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At least 883 records · Page 49Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Extreme longevity in five countries: presentation of trends with special attention to issues of data quality.

"Data on the maximum age at death and other indicators of extreme longevity are assembled for five countries (Sweden, England & Wales, France, Japan, and the United States) over various time periods. The raw data are shown in both graphical and tabular formats. Two types of measures are presented: the extreme ages at death reported for a given year (i.e., the maximum, second, third, and fourth highest), and the upper percentiles of the age distribution of deaths by year. The analysis demonstrates that the upper tail of the age distribution of deaths has moved steadily higher over a period of at least 130 years in Sweden. Similar trends are observed (over shorter time periods) for other countries, although in many cases it is argued that the raw data are flawed due to misstatement (in particular, exaggeration) of age at death." (SUMMARY IN FRE)

Americas↗
PubMed1985

Fecundity and longevity of houseflies after space flight.

After 7 days of space flight house flies, Musca domestica, exhibited similar longevity, but a reduction in reproductive output as compared to earthbound controls. This reduction was not observed in later generations. These data suggest that space flight directly alters the rate of ovarian development, but that this effect is not genetically transmitted.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Determination of age, longevity and age at reproduction of the frog Microhyla ornata by skeletochronology.

Skeletochronological estimation of age, longevity, age at sexual maturity and breeding of Microhyla ornata was done. Frogs (n=62) were collected locally in August (rainy season) 1997 and brought to the laboratory. Body mass and snout-vent-length (SVL) of each frog was recorded; the 4th toe of both the hind limbs was clipped under anaesthesia, fixed in 10% formalin, demineralized in 5% nitric acid and processed for histology. Limb bones (femur, humerus, tibiofibula and radioulna) of 6 large sized frogs were also processed for skeletochronology in order to study the rate of resorption. Gonads of 25 frogs (belonging to different body size ranges) were processed for histology in order to ascertain the gametogenic status of individual frogs. One to four growth rings consisting of growth zones and lines of arrested growth (LAGs) were noticed in frogs of different body sizes; the number of LAGs remained identical in all the limb bones and phalanges in 5 out of 6 frogs. Back calculation indicated that the resorption rate is very low in this frog. Male frogs possessed sperm bundles in seminiferous tubules in the 1st year, while females showed yolky follicles in the ovary in the 2nd year. Frogs found in amplexus were 3 5 years old. The results suggest that this frog may live for a maximum of 5 years in the natural population.

Age Determination by Skeleton↗
PubMed2003

A skeletochronological study of growth, longevity, and age at sexual maturity in a population of Rana latastei (Amphibia, Anura).

Longevity and age at sexual maturity in an Italian population of Rana latastei were studied by skeletochronology performed on the phalanges. Frogs collected in 1998 and 1999 by drift fences and pitfall traps were marked by toe-clipping. After marking, individuals were released and the cut phalanges were processed for skeletochronological analysis. The maximum age so far recorded was 3 years in males and 4 years in females. The smallest male and female that were sexually mature on the basis of histological analysis of the gonads were 36 and 35 mm snout vent length (SVL), respectively. In both sexes, most individuals were estimated to breed shortly after emergence from their first overwintering. Among the European Brown Frogs, Rana latastei appears to be one of the shortest-lived and one of the first to reach sexual maturity.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Working late: the impact of work after 70 on longevity, health and function.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although many older persons choose to postpone retirement, the health consequences of this decision are still debated. This study aimed at determining the impact of continued employment on life-style, well-being, health and survival in a cohort of community-dwelling 70-year-olds. METHODS: A longitudinal study of a homogeneously aged cohort was conducted in two stages. Data from extensive interviews, physical examinations and clinical laboratory information were obtained from west Jerusalem residents born in 1920-1 through home-based examinations. In 1990-1, 162 women and 218 men were examined, at age 70, and in 1997-8, 390 women and 398 men at age 77. Two hundred and thirty one subjects participated in both study stages and were available for longitudinal analysis. For each subject at each study stage, a comprehensive profile detailed social characteristics, including life-style and personal functions, and medical status including illnesses and use of medical services. At each stage, employed subjects were compared with those who neither worked for compensation nor as volunteers. Logistic regression compared health outcomes at age 77 for subjects who worked at age 70 with those of subjects who had not. RESULTS: At age 70, 37 women and 98 men were gainfully employed, whereas 125 women and 120 men did not work. At age 77, wage-earners numbered 26 women and 95 men, and non-workers 364 women and 303 men. In the cross-sectional analyses at ages 70 and 77, work correlated with better perceived health and greater independence for both women and men. Independent of pre-existing economic difficulties, education, illnesses, functional dependence and self-assessed health, workers at age 70 after seven years were in better health (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.04, 4.30), had more ADL independence, (OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.08, 6.29) and increased survival rates (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.06, 4.28). CONCLUSIONS: Independent of baseline status, working at age 70 correlates with health, self-sufficiency and longevity.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

Unregulated inflammation shortens human functional longevity.

