Assessment Of Biological Age Research Articles

Cluster-analysis of human pulse wave by self-organizing Cohonen maps to identify markers of age groups

The present study is methodological in nature and describes an approach to the study of the human cardiovascular system. The assessment of biological age is important for the management of the human aging process. Regular monitoring of this indicator makes it possible to take preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular disasters. The aim of the study is to determine the age groups based on the pulse waves of the subjects using Kohonen neural networks. In this study, Kohonen self-organizing maps were used to cluster pulse waves of people of different ages by observing the dy-namic change of the pulse wave with the selection of parameters of the neural network self-organization algorithm. A data set of different age groups was used. Each group con-tained files of subjects of the same age, each file – pulse waves of these subjects. As a result of experiments with neural network configurations, cluster structures were obtained and geometric characteristics of pulse waves corresponding to age groups were estab-lished. The clustering algorithm used broke the pulse waves into clusters, the reliability of which in some cases reached 91–96 %. The software implementation of the trained neural network and the portability of the pulse wave measuring device allow the proposed tech-nique to be used to monitor the state of the cardiovascular system in people at risk of cardiovascular disasters, as well as people associated with dangerous professions, ath-letes, office workers, etc. Registration of changes in biological age contributes to the adoption of timely preventive measures, decisions on the modification of nutrition, life-style and physical activity. The resulting network can be used in diagnostic systems to support medical decision-making.

Artificial Intelligence Assessment of Biological Age From Transthoracic Echocardiography: Discrepancies with Chronologic Age Predict Significant Excess Mortality

Age and sex can be estimated using artificial intelligence on the basis of various sources. The aims of this study were to test whether convolutional neural networks could be trained to estimate age and predict sex using standard transthoracic echocardiography and to evaluate the prognostic implications. The algorithm was trained on 76,342 patients, validated in 22,825 patients, and tested in 20,960 patients. It was then externally validated using data from a different hospital (n=556). Finally, a prospective cohort of handheld point-of-care ultrasound devices (n=319; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT05455541) was used to confirm the findings. A multivariate Cox regression model was used to investigate the association between age estimation and chronologic age with overall survival. The mean absolute error in age estimation was 4.9years, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.922. The probabilistic value of sex had an overall accuracy of 96.1% and an area under the curve of 0.993. External validation and prospective study cohorts yielded consistent results. Finally, survival analysis demonstrated that age prediction ≥5years vs chronologic age was associated with an independent 34% increased risk for death during follow-up (P<.001). Applying artificial intelligence to standard transthoracic echocardiography allows the prediction of sex and the estimation of age. Machine-based estimation is an independent predictor of overall survival and, with further evaluation, can be used for risk stratification and estimation of biological age.

Biological age assessment method teenage students

To assess the biological age of adolescents, the special literature offers 9 methods for boys and 14 methods for girls. The aim of the article was to determine the more informative methods for boys and girls. Methods: anthropometry, somatometry, somatoscopy, tonometry, spirometry, dynamometry, Hench and Shtange tests, Ruffier and Robinson indices. The interaction of the results of different methods for the assessment of biological age was analysed using factor analysis (principal components method) for groups of subjects of the same gender and age. Boys aged 14-15 (n=102) and girls aged 12-13 (n=101) were studied. The choice of these age groups was explained by the presence of the most significant individual differences in morpho-functional features in the school students of this age. Results: among the methods for assessment of biological age in adolescent school students proposed in the literature, there is not a single one that would be statistically siginificantly related to the other methods. This applies to both boys and girls. The biological age of adolescents can be reliably determined using a set of three components: an assessment of physical development, the heterochronicity index, and the degree of manifestation of secondary sexual characteristics (for boys with a probability of 90.2%, for girls - 92.1%). The percentage ratio of these components has gender peculiarities. Methods for assessing biological age for scientific purposes and quick assessment for use in the practice of physical education and sports are proposed. The indicators in quick assessment technique include body length and the degree of development of the axillary hair. The reliability of the quick assessment technique is 81.4% for boys and 83.2% for girls. Conclusion: the development of adequate physical activity for adolescents of different biological ages will help to improve the physical health of the younger generation.

