Tracing the Origins of Successful Aging: The Role of Childhood Conditions and Societal Context

This study investigates the role of childhood conditions and societal context in older Europeans’ propensity to age successfully, controlling for later life risk factors. Successful aging was assessed following Rowe and Kahn’s conceptualization, using baseline interviews from the first two waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). These data were merged with retrospective life-histories of participants from 13 Continental European countries, collected in 2008-09 as part of the SHARELIFE project. Our sample consists of 22,474 men and women, who are representative of the non-institutionalized population aged 50 or older (mean age: 63.3) in their respective country. Estimating multilevel logistic models, we controlled for demographics (age, sex), childhood conditions (SES, health, cognition), later life risk factors (various dimensions of SES and health behaviors), as well as country-level measures of public social expenditures and social inequality. There is an dependent association of childhood living conditions with elders’ odds of aging well. Higher parental SES, better math and reading skills, as well as self-reports of good childhood health were positively associated with successful aging, even if contemporary characteristics were controlled for. Later-life SES and health behaviors exhibited the expected correlations with our dependent variable. Moreover, higher levels of public social expenditures and lower levels of income inequality were associated with a greater probability to meet Rowe and Kahn’s successful aging criterion. We conclude that unfavorable childhood conditions exhibit a harmful influence on individuals’ chances to age well across all European welfare states considered in this study. Policy interventions should thus aim at improving the conditions for successful aging throughout the entire life-course.

Finanzielle Probleme und Stress im Lebenslauf haben einen Einfluss auf das Risiko einer Herzerkrankung im späteren Leben

"Laut Weltgesundheitsorganisation zählen Herzerkrankungen (cardiovascular diseases) zu den häufigsten Todesursachen weltweit. Unter Herzerkrankungen fallen dabei z.B. Bluthochdruck, Herzinfarkt, Schlaganfall und ähnliche Erkrankungen. Als Hauptursache für Herzerkrankungen werden Rauchen, wenig Bewegung, ungesundes Essen und Alkoholmissbrauch angeführt. Daneben spielen aber auch Vererbung, Armut und Stress eine Rolle (WHO 2015). Was Herzerkrankungen von anderen Krankheiten deutlich unterscheidet ist, dass das Risiko einer Herzerkrankung auch mit Deprivation in der Kindheit verbunden ist (Brunner 1997). Mit ungünstigen Bedingungen in der Kindheit sind in der Regel die Auswirkungen von Armut und ökonomischer Benachteiligung auf schlechtere Aufstiegschancen im späteren Leben gemeint (z.B. Brunner 1997, Pearlin et al. 2005). Diese ungünstigeren Lebensbedingungen sind dafür verantwortlich, dass Personen im Laufe ihres Lebens größerem Stress und Stress auslösenden Lebensumständen, wie einem höheren Armutsrisiko, ausgesetzt sind, der sich kurz-, mittel- und langfristig negativ auf die Gesundheit auswirken kann (Brunner 1997, Thoits 2010). Im folgenden Aufsatz soll genau dieser Einfluss von Stress und Stressoren auf das Auftreten einer Herzerkrankung untersucht werden. Dazu werden die internationalen Daten des 2008-2009 erhobenen SHARELIFE Projekts verwendet. Diese Daten bieten die Möglichkeit, Lebensbedingungen über den ganzen Lebenslauf zu berücksichtigen und mit Erkrankungen im späteren Leben in Verbindung zu bringen." (Autorenreferat

Early vessel destabilization mediated by Angiopoietin-2 and subsequent vessel maturation via Angiopoietin-1 induce functional neovasculature after ischemia.

We assessed whether Angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), a Tie2 ligand and partial antagonist of Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1), is required for early vessel destabilization during postischemic angiogenesis, when combined with vascular growth factors. In vitro, matrigel co-cultures assessed endothelial-cell tube formation and pericyte recruitment after stimulation of VEGF-A, Apelin (APLN), Ang1 with or without Ang2. In a murine hindlimb ischemia model, adeno-associated virus (rAAV, 3×10(12) virusparticles) transduction of VEGF-A, APLN and Ang1 with or without Ang2 (continuous or early expression d0-3) was performed intramuscularly (d-14). Femoral artery ligation was performed at d0, followed by laser doppler perfusion meassurements (LDI) 7 and 14. At d7 (early timepoint) and d14 (late timepoint), histological analysis of capillary/muscle fiber ratio (CMF-R, PECAM-1) and pericyte/capillary ratio (PC-R, NG2) was performed. In vitro, VEGF-A, APLN and Ang1 induced ring formation, but only APLN and Ang1 recruited pericytes. Ang2 did not affect tube formation by APLN, but reduced pericyte recruitment after APLN or Ang1 overexpression. In vivo, rAAV.VEGF-A did not alter LDI-perfusion at d14, consistent with an impaired PC-R despite a rise in CMF-R. rAAV.APLN improved perfusion at d14, with or without continuous Ang2, increasing CMF-R and PC-R. rAAV.Ang1 improved perfusion at d14, when combined with rAAV.Ang2 (d0-3), accompanied by an increased CMF-R and PC-R. The combination of early vessel destabilization (Ang2 d0-3) and continuous Ang1 overexpression improves hindlimb perfusion, pointing to the importance of early vessel destabilization and subsequent vessel maturation for enhanced therapeutic neovascularization

