A plasmid locus associated with Klebsiella clinical infections encodes a microbiome-dependent gut fitness factor.

Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) is an important cause of healthcare-associated infections, which increases patient morbidity, mortality, and hospitalization costs. Gut colonization by Kp is consistently associated with subsequent Kp disease, and patients are predominantly infected with their colonizing strain. Our previous comparative genomics study, between disease-causing and asymptomatically colonizing Kp isolates, identified a plasmid-encoded tellurite (TeO3-2)-resistance (ter) operon as strongly associated with infection. However, TeO3-2 is extremely rare and toxic to humans. Thus, we used a multidisciplinary approach to determine the biological link between ter and Kp infection. First, we used a genomic and bioinformatic approach to extensively characterize Kp plasmids encoding the ter locus. These plasmids displayed substantial variation in plasmid incompatibility type and gene content. Moreover, the ter operon was genetically independent of other plasmid-encoded virulence and antibiotic resistance loci, both in our original patient cohort and in a large set (n = 88) of publicly available ter operon-encoding Kp plasmids, indicating that the ter operon is likely playing a direct, but yet undescribed role in Kp disease. Next, we employed multiple mouse models of infection and colonization to show that 1) the ter operon is dispensable during bacteremia, 2) the ter operon enhances fitness in the gut, 3) this phenotype is dependent on the colony of origin of mice, and 4) antibiotic disruption of the gut microbiota eliminates the requirement for ter. Furthermore, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we show that the ter operon enhances Kp fitness in the gut in the presence of specific indigenous microbiota, including those predicted to produce short chain fatty acids. Finally, administration of exogenous short-chain fatty acids in our mouse model of colonization was sufficient to reduce fitness of a ter mutant. These findings indicate that the ter operon, strongly associated with human infection, encodes factors that resist stress induced by the indigenous gut microbiota during colonization. This work represents a substantial advancement in our molecular understanding of Kp pathogenesis and gut colonization, directly relevant to Kp disease in healthcare settings

Age at onset as stratifier in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease – effect of ageing and polygenic risk score on clinical phenotypes

Several phenotypic differences observed in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients have been linked to age at onset (AAO). We endeavoured to find out whether these differences are due to the ageing process itself by using a combined dataset of idiopathic PD (n = 430) and healthy controls (HC; n = 556) excluding carriers of known PD-linked genetic mutations in both groups. We found several significant effects of AAO on motor and non-motor symptoms in PD, but when comparing the effects of age on these symptoms with HC (using age at assessment, AAA), only positive associations of AAA with burden of motor symptoms and cognitive impairment were significantly different between PD vs HC. Furthermore, we explored a potential effect of polygenic risk score (PRS) on clinical phenotype and identified a significant inverse correlation of AAO and PRS in PD. No significant association between PRS and severity of clinical symptoms was found. We conclude that the observed non-motor phenotypic differences in PD based on AAO are largely driven by the ageing process itself and not by a specific profile of neurodegeneration linked to AAO in the idiopathic PD patients

