Occurrence and expansion of trisomy 7 in a fibroblast strain from a centenarian individual.

We describe the presence of metaphases with non-random gain of one or two chromosomes in a skin fibroblast strain derived from a centenarian individual. The extra elements were chromosomes 7, X, and 18, and, among these, the most frequent was a 7. During in vitro propagation +7 cells seemed to be stable and overrode the diploid ones. After prolonged growth in culture, the cell population displayed the typical senescence signs. Our findings confirm the proneness to aneuploidy in cells from aged individuals and indicate that, while the presence of a trisomic 7 may confer a selective advantage to cells grown in vitro, it does not seem to prevent cellular senescence.     

Survival following group a streptococcal septicaemia in a centenarian

We report a case of a centenarian who survived group A streptococcal septicaemia without complications. We would be interested to hear if this patient is the oldest survivor of group A streptococcal septicaemia in the U.K.     

COPD and inflammation: statement from a French expert group: inflammation and remodelling mechanisms

The present study reviews the literature on inflammation and remodelling mechanisms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The development of COPD is associated with chronic pulmonary inflammation. Immunity (innate or adaptive) plays a role in its onset and continuation. Airways inflammation alters bronchial structure/function relations: increased bronchial wall thickness, increased bronchial smooth muscle tone, seromucosal gland hypersecretion and loss of elastic structures. Circulating markers of pulmonary inflammation indicate its systemic dissemination. Oxidative stress plays a major role in the onset and persistence of tissue abnormalities. The determinants of extra- and intra-cellular redox control are only partially known. Susceptibility genes, antioxidant system insufficiency and reduced levels of anti-age molecules and of histone deacetylation are also involved. The molecular and cellular targets of inflammation and remodelling are numerous and complex. Currently, tools exist to limit inflammation in COPD but not to act on structural remodelling.     

A survey of a centenarian population in Italy, focusing on self-sufficiency and cognition

Eighty-six persons aged 100 years or older (20 males and 66 females) living in urban areas of different Italian regions were examined between 1985 and 1992, aimed at describing the characteristics of centenarians in an entire population. The female/male ratio was 4 to 1, and 69% of the centenarians lived at home. Body mass index was 21.3 in females and 24.5 in males. The subjects typically reported no major diseases, only a few hospital admittances (1.2/lifetime) and a limited use of regular medication (on average: 1.4 drugs). The mothers and fathers of the centenarians lived 76.2 and 74.2 years, respectively. The Activities of Daily Living scale revealed a decrease in instrumental activities, and an adequate self-maintenance in the majority of centenarians; a full score on the Physical Self Maintenance Scale was reached by 10% of the subjects; these scores were not significantly influenced by the isolated sensory deficits but were lower in patients with multiple impairments. The Mini Mental State Examination score was overall 17.7 +/- 8.3 for the group, reaching 24.1 in male and 20.2 in female literate subjects without major hearing or vision defects; these scores varied significantly in relation to sensory deficits and education. In our centenarian population males reached extreme old age less frequently, but with a better quality of life, than females. The good overall performance of the whole population, and especially of the subpopulation without impairments, suggests a selective survival of centenarians, as also demonstrated by the long lifespan of their immediate relatives.     

Age-related changes on platelet membrane: a study on elderly and centenarian monozygotic twins

Cellular senescence is a biological process associated with aging and longevity. Successful aging is believed to be related to the ability to cope with different environmental stresses. The objective of this study was to investigate if cellular senescence is associated with platelet membrane modifications on subjects of different age, in particular on monozygotic twins and if these changes might be affected by both genetic components and environmental factors. The work was performed on 81 monozygotic twin pairs of different age. Platelet membranes from centenarian twins showed: decreased both basal lipid peroxide levels and membrane fluidity compared with elderly subjects; Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity and SA content are similar to those evaluated in young group, suggesting one of their important roles in the successful aging. We concluded that platelet membranes from centenarians show deeper structural and functional modifications than in elderly subjects and that these changes might play a protective role against oxidative damage. No statistical difference in biochemical parameters was observed between two sibpairs in each twin pair highlighting that environmental factors (diet, life-style) affect age-related platelet membrane changes less than their common genetic component. Thus genetic factors might play an important role in the mechanisms at the basis of successful aging.     

