Average Life Span Research Articles

Sustainable Combination of Waste with Waste: Utilization of Biomass to Recover Critical Metals from Spent Lithium ion Batteries

The generation of e‐waste from lithium ion batteries (LIBs) is rapidly increasing due to the rising utilization of LIBs in portable electronics, and electric vehicles, with an average life span of 3‐5 years. The disposal of spent LIBs is a major environmental concern due to the presence of high percentages of toxic heavy metals and corrosive electrolytes. Efficient and sustainable recycling of spent LIBs has become immensely important, both environmentally and from a circular economy perspective, as LIBs serve as secondary sources of critical metals needed for renewable energy conversion and storage systems. We provide a concise review of metal recovery from spent LIBs using waste biomass in a green and sustainable approach for resource generation, in addition to the valorization of waste biomass. Biomass is used to recover metals from spent LIBs, acting as lixivient, reductant, and as absorbent. We have also discussed a reverse strategy utilizing ‘black mass’ from spent LIBs as catalyst for biomass conversion to value‐added products. The concept of “circular economy” is highlighted in a “killing two birds with one stone” approach through the utilization of biomass for the recovery of metals from spent LIBs and vice versa.

ANÁLISE QUANTITATIVA DOS CASOS DE DENGUE NOS MUNICÍPIOS DO LITORAL NORTE DE SÃO PAULO NO PERÍODO DE JANEIRO DE 2014 A DEZEMBRO 2023

Dengue is characterized as a disease caused by a virus of the Flavivirus genus, transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, with Aedes aegypti being the main vector. Due to its wide distribution and adaptation to urban and peri-domestic environments, dengue is predominantly found in urban areas. The ideal habitat for the mosquito is a tropical climate, which makes Brazil ideal for its proliferation. In addition to climatic factors, disorderly urbanization also contributes to the multiplication of the mosquito, increasing the places where it can reproduce. The vector's life cycle comprises the egg, four larval stages, a pupal stage and the adult, with an average lifespan of 10 to 42 days. Dengue symptoms generally include malaise, fever and weakness, and the disease tends to be self-limiting in most cases, being diagnosed through laboratory tests and clinical case. The aim of this study is to analyze the number of dengue cases in the municipalities of the north coast of São Paulo, Brazil, from January 2014 to December 2023, with the highest rate being observed in the municipality of São Sebastião with 14.95% of dengue cases in relation to the total population and the lowest rate of cases in Ilhabela with a percentage of around 7.37%. The year with the highest number of cases in the region was 2015 in the municipalities of Caraguatatuba, Ubatuba and São Sebastião and Ilhabela in 2014.

NCOG-12. TREATMENT AND MORTALITY OF PRIMARY BRAIN TUMORS: A SINGLE CENTER OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF GLIOBLASTOMAS AND ASTROCYTOMAS

Abstract Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a WHO grade IV malignant tumor with a relatively poor prognosis (median survival of 15 months). Astrocytomas are WHO grade I-III tumors with a better prognosis than GBM; their median survival ranging from 2-10 years. We assessed the response to various mainstay treatment modalities in patients with GBM and astrocytoma, expecting to find that surgery and stereotactic radiation (SRS) treatment confer greater survival benefits than non-surgical and whole brain radiation (WBRT) options. We analyzed 108 patients at St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) who were previously diagnosed with a primary brain tumor consistent with GBM (90) or astrocytoma (18) prior to January 1, 2023. Mainstays of treatment were surgery with or without different radiation modalities (WBRT and SRS, and WBRT+SRS). Glioblastoma typically affected older patients (65.5), had mostly single lobe involvement (86.7%), and was predominantly located in the frontal (41.1%) and temporal lobes (37.7%). Astrocytoma was slightly younger (51.2), less often single lobe (72.2%), and mostly involved the frontal (44.4%), temporal (44.4%), and parietal lobes (33.3%). GBM found the greatest benefit from WBRT (without co-occurring SRS) with an increase of 16.4 months to 20.2 months (p=.789). Surgery, regardless of radiation status, appeared to provide the greatest benefit for patients with astrocytoma increasing average lifespan from 36.7 months to 53.6 months (p=.181). Patients with glioblastoma that underwent surgery also had increased survival of 18.2 months compared with nonsurgical patients at 12 months (p=0.097). While we were interested to see the impact these treatment modalities had on patient survival, our sample size was small and our results lacked statistical significance. Future studies with greater sample sizes would help determine whether statistical significance is correlated with meaningful clinical outcomes.