Michael S. Bassis Westminster College President's inauguration papers

Articles; Commemorative jewelry; Invitations; Fliers (printed matter); Programs (documents); Schedules (time plans); SpeechesThis collection contains materials pertaining to the October 19, 2002 inauguration of Michael S. Bassis as 16th President of Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah. Additional materials pertain to the symposium "Changes, Challenges, Choices: Undergraduate Education in the 21st Century," held in conjunction with Bassis' inauguration.; This collection contains materials pertaining to the October 19, 2002 inauguration of Michael S. Bassis as 16th President of Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah. Additional materials pertain to the symposium "Changes, Challenges, Choices: Undergraduate Education in the 21st Century," held in conjunction with Bassis' inauguration.; Included in the collection are announcements of and invitations to the event, fliers, programs, and related inauguration materials, as well as President Bassis' final copy of his inauguration speech. Documents of interest include the schedule and breakdown of the inauguration (a draft copy and the President's copy (final version)), and the delegate information sent to participants in the ceremony. Bassis' background is briefly stated in the program summary, and in an article from the Utah Business magazine.; Documents pertaining to the symposium include the symposium program, notes (including description, format, session leaders and roundtable discussants, schedule, and co-directors), and the letter of invitation.; Other relevant items include a commemorative pin celebrating the inauguration of President Bassis, and two letters addressed to faculty and staff from the President regarding the "Welcome Back Party" and orientation for new faculty and staff.; Arranged alphabetically by subject and/or material type, with the exception of 2 oversized posters removed to Box 2, Folder 1.; Biographical Note; Michael S. Bassis was the 16th President of Westminster College, serving from 2002-2012. Dr. Bassis had a wide range of experiences as a teacher, scholar, and administrator over his 40-year career in higher education. Before coming to Westminster College, he served as the chief academic and administrative officer of New College of Florida (1998-2001), president of Olivet College in Michigan (1993-1998), and executive Vice-President and university provost at Antioch University (1989-1993).; Michael Steven Bassis was born in 1944, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Bassis of Harrison, N.Y. He married Mary Suzanne Wilson, daughter of Ruth and Clark Loudon Wilson of New Canaan, Conn. on December 27, 1977. Michael Bassis and his wife Mary have four grown children (Christina, Betsy, Jessica, and Nicholas), and at the time of his retirement in 2012, three granddaughters.; Dr. Bassis graduated from Brown University (with honors) in 1967, majoring in sociology. He received his M.A. (1968) and Ph.D. (1974) in Sociology of Education at University of Chicago. Michael Bassis co-authored 3 books and published numerous articles in journals and newspapers.; An advocate for educational innovation and change, President Bassis pioneered new approaches to student learning, focusing on interdisciplinary learning, setting learning goals, and blending online learning with face-to-face faculty interaction.; "Since joining Westminster in 2002, Bassis has focused on broader learning goals for students involving interdisciplinary learning. He has also required all students to put together electronic portfolios, as well as blending online learning with real-time faculty interaction." (1); "Under Bassis' leadership, Westminster enrollment grew by 44 percent and the student body became far more diverse. Nine graduate and 19 undergraduate programs have been added, along with eight athletic teams, and seven new academic centers, such as the Great Salt Lake Institute, were established. This fall, 56 percent of the freshman class is from outside Utah, up from 18 percent when Bassis arrived, and there are far more international students and students of color on campus ... Westminster has become a national destination that shifted the school's focus from teaching to learning by using new technology, trustees say." (2); "Bassis was responsible for the enactment of several programs that have shaped the campus of Westminster as a whole. These include the Center for Civic Engagement, the Winter at Westminster program and the McNair Scholars program." (3); Seven new facilities were built or purchased during Bassis' tenure including: the Meldrum Science Center; Dolores Dore Eccles Health, Wellness, and Athletics Center (HWAC); newly acquired Garfield School (future home of the Westminster Center for the Arts); Westminster on the Draw (6-story combination student housing/classrooms/retail space located in Sugar House); renovation of Nightingale Hall (transformed to include a state-of-the-art electronic portfolio laboratory and an indoor Student Commons).; To honor Michael Bassis' 10-year service as President, Westminster College established the Michael and Mary Bassis Scholarship Fund in 2012 and the renovated Nightingale Hall will be renamed the Bassis Center for Student Learning.; Sources: 1) Fattah, Geoffrey. "Westminster College president Michael S. Bassis says he's retiring", Deseret News, published online Sept. 8, 2011. 2) Maffly, Brian. "Westminster College president to retire", Salt Lake Tribune, published online Sept. 9, 2011. 3) Wasser, Brendan and Taylor White. "Ten years of accomplishment and change", The Forum, published online April 18, 2012. 4) Westminster College Office of the President website viewed May 10, 2012.; Inauguration materials; Invitations and program; President's final copy; Symposium; Posters (oversized

Social problems

xix, 586 p.; 24 cm

Michael S. Bassis Westminster College President's official inaugural congratulatory correspondence

