Limited role of biological aging in unhealthy aging: A cross-sectional analysis of global life expectancy and disability data

Background: Biological aging is known to impact quality of life, but its precise role is debated. Objective: This study explores how biological aging, measured by life expectancy at birth (e0), affects unhealthy aging as indicated by years lost due to disability (YLD). Methods: Data from international organizations, including e0, YLD, and confounding factors like income, obesity, and urbanization, were analyzed. Correlations were visualized with scatter plots, and associations were assessed using Pearson’s and nonparametric methods. Partial, multilevel modelling and multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine e0′s impact on YLD. Results: e0 strongly correlated with YLD, explaining about 50 % of its variance. After adjusting for confounders, e0’s contribution fell to 12.18 %. Multiple regression identified e0 and urbanization as significant predictors. Conclusions: Biological aging influences YLD, but its effect diminishes when accounting for other factors, high lighting the need for a comprehensive approach to healthy aging.Wenpeng You, Luisa Garcia, Kamal Hezam, Hui Chen (Rita) Chan

Seminal fluid effects on uterine receptivity to embryo implantation: transcriptomic strategies to define molecular mechanisms

Embryo implantation requires both a developmentally competent embryo and a receptive uterus. Impaired uterine receptivity is a common constraint on implantation success and reproductive outcome. Ovarian steroid hormones oestrogen and progesterone play a central role in establishing uterine receptivity, but other factors also contribute. One additional regulating factor is male partner seminal fluid. However, the full physiological impacts of seminal fluid on uterine receptivity and the specific molecular pathways involved are not yet completely defined. New advances in RNA-sequencing technologies provide a powerful means to examine how uterine tissues and cells respond to seminal fluid contact. Findings utilising sequencing technology provide strong cellular and molecular evidence in humans and mice that seminal fluid contact around the time of ovulation drives immune and vascular changes with potential to affect endometrial receptivity in the periimplantation phase. This approach hasled to the discovery of novel mediators and regulatory factors subsequently shown to facilitate embryo implantation in genetic mouse models, enabling functional validation. Here, we summarise the evidence from recent microarray and RNA-sequencing findings that seminal fluid contact can directly and indirectly impact the transcriptional state of endometrial tissue during the implantation window in mice and also in humans. Progress in elucidating the female reproductive tract response to seminal fluid will improve understanding of male partner effects on endometrial receptivity, and the knowledge gained will have practical applications for achieving healthy pregnancy and offspring outcomes.Hon Y. Chan, and Sarah A. Robertso

Antenatal Physical Activity Interventions and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis With a Focus on Trial Quality.

Background: Guidelines recommending regular physical activity in pregnancy for improving pregnancy outcomes are informed by published meta-analyses. Inclusion of randomised trials of poor methodological quality may bias effect estimates. Objectives: To assess the validity of these recommendations by focusing on trial quality. Search Strategy: Systematic search of PubMed, PubMed Central, Ovid Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CINAHL from inception to 14 December 2023. Selection Criteria: Randomised trials evaluating an antenatal physical activity intervention alone, compared with no such intervention. Data Collection and Analysis: Trial quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Independent of this, studies were grouped based on degree of deviation from the intention to treat principle. Sequential meta-analysis was performed in which greater degrees of potential bias were allowed. Between intervention group comparisons used, relative risks or mean differences with 95% confidence intervals for dichotomous outcomes and continuous outcomes, respectively. Main Results: Overall, the quality of trial reporting was low. Only 5 trials (12.5%) were performed and analysed in keeping with the intention to treat principle. When considering only those trials performed rigorously, there was no evidence that antenatal physical activity improves pregnancy outcomes or limits gestational weight gain (WMD −0.60kg; 95% CI −2.17, 0.98 WMD −0.60kg; 95% CI −2.17, 0.98). Conclusions: When considering only trials at no/negligible risk of bias, antenatal physical activity interventions were not associated with improved pregnancy outcomes. Most trials were not methodologically rigorous. Incorporation of such meta-analyses into pregnancy care guidelines may result in inaccurate recommendations.Amanda J. Poprzeczny, Andrea R. Deussen, Megan Mitchell, Laura Slade, Jennie Louise, Jodie M. Dod

Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and the law school

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in legal education, emphasises fairness, representation, and a supportive environment within universities. Equality ensures equal opportunities for all, eliminating discrimination. Diversity values differences in race, gender, etc., aiming for a community mirroring society. Inclusion fosters respect and support for all, especially underrepresented groups. EDI provides a critique of legal education for perpetuating social hierarchies and advocates for a more socially aware approach. Legal obligations prohibit discrimination and require accommodation for diverse needs. EDI initiatives include diversity statements, affirmative action, and scholarships. Some law schools engage in community social justice initiatives. EDI is integrated into the curriculum, reflecting the need for graduates to engage diverse communities.Peter Burdo

Dose-related effects of calcium to enhance the effects of L-tryptophan on gut hormones and energy intake in obesity

Advance access publication 9 January 2025.Context: In males of normal weight, intraduodenal administration of calcium enhances the effects of the amino acid L-tryptophan (Trp) to suppress energy intake, associated with greater stimulation of cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and peptide tyrosine- tyrosine (PYY) secretion (key mechanisms underlying the regulation of pyloric motility and gastric emptying) but not gastrin or glucose- dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Objective: Given the implications for the management of obesity, the current study evaluated the effects of calcium, when administered alone and in combination with Trp, on gut hormone secretion, antropyloroduodenal motility, and energy intake in males with obesity. Methods: Fifteen males with obesity and without type 2 diabetes (mean ±SD; age: 27 ±8 years; body mass index: 30±2 kg/m²; hemoglobin A1c: 5.3 ± 0.2%), received 150-minute intraduodenal infusions of 0, 500, or 1000 mg calcium, each combined with Trp (load: 0.1 kcal/min, known to have submaximal energy-intake suppressant effects) from t = 75-150 minutes, on 3 separate occasions, in a randomized, double-blind, cross- over order. Plasma concentrations of gastrin, CCK, GIP, GLP-1, PYY, and pyloric pressures were measured during the infusions. Immediately postinfusion (t = 150-180 minutes), energy intake at a standardized buffet-style lunch was quantified. Results: Calcium, in a dose of 1000 mg, stimulated GLP-1, PYY, and pyloric pressures alone (all P < .05) and enhanced the effects of Trp to stimulate CCK, GLP-1, and PYY (all P < .05), associated with greater suppression of energy intake (P = .01). Energy intake (R = −0.64; P = .001) was inversely related to the dose of calcium, while plasma concentrations of CCK (R = 0.44; P = .05), GLP-1 (R = 0.60; P = .01), and PYY (R = 0.83; P = .01) were directly related. Conclusion: Intraduodenal calcium enhances the effect of intraduodenal Trp to stimulate CCK, GLP-1, and PYY and suppress energy intake in males with obesity.Javad Anjom-Shoae, Penelope C E Fitzgerald, Michael Horowitz, Jens J Holst, Jens F Rehfeld, Simon Veedfald, Christine Feinle-Bisse

Filtering out the noise: metagenomic classifiers optimize ancient DNA mapping

Contamination with exogenous DNA presents a significant challenge in ancient DNA (aDNA) studies of single organisms. Failure to address contamination from microbes, reagents, and present-day sources can impact the interpretation of results. Although field and laboratory protocols exist to limit contamination, there is still a need to accurately distinguish between endogenous and exogenous data computationally. Here, we propose a workf low to reduce exogenous contamination based on a metagenomic classifier. Unlike previous methods that relied exclusively on DNA sequencing reads mapping specificity to a single reference genome to remove contaminating reads, our approach uses Kraken2-based filtering before mapping to the reference genome. Using both simulated and empirical shotgun aDNA data, we show that this workf low presents a simple and efficient method that can be used in a wide range of computational environments—including personal machines. We propose strategies to build specific databases used to profile sequencing data that take into consideration available computational resources and prior knowledge about the target taxa and likely contaminants. Our workf low significantly reduces the overall computational resources required during the mapping process and reduces the total runtime by up to ∼94%. The most significant impacts are observed in low endogenous samples. Importantly, contaminants that would map to the reference are filtered out using our strategy, reducing false positive alignments.We also show that our method results in a negligible loss of endogenous data with no measurable impact on downstream population genetics analyses.Shyamsundar Ravishankar, Vilma Perez, Roberta Davidson, Xavier Roca-Rada, Divon Lan, Yassine Souilmi, Bastien Llama

Methods for the health technology assessment of complex interventions: a scoping review