DNA methylation clocks for estimating biological age in Chinese cohorts.

Epigenetic clocks are accurate predictors of human chronological age based on the analysis of DNA methylation (DNAm) at specific CpG sites. However, a systematic comparison between DNA methylation data and other omics datasets has not yet been performed. Moreover, available DNAm age predictors are based on datasets with limited ethnic representation. To address these knowledge gaps, we generated and analyzed DNA methylation datasets from two independent Chinese cohorts, revealing age-related DNAm changes. Additionally, a DNA methylation aging clock (iCAS-DNAmAge) and a group of DNAm-based multi-modal clocks for Chinese individuals were developed, with most of them demonstrating strong predictive capabilities for chronological age. The clocks were further employed to predict factors influencing aging rates. The DNAm aging clock, derived from multi-modal aging features (compositeAge-DNAmAge), exhibited a close association with multi-omics changes, lifestyles, and disease status, underscoring its robust potential for precise biological age assessment. Our findings offer novel insights into the regulatory mechanism of age-related DNAm changes and extend the application of the DNAm clock for measuring biological age and aging pace, providing the basis for evaluating aging intervention strategies.

Why do we age? The main signs of aging

Aging is a gradual and irreversible pathophysiological process. This is manifested in the decline of tissue and cell functions and a significant variety of pathologies associated with aging, including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, increased risk of diseases of the skeleton and the immune system. Although modern medical advances have made a certain contribution to human health and greatly extended life expectancy, along with the aging of society, various chronic diseases are gradually emerging, which are the most important causes of disability and death of the elderly. Aim. The aim of the work is to analyze modern ideas in the field of causes and manifestations of aging processes for the possibility of developing a strategy to slow down its course. At the molecular and cellular level, aging is a complex biological process involving the gradual deterioration of various cellular and molecular processes in the body over time. The length of a person’s life is closely related to the decrease in the possibilities of repair and regeneration of tissues and organs. In response to stress at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels, genetic, epigenetic, and environmental regulatory factors cause a decrease in the body’s physiological capabilities. They use complex molecular mechanisms that together contribute to aging. Molecular mechanisms (such as telomere shortening, accumulation of DNA damage, metabolic changes, and excessive free radical generation) strongly link various factors to the rate of aging. Collectively, these mechanisms inhibit cell proliferation, alter metabolism and gene expression, and induce high levels of free radicals, maintaining a senescent cell phenotype. Although the number of early senescent cells is low, they can limit the regenerative capacity of tissue stem cells and lead to the accumulation of cellular damage, thereby contributing to age-related diseases. Conclusions. Current advances in high-throughput genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics enable the characterization and quantification of thousands of epigenetic markers, transcripts, proteins, metabolites, and can reveal general changes that occur with age in complex organisms at the molecular level. Thus, the integration of these molecular markers and related molecular mechanisms into a comprehensive assessment of biological age to prevent age-related functional decline and morbidity is becoming an increasingly pressing issue in medical science and should be implemented in practice as soon as possible.

Modern markers for the assessment of biological age

The steady increase in human life expectancy in the 21st century is considered one of the major public health challenges. However, current achievements in longevity, are most often associated with increasing years in disability. Current studies indicate that healthy longevity is achieved, through harmonised ageing of the whole body. Due to the complexity of ageing, a number of biological age markers have been determined to describe the intensity of changes limiting biophysiological functions at different levels of the body. Biological age markers can be divided into two categories: parameters determining the level of severity of molecular and cellular hallmarks of ageing: genomic incapacity, telomere length changes, mitochondrial dysfunction, loss of proteostasis, epigenetic changes, cellular senescence, deregulation of nutrient sensitivity, stem cell depletion, altered intercellular communication. The second group are parameters defining age at the systemic level: bone age, muscle age, vascular age, neuronal age, endocrine age, pulmonary age, glycan age. Modern methods of measuring biological age markers allow the identification of weak points in ageing and illustrate the unevenness of the ageing process. It is worth considering the study of biological age markers to prioritise interventions promoting sustainable ageing.

