The Impact of Public Pension on Chinese Household Consumption

Ya-Hao LI(Ya-Hao LI),Fan YANG(Fan YANG),Shuang ZHANG(Shuang ZHANG) 한국웰빙융합학회 2024 웰빙융합연구 Vol.7 No.1

Purpose: The improvement of the social security system can greatly affect residents' future uncertainty, and it is important to study the relationship between public pensions and household consumption. Research design, data and methodology: Using the 2018 China Household Panel Survey (CFPS) data, the instrumental variable method is used to analyze the impact of pension insurance on urban residents' consumption. Results: The results of the study show that there are differences in the impact of three different pension insurance systems on household consumption. The pension insurance for public sector significantly boosts household consumption, and having a pension insurance for public sector can increase household consumption by 7.7%. The pension insurance for enterprise employee will reduce household consumption, but this is only significant for urban households. The pension insurance for urban and rural residents has a negative impact on household consumption. For the 16- to 39-year-old group, having a pension insurance for urban and rural residents will reduce household consumption by 5.7%. At the same time, household income, assets, scale, and education level will positively stimulate household consumption. Conclusions: The study reveals varying impacts among different pension types, highlighting the need for optimizing social security schemes to incentivize higher consumption rates.

The Characteristics and Survival Outcomes in Patients Aged 70 Years and Older with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in the Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy Era

Ya-Nan Jin,Wang-Jian Zhang,Xiu-Yu Cai,Mei-Su Li,Wayne R. Lawrence,Si-Yang Wang,Dong-Mei Mai,Yu-Yun Du,Dong-Hua Luo,Hao-Yuan Mo 대한암학회 2019 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.51 No.1

Purpose We aim to examine nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) characteristics and survival outcomes in patients aged 70 years and older in the intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) era. Materials and Methods From 2006 to 2013, 126 non-metastatic NPC patients aged  70 years who were treated with IMRT +/ chemotherapy were included. Adult Comorbidity Evaluation 27 (ACE-27) was used to measure patient comorbidities. The overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences were compared using the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to carry out multivariate analyses. Results For the entire group, only two patients (1.6%) presented stage I disease, and up to 84.1% patients had stage III-IVB disease. All patients had a comorbidity score of 0 in 24 (19.0%), 1 in 45 (35.7%), 2 in 42 (33.3%), and 3 in 15 (11.9%) patients. The main acute grade during radiotherapy was 3-4 adverse events consisting of mucositis (25.4%), bone marrow suppression (16.7%), and dermatitis (8.7%). After treatment, four patients (3.2%) developed temporal lobe injury. Five-year CSS and OS rates were 67.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 58.6% to 77.4%) and 54.0% (95% CI, 45.6% to 63.9%), respectively. Five-year OS was significantly higher for ACE-27 score 0-1 than ACE-27 score 2-3 (72.9% and 39.9%, respectively; p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed ACE-27 score 0-1 was significantly associated with superior OS (hazard ratio [HR], 3.02; 95% CI, 1.64 to 5.55; p < 0.001). In addition, the rate of OS was higher for stage I-III than that of stage IV, with borderline significance (HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 0.99 to 2.82; p=0.053). But no significant advantage was observed in OS when chemotherapy was used (p > 0.05). Conclusion Our findings suggest IMRT +/– chemotherapy has a manageable toxicity and provides an acceptable survival in patients aged  70 years with NPC. ACE-27 score was significantly associated with survival outcomes in this group population.

