multidisciplinary approach, including literary analysis, sociological perspectives, and psychological insights, the research delves into the lived experiences of those who strive for autonomy, equality, and self-realization
... Show MoreA series of new 4-(((4-(5-(Aryl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)benzyl)oxy)methyl)-2,6-dimethoxy phenol (6a-i) were synthesized from cyclization of 4-(((4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy benzyl)oxy)methyl)benzohydrazide with substituted carboxylic acid in the presences of phosphorusoxy chloride.The resulting compounds were characterized by IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and HRMS data. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazide (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were used to screen their antioxidant properties. Compounds 6i and 6h exhibited significant antioxidant ability in both assay. Furthermore, type of substituent and their position of the aryl attached 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring at position five are play an important roles in enhancing or declining the antio
... Show MoreA new copolymer (MFA) was prepared from condensation of melamine (M) with p- methyl – anisole (A) in the presence of condensation agent like 37% (w/v) of formaldehyde. The new copolymer was characterized by elemental, IR and HNMR spectra. The chelating ion-exchange property of this polymer was studied for methylene blue dye in aqueous solution in 100-200ppm concentrations. The adsorption study was carried out over a wide range of pH, shaking time and in media of various kinetic parameters models. Thermal parameters like enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy of adsorption process of methylene blue on surface of MFA resin were determined on the basis of kinetic parameters at different temperatures. To describe the equilibrium of adsorp
... Show MoreMicrowave heating is caused by the ability of the materials to absorb microwave energy and convert it to heat. The aim of this study is to know the difference that will occur when heat treating the high strength aluminum alloys AA7075-T73 in a microwave furnace within different mediums (dry and acidic solution) at different times (30 and 60) minutes, on mechanical properties and fatigue life. The experimental results of microwave furnace heat energy showed that there were variations in the mechanical properties (ultimate stress, yielding stress, fatigue strength, fatigue life and hardness) with the variation in mediums and duration times when compared with samples without treatment. The ultimate stress, yielding stress and fatigue streng
... Show MoreMultiple Sclerosis (MS), is a common autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Currently, there is no cure for MS, and most treatments involve the use of immunosuppressive drugs that can have adverse effects or increased toxicity. Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, is a product of the Cannabis sativa, and for several centuries has been used as an alternative medicine in many cultures. Cannabis sativa produces over 421 chemical compounds, including about 80 terpenophenols named phytocannabinoids, and include both psychotropic THC and non-psychoactive CBD. In the currently study, we show that a combination therapy using THC and CBD results in amelioration of EAE, a
In this research, the kinetic studies of four isoenzymes of Asprtate aminotransferase, which partially purified from the urine of chronic renal failure patients were carried out .The four isoenzymes were obeyed Michaelis-Menton's equation and the optimum concentration of their substrate (Aspartic acid) was (166.5x10-3) mole/liter,and their Km values were determined. Four isoenzymesI,II,III,IV have shown an optimum pH at 7.4.The four isoenzymes obeyed Arrhenius equation up to 37º C and their Ea and Q10 constants were determined .
The use of real-time machine learning to optimize passport control procedures at airports can greatly improve both the efficiency and security of the processes. To automate and optimize these procedures, AI algorithms such as character recognition, facial recognition, predictive algorithms and automatic data processing can be implemented. The proposed method is to use the R-CNN object detection model to detect passport objects in real-time images collected by passport control cameras. This paper describes the step-by-step process of the proposed approach, which includes pre-processing, training and testing the R-CNN model, integrating it into the passport control system, and evaluating its accuracy and speed for efficient passenger flow
... Show MoreThis research aims to know the impact of leadership integrity as explanatory variable including its dimensions (courage, asceticism, justice, rationality, and humanity) on organizational conflict as responding variable. This research depended on the descriptive-constructive approach through the responses of a sample of (79) employees from (Real Estate Office of The State) in Al-Najaf province. The analyzing of the study done by using (Smart PLS) program to calculate (R2, t, p). Many results have been concluded and one of them, there is significant impact correlation of the leadership integrity on organizational conflict. There are many suggestions have been reached depending on the results reached and one of them is the necess
... Show MorePreviously many properties of graphene oxide in the field of medicine, biological environment and in the field of energy have been studied. This diversity in properties is due to the possibility of modification on the composition of this Nano compound, where the Graphene oxide is capable of more modification via addition other functional groups on its surface or at the edges of the sheet. The reason for this modification possibility is that the Sp3 hybridization (tetrahedral structure) of the carbon atoms in graphene oxide, and it contains many oxygenic functional groups that are able to reac with other groups. In this research the effect of addition of some amine compounds on electrical properties of graphene oxide has been studied by the
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