Bacterial diversity among four healthcare-associated institutes in Taiwan.

Indoor microbial communities have important implications for human health, especially in health-care institutes (HCIs). The factors that determine the diversity and composition of microbiomes in a built environment remain unclear. Herein, we used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to investigate the relationships between building attributes and surface bacterial communities among four HCIs located in three buildings.

Prevalence and comparative analysis of the type IV secretion system in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitan.

Backgroud/purpose: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans has emerged as one of the aetiological agents in periodontal disease. Although Type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) are widely distributed in many bacteria, the genetic features and distribution of T4SSs in A. actinomycetemcomitans remain unclear.

Persistent nasal carriers of Acinetobacter baumannii in long-term-care facilities.

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus have persisted as 2 major pathogens worldwide.

Aim: We designed a prevalence study to investigate the prevalence of nasal carriage of S aureus and A baumannii in long-term-care facilities (LCTFs) and their collaborative community hospitals. In addition, we aimed to clarify persistent or nonpersistent carriage of the 2 organisms among residents of LTCFs.

An integrative transcriptomic analysis reveals bisphenol A exposure-induced dysregulation of microRNA expression in human endometrial cells.

Bisphenol A (BPA) are commonly used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics. Higher BPA exposure levels have been found in patients with endometrial hyperplasia that is one of risk factors of endometrial cancer (EC). Aberrant microRNAs (miRNAs) regulation has been observed in the development of cancer.

Profiling the fecal carriage of β-lactamase genes in long-term care facility residents: A longitudinal study.

Background: The fecal carriage of β-lactamase (BL)-producing bacteria may play a major role in the spread of these organisms in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). The aims of this study were (1) to describe the gene profiles of fecal BL in 3 LCTFs in Taiwan and (2) to analyze the fecal carriage burden of BL genes between the residents (patient group) and staff (staff group) of LTCFs.

Methods: Thirty fecal samples were collected during June 2013 and July 2015: 20 were obtained from 10 residents both during hospitalization (T1) and 1 month after discharge (T2), and 10 were obtained from 10 staff members.

Subgingival microbiota in individuals with severe chronic periodontitis.

Background/purpose: Subgingival microorganisms are potentially associated with periodontal diseases. However, the correlation between the variance in the periodontal microbiome and the prevalence and severity of periodontitis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the subgingival microbiota in Taiwanese individuals with severe chronic periodontitis (SP).

Transcriptome profiling in imipenem-selected Acinetobacter baumannii.

Background: Carbapenem-resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii has gradually become a global challenge. To identify the genes involved in carbapenem resistance in A. baumannii, the transcriptomic responses of the completely sequenced strain ATCC 17978 selected with 0.

Visualized gene network reveals the novel target transcripts Sox2 and Pax6 of neuronal development in trans-placental exposure to bisphenol A.

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous endocrine disrupting chemical in our daily life, and its health effect in response to prenatal exposure is still controversial. Early-life BPA exposure may impact brain development and contribute to childhood neurological disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate molecular target genes of neuronal development in trans-placental exposure to BPA.

Ultrahigh sensitive piezotronic strain sensors based on a ZnSnO3 nanowire/microwire.

We demonstrated a flexible strain sensor based on ZnSnO(3) nanowires/microwires for the first time. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy indicates that the ZnSnO(3) belongs to a rhombohedral structure with an R3c space group and is grown along the [001] axis. On the basis of our experimental observation and theoretical calculation, the characteristic I-V curves of ZnSnO(3) revealed that our strain sensors had ultrahigh sensitivity, which is attributed to the piezopotential-modulated change in Schottky barrier height (SBH), that is, the piezotronic effect.