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Background: Evidence from experimental models of longevity indicates that maintenance of energy homeostasis could be indispensable for longevity across various species. In humans, it has been reported that maintenance of glucose homeostasis and vascular stability is one biomedical feature of centenarians, who have reached the maximum life-span. We hypothesized that adiponectin, a novel anti-inflammatory adipocytokine, could be a protective factor against age-related metabolic alteration and atherogeneity in centenarians. Methods: We measured plasma adiponectin concentration in 66 female centenarians and body mass index (BMI)-matched female controls (mean age 28.3 ± 6.3 years), followed by a genetic analysis of adiponectin locus. Results: As compared to BMI-matched female controls, female centenarians had significantly higher plasma adiponectin concentrations. In addition, high concentrations of plasma adiponectin in centenarians was associated with favorable metabolic indicators, and with lower levels of C-reactive protein and E-selectin. In contrast, genetic analysis of 10 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at adiponectin locus did not show significant association between the adiponectin gene variation and longevity. Conclusions: Our results suggested that hyperadiponectinemia in centenarians could play a role in maintenance of energy homeostasis and vascular stability, and may contribute to longevity.

Background: A study was conducted to clarify the characteristics of cognitive function among physically independent very old people dwelling in an urban community in Japan. Methods: Five hundred and thirteen old-old (aged 75–84 years) and 168 oldest-old (aged 85–100 years) adults participated. We carried out the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for measuring cognitive functions in the elderly. Age-related differences in the total score and subscale scores of the MMSE were analyzed by sex using ancova, controlling for education, vision and hearing problems. Results: Mean MMSE scores for old-old and oldest-old men were 27.5 and 25.9, respectively, and those for old-old and oldest-old women were 27.8 and 25.0, respectively. Age-related differences in the MMSE total score between the old-old and oldest-old were observed in both sexes, suggesting that overall cognitive functions continue to decline over time in very old age. Age-related differences between the old-old and oldest-old in items measuring, registration, calculation and delayed recall were observed in both sexes, and also in those assessing time orientation, place orientation, delayed recognition, writing sentences, and copying figures were observed in women. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the faculties are those most sensitive to normal aging among very old individuals. There were no age group differences in five items: reverse spelling, naming objects, repeating a sentence, listening and obeying, and reading and obeying.

AIM We examined the relationship between subjective well-being and all-cause mortality among middle-aged and elderly people, using a population-based prospective approach (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology-Longitudinal Interdisciplinary Study on Aging). METHODS The participants were 1,034 men and 1,413 women aged 52 to 77 years, living in an urban Japanese community. The baseline data on age, gender, number of years of education, hospitalization, lifestyle-related illness, subjective health status, living alone and subjective well-being (measured by Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale) were collected in 1993. RESULTS Mean subjective well-being scores for men and women were 12.3 +/- 3.2 and 11.9 +/- 3.5, respectively. Analysis of covariance controlling for age, the number of years of education, hospitalization, lifestyle-related illness and living alone, revealed no inter-gender difference in subjective well-being. Multiple regression analysis to explore factors related to subjective well-being showed that age in men, and the number of years of education in both genders were significantly, independently and positively associated with subjective well-being, and that hospitalization, lifestyle-related illness and living alone in both genders were significantly, independently and negatively related to subjective well-being. From 1993 to 2000, there were 183 deaths and 258 dropouts. In Cox's multivariate hazard model adjusted for age, the number of years of education, hospitalization, lifestyle-related illness and living alone, there was a significant and independent association between a low level of subjective well-being and the risk for all-cause mortality in both genders. CONCLUSION Satisfaction with life is an important factor affecting longevity among middle-aged and elderly people.

