The effectiveness of financial incentives for COVID-19 vaccination: A systematic review.

Financial incentives are a controversial strategy for increasing vaccination. In this systematic review, we evaluated: 1) the effects of incentives on COVID-19 vaccinations; 2) whether effects differed based on study outcome, study design, incentive type and timing, or sample sociodemographic characteristics; and 3) the cost of incentives per additional vaccine administered. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Econlit up to March 2022 for terms related to COVID, vaccines, and financial incentives, and identified 38 peer-reviewed, quantitative studies.

An Assessment of Faculty Perceptions of Wellness Needs and Strategies to Optimize Engagement With Wellness Resources in Academic Medicine.

Objective: Faculty at academic medical institutions are at increased risk for burnout. This study aimed to assess faculty perceptions of wellness needs and identify strategies to optimize engagement with individualized wellness resources.

Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 37 faculty members in one US academic medical center.

Bedside diagnostic laparoscopy for critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit: Retrospective study and review of literature.

Background: Bedside diagnostic laparoscopy could be helpful in extremely critically ill patients. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the safety and diagnostic accuracy of bedside diagnostic laparoscopy in the identification of intra-abdominal pathology in critically ill patients and to compare its accuracy and outcomes with the ones of laparotomy.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on the medical records of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Careggi University Hospital and submitted to bedside diagnostic laparoscopy between January 2006 and May 2017.

Long-term low-dose oral administration of dehydroepiandrosterone modulates adrenal response to adrenocorticotropic hormone in early and late postmenopausal women.

Objective: The aging process is associated with a decline in the circulating Delta5-androgen dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate ester, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of a long-term (12 months) oral DHEA administration (25 mg/day) on adrenal function, before and after 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment.

Method: Postmenopausal women belonging to two age groups, 50-55 years (n = 10) and 60-65 years (n = 10), were studied.

Drospirenone increases central and peripheral beta-endorphin in ovariectomized female rats.

Objective: Drospirenone is the unique progestin derived from 17-spironolactone used for contraception and hormone therapy. Few data are available concerning the effects of drospirenone on the central nervous system and neuroendocrine milieu. The opioid beta-endorphin and the neurosteroid allopregnanolone are considered markers of neuroendocrine functions, and their synthesis and activity are regulated by gonadal steroids.

Progesterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate effects on central and peripheral allopregnanolone and beta-endorphin levels.

The increased use of hormonal therapies has led to the study of the properties of different progestin molecules and their effects on the central nervous system. The central and peripheral levels of neurosteroid allopregnanolone and the opioid peptide beta-endorphin (beta-END) are regulated by estrogens. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a 2-week oral treatment with micronized progesterone or medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) alone or in addition to estradiol valerate (E2V) on central and peripheral allopregnanolone and beta-END levels in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats.

Long-term low-dose dehydroepiandrosterone oral supplementation in early and late postmenopausal women modulates endocrine parameters and synthesis of neuroactive steroids.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a low-dose DHEA supplementation on hormonal parameters in early and late postmenopausal women.

Design: Prospective case study.

Setting: Postmenopausal women in a clinical research environment.

Conjugated equine estrogens, estrone sulphate and estradiol valerate oral administration in ovariectomized rats: effects on central and peripheral allopregnanolone and beta-endorphin.

Objectives: Several natural or synthetic estrogenic molecules are commonly used in oral hormone replacement therapy for the relief of menopausal complaints and for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Little information is available concerning the comparative efficacy of different compounds on neuroendocrine function. The opioid peptide beta-endorphin (beta-EP), and the neurosteroid allopregnanolone are considered markers of neuroendocrine function and their synthesis and action is regulated by gonadal steroids.

Effects of the new generation selective estrogen receptor modulator EM-652 and oral administration of estradiol valerate on circulating, brain, and adrenal beta-endorphin and allopregnanolone levels in intact fertile and ovariectomized rats.

Objective: To investigate the effects of oral estradiol valerate (EV); EM-652, a new-generation selective estrogen receptor modulator; and both agents on central and peripheral beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and allopregnanolone levels in fertile and ovariectomized rats.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Animal laboratory in an academic research environment.