Diet for preventing cardiovascular diseases: light from Ancel Keys, distinguished centenarian scientist

On the great occasion of Professor Ancel Keys' 100th birthday (26 January,2004), it is particularly appropriate--and highly relevant for today and tomorrow--to note the highlights of his professional accomplishments and contributions: the Seven Countries Study (SCS) he initiated and led demonstrated unequivocally in its cross-population analyses that dietary saturated fat intake significantly influences serum cholesterol and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), and in turn serum cholesterol relates to CHD risk. In SCS analyses on the several thousand individual participants, it further showed that serum cholesterol, blood pressure, and cigarette smoking all have a continuous, graded, strong, independent, predictive relation to long-term CHD. These data have been critically invaluable for the definition of the major coronary risk factors and low risk status. In scores of metabolic ward feeding trials, Keys and colleagues also demonstrated that dietary saturates and cholesterol relate positively to serum cholesterol, polyunsaturates inversely, and they derived the predictive equation bearing Keys' name. They further showed that increased dietary fiber and weight loss by obese people contribute to reduction of serum cholesterol. All these data served importantly for the development of sound public policy for CHD prevention, and Keys--along with many colleagues all over the world whom he trained and inspired--pioneered in the struggle to achieve and apply that policy in modern public health and medical care.     

Occurrence of the Chiari network in a centenarian: echocardiographic study and magnetic resonance imaging

An occasional finding of Chiari network in the right atrium of a centenarian patient confirms that it may be considered as a "normal anatomic variation" compatible with a long life span. The finding is documented by using echocardiographic and cardiac nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in a 102-year-old man.     

They really are that old: a validation study of centenarian prevalence in Okinawa

Long-lived individuals, such as centenarians, may harbor genetic or environmental advantages important for healthy aging. Populations with high prevalence of such individuals offer fertile ground for such research. However, precise phenotypes are required, particularly accurate age. Okinawa has among the world's highest reported prevalence of centenarians but, despite extensive study, no systematic validation of centenarian prevalence has been published. Therefore, we performed comprehensive age validation of a subset (8%) of the total centenarian population and assessed the reliability of the age registration system. Self-reported age was validated with several common methods and found to correlate well with documented age. Demographic methods, including assessment of age heaping, maximum age at death, centenarian proportions, and male to female ratios of centenarians indicate that the age registration system is reliable. We conclude that the high reported centenarian prevalence in Okinawa is valid and warrants further study for its genetic and environmental correlates.     

Validity of reported age and centenarian prevalence in New England.

INTRODUCTION: the age reported by or on behalf of centenarians may be suspect unless proven correct. We report the validity of age reports in a population-based sample of centenarians living in New England and the prevalence of centenarians in an area within the North Eastern USA. METHODS: cohort study. All centenarians in a population-based sample detected by local censuses. Ages were confirmed by birth certificate. Type of residence and whether the subject was living independently were also recorded. RESULTS: from a population of about 450,000 people, 289 potential centenarians were reported by the censuses of the eight towns participating in the study. Of these, 186 (64%) had died at the time centenarian prevalence was determined. Of the 80 still alive, 13 (16%) had incorrect birth years recorded by the censuses. The specificity of the censuses for stating the number of centenarians alive and living in the sample was 28-31%. Using additional sources, only four more centenarians were located, indicating that the sensitivity of the censuses approached 100%. We had an 83% success rate in obtaining proof of age in those families we interviewed. In all instances, age and birth order of children were an important source of corroborative evidence and in no case did we detect inconsistencies with the families' reported ages of the centenarian subjects. Therefore, there were at least 46 centenarians or approximately 1 centenarian per 10,000 people. CONCLUSIONS: age validation can be performed for most centenarians in the North Eastern USA. Self or family reports of those between the ages of 100 and 107 years were dependable.     

Imaging the centenarian brain. A computed tomographic study

Ten healthy and mentally alert centenarians underwent cranial computed tomography (CT) using a fourth-generation CT scanner. The subjects ranged in age from 100 to 102 years, and included six women and four men. Two of them used alcohol on a daily basis and five had systolic blood pressures of at least 160 mmHg. The CT scans demonstrated considerable variation in the degree of cerebral atrophy, which had no relation to either sex, alcohol use, or hypertension. Three of the centenarians had evidence of mild periventricular white matter lucency. Although progressive cerebral atrophy is an integral aspect of the normal aging process in the very elderly, its exact relationship to cognitive function remains unclear.