Адаптационные, регуляторные и функциональные возможности студентов с разным биологическим возрастом по шкале «Bio-age»

Biological age (BA) is determined by a set of metabolic, structural, functional, regulatory and adaptive characteristics of the body. Assessment of biological age is the key to studying the influence of time and environmental conditions on changes in the body at all stages of ontogenesis. The purpose of this article was to study the adaptive, regulatory and functional characteristics of students of different biological ages, determined using the Bio-Age scale. Materials and methods. The research involved 521 students aged 18–25 years who were examined at the Health Centre based at Arzamas City Hospital No. 1. These included anthropometry, bioelectrical impedance analysis, cardiointervalography, anklebrachial index test, as well as determination of total cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood. Results. Biological age assessment using the Bio-Age scale showed that only in 1/2 of the students the biological age coincides with the chronological age, while 1/3 of the subjects already have an accelerated rate of ageing. The adaptive capabilities of students whose biological age is less than the chronological age (BA &lt; CA) are better than of those whose biological age exceeds the chronological age (BA &gt; CA). This is confirmed not only by the adaptation degree according to R.M. Baevsky’s method, but also by stress index dynamics and by the parameters of heart rate spectral analysis. In students with BA &lt; CA, the functional state of the body is optimal both at rest and during an orthostatic test: the total power of the cardiointervalogram spectrum decreases due to reduced activity of the parasympathetic division. In students with BA &gt; CA, both in the supine and prone positions, a mismatch in the functioning of different parts of the autonomic nervous system was identified, namely, greater involvement of the central parts of heart rate control, increased sympathetic influences and a weaker activity of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system.

877 Utility Value of Colonoscopy in the Over 80's

Abstract Aim To audit the rationale and efficacy of colonoscopy in the over 80’s over a year period at Southport hospital which caters to a geriatrically skewed population. Currently protocol driven diagnostic pathways often lead to direct triaging of patients to endoscopy preventing assessment of biological age of patient, practicalities of the procedure and risk-benefit ratio. Method A retrospective audit with data in 105 patients over the age of 80 who underwent colonoscopy in 2021 January – December 2021 was collated. An audit proforma looking at pre-, during- and post -colonoscopy data was evaluated using the hospital endoscopy records and clinical records. Results Pre-colonoscopy demographics showed that anaemia (31%) and change in bowel habit (26%) were the most common indications for colonoscopy. Completion rates, diagnostic yield and complication rates were evaluated. Completion rate was 73%. Positive findings were diverticulosis (52%), polyps (9%), colitis (3%) and malignancy in 15%. Mitigating factors for non-completion and poor efficacy were discomfort, angulation, poor bowel prep as well as incriminating polypharmacy and comorbidity. Conclusions Based on the audit findings targeted endoscopy in this age group is a better management rather than its usage as first line investigation to achieve maximum efficacy.

Abstract 6487: Association between telomere length and overall survival in lung cancer patients: a mendelian randomization study

