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Aridity gradient overrides degradation in shaping the topsoil microbiome of the Tianshan wild fruit forest

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  Highlights • Aridity index, rather than degradation level, is the paramount driver shaping soil bacterial and fungal communities (explaining ∼43% and ∼30% of the variation, respectively). • The ecosystem harbors an exceptionally stable core microbiome, with 18,510 bacterial ASVs shared across aridity gradients. • Dry sub-humid (alternating wet-dry) conditions promote the most complex and stable microbial co-occurrence networks. • Community assembly of both bacteria and fungi is predominantly governed by stochastic processes (ecological drift). • Microbial functional profiling reveals nitrogen cycling as the dominant process, with distinct adaptations along the aridity gradient.
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D-serine metabolism enhances Escherichia coli fitness in the gut and could contribute to Enterobacteriaceae expansion in Crohn's disease patients

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  Highlights • E. coli  isolates from healthy or diseased hosts exhibit distinct metabolic profiles • D-serine utilization is more prevalent in E. coli isolates from Crohn’s patients • The D-serine associated  dsdCXA  cluster enhances E. coli fitness in the gut
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Ojcius Leads Research Team

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A new leadership team is now in place to help guide the future of research at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. Dr. David Ojcius, chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, was recently named to a new role as assistant dean for research. He will continue to serve as department chair in addition to his new duties. Ojcius brings a wide range of research, scholarship and leadership skills to this role.
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Visit of University of Gujrat dean sparks collaboration with Pacific University

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Dean Prof. Dr. Zahid Yousaf of the University of Gujrat (UOG) embarked on a significant visit to the University of the Pacific, California, US, from May 20 to May 25. This visit was planned on the special invitation of Dr Qingwen Dong, Director graduate program and a leading academic from the department of communication. This visit not only facilitated fruitful discussions among academics from both countries but also laid the groundwork for a series of innovative collaborations between the two esteemed institutions. During this visit, Prof. Dr. Zahid Yousaf Engaged in dialogues with key stakeholders including President Christopher Callahan, Vice President Mary Lomax-Ghirarduzzi,  Associate Provost David Ojcius, Dean Lee Skinner, Director of International Scholars and Services, Patrick Wolak, Director Admissions among others. These meetings underscored a shared vision for enhancing academic cooperation and global engagement.
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Circulating Short-Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) Profiles as a Biomarker of Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction: A Meta-Analysis for the SCFA Signature in Major Depression

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  Highlight • Blood SCFA concentrations are reduced in patients with depression, especially in clinically diagnosed patients. • SCFA supplementation may improve depressive-like behaviors in animal models. • SCFA deficiency may contribute to depression, supporting SCFAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Pacific has one of most successful years for grants in school history

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University of the Pacific secured 62 grants from federal, state and county agencies totaling more than $36 million—one of the best years for government grants in school history. The dramatic increase in fiscal year 2023—double the amount awarded to Pacific in 2022—was largely driven by three of the university’s largest grants, which include $6 million for the School of Health Sciences to  expand the social work program , $5.6 million for Benerd College to  support mental health services in K-12 schools  and $5 million to McGeorge School of Law to  improve mental health services in California . This was the best year for grants at Pacific in 15 years. “This is a reflection of the exceptional work our faculty are doing to address pressing issues,” said David Ojcius, assistant provost for research and scholarship. “These grants will have a significant impact on the community.”   Read full article at: https://www.pacific.edu/pacific-newsroom/pacific-has-on...
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MrkA enhances the virulence phenotype of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae both in vitro and in vivo

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  Highlights • MrkA is required for siderophore production, revealing an unexpected link between type 3 fimbriae and iron acquisition. • MrkA could mediates bacterial adhesion to bladder and intestinal epithelium, indicating a role in mucosal tropism. • MrkA maintains carbon homeostasis via the PTS and csrA, and its loss reprograms metabolism and attenuates virulence.
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