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BBC headquarters is covered with blood red paint as controversy rages over corporation’s decision not to call baby-slaughtering Hamas ‘terrorists’ This comes just hours ahead of a planned march for a protest for Palestinians It set to start at Portland Place at 12pm before finishing in Whitehall at 3pm By Chloe Louise Published: 05:56 EDT, 14 October 2023 | Updated: 07:39 EDT, 14 October 2023

Centenarians, once considered rare, have become commonplace. Indeed, they are the fastest-growing demographic group of the world’s population, with numbers roughly doubling every ten years since the 1970s. How long humans can live, and what determines a long and healthy life, have been of interest for as long as we know. Plato and Aristotle discussed and wrote about the ageing process over 2,300 years ago. Advertisement The pursuit of understanding the secrets behind exceptional longevity isn’t easy, however. It involves unravelling the complex interplay of genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors and how they interact throughout a person’s life. Now our recent study, published in GeroScience, has unveiled some common biomarkers, including levels of cholesterol and glucose, in people who live past 90. Nonagenarians and centenarians have long been of intense interest to scientists as they may help us understand how to live longer, and perhaps also how to age in better health. So far, studies of centenarians have often been small scale and focused on a selected group, for example, excluding centenarians who live in care homes. Huge dataset Ours is the largest study comparing biomarker profiles measured throughout life among exceptionally long-lived people and their shorter-lived peers to date. We compared the biomarker profiles of people who went on to live past the age of 100, and their shorter-lived peers, and investigated the link between the profiles and the chance of becoming a centenarian. Advertisement Our research included data from 44,000 Swedes who underwent health assessments at ages 64-99 – they were a sample of the so-called Amoris cohort. These participants were then followed through Swedish register data for up to 35 years. Of these people, 1,224, or 2.7%, lived to be 100 years old. The vast majority (85%) of the centenarians were female. Twelve blood-based biomarkers related to inflammation, metabolism, liver and kidney function, as well as potential malnutrition and anaemia, were included. All of these have been associated with ageing or mortality in previous studies. The biomarker related to inflammation was uric acid – a waste product in the body caused by the digestion of certain foods. We also looked at markers linked to metabolic status and function including total cholesterol and glucose, and ones related to liver function, such as alanine aminotransferase (Alat), aspartate aminotransferase (Asat), albumin, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (Alp) and lactate dehydrogenase (LD). We also looked at creatinine, which is linked to kidney function, and iron and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), which is linked to anaemia. Finally, we also investigated albumin, a biomarker associated with nutrition. Findings We found that, on the whole, those who made it to their hundredth birthday tended to have lower levels of glucose, creatinine and uric acid from their sixties onwards. Although the median values didn’t differ significantly between centenarians and non-centenarians for most biomarkers, centenarians seldom displayed extremely high or low values. For example, very few of the centenarians had a glucose level above 6.5 earlier in life, or a creatinine level above 125. Villagrande Strisaili in the Ogliastra Province of Sardinia, Italy, has the world’s highest population of centenarian men. Sabino Parente/Shutterstock For many of the biomarkers, both centenarians and non-centenarians had values outside of the range considered normal in clinical guidelines. This is probably because these guidelines are set based on a younger and healthier population. When exploring which biomarkers were linked to the likelihood of reaching 100, we found that all but two (alat and albumin) of the 12 biomarkers showed a connection to the likelihood of turning 100. This was even after accounting for age, sex and disease burden. Advertisement The people in the lowest out of five groups for levels of total cholesterol and iron had a lower chance of reaching 100 years as compared to those with higher levels. Meanwhile, people with higher levels of glucose, creatinine, uric acid and markers for liver function also decreased the chance of becoming a centenarian. In absolute terms, the differences were rather small for some of the biomarkers, while for others the differences were somewhat more substantial. For uric acid, for instance, the absolute difference was 2.5 percentage points. This means that people in the group with the lowest uric acid had a 4% chance of turning 100 while in the group with the highest uric acid levels only 1.5% made it to age 100. Even if the differences we discovered were overall rather small, they suggest a potential link between metabolic health, nutrition