Abstract Background: An association between chronological age and poor lung cancer survival is well established, but it is unclear whether accelerated biological aging may also predispose lung cancer patients to worse survival outcomes. While telomere shortening in blood cells is a biomarker of aging, its relationship to lung cancer prognosis remains unclear due to limited sample size, confounding, and reverse causation from observational studies. As telomere length could be a precursor of worse prognosis, a causal inference method is needed to clarify the role of telomere length in predicting lung cancer outcomes. Methods: A Mendelian Randomization study for the causal relationship between telomere length and overall survival in lung cancer was carried out. We searched the GWAS catalog for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with telomere length and collected effect estimates for the association between each SNP and telomere length from the literature. The summary data for all SNPs were acquired by analyzing their associations with overall survival of lung cancer patients in the Boston Lung Cancer Study (BLCS) and through Cox proportional hazards regression. The effect size of telomere length on overall survival was calculated and compared through several weighting methods including inverse-variance weighting (IVW) and MR-Egger. Results: A total of 16 SNPs were identified as the genetic instruments for telomere length. 1798 lung cancer patients from BLCS provided survival data with a median follow-up of 33 months. Surprisingly, a non-significant positive trend was observed for the association between telomere length and overall survival across the weighting methods (IVW: HR 1.718, 95%CI 0.849 - 3.476; MR-Egger: HR 2.347, 95%CI 0.592 - 9.309). Further analysis is ongoing to incorporate more patients and genetic instruments for additional markers of biological aging in the BLCS to explore the source of heterogeneity (I2= 98.1%) in the present study and gain more power for detecting the underlying relationship between telomere length and overall survival in lung cancer. Conclusion: A positive trend between telomere length and risk of death in lung cancer patients is consistent with previous reports of an association between increased cancer risk and longer telomere length, but is seemingly at odds with an established link between chronological age and poor lung cancer prognosis. Since markers of biological aging are strongly correlated with chronological age, we conclude that a more robust assessment of biological age will be needed to clarify the causal relationship between telomere length and lung cancer prognosis. Citation Format: Ting Zhai, David C. Christiani, Zachary D. Nagel. Association between telomere length and overall survival in lung cancer patients: a mendelian randomization study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 6487.

DNA methylation in cocaine use disorder-An epigenome-wide approach in the human prefrontal cortex.

Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is characterized by a loss of control over cocaine intake and is associated with structural, functional, and molecular alterations in the human brain. At the molecular level, epigenetic alterations are hypothesized to contribute to the higher-level functional and structural brain changes observed in CUD. Most evidence of cocaine-associated epigenetic changes comes from animal studies while only a few studies have been performed using human tissue. We investigated epigenome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm) signatures of CUD in human post-mortem brain tissue of Brodmann area 9 (BA9). A total of N = 42 BA9 brain samples were obtained from N = 21 individuals with CUD and N = 21 individuals without a CUD diagnosis. We performed an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) and analyzed CUD-associated differentially methylated regions (DMRs). To assess the functional role of CUD-associated differential methylation, we performed Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses and characterized co-methylation networks using a weighted correlation network analysis. We further investigated epigenetic age in CUD using epigenetic clocks for the assessment of biological age. While no cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) site was associated with CUD at epigenome-wide significance in BA9, we detected a total of 20 CUD-associated DMRs. After annotation of DMRs to genes, we identified Neuropeptide FF Receptor 2 (NPFFR2) and Kalirin RhoGEF Kinase (KALRN) for which a previous role in the behavioral response to cocaine in rodents is known. Three of the four identified CUD-associated co-methylation modules were functionally related to neurotransmission and neuroplasticity. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks derived from module hub genes revealed several addiction-related genes as highly connected nodes such as Calcium Voltage-Gated Channel Subunit Alpha1 C (CACNA1C), Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 3 Group C Member 1 (NR3C1), and Jun Proto-Oncogene, AP-1 Transcription Factor Subunit (JUN). In BA9, we observed a trend toward epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) in individuals with CUD remaining stable even after adjustment for covariates. Results from our study highlight that CUD is associated with epigenome-wide differences in DNAm levels in BA9 particularly related to synaptic signaling and neuroplasticity. This supports findings from previous studies that report on the strong impact of cocaine on neurocircuits in the human prefrontal cortex (PFC). Further studies are needed to follow up on the role of epigenetic alterations in CUD focusing on the integration of epigenetic signatures with transcriptomic and proteomic data.

