Mostly Microbes and Infection

  Highlights • Human cytomegalovirus RNA2.7 sequesters RNA-binding proteins to stabilize host mRNAs • RNA2.7 enforces G1-S arrest specifically in actively cycling cells • An adenosine-rich RNA2.7 region is required for cell-cycle arrest • RNA2.7-driven cell-cycle arrest promotes efficient HCMV replication

  Highlights • XAI–SERS platform enables accurate discrimination of  E. coli  pathotypes and  Shigella. • 1D-CNN model achieved 97.7% accuracy, surpassing traditional classifiers. • SHAP analysis identified key spectral features linked to molecular components. • Provides a precise, interpretable approach for bacterial diagnostics.

  Highlights • One-year multicenter survey of fosfomycin-resistant Enterobacterales in Czech Republic hospitals. • FosA3-producing  Proteus mirabilis  predominates. • FosA3-positive  P. mirabilis  ST185 forms a local clonal cluster while  E. coli  clones are heterogeneous. • Transporter defects (GlpT/UhpT) are widespread; most  fosA  strains carry ESBL genes. • Molecular surveillance is crucial to monitor and contain emerging fosfomycin resistance.

  Highlights • XDR  Klebsiella oxytoca  found in hospital wastewater with 59 resistance genes • Mega plasmid pKO611.1 carries 28 resistance genes, enabling multidrug resistance • Novel  tet (E) variant and AmpC β-lactamase confer tetracycline & β-lactam resistance • Plasmid pKO611.1 transfers efficiently to  Escherichia coli , spreading resistance • Plasmid recombination shows potential as resistance gene reservoir for dissemination

  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.

  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

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.