Aging Process Research Articles

Trends of genetic contributions on epigenetic clocks and related methylation sites with aging: A population-based adult twin study.

Several crucial acceleration periods exist during aging process. Epigenetic clocks, serving as indicators of aging, are influenced by genetic factors. Investigating how the genetic contributions on these clocks change with age may provide novel insights into the aging process. In this study, based on 1084 adult twins from the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR), we established structural equation models (SEMs) to evaluate the trends in genetic influence with aging for epigenetic clocks, which include PC-Horvath, PC-Hannum, PC-PhenoAge, PC-GrimAge, and DunedinPACE. A decline in overall heritability was observed for all five clocks from ages 31 to 70, with a relatively stable trend at first. Subsequently, apart from PC-GrimAge, the other four clocks displayed a more evident drop in heritability: DunedinPACE and PC-PhenoAge experienced a clear decline between 55 and 65 years, while PC-Horvath and PC-Hannum showed a similar decrease between 60 and 70 years. In contrast, the heritability of PC-GrimAge remained stable throughout. An analysis of methylation sites (CpGs) from these clocks identified 41, 26, 4, and 36 CpG sites potentially underlying heritability changes in DunedinPACE, PC-Horvath, PC-Hannum, and PC-PhenoAge, respectively. Data from the CNTR were collected through two surveys in 2013 and 2018. Based on 308 twins with longitudinal data, declines in genetic components were observed at follow-up compared to baseline, with significant decreases in the four PC-clocks. DunedinPACE peaked in 5-year longitudinal genetic contribution changes at age 55-60, while PC-clocks consistently peaked at age 50-55. These findings may offer novel insights into the role of genetic variations in aging.

Old age from the perspective of LGBTQ+ and heterosexual young: A comparative study.

In today's world, the challenges and achievements of LGBTQ+'s throughout their lives are increasingly gaining attention. However, the specific needs of LGBTQ+'s in the aging process and potential challenges they might face during this period are often overlooked. This study aims to demonstrate LGBTQ+'s and heterosexual young's perspectives on old age. This descriptive, cross-sectional comparative study collected data from 230 LGBTQ+ and 201 heterosexual individuals. Data were collected using a digital survey comprising an 8-item Personal Information Form and a 17-item Questionnaire for Opinions Regarding Old Age. Compared to others, LGBTQ+'s consider old age to be a more problematic period. In this study, it was determined that LGBTQ+'s perceive old age as a bigger problem compared to those in the heterosexual group. It was determined that the possible difficulties that LGBTQ+'s expect to face in old age are mostly related to basic needs such as the need for care and lack of social support. In the heterosexual group, concerns about age-related physical changes such as loss of youth were observed more frequently. It is recommended that studies to be conducted and services to be offered in this area should be of nature that would ensure safety of LGBTQ+'s, protect their basic humanitarian rights and respond to their needs.

A method for estimating lithium-ion battery state of health based on physics-informed machine learning

Data-driven approaches are widely applied in estimating the State of Health (SOH) of Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIB). However, these methods often suffer from a lack of interpretability. To address this issue, this article proposes a method called Battery Physics-Informed Neural Network (BPINN) to enhance the interpretability of the Feedforward Neural Network (FNN) in SOH prediction. This article is based on the concept of Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINN). Features are initially extracted from Incremental Capacity (IC) curves to characterize the battery aging process. Notably, IC curve peaks (P-IC) reflect electrochemical reactions during charge and discharge cycles. The degradation of these peaks is directly related to the loss of active materials, causing SOH reduction. This article transforms the monotonic relationship between P-IC and SOH into a physical constraint, which is embedded into model training. Furthermore, during prediction, a secondary “training” based on physical constraints is applied to the FNN prediction results, enhancing the model's interpretability and accuracy. The proposed method is validated using publicly available battery datasets from NASA and the University of Oxford. Results show BPINN effectively improves SOH prediction accuracy, reducing the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) to below 0.4 %.

Sexual dimorphism, altered hippocampal glutamatergic neurotransmission, and cognitive impairment in APP knock-in mice.