Investigating the average kiloelectron-volt emission of partially observed events in nuclear physics through distance weighted mean based censored control chart.

The average lifespan of particles, a crucial parameter in nuclear physics, is essential for identification purposes. Modern particle detectors excel at recognizing individual radioactive nuclei arrivals and their subsequent decay events. However, challenges arise when matching arrivals with departures, especially when departures are only partially observed. One inefficient approach involves conducting experiments with very low arrival rates to facilitate matching. The kiloelectron-volt E(keV) emission is obtained during this radio active process. This study focuses on the meticulous surveillance of the average keV emission from partially observed events within the domain of nuclear physics. To accomplish this, the methodology employs the statistical approach known as Distance Weighted Mean (DWM), integrated with the application of censored control charts. The utilization of censored control charts allows for the effective management of incomplete data, enabling researchers to make informed decisions despite potential limitations in observation. We propose a DWM based exponentially weighted moving average-cumulative sum (DWM-EC) control chart for monitoring kiloelectron-volt E(keV) data. The proposed charts is developed for Weibull lifetimes under type-I censoring. For the construction of an efficient control charting structure, we employed the conditional median (CM) methods. The goal is to find changes in the mean of Weibull lifetimes with censored data with known and estimated parameter conditions. The performance of the proposed DWM-EC chart is evaluated by the average run length (ARL). Besides a simulation study, a real-life data set on E(keV) related to the alpha decays of 177 Lutetium isotope is also discussed.

Premature mortality and disparities in kidney healthcare for people with chronic kidney disease and severe mental health difficulties.

People with severe mental health difficulties, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and psychosis, have higher risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Little was known regarding clinical outcomes and utilisation of kidney care for people with CKD and severe mental health difficulties. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of individuals with CKD attending a tertiary renal unit in London, between 2006 and 2019. Individuals with severe mental health difficulty diagnoses were identified, and differences between those with and without severe mental health difficulties were analysed. Of the 5105 individuals with CKD, 112 (2.2%) had a recorded severe mental health difficulty diagnosis. The mean lifespan of those with severe mental health difficulties was 13.1 years shorter than those without severe mental health difficulties, t(1269) = 5.752, p < 0.001. People with severe mental health difficulties had more advanced CKD at their first nephrology appointment. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in the rates of kidney failure, age at onset of kidney failure, or time elapsed between first appointment and death/kidney failure. The number of inpatient admissions was similar between groups, but those with severe mental health difficulties had higher rates of emergency and ICU admissions. Among individuals on renal replacement therapy (RRT), those with severe mental health difficulties were less likely to receive a kidney transplant and peritoneal dialysis. For patients receiving haemodialysis, those with severe mental health difficulties had a higher proportion of shortened sessions, greater mean weight loss during sessions, and a higher proportion of serum potassium and phosphate levels outside normal ranges. Findings illustratea number of disparities in kidney healthcare betweenpeople with and without severe mental health difficulties, underscoring the need for interventions which prevent premature mortality and improve kidney care for this population.

Literature review, surgical decision making algorithm, and AGREE II-S comparison of national and international recommendations and guidelines in pelvic organ prolapse surgery.

