Onset of Daily Activity in a Female Songbird Is Related to Peak-Induced Estradiol Levels.

Research in captive birds and mammals has demonstrated that circadian (i.e., daily) behavioral rhythms are altered in response to increases in sex-steroid hormones. Recently, we and others have demonstrated a high degree of individual repeatability in peak (gonadotropin-releasing hormone [GnRH]-induced sex) steroid levels, and we have found that these GnRH-induced levels are highly correlated with their daily (night-time) endogenous peak. Whether or not individual variation in organization and activity of the reproductive endocrine axis is related to daily timing in wild animals is not well known. To begin to explore these possible links, we tested the hypothesis that maximal levels of the sex steroid hormone estradiol (E2) and onset of daily activity are related in a female songbird, the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis). We found that females with higher levels of GnRH-induced E2 departed from their nest in the morning significantly earlier than females with lower stimulated levels. We did not observe a relationship between testosterone and this measure of onset of activity. Our findings suggest an interaction between an individual's reproductive endocrine axis and the circadian system and variation observed in an individuals' daily activity onset. We suggest future studies examine the relationship between maximal sex-steroid hormones and timing of daily activity onset.

Genetic characteristics and molecular epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci isolates from Caribbean countries.

Emergence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) that first appeared on the stage about three decades ago is now a major concern worldwide as it has globally reached every continent. Our aim was to simply undertake a multinational study to delineate the resistance and virulence genes of clinical isolates of VRE isolates from the Caribbean. We employed both conventional (standard microbiological methods including use of E-test strips, chromogenic agar) and molecular methods (polymerase chain reactions-PCR, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis-PFGE and multilocus sequence typing-MLST) to analyze and characterize 245 Enterococci species and 77 VRE isolates from twelve hospitals from eight countries in the Caribbean. The PCR confirmed and demonstrated the resistance and virulence genes (vanA and esp) among all confirmed VRE isolates. The PFGE delineated clonally related isolates from patients from the same country and other countries in the region. The main sequence types of the VRE isolates from the region included STs 412, 750, 203, 736 and 18, all from the common ancestor for clonal complex 17 (CC17). Despite this common ancestor and association of outbreaks of this lineage clones, there has been no reports of outbreaks of infection by VRE in several hospitals in the Caribbean.

International training programs on eating disorders for professionals, caregivers, and the general public: A scoping review.

This review identified and synthesized published training programs on eating disorders (ED) (anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa) for professionals, natural supporters of people with ED, or the public. A scoping review using the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) framework was conducted. Four data bases were searched, for all years, and manual searches from three additional sources were also conducted. Experts on ED were consulted for validation of the identified studies. A narrative synthesis was performed. A total of 20 evaluation studies from five countries were identified, and reviewed in relation to 14 ED training programs. Characteristics of the training programs, and study characteristics, were highly diverse, as shown on Table 1 which compiles results from the charted data. Evaluations were equally divided between training for healthcare and education professionals (9), and training for families or other carers of people with ED (10). One study evaluated ED training for the general public. We found that training orientation varies with the interests and needs of different trainee groups. While most studies assessed trainee outcomes, future research needs to give greater consideration to patient perspectives, and to the relationship between training and evaluation approaches, improved knowledge, and better care.

Prevalence and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among skin and soft tissue infections in an emergency department in Guyana.

OBJECTIVE: The characteristics of staphylococcal skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are poorly understood in northern South America and the Caribbean. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of methicillin resistance among Staphylococcus aureus isolates in an emergency department (ED) in Guyana and to identify specific molecular characteristics of these methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the main teaching hospital in Georgetown, Guyana. Eligible subjects included patients of all ages with SSTIs with obtainable purulent material. Purulent material was cultured, and S. aureus isolates were evaluated for antibiotic susceptibilities by disc diffusion. Molecular characterisation of MRSA isolates included identification of SCCmec type, assignment of genetic relatedness by rep-PCR and determination of the presence of two exotoxins, Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) and LukAB. RESULTS: Eighty-five samples were collected; of these, 47 grew S. aureus. 24 of the 47 S. aureus samples were MRSA (51%; 95% CI 37% to 65%), representing 28% of all samples. All MRSA isolates were SCCmec type IV, PVL positive, LukAB positive and were highly related to the current epidemic clone in the USA, USA300. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we demonstrate a clinically significant proportion of methicillin resistance in SSTI-associated staphylococcal isolates. Guyanese isolates were highly related to the most common community-associated strain seen in the USA, USA300. These results have important implications for empiric antibiotic therapy and infection control policies in Guyana and similar settings.