Aerobic exercise training improves endothelial function and attenuates blood pressure reactivity during maximal exercise in chronic kidney disease.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have exaggerated increases in blood pressure during exercise that are associated with endothelial dysfunction. We hypothesized that aerobic exercise training would improve endothelial function and attenuate blood pressure reactivity during exercise in CKD. Sedentary individuals with CKD stages III-IV underwent 12 wk of aerobic cycling exercise ( = 26) or nonaerobic exercise ( = 22, control).

Increased vascular α1-adrenergic receptor sensitivity in older adults with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an independent risk factor for the development of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Patients with PTSD have heightened blood pressure and sympathetic nervous system reactivity; however, it is unclear if patients with PTSD have exaggerated vasoconstriction in response to sympathetic nerve activation that could also contribute to increased blood pressure reactivity. Therefore, we hypothesized that patients with PTSD have increased sensitivity of vascular α-adrenergic receptors (α1ARs), the major mediators of vasoconstriction in response to release of norepinephrine at sympathetic nerve terminals.

Fecal Microbiota Transplant for Clostridium difficile Infection in a Pregnant Patient.

Background: Clostridium difficile infection has been associated with negative outcomes in the general population and in pregnant patients. Fecal microbiota transplant has become the standard for treatment of recurrent as well as refractory C difficile infection.

Case: We present a case of a 28-year-old pregnant woman who presented with recurrent C difficile infection despite treatment with vancomycin and fidaxomicin and underwent a successful fecal microbiota transplant through colonoscopy at 18 weeks of gestation.