Real-Time PCR Analysis of Metabolism-Related Genes in a Long-Lived Model of C. elegans

In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the mammalian tumor suppressor p53 ortholog CEP-1 (C. elegans p53-like protein) is associated not only with the stress response, germline apoptosis, and meiotic chromosome segregation but also with longevity through the modification of energy metabolism during aging. The mitochondrial respiration-related gene sco-1 in C. elegans is orthologous to the human SCO1 gene and a target of p53/CEP-1. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, we recently found that the expression levels of sco-1 gene were increased in wild-type C. elegans in an aging-related manner and decreased in long-lived cep-1 mutants. Here, we describe the relative quantitative strategy using a commercial real-time PCR system to detect more accurately differences in the levels of expressed genes between long-lived and wild-type C. elegans strains. To estimate the expression levels of target genes compared with wild-type using relative quantification, we used the expression levels of an endogenous control gene, such as a housekeeping gene. In addition, it is critical to normalize differences in the expression levels of the common housekeeping gene among the strains analyzed for an accurate comparison of the quantitative expression levels of target genes.

FOXO Transcription Factors: A Brief Overview

Forkhead box O (FOXO) transcription factors constitute a mammalian family of proteins, comprising FOXO1, FOXO3, FOXO4, and FOXO6. Originally recognized as downstream regulators within the insulin pathway, FOXO factors exhibit the ability to bind to diverse target gene promoters, thereby governing crucial facets of cellular homeostasis. These encompass cellular energy generation, resilience against oxidative stress, and the modulation of cell viability and proliferation. The dysregulation of FOXO proteins has been established as pivotal in metabolic disorders, human longevity, and the inhibition of tumorigenesis. Notably subject to posttranslational modifications for regulation, FOXO inactivation predominantly arises from excessive activation of their upstream modifying enzymes, presenting a plethora of potential avenues for pharmaceutical reinstatement of FOXO activity.

Short communication: Do veterinary diagnoses coming from electronic recording system of veterinary treatments have the potential to be used for breeding in small populations? The case of the dual-purpose Alpine Grey cattle breed

In cattle breeding, emphasis has historically been placed on productive traits, so-called primary traits, while health and fitness traits have been overlooked due to their low heritability and partly negative genetic correlations with productivity. In addition, the recording of phenotypes caused problems due to a lack of high-quality information and / or high costs of recording. This oversight has additionally led to increased incidences of fertility issues and health problems in cattle populations, resulting in economic losses and consumer concerns regarding animal welfare and food safety. This study investigates the potential use of veterinary diagnoses, collected via the Italian electronic recording system of veterinary treatments, for breeding decisions in the local dual-purpose Alpine Grey cattle breed for which the consideration of functional traits in breeding has also become imperative over the last years. The dataset comprised 97 821 records spanning from 2021 to 2023, representing 8 273 individuals and 18 110 lactations of the Alpine Grey breed. Each record documented the administration of treatments for mammary, respiratory, and urogenital pathologies. After data editing and model development, heritability estimates were obtained for each pathology using univariate linear animal models and gibbs sampling algorithms. Results indicate that mammary pathologies affected the highest number of cows (11%), followed by respiratory (4%) and urogenital (5%) pathologies. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.01 to 0.04 across all traits, confirming generally low heritability values. Respiratory pathologies exhibited the highest heritability (0.04; sd 0.04), followed by mammary (0.03; sd 0.01) and urogenital (0.01; sd 0.01) pathologies. This study, although preliminary, provides valuable insights into the health status of local dual-purpose Alpine Grey cattle and highlights the potential of considering veterinary diagnoses for improving animal health and welfare in dairy cattle breeding. However, the low heritability of these traits, which is consistent with literature data, clearly shows the current limitations of using them for breeding. Further, the diagnostic key of the Italian electronic recording system of veterinary treatments should be specified for the use of health data for breeding purposes, as it is formulated in too general manner in its current form. Nevertheless, their significance for animal welfare and economic sustainability underlines the need for their consideration in dairy cattle breeding. Therefore, further research with larger sample sizes and consideration of additional indicators, such as somatic cell counts, is recommended to enhance the accuracy of genetic evaluations and improve breeding strategies for sustainable cattle production.

The development and validation of a nomogram-based risk prediction model for mortality among older adults

Objective

This research aims to construct and authenticate a comprehensive predictive model for all-cause mortality, based on a multifaceted array of risk factors.