Kinetics of Enzymatic Synthesis of L-ascorbyl Acetate by Lipozyme TLIM and Novozym 435

Dong-Hao Zhang,Ya-Qiong Li,Chao Li,Yv-Qin Lv,Yang-L 한국생물공학회 2012 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.17 No.1

L-ascorbyl acetate was synthesized through lipase-catalyzed esterification using Lipozyme TLIM and Novozym 435. Four solvents, including methanol, ethanol,acetonitrile, and acetone were investigated for the reaction,and acetone and acetonitrile were found to be suitable reaction media. The influences of several parameters such as water activity (aw), substrate molar ratio, enzyme loading,and reaction temperature on esterification of Lascorbic acid were systematically and quantitatively analyzed. Through optimizing the reaction, lipase-catalyzed esterification of L-ascorbic acid gave a maximum conversion of 99%. The results from using Lipozyme TLIM and Novozym 435 as biocatalysts both showed that aw was an important factor for the conversion of L-ascorbic acid. The effect of pH value on lipase-catalyzed L-ascorbic acid esterification in acetone was also investigated. Furthermore,results from a kinetic characterization of Lipozyme TLIM were compared with those for Novozym 435, and suggested that the maximum reaction rate for Lipozyme TLIM was greater than that for Novozym 435, while the enzyme affinity for substrate was greater for Novozym 436.

Anatomical Study of the Accessory Tendon of the Extensor Hallucis Longus Muscle and Its Clinical Application

Yue Li,Jing-Ying Zhang,Xin-Yue Zhao,Li-Ya Pan,De-Hao Jin,He-Xing Xu,Hu-Zhe Cui,Yan-Qun Liu,Xiang-Zheng Qin,Qingyuan Li 대한정형외과학회 2021 Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery Vol.13 No.2

Background: The accessory tendon of the extensor hallucis longus (ATEHL) muscle is a common abnormal structure, and its clinical significance remains debatable. In this study, we provide the incidence of the ATEHL and characterize its morphological types in Asian cadavers and investigate its clinical applications. Methods: The tendons from 50 adult cadaveric feet, fixed in 10% formalin, were analyzed. We measured the length and width of both the ATEHL and the extensor hallucis brevis (EHB). Results: All dissected specimens had an ATEHL. The first metatarsophalangeal joint was surrounded by an accessory tendon that inserted onto the joint capsule and the dorsal base of the proximal phalanx. We classified the ATEHL into 3 types based on their directions. Differences in ATEHL type based on sex were not statistically significant. Conclusions: We found an ATEHL in all cadaveric specimens in this study. We surmise that the ATEHL acts as an antagonist with the EHB when the toe is extending, which might help prevent the occurrence of hallux valgus deformity.

The Intracellular Mechanism of Action on Escherichia coli of BF2-A/C, Two Analogues of the Antimicrobial Peptide Buforin 2

Gang Hao,Yong-Hui Shi,Ya-Li Tang,Guo-Wei Le 한국미생물학회 2013 The journal of microbiology Vol.51 No.2

In the present study, the antimicrobial peptides BF2-A and BF2-C, two analogues of Buforin 2, were chemically synthesized and the activities were assayed. To elucidate the bactericidal mechanism of BF2-A/C and their different antimicrobial activities, the influence of peptides to E. coli cell membrane and targets of intracellular action were researched. Obviously, BF2-A and BF2-C did not induce the influx of PI into the E. coli cells, indicating nonmemebrane permeabilizing killing action. The FITC-labeled BF2-A/C could penetrate the E. coli cell membrane and BF2-C penetrated the cells more efficiently. Furthermore, BF2-A/C could bind to DNA and RNA respectively, and the affinity of BF2-C to DNA was powerful at least over 4 times than that of BF2-A. The present results implied that BF2-A and BF2-C inhibited the cellular functions by binding to DNA and RNA of cells after penetrating the cell membranes, resulting in the rapid cell death. The structure-activity relationship analysis of BF2-A/C revealed that the cell-penetrating efficiency and the affinity ability to DNA were critical factors for determining the antimicrobial potency of both peptides. The more efficient cellpenetrating and stronger affinity to DNA caused that BF2-C displayed more excellent antimicrobial activity and rapid killing kinetics than BF2-A.