and exceptional longevity. Advertisement The study, however, does not allow any conclusions about which lifestyle factors or genes are responsible for the biomarker values. However, it is reasonable to think that factors such as nutrition and alcohol intake play a role. Keeping track of your kidney and liver values, as well as glucose and uric acid as you get older, is probably not a bad idea. That said, chance probably plays a role at some point in reaching an exceptional age. But the fact that differences in biomarkers could be observed a long time before death suggests that genes and lifestyle may also play a role. Karin Modig, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Throughout October, we are observing the first annual Emily Adkins Blood Clot Awareness Month in honor of our daughter Emily, who died Oct. 21, 2022, from an undiagnosed blood clot. Even as it marks a sad occasion, the observance serves as a time to celebrate recent advancements toward preventing and detecting blood clots. It’s also an opportunity to create awareness about the potential fatality of blood clots and ways to prevent them, such as the Caprini Risk Score. Since Emily’s passing, my wife Janet, my son Douglas and I have been gratified to see significant changes resulting from our advocacy efforts. In June, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Emily Adkins Prevention Act requiring the establishment of a policy workgroup to understand the impact of blood clots and enhance their detection. Although four months later we are still waiting for the state surgeon general to appoint a chair for the policy workgroup, this legislation is a necessary step forward for effective blood clot prevention efforts. In addition to the legislation, we have seen great advancements in mechanical thrombectomy ― a blood clot removal procedure using less invasive endovascular devices — and breakthroughs from Rapid AI that uses artificial intelligence to detect and treat blood clots. With about 3 in 4 Florida residents having at least one medical experience that puts them at greater risk of a blood clot or pulmonary embolism, this work couldn’t be more important. Emily Adkins Blood Clot Awareness Month is an important part of educating Americans on the prevalence of blood clots. Everyone should work with their medical providers to establish a blood clot prevention plan and calculate their Caprini Risk Score. Our goal is to honor the lives of those lost to blood clots and continue advocating for treatments and advancements that will prevent families from suffering this preventable pain and heartache. Doug Adkins, CEO, Emily’s Promise, Jacksonville You may not believe, but you can still love Herb Gartner’s Oct. 8 letter made a logical argument for why he personally does not believe in God. It has been said that the only true religion is the one set out in the Book of Leviticus, with all others being manmade. Christianity has morphed into a religion, but started out as a faith, meaning a personal belief — not an organized institution. In response to an earlier column from a rabbi on the Jewish High Holidays, Mr. Gartner asked how does one rationally and logically square the horrible death of 6 million Jews in Nazi Germany with a benevolent God who hears prayers? The crown of creation, mankind being made higher than all other living creatures, has the unique characteristic of demonstrating free will, and that includes accepting its consequences. In Jewish history there were the patriarchs, judges, kings and prophets that lead to the concept of a redeemer and savior ― a messiah. In a broken world, bad things happen to good people and evil temporarily triumphs from time to time. Through it all we are called to do justice, show mercy and care for the widow, orphan or stranger in our midst. Some events and relationships will smother one’s hope and resiliency. Others, in spite of such adversity, will rise above. Tomorrow the sun will rise at its appointed time; one person dies, another is born. The complexity of all that is life, within our bodies and in the universe, bears witness to what modern science is only beginning to reveal to our understanding. I cannot see gravity, but I believe in it because I experience it (knowingly and unknowingly) all the time. To borrow from Christian scripture, “So now faith, hope and love abide; these three, but the greatest is love.” Rob Richardson, Jacksonville Beach Kudos to Furyk & Friends, Timuquana club In the three years of the PGA Champions Constellation Furyk & Friends at Timuquana Country Club in Jacksonville, I can say with confidence that I have the best time watching golf in person. There is no other golf venue where you can watch action on seven different holes from one place, the 58 Club. This event has put Jacksonville on the map as a golf destination in October. This year’s event was threatened when four greens, a part of the practice facility and several TVs were damaged by vandalism early on Thursday, Oct. 5. Within 16 hours, the team at Timuquana, in collaboration with TPC Sawgrass, MacCurrach Golf Construction Inc., the PGA and others had the course repaired and ready for competition on Friday morning. Arriving on Friday morning to our viewing stand