It is predicted that the future increase in the oldest-old (85 years and older) population will have a marked influence on society. However, little is known about the features of various functions in the oldest-old. The purpose of this study was to clarify the functional status of the oldest-old. We surveyed all oldest-old residents in a small area of Itabashi ward in metropolitan Tokyo to clarify their living conditions. The oldest-old themselves and their family members were invited to participate, and 235 out of 311 residents (75.6%) agreed to do so. Forty-two percent of the participants were dependent and needed care from others. The ADL status measured by the Barthel Index showed that 30% of independent participants also had some deterioration of physical function. These results are indicative of increased frailty in the oldest-old. Comparison between independent and dependent (need care from others in daily living) showed that the functional status was lower in dependent group. However, the psychological well-being was the same in this two groups. These results indicate progressive functional deterioation and psychological adaptation to it, in the oldest-old. Further research to elucidate the process of psychological adaptation to frailty is necessary in order to promote the well-being among the oldest-old, in whom functional limitation is evident.

This study was conducted to clarify the characteristics of cognitive function among physically independent very old people dwelling in an urban community in Japan. Five hundred and thirteen Old-Old (aged 75-84 years) and 168 Oldest-Old (aged 85-100 years) adults participated. We carried out the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for measuring cognitive functions in the elderly. Age-related differences in the total score and sub-scale scores of the MMSE were analyzed by sex using ANCOVA, controlling for education, vision and hearing problems. Mean MMSE scores for Old-Old and Oldest-Old males were 27.53 and 25.88, respectively, and those for Old-Old and Oldest-Old females were 27.77 and 24.98, respectively. Age-related differences in the MMSE total score between the Old-Old and Oldest-Old were observed in both sexes, suggesting that overall cognitive functions continue to decline over time in very old age. Age-related differences between the Old-Old and Oldest-Old in items measuring, registration, calculation and delayed recall were observed in both sexes, and in addition, time orientation, place orientation, delayed recognition, writing sentences, and copying figures were observed in females. These findings suggest that the faculties are those most sensitive to normal aging among very old individuals. There were no age group differences in five items: reverse spelling, naming objects, repeating a sentence, listening and obeying, and reading and obeying.

The biomedical characteristics of centenarians are (1) low level of albumin, cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol; (2) high level of CRP and Il-6; (3) high level of thrombin-antithrombin complex, suggesting centenarians are malnourished, in proinflammatory status and prothrombotic conditions. The score of ADL and MMSE is also low. The nutritional status is associated with inflammation, the level of ADL and MMSE. Since proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNFα are known to cause malnutrition, we think that inflammation is partly responsible for the malnutrition. We proposed an ‘aging-inflammation ‘hypothesis. Aging causes excessive inflammatory response, resulting in malnutrition, which in turn contributes to the low level of ADL and cognitive function in centenarians. The suppression of excessive inflammatory reaction may ameliorate the low objective QOL.

Four ESR lines, found by Miyazaki et al. in 1995 in irradiated solid parahydrogen (ca. 92% para-purity) at 4.2 K, assigned as “H2−,” were precisely re-measured with highly pure solid parahydrogen (>99.9%) and compared with calculated g-value and hyperfine coupling constants of H2+(H2)2. The g-value of I,MI = 0,0 feature, reported previously as 2.0033 or 2.0023, was found to be incorrect and has now been corrected to 2.002120 ± 0.000012. This corrected value is clearly smaller than that of free electron. We also found that the remaining three lines corresponding to I,MI = 1,0; 1, +1; and 1, –1 features have axially symmetric hyperfine anisotropic structure i.e., A∥ = 20.318 and A⊥ = 20.502 mT. This anisotropy corresponds to the rotation of the species in solid parahydrogen. Although the experimental g-value and isotropic hyperfine coupling constants are in good agreement with those of H2+(H2)2 estimated by ab initio calculation, it is still difficult to explain why H2+ (H2)2 clusters turned into ESR inactive species by addition of 0.1∼1% D2 in the present system. In this regard, we still maintain that the species in solid parahydrogen are H2−.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is one of the key proteins in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). The role of CETP in atherosclerosis remains controversial. In this study we investigated the associations between polymorphisms of CETP (mutations in intron 14 and exon 15, and Taq1B), hepatic lipase (C-514T), lipoprotein lipase ( PvuII and HindIII), and ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (R219K) loci and longevity in 256 centenarians and 190 healthy younger controls. Although heterozygous CETP deficiency and the B2 allele of the Taq1B polymorphism was consistently associated with higher HDL-C concentrations both in centenarians and controls, the allelic frequencies of those polymorphisms did not differ between the two groups. The allelic frequencies of other gene polymorphisms in RCT were not different between the two groups. Centenarians with lipoprotein lipase P(-/-) genotype had significantly higher HDL-C concentration than those with P(-/+) or with P(+/+), in contrast, there was no such a relationship among controls. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, serum albumin, CETP deficiency and lipoprotein lipase PvuII genotype were independently associated with HDL-C in centenarians. Sex, CETP deficiency, and the Taq1B genotype were also independently associated with HDL-C; however, lipoprotein lipase PvuII genotype had no significant effect on their HDL-C in controls. In conclusion, we observed that CETP deficiency and other gene polymorphisms in RCT have no impact on longevity for Japanese centenarians.