Methods

The derivation cohort for this study was the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), while the Healthy Ageing and Biomarkers Cohort Study (HABCS) and the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were used as validation cohorts. Risk factors were filtered using lasso regression, and predictive factors were determined using net reclassification improvement. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to establish the mortality risk prediction equations, and the model's fit was evaluated using a discrimination concordance index (C-index). To evaluate the internal consistency of discrimination and calibration, a 10x10 cross-validation technique was employed. Calibration plots were generated to compare predicted probabilities with observed probabilities. The prediction ability of the equations was demonstrated using nomogram.

Results

The CLHLS (mean age 88.08, n = 37074) recorded 28158 deaths (179683 person-years) throughout the course of an 8-20 year follow-up period. Additionally, there were 1384 deaths in the HABCS (mean age 86.74, n = 2552), and 1221 deaths in the CHARLS (mean age 72.48, n = 4794). The final all-cause mortality model incorporated demographic characteristics like age, sex, and current marital status, as well as functional status indicators including cognitive function and activities of daily living. Additionally, lifestyle factors like past smoking condition and leisure activities including housework, television viewing or radio listening, and gardening work were included. The C-index for the derivation cohort was 0.728 (95% CI: 0.724-0.732), while the external validation results for the CHARS and HABCS cohorts were 0.761 (95% CI: 0.749-0.773) and 0.713 (95% CI: 0.697-0.729), respectively.

Conclusion

This study introduces a reliable, validated, and acceptable mortality risk predictor for older adults in China. These predictive factors have potential applications in public health policy and clinical practice.

How general practitioners perceive the aging trajectory of oldest-old - A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

A new population of older people is growing: the oldest-old. The care of the oldest-old (individuals aged 90 and over) is a new challenge in primary care. This study aimed to analyze the perception of General Practitioners (GP) on (1) the aging process of their patients up to a very advanced age, (2) how to adapt their practice to the care of these patients.

METHODS

We conducted a qualitative study using focus group (face to face) and individual (video call) interviews of GPs in southwest France. The sampling was purposive. We analyzed the interviews using an inductive approach based on the phases of thematic analysis. We used researchers' triangulation during the process. Collection was concluded when saturation was reached.

RESULTS

Three focus groups and one individual interview were conducted with a total of seventeen general practitioners. GP perception concerning aging and very advanced age were based on their personal experience and their daily clinical practice. Aging was perceived as an individual, unconscious, unpredictable and irreversible phenomenon. The shift towards "very old age" appeared inevitable. It could be a physical or psychological shift, or patients neglecting themselves or lacking a project. The care of the oldest-old became more specific and individual, adapted to the wishes of the patient. Those adaptations involve medical disengagement to focus on the most essential outcomes. The objectives of health care needed to be less strict with limited invasive practices. Prevention needed to focus mainly on prevention of falls and limitation of functional decline.

CONCLUSION

GPs identified an inevitable and unpredictable shift from old age to very old age. The adaption of the theory of disengagement allowed us to identify a medical disengagement of the GPs in the care of their oldest patients.

Anticipation of deteriorating health and information avoidance

We integrate anticipatory utility and endogenous beliefs about future negative health shocks into a life-cycle model of physiological aging. Individuals care about their future utility derived from their health status and form endogenous beliefs about the probability of a negative health shock. We calibrate the model with data from gerontology and use the model to predict medical testing decisions of individuals. We find that anticipation in combination with endogenous beliefs provides a quantitatively strong motive to avoid medical testing for Huntington's disease, which explains the low testing rates found empirically. We also study the case of breast and ovarian cancer and provide an explanation for why testing rates depend on the individual's income when treatment is available.

The comparison of dispersal rate between invasive and native species varied by plant life form and functional traits

