Psychological well-being of the institutionalized and community-residing oldest old in China: The role of children

Studies have shown that institutionalized older adults have worse psychological health than their community-residing counterparts. However, much less is known about this association in developing countries such as China with a rapidly aging population and a short history of institutional care. This article investigates the role of children in differences in psychological well-being between institutionalized and community-residing oldest-old adults in China. Using national data from the 1998, 2000, and 2002 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, results show that the institutionalized have significantly better psychological health-measured by positive affect, loneliness, and quality of life-than those living in the community. Furthermore, we find that the associations are moderated by child-related factors (number of children, proximity, and visits) and strengthened for the three measures of psychological well-being after adjustments for socioeconomic factors, social support, health behaviors, and health status. The results underscore the importance of family dynamics for the psychological health of the institutionalized population in a historically family-care oriented society.     

Laboratory selection for increased longevity in Drosophila melanogaster reduces field performance

Drosophila melanogaster is frequently used in ageing studies to elucidate which mechanisms determine the onset and progress of senescence. Lines selected for increased longevity have often been shown to perform as well as or superior to control lines in life history, stress resistance and behavioural traits when tested in the laboratory. Functional senescence in longevity selected lines has also been shown to occur at a slower rate. However, it is known that performance in a controlled laboratory setting is not necessarily representative of performance in nature. In this study the effect of ageing, environmental temperature and longevity selection on performance in the field was tested. Flies from longevity selected and control lines of different ages (2, 5, 10 and 15 days) were released in an environment free of natural food sources. Control flies were tested at low, intermediate and high temperatures, while longevity selected flies were tested at the intermediate temperature only. The ability of flies to locate and reach a food source was tested. Flies of intermediate age were generally better at locating resources than both younger and older flies, where hot and cold environments accelerate the senescent decline in performance. Control lines were better able to locate a resource compared to longevity selected lines of the same age, suggesting that longevity comes at a cost in early life field fitness, supporting the antagonistic pleiotropy theory of ageing.     

APBB2 genetic polymorphisms are associated with severe cognitive impairment in centenarians

APBB2 gene encodes for β-amyloid precursor protein-binding family B member 2, (APBB2, FE65-like, FE65L1), an adaptor protein binding to the cytoplasmatic domain of β-amyloid precursor protein (βAPP). Over-expression of APBB2 promotes formation of β-amyloid (Aβ), the main constituent of senile plaques. Polymorphisms within APBB2 gene have been proposed as candidate risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. However, their association with longevity has never been investigated. Here we present the first attempt to analyze APBB2 polymorphisms in centenarians. We used a PCR-RFLP method to analyze two intronic nucleotide substitutions: hCV1558625 (rs17443013) and rs13133980. We found no differences in genotype or allele distribution between centenarians and young controls. After stratification of centenarians upon their cognitive performance, the APBB2 rs13133980 G allele was over-represented in centenarians with severe cognitive impairment compared to individuals without this disability. Also the hCV1558625-rs13133980 AG haplotype increased relative risk for severe cognitive impairment in centenarians. Our results support the concept of APBB2 polymorphism association with cognitive performance in the oldest age.     

Ultraviolet light-induced DNA repair synthesis in hepatocytes from species of differing longevities

The DNA repair capabilities of cultured hepatocytes derived from five mammalian species in response to a broad range of ultraviolet light exposures were measured. Differences in the induction of DNA repair synthesis and the proportion of responding cells were noted only for the lowest fluences. These differences appeared to be positively correlated with the potential lifespans of the species involved; mouse and rat hepatocytes displayed less repair than those from guinea pig or rabbit. At higher fluence levels, however, there were no differences in the amount of repair induced. Thus the maximal repair potential of hepatocytes derived from the rat, mouse, hamster, guinea pig and rabbit were the same.     

Use of Insulin for 50 Years or More in North Canterbury,New Zealand

Previous reviews of diabetic subjects using insulin for 50 years or more have been based on clinic populations or on individuals receiving medals to mark this achievement. We interviewed all 11 subjects who had been on insulin for 50 years or more, identified from a population-based register of insulin users in North Canterbury, New Zealand. Seven of the 11 subjects had required treatment for micro- or macrovascular disease, but the functional level of the majority of survivors was nevertheless high. Diabetes had a major social impact on only one of the subjects interviewed.     