The average lifespan has increased over time due to improvements in quality of life, leading to an aging population that stays healthy for longer. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), whether uterine or vaginal, is a problem that severely impairs quality of life and imposes significant restrictions. The present study provides the reader with a summary of the many surgical techniques used in POP surgery, comparing international guidelines, offering an algorithm that is simple to understand, and allows the reader to quickly choose the table that includes the best surgical therapy for each individual. Using relevant keywords, the writers searched the PubMed and Scopus databases for relevant publications from 2000 to April 2023. Studies with cases of oncologic disorders or prior hysterectomy performed for another reason were not included in the analysis. Ten distinct international guidelines are highlighted and examined in the present study. We used the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II-S (AGREE II-S) method to assess their quality, and incorporated the results into the conclusion. Worldwide, anterior colporrhaphy is the preferred method of treating anterior compartment abnormalities, and mesh is virtually always used when recurrence occurs (which happens in about half of the cases). Worldwide, posterior colporrhaphy is commonly used to repair posterior compartment abnormalities. Only a few national guidelines (the Iranian guideline, Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica [AOGS], and the German-speaking countries) permit the use of mesh or xenograft in cases of recurrence. There is agreement on the abdominal approach (sacrocolpopexy) with mesh for treating apical deformities. Sacrospinous-hysteropexy is the standard method used to guide the vaginal approach; mesh is typically used to aid in this process. There are just three recommendations that do not include vaginal operations: HSE, AOGS, and Iran. Of obliteration techniques, colpocleisis is unquestionably the best. In conclusion, our analysis highlights the significance of customized methods in POP surgery, taking into account the requirements and preferences of each patient. To choose the best surgical therapy, criteria and patient features must be carefully considered.

Black goji berry anthocyanins extend lifespan and enhance the antioxidant defenses in Caenorhabditis elegans via the JNK-1 and DAF-16/FOXO pathways.

The black goji berry (Lycium ruthenicum Murr.) is known for its abundance of high-quality natural antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins. Black goji berry anthocyanins (BGA) are receiving increasing attention because of their high safety and beneficial biological activities. Studies have shown that oxidative stress is a key factor affecting aging, whereas antioxidants are critical preventive and delaying strategies. In the present study, we investigated the potential anti-aging effects and mechanism of BGA using the Caenorhabditis elegans model. We found that BGA prolonged the mean lifespan of nematodes and improve their healthspan, including locomotion, pharyngeal pumping rate and stress resistance. Subsequently, we observed a significant decrease in reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels in nematodes after administering BGA. Moreover, BGA enhanced the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, and elevated the glutathione disulfide/glutathione ratio. We confirmed that BGA exerted excellent antioxidative stress activity in nematodes, which may contribute substantially to its anti-aging effects. The health benefits of BGA in C. elegans might be closely related to petunidin-3-O-glucoside, the most abundant anthocyanin in BGA. Further mechanistic investigation revealed that the JNK-1 and DAF-16/FOXO pathways, rather than the calorie restriction pathway, were responsible for the antioxidant stress and life-prolonging effects of BGA in nematodes. Our research provides a theoretical foundation for studying the anti-aging effect of BGA and a basis for developing black goji berry and its anthocyanins as functional foods with anti-aging and antioxidative stress benefits. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Exploring diabesity pathophysiology through proteomic analysis using Caenorhabditis elegans.

Diabesity, characterized by obesity-driven Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), arises from intricate genetic and environmental interplays that induce various metabolic disorders. The systemic lipid and glucose homeostasis is controlled by an intricate cross-talk of internal glucose/insulin and fatty acid molecules to maintain a steady state of internal environment. In this study, Caenorhabditis elegans were maintained to achieve glucose concentrations resembling the hyperglycemic conditions in diabetic patients to delve into the mechanistic foundations of diabesity. Various assays were conducted to measure intracellular triglyceride levels, lifespan, pharyngeal pumping rate, oxidative stress indicators, locomotor behavior, and dopamine signaling. Proteomic analysis was also performed to identify differentially regulated proteins and dysregulated KEGG pathways, and microscopy and immunofluorescence staining were employed to assess collagen production and anatomical integrity. Worms raised on diets high in glucose and cholesterol exhibited notably increased intracellular triglyceride levels, a decrease in both mean and maximum lifespan, and reduced pharyngeal pumping. The diabesity condition induced oxidative stress, evident from heightened ROS levels and distinct FT-IR spectroscopy patterns revealing lipid and protein alterations. Furthermore, impaired dopamine signaling and diminished locomotors behavior in diabesity-afflicted worms correlated with reduced motility. Through proteomic analysis, differentially regulated proteins encompassing dysregulated KEGG pathways included insulin signaling, Alzheimer's disease, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor signaling pathways were observed. Moreover, diabesity led to decreased collagen production, resulting in anatomical disruptions validated through microscopy and immunofluorescence staining. This underscores the impact of diabesity on cellular components and structural integrity in C. elegans, providing insights into diabesity-associated mechanisms.