A long dispersal distance is widely used to indicate high invasiveness, but it ignores the temporal dimensions of plant invasion. Faster dispersal rates (= distance/time) of invasive species than native ones have been widely used in modeling species invasion and planning control management. However, the comparison of dispersal rate between invasive and native plants, particularly for dispersal on a local or landscape scale, has not been tested with a comprehensive dataset. Moreover, both the effects of plant functional traits on the dispersal rate and variation in the functional-trait effects between invasive and native plants remain elusive. Compiling studies from 30 countries globally, we compared seed dispersal rates (km/year) on a local or landscape scale between 64 observations of invasive and 78 observations of native plants given effects of plant life forms, disturbance levels, and measurement methods. Furthermore, we compared the effects of functional traits on dispersal rate between invasive and native species. We found that: (1) Trait values were similar between the invasive and native plants except for the greater height of woody native plants than woody invasive ones; (2) Compared within the same plant life form, the faster dispersal rates of invasive species were found in herbaceous plants, not in woody plants, and disturbance level and measurement methods did not affect the rate comparison; (3) Plant height and seed length had significant effects on dispersal rates of both invasive and native plants, but the effect of leaf dry matter content (LDMC) was only significant on herbaceous invasive plants. The comparison of dispersal rate between invasive and native plants varied by plant life form. The convergent values but divergent dispersal effects of plant traits between invasive and native species suggest that the trait effects on invasiveness could be better understood by trait association with key factors in invasiveness, e.g., dispersal rate, than the direct trait comparison between invasive and native plants.

Performance of restorations in primary molars over a seven-year period

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use and reintervention rate of fillings compared to preformed metal crowns in the everyday clinical practice of German dentists.

METHODS

In this retrospective, longitudinal analysis, fee codes from the Kassenzahnärztliche Vereinigung Westfalen-Lippe for restorations placed in primary molars between 2012 and 2015 in children until 7 years of age followed for a 7-year period (latest until December 2022) were filtered and analyzed with the Fine and Gray competing risk regression and Cox proportional hazards regression to calculate the risk of reintervention divided into the main outcomes "Successful", "Minor Failure/Repair" and "Major Failure/Endodontic Treatment/Extraction". 367,139 primary molars (one-surface fillings: n = 117,721; two-surface fillings n = 198,815; three-surface fillings n = 36,695; more than three-surface fillings n = 8,267 and preformed metal crowns n = 5,641 were included in this study.

RESULTS

Teeth treated with preformed crowns needed significantly less re-interventions. Subdistribution hazard ratio for minor events was 0.117 (95 %-CI: 0.097 to 0.141) and hazard ratio of major events (HR=0.786; 95 %-CI: 0.695 to 0.890) when compared to one-surface fillings in multivariable adjusted analysis. Within 7-year follow-up preformed crowns required less repairs (80.6 % success rate, minor failure 4.4 %, major failure 16.3 %) than the teeth treated with composite fillings (46.2 %-52.6 % success rate, minor failure 27.0 %-39.5 %, major failure 15.5 %-28.4 %, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Within the German healthcare system fillings are the first choice for treating primary molars despite considerably higher reintervention rates. This encourages a discussion on the indication of fillings and the more durable preformed metal crowns to reduce unnecessary reintervention in young children.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study gives an unprecedented insight into the German healthcare system regarding the reintervention rates of the most relevant treatment techniques for caries in primary molars.

Genomic predictors of physical activity and athletic performance

Physical activity and athletic performance are complex phenotypes influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Recent advances in lifestyle and behavioral genomics led to the discovery of dozens of DNA polymorphisms (variants) associated with physical activity and allowed to use them as genetic instruments in Mendelian randomization studies for identifying the causal links between physical activity and health outcomes. On the other hand, exercise and sports genomics studies are focused on the search for genetic variants associated with athlete status, sports injuries and individual responses to training and supplement use. In this review, the findings of studies investigating genetic markers and their associations with physical activity and athlete status are reported. As of the end of September 2023, a total of 149 variants have been associated with various physical activity traits (of which 42 variants are genome-wide significant) and 253 variants have been linked to athlete status (115 endurance-related, 96 power-related, and 42 strength-related).

A randomized, controlled clinical trial demonstrates improved owner-assessed cognitive function in senior dogs receiving a senolytic and NAD+ precursor combination

Age-related decline in mobility and cognition are associated with cellular senescence and NAD + depletion in dogs and people. A combination of a novel NAD + precursor and senolytic, LY-D6/2, was examined in this randomized controlled trial. Seventy dogs with mild to moderate cognitive impairment were enrolled and allocated into placebo, low or full dose groups. Primary outcomes were change in cognitive impairment measured with the owner-reported Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Rating (CCDR) scale and change in activity measured with physical activity monitors. Fifty-nine dogs completed evaluations at the 3-month primary endpoint, and 51 reached the 6-month secondary endpoint. There was a significant difference in CCDR score across treatment groups from baseline to the primary endpoint (p = 0.02) with the largest decrease in the full dose group. No difference was detected between groups using in house cognitive testing. There were no significant differences between groups in changes in measured activity. The proportion of dogs that improved in frailty and owner-reported activity levels and happiness was higher in the full dose group than other groups, however this difference was not significant. Adverse events occurred equally across groups. All groups showed improvement in cognition, frailty, and activity suggesting placebo effect and benefits of trial participation. We conclude that LY-D6/2 improves owner-assessed cognitive function over a 3-month period and may have broader, but more subtle effects on frailty, activity and happiness as reported by owners.