Treatment Predicament for Pediatric Dentist: Gender-wise Comparative Correlation of Biological and Chronological Age in 8-15-year-old Children.

The chronological age (CA) of a patient does not always correspond to the events of growth surge; therefore treatment strategies need good knowledge of biological markers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between the skeletal age (SA), dental age (DA), and CA along with the stages of calcification of teeth and the cervical vertebral maturity (CVM) stages in Indian subjects. A sample of 100 pairs preexisting radiographs, both orthopantomogram and lateral cephalogram, of the individuals in the age-group of 8-15 years were procured and were analyzed for the level of dental and skeletal maturity using Demirjian scale and cervical vertebral maturity index, respectively. A high correlation coefficient (r) was found to be 0.839 (p = 0) between chronological and dental age (DA), 0.833 (p = 0) between chronological and skeletal age (SA), and 0.730 (p = 0) between skeletal and DA. The current research showed that the overall correlation between all three ages was found to be high. It was found that the SA assessed by the CVM stages had a high correlation with the CA. Within the limits of the present study, there exists a high degree of correlation between biological ages and chronological age, but still it is imperative for a correct assessment of biological age of individual patients for quality treatment outcomes. Gandhi K, Malhotra R, Datta G, et al. Treatment Predicament for Pediatric Dentist: Gender-wise Comparative Correlation of Biological and Chronological Age in 8-15-year-old Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(5):569-574.

Effects of virtual reality training on bio- and psycho-markers of aging in retired individuals

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of VR-training on bio- and psycho-markers of aging in elderly people. Thirty women aged 56 to 82 years living in Moscow and participating in the Moscow Longevity programme were examined. The following methods were used: diagnostic (self-assessment of subjective age, measurement of aging indicators included in the system of biological age assessment according to V.P. Voitenko, diagnostics of attentiveness and awareness), methods of experimental influence (training session on the development of spiritual resource of personality), mathematical statistics (Wilcoxon's T-criterion). The results show that virtual reality training improves markers of biopsychological age of retirees: it increases the level of mindfulness, reduces heart rate and increases static balancing time. Although VR training did not have a statistically significant effect on measures of psychological age and blood pressure, the overall findings emphasise the importance and potential utility of virtual reality training for older adults in the context of slowing ageing and improving quality of life. Further research with larger samples and longer follow-up periods is required to fully evaluate the effectiveness of these exercises.

A Targeted Epigenetic Clock for the Prediction of Biological Age.

Epigenetic clocks were initially developed to track chronological age, but accumulating evidence indicates that they can also predict biological age. They are usually based on the analysis of DNA methylation by genome-wide methods, but targeted approaches, based on the assessment of a small number of CpG sites, are advisable in several settings. In this study, we developed a targeted epigenetic clock purposely optimized for the measurement of biological age. The clock includes six genomic regions mapping in ELOVL2, NHLRC1, AIM2, EDARADD, SIRT7 and TFAP2E genes, selected from a re-analysis of existing microarray data, whose DNA methylation is measured by EpiTYPER assay. In healthy subjects (n = 278), epigenetic age calculated using the targeted clock was highly correlated with chronological age (Spearman correlation = 0.89). Most importantly, and in agreement with previous results from genome-wide clocks, epigenetic age was significantly higher and lower than expected in models of increased (persons with Down syndrome, n = 62) and decreased (centenarians, n = 106; centenarians' offspring, n = 143; nutritional intervention in elderly, n = 233) biological age, respectively. These results support the potential of our targeted epigenetic clock as a new marker of biological age and open its evaluation in large cohorts to further promote the assessment of biological age in healthcare practice.