It is well established that glutamatergic neurotransmission plays an essential role in learning and memory. Previous studies indicate that glutamate dynamics shift with Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression, contributing to negative cognitive outcomes. In this study, we characterized hippocampal glutamatergic signaling with age and disease progression in a knock-in mouse model of AD (APPNL-F/NL--F). At 2-4 and 18+ months old, male and female APPNL/NL, APPNL-F/NL-F, and C57BL/6 mice underwent cognitive assessment using Morris water maze (MWM) and Novel Object Recognition (NOR). Then, basal and 70 mM KCl stimulus-evoked glutamate release was measured in the dentate gyrus (DG), CA3, and CA1 regions of the hippocampus using a glutamate-selective microelectrode in anesthetized mice. Glutamate recordings support elevated stimulus-evoked glutamate release in the DG and CA3 of young APPNL-F/NL-F male mice that declined with age compared to age-matched control mice. Young female APPNL-F/NL-F mice exhibited increased glutamate clearance in the CA1 that slowed with age compared to age-matched control mice. Male and female APPNL-F/NL-F mice exhibited decreased CA1 basal glutamate levels, while males also showed depletion in the CA3. Cognitive assessment demonstrated impaired spatial cognition in aged male and female APPNL-F/NL-F mice, but only aged females displayed recognition memory deficits compared to age-matched control mice. These findings confirm a sex-dependent hyper-to-hypoactivation glutamatergic paradigm in APPNL-F/NL-F mice. Further, data illustrate a sexually dimorphic biological aging process resulting in a more severe cognitive phenotype for female APPNL-F/NL-F mice than their male counterparts. Research outcomes mirror that of human AD pathology and provide further evidence of divergent AD pathogenesis between sexes.

DERMALIC DERMOSUPPORT WITH BIDIRECTIONAL SPICATED POLYDIOXANONE THREADS

This study is a narrative review of the literature that addresses the topic of orofacial harmonization with the use of polydioxanone (PDO) threads. PDO threads have been used as an option to slow down the natural aging process, promoting facial rejuvenation. The non-surgical procedure is performed in the office and is minimally invasive. However, there are still contraindications, for example, in the case of autoimmune diseases, pregnancy, and use of anticoagulants. In these cases, complications such as hematoma and infection may occur; however, they are mostly easy to manage, since they are transient and disappear in a few days. Furthermore, it is essential to apply the technique correctly to avoid complications, such as thread migration. Although most studies point to positive results with the use of PDO, research is still needed to verify its long-term effectiveness, especially in older people and those with more facial sagging, since this technique is more suitable for patients with mild wrinkles and sagging. Based on this, the objective of this study was to conduct a narrative review of the literature on the effectiveness of using PDO threads in orofacial harmonization. To this end, searches for scientific articles were carried out on the PubMed and SciElo platforms in 2024, using the descriptors: “Orofacial harmonization”, “PDO threads”. Nine articles were selected and presented in order to contribute with theoretical basis on the benefits, indications, applicability, safety, in addition to highlighting the effectiveness of use.

Behind Bars: Exploring Health and Geriatric Conditions Among Incarcerated Older People in Mexican prisons.

Introduction The aging process of the incarcerated population is a growing concern, yet there are few data on older adults in this demographic group. Hence, this study seeks to examine the health status of older adults who are incarcerated in Mexican prisons and its association with the duration of their imprisonment. Methods This is a secondary analysis of the 2021 Mexico National Prisons Survey. We analyzed 50-year-old and older prisoners, and performed a descriptive analysis of the sample's age, sex, sociodemographic variables, and chronic conditions. Multivariate analysis stratified by age was performed to assess the effect of the time spent in prison on older prisoners' health. Results The mean age was 56.95 (± 6.4 SD) and the mean duration of imprisonment was 8.93 years (± 6.94 SD). Regarding health conditions, 17.80% had diabetes, 29.62% had hypertension, 10.33% had suicidal ideation, 40.87% were visually impaired, 17.01% had hearing impairment, and 17.64% had mobility impairment. Multivariate analysis revealed that among categories of imprisonment duration, longer time imprisoned was associated with an increased risk of diabetes and hypertension for all groups but was not associated with mobility impairment or suicidal ideation except in the younger group. Conclusion Longer periods of incarceration appear to be associated with a greater occurrence of diabetes and hypertension in older prisoners. Sensory impairments and suicidal ideation are mainly identified in younger prisoners, while mobility impairments do not appear to be influenced by the time spent in prison. Further research needs to be done in prisons, where the addition of physical performance tests and cognitive tests could help further study geriatric conditions in older prisoners.

Exploring the Role of Herbal Compounds in Skin Aging: ASystematic Review of Topical Approaches.