Environmental selenium and human longevity: An ecogeochemical perspective

Selenium (Se) has been called the "longevity element" by the scientific community because it has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant activity in humans. The geochemical properties and biological functions of Se have been widely studied in various fields, including geology, agriculture, and medicine. Bama Yao Autonomous County (Bama), a typical township in China with high longevity among the population, was selected as the research area. The present study organically combines the geological background, dietary structure, absorption and metabolism, and other biogeochemical aspects to comprehensively analyze the anti-aging properties of Se under high-Se conditions and a fiber-rich polysaccharide diet. Biogeochemical samples of surface soil, food, human hair, and urine were systematically collected from the environment and the residents, and the content and speciation of Se were analyzed. Concentrations of Se in the soil were moderate to high for Bama, with high-Se soil in 77.21% of the samples. Water-soluble Se concentrations were also high, 90% of the samples with moderate to high Se, and had a significant positive correlation with Se concentrations in crops. With both high total and high available Se, dietary samples from the study area showed Se-enriched characteristics. Accordingly, Se intake was also high (82.54 μg/d) in the population, strongly maintaining the normal bodily functions of the elderly. Accumulation and metabolism of Se in the population were assessed based on concentrations of Se in the hair and urine of residents over 60 years old. Continuous accumulation of Se was found to occur from 71 to 80 years of age. Concentrations of Se in residents under 71 years old and over 80 years old were in a state of loss. Overall, Se absorption and metabolism are maintained at the optimal physiological state, which is one of the primary factors maintaining the health and longevity of the elderly people in the study area.

Antioxidant and longevity inducing properties of coconut water on human dermal fibroblasts

Coconut water is a popular drink in tropical countries and worldwide due to its delicious taste, easy consumption and nutritionally rich properties. Our study aimed to identify bioactive compounds of coconut varieties and their antioxidant as well as longevity effects in 2 different groups of coconuts. These include the bleeding coconut varieties, which are currently most available in the market, namely the Ban Phaeo and Ratchaburi coconut varieties, and the traditional coconut varieties, including Kon-jib and Sampran coconut varieties. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) was used to profile the metabolites in coconut water which revealed 27 metabolites including sugar, organic acids, fatty acids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. A multivariate data analysis demonstrated an organic acid and phenolic metabolites as the antioxidant bioactive metabolites in coconut water. In addition, the coconut varieties had higher antioxidant bioactive metabolites compared to traditional coconut varieties, while traditional coconut varieties had higher sugar levels. Furthermore, the varieties containing higher antioxidants bioactive metabolites were chosen to examine the longevity effect on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The results revealed that coconut water can significantly decrease cytosolic oxidation in hydrogen peroxide treated HDFs cell line and mediated longevity of fibroblast cells by modulating the expression of proteins in longevity pathway. Data from our study indicate that coconut water serves as source of antioxidants which can be mediated longevity of dermal cell. Moreover, this study provides the useful information for the coconut water production and distribution business.

Cacao Procyanidins-Induced Lifespan Extension in Caenorhabditis elegans in a Nervous System and CaMKII-Dependent Manner

Procyanidins are gaining attention due to their potential health benefits. We found that cacao liquor procyanidin (CLPr) from Theobroma cacao seeds increased the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans, a representative model organism for aging studies. The genetic dependence of the lifespan-extending effect of CLPr was consistent with that of blueberry procyanidin, which is dependent on unc-43, osr-1, sek-1, and mev-1, but not on daf-16, sir-2.1, or skn-1. The lifespan-extending effect of CLPr was inhibited by neuron-specific RNA interference (RNAi) targeting unc-43 and pmk-1, and in worms with loss-of-function mutations in the odr-3, odr-1, or tax-4 genes, which are essential in sensory neurons, including AWC neurons. It was also inhibited in worms in which AWC neurons or AIB interneurons had been eliminated, and in worms with loss-of-function mutations in eat-4 or glr-1, which are responsible for glutamatergic synaptic transmission. These results suggest that the lifespan-extending effect of CLPr is dependent on the nervous system. In addition, it also requires unc-43 and pmk-1 expression in nonneuronal cells, as demonstrated by the experiments with RNAi in wild-type worms, the neuronal cells of which are not affected by systemic RNAi. The osr-1 gene is expressed in hypodermal and intestinal cells and regulates the response to osmotic stress along with unc-43/calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Consistent with this, CLPr improved osmotic stress tolerance in an unc-43- and pmk-1-dependent manner, and it was also dependent on AWC neurons. The lifespan-extending and osmotic-tolerance-improving activities were attributed to procyanidins with a tetrameric or higher-order oligomeric structure.