you could see the outstanding repair work done on the greens, especially the 17th, which was right in front of us. The repairs were done with meticulous precision, keeping the repairs level and the grain of the repaired pieces matching the existing grain of the green. The ultimate acknowledgment of the hard work to repair the greens came with the first group to play the 17th on Friday. Scott Parel, the second player to shoot, knocked down a hole in one to the extreme delight of the crowd. People from New Jersey, Mississippi, Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, Pennsylvania and other states complimented the achievement of maintaining the integrity of a great golfing event. Everyone looks forward to coming back next year. The city of Jacksonville should present formal recognition to all those who worked hard to preserve the integrity of this golf event — and maintain Jacksonville as the home of a premier golf destination. Charles Jaskiewicz, Ormond Beach Two-state solution only way to peace The incredible violence occurring in Israel and Gaza is abhorrent and tragic — but it was decidedly predictable. While Israel certainly has a right to exist and defend itself, it does not have the right to oppress and dehumanize an entire population for decades. Israel is undeniably a strategic ally in the Middle East and at present, at least a nominal democracy. But its far-right Likud party, which dominates the Knesset, has moved increasingly

The horror classic Dracula is coming to the stage at the Palace Theatre in London, Ont., later this month — and in an effort to promote the play and the need for blood donors, the cast gave blood. The cast and crew from the London Community Players and Odesa Company visited Canadian Blood Services donor centre on Friday. “It seems like a natural fit to have the production of Dracula donate blood,” said Scott Smalley, the co-director of the production. “Perhaps it’s not a natural fit because Dracula usually extracts the blood for himself, but today we’re here to give to others.” Ben Kennes, who is playing the role of the Count in the film, also rolled up his sleeve at the clinic. “This is quite the interesting situation Dracula’s in, giving blood instead of taking it, but it’s always for a good cause,” he said. London’s Palace Theatre hosts a Dracula blood drive 17 hours ago Duration 0:37 Featured VideoActors Ben Kennes and Amy Dickson perform a scene from Dracula at the Canada Blood Service donor centre on Oct. 13, 2023. Kennes, who is playing Dracula in the production, also gave blood. Written in 1924, this will be the first stage production of Dracula in London since the Grand Theatre run it nearly 30 years ago. Along with the technical challenges ahead of them, the production team is leaning into the original themes of horror. “With our production, we’re gonna try to make it spookier and darker. Even if it’s a story that everybody knows, we still want to give people those jump scares and get them into the Halloween spirit,” Kennes said. Dracula is playing at the Palace Theatre from Oct. 27 to Nov. 5. The cast of the Palace Theatre’s upcoming performance of Dracula after donating blood at the Canadian Blood Services donor centre. From left to right: Amy Dickson, Daniel Jewlal, Ben Kennes and Dan Curtis. (Mike Lacasse/CBC News) Blood donations needed The cast’s visit to the blood donor clinic on Wharncliffe Road also highlighted the need for blood donations in the London area. Nearly 800 donors are needed to keep inventory levels topped up in the city, according to Canadian Blood Services. “We need blood,” said Elaine Keller, the community development manager for Canadian Blood Services. “There are so many people across the country and we can’t get that blood without donors. It’s a critical part of everyday medical care and there’s no substitute.” To book an appointment to give, visit the blood services website. Ben Kennes, in costume as Dracula, waits to finish donating blood at the Canadian Blood Services donor clinic in London, Ont. (Mike Lacasse/CBC News)

Share on PinterestThe secret to longevity may lie in the levels of certain blood biomarkers. Rob and Julia Campbell/Stocksy The secret as to why some people live to 100 whereas others do not may be hidden in the metabolic profiles of centenarians and is established earlier in life. A new study found that people who lived to 100 tended to have lower — but not extremely lower — measurements of creatinine, glucose, and uric acid. The researchers also discovered that the metabolic profiles of centenarians were already established decades before their 100th year. A new study has investigated what may be unique about people who live to be 100 years old and beyond. The study’s authors were looking for differences in body function prior to extreme old age that might expand our understanding of aging and longevity. This makes it the first piece of research to compare blood biomarkers measured at earlier stages of life for people who eventually lived to be centenarians against others who did not. Their findings indicate that centenarians, by and large, were likely to have lower levels of glucose, creatinine, and uric acid than other people. The median differences between centenarians