The scope and purpose of this chapter is to summarize aims, methods, and findings of centenarian studies, mainly from our own as an interdisciplinary research. Although most of centenarians remain independent in daily living until over 90s, about 97 % of them contracted chronic diseases including hypertension (63.6 %) and bone fracture (46.4 %). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and carotid atherosclerotic plaque were peculiarities of centenarians, which could be associated with high adiponectin levels. While conducting the Tokyo centenarian study (TCS), we found that only 20 % of them enjoyed physical and cognitive independence at the age of 100 years, this elite subpopulation were highly likely to become semisupercentenarians (over 105 years) or even supercentenarians (beyond 110 years). Therefore, we began to think that 100 years of age is not a model of longevity, but over 105 years is. We describe the preliminary results of the Japan Semisupercentenarian Study which led to our conviction that semi-supercentenarians are a more appropriate model for the study of human longevity.

In a cross-sectional study, we examined age-related differences in visuo-spatial ability associated with image rotation, using two variants of Piaget's 'Three-Mountain Task.' The object-mental rotation (OMR) task detects the ability to mentally rotate an image, whereas the subject-mental rotation (SMR) task reveals the ability to mentally change one's perspective. A group of 33 young adults, 26 middle-aged adults, and 31 elderly normal adults were studied. Both tasks revealed age-related differences in performance but a larger difference between middle-aged and elderly group was observed for SMR than OMR performance. Age-related increases in the 'egocentric' type of error were found only on the SMR task. The results suggest that the ability to mentally change one's perspective declines with age, perhaps more than the ability to mentally rotate objects.

Background: Recent studies have reported that the onset of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in old age has associations with personalities of individuals before their onsets. However, it had not been confirmed in Japanese elderly people.

Purpose: In Japan, which will become to super-aged society in nearly future, it is very important to maintain or improve mental health in elderly. We examined the association between subjective mental health and physical, cognitive, social and economic factors of community-dwelling elderly, using large mail-survey data in Tokyo urban area.

Since intellectual deterioration in Alzheimer's disease (AD) might be considered to demonstrate a reverse of the intellectual development of children, we herein investigated the applicability of the Tanaka-Binet Intelligence scale (TB scale). This scale can assess the mental age (MA) and the lower-limit age (LLAge) values, and was reported to be correlated with the tasks determining Piaget's developmental stages of intelligence. Thirty AD patients and 30 age-matched normal control subjects were examined with the scale. We found that the mean MA values of the AD patients and controls were 97.4 and 150.3 months, respectively. In the control group, there were significant correlations between the MA and chronological age, and between the MA and years of education. In the AD patients, there was a significant correlation between the MA and the MMSE score. Regarding the LLAge for the AD patients, similar to the theory of Piaget, there was a tendency that they could be classified into three LLAge groups. We consider that the TB scale is useful in assessing the intellectual function in AD patients.

