Pyroptosis Signature Gene CHMP4B Regulates Microglia Pyroptosis by Inhibiting GSDMD in Alzheimer's Disease.

In this study, we aimed to work through the key genes involved in the process of pyroptosis in Alzheimer's disease (AD) to identify potential biomarkers using bioinformatics technology and further explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. The transcriptome data of brain tissue in AD patients were screened from the GEO database, and pyroptosis-related genes were analyzed. The functions of differential genes were analyzed by enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction. The diagnostic model was established using LASSO and logistic regression analysis, and the correlation of clinical data was analyzed. Based on single-cell analysis of brain tissues of patients with AD, immunofluorescence and western blotting were used to explore the key cells affected by the hub gene. After GSEA, qRT-PCR, western blotting, LDH, ROS, and JC-1 were used to investigate the potential mechanism of the hub gene on pyroptosis. A total of 15 pyroptosis differentially expressed genes were identified. A prediction model consisting of six genes was established by LASSO and logistic regression analysis, and the area under the curve was up to 0.81. As a hub gene, CHMP4B was negatively correlated with the severity of AD. CHMP4B expression was decreased in the hippocampal tissue of patients with AD and mice. Single-cell analysis showed that CHMP4B was downregulated in AD microglia. Overexpression of CHMP4B reduced the release of LDH and ROS and restored mitochondrial membrane potential, thereby alleviating the inflammatory response during microglial pyroptosis. In summary, CHMP4B as a hub gene provides a new strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of AD.

Selective adsorption of trace morpholine impurities over N-ethyl morpholine by tetralactam solids.

The separation and especially the removal of morpholine (MOR) impurities from N-ethyl morpholine (NEM) is of great significance in the fine chemical industry. Herein, we offer a novel strategy for the selective adsorption of MOR over NEM by tetralactam solids. The adsorbent realized the purification of NEM by adsorbing traces of MOR impurities, such that the purity can be improved from around 98% to over 99.5%. Single crystal structures indicate that N-H⋯O and N-H⋯N hydrogen bonding interactions are essential in the selective separation.

Tetralactam macrocycle based indicator displacement assay for colorimetric and fluorometric dual-mode detection of urinary uric acid.

An indicator displacement assay for colorimetric and fluorometric dual-mode detection of urinary uric acid (UA) was constructed using a water-soluble naphthalene-based tetralactam macrocycle and the phenoxazine dye, resorufin (RF). The visual detection of UA levels of volunteers was successfully realized using modified paper assays, which could be used for the home monitoring of urinary UA.

Propensity score matching comparing short-term nerve electrical stimulation to pulsed radiofrequency for herpes zoster-associated pain: A retrospective study.

Background: Zoster-associated pain (ZAP) is notoriously difficult to treat. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) and short-term nerve electrical stimulation (st-NES) have been proven effective treatments for ZAP. However, it is still unclear which technique provides improved analgesia in ZAP. This study is based on a large-scale, long-term follow-up to evaluate the efficacy and safety between st-NES and PRF. Materials and methods: All eligible ZAP patients treated with st-NES or PRF in our department were enrolled. Cohorts were divided into the st-NES group and the PRF group. A 1:1 ratio propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline characteristics. The PS-matched cohort was adopted to investigate the efficacy and safety of the two treatments. The ordinal regression analysis was performed to determine the variables affecting the treatment effect of ZAP. Results: A total of 226 patients were included after PSM. The numerical rating scale (NRS) scores in st-NES and PRF groups considerably reduced compared to baseline levels after treatment. The NRS scores in the st-NES group were obviously lower than those in the PRF group at discharge, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. During the follow-up period, the NRS reduction rate remained higher in the st-NES group than in the PRF group (P < 0.01). The dosage of medication, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, and the number of patients with aggravated pain after discharge in the st-NES group were significantly less than in the PRF group after treatment. Conclusion: Short-term nerve electrical stimulation has been shown to be more advantageous than PRF for pain relief and quality of life improvement for ZAP patients.

Two new CdII MOFs of 1,4-bis(1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)butane and flexible dicarboxylate ligands: luminescence sensing towards Fe3.

Two new CdII MOFs, namely, two-dimensional (2D) poly[[[µ2-1,4-bis(1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)butane](µ2-heptanedioato)cadmium(II)] tetrahydrate], {[Cd(C7H10O4)(C18H18N4)]·4H2O}n or {[Cd(Pim)(bbimb)]·4H2O}n (1), and 2D poly[diaqua[µ2-1,4-bis(1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)butane](µ4-decanedioato)(µ2-decanedioato)dicadmium(II)], [Cd2(C10H16O4)2(C18H18N4)(H2O)2]n or [Cd(Seb)(bbimb)0.5(H2O)]n (2), have been synthesized hydrothermally based on the 1,4-bis(1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)butane (bbimb) and pimelate (Pim2-, heptanedioate) or sebacate (Seb2-, decanedioate) ligands. Both MOFs were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In 1, the CdII centres are connected by bbimb and Pim2- ligands to generate a 2D sql layer structure with an octameric (H2O)8 water cluster. The 2D layers are further connected by O-H...O hydrogen bonds, resulting in a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular structure. In 2, the CdII centres are coordinated by Seb2- ligands to form binuclear Cd2 units which are linked by bbimb and Seb2- ligands into a 2D hxl layer. The 2D layers are further connected by O-H...O hydrogen bonds, leading to an 8-connected 3D hex supramolecular network. IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and solid-state photoluminescence analysis were carried out on both MOFs. Luminescence sensing experiments reveal that both MOFs have good selective sensing towards Fe3+ in aqueous solution.

[Fractal dimension characteristics of soil particle size distribution under different vegetation patches in desert steppe and its relationship with soil nutrients]. / è’æ¼ è‰åŽŸä¸åŒæ¤è¢«å¾®æ–‘å—åœŸå£¤ç²’å¾„åˆ†å¸ƒåˆ†å½¢ç‰¹å¾ä¸Žå »åˆ†çš„å ³ç³».

Soil samples from four vegetation mini-patches (Artemisia scoparia, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Sophora alopecuroides, Astragalus melilotoides) in a desert steppe in central Ningxia were collected. Soil physico-chemical properties including soil particle-size distribution, organic matter, pH, EC, total N, total K, total P of three depths were measured. The fractal dimension of particle size distribution characteristics of soils derived from four different vegetation mini-patches and their correlations with soil physico-chemical properties were examined. The results showed that patch vege-tation distribution affected the distribution of soil particle size, with the A. melilotoides mini-patch being the highest (D=2.51) and G. uralensis mini-patch being the lowest (D=2.46). There were significant positive correlation between fractal dimensions and the contents of clay and silt, and nega-tive correlation between fractal dimensions and sand content. Fractal dimensions were positively correlated with pH value and EC, negatively correlated with the contents of soil organic matter and total N, and had no correlation with the contents of soil total K and total P. The patchy vegetation distribution had potential trends of salinization and degradation.