Systemic inflammation, represented in large part by the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, is the response of humans to the assault of the non-self on the organism. Three distinct types of human ailments - namely autoimmunity, presenile dementia (Alzheimer's disease), or atherosclerosis - are initiated or worsened by systemic inflammation. Autoimmunity is unregulated hyperimmunity to organ-specific proteins, inducing rapid turnover of antigen-specific T cells of the acquired immune system with ultimate exhaustion and loss of acquired immunity IL-2 and IFN-gamma production and proliferative decline, conforming to the limited capacity of clonal division (Hayflick phenonmenon). In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the primary degenerative process of amyloid-beta (AJ3) protein precedes a cascade of events that ultimately leads to a local "brain inflammatory response". Unregulated systemic immune processes are secondary but important as a driving-force role in AD pathogenesis. Atherosclerosis, an underlying cause of myocardial infarction, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases, consists of focal plaques characterized by cholesterol deposition, fibrosis, and inflammation. The presence of activated T lymphocytes and macrophages indicate a local immunologic activation in the atherosclerotic plaque that may be secondary to unregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines too. The premature hyperimmunity of autoimmunity, the local "brain inflammatory response" to A/3 protein in AD, and the immune response to fatty changes in vessels in atherosclerosis all signal the critical importance of unregulated systemic inflammation to common neurological and cardiovascular disease that shortens the nominal longevity of humans.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed2001

The plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 4G/5G polymorphism is not associated with longevity: a study in octogenarians.

Accumulating evidence suggests that plasma levels of the plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) may modulate the risk of coronary artery disease. The regulation of PAI-1 levels underlies not only environmental but also genetic influences. The 4G/5G polymorphism of the PAI-1 gene has recently gained additional relevance as a possible cardiovascular risk factor, as the 4G allele may be associated with enhanced expression of the PAI-1 gene. This retrospective cohort study examined the effect of the PAI-1 4G/5G genotype on longevity among 205 subjects aged 80 years and older. Such studies in larger cohorts have recently become available along with new methods for the rapid and easy determination of gene polymorphisms. We utilized a light-cycler assisted method which is a fast and flexible method of analyzing the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism on the gene level. In these 205 persons the 4G/5G allele was found in 96 persons (47%), the 4G/4G variant in 62 (30%), and the 5G/5G allele in 47 (23%). These data are similar to the allele distribution described in other large cohorts not restricted to old age. Thus the results of this study are not suggestive of an important contribution of the PAI-1 genotype on total mortality.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

The C766T low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein polymorphism and coronary artery disease, plasma lipoproteins, and longevity in the Czech population.

Low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein (LRP) is a multifunctional endocytic receptor involved in various biological processes including the regulation of the coagulation-fibrinolysis balance, the lipoprotein metabolism, and cellular migration, all of which relate to the development of atherosclerosis. Polymorphisms affecting the function or expression of LRP may thus influence the individual risk of atherosclerosis development. This study investigated the association between the C766T LRP polymorphism, coronary artery disease (CAD), and plasma lipoprotein levels in a large sample of Caucasian subjects of Czech nationality. In addition, the 4G/5G promoter polymorphism of the gene coding for plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), the known ligand of LRP with strong antifibrinolytic potential, was ascertained to investigate its possible association with CAD. Both polymorphisms were studied using polymerase chain reaction analysis in 654 patients with angiographically confirmed CAD and in 525 controls. No statistically significant differences in allele frequencies of the polymorphisms studied were detected between patients and controls, even when men, women, hypertonic, and type II diabetic subjects were compared separately. However, the frequency of the T allele of the LRP polymorphism was significantly higher in patients than controls when only subjects with the 5G/5G PAI-1 genotype were analyzed. In addition, the T LRP allele frequency was significantly lower in subjects aged 60 years or over than in those who were younger in both groups. No significant association was observed between the LRP or PAI-1 polymorphisms and plasma lipoprotein levels in the CAD patients. Our results demonstrate that the T allele of the C766T LRP polymorphism is negatively related to longevity, and that it increases the risk of CAD development in subjects with the 5G/5G PAI-1 genotype.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Unusual longevity without surgical intervention in complete transposition of the great arteries.

