The combination of an ENG implant with TU injections is a well-tolerated male hormonal method, providing effective and reversible suppression of spermatogenesis. Although the results are good, there is still room for improvement, possibly by adjusting the dose regimen or changing the mode of application.

Male hormonal contraceptives can be practically applied to a wide range of men but require coadministration of an androgen with a second agent (i.e. progestin) for earlier and more complete suppression of sperm output. Whereas considerable progress has been made toward defining clinically effective combinations, further optimization of androgen-progestin treatment regimens is still required.

Background: Mindfulness trainings are increasingly offered in workplace environments in order to improve health and productivity. Whilst promising, there is limited research on the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions in workplace settings.Objective: To examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a Workplace Mindfulness Training (WMT) in terms of burnout, psychological well-being, organizational and team climate, and performance.Methods: This is a preliminary field study in four companies. Self-report questionnaires were administered up to a month before, at start of, and right at the end of the WMT, resulting in a pre-intervention and an intervention period. There was no separate control group. A total of 425 participants completed the surveys on the different time points. Linear mixed model analyses were used to analyze the data.Results: When comparing the intervention period with the pre-intervention period, significantly greater improvements were found in measures of burnout (mean difference = 0.3, p < 0.001), perceived stress (mean difference = -0.2, p < 0.001), mindfulness [mean difference = 1.0 for the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI) and 0.8 for the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), both p < 0.001], and well-being (mean difference = 0.4, p < 0.001). Additionally, greater increases in team climate, organizational climate and personal performance were reported during the intervention compared to the pre-intervention period with largest improvements in team cooperation (mean difference = 0.3, p < 0.001), productivity (mean difference = 0.5, p < 0.001), and stress (mean difference = -0.4, p < 0.001). Effect sizes were large for mindfulness (d > 0.8), moderate for well-being, burnout and perceived stress (d = 0.5–0.8), and ranged from low to moderate for organizational and team climate and personal performance (d = 0.2–0.8).Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest that compared to the pre-intervention period, the intervention period was associated with greater reductions in burnout and perceived stress, improvements in mindfulness, well-being, and increases in team and organizational climate and personal performance. Due to design limitations, no conclusions can be drawn on the extent to which the WMT or non-specific factors such as time have contributed to the findings. Further studies, preferably using randomized controlled designs with longer follow up periods are needed to evaluate whether the associations found can be attributed to the WMT and whether these sustain after the training.

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To evaluate whether hairdressers have an increased risk of reproductive disorders, we conducted a historical cohort study in the Netherlands. Because exposure to reproduction toxic agents in hair salons may have changed over time, we studied two specific periods: conceptions in 1986-1988 and in 1991-1993. We ascertained 9,000 hairdressers and, as a comparison group, 9,000 clothing salesclerks from their respective trade associations. All were of reproductive age in the defined study periods. Frequency matching on 5-year age groups ensured comparability with regard to age. All women were approached by mail to complete a short, self-administered questionnaire on reproductive history, including questions on time-to-pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, livebirths, and congenital malformations. In the analyses, we used random effect models to account for correlated outcomes (multiple pregnancies per woman). The results show that hairdressers who conceived in 1986-1988 had an increased risk of prolonged time-to-pregnancy of more than 12 months [odds ratio (OR) = 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.8-1.6], spontaneous abortion (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.0-2.4), and a low-birthweight infant (OR = 1.5; 95% CI = 0.7-3.1). In both periods, more major malformations occurred among children of hairdressers, but numbers were small. These results indicate an increase in reproductive risks for hairdressers in earlier years that now seems to be disappearing.

Mindfulness training is a novel method of leader development but contrary to its rising popularity, there is a scarcity of research investigating how mindfulness training may affect leader capabilities. To gain a better understanding of the potential of a new research field, qualitative research is advantageous. We sought to understand how senior leaders experience the impact of mindfulness training in their work lives and leadership ability. The sample comprised 13 leaders ( n = 11 male) working in six organizations that completed a 10-week workplace mindfulness training (WMT). We conducted semi-structured interviews 6 to 12 months following course completion. We analyzed the data following thematic analysis steps and based on these findings, we devised a framework of the perceived impact of mindfulness training on self-leadership and leadership capabilities. We show that WMT exhibited impact on three self-leadership capacities: mindful task management, self-care and self-reflection and two leadership capacities: relating to others and adapting to change. Participants’ recounts additionally suggested effects may expand to the level of the team and the organization. We show that WMT may be a promising tool for self-directed leadership development and outline avenues for future research.

This study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of a posaconazole i.v. (intravenous) solution. This was a single-center, 2-part, randomized, rising single-and multiple-dose study in healthy adults. In part 1, subjects received 0 (vehicle), 50, 100, 200, 250, or 300 mg posaconazole in a single dose i.v. by 30-min peripheral infusion (6 cohorts of 12 subjects each [9 active and 3 placebo], making a total of 72 subjects). Blood samples were collected until 168 h postdose. In part 2, subjects were to receive 2 peripheral infusions at a 12-h interval on day 1 followed by once-daily infusion for 9 days. However, part 2 was terminated early because of high rates of infusion site reactions with multiple dosing at the same infusion site. The pharmacokinetics results for part 1 (n ‫؍‬ 45 subjects) showed that the mean posaconazole exposure (area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity [AUC 0 -ؕ ]) ranged from 4,890 to 46,400 ng · h/ml (range of coefficient of variation values, 26 to 50). The dose-proportionality slope estimate (90% confidence interval) for AUC 0 -ؕ was 1.30 (1.19 to 1.41), indicating a greater-thandose-proportional increase. The data for safety in part 1 show that 29/72 subjects had >1 adverse event. Infusion site reactions were reported in 2/9 vehicle subjects, 0/18 placebo subjects, and 7/45 i.v. posaconazole subjects. The data for safety in part 2 show that infusion site reactions were reported in 1/4 (25%) placebo subjects, 3/9 (33%) vehicle control subjects, and 4/5 (80%) i.v. posaconazole (100 mg) subjects (3 posaconazole recipients subsequently developed thrombophlebitis and were discontinued from treatment). In conclusion, the posaconazole i.v. solution showed a greater-than-dose-proportional increase in exposure, primarily at doses below 200 mg. When administered peripherally at the same infusion site, multiple dosing of i.v. posaconazole led to unacceptably high rates of infusion site reactions. Intravenous posaconazole was otherwise well tolerated. Single doses of i.v. posaconazole were tolerated when given through a peripheral vein over 30 min. P osaconazole (Noxafil) formulated as an oral suspension is a systemic triazole antifungal approved in more than 80 countries for use as therapy for refractory invasive fungal infection (IFI), prophylaxis of IFI in patients at high risk, and therapy for oropharyngeal candidiasis (1-5). The precise approved indications differ across the various countries in which posaconazole is available (6, 7). To enhance its gastric absorption, posaconazole oral suspension must be taken multiple times per day with a meal, a nutritional supplement, or an acidic carbonated beverage (8, 9). Although a new tablet formulation of posaconazole with improved absorption characteristics has been developed (10) and was recently approved in the United States and Europe, a limitation of any oral formulation is that patients at risk for IFI may be unable to take any formulation through the oral route because of vomiting, prohibition of ente...