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Stream drying, especially in the western United States, is becoming more common as the climate warms and precipitation patterns become less predictable; consequently, fisheries managers need to prioritize conservation efforts where water (and fish) will persist in the future. Yellow Creek in the upper Bear River watershed (Utah and Wyoming) contains one of the largest remaining populations of Northern Leatherside Chub Lepidomeda copei, an imperiled fish. Lower reaches are drying during summer months, partly due to water withdrawals, thus reducing Northern Leatherside Chub populations and relegating the remaining fish to isolated pools until the water returns. This study used an unmanned aerial vehicle to capture high‐resolution and spatially explicit imagery over 19 km of Yellow Creek in a few weeks during late August when the water is the most limiting to the fish. Through imagery and subsequent GIS analysis, we identified 405 previously unknown potential refuge‐pool habitats for Northern Leatherside Chub and determined their location, size, and spatial distribution, thereby helping managers prioritize stream reaches for native fish conservation and restoration. While the cost of unmanned aerial vehicle flights was estimated to be 2.5 times that of on‐the‐ground surveys in 2016, unmanned aerial vehicle technology continues to become more cost effective and, unlike traditional surveys, provides high‐resolution and spatially referenced data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the western United States, the introduction of nonnative Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis has had deleterious effects on native Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii subspecies, and often their populations must be controlled or removed if Cutthroat Trout are to persist. Man‐made fish migration barriers are integral components of stream restoration projects, and typical designs are intended to be permanent and to funnel water over a drop and onto a splash pad. The water elevation drop and the splash pad, which prevents a jumping pool, are mechanisms intended to prevent fish from navigating upstream past the structure. In this study, we installed a temporary, permeable‐style barrier that was designed to have water flow onto and through a horizontal, expanded steel panel. When fish attempted to move upstream, they would follow the water flow and end up underneath the barrier, with no opportunity to move further. The permeable barrier proved effective in preventing the upstream movement of Brook Trout, and additional advantages to this barrier style included straightforward permitting, low cost, ease of installation, and quick removal. The main disadvantage was the periodic cleaning (average of 7 trips/year) that was required to maintain its intended function. The permeable barrier separated stream reaches for 5 years, allowing biologists to (1) eradicate Brook Trout upstream through multiple‐pass backpack electrofishing while preserving native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout O. clarkii bouvieri and (2) apply a successful piscicide treatment below the barrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the importance of reducing impacts of non‐native species is increasingly recognized in conservation, the feasibility of such actions is highly dependent upon several key uncertainties including stage of invasion, size of the ecosystem being restored, and magnitude of the restoration activity. Here, we present results of a multi‐year, non‐native brown trout (Salmo trutta) removal and native Bonneville cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii utah) response to this removal in a small tributary in the Intermountain West, United States. We monitored trout for 10 years prior to the onset of eradication efforts, which included 2 years of mechanical removal followed by 2 years of chemical treatment. Cutthroat trout were then seeded with low numbers of both eggs and juvenile trout. We monitored demographics and estimated population growth rates and carrying capacities for cutthroat trout from long‐term depletion estimate data, assuming logistic population growth. Following brown trout eradication and initial seeding efforts, cutthroat trout in this tributary have responded rapidly and have approached their estimated carrying capacity within 6 years. Population projections suggest a 95% probability that cutthroat trout will be at or above 90% of their carrying capacity within 10 years of the eradication of brown trout. Additionally, at least four age‐classes are present including adults large enough to satisfy angling demand. These results demonstrate native trout species have substantial capacity to rapidly recover following