Identification of influenza urban transmission patterns by geographical, epidemiological and whole genome sequencing data: protocol for an observational study.

Introduction: Urban transmission patterns of influenza viruses are complex and poorly understood, and multiple factors may play a critical role in modifying transmission. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) allows the description of patient-to-patient transmissions at highest resolution. The aim of this study is to explore urban transmission patterns of influenza viruses in high detail by combining geographical, epidemiological and immunological data with WGS data.

Phenotypic and Genomic Analyses of Burkholderia stabilis Clinical Contamination, Switzerland.

A recent hospital outbreak related to premoistened gloves used to wash patients exposed the difficulties of defining Burkholderia species in clinical settings. The outbreak strain displayed key B. stabilis phenotypes, including the inability to grow at 42°C; we used whole-genome sequencing to confirm the pathogen was B.

Quantitative contribution of efflux to multi-drug resistance of clinical Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains.

Background: Efflux pumps mediate antimicrobial resistance in several WHO critical priority bacterial pathogens. However, most available data come from laboratory strains. The quantitative relevance of efflux in more relevant clinical isolates remains largely unknown.

outbreak associated with contaminated commercially-available washing gloves, Switzerland, May 2015 to August 2016.

We describe an outbreak of associated with contaminated washing gloves, a commercially available Class I medical device. Triggered by an increase in complex (BCC) bacteremias and the detection of BCC in unopened packages of washing gloves, an ad hoc national outbreak committee comprising representatives of a public health organisation, a regulatory agency, and an expert association convened and commissioned an outbreak investigation. The investigation included retrospective case finding across Switzerland and whole genome sequencing (WGS) of isolates from cases and gloves.

Whole genome sequencing identifies influenza A H3N2 transmission and offers superior resolution to classical typing methods.

Objectives: Influenza with its annual epidemic waves is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, only little whole genome data are available regarding the molecular epidemiology promoting our understanding of viral spread in human populations.

Methods: We implemented a RT-PCR strategy starting from patient material to generate influenza A whole genome sequences for molecular epidemiological surveillance.

Molecular characterization of an unauthorized genetically modified Bacillus subtilis production strain identified in a vitamin B feed additive.

Many food and feed additives result from fermentation of genetically modified (GM) microorganisms. For vitamin B2 (riboflavin), GM Bacillus subtilis production strains have been developed and are often used. The presence of neither the GM strain nor its recombinant DNA is allowed for fermentation products placed on the EU market as food or feed additive.

Correction: A Cross-Sectional Study of Colonization Rates with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) and Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Four Swiss Refugee Centres.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae in a free-roaming red fox: case report and historical review on diphtheria in animals.

Objectives: Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the classical causative agent of diphtheria, is considered to be nearly restricted to humans. Here we report the first finding of a non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae biovar belfanti strain in a free-roaming wild animal.

The poly(A)-binding protein Nab2 functions in RNA polymerase III transcription.

RNA polymerase III (RNAPIII) synthesizes most small RNAs, the most prominent being tRNAs. Although the basic mechanism of RNAPIII transcription is well understood, recent evidence suggests that additional proteins play a role in RNAPIII transcription. Here, we discovered by a genome-wide approach that Nab2, a poly(A)-binding protein important for correct poly(A) tail length and nuclear mRNA export, is present at all RNAPIII transcribed genes.

Co-transcriptional mRNP formation is coordinated within a molecular mRNP packaging station in S. cerevisiae.

In eukaryotes, the messenger RNA (mRNA), the blueprint of a protein-coding gene, is processed and packaged into a messenger ribonucleoprotein particle (mRNP) by mRNA-binding proteins in the nucleus. The steps of mRNP formation - transcription, processing, packaging, and the orchestrated release of the export-competent mRNP from the site of transcription for nuclear mRNA export - are tightly coupled to ensure a highly efficient and regulated process. The importance of highly accurate nuclear mRNP formation is illustrated by the fact that mutations in components of this pathway lead to cellular inviability or to severe diseases in metazoans.

Zoonotic transmission of toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans strain, Germany, 2012.

Severe necrotizing fasciitis was diagnosed in a 53-year-old man in Germany in 2012. Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans was grown from a wound swab sample. One of the patient's 2 dogs was found to harbor a toxigenic C.

Next generation sequencing analysis of nine Corynebacterium ulcerans isolates reveals zoonotic transmission and a novel putative diphtheria toxin-encoding pathogenicity island.

Background: Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans can cause a diphtheria-like illness in humans and have been found in domestic animals, which were suspected to serve as reservoirs for a zoonotic transmission. Additionally, toxigenic C. ulcerans were reported to take over the leading role in causing diphtheria in the last years in many industrialized countries.

Multilocus sequence typing of Corynebacterium ulcerans provides evidence for zoonotic transmission and for increased prevalence of certain sequence types among toxigenic strains.

Human-to-human-transmitted Corynebacterium diphtheriae was historically the main pathogen causing diphtheria and has therefore been studied extensively in the past. More recently, diphtheria caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans is an emerging disease in several industrial countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Germany. However, toxigenic C.

Recruitment of TREX to the transcription machinery by its direct binding to the phospho-CTD of RNA polymerase II.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) synthesis and export are tightly linked, but the molecular mechanisms of this coupling are largely unknown. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the conserved TREX complex couples transcription to mRNA export and mediates mRNP formation. Here, we show that TREX is recruited to the transcription machinery by direct interaction of its subcomplex THO with the serine 2-serine 5 (S2/S5) diphosphorylated CTD of RNA polymerase II.

Prp19C and TREX: interacting to promote transcription elongation and mRNA export.

During transcription of protein coding genes by RNA Polymerase II the mRNA is processed and packaged into an mRNP. Among the proteins binding cotranscriptionally to the mRNP are mRNA export factors. One of the protein complexes thus coupling transcription to mRNA export is the TREX complex.

La-motif-dependent mRNA association with Slf1 promotes copper detoxification in yeast.

The La-motif (LAM) is an ancient and ubiquitous RNA-binding domain defining a superfamily of proteins, which comprises the genuine La proteins and La-related proteins (LARPs). In contrast to La, which binds and stabilizes pre-tRNAs and other RNA polymerase III transcripts, data on function and RNA targets of the LARPs have remained scarce. We have undertaken a global approach to elucidate the previously suggested role of the yeast LARP Slf1p in copper homeostasis.

Lack of WDR36 leads to preimplantation embryonic lethality in mice and delays the formation of small subunit ribosomal RNA in human cells in vitro.

Mutations in WD repeat domain 36 gene (WDR36) play a causative role in some forms of primary open-angle glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide. WDR36 is characterized by the presence of multiple WD40 repeats and shows homology to Utp21, an essential protein component of the yeast small subunit (SSU) processome required for maturation of 18S rRNA. To clarify the functional role of WDR36 in the mammalian organism, we generated and investigated mutant mice with a targeted deletion of Wdr36.