Sleep and Circadian Regulation of Cortisol: A Short Review.

The central circadian pacemaker (CCP) located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus drives the 24-hour pattern in cortisol, which functions as the main central synchronizing signal that coordinates peripheral clocks in organs that control whole body metabolism. A superimposed pulsatile pattern of cortisol allows rapid responses that fine tune the body's reaction to changes in the environment. In addition to coordinating metabolic processes to predictable environmental events, cortisol is the main catabolic signal which acts with testosterone, the quintessential male anabolic hormone, to maintain catabolic-anabolic homeostasis in men.

Sleep and the Testis.

Disordered sleep impairs neurocognitive performance, and is now recognized to cause metabolic ill-health. This review assesses the nascent relationship between insufficient, misaligned, and disrupted sleep with andrological health. High-quality cohort studies show a reduced sperm count in men with sleep disturbances.

Defining Peer-to-Peer Accountability From the Nurse's Perspective.

Objective: The aim of this study was to define and create a conceptual model for peer-to-peer accountability (P to PA).

Background: Many organizations cite the importance of peer accountability (PA) as essential in ensuring patient safety. Professionalism in nursing requires self-regulation of practice and PA.