Assessment of Life Cycle and Environmental Impact Hotspots Associated with the Construction and Disposal of Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Fishing (FRP) Boats in the Small-Scale Fishing Sector of India

Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) is a durable thermosetting plastic widely used in small-scale marine boat building. The average life span of FRPsheathed boat is seven years, while that of FRP boat is 30 years. Once their service life ends, these boats are mostly abandoned in the coastal areas, leading to significant environmental harm. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates a product’s entire life cycle, from raw material production to disposal, covering all intermediate stages. This study examines the LCA of boats made from FRP as a primary material and the wood/plywood boats sheathed with FRP, along the coast of Kerala, focusing on construction, use, maintenance, and disposal phases.The carbon footprint of FRP boats during their life cycle is 35.31 kg CO2 equivalent, which is considerably lower than the 63.01 kg CO2 equivalent for sheathed boats when normalised for a period of one year. Although FRP boats, require 2.4 times more materials like glass fibers and resins for construction than sheathed boats, their overall environment impact is lower due to their four times longer lifespan. The LCA findings show that resin compounds as the major contributors to environmental impacts. The study evaluated boat disposal methods in India, revealing that open burning of FRP boats generates 1253.58 kg CO2 equivalent, while landfilling reduces it to 1065.3 kg CO2 equivalent, both posing environmental risks. In contrast, sheathed boats produce a much lower carbon footprint of 77.70 kg CO2 equivalent when landfilled but have a substantially higher footprint of 596.67 kg CO2 equivalent when burned. The results underscore the pressing need for sustainable disposal methods for the end-of-life FRP fishing boats to minimize ecological damage. The results of the study also highlight the importance of material selection and waste management in reducing the environmental footprint of boat construction and disposal. These insights are crucial for promoting sustainability in small-scale boat-building yards, offering a path forward for the industry to reduce its environmental impact while maintaining the durability and longevity of the fishing boats.

Potential probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DS1800 extends lifespan and enhances stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans model.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when administered in appropriate amounts by improving or restoring the balance of intestinal microbiota. Various functional probiotic products have been developed due to the growing interest in the health-promoting and anti-aging effects of enhancing the gut microbiome. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum species are known for their potential to extend lifespan. However, this activity is strain or isolation source specific, necessitating the identification of individual strain functionalities. This study used the C. elegans model to screen probiotics for life-extension effects and analyze their functions. The 43 lactic-acid bacteria strains isolated from fermented foods, breast milk, and human feces were subjected to longevity assays, and L. plantarum DS1800 was selected to demonstrate the most effective lifespan extension. The average lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans fed DS1800 increased by 17.36% compared with those fed Escherichia coli OP50. Further analysis of the expression of key genes related to longevity revealed the high expression of the skinhead-1 (skn-1), antibacterial, and heat stress resistance genes via the p38 MAPK pathway. These expression patterns suggest that DS1800 extends the lifespan of C. elegans by enhancing its stress resistance and protecting it against pathogens. Additionally, DS1800 exhibited excellent intestinal adhesion, with 7.56% adhesion to HT-29 cells. Therefore, L. plantarum DS1800 is effective in extending the lifespan of C. elegans and can be used as a functional probiotic.

Ontogeny and associated changes of the extinct sloth Simomylodon uccasamamensis (Xenarthra, Mylodontidae) from the Pliocene of the eastern Puna, Argentina.

