Microsatellite markers of the poly (CA) type in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) are described. Clones containing a (CA) repeat were isolated from a common carp genomic library and sequenced. The number of repeats found was high compared to mammals but comparable with other teleost fishes. Classification of the repeats (perfect, imperfect and compound) are compared with the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). A total of 41 primer sets were designed and tested for polymorphism on a test panel of eight animals (derived from outbred lines, inbred lines and gynogenetic clones). Thirty‐two markers were found to be polymorphic. The heterozygosity in the outbred animals was 60·4%, 51·1% in the inbred animals and 0% in the gynogenetic clones. The average number of alleles among the eight animals was 4·7 per marker. Six markers (18·8%) gave an additional polymorphic amplification product besides the polymorphic amplification product in the expected size range. The possibility that these loci are tetraploid is discussed. The polymorphic loci described for common carp will be valuable as genetic markers for use in population, breeding, and evolutionary studies.

The physiological response of common carp, Cyprinus carpio (L.) to increased stocking density and an additional acute net confinement stressor was investigated. Stocking densities were increased from 28.4 to 56.8 or 113.6 kg m À3 by the use of crowding screens and fish were sampled from the crowded groups after 15, 39 and 87 hours of crowding (hc). A transient elevation of plasma cortisol was found in the higher density group after 15 hc before values returned to control levels. Increased stocking density also increased plasma levels of glucose, free fatty acids (FFA) and lactate during the experimental period. No effect was found on oxygen radical production in the blood, haemoglobin or haematocrit levels, but leucocrit values were lower after 39 hc in both groups. Net confinement resulted in a significant increase in plasma cortisol levels in all groups. However, after 15 hc, cortisol and FFA levels in both crowded plus confinement groups were higher than in the control and confined groups. Confinement resulted in increased oxygen radical production in the crowded plus confined groups at all times. Results indicate that although carp responded with a mild stress response to increased stocking density and adaptation occurred by 87 hc, the crowded fish were more sensitive to an additional acute stressor.

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Aims Studies on adherence and persistence with non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC) treatment have relied on data from the early years of NOAC availability. We aimed to study long-term adherence and persistence with NOACs and their association with stroke risk. Methods and results From the Stockholm Healthcare database, we included 21 028 atrial fibrillation patients claiming a first NOAC prescription from July 2011 until October 2018, with more than 1000 patients having more than 5 years of follow-up (median: 2.0, interquartile range: 1.0–3.2). Persistence rates, defined as continuing to claim NOAC prescriptions within a 90-day gap, decreased to 70% at the end of follow-up. However, 85% of the patients were treated at the end of the study due to reinitiations. Adherence, calculated as medication possession rate (MPR) in 3 and 6-month intervals among persistent users, remained stable at 90%, with 75% of patients having an MPR >95% throughout the study period. Using a case–control design, we calculated associations of persistence and adherence with stroke risk, adjusting for potential confounders. The outcome was a composite of ischaemic or unspecified stroke and transient ischaemic attack. Non-persistence and poor adherence were both associated with increased stroke risk [non-persistence adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.05; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.49–2.82, 1% reduction MPR aOR: 1.03; CI: 1.01–1.05]. There was no association between non-persistence or poor adherence and the falsification endpoints; fractions and respiratory infections, indicating no ‘healthy-adherer’ effect. Conclusion Persistence rates decreased slowly over time, but persistent patients had high adherence rates. Both non-persistence and poor adherence were associated with an increased stroke risk.