ALBERT

Description: Recently, it has been suggested that the oral administration of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a keystone pathogen for periodontal disease, induces dysbiosis of the mouse intestinal microbiota and affects intestinal barrier function. Since oral streptococci are the predominant oral bacterial group, we compared the effect of their oral administration on the intestinal tract compared to that of P. gingivalis. Swallowing oral bacteria caused gut dysbiosis, due to increased Bacteroides and Staphylococcus and decreased Lactobacillus spp. Furthermore, oral bacterial infection caused an increase in lactate and decreases in succinate and n-butyrate contents. In the small intestine, the decrease in Th17 cells was considered to be a result of oral bacterial infection, although the population of Treg cells remained unaffected. In addition, oral bacterial challenge increased the M1/M2 macrophage ratio and decreased the immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody titer in feces. These results suggest that gut dysbiosis caused by oral bacteria may cause a decrease in Th17 cells and fecal IgA levels and an increase in the M1/M2 macrophage ratio, thereby promoting chronic inflammation.

Description: Purpose Several post-disaster housing extension and modification studies have indicated that owner-driven modification behavior relates to socio-economic and livelihood factors. This study aims to clarify housing extension patterns and examine the relationships among spatial characteristics, sociocultural factors, livelihood factors and housing extensions. This research also highlights the implications of post-disaster housing design for indigenous communities. Design/methodology/approach An indigenous community case study was conducted using a literature review. Moreover, interview surveys and housing measurements were implemented based on purposive sampling to diversify interviewees’ backgrounds and the extent of housing extensions. Findings This study confirms that housing extensions are closely related to the number of household members and their associated functions and cultural and livelihood factors that were ignored during the design stage. Furthermore, the housing extension process was confirmed to match households’ economic recovery. A post-disaster housing implementation framework for the indigenous population is proposed. Research limitations/implications This research only targeted one indigenous community with a limited number of interviewees and samples because of the connection with households. Practical implications The study’s proposed resilience post-disaster housing framework can be used to develop post-disaster housing design guidelines, which can benefit policymaking. The proposed participatory concept can be further adopted in future disaster risk-reduction programs. Originality/value This study uniquely focuses on the pre- and post-disaster housing layout and the livelihood of an indigenous community. It offers valuable insights for post-disaster reconstruction planners and practitioners.