A case of unusual longevity to the age of 58 years is reported for a female patient with complete transposition of the great arteries. The association with a wide atrial septal defect with intact interventricular septum may have contributed to the long survival without surgery. Factors determining intercirculatory mixing and systemic oxygen saturation may be the high pulmonary flow, the location of the anatomic communication, sufficient hemoglobin concentration to allow an adequate level of systemic resistance and recirculated systemic flow, and the belated development of pulmonary vascular disease.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed2002

Mitochondrial genotypes and cytochrome b variants associated with longevity or Parkinson's disease.

We are currently sequencing the entire mitochondrial genome from 600 persons, including centenarians, patients with Parkinson's disease or diabetes, and young adults with or without obesity to search for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with longevity or diseases. To test the hypothesis that centenarians are free from deleterious mitochondrial variations, we analyzed amino acid variations in cytochrome b of 64 Japanese centenarians. Although the frequencies of some variations, such as N260D and G251S, differed significantly between centenarians and patients with Parkinson's disease, the most striking feature of centenarian cytochrome b was the much greater scarceness of amino acid variations in contrast with the variety of amino acid replacements in patients with Parkinson's disease. Particular deviations from the standard amino acid sequence may be associated with increased production by mitochondria of reactive oxygen species. The absence of certain variations in centenarians and their presence in patients with Parkinson's disease indicate that these variations do not benefit long-term survival but do predispose to adult-onset diseases and that centenarians are genetically hitting the "golden mean."

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Effects of mercury and chromium upon longevity of Diplostomum sp. (Trematoda: Diplostomidae) cercariae.

Laboratory experiments were carried out to examine the impact of mercury and chromium upon survival of Diplostomum sp. cercariae. Freshly emerged cercariae were exposed to solutions of either mercury, at concentrations ranging between 0.1 and 100 microg/l, or chromium at concentrations from 2 microg/l to 2 mg/l. The mortality patterns and mean survival times (MSTs) of the exposed parasites were determined by the Kaplan-Meier estimator and were compared (log-rank test) with corresponding patterns and estimators of the unexposed controls. Mercury concentrations > or = 10 microg/l caused statistically significant changes in the mortality pattern of Diplostomum sp. cercariae and reduced MST by at least 9 h compared with the control group, in which MST was 42 h. Cercariae exposed to chromium solutions had statistically significant changes in mortality pattern only at a concentration of 2 mg/l and exhibited a reduction in MST of 8 h compared with the control (MST = 41 h). The results show for the first time that longevity of Diplostomum sp. cercariae can be reduced by direct exposure to heavy metals. Ecotoxicological effects of mercury are manifested at lower concentrations than those of chromium, and thus potentially have a higher impact on parasite populations and communities.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Longevity and effects of temperature on the viability and polar-tube extrusion of spores of Glugea stephani, a microsporidian parasite of commercial flatfish.

Food contamination with respect to microsporidiosis in humans (associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and in marine fish farming deserves particular attention. For the first time, a study on the longevity and resistance to both heat and freezing of the spores of a vertebrate microsporidian, Glugea stephani, parasitizing a commercial flatfish was carried out. As judged on the basis of determinations of the extrusion rate, the resistance of the spores to temperature stress was remarkable. The extrusion rate, which can be directly related to infectivity, was always lower than the viability (membrane integrity). It should be pointed out that neither heat (60 degrees C for 30 min) nor freezing (-19 degrees C for 24 h) caused a complete reduction in the extrusion rate or viability. Consequently, the ingestion of poorly cooked or raw fish (even if previously frozen) represents a danger for aquaculture and, probably, for immunodepressed patients.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Longevity-associated NADH dehydrogenase subunit-2 237 Leu/Met polymorphism influences the effects of alcohol consumption on serum uric acid levels in nonobese Japanese men.

