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Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are common and potentially severe medical conditions that occur regularly in both military and nonmilitary populations. Military members, however, have a 21% higher incidence [...]

In 2015, several severe cases of skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) among US Naval Special Warfare trainees prompted the introduction of doxycycline prophylaxis during the highest-risk portion of training, Hell Week. We performed a retrospective analysis of the effect of this intervention on SSTI incidence and resulting hospital admissions during 2013–2020. In total, 3,371 trainees underwent Hell Week training during the study period; 284 SSTIs were diagnosed overall, 29 of which led to hospitalization. After doxycycline prophylaxis was introduced, admission rates for SSTI decreased from 1.37 to 0.64 admissions/100 trainees (p = 0.036). Overall SSTI rates remained stable at 7.42 to 8.86 SSTIs/100 trainees (p = 0.185). Hospitalization rates per diagnosed SSTI decreased from 18.4% to 7.2% (p = 0.009). Average length of hospitalization decreased from 9.01 days to 4.33 days (p = 0.034). Doxycycline prophylaxis was associated with decreased frequency and severity of hospitalization for SSTIs among this population.

Here, the authors characterize the microbiome and resistome in a longitudinal cohort of 159 international students visiting the Andean city of Cusco, Peru. They find that international travel associates with spread of antimicrobial resistance, and that travelers’ diarrhea increases a persons’ risk for acquiring antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, while a diverse, “healthy” microbiome can be protective against diarrhea.

Deep fracture‐hosted fluids of Precambrian bedrock cratons are relatively stagnant over long time spans compared to near‐surface systems. However, episodic events, such as fracture reactivations, transgressions, and deglaciations, may introduce dilute water, replacing, and mixing with the deep continental brines, thereby sparking microbial activity. Secondary minerals that line bedrock fractures serve as important geochemical archives for such episodic events. Here we explore the fracture mineral record of Archean rocks of Western Greenland by analyzing samples from deep boreholes with the aim to trace and characterize episodic paleofluid flow and paleomicrobial activity. A sequence of hydrothermal to low temperature fluid flow events is demonstrated. For the youngest generation, microscale S‐isotope analysis of pyrite reveals substantial 34S‐depletion (minimum δ34S:−58‰V‐CDT) compared to fracture‐hosted barite (δ34S:13‰ ± 2‰) and gypsum (δ34S:2.6‰–10.6‰). This suggests the formation of pyrite following S isotope fractionation during microbial sulfate reduction. This metabolism is further indicated by several methyl‐branched fatty acids preserved in calcite. A general discrepancy between calcite and groundwater δ18O‐values suggests that calcite formed from water different from the presently residing glacial meltwater‐influenced groundwater mix. High spatial resolution U‐Pb carbonate geochronology of the youngest generation of calcite yielded ages for two samples: 64 ± 3, 75 ± 7 Ma (2σ). These ages overlap with tectonic events related to early stages, or prestages, of the opening of the Atlantic and Labrador Seas. This suggests that deep fracture networks in Western Greenland were colonized by microorganisms, such as sulfate reducers, in the course of this extensional event. Key Points: Paleomicrobial activity attested in the deep subsurface of Western GreenlandMicrobial sulfate reduction suggested by 34S‐depleted pyrite and preserved fatty acidsExtensional events have facilitated deep microbial colonization [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sequenced and genotyped severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus, among other pathogens, from residual anterior nasal swabs self-collected for rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing at the US Naval Academy. This is a key proof-of-concept for an acute respiratory infection surveillance approach, which could leverage prevalent SARS-CoV-2 antigen self-testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of bacterial diarrhea worldwide, and increasing rates of fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistance in C. jejuni are a major public health concern. The rapid detection and tracking of FQ resistance are critical needs in developing countries, as these antimicrobials are widely used against C. jejuni infections. Detection of point mutations at T86I in the gyrA gene by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a rapid detection tool that may improve FQ resistance tracking. Methods C. jejuni isolates obtained from children with diarrhea in Peru were tested by RT-PCR to detect point mutations at T86I in gyrA. Further confirmation was performed by sequencing of the gyrA gene. Results We detected point mutations at T86I in the gyrA gene in 100% (141/141) of C. jejuni clinical isolates that were previously confirmed as ciprofloxacin-resistant by E-test. No mutations were detected at T86I in gyrA in any ciprofloxacin-sensitive isolates. Conclusions Detection of T86I mutations in C. jejuni is a rapid, sensitive, and specific method to identify fluoroquinolone resistance in Peru. This detection approach could be broadly employed in epidemiologic surveillance, therefore reducing time and cost in regions with limited resources.

As a redox-sensitive coenzyme, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) plays a central role in cellular energy metabolism and homeostasis. Low NAD+ levels are linked to multiple disease states, including age-related diseases, such as metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Consequently, restoring/increasing NAD+ levels in vivo has emerged as an important intervention targeting age-related neurodegenerative diseases. One of the widely studied approaches to increase NAD+ levels in vivo is accomplished by using NAD+ precursors, such as nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). Oral administration of NMN has been shown to successfully increase NAD+ levels in a variety of tissues; however, it remains unclear whether NMN can cross the blood–brain barrier to increase brain NAD+ levels. This study evaluated the effects of oral NMN administration on NAD+ levels in C57/B6J mice brain tissues. Our results demonstrate that oral gavage of 400 mg/kg NMN successfully increases brain NAD+ levels in mice after 45 min. These findings provide evidence that NMN may be used as an intervention to increase NAD+ levels in the brain.

In the 320s CE, the eastern metropolis of Antioch became the scene of violent conflict between pro- and anti-Nicene factions vying to put one of their own in the bishopric. Eusebius of Caesarea (himself one of the candidates) claims in his influential Vita Constantini that bloody conflict was avoided only by the calming influence of the emperor himself. This article focuses on three letters that Eusebius included in the Vita Constantini to illustrate the emperor's involvement, looking for what they can tell us about the sequence of events, and also about the relationship between the first Christian emperor and his future biographer. Scholars have labeled Eusebius as everything from the power behind Constantine's throne to a sycophant who needed Constantine to protect him from his ecclesiastical enemies. This study reveals an evolving relationship in which the emperor learned to respect Eusebius's political as well as academic skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]