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Multiple myeloma is a hematological cancer caused by the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow, leading to excessive immunoglobulin production. Our study aimed to examine the anticancer properties of BRF1A, a cannabinoid (CBD)-enriched product, on 2 myeloma cell lines: U266 and ARH-7. We treated U266 and ARH-77 myeloma cells with varying doses of BRF1A and measured the production of IgE and IgG antibodies using ELISA. Cell viability was assessed using trypan blue and CCK-8 assays. We measured the expression of genes related to the production of IgE and IgG antibodies, IgEH, and IgGH. We determined its effect on the expression of telomerase and its phosphorylated form as an indicator of telomere stabilization. Furthermore, we determined its effect on other cancer-related targets such as NF-ĸB, c-Myc, and TP53 in U266 cells using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting. BRF1A reduced myeloma cell IgE and IgG production in a time and dose-dependent manner. It also suppressed the expression of p-IκBα, p-NFκB (p65), and total NFκB protein, as well as XBP1u and XBP1s. It increased the gene and protein expression of telomere and hTERT and significantly increased cancer suppressor TP53 gene and p53 protein expression. Additionally, BRF1A decreased the c-Myc gene and protein expression. Our study has shown that a CBD-enriched product can reduce the growth of myeloma cells by suppressing the critical functions of IgE- and IgG-producing cells. This study could help bridge the gap in understanding how cannabinoid-containing products affect cancer, aging, telomere, and cancer-suppressor gene activity.

Atopic eczema patients exhibit high levels of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) skin colonization. S. aureus can stimulate macrophages and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Berberine (BBR), an alkaloid, attenuates S. aureus toxin production. This study investigated if BBR suppressed bacterial growth and inflammatory response induced by eczema-patient-derived S. aureus using murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) and human monocyte cell lines (U937). RAW 264.7 and U937 were treated with BBR at different concentrations and stimulated with heat-killed S. aureus (ATCC #33591) or S. aureus derived from severe eczema patients (EC01–EC10), who were undergoing topical steroid withdrawal, for 24 h. TNF-α protein levels were determined by ELISA, gene expression by qRT-PCR, cell cytotoxicity by trypan blue excursion, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by fluorometric assay. BBR showed a bacteriostatic effect in S. aureus (ATCC strain #33591 and clinical isolates (EC01–EC10) and suppressed TNF-α production in RAW 264.7 and U937 cells exposed to heat-killed S. aureus (ATCC and clinical isolates) dose-dependently without any cell cytotoxicity. BBR (20 µg/mL) suppressed >90% of TNF-α production (p < 0.001), downregulated genes involved in inflammatory pathways, and inhibited S. aureus ROS production in U937 and RAW 264.7 cells (p < 0.01). BBR suppresses S. aureus-induced inflammation via inhibition of TNF-α release, ROS production, and expression of key genes involved in the inflammatory pathway.

IntroductionPeanut allergy is an immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated food allergy. Rubia cordifolia L. (R. cordifolia), a Chinese herbal medicine, protects against peanut-induced anaphylaxis by suppressing IgE production in vivo. This study aims to identify IgE-inhibitory compounds from the water extract of R. cordifolia and investigate the underlying mechanisms using in vitro and in vivo models.MethodsCompounds were isolated from R. cordifolia water extract and their bioactivity on IgE production was assessed using a human myeloma U266 cell line. The purified active compound, xanthopurpurin (XPP), was identified by LC-MS and NMR. Peanut-allergic C3H/HeJ mice were orally administered with or without XPP at 200µg or 400µg per mouse per day for 4 weeks. Serum peanut-specific IgE levels, symptom scores, body temperatures, and plasma histamine levels were measured at challenge. Cytokines in splenocyte cultures were determined by ELISA, and IgE + B cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity were evaluated. IL-4 promoter DNA methylation, RNA-Seq, and qPCR analysis were performed to determine the regulatory mechanisms of XPP.ResultsXPP significantly and dose-dependently suppressed the IgE production in U266 cells. XPP significantly reduced peanut-specific IgE (>80%, p