Introduction: Health Technology Assessment (HTA) methods have been developed to support evidence-informed policy-making by assessing the comparative value and costs of health interventions and programs. However, the complexity of many health interventions presents challenges to the use of conventional HTA methods. This scoping review collated and synthesised international approaches to the HTA of complex interventions including identifying assessment criteria, types of evidence and the domains of value that are most favoured. Materials and methods: A systematic scoping review was conducted using JBI guidelines, Arksey and O’Malley’s six-stage framework and recent advances in scoping review methodology. Seven electronic databases, grey literature sources, three leading HTA journals and backward citation searching were used to search complex intervention HTA records written in English from January 2000 to December 2023. Supplementary searches were also conducted to identify actual HTA reports produced by certain countries. The Population (or Participants), Concept and Context framework guided the literature selection process, with a two-phase screening process and subsequent narrative synthesis. The PRISMA-ScR checklist guided reporting. Independent screening by two reviewers ensured accuracy of study selection, and data extraction followed a customised form grounded in the HTA-core model. Results: A total of 10684 references yielded 35 records from twelve countries. The review identified two clusters of research on HTA of complex interventions: methodological orientation and conceptual models (n=19) and actual HTAs conducted on complex interventions (n=16). Several evaluation criteria and domains were used or recommended for use that extended beyond the core HTA domains. Three distinct HTA approaches emerged: the integrative approach, highlighted in methodological guides and theoretical frameworks; and either sequential or concurrent approaches, emphasised in practical HTAs. In the theoretical literature, equal weight is given to various HTA domains for complex intervention assessment, but in practice, the scope and specificity of domains vary across reports, with countries exhibiting differing priorities. Cost-effectiveness, clinical effectiveness and organisational aspects predominated in complex intervention evaluation, albeit with gradually increasing emphasis on a technology’s description, intended use, safety and patient and social aspects over the past decade. There was less focus on ethical and legal considerations. This trend is consistent with the evaluation of non-complex interventions in HTA. HTAs undertaken on complex interventions introduced unique domains like politics, implementation, early stakeholder engagement, outcome uncertainty, adaptive methods and real-world data, with expert opinion recommended when data were insufficient. Conclusion: A shift towards considering broader contextual and implementation factors in the HTA of complex interventions was evident in this scoping review, extending beyond traditional HTA domains. However, discrepancies persist between theoretical and methodological guidance suggesting one approach and practical HTAs often adopting another. The implications of the shift towards contextual and implementation factors require exploration in future research. This could help to establish consensus on metrics and evidentiary elements, optimising HTA for complex health interventions.Abdolvahab Baghbanian, Drew Carter, Tracy Merli

New ways of measuring energy poverty: Moving beyond temperature sensor data to assess and measure cold housing

Many people live in cold homes that are hazardous to health. In the absence of high-quality observed data, researchers have measured cold housing and assessed its prevalence using secondary proxy indicators. Proxy measures previously used in literature include self-assessed warmth of the home, perceived energy affordability, financial inability to heat the home in winter, and local climate zone. Using matched in-home temperature sensor data from 502 Australian homes, we assess the validity of these proxy measures by estimating the degree of association with measured indoor temperature. We also examine twelve correlated socio-demographic characteristics to explore promising alternative proxy measures. Self-assessed perception of home warmth was shown to be the best existing proxy indicator of cold indoor air temperature (OR 2.5, CI 1.4 to 4.3), with climate zone (OR 2.4, CI 1.6 to 3.8) also shown to be a strong measure. Perceived energy affordability (OR 1.1, CI 0.7 to 1.9) and financial inability to adequately heat the home (OR 1.0, CI 0.6 to 1.6), were shown to be unsuitable proxy measures. Of the correlated socio-demographic characteristics, heating appliance type (electric heater OR 3.0, CI 1.4 to 6.2), household structure (living alone OR 2.5 CI 1.2 to 5.5), built date (built <1990 OR 2.11, CI 1.38 to 3.23) and flooring type (timber floor OR 1.99, CI 1.23 to 3.22) were strong indicators of cold indoor temperatures, and would make sound proxy measures. Our assessment of the reliability of existing and potential proxy measures of cold home temperature suggests a need to carefully select proxies, based on their known or established validity.Cynthia Faye Barlow, Lyrian Daniel, Emma Bake

From Compliance to Sustainability: Exploring the Role of CSR/ESG Programmes in China's Global Supply Chain for Sustainability Risk Management