removal of invasive species in otherwise minimally altered habitats. While tributaries such as like this study location are likely limited in extent individually, collectively they may serve such as source populations for larger connected systems. In such cases, these source populations may provide additional conservation potential through biotic resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fishes that evolutionarily demonstrated a fluvial life history expression and migrated to spawning and rearing habitat by using lotic corridors are increasingly impacted by fragmentation. The overall goal of this study was to identify the contemporary importance of main‐stem connectivity and tributaries for maintaining life history expression, population structure, and viability of a large metapopulation of Bonneville Cutthroat Trout (BCT) Oncorhynchus clarkii utah persisting in the highly fragmented Weber River, Utah. We used a multifaceted approach, including active sampling, mark–recapture, passive PIT tag detection, otolith microchemistry, and genetics. We collected BCT in all tributaries and the main stem, encountering age‐0 fish in three tributaries, indicating successful reproduction. In tributaries, the size structure was bimodal and consisted of smaller fish that were classified as resident and larger fish that were deemed to be fluvial, whereas all sizes and ages (age ≥ 1) were present in the main stem. We identified up to eight age‐classes; tributaries were dominated by ages 2 and 8, and the main stem was dominated by ages 2, 5, 6, and 7. Tributary BCT had lower growth rates than BCT in the main stem. We observed a surprising degree of fluvial life history expression, and fish also demonstrated very complex movement patterns across their life span. Average apparent survival (33%) was within the range estimated in similar studies for BCT, and the resight rate was best explained by angler management regulations. The fact that BCT in the Weber River and tributaries still reproduce successfully in most years and are still able to grow into large, fluvial fish suggests that connectivity must be occasionally available despite considerable fragmentation. Therefore, this metapopulation may need little further human intervention if barriers to fish passage can be removed, thereby improving connectivity, and it represents a high‐priority metapopulation for conservation, thus highlighting the utility of our approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Venous thromboembolic (VTE) events such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) have been reported in otherwise low‐risk healthy athletes following acute bouts of aerobic exercise. Purpose: To review case reports and assess the commonalities of athletic individuals with VTE, as well as return‐to‐play (RTP) recommendations. Methods: We reviewed 47 reports (20 DVTs, 15 PEs, and 12 DVTs/PEs, 19 women) of trained individuals who were diagnosed with DVT and/or PE following aerobic exercise. We assessed frequency of VTE risk factors, presenting symptoms, and RTP recommendations. Results: The age of women (24.6 ± 7.0 years) was lower (P < .01) than of men (40.6 ± 13.6 years). Of the 19 women, 14 (73.7%) used oral contraceptives. Thirteen cases (27.7%) reported a recent period of prolonged inactivity (>1 hour), and another 12 cases were found to have an antithrombin disorder following testing after diagnosis. The most frequently reported symptoms were muscle pain in 26 of 32 (81.3%) DVT or DVT/PE cases, and dyspnea in 21 of 27 (77.8%) PE or DVT/PE cases. Despite these common symptoms, the estimated time from first report of symptoms to confirmed diagnosis was 56.3 ± 118.7 days and 25 cases (53.2%) were initially misdiagnosed. Twenty‐three cases (48.9%) did not report RTP recommendations, and those which did varied widely. Conclusions: Thirty‐two cases (~70%) had at least one of three major risk factors, suggesting that many cases of VTE in athletes may be preventable with better education and awareness. The wide variety of RTP recommendations highlights the need for standardized guidelines in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine the effects of exercise training on cognitive function in individuals at risk of or diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Design: Meta‐analysis. Setting: PubMed, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ProQuest were searched from inception until August 1, 2017. Participants: Nineteen studies with 23 interventions including 1,145 subjects with a mean age of 77.0 ± 7.5 were included. Most subjects were at risk of AD because they had mild cognitive impairment (64%) or a parent diagnosed with AD (1%), and 35% presented with AD. Intervention: Controlled studies that included an exercise‐only