A Population Where Men Live As Long As Women: Villagrande Strisaili, Sardinia

Usually women live longer than men and female centenarians largely outnumber male centenarians. The findings of previous studies identifying a population with a femininity ratio close to 1.0 among centenarians in the mountainous region of Sardinia was the starting point of an in-depth investigation in order to compare mortality trajectories between men and women in that population. The exceptional survival of men compared to women emerges from the comparison with similar Italian data. Age exaggeration for men has been strictly excluded as a result of the age validation procedure. The discussion suggests that besides biological/genetic factors, the behavioral factors including life style, demographic behavior, family support, and community characteristics may play an important role. No single explanation is likely to account for such an exceptional situation and a fully integrated multidisciplinary approach is urgently needed

Linear Response Equations Revisited: A Simple and Efficient Iterative Algorithm

We present an algorithm to solve the linear response equations for Hartree-Fock, Density Functional Theory, and the Multiconfigurational Self-Consistent Field method that is both simple and efficient. The algorithm makes use of the well-established symmetric and antisymmetric combinations of trial vectors but further orthogonalizes them with respect to the scalar product induced by the response matrix. This leads to a standard, symmetric block eigenvalue problem in the expansion subspace that can be solved by diagonalizing a symmetric, positive definite matrix half the size of the expansion space. Numerical tests showed that the algorithm is robust and stable

Human exceptional longevity: transcriptome from centenarians is distinct from septuagenarians and reveals a role of Bcl‐xL in successful aging

Centenarians not only enjoy an extraordinary aging, but also show a compression of morbidity. Using functional transcriptomic analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBC) we identified 1721 mRNAs differentially expressed by centenarians when compared with septuagenarians and young people. Sub‐network analysis led us to identify Bcl ‐ xL as an important gene up‐regulated in centenarians. It is involved in the control of apoptosis, cellular damage protection and also in modulation of immune response, all associated to healthy aging. Indeed, centenarians display lower plasma cytochrome C levels, higher mitochondrial membrane potential and also less cellular damage accumulation than septuagenarians. Leukocyte chemotaxis and NK cell activity are significantly impaired in septuagenarians compared with young people whereas centenarians maintain them. To further ascertain the functional role of Bcl‐ xL in cellular aging, we found that lymphocytes from septuagenarians transduced with Bcl‐xL display a reduction in senescent‐related markers. Finally, to demonstrate the role of BcL‐xL in longevity at the organism level, C. elegans bearing a gain of function mutation in the BcL‐xL ortholog ced‐9, showed a significant increase in mean and maximal life span. These results show that mRNA expression in centenarians is unique and reveals that BcL‐ xL plays an important role in exceptional aging

Longevità e identità in Sardegna : l'identificazione della "Zona Blu" dei centenari in Ogliastra

Alcuni risultati delle ricerche condotte in questi ultimi quindici anni sulla popolazione dell’entroterra sardo, nota in tutto il mondo per la lunga vita dei suoi abitanti. La ricerca si è avvalsa dell’apporto scientifico di un gruppo di ricercatori che ha indagato sia sul fenomeno della “longevità” in sé sia sulle vaste implicazioni economiche e socio-culturali che essa comporta

La longevità in Sardegna : una prospettiva storica

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Blue Zones : aires de longévité exceptionnelle de par le monde

De nombreuses études se sont intéressées aux centenaires, considérant ceux-ci comme des exemples d’un vieillissement en bonne santé. L’identification de populations longévives a également attiré l’intérêt des scientifiques et plus encore celui des médias. Dans le cadre des activités de l’International Database on Longevity, une aire de longévité exceptionnelle a été identifiée en Sardaigne. Nous avons introduit le concept de Blue Zones comme étant des zones relativement limitées dans l’espace, où la population partage un même mode de vie et environnement et montre une longévité exceptionnelle scientifiquement validée. À ce jour, quatre Blue Zones ont été identifiées : une région montagneuse de Sardaigne, l’île d’Okinawa, la péninsule de Nicoya au Costa Rica et l’île d’Ikaria en Grèce. Comparer les populations de ces Blue Zones permet de mieux mettre en évidence les déterminants de la longévité exceptionnelle qu’elles ont en commun car la plupart de ces personnes sont nées, et ont vécu, dans le même environnement. Cette contribution présente également un projet mis en œuvre aux États-Unis visant à transférer les leçons des Blue Zones à l’échelle de communautés locales afin d’améliorer l’état de santé et le bien-être de ces populations