Biological Age Predictors: The Status Quo and Future Trends

There is no single universal biomarker yet to estimate overall health status and longevity prospects. Moreover, a consensual approach to the very concept of aging and the means of its assessment are yet to be developed. Markers of aging could facilitate effective health control, more accurate life expectancy estimates, and improved health and quality of life. Clinicians routinely use several indicators that could be biomarkers of aging. Duly validated in a large cohort, models based on a combination of these markers could provide a highly accurate assessment of biological age and the pace of aging. Biological aging is a complex characteristic of chronological age (usually), health-to-age concordance, and medically estimated life expectancy. This study is a review of the most promising techniques that could soon be used in routine clinical practice. Two main selection criteria were applied: a sufficient sample size and reliability based on validation. The selected biological age calculators were grouped according to the type of biomarker used: (1) standard clinical and laboratory markers; (2) molecular markers; and (3) epigenetic markers. The most accurate were the calculators, which factored in a variety of biomarkers. Despite their demonstrated effectiveness, most of them require further improvement and cannot yet be considered for use in standard clinical practice. To illustrate their clinical application, we reviewed their use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We take the uncertainty about biological age assessment seriously

We take the uncertainty about biological age assessment seriously

Personal Resources as a Factor of Biological Age: Individual Typological Approach.

Criteria of personal resources are proposed: 1) a person can manage them, 2) they are complementary to everyday life, 3) there is evidence of their effectiveness in the literature. Thirteen personal resources have been identified. The test subjects are men from 36 to 60 years old, women from 36 to 55 years old. Methods: assessment of biological age in terms of health indicators, questionnaire of personal resources, methods for assessing individuality. An analysis of variance was carried out, and automatic neural networks were also used (“regression” method). Results. For women, the most effective resources are: achievements, communication, kindness, needlework, intelligence, sports, creativity, spirituality and humor, and for men, sports, needlework, kindness. The influence of other resources depends on the frequency of use. There is a U - shaped dependence (creativity and spirituality in men), an inverse U - shaped dependence (order - in women), quasi-periodic dependences. 3 patterns were found: 1) The use of personal resources affects the aging index, generally lowering it; 2) For some resources, the aging index decreases with frequent use, rare use is ineffective, on the contrary, it can take up free time and distract a person from other activities; 3) For other resources, on the contrary, the aging index decreases with an average level of use, often ineffective, like a complete absence; 4) In women, the aging index is more influenced by general psychological personal resources, less often by typological features. In men, the aging index is more influenced by typological and individual characteristics.

Peripheral mitochondrial DNA, telomere length and DNA methylation as predictors of live birth inin vitrofertilization cycles.

To evaluate whether telomere length (TL), mitochondrial-DNA (mt-DNA) or epigenetic age estimators based on DNA methylation (DNAm) pattern could be considered reliable predictors of in-vitro-fertilization (IVF) success in terms of live birth rate. Prospective cohort study. Infertility Unit of the Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico. 181 women aged 37-39 years who underwent IVF at a single-centre between January 2017 and December 2018. On the day of recruitment, blood samples were collected, and genomic DNA was isolated from white blood cells. TL, mt-DNA and DNAm assessment was performed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Biological age (DNAm age) was computed as the algorithm based on methylation pattern of five genes. Epigenetic age acceleration was estimated from the residuals of the linear model of epigenetic age regressed on chronological age. Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements (LINE)-1 methylation pattern was used as a surrogate for global DNA methylation. This study investigated whether peripheral TL, mt-DNA and DNAm could predict live birth in IVF cycles. TL, mt-DNA and LINE-1 methylation were not associated with IVF success. Conversely, DNAm age resulted significantly lower in women who had a live birth compared to women who did not (36.1 ± 4.2 and 37.3 ± 3.3 years, respectively, p = 0.04). For DNAm age, odds ratio (OR) for live birth per year of age was 0.90 (95%CI: 0.82-0.99, p = 0.036) after adjusting for FSH and antral follicle count (AFC) and 0.90 (95%CI: 0.82-0.99, p = 0.028) after adjusting also for number of oocytes retrieved. A significant association also emerged for epigenetic age acceleration after adjustments (OR = 0.91, 95%CI: 0.83-1.00, p = 0.048). DNAm age is associated with IVF success but the magnitude of this association is insufficient to claim a clinical use. However, our findings are promising and warrant further investigation. Assessment of biological age using different epigenetic clocks or focusing on different tissues may reveal new predictors of IVF success.