Within Xenarthra (Eocene-Recent), Folivora developed (late Eocene-Recent) a remarkable diversity with respect to ecology and taxonomy over its evolutionary history. Knowledge of the diversity achieved by members of this clade in high-altitude areas of South America (i.e., Altiplano and Puna regions of Peru, Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina) has been improved in recent decades. A particular example involves the late Neogene Mylodontidae Simomylodon uccasamamensis, known mostly from multiple specimens recovered from the Bolivian Altiplano. Although several anatomical descriptions of this ground sloth have been published, almost nothing is known about its ontogenetic development and the associated morphological changes. Here we describe and compare new specimens of S. uccasamamensis from the upper level of the Tafna Formation (Pliocene) in the eastern Puna (ca. 3800 masl), Argentina, representing the southernmost record of this species. The new material is represented by specimens showing different ontogenetic stages, from infant to adult. One subadult specimen reached an estimated body mass of ca. 232 kg. The comparative study of external and internal morphology (the latter obtained from CT scans and radiography) shows remarkable changes in the mandible and molariforms associated with ontogeny; in addition, evidence suggests that the mfs2-3 are the first functional teeth, followed by mf1 and cf1. Based on our body mass estimates (ca. 232 kg.), we inferred an average lifespan of 14 years, 9-month gestation time, and sexual maturation at 4.1 years, quite similar to the values we obtained based on estimated body masses of adult specimens from Bolivia published by previous authors. Along its latitudinal distribution (ca. 14° S-21° S) S. uccasamamensis co-occurred with other ground sloths (e.g., Megatheriinae, Thalassocninae, and Scelidotheriinae), suggesting niche partitioning. The presence of this medium-sized ground sloth is consistent with the similarity between the faunas of eastern Puna and the Bolivian Altiplano during the Pliocene, which is also concordant with what was observed in other clades, such as Rodentia and Notoungulata.

Efficacy and Cognitive Outcomes of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in Glioblastoma Management for Elderly Patients.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKRS), a specific type of Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), has developed as a significant modality in the treatment of glioblastoma, particularly in conjunction with standard chemotherapy. The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of combining GKRS with surgical resection and chemotherapy in enhancing therapeutic effects for glioblastoma patients aged 55 years and older. This prospective clinical study, conducted in accordance with the STROBE guidelines, involved 49 glioblastoma patients aged 55 years and older, treated between January 2013 and January 2023. Data were collected prospectively, and strict adherence to the STUPP protocol was maintained. Only patients who conformed to the STUPP protocol were included in the analysis. Due to concerns regarding the cognitive impairment associated with conventional radiotherapy, and at the patients' request, a radiosurgery plan was offered. Radiosurgery was administered for 4-8 weeks following surgical resection. Any patients who had not received previous radiotherapy received open surgical tumor removal, followed by GKRS along with adjuvant chemotherapy. In this prospective clinical study of 49 glioblastoma patients aged 55 years and older, the average lifespan post-histopathological diagnosis was established at 22.3 months (95% CI: 12.0-28.0 months). The median time before disease progression was 14.3 months (95% CI: 13.0-29.7 months). The median duration until the first recurrence after treatment was 15.2 months, with documented cases varying between 4 and 33 months. The Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKRS) treatment involved a median marginal recommended dose of 12.5 Gy, targeting an average volume of 5.7 cm3 (range: 1.6-39 cm3). Local recurrence occurred in 21 patients, while distant recurrence was identified in 8 patients. Within the cohort, 34 patients were subjected to further therapeutic approaches, including reoperation, a second GKRS session, the administration of bevacizumab and irinotecan, and PCV chemotherapy. A cognitive function assessment revealed that the patients treated with GKRS experienced significantly less cognitive decline compared to the historical controls, who were treated with conventional radiotherapy. The median MMSE scores declined by 1.9 points over 12 months, and the median MoCA scores declined by 2.9 points. This study demonstrates that Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKRS), when integrated with surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy, offers a substantial benefit for glioblastoma patients aged 55 years and older. The data reveal that GKRS not only prolongs overall survival and progression-free survival but also significantly reduces cognitive decline compared to conventional radiotherapy. These findings underscore the efficacy and safety of GKRS, advocating for its incorporation into standard treatment protocols for older glioblastoma patients. The potential of GKRS to improve patient outcomes while preserving cognitive function is compelling and warrants further research to optimize and confirm its role in glioblastoma management.