intervention and a nondiet, nonexercise control group and reported pre‐ and post‐intervention cognitive function measurements. Measurements: Cognitive function before and after the intervention and features of the exercise intervention. Results: Exercise interventions were performed 3.4 ± 1.4 days per week at moderate intensity (3.7 ± 0.6 metabolic equivalents) for 45.2 ± 17.0 minutes per session for 18.6 ± 10.0 weeks and consisted primarily of aerobic exercise (65%). Overall, there was a modest favorable effect of exercise on cognitive function (d+ = 0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.26–0.68). Within‐group analyses revealed that exercise improved cognitive function (d+w = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.11–0.28), whereas cognitive function declined in the control group (d+w = −0.18, 95% CI = −0.36 to 0.00). Aerobic exercise had a moderate favorable effect on cognitive function (d+w = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.35–0.95), but other exercise types did not (d+w = 0.19, 95% CI = −0.06–0.43). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that exercise training may delay the decline in cognitive function that occurs in individuals who are at risk of or have AD, with aerobic exercise possibly having the most favorable effect. Additional randomized controlled clinical trials that include objective measurements of cognitive function are needed to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We found variants from the Angiotensinogen-Converting Enzyme ( ACE), Angiotensin Type 1 Receptor ( AGTR1), Aldosterone Synthase ( CYP11B2), and Adducin ( ADD1) genes exhibited intensity-dependent associations with the ambulatory blood pressure ( BP) response following acute exercise, or postexercise hypotension ( PEH). In a validation cohort, we sequenced exons from these genes for their associations with PEH. Obese (30.9 ± 3.6 kg m−2) adults ( n = 23; 61% African Americans [ AF], 39% Caucasian) 42.0 ± 9.8 years with hypertension (139.8 ± 10.4/84.6 ± 6.2 mmHg) completed three random experiments: bouts of vigorous and moderate intensity cycling and control. Subjects wore an ambulatory BP monitor for 19 h. We performed deep-targeted exon sequencing using the Illumina TruSeq Custom Amplicon kit. Variant genotypes were coded as number of minor alleles (# MA) and selected for further statistical analysis based upon Bonferonni or Benjamini-Yekutieli multiple testing corrected p-values under time adjusted linear models for 19 hourly BP measurements per subject. After vigorous intensity over 19 h among ACE, AGTR1, CYP11B2, and ADD1 variants passing multiple testing thresholds, as the # MA increased, systolic ( SBP) and/or diastolic BP decreased 12 mmHg ( P = 4.5E-05) to 30 mmHg ( P = 6.4E-04) among AF only. In contrast, after moderate intensity over 19 h among ACE and CYP11B2 variants passing multiple testing thresholds, as the # MA increased, SBP increased 21 mmHg ( P = 8.0E-04) to 22 mmHg ( P = 8.2E-04) among AF only. In this replication study, ACE, AGTR1, CYP11B2, and ADD1 variants exhibited associations with PEH after vigorous, but not moderate intensity exercise among AF only. Renal variants should be explored further with a multi-level 'omics' approach for associations with PEH among a large, ethnically diverse sample of adults with hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native fishes continue to decline in abundance and distribution. One common practice to ensure native fish persistence has been to introduce fish into new habitats. Though these introductions reduce the risk of extinction, often the introduced populations are not considered in the Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing status in the same manner as extant populations. One instance where they were considered was when Least Chub Iotichthys phlegethontis were introduced into 23 locations within the Bonneville Basin between 2005 and 2013. In 2014, 10 of these populations were considered successful and were evaluated with the six remaining extant populations by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In this instance, Least Chub were removed from the candidate list in part due to these introduced populations, which increased the resiliency, redundancy, and representation for this species to persist now and into the foreseeable future. The creation of introduced fish populations is a conservation practice that needs to be considered as a potential tool for fisheries managers, not only to ensure persistence, but also to preclude the need for federal listing under ESA. La abundancia y distribución de los peces nativos continúan declinando. Una práctica común para asegurar la persistencia de los peces nativos ha sido introducirlos en nuevos hábitats. Si bien estas introducciones