Certificates; Correspondence; Form lettersThis collection consists of official certificates and incoming letters from different colleges, universities, and people congratulating Dr. Michael S. Bassis on his appointment and 2002 inauguration as the 16th president of Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah.; This collection consists of official certificates and incoming letters from different colleges, universities, and people congratulating Dr. Michael S. Bassis on his appointment and 2002 inauguration as the 16th president of Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah.; While many institutions sent both a certificate and letter, some just sent a certificate or letter. Most of the letters stated regrets in being unable to send a representative to the inauguration. Those accepting the invitation listed the person who would be attending. One letter simply requested a change to Westminster College's mailing list indicating the name of their own new president. Among the letters of congratulations are those from: Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, U.S. Representative Jim Matheson, an unidentified supporter, and Mrs. Pauline Barth.; There is also a single form letter -- an outgoing thank you letter addressed to "friend" from the Westminster Community acknowledging the recipient's attendance at the inaugural ceremony.; Arranged alphabetically by the name of the university, college, or person's last name.; Biographical Note; Michael S. Bassis was the 16th President of Westminster College, serving from 2002-2012. Dr. Bassis had a wide range of experiences as a teacher, scholar, and administrator over his 40-year career in higher education. Before coming to Westminster College, he served as the chief academic and administrative officer of New College of Florida (1998-2001), president of Olivet College in Michigan (1993-1998), and executive Vice-President and university provost at Antioch University (1989-1993).; Michael Steven Bassis was born in 1944, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Bassis of Harrison, N.Y. He married Mary Suzanne Wilson, daughter of Ruth and Clark Loudon Wilson of New Canaan, Conn. on December 27, 1977. Michael Bassis and his wife Mary have four grown children (Christina, Betsy, Jessica, and Nicholas), and at the time of his retirement in 2012, three granddaughters.; Dr. Bassis graduated from Brown University (with honors) in 1967, majoring in sociology. He received his M.A. (1968) and Ph.D. (1974) in Sociology of Education at University of Chicago. Michael Bassis co-authored 3 books and published numerous articles in journals and newspapers.; An advocate for educational innovation and change, President Bassis pioneered new approaches to student learning, focusing on interdisciplinary learning, setting learning goals, and blending online learning with face-to-face faculty interaction.; "Since joining Westminster in 2002, Bassis has focused on broader learning goals for students involving interdisciplinary learning. He has also required all students to put together electronic portfolios, as well as blending online learning with real-time faculty interaction." (1); "Under Bassis' leadership, Westminster enrollment grew by 44 percent and the student body became far more diverse. Nine graduate and 19 undergraduate programs have been added, along with eight athletic teams, and seven new academic centers, such as the Great Salt Lake Institute, were established. This fall, 56 percent of the freshman class is from outside Utah, up from 18 percent when Bassis arrived, and there are far more international students and students of color on campus ... Westminster has become a national destination that shifted the school's focus from teaching to learning by using new technology, trustees say." (2); "Bassis was responsible for the enactment of several programs that have shaped the campus of Westminster as a whole. These include the Center for Civic Engagement, the Winter at Westminster program and the McNair Scholars program." (3); Seven new facilities were built or purchased during Bassis' tenure including: the Meldrum Science Center; Dolores Dore Eccles Health, Wellness, and Athletics Center (HWAC); newly acquired Garfield School (future home of the Westminster Center for the Arts); Westminster on the Draw (6-story combination student housing/classrooms/retail space located in Sugar House); renovation of Nightingale Hall (transformed to include a state-of-the-art electronic portfolio laboratory and an indoor Student Commons).; To honor Michael Bassis' 10-year service as President, Westminster College established the Michael and Mary Bassis Scholarship Fund in 2012 and the renovated Nightingale Hall will be renamed the Bassis Center for Student Learning.; Sources: 1) Fattah, Geoffrey. "Westminster College president Michael S. Bassis says he's retiring", Deseret News, published online Sept. 8, 2011. 2) Maffly, Brian. "Westminster College president to retire", Salt Lake Tribune, published online Sept. 9, 2011. 3) Wasser, Brendan and Taylor White. "Ten years of accomplishment and change", The Forum, published online April 18, 2012. 4) Westminster College Office of the President website viewed May 10, 2012.; Adrian College - Austin Peay State University; Baker University - Butler University; Cabrini College - Claflin University; Claremont Graduate University - Columbus State University; Concordia University - D'Youville College; East Stroudsburg University - Frostburg State University; Gallaudet University - Hollins University; Hood College - King College; La Sierra University - Lyon College; Madonna University - Montana State University; Montreat College - North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; North Dakota State University - Our Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio; Pacific Union College - Princeton University; Regis University - Salem Academy and College; Salve Regina University - Southeast Missouri State University; Southeastern Oklahoma State University - Sweet Briar College; Tennessee Technological University - Tulane University; Union College - University of Hartford; University of Hawaii at Hilo - University of New Mexico; University of North Alabama - University of St. Francis; University of St. Thomas - Utica College; Vanderbilt University - Western Michigan University; Western Oregon University - Youngstown State University; Outgoing Correspondence; California State University, Los Angeles - Yale University [oversize]; 1 oversized item removed to Box 3, Folder 1; 1 oversized item removed to Box 3, Folder 1; 1 oversized item removed to Box 3, Folder 1; 1 oversized item removed to Box 3, Folder 1; 1 oversized item removed to Box 3, Folder