A Liquid Well Barrier Element for Temporary Plug and Abandonment Operations: A Breakthrough Approach

Plug and abandonment (P&amp;A) operations demand valuable time and resources for operational procedures and materials to establish the well barrier element. This study aims to investigate the application of a water-based fluid as a liquid well barrier element for temporary abandonment, based on estimates of its lifespan and the survival probabilities of downhole temperatures acquired through accelerated life tests. To achieve this, the water-based formulation was tested and exposed to 95, 110, 140, and 150 °C temperatures for time intervals ranging from 1 to 10 days. After the temperature exposure, the fluid properties were verified, and failure was detected by accounting for any deterioration in rheological parameters and/or a substantial increase in filtrate volume. A statistical analysis of the failure data was performed in RStudio 4.1.3 software using the Weibull Model, and the fluid average lifespans and survival probabilities were estimated for the P&amp;A temperatures. The results obtained demonstrate that the degradation of the fluid was only observed for 140 and 150 °C temperatures. According to the results, the fluid is a promising alternative for temporary abandonment until 80 °C, with no need for monitoring once its lifetime expectation exceeds three years at this temperature. For downhole temperatures above 80 °C, the fluid is a possible alternative, however, the operation’s maximum time and monitoring requirements should consider reliability metrics for each temperature.

6700 Risk Of Dementia According To The Reproductive Factors In Postmenopausal Women With Diabetes

Abstract Disclosure: J. Yu: None. K. Han: None. J. Yun: None. S. Lee: None. Risk of dementia according to the reproductive factors in postmenopausal women with diabetes Jin Yu[1], Kyungdo Han[2], Jae-Seung Yun[3], Seung-Hwan Lee[1],[4] [1]Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea[2]Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Soongsil University[3]Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea[4]Department of Medical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea Background: Previous studies have suggested a possible association between endogenous estrogen exposure and decreased risk of cognitive impairment or dementia. We aimed to investigate the impact of reproductive factors on the risk of dementia in women with diabetes. Methods:166,245 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes aged over 40 who underwent health examination in 2009 were identified from the National Health Information Database. Information regarding reproductive factors were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Incident dementia was defined using diagnosis codes and anti-dementia drug prescription. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to evaluate the risk of all-cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular dementia according to reproductive factors including age at menarche, age at menopause, reproductive lifespan, parity, and use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Results: The mean age and reproductive lifespan were 64.5 ± 8.0 and 33.4 ± 4.7 years, respectively. During the median follow-up of 8.3 years, 25,330 cases of any dementia, including 20,817 cases of Alzheimer's disease and 2,756 cases of vascular dementia were developed. The hazard ratios (95% CI) of all-cause dementia were 1.28 (1.06-1.56) for age at menarche &amp;gt;16 years compared with ≤12 years, 0.71 (0.66-0.77) for age at menopause ≥55 years compared with &amp;lt;40 years, and 0.72 (0.68-0.76) for reproductive lifespan ≥40 years compared with &amp;lt;30 years, respectively. The risk of all-cause dementia was decreased by 11% in women with parity ≥2 compared with 0, and by 16% in women with HRT for more than 5 years compared without HRT. Similar findings were observed for Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Conclusion: Longer reproductive lifespan was associated with lower risk of dementia in postmenopausal women with diabetes. Presentation: 6/2/2024

Retirement Preparedness among Malaysia’s Low-Income Private Sector Employees: A Conceptual Model

Retirement in Malaysia starts when individuals reach 60 years old. This is when individuals’ income will stop streaming in, and they need to use their savings, pensions or retirement scheme to support themselves post-retirement. There are two primary retirement schemes in Malaysia, which include (1) Defined Benefit (DB) for government servants and (2) Defined Contribution (DC) for private-sector workers managed by the Employee Provident Fund (EPF). The increasing aging population and the rise in retirees in Malaysia with a lack of retirement savings emphasize the significance of retirement preparedness. The life expectancy in Malaysia has increased, with males and females having an average lifespan of 71.8 years and 77.2 years, respectively. Malaysia's income groups can be divided into three groups: T20 (top 20%), M40 (middle 40%), and B40 (bottom 40%). This study will only focus on private sector employees with EPF accounts and the B40 group with an income of RM4850 and below. The B40 has the lowest savings in EPF, with only 1.01%, compared to the M40, which amounts to 16.56%, and the T20, which holds the most savings at 82.42%. The main objective of this study is to investigate retirement preparedness among low-income (B40) private-sector employees. By focusing on the direct relationship between attitude and social influence and their impact on retirement preparedness, the findings are intended to support financial institutions, policymakers, and organizations in designing and implementing effective financial education and literacy programs tailored to the needs of the low-income (B40) group.