reducen el riesgo de extinción, a veces las poblaciones introducidas, en comparación a las poblaciones ya existentes, no son consideradas de la misma forma dentro de los listados del AEA (Acta de Especies Amenazadas). La única instancia en la que fueron consideradas así fue cuando el Least Chub (Iotichthys phlegethontis) fue introducido en 23 sitios dentro de la cuenca Bonneville entre 2005 y 2013. En 2014, 10 de estas poblaciones fueron consideradas como un éxito y el Departamento de Pesca y Vida Salvaje (DPVS) de los EE.UU. se encargó de evaluarlas junto con las seis poblaciones restantes que existían. En este caso, el Least Chub fue removido de la lista de especies amenazadas en parte debido a dichas poblaciones introducidas, las cuales incrementaron la resiliencia, redundancia y representatividad de la especie en pos de su persistencia presente y futura. La creación de poblaciones introducidas de peces es una práctica de conservación que debe ser considerada como una potencial herramienta para los manejadores de pesquerías, no solo con el fin de asegurar la persistencia de las especies sino también como medida preventiva para evitar la necesidad de listarlas en los elencos del AEA. L'abondance et la distribution de poissons indigènes continuent à décliner. Une pratique courante pour assurer la persistance de poissons indigènes a été d'introduire les poissons dans de nouveaux habitats. Bien que ces introductions réduisent le risque d'extinction, bien souvent les populations introduites ne sont pas prises en compte dans la liste des espèces en danger de l'ESA de la même manière que les populations existantes. l'iotichthys phlegethontis (Least Chub) a été introduit dans 23 endroits dans le bassin de Bonneville entre 2005 et 2013 et est l'un des cas où cela a été pris en considération. En 2014, 10 de ces populations ont bien réussi et ont été evaluées avec les six autres populations existantes par le Fish and Wildlife Service des États‐Unis (USFWS). Dans ce cas, les Iotichthys phlegethontis (Least Chub) ont été retirés de la liste des candidats, en partie parce que ces populations introduites ont augmenté leur résilience, leur redondance et leur représentation et permis à cette espèce de persister maintenant et dans un avenir prévisible. La création de populations de poissons introduites est une pratique de conservation qui doit être considérée comme un outil potentiel pour les gestionnaires des pêches, non seulement pour assurer la persistance, mais aussi pour empêcher la necessite de tenir une liste fédérale en vertu de l'ESA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, or statins, are widely used drugs for hyperlipidemia and are generally well-tolerated, but the can produce skeletal muscle toxicity. The molecular mechanisms driving statin myopathy are unknown. We investigated the effects of statin treatment and eccentric (damaging) exercise on transcriptional patterns between statin myopathy (Sym; N = 9) and statin-tolerant subjects (Asym; N = 6). Methods: Skeletal muscle biopsies were collected 6 h post-exercise at baseline and after statin treatment. Subjects performed concentric (non-damaging) exercise with one leg and concentric + eccentric exercise with the other leg using a cross-over design between time-points. Results: Sym as compared with Asym demonstrated decreased skeletal muscle gene expression for oxidative phosphorylation-related and mitochondrial ribosomal protein genes before and after statin treatment with eccentric exercise. Conclusions: These results suggest that pre-existing deficiencies in energy production may contribute to the development of symptoms during statin therapy, especially when muscle is exposed to eccentric exercise. Muscle Nerve 44: 393-401, 2011 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) that identified eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with BMI highlighted a possible neuronal influence on the development of obesity. We hypothesized these SNPs would govern the response of BMI and subcutaneous fat to resistance training in young individuals (age = 24 years). We genotyped the eight GWAS-identified SNPs in the article by Willer et al. in a cohort (n = 796) that undertook a 12-week resistance-training program. Females with a copy of the rare allele (C) for rs17782313 (MC4R) had significantly higher BMIs (CC/CT: n = 174; 24.70 ± 0.33 kg/m2, TT: n = 278; 23.41 ± 0.26 kg/m2, P = 0.002), and the SNP explained 1.9% of overall variation in BMI. Males with a copy of the rare allele (T) for rs6548238 (TMEM18) had lower amounts of subcutaneous fat pretraining (CT/TT: n = 65; 156,534 ± 7,415 mm3, CC: n = 136; 177,825 ± 5,139 mm3, P = 0.019) and males with a copy of the rare allele (A) for rs9939609 (FTO) lost a significant amount of subcutaneous fat with exercise (AT/AA: n = 83; −798.35 ± 2,624.30 mm3, TT: n = 47; 9,435.23 ± 3,494.44 mm3, P = 0.021). Females with a copy of the G allele for a missense variant in the SH2B1 (rs7498665) was associated with less change of subcutaneous fat volume with exercise (AG/GG: n = 191; 9,813 ± 2,250 mm3 vs. AA: n = 126; 770 ± 2,772 mm3; P = 0.011). These data support the original finding that there is an association between measures of obesity and a variant near the MC4R gene and extends these results to a younger population and implicates FTO, TMEM18, and SH2B1 polymorphisms in subcutaneous fat regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors or statins are the most effective medications for reducing elevated concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Statins reduce cardiac events in patients with coronary artery disease and previously healthy persons. Current recommendations for LDL-C treatment goals indicate that more patients will be treated with higher doses of these medications. Statins have been extremely well-tolerated in controlled clinical trials but are increasingly recognized to produce skeletal muscle myalgia, cramps, and weakness. The reported frequency of such mild symptoms is not clear, and muscle performance has not been examined with these medications. Accordingly, the present investigation, the Effect of Statins on Skeletal Muscle Function and Performance (STOMP) study, will recruit approximately 440 healthy persons. Participants will be randomly assigned to treatment with atorvastatin 80 mg/d or placebo. Handgrip, elbow and knee isometric and isokinetic strength, knee extensor endurance, and maximal aerobic exercise performance will be determined at baseline. Participants will undergo repeat testing after 6 months of treatment or after meeting the study definition of statin myalgia. This study will determine the effect of statins on skeletal muscle strength, endurance, and aerobic exercise performance and may ultimately help clinicians better evaluate statin-related muscle and exercise complaints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mercury sphygmomanometer is the undisputed gold standard for the indirect measurement of blood pressure. Some public health advocates have recently expressed concern about the use of mercury in medical practice. 2 This concern has prompted many medical facilities to replace mercury manometers with aneroid devices. The present report examined the performance of 282 aneroid sphygmomanometers in outpatient medical practices. Results were examined for predetermined end points within ±3 mm Hg from the reference values and to indicate zero at no pressure. Ninety-three devices (33%) failed to perform at ≥1 pressure levels. Most (76%) of the failures were due to low readings. Only 7 of the 93 failing units did not rest at zero, making this an unreliable indicator of accuracy. Inaccurate readings of aneroid sphygmomanometers may result in a failure to diagnose and treat hypertension, thereby placing hypertensive patients at risk for end-organ damage and cardiovascular events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We employed physiogenomic analyses to investigate the relationship between myalgia and selected polymorphisms in serotonergic genes, based on their involvement with pain perception and transduction of nociceptive stimuli. We screened 195 hypercholesterolemic, statin-treated patients, all of whom received either atorvastatin, simvastatin, or pravastatin. Patients were classified as having no myalgia, probable myalgia, or definite myalgia, and assigned a myalgia score of 0, 0.5, or 1, respectively. Fourteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected from candidates within the 5-HT receptor gene families [5a-hydroxytryptamine receptor genes ( HTR) 1D, 2A, 2C, 3A, 3B, 5A, 6, 7] and the serotonin transporter gene ( SLC6A4). SNPs in the HTR3B and HTR7 genes, rs2276307 and rs1935349, respectively, were significantly associated with the myalgia score. Individual differences in pain perception and nociception related to specific serotonergic gene variants may affect the development of myalgia in statin-treated patients. Muscle Nerve, 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the research which dealt with the association of resistin polymorphisms with muscle, bone and fat phenotypes in U.S. men and women. Researchers mention that the polymorphisms in the human resistin gene were associates with physiologically different phenotypes. They also state that the novelty of the associations and the strong genetic effects observed warrant further investigation.