Microstructure of plasma-sprayed yttria-stabilized zirconia coatings (8YZ) was characterized by the measurement of surface roughness, hardness, and pore size distribution and was correlated with thermal fatigue life. It was confirmed that the coatings which had greater roughness tended to show both lower hardness and higher porosity. Furthermore, such coatings were found to have a longer thermal fatigue life. We propose that measurement of the roughness of 8YZ coatings is useful as a non-destructive evaluation method for predicting thermal fatigue life.

Background Prevention of disability is a major challenge in aging populations; however, the extent to which physical independence can be maintained toward the limit of human life span remains to be determined. Methods We examined the health and functional status of 642 centenarians: 207 younger centenarians (age: 100-104 years), 351 semi-supercentenarians (age: 105-109 years), and 84 supercentenarians (age: >110 years). All-cause mortality was followed by means of an annual telephone or mailed survey. Results Age-specific disability patterns revealed that the older the age group, the higher the proportion of those manifesting independence in activities of daily living at any given age of entry. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified male gender and better cognitive function as consistent determinants of physical independence across all age categories. In a longitudinal analysis, better physical function was significantly associated with survival advantage until the age of 110. However, mortality beyond that age was predicted neither by functional status nor biomedical measurements, indicating alternative trajectories of mortality at the highest ages. Conclusions These findings suggest that maintaining physical independence is a key feature of survival into extreme old age. Future studies illuminating genetic and environmental underpinnings of supercentenarians' phenotypes will provide invaluable opportunities not only to improve preventive strategies but also to test the central hypotheses of human aging.

To examine the reliability and validity of the simplified Japanese version of the WHO-Five Well-Being Index (S-WHO-5-J), which reduces the original 6-point scale to a 4-point scale.Subjects were selected from 4,439 community-dwelling elderly living in Tokyo. Their mean age +/- SD was 74.2 +/- 6.6 years, and 2,475 (55.8%) were female. We mailed a questionnaire to all potential subjects, and collected 3,068 (69.1%). We analyzed the data from 1,356 questionnaires that had no missing values for the following items: S-WHO-5-J, Geriatric Depression Scale short version (GDS-15), age, gender, persons living together, need of care, subjective rating of health, physical pain, subjective memory impairment, activities of daily living (TMIG Index of Competence), social support, housebound, and subjective feeling of economic affluence. The mean age +/- SD of the sample was 73.2 +/- 5.9 years, and the proportion of females was 51.1%. An additional analysis compared the number of missing values between a simplified version and an original version using the data of 2,034 subjects from another study.A factor analysis identified only one factor and showed high correlation coefficients between total score and items (0.79-0.87) and between all items (0.52-0.82) and a high Cronbach's alpha (0.889). The S-WHO-5-J was correlated to the GDS-15, to the item on mental health and to factors that affected mental health, physical health (subjective rating of health, physical pain, illness), physical function (walking, falling, nutritional status, oral health care), memory impairment, activities of daily living, and social function (housebound, interaction with others, social support). Additional analysis showed that there were fewer missing values for the S-WHO-5-J than for the WHO-5-J.The S-WHO-5-J is a reliable, valid, and convenient measure of mental health for large samples of community-dwelling elderly persons.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between blood groups and life expectancy. We compared frequencies of ABO blood group in 269 centenarians (persons over 100 years) living in Tokyo and those in regionally matched controls (n=7153). Frequencies of blood types A, O, B, and AB in centenarians were 34.2, 28.3, 29.4, and 8.2%, respectively, while those in controls were 38.6, 30.1, 21.9, and 9.4%, respectively. Blood type B was observed more frequently in centenarians than in controls (chi(2)=8.41, P=0.04). This tendency also was true in comparison between centenarians and 118 elderly old individuals of the 7153. Approximate one-third of the centenarians were free from serious diseases such as malignancy. However, blood types were not associated with such medical records. Our findings suggest that blood type B might be associated with exceptional longevity. Responsible mechanisms need to be investigated.

