Azeliragon ameliorates Alzheimer's disease via the Janus tyrosine kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway

OBJECTIVES: TTP488, an antagonist of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products, was evaluated as a potential treatment for patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the mechanism underlying the protective action of TTP488 against AD has not yet been fully explored. METHODS: Healthy male rats were exposed to aberrant amyloid β (Aβ) 1-42. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 1 (NLRP1) overexpression lentivirus were injected to activate the NLRP1 inflammasome and exacerbate AD. TTP488 was administered to reverse AD injury. Finally, tofacitinib and fludarabine were used to inhibit the activity of Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) to prove the relationship between the JAK/STAT signaling pathway and TTP488. RESULTS: LPS and NLRP1 overexpression significantly increased the NLRP1 levels, reduced neurological function, and aggravated neuronal damage, as demonstrated by the impact latency time of, time spent by, and length of the platform covered by, the mice in the Morris water maze assay, Nissl staining, and immunofluorescence staining in rats with AD. CONCLUSIONS: TTP488 administration successfully reduced AD injury and reversed the aforementioned processes. Additionally, tofacitinib and fludarabine administration could further reverse AD injury after the TTP488 intervention. These results suggest a new potential mechanism underlying the TTP488-mediated alleviation of AD injury.

Modified cone reconstruction in the treatment of Ebstein’s anomaly in 18 patients / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To investigate the early and mid-term clinical outcomes of the modified cone reconstruction in the treatment of Ebstein’s anomaly (EA). Methods    Clinical data of 18 consecutive patients with EA in our hospital between May 2008 and August 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were diagnosed by echocardiography. There were 8 males and 10 females with an average age of 20.3 years ranging from 5 to 41 years. According to New York Heart Association classification, 12 patients were classified into grade Ⅱ and 6 grade Ⅲ. One patient had acute arterial embolism and amputation of left lower extremity caused by paradoxical embolism of combined secundum atrial septal defect, and another one was combined with double-orifice technique due to postoperative poor closure of tricuspid valve. The modified cone reconstruction was used to correct the EA, to make leaflets coapted well and form central blood flow. For those patients whose anterior leaflet developed poor and smaller, valve leaflet was widened by using autologous pericardial. For all patients, tricuspid annulus was reinforced by autologous pericardial. Results    Two patients suffered arrhythmia, and returned to normal after medication. The rest patients recovered well without death. Echocardiography found 1 patient with moderate regurgitation and the rest of patients’ leaflets coapted well and had no tricuspid stenosis. They were followed up 9 to 38 months postoperatively, and cardiac function of gradeⅠin 14 patients and gradeⅡin 4 patients. Conclusion    The early and mid-term clinical outcomes of the modified cone reconstruction in the treatment of EA are affirmative which can make leaflets coapt completely and have a strong anti-regurgitation ability, reducing the incidence of re-operation, valve replacement and postoperative mortality.