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- Lionikas, A., et al.
(author)
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Genetic determinants of weight of fast- and slow-twitch skeletal muscle in 500-day-old mice of the C57BL/6J and DBA/2J lineage.
- 2005
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In: Physiological Genomics. - : American Physiological Society. - 1094-8341 .- 1531-2267. ; 21:2, s. 184-192
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- C57BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (D2) strains and two derivative populations, BXD recombinant inbred strains (BXD RIs) and B6D2F2, were used to explore genetic basis for variation in muscle weight at 500 days of age. In parallel with findings in 200-day-old mice (Lionikas A, Blizard DA, Vandenbergh DJ, Glover MG, Stout JT, Vogler GP, McClearn GE, and Larsson L. Physiol Genomics 16: 141-152, 2003), weight of slow-twitch soleus, mixed gastrocnemius, and fast-twitch tibialis anterior (TA) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles was 13-22% greater (P < 0.001) in B6 than in D2. Distribution of BXD RI strain means indicated that genetic influence on muscle weight (strain effect P < 0.001, all muscles) was of polygenic origin, and effect of genetic factors differed between males and females (strain-by-sex interaction: P < 0.01 for soleus, EDL; P < 0.05 for TA, gastrocnemius). Linkage analyses in B6D2F2 population identified QTL affecting muscle weight on Chr 1, 2, 6, and 9. Pleiotropic influences were observed for QTL on Chr 1 (soleus, TA), 2 (TA, EDL, gastrocnemius), and 9 (soleus, TA, EDL) and were not related to muscle type (fast/slow-twitch) or function (flexor/extensor). Effect of QTL on Chr 9 on soleus muscle was male specific. QTL on Chr 2 and 6 were previously observed at 200 days of age, whereas QTL on Chr 1 and 9 are novel muscle weight QTL. In summary, muscle weight in B6/D2 lineage is affected by a polygenic system that has variable influences at different ages, between males and females, and across muscles in a manner independent of muscle type.
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| 3. |
- Johansson, Boo, et al.
(author)
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Laxative treatment elevates plasma homocysteine: a study on a population-based Swedish sample of old people
- 2004
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In: European Journal of Pharmacology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0031-6970 .- 1432-1041. ; 60:1, s. 45-49
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: Elevated plasma homocysteine might indicate an increased risk of cancer, and cardiovascular and neurological diseases. The homocysteine level depends on the supply of folate and cobalamine, and constipation and/or laxative treatment might compromise this supply. The present study examined the impact of constipation and laxative treatment on the blood levels of homocysteine, folate and cobalamine in a population-based sample of aged people, including consideration of frailty and impaired renal function, both of which may also influence the homocysteine level. METHODS: The study was based on biochemical tests in 341 females and 183 males aged 82 years or older. The concentrations of homocysteine (plasma), folate, cobalamine and urea (serum) were measured in subjects with and without ongoing treatment with laxative drugs. Values were adjusted for age, gender and frailty, as well as for clinical diagnoses and drug therapies known to affect homocysteine levels. RESULTS: Homocysteine levels were increased and those of folate reduced in aged subjects on laxatives. Homocysteine remained elevated after adjusting for frailty and various neurological disorders. There was no significant effect on homocysteine and folate in constipated subjects without laxatives
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| 4. |
- Vasilopoulos, T, et al.
(author)
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Genetic Covaration of Grip Strength and General Cognitive Ability in Octogenarian Swedish Twins
- 2007
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In: At the 60th Annual Scientific Meeting “The Era of Global Aging: Challenges and Opportunities”. The Gerontologist, vol 47, Spical issue II, Oct. 2007.. ; , s. 465-
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Grip strength is a strong predictor of later-life disability, morbidity and mortality. Likewise, reduced grip strength has been associated with cognitive decline. Using quantitative genetic techniques, we surveyed the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to the relationship between grip strength and general cognitive ability in 100 monozygotic and 131 dizygotic twin pairs. The sample was selected from the longitudinal study, “Origins of Variance in the Old-Old.” For the analysis, a latent general cognitive ability factor was constructed using measures of verbal ability, spatial ability, speed of processing, and memory. Bivariate model fitting revealed that genetic factors accounted for 74% of the phenotypic correlation ( r = .47) between grip strength and general cognitive ability. These results suggest that shared genetic factors underlie the relationship between grip strength and general cognitive ability and may also support the theory that common factors contribute to overall age-related deterioration of cognitive and non-cognitive functioning. Supported by grants from the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health (AG08861 and AG000276)
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| 8. |
- Bakaysa, S.L., et al.
(author)
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Telomere length predicts survival independent of genetic influences
- 2007
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In: Aging Cell. ; 63:6, s. 769-774
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Telomeres prevent the loss of coding genetic material during chromosomal replication. Previous research suggests that shorter telomere length may be associated with lower survival. Because genetic factors are important for individual differences in both telomere length and mortality, this association could reflect genetic or environmental pleiotropy rather than a direct biological effect of telomeres. We demonstrate through within-pair analyses of Swedish twins that telomere length at advanced age is a biomarker that predicts survival beyond the impact of early familial environment and genetic factors in common with telomere length and mortality. Twins with the shortest telomeres had a three times greater risk of death during the follow-up period than their co-twins with the longest telomere measurements [hazard ratio (RR) = 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.1-7.3, P = 0.03].
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| 9. |
- Berg, Anne Ingeborg, 1973, et al.
(author)
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Behavioral & Social Sciences : If I only had a good health”: A study of relationships between life satisfaction and medical diagnoses in the oldest-old.
- 2007
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In: At the 60th Annual Scientific Meeting “The Era of Global Aging: Challenges and Opportunities” The Gerontologist, vol 47, Spical issue II, Oct. 2007.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- People often claim that health makes the difference for life-satisfaction and well-being in late life. It is, however, typically found that self-report is the health measure that makes a difference in these outcomes, rather than medically based measures. Noteworthy, few studies have so far included a comprehensive set of common diagnoses based on medical records. The present study investigated the relationship between life satisfaction and medical diagnoses among 412 non-demented individuals drawn from the Swedish OCTO-Twin study. Analysis of covariance showed that when gender and age were controlled for, only 6 out of 50 diagnoses were related to lower life satisfaction. These were (prevalence in parenthesis) sleeping problems (65%), dizziness (64%), rheumatoid arthritis (3%), stroke (20%), and urine incontinence (51%). The study provides support for a relationship in diseases that affect everyday life functioning among a substantial proportion of the oldest old. Benefits and Learning Objectives • The relationship between life satisfaction and a range of common medical diagnoses in the oldest-old.
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| 10. |
- Berg, Anne Ingeborg, 1973, et al.
(author)
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Importance of functional capacity for life-satisfaction in late life: Findings in a population-based sample aged 80 and older
- 2004
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In: Presented at 17th Nordic Congress in Gerontology (Stockholm, Sweden).
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aging is accompanied with numerous biological and social changes that may compromise life-satisfaction. Aim: To examine the relative impact on life-satisfaction from functional limitations within the context of social, cognitive, and health related factors in the oldest-old. Methods and Material: Scales and questions regarding life-satisfaction (LSI-Z-index), functional capacity (instrumental and personal ADL), depression (CES-D), cognitive function (MMSE), social support, and economy was administered in a sample of 504 participants, aged 8098 years; (M=83 years, 68 % women). Results: Regression analysis indicated that functional capacity is associated with life-satisfaction but other variables such as subjective health, social support, and economy were equally important. Discussion: The results correspond with previous studies and emphasize the need to analyze the relationship between functional limitations and disability within a broader context of social, emotional, and cognitive variables
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