Addressing gender in gastroenterology: opportunities for change

The protocol describes the development of two rodent models mimicking gender-affirming hormone therapies through subcutaneous administration of testosterone or estradiol plus cyproterone acetate (used in human therapies for transgender people): setting of the doses, identification of relevant biomarkers, and evaluation of the...

Throughout its ~4.5 billion year history, the Earth has experienced periods of warming and cooling. However, the current drastic increase in global temperatures is well outside of the Earth’s cyclic norms, and evidence for human-caused global climate change is compelling. Paleoclimatology, the study of ancient climate conditions, provides ample evidence for human-caused global climate change by comparing recent conditions with those in the past.

Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...

Confounding is a critical issue in epidemiological studies, often leading to misleading conclusions about associations between exposures and outcomes. It occurs when the relationship between the exposure and the outcome is mixed with the effects of other factors that influence the outcome. Given that, addressing confounding is of high importance for drawing accurate inferences in research.
Confounding can be addressed at both the design phase of a study and through analytical methods after data...

Opportunity cost refers to the value of the next best alternative that must be forgone when making a decision. It represents the potential benefits or opportunities sacrificed when choosing one option over another. Understanding opportunity cost is essential in decision-making as it helps individuals, businesses, and societies assess the true cost of their choices.
In life, every decision involves trade-offs, where opting for one alternative means giving up another. For example, pursuing higher...

Sunk costs are expenditures already made and cannot be recovered, irrespective of future choices. These costs are essentially "sunk" because they are irretrievable and should not influence future decision-making. On the contrary, opportunity costs denote the value of the best alternative forgone when a decision is taken.
For example, if a company invests in a failing project, the money already spent on it is considered a sunk cost. However, the opportunity cost of continuing with the...