The Association Between Grandchild Care and Biological Aging Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China.

Background and Objectives: Substantial evidence documents grandchild care is associated with self-reported health, life satisfaction, and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults. However, little is known about the relationship between grandchild care and biological aging, especially in China, which emphasizes the unique cultural value of family. The current study sheds light on the biological consequence of grandchild care by examining the link between grandchild care and biological aging among middle-aged and older adults in China, and how gender and spousal involvement in caregiving affect this link. Research Design and Methods: In a representative sample of Chinese adults aged 45-80 from the third wave of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study in 2015 (n = 3,384), we calculate biological age using Klemera-Doubal Method, and Ordinary Least Square models are used to examine the correlation between grandchild care and biological aging. Results: High intensity of involvement in grandchild care is related to biological aging, and caring for grandchildren alone predicts greater biological aging. Compared with grandfathers, grandmothers lose more from grandchild care regardless of whether their husbands are involved in the care. Discussion and Implications: Providing grandchild care should be a way to cope with age-related role discontinuity or loss, rather result in extra stress or burden for grandparents. Reducing the intensity of caregiving or increasing family support may attenuate the extent of biological aging.

α-Cyanostilbene-based Molecule with the Synergistical Mechanisms of AIE, ESIPT and TICT: A New Schiff Base Probe for Selective Detection of Fe3+ and Reversible Response to HCl/NH3 Vapor.

We designed and synthesized a new Schiff base probe, which incorporated the salicylaldehyde-analogue α-cyanostilbene and benzophenone hydrazone by the imine linkage. Its chemical structure was verified by FT-IR, MALDI-TOF-MS, HR-MS and 1H/13C NMR technologies. It could exhibit a red fluorescence based on the synergistical effects of aggregation-induce emission (AIE), excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and twisted intramolecular charge-transfer (TICT) in the aggregation or solid states. Interestingly, the TLC-based test strip loaded with the target compound showed the reversible fluorescence response to amine/acid vapor and on-site visual fluorescence quenching response to Fe3+. In THF/water mixtures (fw = 90%, 10 µM, pH = 7.4), the detection limit (DL) and the binding constant (Ka) of the developed probe towards Fe3+ were evaluated as 5.50 × 10- 8 M and 1.69 × 105, respectively. The developed probe was successfully applied for the detection of Fe3+ with practical, reliable, and satisfying results.

High-strength, antifogging and antibacterial ZnO/carboxymethyl starch/chitosan film with unique "Steel Wire Mesh" structure for strawberry preservation.

In this work, a multifunctional preservative film of ZnO/carboxymethyl starch/chitosan (ZnO/CMS/CS) with the unique "Steel Wire Mesh" structure is fabricated by the chemical crosslinked of ZnO NPs, CMS and CS. Unlike traditional nano-filled polymer film, the formation of the "Steel Wire Mesh" structure of ZnO/CMS/CS film is based on the synergistic effect of ZnO NPs filled CMS/CS and the coordination crosslinked between CMS/CS and Zn2+ derived from ZnO NPs. Thanks to the "Steel Wire Mesh" structure, the tensile strength and water vapor barrier of 2.5ZnO/10CMS/CS film are 2.47 and 1.73 times than that of CS film, respectively. Furthermore, the transmittance of 2.5ZnO/10CMS/CS film during antifogging test is close to 89 %, confirming its excellent antifogging effects. And the 2.5ZnO/10CMS/CS film also exhibits excellent long-acting antibacterial activity (up to 202 h), so it can maintain the freshness and appearance of strawberries at least 5 days. More importantly, the 2.5ZnO/10CMS/CS film is sensitive to humidity changes, which achieves real-time humidity monitoring of the fruit storage environment. Note that the preparation method of the film is safe, simple and environmentally friendly, and its excellent degradation performance will not bring any problems of food safety and environmental pollution.

The Synergistic Mechanisms of AIE, ESIPT and ICT in the α-cyanostilbene-based Derivative: A Red-fluorescence Probe With a Large Stokes' Shift for Copper (II) Ion Determination and Reversible Response to Amine/acid Vapor.

Herein, α-cyanostilbene-based luminogen with an electron donor-π-electron acceptor (D-π-A) architecture was formylated into the salicylaldehyde-analogue luminogen, followed by the Schiff base reaction with phenylamine, a red-emitting luminogen was elaborately designed and successfully synthesized in a high yield of 89%. Its well-defined structure was confirmed by FT-IR, MALDI-TOF-MS, HR-MS and 1H/13C NMR technologies. Based on the synergistic mechanisms of aggregation-induced emission (AIE), excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), it enjoyed a red-fluorescence emission at 627 nm in THF/water mixtures (fw = 95%) and was used as a probe. Moreover, the TLC-based test strips loaded with the probe not only exhibited the reversible fluorescence response to amine/acid vapor but also showed sensitive and selective fluorescence response towards Cu2+. Furthermore, the fluorescence titration experiment between the probe and Cu2+ in THF/water mixtures (fw = 95%, pH = 7.4) revealed that the detection limit was 1.18 × 10-7 M and the binding constant was 1.59 × 105. Job's plot experiment and HR-MS analysis revealed the 2:1 binding stoichiometry of the probe with Cu2+. The method enabled real-time assessment for Cu2+ in real water samples. This study could offer insightful opinions on the development of long-wavelength emissive luminogens based on α-cyanostilbene.

