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In order to describe the relationships between endogenous sex hormones and bone mineral density in healthy postmenopausal women, we carried out a cross-sectional study of 90 community-based women, all at least one year since their last menstrual period (mean 9.6 +/- 4.9 years, range 1-22) and with a serum oestradiol level less than 100 pmol/l. None was currently using hormone replacement therapy. Serum oestradiol, testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, and androstenedione were measured using standard techniques. Free oestradiol and testosterone indices were derived as the ratio of total hormone to sex hormone binding globulin, respectively. Total body, spine and hip bone mineral density (g/cm2) were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Significant positive correlations were found between the free oestradiol and testosterone indices and bone mineral density at all sites. These relationships remained significant for the free oestradiol index after adjustment for age and body mass index. By stepwise multiple regression analysis, the free oestradiol index was an independent predictor of total body, spine and hip bone mineral density, accounting for 4-17% of the variance. These findings suggest an independent positive relationship between endogenous free oestradiol and total body, spine and hip bone mass even in the late postmenopause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We investigated potential causes of the high incidence rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) in New Zealand., Study Design: A national population-based case-control study of 806 cases and 1025 controls was conducted to determine the risk factors for CRC in this population., Methods: Information about family history of CRC, ethnicity, diet, school milk consumption, exercise, and height and weight at age 20 years were collected by a self-administered questionnaire from cases and controls., Results: Response rates were 84% for cases and 65% for controls. Increasing preference for low-fat food alternatives was associated with reducing odds ratios (OR) for CRC (P trend <0.001) with a considerably reduced OR of always versus never choosing low-fat food alternatives (OR = 0.39, 95% confidence interval = 0.26, 0.58). Increased consumption of dairy products or milk was associated with reduced risk of CRC. Belonging to the male gender, having a first degree relative with CRC, and increasing consumption of processed meat, lamb, pork, and bread were associated with elevated risks of CRC. The increased risk from consumption of processed meat was not evident in subjects who regularly or always preferred low-fat food., Conclusions: A preference for low-fat food may ameliorate an increased risk of CRC from the consumption of processed meat., (Copyright © 2020 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC) attainable from introducing once-in-a-lifetime flexible sigmoidoscopy (FSIG) screening was assessed., Study Design: This is a review of relevant available information for the assessment of the impact and resource demands of FSIG in New Zealand., Methods: The reduction in bowel cancer incidence achievable by one-off FSIG screening from 50 to 59 years of age, an age group for which bowel screening is not currently offered, was reviewed. The prevention of CRC attainable from an offer of screening at 55 years of age in New Zealand was also estimated. The number and cost of the FSIG screening procedures required and referrals for colonoscopies and the savings in treatment were calculated., Results: Annually, about 27,500 FSIG screening procedures would be required if 50% of those turning 55 years of age accepted an offer of once-in-a-lifetime FSIG screening. This would result in three-four-fold fewer people being referred for colonoscopy than in the national 2-yearly faecal immunochemical test (FIT) screening programme and subsequently reduce demand for colonoscopy from a false-positive FIT. The number of CRC cases prevented would increase over 17 years to more than 300 per year by 2033. After 10-15 years of screening, the annual savings in health service costs, primarily from CRC prevented, were sufficient to completely fund the FSIG screening., Conclusions: Inclusion of FSIG screening in the national bowel screening programme would significantly reduce both the incidence and mortality of CRC in New Zealand, reduce the colonoscopy demand of current bowel screening and reduce long-term health service costs., (Copyright © 2019 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To assess current levels of knowledge and management practices with respect to melanoma and other skin cancers, in a representative sample of New Zealand general practitioners., Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 900 general practitioners. The questionnaire included 12 cases with coloured photographs of skin lesions and a brief presenting history. Responders were asked to assess probable diagnosis, need for biopsy and management of the lesion. Other attitudinal and relevant background information was also gathered. The questionnaire was sent to a comparison sample of 35 dermatologists., Results: The overall response rate was 66% among the general practitioners and 68% among the dermatologists. The sample responding was representative of the larger population of doctors practising in New Zealand. Correct decisions whether or not to biopsy lesions (mean score of 10.1 out of 12) were significantly higher than the number of correct diagnoses (mean 8.4). Correct identification and recognition of the need to biopsy melanomas was high. Diagnostic skills and recognition of the need for biopsy were somewhat lower among general practitioners aged 50 years and over than among younger doctors. Doctors who had experience of a patient with melanoma had higher diagnostic skills and made more correct biopsy decisions. The general practitioners' scores for correct biopsy decisions were similar to those of the dermatologists sampled, although their diagnostic skills were somewhat lower, particularly with respect to nonmelanoma skin cancers., Conclusion: The findings indicate a high level of expertise in terms of diagnosis of skin lesions and identification of need to biopsy suspicious lesions among general practitioners in this country.

Rats have been fed semi-synthetic diets containing 4 and 20% (w/w) corn oil for periods of 9-12 weeks covering two lactations. The mean maternal and pup weights at day-14 of the second lactation on the diets were not significantly different. The milk fatty acids of the rats on the high-fat diet contained 39 mol% linoleic acid and only 20 mol% medium-chain acids compared with over 40% for the low-fat diet. With the exception of "malic" enzyme, none of five enzymes assayed in mammary supernatants was significantly altered by the diet fed. These results suggest that the synthesis of these enzymes in the mammary gland is insensitive to dietary lipid.