Microbial Dysbiosis in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Pilot Study on Biomarker Potential.

Importance: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is closely linked to microorganisms, especially intra-tumoral microbiota. However, the role of commensal microbiota in NPC remains underexplored, with implications for understanding disease mechanisms.

Objective: This study aims to analyze and compare the bacterial microbiota in the nasopharynx and middle meatus (MM) of individuals with NPC and those without NPC.

Invasive Bloodstream Infections in Children: The Antifungal Susceptibility, Clinical Characteristics and Impacts on Outcomes.

: is the most common non- candida species that causes invasive candidiasis, but little is known about its impacts on the outcomes of pediatric patients. We aimed to characterize the clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes of bloodstream infections (BSIs) in children. : All pediatric patients with BSIs between 2005 and 2020 from a medical center in Taiwan were enrolled and analyzed.

The association of psychological protective factors with caregiver mental health outcomes.

The primary objectives were to investigate the association of resilience, purpose-in-life, and social connections in additive combinations with mental health outcomes of caregivers: 1) reduced levels of loneliness and/or depression; and 2) higher levels of positive perception of aging and quality of life. The study sample was identified from adults age ≥65, who had completed a survey during May-June 2018 or May-June 2019, and self-identified as caregivers (N=1,015; 15.4%).

Microbiota dysbiosis in odontogenic rhinosinusitis and its association with anaerobic bacteria.

Odontogenic rhinosinusitis is a subtype of rhinosinusitis associated with dental infection or dental procedures and has special bacteriologic features. Previous research on the bacteriologic features of odontogenic rhinosinusitis has mainly used culture-dependent methods. The variation of microbiota between odontogenic and nonodontogenic rhinosinusitis as well as the interplay between the involved bacteria have not been explored.

Pediatric Bloodstream Infections Complicated with Mixed and Subsequent Bacteremia: The Clinical Characteristics and Impacts on Outcomes.

Background: Pediatricians face a therapeutic challenge when patients with Candida bloodstream infections (BSIs) simultaneously have positive bacterial culture. We aim to characterize the clinical characteristics of pediatric Candida BSIs complicated with mixed bacteremia and subsequent bacterial infections, risk factors and impacts on outcomes. Methods: All episodes of pediatric Candida BSIs between 2005 and 2020 from a medical center in Taiwan were reviewed.

The association of resilience, social connections, and internal locus of control with pain outcomes among older adults.

Our objective was to investigate the hypothesis that psychological resources, including resilience, social connections, and internal locus of control, separately and in additive combinations, would be associated with selected pain outcomes: 1) days of opioid use and 2) medical/drug expenditures over 2 years. A mailed survey was sent to a stratified sample of older adults age≥65 with diagnosed back pain, osteoarthritis, and/or rheumatoid arthritis. Each of the resources was dichotomized as high/low and/or counted with equal weighting.

The association of physical activity with loneliness, social isolation, and selected psychological protective factors among older adults.

The primary objectives were to investigate the association of physical activity levels with 1) loneliness and social isolation; 2) protective factors: resilience, purpose-in-life, and perception of aging; and 3) the impact of these factors on healthcare expenditure patterns across physical activity levels. The study sample was identified from adults age ≥65 who completed a health survey in 2018 or 2019 (N=6,652). Among survey respondents, the prevalence of low, moderate, and high physical activity levels was 29%, 31%, and 41%, respectively.

Filament Negative Regulator Suppresses Glycogen Phosphorylase Encoded That Impacts the Cell Wall-Associated Features in .

We have previously identified (orf19.7021) whose protein product was associated with Cdc4. The gene is a putative glycogen phosphorylase because its homolog participates in glycogen catabolism, which involves the synthesis of β-glucan of the fungal cell wall.

The association of increasing resilience with positive health outcomes among older adults.

Our objective was to investigate three levels of resilience (low, medium, and high), identify associated characteristics, and measure the impact of increasing resilience on quality of life (QOL), healthcare utilization and expenditures, and preventive services compliance. The study sample was identified from adults age ≥65 who completed surveys during May-June 2019 (N=3,573). Other protective factors, including purpose-in-life, optimism, locus of control, and social connections, were dichotomized as high/low and counted with equal weighting (0 to 4).

Enhanced Virulence of by : Evidence in Clinical Bloodstream Infections and Infected Zebrafish Embryos.

Coinfection with and results in higher mortality in animal studies. However, the pathogenesis and interplay between and in bloodstream infections (BSIs) is unclear. This study determines the clinical features and outcomes of mixed / (CA/SA) BSIs and biofilm formation on pathogenesis during coinfection.

The Use of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry to Analyze Commensal Oral Yeasts in Nursing Home Residents.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a rapid and accurate method to identify microorganisms in clinical laboratories. This study isolates yeast-like microorganisms in the oral washes that are collected from non-bedridden nursing home residents, using CHROMagar plates, and identifies them using Bruker MALDI-TOF MS. The ribosomal DNA sequences of the isolates are then examined.

Association between CAI microsatellite, multilocus sequence typing, and clinical significance within Candida albicans isolates.

Candida albicans bloodstream infection (BSI) is epidemiologically important because of its increasing frequency and serious outcome. Strain typing and delineation of the species are essential for understanding the phylogenetic relationship and clinical significance. Microsatellite CAI genotyping and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were performed on 285 C.