β-Sitosterol treatment attenuates cognitive deficits and prevents amyloid plaque deposition in amyloid protein precursor/ presenilin 1 mice

Jian-Ya Ye,Li Li,Qing-Mao Hao,Yong Qin,Chang-Sheng Ma 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2020 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.24 No.1

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder causing dementia worldwide, and is mainly characterized by aggregated β-amyloid (Aβ). Increasing evidence has shown that plant extracts have the potential to delay AD development. The plant sterol β-Sitosterol has a potential role in inhibiting the production of platelet Aβ, suggesting that it may be useful for AD prevention. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of β-Sitosterol on deficits in learning and memory in amyloid protein precursor/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) double transgenic mice. APP/PS1 mice were treated with β-Sitosterol for four weeks, from the age of seven months. Brain Aβ metabolism was evaluated using ELISA and Western blotting. We found that β-Sitosterol treatment can improve spatial learning and recognition memory ability, and reduce plaque load in APP/PS1 mice. β-Sitosterol treatment helped reverse dendritic spine loss in APP/PS1 mice and reversed the decreased hippocampal neuron miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency. Our research helps to explain and support the neuroprotective effect of β-Sitosterol, which may offer a novel pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of AD. Taken together, these findings suggest that β-Sitosterol ameliorates memory and learning impairment in APP/PS1 mice and possibly decreases Aβ deposition.

Verification of the Correlation between Progression-free Survival and Overall Survival Considering Magnitudes of Survival Post-progression in the Treatment of Four Types of Cancer

Liu, Li-Ya,Yu, Hao,Bai, Jian-Ling,Zeng, Ping,Miao, Dan-Dan,Chen, Feng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.3

Background: With development and application of new and effective anti-cancer drugs, the median survival post-progression (SPP) is often prolonged, and the role of the median SPP on surrogacy performance should be considered. To evaluate the impact of the median SPP on the correlation between progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), we performed simulations for treatment of four types of cancer, advanced gastric cancer (AGC), metastatic colorectal cancer (MCC), glioblastoma (GBM), and advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (ANSCLC). Materials and Methods: The effects of the median SPP on the statistical properties of OS and the correlation between PFS and OS were assessed. Further, comparisons were made between the surrogacy performance based on real data from meta-analyses and simulation results with similar scenarios. Results: The probability of a significant gain in OS and HR for OS was decreased by an increase of the SPP/OS ratio or by a decrease of observed treatment benefit for PFS. Similarly, for each of the four types of cancer, the correlation between PFS and OS was reduced as the median SPP increased from 2 to 12 months. Except for ANSCLC, for which the median SPP was equal to the true value, the simulated correlation between PFS and OS was consistent with the values derived from meta-analyses for the other three kinds of cancer. Further, for these three types of cancer, when the median SPP was controlled at a designated level (i.e., < 4 months for AGC, < 12 months for MCC, and <6 months for GBM), the correlation between PFS and OS was strong; and the power of OS reached 34.9% at the minimum. Conclusions: PFS is an acceptable surrogate endpoint for OS under the condition of controlling SPPs for AGC, MCC, and GBM at their limit levels; a similar conclusion cannot be made for ANSCLC.

Lipase Immobilization on Magnetic Microspheres via Spacer Arms: Effect of Steric Hindrance on the Activity

Dong-Hao Zhang,Ya-Qiong Li,Li-Juan Peng,Na Chen 한국생물공학회 2014 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.19 No.5

Poly(styrene-acrylic acid) magnetic microsphereswith an average diameter of 2 μm were successfullyprepared and used as carriers to immobilize lipase. Lipaseimmobilized on microspheres with no spacer arm exhibitedlow activities, which were attributed to steric hindranceon the lipase conformation. To avoid steric effects,ethylenediamine and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) 400/800/4000 were utilized as spacer arms to bind the lipase tothe microspheres. The immobilized lipase activities wereimproved using PEG 800/4000 as a spacer arm. Furthermore,the influence of enzyme loading on lipase activity wasinvestigated, and the results indicated that enzymeoverloading could exert steric effect on lipase activity. Thedegree of PEG modification was demonstrated to affectlipase activity because excess PEG on the surface ofmicrospheres could interact with lipase due to its mobility,consequently reducing lipase activity.

