Why did Prof La Merrill emphasize (italics) that breast development (gynomastia) in three pre-pubertal boys with chronic use of lavender and tea tree oil regressed back to the undeveloped typical pre-pubertal male mammary gland after use of those oils stopped?

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The question asks why Prof La Merrill highlighted that breast development regressed to the undeveloped typical pre-pubertal male gland after stopping lavender and tea tree oil use in three pre-pubertal boys.
Option 1: 'Because it is a compelling example of Hill’s temporality' — Temporality means the exposure must occur before the outcome to suggest causation. While the initial development would require temporality (exposure before change), the observed regression after stopping exposure provides stronger causal inference through reversibility, not just temporality. So this choice captures an aspect of Hill’s criteria but does not fully explain the regression after cessation.
Option 2: 'Because it is a compelling example of Hill’s strength' — Strength refers to the magnitude or proportion of the association. In this scenario, the key feature is the observed reversal when the exposure ceases, not the size of the effect. The strength criterion is not the primary explanation for regression upon withdrawal.
Option 3: 'Because it is a compelling example of Hill’s consistency' — Consistency means the association is repeatedly observed in different populations and settings. The stem describes a single observational pattern in three boys; it does not demonstrate repeated replication across diverse contexts. Therefore, consistency is not the central mechanism demonstrated here.
Option 4: 'Because it is a compelling example of Hill’s dose response' — Dose-response implies greater exposure leads to a greater effect. In the vignette, there is no information about a graded dose-response; the emphasis is on reversal after cessation, not on varying exposure levels.
Option 5: 'Because it is a compelling example of Hill’s reversibility' — Reversibility is the idea that removing the exposure leads to a disappearance or reversal of the effect. This exactly matches the described outcome: regression of gynomastia to the undeveloped state after stopping the oils. This option best captures the causal inference demonstrated by the reversal upon withdrawal.

ETX 010 001 SQ 2025 Final Exam

Why did Prof La Merrill emphasize (italics) that breast development (gynomastia) in three pre-pubertal boys with chronic use of lavender and tea tree oil regressed back to the undeveloped typical pre-pubertal male mammary gland after use of those oils stopped?

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