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of subjective daytime sleepiness among the community-dwelling elderly population in Japan using the Japanese version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (JESS) and to investigate the correlates of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).Subjects aged 65 years or older, born between April and September, living independently, who resided in 1 district of Tokyo, Japan, were recruited. A total of 3195 subjects meeting the inclusion criteria were mailed a questionnaire that inquired about the JESS, socio-demographic factors, and health-related factors. Of the 2034 elderly individuals who responded to the survey (response rate, 63.7%), 1494 subjects (652 men, 842 women) who completely answered the questionnaire were included in the study (valid response rate, 46.8%).The mean (+/- standard deviation) JESS score was 5.0 +/- 3.8 (men 5.6 +/- 4.1, women 4.4 +/- 3.4, P0.01). The prevalence of EDS (a cut-off score10) was 8.8% (men 12.7%, women 5.7%, P0.01). The male gender, being employed, having poor mental health and well-being, having lowered activity of daily living (ADL), or having subjective memory impairment were significantly associated with EDS. In the gender-specific models, low social network and subjective memory impairment in men, whereas obesity and lowered ADL in women, were significantly associated with EDS.EDS was more frequently observed in men than in women among the community-dwelling elderly population in Japan. A substantial gender difference was found in correlates of EDS. This finding is useful in the clinical management of patients who complain of daytime sleepiness; moreover, it is useful for the management of public health.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) for detecting early-stage dementia in the elderly Japanese population.A total of 280 clinical participants (180 with mild Alzheimer's disease, 43 with amnestic mild cognitive impairment, 32 with non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment and 25 control subjects) and 22 community-dwelling elderly individuals without dementia were recruited. The Clinical Dementia Rating, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and AQT were administered to all participants. The Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination was also administered to clinical participants.The intraclass correlation coefficient for the test-retest reliability of colour-form naming time on AQT was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.74-0.95, P0.001). AQT colour-form naming time was significantly correlated with the Clinical Dementia Rating, the total score on the Mini-Mental State Examination, and the total score on the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination and most of its subscales. AQT colour-form naming time was significantly longer in elderly individuals with mild Alzheimer's disease, amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment than in control subjects. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that AQT colour-form naming time significantly distinguished subjects with early-stage dementia (mild Alzheimer's disease, amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment) from controls. The area under the curve was estimated to be 0.88 (95%CI = 0.82-0.95). A cut-off of 71/72 seconds yielded the best sensitivity/specificity trade-off: sensitivity = 85% and specificity = 76%.AQT is a useful brief screening tool for detecting early-stage dementia in elderly Japanese individuals.

Aim The present study aimed to (1) examine the mental health well-being of urban community-dwelling elderly individuals; and (2) examine factors related to mental health well-being of those with long-term care insurance certification (LTCI+) and those without LTCI certification (LTCI-). Methods We conducted a community-based, cross-sectional study that included 3,905 subjects aged 65 years or older living in Tokyo, Japan. A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to each participant. Mental health well-being was assessed using the Japanese version of the World Health Organization Mental Health Wellbeing Index--five items (WHO-5). Results Of the 2,431 respondents (response rate, 63.5%), 1,954 who completed WHO-5 were analyzed (241 LTCI+; 1,713 LTCI-). The total score of WHO-5 was 15.61±6.08 among all subjects; when a cut-off criterion of 12/13 was used, the frequency of low mental health well-being was 29.5% among all subjects. In a stratified analysis according to LTCI certification using multivariate logistic regression analysis, small social support network, heart disease, and daytime sleepiness were independently associated with low mental health well-being for the LTCI+ group; low education level, small social support network, low subjective health, daytime sleepiness, and worries about forgetfulness were independently associated with low mental health well-being for the LTCI- group. Conclusion To improve mental health well-being of community-dwelling elderly individuals with LTCI certification, attention should be focused on those with small social network or daytime sleepiness. To improve mental health well-being of community-dwelling elderly individuals without LTCI certification, attention should be focused on those with small social network, low subjective health, or worries about forgetfulness.