Thyroid Cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy, with increasing incidence globally. Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), a differentiated form of TC, accounts for approximately 90% of TC and occurs predominantly in women of childbearing age. Although responsive to current treatments, recurrence of PTC by middle age is common and is much more refractive to treatment. Undifferentiated TC, particularly anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), is the most aggressive TC subtype, characterized by it being resistant and unresponsive to all therapeutic and surgical interventions. Further, ATC is one of the most aggressive and lethal malignancies across all cancer types. Despite the differences in therapeutic needs in differentiated vs. undifferentiated TC subtypes, there is a critical unmet need for the identification of molecular biomarkers that can aid in early diagnosis, prognosis, and actionable therapeutic targets for intervention. Advances in the field of cancer genomics have enabled for the elucidation of differential gene expression patterns between tumors and healthy tissue. A novel category of molecules, known as non-coding RNAs, can themselves be differentially expressed, and extensively contribute to the up- and downregulation of protein coding genes, serving as master orchestrators of regulated and dysregulated gene expression patterns. These non-coding RNAs have been identified for their roles in driving carcinogenic patterns at various stages of tumor development and have become attractive targets for study. The identification of specific genes that are differentially expressed can give insight into mechanisms that drive carcinogenic patterns, filling the gaps of deciphering molecular and cellular processes that modulate TC subtypes, outside of well-known driver mutations.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable, enclosed, non-coding RNA molecules with dynamic regulatory propensity. Their biogenesis involves a back-splicing process, forming a highly stable and operational RNA molecule. Dysregulated circRNA expression can drive carcinogenic and tumorigenic transformation through the orchestration of epigenetic modifications via extensive RNA and protein-binding domains. These multi-ranged functional capabilities have unveiled extensive identification of previously unknown molecular and cellular patterns of cancer cells. Reliable circRNA expression patterns can aid in early disease detection and provide criteria for genome-specific personalized medicine. Studies described in this review have revealed the novelty of circRNAs and their biological ss as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers.

Atopic eczema patients exhibit high levels of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) skin colonization. S. aureus can stimulate macrophages and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Berberine (BBR), an alkaloid, attenuates S. aureus toxin production. This study investigated if BBR suppressed bacterial growth and inflammatory response induced by eczema-patient-derived S. aureus using murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) and human monocyte cell lines (U937). RAW 264.7 and U937 were treated with BBR at different concentrations and stimulated with heat-killed S. aureus (ATCC #33591) or S. aureus derived from severe eczema patients (EC01–EC10), who were undergoing topical steroid withdrawal, for 24 h. TNF-α protein levels were determined by ELISA, gene expression by qRT-PCR, cell cytotoxicity by trypan blue excursion, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by fluorometric assay. BBR showed a bacteriostatic effect in S. aureus (ATCC strain #33591 and clinical isolates (EC01–EC10) and suppressed TNF-α production in RAW 264.7 and U937 cells exposed to heat-killed S. aureus (ATCC and clinical isolates) dose-dependently without any cell cytotoxicity. BBR (20 µg/mL) suppressed >90% of TNF-α production (p < 0.001), downregulated genes involved in inflammatory pathways, and inhibited S. aureus ROS production in U937 and RAW 264.7 cells (p < 0.01). BBR suppresses S. aureus-induced inflammation via inhibition of TNF-α release, ROS production, and expression of key genes involved in the inflammatory pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We implemented NSF-funded computerized Experimental Psychology Laboratories at Touro College and incorporated process-oriented guided-inquiry learning (POGIL). We designed POGIL modules for the labs and conducted workshops for faculty on the implementation of the guided-inquiry approach, including learning teams. Data were collected from students who took experimental psychology with and without using POGIL, to assess the impact of the curriculum materials. Achievement was measured with (a) selected items from the Major Field Achievement Tests (MFAT) and (b) our own assessment instrument. Results indicated that students using the POGIL materials performed significantly better on both achievement tests than students not using them. This is the first demonstration that POGIL led to higher achievement than non-POGIL instruction for experimental psychology. These results are consistent with previous POGIL findings in the field of chemistry.