Preoperative Prealbumin Level as an Independent Predictor of Long-Term Prognosis after Curative Liver Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (a Multicenter Study of 1,483 Patients)

( Ju-dong Li ),( Xin-fei Xu ),( Jiong-jie Yu ),( Jia-he Wang ),( Li- Yang Sun ),( Wen-tao Yan ),( Bing Quan ),( Jian-hong Zhong ),( Yi-sheng Huang ),( Ya-hao Zhou ),( Ting-hao Chen ),( Hong Wang ),( W 대한간학회 2018 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2018 No.1

Aims: Serum prealbumin is more sensitive to profile nutritional status and liver function than albumin, which could hardly be affected by infusion supplement. This study aims: to identify the relationship between preoperative prealbumin level and the long-term prognosis after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Patients undergone HCC curative resection between 2001 and 2014 at six institutions in China were enrolled. By using 170 mg/dl as cut-off value of serum prealbumin level, these patients were divided into the low and normal preoperative prealbumin groups. The overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed and compared. Univariable and multivariable Cox-regression analyses were performed to identify predictive factors of OS and RFS. Results: Among 1,483 patients, 437 (29.5%) had a low prealbumin level within a week before surgery. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and RFS rates of patients in the low prealbumin group were 83.8, 57.0, and 31.1%, and 67.0, 39.8, and19.9%, respectively, which was significantly poorer than those in the normal group (93.0, 75.5, and 42.6%, and 77.0, 56.4, and 28.4%, both P<0.001). Multivariable analyses revealed that preoperative prealbumin level, but not albumin level, was an independent predictor of OS (HR, 1.789; 95% CI: 1.544 -2.072, P<0.001) and RFS (HR, 1.420; 95% CI: 232-1.636, P<0.001). Conclusions: Preoperative prealbumin level is useful for predicting long-term prognosis in patients undergoing liver resection for HCC. Prealbumin may be suitable to displace albumin, yielding to an updated Child-Pugh grade for accessing liver function.

Involvement of Alternative Oxidase in the Regulation of Sensitivity of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum to the Fungicides Azoxystrobin and Procymidone

Ting Xu,Ya-Ting Wang,Wu-Sheng Liang,Fei Yao,Yong-Hong Li,Dian-Rong Li,Hao Wang,Zheng-Yi Wang 한국미생물학회 2013 The journal of microbiology Vol.51 No.3

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a filamentous fungal pathogen that can infect many economically important crops and vegetables. Alternative oxidase is the terminal oxidase of the alternative respiratory pathway in fungal mitochondria. The function of alternative oxidase was investigated in the regulation of sensitivity of S. sclerotiorum to two commercial fungicides, azoxystrobin and procymidone which have different fungitoxic mechanisms. Two isolates of S. sclerotiorum were sensitive to both fungicides. Application of salicylhydroxamic acid, a specific inhibitor of alternative oxidase, significantly increased the values of effective concentration causing 50% mycelial growth inhibition (EC50) of azoxystrobin to both S. sclerotiorum isolates, whereas notably decreased the EC50 values of procymidone. In mycelial respiration assay azoxystrobin displayed immediate inhibitory effect on cytochrome pathway capacity, but had no immediate effect on alternative pathway capacity. In contrast, procymidone showed no immediate impact on capacities of both cytochrome and alternative pathways in the mycelia. However, alternative oxidase encoding gene (aox) transcript and protein levels, alternative respiration pathway capacity of the mycelia were obviously increased by pre-treatment for 24 h with both azoxystrobin and procymidone. These results indicate that alternative oxidase was involved in the regulation of sensitivity of S. sclerotiorum to the fungicides azoxystrobin and procymidone, and that both fungicides could affect aox gene expression and the alternative respiration pathway capacity development in mycelia of this fungal pathogen.