Morphometric discriminant analysis for the classification of Diplectanum (Monogenea: monopisthocotylea), parasites of Sphyraena flavicauda.

The authors have examined the morphology of Diplectanum cazauxi and Diplectanum bauchotae through the observation of 23 specimens (10 of D. cazauxi and 13 of D. bauchotae) found during May 2003 on the gills of 2 specimens of Sphyraena flavicauda Rüppell, 1838 collected at Ras Mohammed National Park, Egypt. A discriminant analysis was performed on the morphometric data of opisthaptor to determine which parameters more accurately distinguish the two species. The best discriminant parameters resulted to be the copulatory apparatus and the central bar, which determined the absence of misclassification in the model. The discriminant functions are reported for the two species.

[Prevalence survey of nosocomial infections at Casa di Cura COF (Orthopedics and Physical Therapy center), Lanzo d'Intelvi, Como]. / Studio di prevalenza delle infezioni ospedaliere nella Casa di Cura COF (Centro Ortopedico e Fisioterapico), Lanzo d'Intelvi, Como.

Seasonal prevalence survey of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) is the cheaper and easiest way for nosocomial infections surveillance. Our study was carried-out in February 2002 in the COF. The mean prevalence rate of HAI was 11.2%, representative of trouble that HAI had in the Italian Hospital landscape.

New records of alien monogeneans from Lepomis gibbosus and Silurus glanis in Italy.

The first geographical records of five alien monogeneans for Italy is reported. Four species have been detected from Lepomis gibbosus (Linnaeus, 1758): Actinocleidus recurvatus Mizelle et Donahue, 1944, Actinocleidus oculatus (Mueller, 1934), Urocleidus similis (Mueller, 1936) and Urocleidus dispar (Mueller, 1936); one species from Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758: Thaparocleidus vistulensis (Siwak, 1932) n. comb.

Effects of subchronic treatment with trandolapril and enalapril on cardiovascular morphologic alterations in the aged spontaneously hypertensive rat with heart failure.

The effects of a 3-month treatment period with the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors trandolapril (0.3 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and enalapril (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.) on hemodynamics, cardiac hypertrophy, and vascular structures were examined in old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) (24 months at the end of treatment) presenting with congestive heart failure. During the course of treatment, the mortality rate was lower in the two treated groups than in the control group. At the end of treatment, serum ACE activity was inhibited by 63 and 33% by trandolapril and enalapril, respectively, but the decrease in blood pressure they induced was not significant. The atrial natriuretic factor(ANF) plasma levels and cyclic GMP urine excretion were about 10-fold and 3-fold higher, respectively, in old SHRs than in old Wistar rats. These values were markedly decreased by both ACE inhibitors. The ventricular hypertrophy was greatly decreased by both compounds (-24% by trandolapril and -26% by enalapril). In the aorta, the media hypertrophy was significantly decreased and nuclear density increased to a similar extent by both ACE inhibitors. In the mesenteric artery, trandolapril treatment induced a complete regression of the media hypertrophy and a marked decrease in extracellular matrix surface. In addition, the collagen network appeared less dissociated in the treated animals. Similarly the nuclear density was increased and the surface of cell nuclei was decreased by trandolapril. Enalapril appeared much less potent on these parameters. These data demonstrate that treatment with trandolapril of aged SHRs presenting with heart failure results in an increase in survival of the animals and a marked regression of cardiac and vascular hypertrophy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, anti-hypertensive activity and hemodynamic profile of trandolapril (RU 44570).

Trandolapril (RU 44570), a new non-sulfhydryl angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor chemically related to enalapril, and its diacid (RU 44403), were investigated for their ability to inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme. Trandolapril attenuated angiotensin I (Ang I)-induced pressor responses following i.v. administration to rats and dogs with ID50 values of 13.1 +/- 1.3 and 21.1 +/- 2.3 micrograms/kg. RU 44403 produced corresponding values of 9.9 +/- 0.7 and 7.2 +/- 2.3 micrograms/kg. Trandolapril (3-300 micrograms/kg) produced a dose-related attenuation of Ang I-induced pressor responses (ID50 30 micrograms/kg) following oral administration to rats. Oral administration of trandolapril (30-1000 micrograms/kg) to dogs inhibited Ang I pressor responses for over 6 h. The depressor action of bradykinin in the rat was potentiated by i.v. trandolapril and RU 44403 with ED50 values of 5.5 +/- 0.8 and 4.9 +/- 0.3 micrograms/kg respectively. Trandolapril was 2.3-10-fold more potent than enalapril in all experiments, depending on species or route of administration. RU 44403 and MK 422 were approximately equipotent, implying that trandolapril was more readily hydrolysed than enalapril. Trandolapril (0.3-30 mg/kg) produced dose-related, long-lasting (greater than 24 h) reductions in blood pressure (BP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) following oral administration. The anti-hypertensive effect was potentiated significantly in hydrochlorothiazide-pretreated SHR when the plasma renin activity was increased. Enalapril was 10-fold less potent than trandolapril in reducing BP. The anti-hypertensive action of trandolapril (3 mg/kg) was abolished in SHR that were bilaterally nephrectomized 24 h beforehand, but was maintained in SHR pretreated by indomethacin (5 mg/kg p.o.). Trandolapril (1 mg/kg i.v.) produced a modest and transient reduction in BP in anesthetized dogs. Trandolapril produced dose-related (30-1000 micrograms/kg) reductions in BP, total peripheral resistance and heart work in dogs pretreated with hydrochlorothiazide to increase plasma renin activity.