A description of the relationship in healthy longevity and aging-related disease: from gene to protein

Human longevity is a complex phenotype influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. It is also known to be associated with various types of age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The central dogma of molecular biology demonstrates the conversion of DNA to RNA to the encoded protein. These proteins interact to form complex cell signaling pathways, which perform various biological functions. With prolonged exposure to the environment, the in vivo homeostasis adapts to the changes, and finally, humans adopt the phenotype of longevity or aging-related diseases. In this review, we focus on two different states: longevity and aging-related diseases, including CVD and AD, to discuss the relationship between genetic characteristics, including gene variation, the level of gene expression, regulation of gene expression, the level of protein expression, both genetic and environmental influences and homeostasis based on these phenotypes shown in organisms.

Intracellular cytokines in peritoneal leukocytes relate to lifespan in aging and long-lived female mice

Peritoneal immune cell function is a reliable indicator of aging and longevity in mice and inflammaging is associated with a shorter lifespan. Nevertheless, it is unknown if the content of cytokines in these immune cells is linked to individual differences in lifespan. Therefore, this work aimed to investigate different peritoneal leukocyte populations and their content in intracellular pro-inflammatory (TNF and IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines by flow cytometry in adult (10 months-old, n = 8) and old (18 months-old, n = 20) female Swiss/ICR mice. In addition, old mice were monitored longitudinally throughout their aging process, and the same markers were analyzed at the very old (24 months-old, n = 8) and long-lived (30 months-old, n = 4) ages. The longitudinal follow-up allowed us to relate the investigated parameters to individual lifespans. The results show that long-lived female mice exhibit an adult-like profile in most parameters investigated but also display specific immune adaptations, such as increased CD4+ and CD8+ T cells containing the pro-inflammatory TNF cytokine and CD4+ T cells and macrophages containing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. These adaptations may underlie their exceptional longevity. In addition, a negative correlation was obtained between the percentage of cytotoxic T cells, KLRG-1/CD4, large peritoneal macrophages, and the percentage of CD4+ T cells containing IL-6 and macrophages containing IL-10 in old age and lifespan, whereas a positive correlation was found between the CD4/CD8 ratio and the longevity of the animals at the same age. These results highlight the crucial role of peritoneal leukocytes in inflammaging and longevity.

Superoxide signal orchestrates tetrathiomolybdate-induced longevity via ARGK-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans

PURPOSE

While reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been identified as key redox signaling agents contributing to aging process, which and how specific oxidants trigger healthy longevity remain unclear. This paper aimed to explore the precise role and signaling mechanism of superoxide (O2•-) in health and longevity.

METHODS

A tool for precise regulation of O2•- levels in vivo was developed based on the inhibition of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) by tetrathiomolybdate (TM) in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Then, we examined the effects of TM on lifespan, reproduction, lipofuscin accumulation, mobility, and stress resistance. Finally, the signaling mechanism for longevity induced by TM-O2•- was screened by transcriptome analysis and tested in sod-1 and argk-1 RNAi strains, sod-2, sod-3, and daf-16 mutants.

RESULTS

TM promoted longevity in C. elegans with a concomitant extension of healthy lifespan as indicated by increasing fertility and mobility and reducing lipofuscin accumulation, as well as enhanced resistance to different abiotic stresses. Mechanically, TM could precisely regulate O2•- levels in nematodes via modulating SOD1 activity. An O2•- scavenger Mn(III)TBAP abolished TM-induced lifespan extension, while an O2•- generator paraquat at low concentration mimicked the life prolongation effects. The longevity in TM-treated worms was abolished by sod-1 RNAi but was not affected in sod-2 or sod-3 mutants. Further transcriptome analysis revealed arginine kinase ARGK-1 and its downstream insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling (IIS) as potential effectors for TM-O2•‾-induced longevity, and argk-1 RNAi or daf-16 mutant nullified the longevity.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that it is feasible to precisely control specific oxidant in vivo and O2•- orchestrates TM-induced health and longevity in C. elegans via ARGK-1-IIS axis.

