Purpose
Drawing on the literature regarding gender, marital status and homeownership, this paper aims to examine the role of gender and marital status played in homeownership in urban China. This ...paper also attempted to shed light on other determinants of homeownership as well as heterogeneity in the factors related to homeownership between never married women and never married men.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses data from the 2010 to 2015 China General Social Survey to investigate factors related to homeownership among urban Chinese households and focuses on the role of gender and marital status in particular. Multivariate analyses were applied to the full sample, never married sample, never married women sample and never married men sample respectively.
Findings
Findings from this study on the full sample showed that never married individuals were less likely to be the homeowners compared to the married couples. The probability of homeownership of never married women was lower compared to the never married men cohort. Different personal characteristics contributed to homeownership between never married women and never married men cohort.
Research limitations/implications
The empirical model in this study did not provide direct evidence that never married individuals were more likely to be homeowners as reflected in the recent mass media news. Further study could conduct a survey designed specifically for this group.
Originality/value
This study adds to current literature with further understanding of factors related to homeownership among Chinese households in general as well as in never married women and never married men subsamples.
Non-invasive visualization of dynamic molecular events in real-time via molecular imaging may enable the monitoring of cascade catalytic reactions in living systems, however effective imaging ...modalities and a robust catalytic reaction system are lacking. Here we utilize three-dimensional (3D) multispectral photoacoustic (PA) molecular imaging to monitor in vivo cascade catalytic therapy based on a dual enzyme-driven cyclic reaction platform. The system consists of a two-dimensional (2D) Pd-based nanozyme conjugated with glucose oxidase (GOx). The combination of nanozyme and GOx can induce the PA signal variation of endogenous molecules. Combined with the PA response of the nanozyme, we can simultaneously map the 3D PA signals of dynamic endogenous and exogenous molecules associated with the catalytic process, thus providing a real-time non-invasive visualization. We can also treat tumors under the navigation of the PA imaging. Therefore, our study demonstrates the imaging-guided potential of 3D multispectral PA imaging in feedback-looped cascade catalytic therapy.
Enzyme-based anticancer therapy is more attractive for the less side effect than conventional chemotherapy. However, the poor stability and low membrane permeability of enzymes during the ...intracellular delivery are constraints for its practical applications. In this work, we synthesized novel near-infrared (NIR)-responsive core–shell-structured Prussian blue@fibrous SiO
2
(PBFS) nanoparticles as the carrier of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and a glutathione (GSH)-activated Fenton reagent (DiFe). The PBFS nanoparticles are further modified with a GSH-responsive cationic polymer (poly(2-(acryloyloxy)-N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-(((2-((2-(((4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl)carbamoyl)oxy)ethyl)disulfaneyl) ethoxy)carbonyl)amino)benzyl)ethan-1-aminium, PSS) containing disulfide bonds and fluorophores. After SOD and DiFe are loaded on the PBFS-PSS nanoparticles, dual chemodynamic/photothermal therapeutic nanoparticulate systems (PBFS-PSS/DiFe/SOD) are obtained.
In vitro
experiments show that PBFS-PSS/DiFe/SOD nanoparticles have good biocompatibility and can be tracked under fluorescence microscope during the intracellular delivery process in MCF-7 tumor cells due to the GSH-activated release of fluorophores. They also exhibit high efficiency in NIR photothermal conversion and GSH-activated Fenton reaction in tumor cells, thus achieving high-efficient killing effect of tumor cells based on the combination of photothermal and chemodynamic therapeutic performance (PTT and CDT). This work offers a novel pathway to construct a visual multifunctional nanomedicine platform for future cancer therapy.
Metallomodulation cell death strategies are extensively investigated for antitumor therapy, such as cuproptosis, ferroptosis, and chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Undoubtedly, the accurate and specific ...elevation of metal ions levels in cancer cells is key to boosting their therapeutic index. Herein, a programmably controllable delivery system based on croconium dye (Croc)–ferrous ion (Fe2+) nanoprobes (CFNPs) is developed for multiscale dynamic imaging guided photothermal primed CDT. The Croc, with kinds of electron‐rich iron‐chelating groups, can form the Croc–Fe2+ complex with a precise stoichiometry of 1:1 to steadily maintain the valence state of Fe2+. The CFNPs can achieve pH‐responsive visualization and accurate Fe2+ release in cancerous tissues under the coactivation of “dual‐key” stimulation of “acidity and near‐infrared (NIR) light”. The acidic tumor microenvironment actuates NIR fluorescence/photoacoustic imaging and photothermal properties of CFNPs. Sequentially, under exogenous NIR light, the CFNPs enable in vivo accurate visualization of Croc–Fe2+ complex delivery for photothermal primed Fe2+ release, thus achieving CDT of tumors. By leveraging multiscale dynamic imaging technologies, the complicated spatiotemporal release of Fe2+ is sketched in a programmably controllable manner, and the domino effect of tumor pH level, photothermal effect, and CDT is also revealed, endowing customized feedback of the therapeutic panorama within the disease microenvironment.