The additive impact of multiple psychosocial protective factors on selected health outcomes among older adults.

Our objective was to investigate the additive properties of five psychosocial protective factors: purpose-in-life, resilience, optimism, internal locus of control and social connections. Self-reported psychological (depression, stress) and physical (health status, functionality) health outcomes and measured healthcare utilization and expenditures were included. The study sample was identified from adults age ≥65 who completed a health survey during May-June 2019 (N = 3,577).

Safety Events Associated with Tramadol Use Among Older Adults with Osteoarthritis.

Tramadol is a low-level opioid increasingly recommended to treat moderate-to-severe acute and chronic pain. Although characterized as having fewer opioid-related adverse events, the longer term safety of tramadol use among older adults has not been thoroughly documented. Thus, the primary objective was to examine the risk of safety events associated with chronic tramadol use compared to other chronic opioid use or no opioids among older adults with osteoarthritis.

Concurrent Use of Opioids with Other Central Nervous System-Active Medications Among Older Adults.

The primary objective was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of older adults concurrently using opioids and other central nervous system (CNS)-active medications, and the specialties of providers who ordered the medications. A secondary objective was to document medication-related adverse effects associated with such concurrent drug use. Study populations were identified as older adults aged ≥65 years with 1 year continuous medical and drug plan enrollment during 2017 and opioid use of ≥2 prescriptions for ≥15 days' supply.

Fungicidal and anti-biofilm activities of trimethylchitosan-stabilized silver nanoparticles against Candida species in zebrafish embryos.

Herein, positively surface-charged silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) capped with trimethylchitosan nitrate (TMCN) were synthesized using an environmentally friendly method. Nano-sized TMCN-AgNPs (~80 nm) with high zeta potential (>30 mV) provide sufficient static repulsion to stabilize colloid AgNPs in aqueous solutions without aggregation for >3 months. In in vitro cell cycle assays, TMCN-AgNPs showed low cytotoxicity towards L929 cells.

The impact of internal locus of control on healthcare utilization, expenditures, and health status across older adult income levels.

Our objectives were to 1) determine the prevalence of locus of control (LOC) dimensions stratified by older adult income levels; 2) characterize internal LOC attributes within income subgroups; and 3) investigate LOC associations with healthcare utilization and expenditures; self-rated health and functionality. The survey sample was identified from adults age ≥65 years with diagnosed pain conditions. Internal LOC characteristics were determined from logistic regressions; outcomes regression-adjusted.

The association of pain locus of control with pain outcomes among older adults.

Our primary objective was to 1) determine the prevalence of pain locus of control (LOC) subscales in a population of older adults with pain conditions, and 2) estimate their associated protective effects on pain outcomes. A mailed survey was sent to a stratified sample of older adults age≥65 with diagnosed back pain, osteoarthritis and/or rheumatoid arthritis. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to determine the relative protective associations of positive resources, including LOC, resilience and social networks, on pain outcomes.

Epidemiology and Antibiogram of Isolated from Waterfowl Slaughterhouses in Taiwan.

Introduction: Laryngeal swab samples collected from three waterfowl slaughterhouses in central Taiwan were cultured and suspected isolates of were identified by API 20NE and 16S rDNA PCR.

Material And Methods: Serum agglutination was used for serotyping, and antimicrobial susceptibility was tested.

Results: Seventy-six isolates were detected, and the prevalences in the ducks and geese were 12.

Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium and S. Stanley differ in genomic evolutionary patterns and early immune responses in human THP-1 cell line and CD14 monocytes.

Salmonella Typhimurium and S. Stanley are the most prevalent serogroup B serovars to infect humans in Taiwan. The aim was to determine possible factors to influence the prevalence between S.

Association of Resilience and Social Networks with Pain Outcomes Among Older Adults.

Depression, stress, and poor sleep have been associated with increased pain among older adults; positive resources, such as resilience and social networks, may help to buffer the impacts of these negative attributes on pain outcomes. The primary objective was to determine the relative effects of positive resources and negative attributes on pain outcomes among older adults with diagnosed back pain, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The stratified study sample was identified from older adults ages ≥65 years.

Characteristics associated with transition from opioid initiation to chronic opioid use among opioid-naïve older adults.

Our primary objective was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of opioid-naïve older adults who initiated opioids and transitioned to chronic use. Study populations included older adults ≥ 65years with continuous medical and drug plan enrollment one-year prior to opioid initiation (pre-period) through one-year after initiation (post-period). Characteristics were determined using multivariate logistic regression.

Prevalence and characteristics associated with high dose opioid users among older adults.

Our primary objective was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of high dose opioid users among older adults. Study populations included adults ≥65 years with: 1) 12-month continuous medical plan enrollment; and 2) at least 2 opioid prescriptions with a cumulative day supply ≥15 days. Opioid users were categorized as high dose >120 milligram morphine equivalents (MME) per day or lower dose ≤120 MMEs per day.

Underutilization of Statin Therapy for Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Among Older Adults.

Secondary cardiovascular disease (CVD) clinical trials have demonstrated that higher intensity levels of statin therapy are more effective than lower levels in reducing mortality rates. Despite updated treatment guidelines, statin therapy may be underutilized, with evidence that females are treated less aggressively than males. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of statin utilization by varying therapy intensity by sex.