Longevity of acrylic and cobalt-chromium removable partial dentures-A ten-year retrospective survival analysis of 1246 denture-wearing patients

OBJECTIVES

to assess the survival rates of removable partial dentures (RPDs) and identify factors impacting their longevity.

METHODS

electronic health records were retrieved of patients aged ≥18 who received RPDs between 2010 - 2021 with a follow-up of ≥ three months. Data extracted included demographics, medical history, dental charting, periodontal screening and recording scores, prostheses details and related interventions, including new dentures/denture remakes, and maintenance. Multivariate Mixed-Effect Cox regression was performed to identify potential RPD survival risk factors. Reduced model selection was reached using a backward step-down by comparing the performance of these multivariable models using the ANOVA test.

RESULTS

1893 RPDs from 1246 patients were included, with a median follow-up of 21.8 months (range from 3 to 131.3 months). Three hundred and twelve patients received a maxillary RPD, 460 received a mandibular RPD, and the remaining 474 patients received both maxillary and mandibular RPDs. Metal-based RPDs had a median survival of 73 months (95%CI: 70 - 82) versus 45 months (95% CI: 37-67) for acrylic ones. Multivariable mixed effects Cox model showed that the lifespans of RPDs were longer amongst patients receiving more maintenance care within three months [Hazards Ratio (HR)=0.89 (0.83, 0.96)] and after three months [HR=0.53 (0.46, 0.61)] of denture delivery, patients wearing both maxillary and mandibular RPDs [HR=0.67 (0.52, 0.87)], and patients receiving metal-based RPDs [HR=0.31 (0.23, 0.42)].

CONCLUSIONS

Metal-based dentures, dual arch restoration, and increased maintenance positively impact the survival of RPDs.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Adapting consent and warranty practices is advised to reflect RPD performance variations.

Sport and longevity: an observational study of international athletes

The human lifespan is influenced by various factors, with physical activity being a significant contributor. Despite the clear benefit of exercise on health and longevity, the association between different types of sports and lifespan is yet to be considered. Accordingly, we aimed to study this association in a large international cohort of former athletes using a robust linear regression model. We collected data on athletes from public sources, accumulating a total of 95,210 observations, 95.5% of which were accounted for by males. The dataset represented athletes born between 1862 and 2002 from 183 countries across 44 sports disciplines. We calculated the change in lifespan by measuring the difference in age between athletes and the corresponding reference populations, while accounting for variations caused by sex, year of death, and country. The results revealed that various sports impacted lifespan differently, with male athletes being more likely to experience benefits from sports than female athletes. Among male athletes, pole vaulting and gymnastics were linked to the highest extension in lifespan (8.4 years, 95% CI [6.8, 9.9] and 8.2 years, 95% CI [7.4, 9], respectively), while volleyball and sumo wrestling were the most negatively associated with lifespan (- 5.4 years, 95% CI [- 7, - 3.8]; - 9.8 years, 95% CI [- 11, - 8.6], respectively). The association between lifespan and popular team sports in males was positive for cricket, rowing, baseball, water polo, Australian rules, hurling, lacrosse, field hockey, minimal for rugby, canoeing and kayaking, basketball, gridiron football, and football (soccer), and negative for handball and volleyball. Racquet sports (i.e., tennis and badminton) exhibited a consistent and positive association in both male and female athletes, as shown by an extended lifespan of up to 5.7 years in males (95% CI [5, 6.5]) and 2.8 years in females (95% CI [1.8, 3.9]). Although lacking conclusive evidence, we theorize that the observed results may be attributed to the aerobic and anaerobic characteristics of each sport, with mixed sports yielding the maximum benefits for the lifespan. While results from female athletes should be cautiously interpreted, our study highlights the complex interplay between sports and lifespan and contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the multifaceted relationship between physical activity and human longevity.