A programmably controllable delivery system based on croconium dye (Croc)–ferrous ion (Fe2+) nanoprobes (CFNPs) is developed for multiscale dynamic imaging guided photothermal primed chemodynamic therapy. The complicated spatiotemporal release of Fe2+ is sketched in a programmably controllable manner, and the domino effect of the tumor pH level, photothermal effect, and chemodynamic therapy is revealed.
Objectives. Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a disease caused by increased production of uric acid (UA) or reduced excretion of UA in the body. Results of an epidemiological survey show that 60% of patients ...with HUA have hyperlipidemia (HPA). Dendrobium officinalis (DOF) six nostrum (DOS) is based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine for the transformation of the traditional Chinese nostrum Si Miao Wan. In this article, we aim to discuss the efficacy and mechanism of DOS in reducing UA and regulating lipid metabolism. The rat model of HUA with HPA was induced by potassium oxonate (PO) combined with high-fat sorghum feed. We monitored the serum UA and blood lipids. Liver xanthine oxidase (XOD), adenosine deaminase (ADA), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and fatty acid-binding protein (FABP1) activities were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after the last administration of DOS. We performed a histopathological examination of rat kidney and intestine. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression of renal inflammatory proteins NLRP3 / Caspase-1 and intestinal inflammatory proteins TLR4 / NLRP3. We used western blot for measurement of liver hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT1) protein expression and renal PDZ domain protein kidney 1 (PDZK1) protein expression. DOS administration significantly reduced serum UA, total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) level, and improved liver steatosis in the model rat. At the same time, DOS treatment effectively inhibited liver XOD and ADA, increased the level of liver HPRT1, and reduced the production of UA. Additional studies had shown that DOS can restore normal UA excretion function in the intestine and kidney and regulated liver lipids metabolism. IHC and histopathological sections showed that DOS reduced the level of kidney, intestinal inflammatory body (NLRP3, Caspase-1, and TLR4), improved inflammation of the kidney and intestinal tract in rats. DOS is a promising drug that can effectively reduce serum UA and lipid level in the model rat. The mechanism of action may be related to inhibition of UA production, promotion of UA excretion, regulation of lipids metabolism, and anti-inflammatory response.
Hypoxia is involved in the development of pancreatic cancer (PC). The responses of hypoxia‐associated genes and their regulated mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study, through bioinformatic ...analysis and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, the YEATS domain containing 2 (YEATS2) was determined to be a key hypoxia‐associated gene. It was increased in PC cells under hypoxia, upregulated in PC tissues, and predicted poor outcome. YEATS2 inhibition decreased the proliferation and migration of PC cells under both normoxia and hypoxia in vitro as well as proliferation and metastasis in vivo. We found that hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) regulated the expression of YEATS2 via binding to the hypoxia response element (HRE) of YEATS2 and coexpressed with YEATS2 in PC tissues. Overexpression of YEATS2 blocked the inhibitory effects of HIF1α silence on PC cell proliferation and migration under hypoxia. Collectively, our study revealed that YEATS2 is a target gene of HIF1α and promotes PC development under hypoxia.
Hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) regulated the expression of YEATS domain containing 2 (YEATS2) via binding to the hypoxia response element (HRE) of YEATS2 and coexpressed with YEATS2 in pancreatic cancer (PC) tissues. Overexpression of YEATS2 blocked the inhibitory effects of HIF1α silence on PC cell proliferation and migration under hypoxia. Collectively, our study revealed that YEATS2 is a target gene of HIF1α and promotes PC development under hypoxia.
Manganese-based nanomaterials have piqued great interest in cancer nanotheranostics, owing to their excellent physicochemical properties. Here we report a facile wet-chemical synthesis of ...size-controllable, biodegradable, and metastable γ-phase manganese sulfide nanotheranostics, which is employed for tumor pH-responsive traceable gas therapy primed chemodynamic therapy (CDT), using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a biological template (The final product was denoted as MnS@BSA). The as-prepared MnS@BSA can be degraded in response to the mildly acidic tumor microenvironment, releasing hydrogen sulfide (H
S) for gas therapy and manganese ions for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CDT.
experiments validated the pH-responsiveness of MnS@BSA at pH 6.8 and both H
S gas and •OH radicals were detected during its degradation.
experiments showed efficiently tumor turn-on
-weighted MRI, significantly suppressed tumor growth and greatly prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice following intravenous administration of MnS@BSA. Our findings indicated that MnS@BSA nanotheranostics hold great potential for traceable H
S gas therapy primed CDT of cancer.