Recently, dermatology has increasingly focused on understanding skin aging and exploring novel therapeutic approaches. Despite progress in cosmetic and pharmaceutical research, a significant gap remains in comprehensively understanding the effects and mechanisms of herbal extracts on skin aging. While many studies have examined the bioactivities of herbal compounds in preclinical models, comprehensive human trials have been scarce over the past decade. This review aims to address this gap by synthesizing human trials from the past decade, focusing on the therapeutic effects of herbal extracts on skin aging. The objective is to unravel the mechanisms contributing to skin aging and assess the therapeutic potential of herbal compounds. Following the PRISMA 2020 guideline, a systematic review was performed across OvidMEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase via Ovid. A meticulous search strategy identified relevant clinical trials. The review highlights the essential role of herbal compounds in skin aging, particularly their antioxidant activity in suppressing the aging process. Analysis of 51 clinical trials offers valuable insights into their diverse effects on skin aging parameters. Herbal compounds are promising alternatives to synthetic products for treating skin aging. Their demonstrated efficacy in mitigating wrinkles, enhancing elasticity, maintaining hydration, and controlling pigmentation underscores their potential in developing antiaging therapeutics. However, further studies are needed to identify specific compounds responsible for these effects and understand their mechanisms. Future directions include conducting large-scale trials, exploring synergies with other ingredients, and optimizing delivery systems for sustainable, effective antiaging therapies.

Aging Dynamics of Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics in Three Soils with Different Properties.

Microplastic (MP) contamination in soil has been of great concern, but the dynamic aging process and potential pathways of MPs in natural soil systems remain poorly understood. Herein, poly(vinyl chloride) microplastics (5% w/w) were weathered for 12 months in sandy soil, silty clay, and silt loam. The results showed that the continuous increase of C═O and O-H groups (rate constant, k = 0.080-0.424 m-1) with time was observed on the surface of MPs aging in sandy soil due to the leading role of •OH induced by light irradiation. In the loam soil, the abundant coating of aluminosilicates and iron oxides on the MP surface by the formation of mineral-hydroxyl groups inhibited the generation of the C═O group (k < 0.165 m-1). The k of the characteristic bond C-Cl during the first 9 months was 9.51 and 1.93 times higher in clay compared to that in sandy and loam soil, respectively, revealing that dechlorination triggered the first step of the aging process for MPs in clay owing to the participation of degrading bacteria (Phenylobacterium and Caulobacteraceae). The results provide important insights into the aging dynamics of MPs in environmentally realistic circumstance, which account for understanding the different aging processes of MPs in different soils.

Who We Are and How We Talk About Volunteering: Older Adult Volunteers' Perspective.

Guided by the Communicative Ecology Model of Successful Aging (CEMSA), we conducted an interview study with 25 older adult volunteers (M = 71.8 years old, SD = 5.19) to explore how they discursively negotiated their identities and communicated about volunteering during the aging process. The conventional view of old age and aging tends to be negative, however, our findings from the older adult volunteers' accounts revealed positive themes regarding their self-categorization and volunteering experiences. These themes include: (a) positive representations of self and other older adult volunteers, (b) transcendence of negative perceptions of old age and aging through volunteering involvement, and (c) communication about engaging in selection, optimization, and compensation in managing volunteer work. Our findings carry significant theoretical and practical implications, underscoring how positive self-categorization and adaptive management of volunteering remarkably contribute to building an ecology of successful aging.

The role of anti-aging approaches in managing hypogonadism in sedentary older males.

With thirty percent of the world's population not getting enough exercise, Worldwide, physical inactivity ranks as one of the most common causes of premature mortality. Rapid drops in physical activity, decreased mobility, and early morbidity are aging characteristics. As the population over 80 continues to rise, aging raises the danger of age-related illnesses and changes in hormone release. Understanding the aging process is useful in developing pharmacological therapies and identifying therapeutic targets for age-related testosterone deficiency. Therefore, this study's purpose is to present a thorough evaluation of the effects of anti-aging strategies on testosterone levels in older, inactive men. A literature search was completed for clinical and preclinical studies published in English between 2014 and 2024 related to age, sedentary life, testosterone, and anti-aging strategies. A sedentary lifestyle and low testosterone are linked to a vicious cycle. A sedentary lifestyle lowers testosterone levels, which leads to depression, exhaustion, low energy, and weakened bone and muscle strength. These effects exacerbate the detrimental consequences of aging and physical inactivity. Anti-aging techniques can prevent and treat age-related diseases, including calorie restriction, a balanced diet, regular exercise, weight control, diabetes management, and quitting smoking. Regular exercise raises total testosterone, free testosterone, and muscle steroidogenesis. In older men, testosterone replacement treatment increases bone density, cholesterol, protein synthesis, strength, erectile function, sexual desire, and general cognitive performance. However, some studies suggest dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation may provide health improvements without negative effects, potentially reversing arterial aging and reducing cardiovascular disease risk. This article evaluates the prospects for anti-aging procedures to assist in reducing the adverse effects of aging and physical inactivity in men.