This study used control theory to model sales planning, long-term planning, rolling planning, materials planning, short-term planning, manufacturing, delivery and sale, and investigated how factors required for decision-making in each planning phase impact the overall planning through simulations. To find the degree of impact each phase has on the overall plan, the investigation method involved used each factor of planning as a variable in the control model. And the differences in results between impacts, when simulated by individually making them into constants and when simulated as a variable, were calculated. The findings of this study are considered to contribute to enhance corporate competitiveness by enabling appropriate planning, production equipment and technologies for production activities which actually produce profit.

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), developed by Dr Nasreddine (Nasreddine et al. 2005), is a brief cognitive screening tool for detecting older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We examined the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the MoCA (MoCA-J) in older Japanese subjects.Subjects were recruited from the outpatient memory clinic of Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital or community-based medical health check-ups in 2008. The MoCA-J, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the revised version of Hasegawa's Dementia Scale (HDS-R), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale, and routine neuropsychological batteries were conducted on 96 older subjects. Mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) was found in 30 subjects and MCI in 30, with 36 normal controls.The Cronbach's alpha of MoCA-J as an index of internal consistency was 0.74. The test-retest reliability of MoCA, using intraclass correlation coefficient between the scores at baseline survey and follow-up survey 8 weeks later was 0.88 (P0.001). MoCA-J score was highly correlated with MMSE (r = 0.83, P0.001), HDS-R (r = 0.79, P0.001) and CDR (r = -0.79, P0.001) scores. The areas under receiver-operator curves (AUC) for predicting MCI and AD groups by the MoCA-J were 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.90-1.00) and 0.99 (95% CI = 0.00-1.00), respectively. The corresponding values for MMSE and HDS-R were 0.85 (95% CI = 0.75-0.95) and 0.97 (95% CI = 0.00-1.00), and 0.86 (95% CI = 0.76-0.95) and 0.97 (95% CI = 0.00-1.00), respectively. Using a cut-off point of 25/26, the MoCA-J demonstrated a sensitivity of 93.0% and a specificity of 87.0% in screening MCI.The MoCA-J could be a useful cognitive test for screening MCI, and could be recommended in a primary clinical setting and for geriatric health screening in the community.

In recent years, the advancements in aging research have led to a deeper understanding of the aging process and have also greatly changed our perception towards aging. In addition, the Human Genome Project has provided information on the human genome and has provided a study base for the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying aging. It is interesting to note that the causative gene of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome was identified at the same period of the Human Genome Project completion, and it was expected that all the genes related to the human aging process would be identified. However, many phenomena regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying aging still remain unknown. Understanding these mechanisms is necessary in order to control aging process.

Background/Aims: We examined the effect of aging on cognitive function at the limit of human life expectancy by characterizing state of cognition in centenarians without clinical cognitive impairment. Methods: Participants were 68 centenarians without cognitive impairment (Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) 0), 96 controls 60 to 74 years old, and 46 controls 75 to 89 years old. We visited the places where centenarians were living and administered the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) individually. Control subjects came to the assembly hall within their dwelling area, to be administered the MMSE. Results: Mean total scores of centenarians (22.3) were lower than for either 60–74 (27.2) or 75–89 (26.2). Comparison of scores in each of five cognitive domains measured by MMSE showed a significant age-group effect upon orientation, memory, and attention. Centenarians’ scores were lower than for younger groups in every domain except for the language and praxis, concentration, and for repetition. Conclusion: The centenarians’ scores in memory and orientation declined as in earlier studies of normal aging. Centenarians’ scores for attention and concentration differed from those in previous studies. The present result suggests that even primary memory is influenced by advanced age in centenarians, while ability to store information declines, ability to process is maintained.