Dysregulation of autophagy and circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in the pancreatic cancer (PC) progression. However, the regulatory network between circRNAs, autophagy, and PC progression remains ...unknown. Herein, we demonstrated that autophagy-associated circRNA circ-autophagy related 7 (circATG7) was elevated in PC tissues compared to adjacent tissues, and in PC cells treated with EBSS and hypoxia. circATG7 expression was positively associated with tumor diameter and lymph node invasion in patients with PC. circATG7 overexpression promoted PC cell proliferation, mobility, and autophagy in vitro, while circATG7 knockdown induced the opposite effects. ATG7 inhibition attenuated the effects of circATG7 on the biological functions of PC cells. CircATG7 is located in the cell cytoplasm and nucleus. Cytoplasmic circATG7 sponged miR-766-5p and decreased its expression, and increased the expression of ATG7, a target gene of miR-766-5p. Nuclear circATG7 acted as a scaffold to increase the interaction between the human antigen R protein and ATG7 mRNA and enhanced ATG mRNA stability. Furthermore, we demonstrated that circATG7 regulates PC cell proliferation and metastasis in vivo via ATG7-dependent autophagy. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that circATG7 accelerates PC progression via miR-766-5p/ATG7 and that HUR/ATG7 depends on autophagic flux. Thus, circATG7 may be a potential therapeutic target for PC.
PurposeThis study aims to examine the relationship between objective and subjective aspects of financial well-being, the role of family financial support and depression symptoms of Chinese older ...adults.Design/methodology/approachThis study used two waves (2015 and 2018) of the Harmonized China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Two financial ratios: the expenditure-to-income ratio and the financial assets ratio, were used to measure the objective aspect of financial well-being. Perceived money management difficulty was employed to measure the subjective aspect of financial well-being. Depression symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) score. Three analytical models, including an ordinary least squares (OLS) model, an OLS model controlling for lagged depression and a random effects model using panel data, were used to examine the relationships between the objective and subject aspects of financial well-being and depression.FindingsThe results from the three models showed consistent relationships: the expenditure-to-income ratio was a positive contributor, while the financial assets ratio was a negative contributor to depression of older adults in China. The robustness check using binary-coded financial ratio thresholds showed that reaching the suggested thresholds was negatively associated with depression. Perceived money management difficulty contributed positively to depression. The robustness check using the fixed effects model showed no significance of the two ratios, while perceived money management difficulty was positively associated with depression. The insignificance might be due to data limitation (limited waves or rare changes across waves).Originality/valueThe findings indicate that both objective and subjective financial well-being matters in relation to depression symptoms and, therefore, to the overall mental health of the Chinese elderly. Developments in public policies are needed to promote accessible financial services, assistance programs, mental health services and facilities for the older population in China.
The development of blood–brain barrier (BBB)‐crossing phototheranostic agents in second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II), especially in the range of 1500–1700 nm (NIR‐IIb), affords great opportunities ...for glioblastoma (GBM) management. Herein, an organic assembly (denoted as LET‐12) with the maximum absorption peak at 1400 nm and emission peak at 1512 nm with trailing over 1700 nm through the self‐assembly of organic small molecule IR‐1064 is designed and subsequently decorated with choline and acetylcholine analogs. The LET‐12 can effectively cross BBB through the brain's choline‐like receptors‐mediated transcytosis and accumulated in tumor tissues, thus achieving fluorescence/photoacoustic (FL/PA) duplex imaging of orthotopic GBM with ≈3.0 mm depth and a superior tumor‐to‐normal tissue signal ratio (20.93 ± 0.59 for FL imaging and 32.63 ± 1.16 for PA imaging, respectively). Owing to its good photothermal conversion ability, the LET‐12 also can serve as a photothermal conversion agent, achieving obvious tumor repression of orthotopic murine GBM model after once treatment. The findings indicate that the LET‐12 holds great potential for BBB‐crossing NIR‐IIb phototheranostics of orthotopic GBM. This self‐assembly strategy of organic small molecules opens a new avenue for the construction of NIR‐IIb phototheranostics.
An organic assembly with the maximum absorption peak at 1400 nm and emission peak at 1512 nm with trailing over 1700 nm is prepared through the self‐assembly of organic small molecule IR‐1064 for blood–brain barrier‐crossing NIR‐IIb phototheranostics of orthotopic glioblastoma.
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