Reziprozität zwischen erwachsenen Generationen: Familiale Transfers im Lebenslauf

Zusammenfassung: Generationenbeziehungen zeichnen sich durch Solidarität und wechselseitige Unterstützung aus. Einerseits helfen und pflegen Kinder ihre betagten Eltern, andererseits unterstützen diese ihre erwachsenen Kinder, z.B. während der Ausbildung oder bei der Familiengründung. In diesem Beitrag greifen wir aus einer Lebenslaufperspektive folgende Fragen auf: Ist der Austausch zwischen Eltern und ihren Kindern in Europa über die verschiedenen Lebens- und Familienphasen ausbalanciert? Lassen sich Muster direkter oder indirekter Reziprozität finden? Welche Faktoren begünstigen die Unterstützung zwischen den Generationen, und welche stehen ihr im Weg? Anhand von multinomialen Mehrebenenanalysen auf Basis des Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) können zeitliche und finanzielle Transfers zwischen Eltern und erwachsenen Kindern auf Bedürfnis-, Opportunitäts- und Familienstrukturen zurückgeführt werden. Gleichzeitig bestehen deutliche Unterschiede zwischen den Ländern, die durch kulturell-kontextuelle Strukturen, hier: familienpolitische Leistungen, erklärt werden können. Außerdem zeigen die Befunde, dass der Austausch szwischen den Generationen über den Lebenslauf hinweg reziproken Charakter aufweist, auch wenn die gegenseitige Unterstützung in einzelnen Lebensabschnitten nicht immer ausbalanciert is

Geben und Nehmen: finanzielle Leistungen zwischen Generationen im Zehn-Länder-Vergleich

"Ein wesentliches Element des Zusammenhalts erwachsener Familiengenerationen sind Generationentransfers. Finanzielle Leistungen zwischen Angehörigen wirken als Beziehungskitt. Gleichzeitig existieren Verbindungen zwischen familialen Geldtransfers und gesellschaftlichen Bedingungen. Der Einfluss geht in beide Richtungen: Einerseits wirken private Generationentransfers auf gesellschaftliche Tatbestände und Entwicklungen, andererseits beeinflussen die allgemeinen Rahmenbedingungen die Transferströme in der Familie. Zur Untersuchung solcher Wirkungszusammenhänge eignen sich besonders internationale Vergleiche. Dadurch lässt sich feststellen, inwiefern Länderspezifika die Familienbeziehungen prägen. Einige der Fragen lauten: Wie stellt sich der Generationenzusammenhalt im internationalen Vergleich dar? Kann sich jede Gesellschaft bzw. jeder Wohlfahrtsstaat auf Hilfe innerhalb der Familie verlassen (existiert sozusagen eine 'natürliche' Basis für Generationensolidarität ungeachtet von Länderkontexten)? Treten bei den einzelnen Ländern Gemeinsamkeiten bzw. Differenzen auf? Lassen sich beispielsweise besondere Muster bei skandinavischen, zentraleuropäischen und mediterranen Ländergruppen erkennen? Worauf können die Unterschiede zurückgeführt werden, und welche Rolle spielen wohlfahrtsstaatliche Bedingungen? Verdrängt der Wohlfahrtsstaat Familienleistungen, oder wirkt er eher unterstützend auf den Generationenzusammenhalt? Die empirischen Analysen basieren auf den Daten des 'Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe' (SHARE). Die Verfasser dokumentieren Befunde für Dänemark, Deutschland, Frankreich, Griechenland, Italien, Niederlande, Österreich, Schweden, Schweiz und Spanien. Dabei befassen sie sich sowohl mit alltäglichen kleineren Sach- und Geldgeschenken bzw. Zahlungen als auch mit Vermögensübertragungen in Form von Schenkungen und Erbschaften." (Autorenreferat