Objective Personality is an important factor in determining longevity. It has been reported that some personality traits can affect mortality via health-related behaviors, engaging in social interactions, and a tendency to experience negative emotions. The authors examined the relationships between five major domains of personality traits and all-cause mortality among Japanese community-dwelling elderly. Design A 5-year prospective cohort study design with mortality surveillance. Setting Community based. Participants A total sample of 486 men and 742 women aged 65 years and over at the baseline. Measurements The NEO five-factor inventory was administered to assess the “big five” personality traits: neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Results During the 5-year follow-up period, 127 persons (73 men and 54 women) died. In Cox multivariate proportional hazards models adjusted for gender, age, number of years of education, living alone, presence of psychiatric problems, and presence of chronic diseases, conscientiousness (risk ratio [RR] = 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.33–0.76 and RR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.29 to 0.71, for the middle and highest tertiles, respectively), extraversion (RR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.37 to 0.92, for the highest tertile), and openness (RR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.41 to 0.96, for the middle tertile) were independently and inversely associated with all-cause mortality. Neither neuroticism nor agreeableness was related to mortality. Conclusions Our results suggest that out of the five domains of personality traits, conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness are reliable predictors of all-cause mortality among community-dwelling elderly.

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between personality traits and participation in mass health checkups among Japanese community-dwelling elderly.A data set of 327 men and 519 women aged 70 years and over was used in the analysis. The NEO Five-Factor Inventory was administered to assess the "big five" personality traits: neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness.In multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for gender, age, number of years of education, living alone, presence of psychiatric diseases, presence of chronic diseases, and history of hospitalization during a 1-year period, openness was independently associated with participation in mass health checkups [odds ratio (OR)=1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.08-2.12, P.01 and OR=1.38, 95% CI=0.96-1.97, P=.07 for the middle and highest tertile, respectively]. No other domains of personality were related to participation in the checkups.The results of the present study suggest that older individuals high in openness are likely to take part in checkups for the elderly. Our findings could help improve the participation rate in mass health checkups for the prevention of long-term care dependence in later life.

We carried out an electron spin resonance (ESR) study on hydrogen ion radicals produced by radiolysis of solid para-H(2). In addition to quartet ESR lines proposed to be H(2) (+)-core H(6) (+) (D(2d)) ions in solid para-H(2) [T. Kumada et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 7, 776 (2005)], we newly observed totally more than 50 resolved lines in gamma-ray irradiated solid para-H(2)-ortho-D(2) (1 mol %) and para-H(2)-HD (1 mol %) mixtures. We assigned these lines to be isotope substituents of H(2) (+)-core H(6) (+) ions such as H(5)D(+), H(4)D(2) (+), and H(2)D(4) (+) throughout the comparison of their ESR parameters with theoretical results. These results provide a conclusive evidence that H(2) (+)-core H(6) (+) ions are generated in irradiated solid hydrogens. Analysis of the EPR spectrum and ab initio calculations predicts D(2d) symmetry of the H(6) (+) ions, whereas a lowering symmetry (D(2d)--C(2v)) induced by asymmetric nuclear wave function is observed in H(5)D(+) and H(4)D(2) (+). We also observed isotope-substitution reactions such as H(6) (+)+D(2)--H(4)D(2) (+)+H(2) and H(6) (+)+HD--H(5)D(+)+H(2), which are analogous to the well-known isotope-condensation reactions of H(3) (+) in dark nebula, H(3) (+)+HD--HD(2) (+)+H(2) and HD(2) (+)+HD--D(3) (+)+H(2).

Background. Research in Western countries has shown most centenarians to be survivors with multiple comorbidities. However, Japanese centenarians’ morbidity and its relationship to functional status has yet to be elucidated. The aim of this study is to clarify the association of morbidity with the physical and cognitive function of centenarians. We examined Tokyo-area centenarians to determine their kinds of morbidity profiles and how such morbidity related to their functional status. Methods. We studied 302 centenarians living in Tokyo (101.2 6 1.8 years; 65 men, 237 women), and assessed their physical status, morbidity, and use of medication. Activities of daily living and cognitive function were also assessed using the Barthel Index and the Clinical Dementia Rating. Results. More than 95% of the centenarians had chronic diseases. Both the physical and cognitive functions were significantly higher in men. The present and previous illnesses most frequently included hypertension, heart disease, stroke, fractures, and cataracts. Fractures were observed significantly more frequently in women. Diabetes mellitus was uncommon. The physical and cognitive function of centenarians with a history of stroke or fracture were particularly poor, whereas those centenarians with hypertension tended to show a high level of physical and cognitive function. Conclusions. Almost all centenarians had chronic diseases. Stroke and fracture were correlated with poorer function; therefore, we hypothesize that prevention of stroke and fracture might improve functional status in the oldest-old.