NADH dehydrogenase subunit-2 237 leucine/methionine (ND2-237 Leu/Met) polymorphism is reportedly associated with longevity in the Japanese population. The ND2-237Met genotype may confer resistance to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular atherogenic diseases. Hyperuricemia is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. To investigate whether ND2-237 Leu/Met polymorphism is associated with serum uric acid (SUA) levels, we conducted a cross-sectional study in 321 healthy Japanese male subjects. In nonobese (body mass index, BMI<25) male subjects, interaction between ND2-237 Leu/Met genotypes and drinking frequency on SUA levels was observed (P=0.031). The SUA levels were significantly higher in daily drinkers with ND2-237Leu than in non-daily drinkers with ND2-237Leu (P=0.018). In nonobese men, after adjustment for covariates, daily drinkers with ND2-237Leu had a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) for hyperuricemia (SUA> or =6.5 mg/dl: vs. daily drinkers with ND2-237Met, OR=3.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-9.29; vs. non-daily drinkers with ND2-237Leu, OR=3.22, 95% CI 1.39-7.45; SUA> or =7.0 mg/dl: vs. non-daily drinkers with ND2-237Met, OR=3.53, 95% CI 1.00-12.4). However, in obese (BMI> or =25) men, no significant interaction between ND2-237 Leu/Met polymorphism and habitual drinking on SUA levels or on the risk for hyperuricemia was observed. These results suggest that ND2-237 Leu/Met polymorphism modulates the effects of daily alcohol consumption on SUA levels in nonobese Japanese men.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2006

Can dietary restriction increase longevity in all species, particularly in human beings? Introduction to a debate among experts.

This article introduces a special issue of Biogerontology, for which a number of international experts who are still active or have been active in research on the effects of dietary restriction (DR) were asked to answer the following question. Do you think that DR can increase longevity in all species, particularly in human beings? Twelve scientists responded with their opinion articles of which roughly half of them taking the position that yes, DR can be applicable to human beings, while the other half arguing for the inapplicability of DR to humans. The conclusions of these learned opinions are summarized here.

Aging↗
PubMed2005

The impact of new drug launches on longevity: evidence from longitudinal, disease-level data from 52 countries, 1982-2001.

We perform an econometric analysis of the effect of new drug launches on longevity, using data from the IMS Health Drug Launches database and the WHO Mortality Database. Under conservative assumptions, our estimates imply that the average annual increase in life expectancy of the entire population resulting from new drug launches is about one week, and that the incremental cost effectiveness ratio (new drug expenditure per person per year divided by the increase in life-years per person per year attributable to new drug launches) is about $6750--far lower than most estimates of the value of a statistical life-year.

Diffusion of Innovation↗
PubMed1982

Current concepts: III. Molecular aspects of dietary modulation of transcription and enhanced longevity.

Dietary restriction is a known means of prolonging the life span of animals. How diet can increase longevity at the molecular level is not yet known. As organisms age, there is a decrease in the ability ot synthesize RNA and a decrease in protein synthesis indicating that there is an overall loss in gene expression. In addition, a decrease in protein turnover is evident indicating a lack of cellular renewal because of the accumulation of tissue protein. Evidence is presented in this review, that certain dietary regimens appear to be capable of enhancing the synthesis of mRNA and probably also produce enhanced turnover of tissue proteins. It is proposed that the physiological "stress" produced by restricted feeding paradigms can enhance gene expression and that this may be a significant factor in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis for a longer period of time.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Longevity, stability and DNA repair.

The functional capacity of a cell, tissue, organ, or organism is dependent upon its ability to maintain the stability of its unit components. The higher the differentiated state of the system, the greater the amount of stability required to maintain that state as a function of time. Stability can be achieved via either redundancy or repair. Redundancy while easily achievable in biological systems is both costly and limited by thermodynamic considerations. Repair, in its general sense, has no such limitations. Repair at the cellular and macromolecular level is multiple in its forms and varies as a function of species, tissue, and stage of the cell cycle. The repair of DNA damage is a dynamic process with many components and subcomponents, each interacting with one another in order to achieve a balance between individual stability and evolutionary diversity. Thus, between internal and external factors which damage DNA and the subsequent expression of alterations in the functional stability of DNA lie the multi-functional pathways which attempt to maintain DNA fidelity. A strong correlation between ulta-violet light induced excision or pre-replication repair, as measured by autoradiogrphy and maximum species lifespan has been reported within different strains of the same species, between related species (e.g. Mus musculus and Peromyscus leucopus), between five orders of mammals, and most recently within members of the primate family. As has been demonstrated by the authors and others, differences in excision repair between species and tissues may relate to the turning off of portions of the repair processes during embryogenesis. Regardless of why such correlations exist or the nature of their mechanisms, it is naive to either assert or deny a causal role for DNA repair in longevity assurance systems. For example, while species-related differences in DNA repair may reflect the turning off of such repair processes during fetal development this does not mean that rates of accumulation of DNA damage are not altered by such changes. Indeed, such a phenomena might well explain the rapid evolution of lifespan within the primates without a concurrent input of new genes.

Aging↗