and others were small, and centenarians rarely had values at either the low or high end of the healthy ranges, tending to remain in the middle ranges of measurement. The researchers also found that eventual centenarians had settled into a metabolic profile by age 65, 35 years before reaching the century mark. The study is published in GeroScience. Due to improved life expectancies globally, older adults, including people living past the age of 100, are the fastest-growing age group. In 2015, there were nearly half a million centenarians alive, and it is predicted that by 2050 there will be 3.7 million people worldwide who are older than 100. The study’s authors analyzed data from over 44,000 Swedes enrolled in the population-based AMORIS (Apolipoprotein MOrtality RISk) cohort. They then measured the participants’ biomarkers between 1985 and 1996, and followed these until 2020. The researchers looked at 12 blood biomarkers of metabolic status and function. These included total cholesterol and glucose, as well as alanine aminotransferase (Alat), aspartate aminotransferase (Asat), albumin, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (Alp), and lactate dehydrogenase (LD), which are related to liver health. They also tracked creatinine, a marker of kidney status, as well as iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and iron, which measure anemia. They assessed nutrition via a measurement of albumin. The authors concluded that values for nearly all the biomarkers were distinctive in centenarians, except for alanine aminotransferase and albumin. Dr. Mireille Serlie, professor of endocrinology at Yale, who was not involved in the study, told Medical News Today that creatinine “is dependent on renal [kidney] function and muscle mass.” “The lower creatinine in this age group (mean age at first biomarker testing in centenarians was 79.6 years) is compatible with higher renal function,” she said. Looking for lifestyle clues in centenarians’ biomarkers is a speculative game. However, Dr. Serlie noted that “Lifestyle is associated with renal function through salt intake, hypertension, obesity, hyperglycemia, cardiac function, etc.” ”So, higher renal function in this group could be a readout for a better overall lifestyle and diet. This is also true for glucose,” said Dr. Serlie. Slightly lower uric acid levels suggest that centenarians did not have issues with kidney stones, kidney disease, or gout. However, having too low a level of uric acid is problematic in its own right, which may lead to neurological problems. The study reflects the multiple possible implications of different biomarker measurements. Dr. Serlie explained by example, citing iron, TIBC, and albumin, which may say something about nutrition. “Taking levels of iron, TIBC, and albumin as markers for nutritional state might be less suitable because they can be influenced by inflammation or chronic illness. A lower albumin does not necessarily signal malnutrition. And iron levels can be low during illness. This is then also not reflective of a nutritional deficiency, per se,” she said. People whose metabolic profiles and blood readings were more extreme were least likely to reach 100. This includes people who had the lowest levels of total cholesterol and iron, as well as those with the highest levels of glucose, creatinine, uric acid, and liver-function biomarkers. While the biomarker profiles of centenarians were very similar, the researchers found that there are two clusters of centenarians. They differed in biomarkers apart from the ones that distinguished them from non-centenarians: total cholesterol, albumin, and TBIC. “These biomarkers are all related to nutrition,” said the study’s first author, Dr. Shunsuke Murata. “One group were more similar to non-centenarians, and we named it ‘higher nutrition.’ The other group had somewhat more favorable levels, and we named it ‘lower but enough nutrition.’” “We can only speculate on what is behind the difference, for example, caloric restriction,” he noted. “When we stress that centenarians overall experienced more compressed values, we mean that they more seldom displayed extreme values of the biomarkers. For example, almost none of the centenarians had a glucose above seven earlier in life, while such extreme values were more common in non-centenarians,” Dr. Murata explained. Perhaps this affected non-centenarians’ relative lack of longevity, he said. “It is difficult to say if the absence of extreme values point towards lifestyle. But the findings of overall more favorable values for centenarians, and the fact that these markers are related to diet and lifestyle, it is possible — or perhaps even likely — that such factors have an impact. What we cannot know is to what extent genetic factors interact with this.”— Dr. Shunsuke Murata The fact, however, that centenarians’ biomarker profiles are in place so much earlier in life may provide a clue. “This speaks against chance only, or genetic only, as factors for reaching exceptional age,” hypothesized Dr. Murata. “To fully answer the question of why, we would need more information, ideally about genetics, lifestyle factors, and biomarkers within the same cohort of people,” he added. Meanwhile, other