Assessment of biological age and body composition in people involved in hardening

To assess the biological age of persons belonging to the group of the second mature age, who are engaged in different types of hardening, using the method of bioimpedance analysis, depending on gender, age and additional sports activities. The study involved 36 women and 27 men of the second mature age involved in hardening. The division into groups took place taking into account gender and the presence/absence of any sports activities. Anthropometric and hemodynamic parameters were measured, the qualitative composition of the body was studied by the method of bioimpedance analysis, and the biological age was determined by the method of V. Sukhov. The body mass index of the examined women and men was above the normal range. According to bioimpedance analysis, in men, the indicators of fat, lean, active cell and skeletal muscle mass, total water, waist/hip index had higher values than in women. In a comparative analysis of the calendar and biological age, it was found that the biological age in all the studied groups was reduced relative to the calendar. It should be noted that both in women and men in the «hardening» groups, the difference between biological and calendar age was more pronounced (p≤0.01) than in the «hardening-sport» groups (p≤0.05). Despite the fact that hardening is associated with a high level of stress (both emotional and physical), it helps to slow down the rate of aging of the body and leads to a decrease in the wear and tear of the functioning of natural physiological processes. Due to hardening, a decrease in the biological age of a person is observed, which can be associated with both a high level of health and lifestyle.

New Directions in Research on Aging.

Biology of aging is an active and rapidly expanding area of biomedical research. Over the years, focus of work in this field has been gradually shifting from studying the effects and symptoms of aging to searching for mechanisms of the aging process. Progress of this work led to an additional shift from looking for “the mechanism” of aging and formulating the corresponding “theories of aging” to appreciation that aging represents a net result of multiple physiological changes and their intricate interactions. It was also shown that mechanisms of aging include nutrient-dependent signaling pathways which have been remarkably conserved in the course of the evolution. Another important development in this field is increased emphasis on searching for pharmacological and environmental interventions that can extend healthspan or influence other aspects of aging. Progress in understanding the key role of aging as a risk factor for chronic disease provides impetus for these studies. Data from the recent pandemic provided additional evidence for the impact of age on resilience. Progress of work in this area also was influenced by major analytical and technological advances, including greatly improved methods for the study of gene expression, protein, lipids, and metabolites profiles, enhanced ability to produce various genetic modifications and novel approaches to assessment of biological age. Progress in research on the biology of aging provides reasons for optimism about the chances that safe and widely applicable anti-aging interventions with significant benefits for both individual and public health will be developed in the not too distant future.Graphical abstract

Radiographic Examination of Third Molar Development for Biological Age Assessment in Java Population, Indonesia

Background: The individual age as documented in the birth certificate shall be authorized as a chronologicalage. In several countries, falsification of documents relating to an individual age is becoming a major problem,since it is correlated with monetary, marriage, and education matter. Forensic dentistry works to minimizethe possibility of individual age falsification by studying the tooth developmental stages. The objective ofthis study is to observe the applicability of the third molar development related to the biological age.Materials and Methods: A total of 93 OPG (orthopantomogram) of subjects (16 – 23 years old) from theJava population were involved in this study. Third molar developmental stages of the mandibular wereevaluated using the Demirjian et al. method. The statistical analysis was carried out using IBM® SPSS®Statistics version 23.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA).Results and Conclusion: The result showed that the average Java population reached the final stage at anaverage age of 21 ± 1,39 years in females and 20 ± 1,9 years in males. The present study indicates that thedevelopment of mandibular third molar is slightly earlier in males than in females. Besides, Demirjian’smethod is considered as a reliable method for dental age estimation in the Java population.