A blast from the past: To tame time with metformin

The strong evidence of metformin use in subjects affected by type 2 diabetes (T2DM) on health outcomes, together with data from pre-clinical studies, has led the gerontological research to study the therapeutic potential of such a drug as a slow-aging strategy. However, despite clinical use for over fifty years as an anti-diabetic drug, the mechanisms of action beyond glycemic control remain unclear. In this review, we have deeply examined the literature, doing a narrative review from the metformin story, through mechanisms of action to slow down aging potential, from lower organisms to humans. Based on the available evidence, we conclude that metformin, as shown in lower organisms and mice, may be effective in humans' longevity. A complete analysis and follow-up of ongoing clinical trials may provide more definitive answers as to whether metformin should be promoted beyond its use to treat T2DM as a drug that enhances both healthspan and lifespan.

What factors preventing the older adults in China from living longer: a machine learning study

BACKGROUND

The fact that most older people do not live long means that they do not have more time to pursue self-actualization and contribute value to society. Although there are many studies on the longevity of the elderly, the limitations of traditional statistics lack the good ability to study together the important influencing factors and build a simple and effective prediction model.

METHODS

Based on the the data of Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), 2008-2018 cohort and 2014-2018 cohort were selected and 16 features were filtered and integrated. Five machine learning algorithms, Elastic-Net Regression (ENR), Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), were used to develop models and assessed by internal validation with CLHLS 2008-2018 cohort and temporal validation with CLHLS 2014-2018 cohort. Besides, the best performing model was explained and according to the variable importance results, simpler models would be developed.

RESULTS

The results showed that the model developed by XGBoost algorithm had the best performance with AUC of 0.788 in internal validation and 0.806 in temporal validation. Instrumental activity of daily living (IADL), leisure activity, marital status, sex, activity of daily living (ADL), cognitive function, overall plant-based diet index (PDI) and psychological resilience, 8 features were more important in the model. Finally, with these 8 features simpler models were developed, it was found that the model performance did not decrease in both internal and temporal validation.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicated that the importance of these 8 factors for predicting the death of elderly people in China and built a simple machine learning model with good predictive performance. It can inspire future key research directions to promote longevity of the elderly, as well as in practical life to make the elderly healthy longevity, or timely end-of-life care for the elderly, and can use predictive model to aid decision-making.

What do we mean by "aging"? Questions and perspectives revealed by studies in Drosophila

What is the nature of aging, and how best can we study it? Here, using a series of questions that highlight differing perspectives about the nature of aging, we ask how data from Drosophila melanogaster at the organismal, tissue, cellular, and molecular levels shed light on the complex interactions among the phenotypes associated with aging. Should aging be viewed as an individual's increasing probability of mortality over time or as a progression of physiological states? Are all age-correlated changes in physiology detrimental to vigor or are some compensatory changes that maintain vigor? Why do different age-correlated functions seem to change at different rates in a single individual as it ages? Should aging be considered as a single, integrated process across the scales of biological resolution, from organismal to molecular, or must we consider each level of biological scale as a separate, distinct entity? Viewing aging from these differing perspectives yields distinct but complementary interpretations about the properties and mechanisms of aging and may offer a path through the complexities related to understanding the nature of aging.

Ergothioneine promotes longevity and healthy aging in male mice

Healthy aging has emerged as a crucial issue with the increase in the geriatric population worldwide. Food-derived sulfur-containing amino acid ergothioneine (ERGO) is a potential dietary supplement, which exhibits various beneficial effects in experimental animals although the preventive effects of ERGO on aging and/or age-related impairments such as frailty and cognitive impairment are unclear. We investigated the effects of daily oral supplementation of ERGO dissolved in drinking water on lifespan, frailty, and cognitive impairment in male mice from 7 weeks of age to the end of their lives. Ingestion of 4 ~ 5 mg/kg/day of ERGO remarkably extended the lifespan of male mice. The longevity effect of ERGO was further supported by increase in life and non-frailty spans of Caenorhabditis elegans in the presence of ERGO. Compared with the control group, the ERGO group showed significantly lower age-related declines in weight, fat mass, and average and maximum movement velocities at 88 weeks of age. This was compatible with dramatical suppression by ERGO of the age-related increments in plasma biomarkers (BMs) such as the chemokine ligand 9, creatinine, symmetric dimethylarginine, urea, asymmetric dimethylarginine, quinolinic acid, and kynurenine. The oral intake of ERGO also rescued age-related impairments in learning and memory ability, which might be associated with suppression of the age-related decline in hippocampal neurogenesis and TDP43 protein aggregation and promotion of microglial shift to the M2 phenotype by ERGO ingestion. Ingestion of ERGO may promote longevity and healthy aging in male mice, possibly through multiple biological mechanisms.