Abstract 4138344: High fat diet induced the premature senescence of white adipose tissue through downregulating SIRT1 expression and promoting its S-nitroslyation modification

Background and Objectives: The dysfunction of subcutaneous white adipose tissue is one of the early manifestations of obesity, which was associated with accelerated cellular process in aging induced by high fat-diet. The premature senescence of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) is the key factor contributing to the aging of subcutaneous white adipose tissue. However, the underlying mechanism was not clear. Here, we explored the role and mechanism of obesity on the aging of white adipose tissue and AMSCs, and evaluated the anti-aging effect of resveratrol on this process. Methods: Subcutaneous white adipose tissue in non-elderly obese individuals and mice fed with high fat-diet was obtained to detect the TG metabolism and premature senescence. Then the postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) after high-fat diet was extracted, and the role and mechanism of TRL on the senescence of AMSCs were explored. Finally, the anti-aging effect of resveratrol on the white adipose tissue and AMSCs was evaluated. Results: Postprandial TG metabolism was abnormal in non-elderly obese humans and mice, and high-fat diet remarkably aggravated white adipose tissue senescence in mice (Fig. 1). TRL induced the premature senescence of AMSCs, with the downregulation of of silent mating-type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) via protein kinase B/forkhead box protein O1 pathway. Besides, the S-nitrosylation of SIRT1 was increased which was regulated by ten-eleven translocation 1/S-nitrosoglutathione reductase pathway. Resveratrol, a SIRT1 agonist, inhibited the TRL-induced AMSCs senescence, resulting in the amelioration of white adipose tissue senescence in obese mice (Fig. 2). Conclusions: These findings established a new mechanism for high-fat diet-induced white adipose tissue senescence and provided a potential therapeutic strategy for high-fat diet induced white adipose tissue senescence and metabolic disorders.

Acute Decompensation of Chronic Cardiac Failure in Elderly and Senile Persons: Focus on Renal Dysfunction

The heart and kidneys, as well as their synergy, are necessary conditions for maintaining hemodynamic homeostasis in the human body. Since the beginning of the 19th century, it has been recognized that cardiovascular and renal diseases often coexist and have a mutually aggravating effect on each other. During the aging process, involutive changes in organs and body systems, especially the cardiovascular and urinary systems, lead to many physiological and functional changes that can increase the risk of developing acute complications, including acute decompensation of chronic heart failure (CHF). The prevalence of CHF is increasing among the population of older age groups all over the world, which is explained not only by involutive changes in the cardiovascular system of the body, but also by the high frequency of concomitant diseases, in particular chronic kidney disease. Age-related changes in the urinary system also play an important role in maintaining homeostasis of the body, however, during the aging process, along with a decrease in the number of nephrons, a decrease in the concentration function of the kidneys is observed, as well as a change in their structural integrity. These involutive changes in renal tissue may complicate the diagnosis and treatment of conditions associated with acute decompensation of CHF. Therefore, consideration of age-related changes in the cardiovascular and urinary systems and their contribution to the development of acute decompensation of CHF represents an important area for further research and practical applications aimed at improving medical care and quality of life in older people. The review article examines scientific literature data on cardiorenal relationships in acute decompensation of chronic heart failure in elderly and senile people.

Die Einstellungen des Alters und des Alterns in den deutschen Werbespots

Depending on the cultural context, age characteristics or specific portrayals of age are presented differently in television advertisements. Advertising agencies often attempt to convey certain cultural images, family values and principles or even illustrate humorous age stereotypes, which can be identified for example in the two analyzed commercials from Bluna and Teekanne, in order to attract the interest and attention of the audience. Since childhood, each person has certain image ideas that have a great influence on them from literature, society, the media, but especially from television. These influence our perception of the natural process of aging, either positively or negatively. However, such age stereotypes are also culture-dependent, because in Asian cultures the portrayal of old age is perceived differently, in the sense of wisdom, spiritual experience, long longevity, and from a state of healthy well-being. In contrast, in European cultures, perceptions of old age differ significantly, with a greater association with severe physical conditions or mental illnesses.

