L-Carnitine inhibits the senescence-associated secretory phenotype of aging adipose tissue by JNK/p53 pathway.

Senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) plays a role in aging adipose tissue dysfunction by directly promoting chronic inflammation. The JNK/p53 pathway was reported as a potential mechanism that mediates SASP. In this study, we investigated the effects of L-carnitine, an inhibitor of the JNK/p53 pathway in adipose tissue SASP and dysfunction.

Role of the CHADS Score in the Evaluation of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Carotid Artery Ultrasonography.

Objective: This study investigated the characteristics of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and determined the feasibility and significance of the CHADS score in predicting the degree of carotid atherosclerosis.

Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 109) with nonvalvular AF were registered and classified into two groups, the paroxysmal AF group (n = 59) and persistent AF group (n = 50). Fifty healthy patients, matched by sex and age, were considered the control group.

RNA Interference inhibits hepatitis B virus of different genotypes in vitro and in vivo.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection increases the risk of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) can be a potential new tool for HBV therapy. Given the high heterogeneity of HBV strains and the sensitivity towards sequences changes of siRNA, finding a potent siRNA inhibitor against the conservative site on the HBV genome is essential to ensure a therapeutic application.