The objective of this study was to observe the effects of a multi-level (30%, 15%, and 0%) randomized discount on fruits, vegetables, and non-caloric beverages on changes in dietary intake. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) comprised an 8-week baseline, a 32-week intervention, and a 16-week follow-up. 24-hour dietary recalls were conducted during the baseline period and before the intervention midpoint. In-person clinical measures were analyzed from Week 8 (end of baseline) and 24 (midpoint). This report is from an interim analysis up to the intervention period midpoint at Week 24, as the study is still ongoing. Participants with BMIs of 24.5-50 kg/m2 and ages 18-70 years old who were the primary household shoppers were recruited from several New York City supermarkets, starting in September 2018. Of these, we analyzed 20 in the 30% discount group, 25 in the 15% discount group, and 19 in the 0% discount group. The 30% discount group reported greater intake of vegetables (+98.4 g ± 48.9 SD, P = 0.049) and diet soda (+63.3 g ± 29.3, P = 0.035) relative to the baseline period, compared to the 0% discount group. The clinical measures including body weight remained unchanged. The participants who experienced the COVID-19 pandemic had a marginal increase in body weight of 1.5 kg, P = 0.053. In conclusion, we observed a significant increase in intake of vegetables and diet soda in the 30% discount group relative to the 0% discount group.

Depression is a prevalent psychiatric disorder. Microglial state transition has been found in many neurological disorders including depression. Gypenosides (Gypenosides I-LXXVIII, Gps) are saponin extracts isolated from the traditional Chinese herb Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino that exert anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities and regulate depression-like behaviors. However, its effect on microglial state transition in depression remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the potential relationship between Gps and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling in microglial state transition in vitro and in vivo. First, BV-2 cells (microglial cell line) were exposed to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and treated with 10 or 5 μg/ml Gps. Second, the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression mouse model was used to investigate the antidepressant-like behaviors effects of Gps (100 or 50 mg/kg). We determined depression-like behaviors using the open-field test (OFT), forced swim test (FST), and sucrose preference test (SPT). Proteins and inflammatory factors in the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and the different microglial reaction states markers were subsequently conducted using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence, qPCR, or Western blotting analyses to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antidepressant properties of Gps and the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that Gps regulated the microglial cell line state transition in LPS-exposed BV-2 cells, as evidenced by the significantly decreased expression of inflammatory parameters iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α and significantly promoted anti-inflammatory microglial phenotypes markers CD206 (Mrc1) and IL-10. More importantly, Gps protected against the loss of monoamine neurotransmitters and depression-like behavior in a mouse model of depression, which was accompanied by a regulation of the microglial state transition. Mechanistically, Gps inhibited TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling, which reduced the release of downstream inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and promoted microglial phenotype transition, which all together contributed to the antidepressant effect. Our results suggest that Gps prevents depression-like behaviors by regulating the microglial state transition and inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Thus, Gps could be a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent and treat depression-like behaviors and other psychiatric disorders.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess purchasing, intake, and weight after discounting fruits and vegetables (F&V) and noncaloric beverages in New York City supermarkets. Methods: A 16‐week randomized controlled trial was conducted with a 4‐week baseline, an 8‐week intervention with 50% discounts on F&V and noncaloric beverages, and a 4‐week follow‐up. Purchasing was tracked via loyalty cards, and intake was tracked via 24‐h dietary recalls. Weights were measured at five in‐person visits. Results: Data from 67 participants were analyzed (38 in the experimental group; 29 in the control group). F&V and noncaloric beverage weekly purchasing was greater in the experimental than the control group (mean difference [SD], $4.64 [$1.44], p < 0.0001; $0.53 [$0.39], p = 0.008) during intervention, with F&V purchasing remaining greater in the experimental versus control group during follow‐up (p = 0.005). F&V intake was greater for the experimental than the control group during intervention (142 [105] g/day; p = 0.009) and follow‐up (p = 0.001). Although no difference in noncaloric beverage consumption was observed between groups, there was lower alcohol intake in the experimental than the control group during follow‐up (−85.8 [60.2] g/day; p = 0.004). The experimental group lost weight compared with the control group (−1.33 [0.92] kg; p = 0.006 intervention and p = 0.106 follow‐up). No differences in nutrient composition or high energy‐dense product consumption were found. Conclusions: A 50% discount on F&V and noncaloric beverages promoted increased purchasing and intake of F&V and induced weight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity can result from excess intake in response to environmental food cues, and stress can drive greater intake and body weight. We used a novel fMRI task to explore how obesity and stress influenced appetitive responses to relatively minimal food cues (words representing food items, presented similarly to a chalkboard menu). Twenty-nine adults (16F, 13M), 17 of whom had obesity and 12 of whom were lean, completed two fMRI scans, one following a combined social and physiological stressor and the other following a control task. A food word reactivity task assessed subjective food approach (wanting) as well as food avoidant (restraint) responses, along with neural responses, to words denoting high energy-density (ED) foods, low-ED foods, and non-foods. A multi-item ad-libitum meal followed each scan. The obese and lean groups demonstrated differences as well as similarities in activation of appetitive and attention/self-regulation systems in response to food vs. non-food, and to high-ED vs. low-ED food words. Patterns of activation were largely similar across stress and non-stress conditions, with some evidence for differences between conditions within both obese and lean groups. The obese group ate more than the lean group in both conditions. Our results suggest that neural responses to minimal food cues in stressed and non-stressed states may contribute to excess consumption and adiposity.