Six-year clinical evaluation of a copper-containing universal adhesive in non-carious cervical lesions: A split-mouth double-blind randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the clinical performance of a universal adhesive system containing 0.1 % copper nanoparticles (CuNp) in non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) after 6 years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two hundred and sixteen restorations (n = 54) were randomly placed in 36 participants with at least four NCCLs. Groups included: ER-Cu (adhesive in etch-and-rinse strategy with CuNp), ER-Ct (etch-and-rinse without CuNp), SE-Cu (self-etch with CuNp), and SE-Ct (self-etch without CuNp). Restorations were evaluated at baseline and after 1, 3, 4, and 6 years using the FDI and USPHS criteria.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

fracture of material and retention. Examiners and patients were blinded to group assignment.

RESULTS

After 6 years, 104 restorations were analyzed (ER-Cu 24, ER-Ct 29, SE-Cu 27, SE-Ct 24). Fourteen restorations loss retention (ER-Cu 6, ER-Ct 1, SE-Cu 2, SE-Ct 7). Retention rates (95 % confidence interval) were 79.3 % (61.6 - 90.1) for ER-Cu; 97.0 % (83.3 - 99.4) for ER-Ct; 93.1 % (78.1 - 98.1) for SE-Cu; and 76.7 % (59.1 - 88.2) for SE-Ct, with statistical differences between SE-Cu vs. ER-Ct, and SE-Ct vs. ER-Ct (p < 0.05). Thirty-one restorations (ER-Cu 6, ER-Ct 5, SE-Cu 9, SE-Ct 11) showed minor marginal staining, and forty-one restorations (ER-Cu 8, ER-Ct 10, SE-Cu 11, SE-Ct 12) presented minimal marginal adaptation defects (p > 0.05). No significant differences were found for other secondary parameters (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This is the first 6-year clinical trial showing the long-term behavior of a universal adhesive system in NCCLs. The addition of CuNp does not affect the clinical performance of the universal adhesive.

Causal mediation analysis of the neuroprotection of APOE2 through lipid pathways

Background

Recent studies have revealed a strong association between the e2 allele of the Apolipoprotein E (APOE2) gene and lipid metabolites. In addition, APOE2 carriers appear to be protected from cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. This correlation supports the hypothesis that lipids may mediate the protective effect of APOE2 on cognitive function, thereby providing potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Methods

We conducted a causal mediation analysis to estimate both the direct effect of APOE2 and its indirect effect through 19 lipid species on cognitive function, using metrics from the digital Clock Drawing Test (CDT) in 1291 Long Life Family Study (LLFS) participants. The CDT metrics included think-time, ink-time, and their sum as total-time to complete the test.

Results

Compared to carriers of the common APOE3, APOE2 carriers completed the CDT significantly faster. Two lipids showed protective mediation when elevated in the blood, resulting in shorter CDT think-time (CE 18:3), ink-time (TG 56:5), and total completion time (CE 18:3 and TG 56:5). Elevated TG 56:4, in contrast, showed deleterious mediation resulting in increased ink-time. The combined indirect effect through all lipids significantly mediated 23.1% of the total effect of APOE2 on total-time, reducing it by 0.92s (95% CI: 0.17, 2.00). Additionally, the sum of total indirect effect from all lipids also mediated 27.3% of the total effect on think-time, reducing it by 0.75s, and 13.6% of the total effect on ink-time, reducing it by 0.17s, though these reductions were statistically insignificant. Sensitivity analysis yielded consistent results of the combined indirect effects and total effects and identified additional significant lipid pathways (CE 22:6, TG 51:3, and TG 54:2).

Conclusions

We found that the combined indirect effect through all lipids could mediate 10%-27% of the total direct effect of APOE2 on CDT times. We identified both protective and deleterious lipids, providing insights for new therapeutics targeting those lipids to modulate the protective effects of APOE2 on cognition.

Lessons from Sicilian Centenarians for Anti-Ageing Medicine. The Oxi-Inflammatory Status

Population ageing is a great achievement of humanity, but it also represents a challenge that the Western world is currently facing, as ageing is associated with increased susceptibility to age-related inflammatory diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms of healthy ageing to prevent the harmful aspects of ageing. The study of long living individuals (LLIs) is a great model for trying to achieve this goal. Accordingly, the oxy-inflammatory status of Sicilian LLIs was reviewed in the present paper. Based on the reported data, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress strategies have been discussed, useful for delaying or avoiding the onset of age-related diseases, thus favouring a healthy ageing process.