This study compared the effect of a 30-minute walk on brachial artery endothelial vasodilatation in kidney transplant (KT) recipients and healthy controls (HCs). Endothelial-dependent vasodilatation was measured by ultrasound before and after exercise. The HCs experienced a significant increase in vasodilatation after exercise 1 minute postocclusion when compared with the KT recipients (22% ± 13% vs 3% ± 4%; P < .05). Also, the HCs had a significantly higher vasodilatation from pretreadmill walk to post-treadmill walk (1 minute postocclusion) when compared with KT recipients (from 3% ± 6% to 22% ± 13% vs 1% ± 3% to 3% ± 4%; P < .05). This acute vasodilatory response observed in the HCs may be related to the immediate release of nitric oxide and the combined response to shear stress and exercise. The KT recipients had several coronary artery disease risk factors that may have adversely affected endothelial function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has two common genetic variants: the insertion (I) and deletion (D) forms. ACE levels are greater in subjects with the D allele, and several studies suggest superior endurance performance in subjects with the I allele. The authors recently reported the results of a 6-month exercise training protocol examining the effect of apolipoprotein E on the lipid response. The present report examines the relationship of ACE genotype and exercise adherence. DNA samples were available for 110 subjects: 14 I/I, 52 I/D, and 44 D/D. Baseline and change in maximal oxygen uptake, body mass index, skinfold thickness, and serum lipids did not differ by ACE genotype, but adherence to exercise training was higher in I carriers than in D homozygotes. These preliminary results suggest that ACE genotype affects exercise adherence and raises the possibility that superior endurance capacity in subjects with the I allele is related to a genetic propensity to adhere to an exercise regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statins are the principal agents for managing hyperlipidemia because of their ability to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and triglyceride levels, increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) levels slightly, and decrease clinical events. Nevertheless, not all patients can tolerate the statins or achieve their treatment goals with these drugs. In addition, available statins have only modest effects on HDL, and clinical events still occur despite the best current lipid-lowering agents. Thus, new lipid-lowering agents are required to improve clinical outcomes. These recently or soon to be released agents are stanol esters, which can be incorporated into spreads and other foods and reduce LDL levels up to 15%; colesevelam, a new bile acid sequestrant with a higher potency, fewer adverse effects, and less drug interactions than those of older agents in this class; rosuvastatin, a new statin that reduces LDL levels and increases HDL levels at least more effectively than atorvastatin; and a new class of agents that inhibit cholesterol absorption and are likely to be used in combination with statins. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol apheresis is another, nonpharmacologic option for patients with severe hyperlipidemia despite maximal medical therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have demonstrated that intravenous testosterone can dilate coronary arteries and increase exercise treadmill time, but the electrocardiographic and hemodynamic effects are unknown. This trial determined the hemodynamic and electrocardiographic effects of dosing intravenous testosterone to achieve a physiologic and a superphysiologic serum testosterone concentration. Twenty men (70.6 ±6.2 years) had individualized testosterone bolus and continuous infusions designed to increase the serum testosterone concentration by two (physiologic) and six times baseline (superphysiologic). The men were studied on three occasions when they were randomly allocated to received a placebo, physiologic testosterone regimen, or superphysiologic testosterone regimen. Blood pressures and 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) were taken preinfusion and 28 minutes after initiating the infusion on each visit. The blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and ECG variables (PR, QRS, QT, QTc, and RR intervals) preinfusion and during the infusion were compared, and the delta changes in the variables were compared between groups. The physiologic testosterone regimen increased the serum testosterone concentration by 2.39±0.48 times the preinfusion concentration, while the superphysiologic regimen increased it by 6.22±0.99 times. No significant changes occurred in the blood pressure or ECG variables in any group versus preinfusion values or between the three groups. Exogenously administered intravenous testosterone does not significantly affect the blood pressure or ECG variables when given to achieve physiologic or superphysiologic concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Statins are administered daily, but because of their long half-lives, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin can be given every other day (q.o.d.). We examined the effect of q.o.d. statin therapy in 25 patients treated with either atorvastatin (mean dose, 18.8 mg q.o.d.) or rosuvastatin (mean dose, 9.7 mg q.o.d.). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased 43%, triglycerides (mean ± SEM) decreased 22%±6%, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased 9%±6% with q.o.d. atorvastatin (n=9; p<0.05 for all). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased 28%, triglycerides decreased 15%±6%, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased 10%±5% with rosuvastatin q.o.d. (n=16; p<0.05 for all). We conclude that q.o.d. treatment with long-acting statins significantly improves serum lipid levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FURIN is a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin enzyme important in pro‐renin receptor processing, and FURIN (furin, paired basic amino acid cleaving enzyme) variants are involved in multiple aspects of blood pressure (BP) regulation. Therefore, we examined associations among FURIN variants and the immediate blood pressure (BP) response to bouts of aerobic exercise, termed postexercise hypotension (PEH). Obese (30.9 ± 3.6 kg m−2) Black‐ (n = 14) and White‐ (n = 9) adults 42.0 ± 9.8 year with hypertension (139.8 ± 10.4/84.6 ± 6.2 mmHg) performed three random experiments: bouts of vigorous (VIGOROUS) and moderate (MODERATE) intensity cycling and control. Subjects were then attached to an ambulatory BP monitor for 19 h. We performed deep‐targeted exon sequencing with the Illumina TruSeq Custom Amplicon kit. FURIN genotypes were coded as the number of minor alleles (#MA) and selected for additional statistical analysis based upon Bonferonni or Benjamini–Yekutieli multiple testing corrected P‐values under time‐adjusted linear models for 19 hourly BP measurements. After VIGOROUS over 19 h, as FURIN #MA increased in rs12917264 (P = 2.4E‐04) and rs75493298 (P = 6.4E‐04), systolic BP (SBP) decreased 30.4–33.7 mmHg; and in rs12917264 (P = 1.6E‐03) and rs75493298 (P = 9.7E‐05), diastolic BP (DBP) decreased 17.6–20.3 mmHg among Blacks only. In addition, after MODERATE over 19 h in FURIN rs74037507 (P = 8.0E‐04), as #MA increased, SBP increased 20.8 mmHg among Blacks only. Whereas, after MODERATE over the awake hours in FURIN rs1573644 (P = 6.2E‐04), as #MA increased, DBP decreased 12.5 mmHg among Whites only. FURIN appears to exhibit intensity and race‐dependent associations with PEH that merit further exploration among a larger, ethnically diverse sample of adults with hypertension. FURIN is involved in multiple aspects of blood pressure (BP) regulation. Therefore, we examined FURIN variants and the postexercise hypotension (PEH) associations among hypertensive (139.8 ± 10.4/84.6 ± 6.2 mmHg) Black (n = 14) and White (n = 9) adults that performed bouts of moderate and vigorous intensity cycling and control. We found that FURIN variants exhibited exercise intensity and racial dependent associations with PEH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a 65-year-old male patient who reported cognitive complaints after receiving atorvastatin 10 milligrams (mg)/day. It notes that the man showed altered neuronal activation and reduced performance on the cognitive tests while receiving atorvastatin therapy. It cites that there was a subjective improvement of his cognitive complaints when he discontinued taking atorvastatin. It says that the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a useful technique for assessing cognitive function in patients treated with statins.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the level of high sensitive C-Reactive protein (CRP) in those with the E3/E4 genotype to those with the E2/E3 or E3/E3 genotypes. Methods: Sixty-sixty females were assessed for ApoE genotype and CRP levels(mean age 38.2 ± 11.6 years). CRP was assessed using a two-site chemiluminescent enzyme immunometric assay with one monoclonal and one polyclonal anti-CRP antibody. Results: Women with the E3/E4 (n=27) genotype had significantly lower CRP than those without the E4 allele (n=39) (2.02 ± 2.13 vs 3.37 ± 2.33, p<0.01). Discussion: Contrary to the hypothesis that E4 carriers would have higher levels of systemic inflammation, these data show lower CRP levels in this group compared to those without the E4 allele. How this relates to the increased cardiovascular mortality rate in this group is unclear, but highlights a complex interaction between ApoE genotype, inflammation, other cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]