Adaptive decision making to eat is crucial for survival, but in anorexia nervosa, the brain persistently supports reduced food intake despite a growing need for energy. How the brain persists in reducing food intake, sometimes even to the point of death and despite the evolution of multiple mechanisms to ensure survival by governing adaptive eating behaviors, remains mysterious. Neural substrates belong to the reward-habit system, which could differ among the eating disorders. The present review provides an overview of neural circuitry of restrictive food choice, binge eating, and the contribution of specific serotonin receptors. One possibility is that restrictive food intake critically engages goal-directed (decision making) systems and "habit," supporting the view that persistent caloric restriction mimics some aspects of addiction to drugs of abuse.Significance statementAn improved understanding of the neural basis of eating disorders is a timely challenge because these disorders can be deadly. Up to 70 million of people in the world suffer from eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa affects 1-4% of women in United States and is the first cause of death among adolescents in Europe. Studies relying on animal models suggest that decision making to eat (or not) can prevail over actual energy requirements due to emotional disturbances resulting in abnormal habitual behavior, mimicking dependence. These recent studies provide a foundation for developing more specific and effective interventions for these disorders.

Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, occurring at an incidence rate of 12.9 per 100,000 in the US adult population. While the overall 10-year survival of PTC nears 95%, the presence of lymph node metastasis (LNM) or capsular invasion indicates the need for extensive neck dissection with possible adjuvant radioactive iodine therapy. While imaging modalities such as ultrasound and CT are currently in use for the detection of suspicious cervical lymph nodes, their sensitivities for tumor-positive nodes are low. Therefore, advancements in preoperative detection of LNM may optimize the surgical and medical management of patients with thyroid cancer. To this end, we analyzed bulk RNA-sequencing datasets to identify candidate markers highly predictive of LNM. We identified MEG3, a long-noncoding RNA previously described as a tumor suppressor when expressed in malignant cells, as highly associated with LNM tissue. Furthermore, the expression of MEG3 was highly predictive of tumor infiltration with cancer-associated fibroblasts, and single-cell RNA-sequencing data revealed the expression of MEG3 was isolated to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the most aggressive form of thyroid cancers. Our findings suggest that MEG3 expression, specifically in CAFs, is highly associated with LNM and may be a driver of aggressive disease.

