Associations between low sex steroid concentrations and incidence of knee and hip replacement for osteoarthritis in community-dwelling older women.

Objective: To examine whether low circulating sex steroid concentrations are associated with the incidence of knee and hip replacement for osteoarthritis in community-dwelling older women.

Study Design: This prospective cohort study examined 5535 Australian women recruited into the Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial, aged ≥70 years, not taking medications affecting sex steroid concentrations, and with sex steroid concentrations measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Main Outcome Measures: The incidence of knee and hip replacement for osteoarthritis was determined by hospitalisations for knee and hip surgical procedures where osteoarthritis was recorded as the indication.

Effects of gastric bypass bariatric surgery on gut microbiota in patients with morbid obesity.

The Western diet is associated with gastrointestinal dysbiosis, an active contributor to the pathophysiology of obesity and its comorbidities. Gastrointestinal dysbiosis is strongly linked to increased adiposity, low-grade inflammation, dyslipidaemia, and insulin resistance in individuals with morbid obesity. Bariatric bypass surgery remains the most effective treatment for achieving significant weight loss and alleviating obesity-related comorbidities.

First-year evaluation of a campus-wide, cross-disciplinary scholarly writing development program supported by a center for biomedical research excellence (COBRE).

Background: Scholarly publications are important indicators of research productivity and investigator development in Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBREs). However, no information is available to describe implementation and evaluation of writing development programs within COBREs. Therefore, this paper aimed to evaluate the first year of a campus-wide COBRE-supported writing program.

Are we committed to commitment?

Introduction: Students face difficult decisions when considering multiple opportunities for employment or continued training. When this happens, students may consider breaking a previous commitment to accept a more appealing offer. Societal trends toward decommitment may also influence students' perceptions of the importance of commitment.