This study investigates the challenges and implications of integrating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks into multinational enterprises’ (MNEs) global supply chains, with a focus on labour-intensive and export-oriented industries in China. While CSR and ESG principles are critical for mitigating risks related to labour rights, environmental sustainability, and governance, their implementation in transitional economies like China has been challenging. These challenges encompass regulatory inconsistencies, symbolic compliance, systemic power imbalances, and conflicting expectations among diverse stakeholders. China’s position as a global manufacturing hub presents unique challenges, driven by institutional voids, fragmented governance structures, and divergent stakeholder priorities. Coercive pressures from international buyers often result in symbolic compliance rather than substantive improvements. By employing institutional and stakeholder theories and drawing on in-depth interviews with CSR/ESG practitioners, this study critically evaluates the effectiveness of MNE-driven sustainability initiatives in managing risks in the supply chain and proposes pathways for meaningful change. The findings reveal significant limitations in current global supply chain CSR/ESG strategies adopted by MNEs in transitional economies such as China, particularly their overreliance on social auditing and top-down compliance approaches that overlook local socio-economic and cultural contexts. Such practices often result in document falsification, audit-related corruption, and symbolic compliance. These gaps expose the disparity between aspirational global CSR/ESG standards and operational realities of host countries in which MNEs operate. However, the research also identifies positive outcomes, including enhanced compliance performance, improved risk management related to labour and operational issues, and increased awareness of international compliance standards among factory managers. Despite these progresses, they remain inadequate in addressing evolving risks in the global supply chains, including unauthorized subcontracting, environmental degradation, workers mental health concerns, and workplace gender inequality. The study underscores the need for MNEs to adopt adaptive and participatory approaches that integrate CSR/ESG frameworks into core business strategies. Key recommendations include integrating sustainability practices into the business strategies of MNEs and their supply chain partners, fostering greater stakeholder engagement, especially the trading agencies, factory managers and workers and local community members, promoting collaborative and transparent auditing and supply chain risk assessment, and transitioning from compliance-driven practices to inclusive, sustainability-focused models. This research contributes to the broader discourse on global supply chain sustainability risk management by bridging the gap between conceptual advancements and practical supply chain realities, particularly in emerging economies like China. It provides actionable insights for MNEs, policymakers, and practitioners to enhance the social, environmental and operational sustainability of global supply chains.Thesis (MPhil) -- University of Adelaide, Adelaide Business School, 202

Structural evolution of the resource-rich Proterozoic western greater McArthur Basin: A focus on the Daly Waters Fault Zone, northern Australia

Proterozoic basins cover vast cratonic areas on every continent. Their basin architecture preserves considerable information that can unravel the tectonic evolution of large parts of the world, yet many do not yet have the resolution of seismic data across them to reveal their internal structure. The ca. 1820–1320 Ma greater McArthur Basin, in the North Australian Craton, is a data-rich exception. Surface exposures in the west (Birrindudu Basin), south (Tomkinson Province) and north (McArthur Basin sensu stricto) are linked together in seismic profiles through the Beetaloo Sub-basin that allow the full basin evolution to be determined. A key feature of the basin is the Daly Waters Fault Zone, a north–south-oriented structural formation about 200 km in length. This fault zone serves as a boundary, dividing the Birrindudu Basin and the western Beetaloo Sub-basin from the eastern Beetaloo Sub-basin. It is a complex fault zone with multiple phases of structural extension and compression that have influenced the greater McArthur Basin fill from the Redbank Package (ca. 1820–1700 Ma) to the Wilton Package (ca. 1500–1320 Ma). Two dimensional seismic lines and 17 well penetrations in an area encompassing the Birrindudu Basin to the western portion of the Beetaloo Sub-basin and across the Daly Waters Fault Zone are re-interpreted to better understand the evolution of the basin and the role of the Daly Waters Fault Zone. We reveal at least five tectonic events that controlled deposition and exhumation in the region: 1) Extension during the early Redbank Package (ca. 1820–1750 Ma), followed by compression that inverted the Redbank Package (ca. 1740–1700 Ma). 2) Extension during the Glyde Package (ca. 1660–1620 Ma). 3) Compression after deposition of the Glyde Package (ca. 1620–1520 Ma). 4) Extension during the lower Wilton Package (ca. 1500–1400 Ma), and 5) compression after deposition of the Wilton Package (after ca. 1320 Ma).Johann Soares, Rosalind King, Simon Holford, Alan S. Collin