Thyroid cancer is the most prevalent endocrine malignancy in the United States with greater than 53,000 new cases in 2020. There is a significant gender disparity in disease incidence as well, with women developing thyroid cancer three times more often than men; however, the underlying cause of this disparity is poorly understood. Using RNA-sequencing, we profiled the immune landscape of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and identified a significant inverse correlation between androgen receptor (AR) levels and the immune checkpoint molecule PD-L1. The expression of PD-L1 was then measured in an androgen responsive-thyroid cancer cell line. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) treatment resulted in significant reduction in surface PD-L1 expression in a time and dose-dependent manner. To determine if androgen-mediated PD-L1 downregulation was AR-dependent, we treated cells with flutamide, a selective AR antagonist, and prior to DHT treatment to pharmacologically inhibit AR-induced signaling. This resulted in a > 90% restoration of cell surface PD-L1 expression, suggesting a potential role for AR activity in PD-L1 regulation. Investigation into the AR binding sites showed AR activation impacts NF-kB signaling by increasing IkBα and by possibly preventing NF-kB translocation into the nucleus, reducing PD-L1 promoter activation. This study provides evidence of sex-hormone mediated regulation of immune checkpoint molecules in vitro with potential ramification for immunotherapies.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable, enclosed, non-coding RNA molecules with dynamic regulatory propensity. Their biogenesis involves a back-splicing process, forming a highly stable and operational RNA molecule. Dysregulated circRNA expression can drive carcinogenic and tumorigenic transformation through the orchestration of epigenetic modifications via extensive RNA and protein-binding domains. These multi-ranged functional capabilities have unveiled extensive identification of previously unknown molecular and cellular patterns of cancer cells. Reliable circRNA expression patterns can aid in early disease detection and provide criteria for genome-specific personalized medicine. Studies described in this review have revealed the novelty of circRNAs and their biological ss as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The Night Eating Diagnostic Questionnaire (NEDQ) is a validated assessment of the night eating syndrome (NES) based on the proposed diagnostic criteria. While past results show that NEDQ is associated with psychopathology and body mass index (BMI), the relationships between the proposed NES diagnostic criteria and psychopathology and BMI have not been investigated. Thus, the relationships between the proposed NES diagnostic criteria and factors previously associated with NES, namely depression, “food addiction” (FA), sleep quality, and BMI were examined. Finally, the NEDQ factor structure was examined for the first time in order to determine whether the NEDQ is assessing NES appropriately. Methods The NEDQ, depression, sleep quality, and FA questionnaires were administered to a sample of older community members (n = 468) and a student sample (n = 254). Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was performed to examine the factor structure of the NEDQ. The relationships between the proposed diagnostic criteria and depression, sleep quality, FA, and BMI were examined using multiple regression. Results The proposed NES criteria were highly intercorrelated. PCA revealed a single factor solution for the NEDQ. In the community sample, depression was associated with the presence of five of nine proposed diagnostic criteria while poor sleep quality and FA were associated with the presence of seven and six criteria respectively. In the community sample, only the sleep problems and impairment/distress criteria were positively associated with BMI. In the student sample, fewer criteria were associated with psychopathology, and no criteria were associated with BMI. Conclusions These findings support the proposed criteria for diagnosis of NES. All proposed criteria were associated with at least one psychopathology measure. BMI was only associated with the sleep problems and impairment/distress criteria in the community sample. The PCA finding of a single factor indicates that the NEDQ is a cohesive assessment of NES, and that the NEDQ is a good measure of NES criteria.

PurposeThere has been considerable controversy regarding susceptibility of adolescents (10-19 years) and youth (15-24 years) to COVID-19. However, a number of studies have reported that adolescents are significantly less susceptible than older adults. Summer 2020 provided an opportunity to examine data on prevalence since after months of lockdowns, with the easing of restrictions, people were mingling, leading to surges in cases.MethodsWe examined data from Departments of Health websites in six U.S. states experiencing surges in cases to determine prevalence of COVID-19, and two prevalence-related measures, in adolescents and youth as compared to older adults. The two other measures related to prevalence were: (Percentage of cases observed in a given age group) ÷ (percentage of cases expected based on population demographics); and percentage deviation, or [(% observed-% expected)/ % expected] x 100.ResultsPrevalence of COVID-19 for adolescents and for youth was significantly greater than for older adults (p < .00001), as was percentage observed ÷ percentage expected (p < .005). The percentage deviation was significantly greater in adolescents/youth than in older adults (p < 0.00001) when there was an excess of observed cases over what was expected, and significantly less when observed cases were fewer than expected (p< 0.00001).ConclusionsOur results are contrary to previous findings that adolescents are less susceptible than older adults. Possible reasons for the findings are suggested, and we note that public health messaging targeting adolescents and youth might be helpful in curbing the pandemic. Also, the findings of the potential for high transmission among adolescents and youth, should be factored into decisions regarding school reopening.