The association of functional limitations and diseases with multidimensional subjective age: Does chronological age matter?

OBJECTIVE: As the longstanding culture of respecting for older adults and filial piety norms is diminishing in China, how older Chinese perceive their health loss becomes a significant question. Based on the biological-psycho-social model of successful aging, the present study combines physiological and subjective indicators into a complete framework of successful aging, and examines the influence of disease and disability situation on multidimensional perceptions of senescence during the aging process among Chinese older adults. METHODS: In a representative sample of Chinese older adults aged 60-89 from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS) (n = 7,668 respondents), we use multiple linear regression model to analyze the heterogeneous association of suffering from various disease types and activity restrictions with 3 facets of subjective age (SA): felt age, look age and self-defined aging standard with the increasing chronological age. RESULTS: The negative association of limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) with perception of senescence is stabilized with chronological age. Respondents with non-life-shortening disease (type N) and chronic disease (type C) are associated with older felt age and look age and the discrepancy increases with age, while the negative association between acute and chronic disease (type AC) and self-defined aging standard becomes weaker with age. DISCUSSION: Our results highlight the match between physiological indicators and different dimensions of aging perception, and how these factors map subjective senescence experience across aging process. Our identification of physical conditions in individuals with negative aging perceptions could help form effective interventions to achieve a more positive overall image of old age.

The Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Multidimensional Nature of Subjective Age.

OBJECTIVES: Age stereotypes and expectations about one's own aging commence in childhood, while most research focuses on predictive associations with midlife cognition and health outcomes in later life. This study instead aims to examine adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) contributing to multiple measures of subjective age (SA) among Chinese older adults and test whether these relationships differ by household registration (hukou). METHODS: In a representative sample of Chinese older adults aged 60 and older from the 2018 China Longitudinal Aging and Social Survey (n = 7,815), ordinary least squares is used to examine the associations between ACEs and 3 facets of SA: felt age, look age, and self-defined aging standard. RESULTS: Childhood starvation experience and limited health care access predict older felt age and look age, while parental death is associated with lower self-defined aging standard. Zooming in on hukou-specific associations shows that the dose-response relationship on older adults with rural hukou is particularly pronounced. DISCUSSION: Findings provide empirical support for views of aging from a life-course perspective and highlight the enduring impact of ACEs for late-adulthood SA, as well as their differential influence on multiple indicators of SA. Interventions that focus on promoting health and development in childhood could potentially have effects beyond the childhood phase, and benefit for their positive aging attitude in later life.

Humidity-/Sweat-Sensitive Electronic Skin with Antibacterial, Antioxidation, and Ultraviolet-Proof Functions Constructed by a Cross-Linked Network.

Most electronic skins (e-skins) show unique performance or possess sensory functions. The raw materials used for their preparation are potentially toxic or harmful, and there may be problems such as poor compatibility between the conductive fillers and polymers. In this paper, a silver-loaded nanocomposite film (PVA/CMS/vanillin/nanoAg) was prepared by the in situ reduction method in a greener route. The mechanical properties of this nanocomposite film had improved with a tensile strength of 30.95 MPa, an elongation at break of 101.9%, and a Young's modulus of 10.62 MPa. In the composite matrix, a cross-linked network was constructed based on the coordination and hydrogen bonds, which was conducive to the stability of the reduced AgNPs and AgNWs. When applied as an e-skin in humidity/sweat sensors and wearable electronics, the nanocomposite film responds to humidity within 60 s and records the electric signals of human joint movements and skin sweating with a response range of 0-140% to strain at 93% RH. This kind of e-skin has excellent antibacterial and antioxidant activities and shows an outstanding ultraviolet-proof performance, which provides a greener promising reference route for the design of wearable e-skins to monitor the health and movements of humans.

Comparison of self-reports and biomedical measurements on hypertension and diabetes among older adults in China.

BACKGROUND: Researchers interested in the effects of health on various life outcomes often use self-reported health and disease as an indicator of true, underlying health status. However, the validity of reporting is questionable as it relies on the awareness, recall bias and social desirability. Accordingly, biomedical test is generally regarded as a more precise indication of the disease. METHODS: Using data from the third wave of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we selected individuals aged 40-85 years old who participated in both health interview survey and biomedical test. Sensitivity, specificity, false negative reporting and false positive reporting were used as measurements of (dis) agreement or (in) validity, and binary and multinomial logistic regression were used to estimate under-report or over-report of hypertension and diabetes. RESULTS: Self-reported hypertension and diabetes showed low sensitivity (73.24 and 49.21%, respectively) but high specificity (93.61 and 98.05%, respectively). False positive reporting of hypertension and diabetes were 3.97 and 1.67%, while false negative reports were extremely high at 10.14 and 7.38%. Educational attainment, hukou, age and gender affected both group-specific error and overall error with some differences in their magnitude and directions. CONCLUSION: Self-reported conditions underestimate the disease burden of hypertension and diabetes in China. Adding objective measurements into social survey could improve data accuracy and allow better understanding of socioeconomic inequalities in health. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to provide basic health education and physical examination to citizens, and promote the use of healthcare to lower the incidence and unawareness of disease in China.