Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder seen in age-dependent dementia. There is currently no effective treatment for AD, which may be attributed in part to lack of a clear underlying mechanism. Studies within the last few decades provide growing evidence for a central role of amyloid β (Aβ) and tau, as well as glial contributions to various molecular and cellular pathways in AD pathogenesis. Herein, we review recent progress with respect to Aβ-and tau-associated mechanisms, and discuss glial dysfunction in AD with emphasis on neuronal and glial receptors that mediate Aβ-induced toxicity. We also discuss other critical factors that may affect AD pathogenesis, including genetics, aging, variables related to environment, lifestyle habits, and describe the potential role of apolipoprotein E (APOE), viral and bacterial infection, sleep, and microbiota. Although we have gained much towards understanding various aspects underlying this devastating neurodegenerative disorder, greater commitment towards research in molecular mechanism, diagnostics and treatment will be needed in future AD research.

Achiral substituted acetylene monomers undergo aqueous catalytic emulsion asymmetric polymerizations in chiral micelles consisting of SDS and amino acid, providing optically active helical polymer emulsions. The asymmetric polymerizations lead to one-handed helical polymers, which are the origin of the optical activity of polymer emulsions.

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This study aimed to investigate the potential determining epidemiological and clinical risk factors affecting the survival of esophageal cancer (EC) patients across multiple hospitals in China. Methods: This was a multicenter study comprising of newly diagnosed EC cases from Beijing, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Zhejiang, and Guangdong Province of China. Their baseline characteristics and treatment methods data were collected from their medical records. The EpiData software was used for data quality control. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate their overall survival (OS), and the Cox's proportional hazard regression model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The 3-and 5-year OS rates of the 5283 investigated EC patients were 49.98% and 39.07%, respectively. Their median survival was 36.00 months. The median survival time of females was longer than that of males (females vs. males: 45.00 vs. 33.00, P < 0.001). The 5-year OS rate of patients who never-smoked was higher than that of smokers (never-smokers vs smokers: 40.73% vs. 37.84%, P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the 5-year OS rate between