Causes of death in Japanese patients with diabetes based on the results of a survey of 68,555 cases during 2011-2020: Committee report on causes of death in diabetes mellitus, Japan Diabetes Society (English version).

The principal causes of death among 68,555 patients with diabetes and 164,621 patients without diabetes who died in 208 hospitals throughout Japan between 2011 and 2020 were determined based on a survey of hospital records. The most frequent cause of death in patients with diabetes was malignant neoplasms (38.9%) (lung 7.8%, pancreas 6.5%, liver 4.1%), followed, in order of descending frequency, by infectious diseases (17.0%) and then vascular diseases (10.9%) (cerebrovascular diseases 5.2%, ischemic heart diseases 3.5%, renal failure 2.3%). The proportion of deaths from malignant neoplasms and vascular diseases has trended upward and downward, respectively. Almost all deaths from ischemic heart diseases were due to myocardial infarction, and the proportion of deaths from heart diseases other than ischemic heart diseases was relatively high (9.0%), with most cases due to heart failure. Diabetic coma associated with hyperglycemia accounted for only 0.3% of deaths. The proportion of deaths from malignant neoplasms, infectious diseases, renal failure, ischemic heart diseases, and heart failure was significantly higher in patients with diabetes than in those without diabetes, and the proportion of deaths from cerebrovascular diseases was significantly lower in patients with diabetes. With regard to the relationship between the age and cause of death in patients with diabetes, malignant neoplasms were the most frequent cause of death in all age groups, and the incidence was around 50% for those in their 50s and 60s. The incidence of death due to infectious diseases was highest in patients older than their 70s. The incidence of death due to vascular diseases for patients in their 40s and 50s was higher than that due to infectious diseases. The highest incidence of death due to ischemic heart diseases was observed for patients in their 40s, and that due to renal failure and heart failure in patients older than their 70s. Compared with patients without diabetes, patients with diabetes demonstrated a higher incidence of death due to pancreatic cancer, infectious diseases, renal failure, ischemic heart diseases, and heart failure, and a lower incidence of death due to cerebrovascular diseases in all age groups. The average age at death of patients with diabetes was 74.4 years old in men and 77.4 years old in women, which were lower than the average lifespan of the Japanese general population in 2020 by 7.2 and 10.3 years, respectively. However, these differences were smaller than in previous surveys. The average age at death due to all causes, especially due to ischemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, heart failure, infectious diseases, and diabetic coma, was lower in patients with 'poorer' glycemic control than in those with 'better' glycemic control. In the total survey population, the average age at death of patients with diabetes was significantly higher than that of patients without diabetes. The average age at death due to malignant neoplasms and cerebrovascular diseases was higher in patients with diabetes than in those without diabetes and that due to renal failure, ischemic heart diseases, and infectious diseases was lower in patients with diabetes than in those without diabetes.

EFFECTS OF APILARNIL AND QUEEN BEE LARVAE ON LARVAL MORTALITY AND LONGEVITY IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

The basic mechanisms of ageing and longevity are not yet fully understood. More studies are needed to correlate this situation with functional foods and food supplements that have been used frequently recently. Bee products are in the first place in the use of natural products and food supplements. It has been reported that drone larvae (apilarnil) and queen bee larvae, which have become popular in recent years, support the protection of health due to their high nutritional value, but no studies have been conducted on their life-extending efficacy. For this purpose, the efficacy of these two bee products on life span and mortality was investigated in our study. Apilarnil and queen bee larvae lyophilisates added to Drosophila melanogaster medium at different concentrations (0.5; 1.0; 2.5 and 5.0 mg/ml medium) were studied separately in male and female populations for treatment and control groups. As a result, apilarnil at 5 mg/ml concentration showed the best effect in terms of larval mortality compared to the control group, while the most effective group in terms of mean life span was determined as queen bee larvae with 83.1±3.53 days. In general, both bee products increased the life span of flies in parallel with the increase in concentration in both female and male populations. These results were statistically significant at p