Background: The anterior nares are the main ecological niche for Staphylococcus aureus, an important commensal and opportunistic pathogen. Medical students are frequently colonized by a variety of pathogens. Microbial interactions in the human nose can prevent or favor colonization by pathogens, and individuals colonized by pathogens have increased risk of infection and are the source of transmission to other community members or susceptible individuals. According to recent studies, the microbiome from several anatomic areas of healthy individuals varies across different ethnicities. Although previous studies analyzed the nasal microbiome in association with S. aureus carriage, those studies did not provide information regarding ethnicity of participants. Our aim was to assess S. aureus nasal carriage patterns and prevalence among medical students from Colombia, a country of Hispanic origin, and to investigate possible associations of colonization and nasal microbiome composition (bacterial and fungal) in a subgroup of students with known S. aureus carriage patterns. Methods: Nasal swabs from second-year medical students were used to determine prevalence and patterns of S. aureus nasal carriage. Based on microbiological results, we assigned participants into one of three patterns of S. aureus colonization: persistent, intermittent, and non-carrier. Then, we evaluated the composition of nasal microbial communities (bacterial and fungal) in 5 individuals from each carriage category using 16S rRNA and Internal-Transcribed-Spacer sequencing. Results: Prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage among medical students was 28%. Carriage of methicillin-resistant strains was 8.4% and of methicillin-sensitive strains was 19.6%. We identified 19.6% persistent carriers, 17.5% intermittent carriers, and 62.9% non-carriers. Conclusions: Analysis of nasal microbiome found that bacterial and fungal diversity was higher in individuals colonized by S. aureus than in non-carriers; however, the difference among the three groups was non-significant. We confirmed that fungi were present within the healthy anterior nares at substantial biomass and richness.

Background: The anterior nares are the main ecological niche for Staphylococcus aureus, an important commensal and opportunistic pathogen. Medical students are frequently colonized by a variety of pathogens. Microbial interactions in the human nose can prevent or favor colonization by pathogens, and individuals colonized by pathogens have increased risk of infection and are the source of transmission to other community members or susceptible individuals. According to recent studies, the microbiome from several anatomic areas of healthy individuals varies across different ethnicities. Although previous studies analyzed the nasal microbiome in association with S. aureus carriage, those studies did not provide information regarding ethnicity of participants. Our aim was to assess S. aureus nasal carriage patterns and prevalence among medical students from Colombia, a country of Hispanic origin, and to investigate possible associations of colonization and nasal microbiome composition (bacterial and fungal) in a subgroup of students with known S. aureus carriage patterns. Methods: Nasal swabs from second-year medical students were used to determine prevalence and patterns of S. aureus nasal carriage. Based on microbiological results, we assigned participants into one of three patterns of S. aureus colonization: persistent, intermittent, and non-carrier. Then, we evaluated the composition of nasal microbial communities (bacterial and fungal) in 5 individuals from each carriage category using 16S rRNA and Internal-Transcribed-Spacer sequencing. Results: Prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage among medical students was 28%. Carriage of methicillin-resistant strains was 8.4% and of methicillin-sensitive strains was 19.6%. We identified 19.6% persistent carriers, 17.5% intermittent carriers, and 62.9% non-carriers. Conclusions: Analysis of nasal microbiome found that bacterial and fungal diversity was higher in individuals colonized by S. aureus than in non-carriers; however, the difference among the three groups was non-significant. We confirmed that fungi were present within the healthy anterior nares at substantial biomass and richness.