Bone loss with aging is independent of gut microbiome in mice

Emerging evidence suggests a significant role of gut microbiome in bone health. Aging is well recognized as a crucial factor influencing the gut microbiome. In this study, we investigated whether age-dependent microbial change contributes to age-related bone loss in CB6F1 mice. The bone phenotype of 24-month-old germ-free (GF) mice was indistinguishable compared to their littermates colonized by fecal transplant at 1-month-old. Moreover, bone loss from 3 to 24-month-old was comparable between GF and specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice. Thus, GF mice were not protected from age-related bone loss. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples from 3-month and 24-month-old SPF males indicated an age-dependent microbial shift with an alteration in energy and nutrient metabolism potential. An integrative analysis of 16S predicted metagenome function and LC-MS fecal metabolome revealed an enrichment of protein and amino acid biosynthesis pathways in aged mice. Microbial S-adenosyl methionine metabolism was increased in the aged mice, which has previously been associated with the host aging process. Collectively, aging caused microbial taxonomic and functional alteration in mice. To demonstrate the functional importance of young and old microbiome to bone, we colonized GF mice with fecal microbiome from 3-month or 24-month-old SPF donor mice for 1 and 8 months. The effect of microbial colonization on bone phenotypes was independent of the microbiome donors’ age. In conclusion, our study indicates age-related bone loss occurs independent of gut microbiome.

Impact of accelerated aging on seed quality, seed coat physical structure and antioxidant enzyme activity of Maize (Zea mays L.).

Aging induces many deteriorative changes to seeds during storage like protein degradation, enzyme inactivation and loss of membrane integrity. In this study, we investigate the impact of accelerated aging on seed quality, seed coat physical structure and antioxidant enzyme activity of maize. Three genotypes African Tall, MAH 14-5 and a local landrace were selected and artificially aged for 96 and 120 h. The aging process led to a decrease in germination, vigour, and total dehydrogenase in seeds, while the electrical conductivity of seed leachates increased, indicating a decline in seed quality. Additionally, there was a variation in the microsculpture pattern of seed coats between genotypes. There was an accumulation of damage on the seed coat surface as the seeds aged and higher damage occurred in African Tall followed by MAH 14-5 and local landrace. Higher catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity were reported in the seed coat of Local landrace and MAH 14-5 that resisted aging and deterioration while, lower catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity was reported in African Tall seed coat that deteriorated during aging. Decrease antioxidant activity in aged seeds might be a possible cause of seed deterioration due to the accumulation of free radicals. Thus, these results clearly show the influence of seed coat structure and antioxidant activity on seed quality during aging.

Exogenous Nucleotides Mitigate Cardiac Aging in SAMP8 Mice by Modulating Energy Metabolism Through AMPK Pathway.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the predominant cause of mortality, with aging being a significant risk factor. Nucleotides (NTs), essential for numerous biological functions, are particularly vital under conditions like aging, starvation, and nutrient deficiency. Although the antiaging benefits of exogenous NTs have been recognized in various systems, their cardiac-specific effects are not well understood. This study, therefore, investigated the impact of exogenous NTs on cardiac aging and delved into the potential mechanisms. Senescence-accelerated mouse prone-8 (SAMP8) mice were utilized, randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group (Control), a low-dose NTs group (NTs_L), and a high-dose NTs group (NTs_H). Meanwhile, senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1 (SAMR1) mice were set up as the SAMR1 group. Following a 9-month intervention, cardiac tissues were subjected to analysis. The results showed that NTs improved the morphological structure of the cardiac tissue, enhanced the antioxidant capacity, and mitigated inflammation. Metabolomics analysis revealed that the high-dose NT intervention improved cardiac tissue energy metabolism, potentially through activating the AMPK pathway, enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis, and increased TFAM protein expression. Together, these results indicate that exogenous NTs exert beneficial effects on the cardiac tissues of SAMP8 mice, potentially mitigating the cardiac aging process.

Stay social, stay young: a bioanthropological outlook on the processes linking sociality and ageing.