Zein nanoparticles extend lifespan in C. elegans and SAMP8 mice

Empty zein nanoparticles (NP) have been shown to lower glycemia in rats by stimulating the secretion of endogenous GLP-1. This study evaluated the effect of these nanoparticles on the lifespan of two animal models: C. elegans fed with a glucose-rich diet and the senescence accelerated mouse-prone 8 (SAMP8 mice). In C. elegans, NP increased the mean lifespan of worms by 7 days (from 17.1 for control to 24.5 days). This observation was in line with the observed significant reductions of glucose and fat contents, lipofuscin accumulation, and ROS expression. Furthermore, NP supplementation led to an upregulation of the expression of daf-16 and skn-1 genes. DAF-16 (orthologue of the FOXO family) and SKN-1 (orthologue of mammalian Nrf/CNC proteins) are implicated in activating detoxification mechanisms against oxidative damage. In SAMP8, oral administration of NP also extended the mean lifespan of mice (by 28 % compared to controls), corroborating the protective effect of these nanoparticles.

Heating alters the nutritional and antioxidant characteristics of lotus root

To investigate the impact of heating on the nutritional and antioxidant properties of lotus root, a comparative analysis was conducted between its heated and unheated whole powders. The whole powder of heated lotus root (HLRWP) exhibited a higher level of total soluble sugars but a lower level of free phenolic compounds compared to the whole powder of fresh lotus root (FLRWP). Meanwhile, they showed significant differences in metabolite composition encompassing phenolic compounds, flavonoids, amino acids, vitamins and lipids. The replacement of sugar and corn in the medium with 25% HLRWP effectively enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes (total superoxide dismutase and catalase), while reducing malonaldehyde content in Drosophila melanogaster males. The average, median and maximum lifespans of the fruit flies were extended by 35.90%, 23.49% and 24.00% respectively, accompanied by an improvement in climbing ability. Additionally, their resistance to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide or paraquat was enhanced. The antioxidant capacity of HLRWP in vivo was found to be obviously stronger compared to FLRWP, which may have a crucial association with the regulation of L-arginine and adenosine monophosphate levels. The results indicate that heating can enhance the nutritional quality of lotus root products by strengthening their antioxidant capacity.

Adaptive potential in the face of a transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils.

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) not only cause catastrophic declines in wildlife populations but also generate selective pressures that may result in rapid evolutionary responses. One such EID is devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) in the Tasmanian devil. DFTD is almost always fatal and has reduced the average lifespan of individuals by around 2 years, likely causing strong selection for traits that reduce susceptibility to the disease, but population decline has also left Tasmanian devils vulnerable to inbreeding depression. We analysed 22 years of data from an ongoing study of a population of Tasmanian devils on Freycinet Peninsula, Tasmania, to (1) identify whether DFTD may be causing selection on body size, by estimating phenotypic and genetic correlations between DFTD and size traits, (2) estimate the additive genetic variance of susceptibility to DFTD, and (3) investigate whether size traits or susceptibility to DFTD were under inbreeding depression. We found a positive phenotypic relationship between head width and susceptibility to DFTD, but this was not underpinned by a genetic correlation. Conversely, we found a negative phenotypic relationship between body weight and susceptibility to DFTD, and there was evidence for a negative genetic correlation between susceptibility to DFTD and body weight. There was additive genetic variance in susceptibility to DFTD, head width and body weight, but there was no evidence for inbreeding depression in any of these traits. These results suggest that Tasmanian devils have the potential to respond adaptively to DFTD, although the realised evolutionary response will critically further depend on the evolution of DFTD itself.