Background. Centenarians are sometimes said to be representative of lifelong healthy aging. Whether they are, in fact, examples of healthy aging remains a subject of debate. The existence of heterogeneity in functional status has been reported repeatedly in previous studies of centenarians. However, there is as yet no standardized classification system with which to describe their functional phenotype. Methods. As part of a dynamic cohort study, we studied 304 centenarians (65 men and 239 women) living in Tokyo. Their functional status (sensory, physical, and cognitive), which we used to represent their phenotype, was assessed and subsequently classified by standard assessment methods (simple questionnaire, Barthel index, Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Clinical Dementia Rating, respectively). Results. We classified participants into 4 categories according to their functional status. Only 5 (2%) were classified as ‘‘Exceptional,’’ with all of their functions graded as excellent, and 56 (18%) were ‘‘Normal,’’ exhibiting maintenance of fine cognitive and physical functions. One hundred sixty-seven (55%) were ‘‘Frail,’’ exhibiting impairment of either cognitive or physical functions, and the remaining 76 (25%) were ‘‘Fragile,’’ exhibiting deterioration of both physical and cognitive functions. Conclusions. The relationships between biochemical marker, mortality rates, lifestyle, and functional phenotypes demonstrated by this classification method indicate that the system is reliable to address the functional status of extremely old persons. Thus, this framework would be a useful tool for exploring the factors that contribute to exceptional longevity as well as those that help to maintain the functional status of the extremely old population.

Negative affect such as depression and anxiety has been reported to be associated with morbidity and mortality, and polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter (5HTT) gene may be associated with such affect disorders. Hypothesizing that 5HTT gene polymorphisms could influence human longevity via negative affect; we compared the polymorphic variation of the 5HTT gene between 265 Japanese centenarians and control subjects. In addition, we evaluated the relationships between the 5HTT genotype and the physical, cognitive, and biologic status of centenarians, as indicated by the Barthel Index, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and serum albumin concentration, respectively. The frequency of the l/l genotype and the l allele was significantly greater in centenarians than in younger control subjects, particularly women. A significant effect of the 5HTT genotype on serum albumin concentration was observed in both sexes. Although, there was sex optionality, the l allele may carry a longevity advantage possibly through behavioral mechanisms.

The borderline condition between normal aging and dementia should be detected to predict further deterioration. The authors cross-sectionally analyzed neuropsychological data, memory complaints, and social activities for communitydwelling older adults. The rate of decline from Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) 0.5 to dementia during a 3-year interval was also analyzed. Short-term memory rather than long-term memory was found to be sensitive in distinguishing those with CDR 0 from those with CDR 0.5. Relatives’ observations of memory decline rather than subjective memory complaints were significantly different. Participants with CDR 0.5 reported fewer problems with social activities than did their relatives. Ten of the 29 CDR 0.5 participants (34.5%) showed cognitive decline, the decliners showing lower scores on short-term memory and orientation at the baseline condition. The neuropsychological data showed CDR 0.5 to be similar to very mild Alzheimer’s disease. It would be better if subjective complaints were excluded from the criteria of the borderline condition.

Recent studies have demonstrated a significant association between mutations in genes involved in the insulin/IGF1 signaling pathway and extension of the life span of model organisms. In this study which compared 122 Japanese semisupercentenarians (older than 105) with 122 healthy younger controls, we examined polymorphic variations of six genes which are involved in insulin/IGF1 signaling. These genes were FOXO1A, INSR, IRS1, PIK3CB, PIK3CG, and PPARGC1A. We investigated the possible association of each gene locus and longevity by haplotype-based association analyses using 18 SNPs from public databases and the published literature. One INSR haplotype, which was comprised of 2 SNPs in linkage disequilibrium, was more frequent in semisupercentenarians than in younger controls.

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