宁夏居民主要恶性肿瘤潜在寿命损失分析

目的 探讨恶性肿瘤对宁夏居民寿命的危害。方法应 用潜在寿命损失年数(YPLL)对1994—2000年宁夏死亡监测资料进行分析。结果 1994—2000年宁夏居民恶性肿瘤全死因YPLL率为8．93年／1000人口。男性YPLL率为10．78年／1000人口。女性YPLL率为7．01年／1000人口。男性高于女性。胃癌、肝癌、白血病和肺癌居YPLL的前四位。是危害宁夏居民长寿水平的主要恶性肿瘤；造成男性居民寿命损失的主要恶性肿瘤为：肝癌、胃癌、白血病和肺癌。女性为：胃癌、白血病、肝癌及子宫颈癌。恶性肿瘤潜在寿命损失的高峰年龄为45—60岁。结论 胃癌、肝癌、白血病和肺癌是危害宁夏居民健康的主要恶性肿瘤。导致男性与女性居民寿命损失的主要恶性肿瘤及其顺位不完全相同。肝癌、胃癌、白血病、肺癌及子宫颈癌是我区需要重点防治的恶性肿瘤。     

四川省2003年孕产妇死亡潜在损失分析

目的探讨孕产妇主要死亡原因及其所造成的潜在寿命、工作、价值损失情况。方法通过四川省2003年孕产妇死亡监测网收集死亡及存活产妇数,计算孕产妇死亡所造成的潜在寿命损失年数、平均减寿年数、潜在工作损失年数、潜在价值损失年数。结果2003年全省孕产妇死亡93例,潜在寿命损失年数为4016人年,平均减寿年数为43人年,潜在工作损失年数为2305人年,潜在价值损失年数为2608人年。结论孕产妇死亡年龄较轻,造成潜在损失重大,不仅危害了妇女的生命,而且对社会和经济造成了重大损失。     

Age-dependent regulation of tumor-related microRNAs in the brain of the annual fish Nothobranchius furzeri

MicroRNAs are regulators of gene expression. We used miRNA-seq by the Illumina platform to quantify and compare the temporal miRNA expression profiles in the brain of a short-lived (GRZ) and a longer-lived strain (MZM) of the annual fish Nothobranchius furzeri. We used fuzzy-c-means clustering to group miRNAs with similar profiles. In MZM, we found tumor suppressors with known negative interactions with MYC and/or positive interactions with TP53 among up-regulated miRNAs (e.g. miR-23a, miR-26a/b, miR-29a/b and miR-101a) in aged animals. Conversely, we found oncogenes which are MYC targets among down-regulated miRNAs (miR-7a, members of miR cluster 17∼92). These latter were previously shown to be regulated in human replicative aging. In addition, three regulated miRNAs (miR-181c, miR-29a and miR-338) are known to be age-regulated and to globally contribute to regulation of their targets in the human brain. Therefore, there appears to be a degree of evolutionarily conservation in age-dependent miRNA expression between humans and N. furzeri. GRZ showed specific regulation of some miRNAs, notably a marked up-regulation of miR-124, a miRNA important for neuronal differentiation. The two strains differ in their miRNA expression profiles already at sexual maturity. Short lifespan in GRZ could therefore be - at least partially - due to dysregulated miRNA expression.     

Trade-off Mediated Effects on the Genetics of Human Survival Caused by Increasingly Benign Living Conditions

It is sometimes suggested that modern life, with its planned fertility and medically assisted compensation for genetic disadvantage, has greatly reduced the power of natural selection to produce significant further human evolution. However, this overlooks the very recent and dramatic changes that have occurred in the patterns of human mortality, driven by the development of increasingly benign living conditions. Where the genetics of survival are significantly influenced by life history trade-offs, as is now thought to be the case for ageing and longevity, a change in the environment can shift the optimal balance that was established through natural selection under previous conditions. We examine this possibility in the context of the dramatic recent change in the mortality pressure exerted by infectious disease using a model of a hypothetical immunogenetic trade-off that weighs survival against fecundity. Our results predict that such a change might have a significant effect on population genetics over relatively short-timescales, and they may also resolve the paradox of genes that impair fertility in present-day populations by showing how such genes might be a legacy from a powerful trade-off that has acted until very recently.