The Blue Zones: areas of exceptional longevity around the world. Vienna Yearbook of Population Research|Vienna Yearbook of Population Research 2013 11|

The aim of this study was to compare the level of population longevity and the characteristics of four geographic areas where unusually high proportions of longlived individuals have been observed. For these areas (Ogliastra in Sardinia, Okinawa in Japan, the Nicoya peninsula in Costa Rica and the island of Ikaria in Greece). The term of ‘blue zone’ (BZ) given to these areas is defined as a limited region where the population shares a common lifestyle and environment and whose exceptional longevity has been accurately verified. This paper discusses the use of different indexes to measure the longevity of a population. As a preliminary result of our investigations we confirm the exceptional level of male longevity in the Sardinian BZ and both male and female longevity in Okinawa. Considering possible explanations, we observed that BZ populations are geographically and/or historically isolated (islands and mountainous regions). These populations succeeded in maintaining a traditional lifestyle implying an intense physical activity that extends beyond the age of 80, a reduced level of stress and intensive family and community support for their oldest olds as well as the consumption of locally produced food. This is likely to have facilitated the accumulation of ideal conditions capable of limiting the factors that negatively impact on health in most Western populations. These people experienced the epidemiological transition—and its implications—in relative recent times, and their remarkably good health status during ageing could be the result of a delicate balance between the benefits of the traditional lifestyle and those of modernity (increased wealth, better medical care). All these factors could have promoted an ideal milieu for the emergence of long-lived phenotypes at the population level

Blue Zones : the enigma of extreme longevity

This 6th Crosstalks book is a careful selection of studies, research, reflections, projects and activism exploring ageism and its opposite. Philosophy and art are included for their capacity to provide culturally driven contexts in which to think freely and activate slumbering senses and sensibilities. Age wants to contribute to the escape routes out of a society driven by competition and profit and divided by class, income, race, sex, education and age. Age is a counter narrative, celebrating life, solidarity and the empowerment of all people with regard to their own health, whatever their age. Not acting one’s age, whether it is intentional or not, is both a dangerous and a promising enterprise. — Aagje Swinnen In many ways, age in men often equates with the concept of ‘sage’; ironic, since we all know many older men who are complete doofuses. There certainly seem to be more male role models who are reaching their older years with dignity and grace while in the public eye, compared to the number of high-ranking women in the fields of government, science, religion, education, politics, … Do I need to continue the list? — Ellen Snortlan

The blue zones: Areas of exceptional longevity around the world

The aim of this study was to compare the level of population longevity and the characteristics of four geographic areas where unusually high proportions of longlived individuals have been observed. For these areas (Ogliastra in Sardinia, Okinawa in Japan, the Nicoya peninsula in Costa Rica and the island of Ikaria in Greece). The term of 'blue zone' (BZ) given to these areas is defined as a limited region where the population shares a common lifestyle and environment and whose exceptional longevity has been accurately verified. This paper discusses the use of different indexes to measure the longevity of a population. As a preliminary result of our investigations we confirm the exceptional level of male longevity in the Sardinian BZ and both male and female longevity in Okinawa. Considering possible explanations, we observed that BZ populations are geographically and/or historically isolated (islands and mountainous regions). These populations succeeded in maintaining a traditional lifestyle implying an intense physical activity that extends beyond the age of 80, a reduced level of stress and intensive family and community support for their oldest olds as well as the consumption of locally produced food. This is likely to have facilitated the accumulation of ideal conditions capable of limiting the factors that negatively impact on health in most Western populations. These people experienced the epidemiological transition-and its implications-in relative recent times, and their remarkably good health status during ageing could be the result of a delicate balance between the benefits of the traditional lifestyle and those of modernity (increased wealth, better medical care). All these factors could have promoted an ideal milieu for the emergence of long-lived phenotypes at the population level