Statin treatment increases lipoprotein(a) levels in subjects with low molecular weight apolipoprotein(a) phenotype.

Background And Aims: We aimed to evaluate the effect of statin treatment initiation on lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in patients with dyslipidemia, and the interactions with the apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] phenotype, LPA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and change in LDL cholesterol.

Methods: The study population consisted of patients with dyslipidemia, predominantly familial hypercholesterolemia, who first initiated statin treatment (initiation group; n = 39) or were already on stable statin treatment for at least 4 months (control group; n = 42). Plasma Lp(a) levels were determined with a particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay before and at least 2 months after start of statin treatment in individuals of the initiation group, and at two time points with an interval of at least 2 months in the control group.

Effect of diet-induced weight loss on lipoprotein(a) levels in obese individuals with and without type 2 diabetes.

Aims/hypothesis: Elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Although weight loss improves conventional risk factors for CVD in type 2 diabetes, the effects on Lp(a) are unknown and may influence the long-term outcome of CVD after diet-induced weight loss. The aim of this clinical study was to determine the effect of diet-induced weight loss on Lp(a) levels in obese individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Lead loading of urban roadways by motor vehicle wheel weights: some Australian observations using novel methodology.

Wheel weights fall off motor vehicles, accumulate on urban roadways and contribute to lead loading of the environment. The objective of the present research was to determine mass distribution, deposition rate, residence time, mass loss, and lead loading per annum on roadways in Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, Australia. We surveyed wheel weights on 3-3.

Radiation-induced strand breaks in phi X174 replicative form DNA: an improved experimental and theoretical approach.

To determine the yield of radiation-induced single-strand, double-strand and potential breaks (breaks which are converted into actual breaks by alkali or heat treatment) oxygenated aqueous solutions of phi X174 supercoiled circular double-stranded (RFI) DNA were irradiated with increasing doses of gamma-irradiation and subjected to electrophoresis on agarose gels both before and after heat treatment. A complete separation was obtained of RFI, RFII (relaxed circle due to one or more single-strand breaks) and RFIII (linear DNA due to one double-strand break). A computer-assisted spectrophotometric procedure was developed, which enabled us to measure very accurately the amount of DNA present in the three DNA fractions.

Changes in activity of chicken medullary bone cell populations in relation to the egg-laying cycle.

Osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity was studied in avian medullary bone in vivo. During the active period of eggshell calcification, medullary bone active resorption surface increased ninefold. This correlated with a sevenfold increase in the percentage of active osteoclasts.