In modern human societies, social interactions and pro-social behaviours are associated with better individual and collective health, reduced mortality, and increased longevity. Conversely, social isolation is a predictor of shorter lifespan. The biological processes through which sociality affects the ageing process, as well as healthspan and lifespan, are still poorly understood. Unveiling the physiological, neurological, genomic, epigenomic, and evolutionary mechanisms underlying the association between sociality and longevity may open new perspectives to understand how lifespan is determined in a broader socio/evolutionary outlook. Here we summarize evidence showing how social dynamics can shape the evolution of life history traits through physiological and genetic processes directly or indirectly related to ageing and lifespan. We start by reviewing theories of ageing that incorporate social interactions into their model. Then, we address the link between sociality and lifespan from two separate points of view: (i) considering evidences from comparative evolutionary biology and bioanthropology that demonstrates how sociality contributes to natural variation in lifespan over the course of human evolution and among different human groups in both pre-industrial and post-industrial society, and (ii) discussing the main physiological, neurological, genetic, and epigenetic molecular processes at the interface between sociality and ageing. We highlight that the exposure to chronic social stressors deregulates neurophysiological and immunological pathways and promotes accelerated ageing and thereby reducing lifespan. In conclusion, we describe how sociality and social dynamics are intimately embedded in human biology, influencing healthy ageing and lifespan, and we highlight the need to foster interdisciplinary approaches including social sciences, biological anthropology, human ecology, physiology, and genetics.

THE IMPACT OF EXOGENOUS AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS ON VASCULAR WALL ELASTICITY AND POTENTIAL CLINICAL EFFECTS (Review Article)

Vascular aging is associated with profound changes in the structural properties of the arterial wall. Arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease are the primary determinants of the loss of elasticity and reduced compliance of the vascular wall. Arterial stiffness is a key parameter for assessing the elasticity of the arterial wall and can be easily evaluated using non-invasive methods such as pulse wave velocity. Early assessment of arterial stiffness is critical, as its changes may precede the clinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease. With age, arterial walls become stiffer, leading to an increase in systolic blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke, myocardial infarction, or heart failure. The gradual decrease in vascular elasticity is accompanied by remodeling of their structure, an increase in collagen fibers, and a decrease in elastin, which exacerbates the problem. In addition, the mechanical stress on the vascular wall, which increases with age, worsens its condition, provoking the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Arterial stiffness, as an important biomarker of vascular aging, is also an indicator of increased cardiovascular risk, independent of other factors such as blood pressure or the presence of comorbidities. Therefore, timely diagnosis of arterial stiffness can help prevent serious complications and adjust treatment for patients at risk. Important are also preventive measures, including a healthy lifestyle, physical activity, and control of the underlying diseases that contribute to the acceleration of vascular aging processes. Moreover, the influence of endogenous and exogenous factors, such as diet, the presence of chronic diseases, and bad habits (in particular, smoking), contribute to the acceleration of these processes. Innovative diagnostic methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound, allow detecting these changes at early stages and, accordingly, adapting treatment.

Scientific heritage of Ippolit Vasilievich Davydovsky: issues of gerontology in the light of general pathology

Ippolit Vasilyevich Davydovsky is an outstanding pathologist, academician of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences, and professor who made a tremendous contribution to the foundations of modern pathological anatomy. Among his various scientific interests, he notably focused on the study of gerontology. This topic is quite relevant today since gerontology is beginning to become a separate medical specialty in medicine. The authors analyze the aspects disclosed in Davydovsky’s monograph “Gerontology,” as well as the ideas presented in other works on the issues described above. An overview of the main theories and provisions proposed by I.V. Davydovsky throughout his scientific career is presented. The importance of a comprehensive study of gerontology, which is inextricably linked with other branches of medicine, is emphasized. The natural philosophical understanding of the aging process is considered. The problem of atherosclerosis in geriatrics is described separately. Beyond his contributions to gerontology, the article highlights other foundational works by Davydovsky, including a textbook on general human pathology that underscores the inseparability of pathomorphology and pathophysiology as components of one discipline. His monograph on organopathology provides a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of human diseases. Thus, the scientist sought to dialogue with clinicians in his published works, thereby advancing the clinical-anatomical approach. The view of the community of pathologists on the scientific activity of I.V. Davydovsky, one of the most distinguished representatives of the field, is also interesting.

Theoretical Approaches to Communicative Practices in the Study of Intergenerational Communication and Aging.

Intergenerational communication and aging is a thriving interdisciplinary, methodologically diverse field having significant implications for understanding the aging process. This opening article to the special issue provides a brief overview of this research domain, with particular attention to theoretical practices within it. Communication accommodation theory (CAT) is introduced given it has provided a foundation for other well-cited models of communication and aging. In so doing, a couple of the CAT principles are elaborated, based on recent work on age meta-stereotyping and intergroup felt understanding. CAT is also a component of the influential "communication ecology model of successful aging" and, after exploring some of its tenets, its visually schematic representation is elaborated as well as connections speculated regarding its relationship with the communicative lives of SuperAgers. Thereafter, highlights emerging from the articles in this special issue that follow are drawn out.