Socioeconomic differences in informal caregiving in Europe

Disclosing socioeconomic differences in informal care provision is increasingly important in aging societies as it helps to identify the segments of the population that may need targeted support and the types of national investments to support family caregivers. This study examines the association between individual-level socioeconomic status and informal care provision within the household. We also examine the role of contextual factors, income inequality, and the generosity of social spending, to identify how macro-level socioeconomic resource structures shape individuals’ provision of care to household members. We use pooled data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE, waves 1, 2, 4, 5, 6) and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA, waves 2, 3, 4, 6, 7). Poisson regression multilevel models estimate the associations between household socioeconomic status (education, income, and wealth), and country socioeconomic resources (income inequality and social spending as a percentage of GDP), and the likelihood of older adults’ informal care provision within the household. Results indicate that lower individual socioeconomic resources—education, income, and wealth—were associated with a higher incidence of older adults’ informal care provision within the household. At the macro-level, income inequality was positively associated while social spending was negatively associated with older adults’ care provision within the household. Our findings suggest that socioeconomically disadvantaged groups are more likely to provide informal care, which may reinforce socioeconomic inequalities. At the national level, more equitable resource distribution and social spending may reduce intensive family caregiving

Self-rated health of university students in Germany–The importance of material, psychosocial, and behavioral factors and the parental socio-economic status

Introduction: Health inequalities start early in life. The time of young adulthood, between late teens and early twenties, is especially interesting in this regard. This time of emerging adulthood, the transition from being a child to becoming an adult, is characterized by the detachment from parents and establishing of an own independent life. From a health inequality perspective, the question about the importance of the socio-economic background of parents is important. University students are an especially interesting group. Many students come from a privileged background and the question of health inequality among university students has not yet been properly studied. Methods: Based on the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS), we analyzed health inequalities among 9,000 students in Germany (∅ 20 years in the first year of their studies) over a period of 8 years. Results: We found that most university students (92%) in Germany reported a good and very good health. Yet, we still found substantial health inequalities. Students whose parents had a higher occupational status reported less health problems. Additionally, we observed that health inequalities had indirect impact on health via health behavior, psychosocial resources, and material conditions. Discussion: We believe our study is an important contribution to the understudied subject of students' health. We see the impact of social inequality on health among such a privileged group like university students as an important sign of the importance of health inequality.Peer Reviewe

Midkine Controls Arteriogenesis by Regulating the Bioavailability of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A and the Expression of Nitric Oxide Synthase 1 and 3

Midkine is a pleiotropic factor, which is involved in angiogenesis. However, its mode of action in this process is still ill defined. The function of midkine in arteriogenesis, the growth of natural bypasses from pre-existing collateral arteries, compensating for the loss of an occluded artery has never been investigated. Arteriogenesis is an inflammatory process, which relies on the proliferation of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. We show that midkine deficiency strikingly interferes with the proliferation of endothelial cells in arteriogenesis, thereby interfering with the process of collateral artery growth. We identified midkine to be responsible for increased plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), necessary and sufficient to promote endothelial cell proliferation in growing collaterals. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that leukocyte domiciled midkine mediates increased plasma levels of VEGFA relevant for upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase 1 and 3, necessary for proper endothelial cell proliferation, and that non-leukocyte domiciled midkine additionally improves vasodilation. The data provided on the role of midkine in endothelial proliferation are likely to be relevant for both, the process of arteriogenesis and angiogenesis. Moreover, our data might help to estimate the therapeutic effect of clinically applied VEGFA in patients with vascular occlusive diseases

JAK2 V617F Constitutive Activation Requires JH2 Residue F595: A Pseudokinase Domain Target for Specific Inhibitors

The JAK2 V617F mutation present in over 95% of Polycythemia Vera patients and in 50% of Essential Thrombocythemia and Primary Myelofibrosis patients renders the kinase constitutively active. In the absence of a three-dimensional structure for the full-length protein, the mechanism of activation of JAK2 V617F has remained elusive. In this study, we used functional mutagenesis to investigate the involvement of the JH2 αC helix in the constitutive activation of JAK2 V617F. We show that residue F595, located in the middle of the αC helix of JH2, is indispensable for the constitutive activity of JAK2 V617F. Mutation of F595 to Ala, Lys, Val or Ile significantly decreases the constitutive activity of JAK2 V617F, but F595W and F595Y are able to restore it, implying an aromaticity requirement at position 595. Substitution of F595 to Ala was also able to decrease the constitutive activity of two other JAK2 mutants, T875N and R683G, as well as JAK2 K539L, albeit to a lower extent. In contrast, the F595 mutants are activated by erythropoietin-bound EpoR. We also explored the relationship between the dimeric conformation of EpoR and several JAK2 mutants. Since residue F595 is crucial to the constitutive activation of JAK2 V617F but not to initiation of JAK2 activation by cytokines, we suggest that small molecules that target the region around this residue might specifically block oncogenic JAK2 and spare JAK2 wild-type