The life cycle of Magnivitellinum saltaensis n. sp. (Digenea: Alloglossidiidae) in Salta Province, Argentina.

We describe the alloglossiid trematode Magnivitellinum saltaensis n. sp., a parasite of the characiform fish Psalidodon endy, and its life cycle from Salta, northwest of Argentina. This is the first life cycle described for a species belonging to the genus Magnivitellinum. Cercariae emerged naturally from Biomphalaria tenagophila snails and infected experimentally exposed larvae of Diptera and Ephemeroptera as second intermediate hosts. These larvae in turn were exposed to commercially raised fish, and adults were recovered from characiform albino fish Gymnocorymbus ternetzi. Molecular analysis of natural and experimental adults showed the same genetic sequence for the partial region of 28S rDNA, thus confirming conspecificity. Comparison of these sequences with those published for M. simplex from Mexico showed 1.45% divergence, indicating that the specimens found in Salta belong to a different species, the third described of Magnivitellinum, in agreement with morphological data, geographical location, and host species composition. The new species is distinguished by its small body, vitelline follicles extending from the mid-level of the ventral sucker, Y-shaped excretory vesicle, and presence of papillae around the mouth.

Cutting Edge: Selective Oral ROCK2 Inhibitor Reduces Clinical Scores in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris and Normalizes Skin Pathology via Concurrent Regulation of IL-17 and IL-10.

Targeted inhibition of Rho-associated kinase (ROCK)2 downregulates the proinflammatory T cell response while increasing the regulatory arm of the immune response in animals models of autoimmunity and Th17-skewing human cell culture in vitro. In this study, we report that oral administration of a selective ROCK2 inhibitor, KD025, reduces psoriasis area and severity index scores by 50% from baseline in 46% of patients with psoriasis vulgaris, and it decreases epidermal thickness as well as T cell infiltration in the skin. We observed significant reductions of IL-17 and IL-23, but not IL-6 and TNF-α, whereas IL-10 levels were increased in peripheral blood of clinical responders after 12 wk of treatment with KD025. Collectively, these data demonstrate that an orally available selective ROCK2 inhibitor downregulates the Th17-driven autoimmune response and improved clinical symptoms in psoriatic patients via a defined molecular mechanism that involves concurrent modulation of cytokines without deleterious impact on the rest of the immune system.

The life cycle of Neocladocystis intestinalis (Vaz, 1932) (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae), in Aylacostoma chloroticum (Prosobranchia: Thiaridae), and Salminus brasiliensis (Characiformes: Characidae), in Argentina.

The life cycle of Neocladocystis intestinalis (Vaz, 1932) was resolved experimentally. The prosobranchiate snail Aylacostoma chloroticum Hylton Scott (Thiaridae) collected in the Yacyretá Dam, Province of Misiones, Argentina, was found naturally infected with cercariae that possessed pigmented eye spots, 7 pairs of penetration glands, 12 pairs of flame cells, and a V-shaped, or Y-shaped excretory vesicle with very short stem. The cercariae developed in oval cysts, which were found on fin rays, and under scales of naturally and experimentally exposed tetragonopterid fish species and of experimentally exposed poecilid and prochilodont fish species. Adults were obtained experimentally from juvenile Salminus brasiliensis (Characidae), bred in captivity, and infected with metacercariae from albino Gymnocorymbus ternetzi (Tetragonopteridae), which had been exposed to emerging cercariae.

Trematode diversity in freshwater fishes of the Globe II: 'New World'.

We provide a summary overview of the diversity of trematode parasites in freshwater fishes of the 'New World', i.e. the Americas, with emphasis on adult forms. The trematode fauna of three regions, South America, Middle America, and USA and Canada (North America north of Mexico), are considered separately. In total, 462 trematode species have been reported as adults from the Americas. The proportion of host species examined for parasites varies widely across the Americas, from a high of 45% in the Mexican region of Middle America to less than 5% in South America. North and South America share no adult species, and one exclusively freshwater genus, Creptotrema Travassos, Artigas & Pereira, 1928 in the Allocreadiidae Looss, 1902 is the most widely distributed. Metacercariae of strigeiforms maturing in fish-eating birds (e.g. species of the Diplostomidae Poirier, 1886) are common and widely distributed. The review also highlights the paucity of known life-cycles. The foreseeable future of diversity studies belongs to integrative approaches and the application of molecular ecological methods. While opportunistic sampling will remain important in describing and cataloguing the trematode fauna, a better understanding of trematode diversity and biology will also depend on strategic sampling throughout the Americas.

Keys to the species of Neolebouria Gibson, 1976 (Digenea: Opecoelidae: Plagioporinae), with a redescription of Neolebouria truncata (Linton, 1940).

Three keys to the species of Neolebouria Gibson, 1976, representing three body types, are provided based on the location of the genital pore relative to the intestinal bifurcation. These are: the lanceolata body type, where the genital pore is clearly prebifurcal; the diacopae body type, where the genital pore is located at or near the level of the intestinal bifurcation; and the maorum body type, where the genital pore is clearly postbifurcal. Fifteen species were assigned to the lanceolata body type; eight species to the diacopae body type; and four species to the maorum body type. Neolebouria truncata (Linton, 1940) is redescribed and N. georgiensis Gibson, 1976 is reinstated as a valid species. Neither N. georgiensis, nor N. antarctica Szidat & Graefe, 1967 (syn. Crassicutis antarcticus Szidat & Graefe, 1967), as described by Zdzitowiecki et al. (1993), represent N. antarctica, as originally described, and N. georgiensis and N. antarctica, as described by Zdzitowiecki et al. (1993), may be conspecific.

A new species of Parspina Pearse, 1920 (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) from Pimelodella gracilis (Valenciennes) (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) in the Paraná River basin, Argentina, and a key to the genus.

A new species of cryptogonimid belonging to the genus Parspina Pearse, 1920 is described from the intestine of Pimelodella gracilis (Valenciennes) in the Paraná River basin, Argentina. Parspina pimelodellae n. sp. is characterised by having: (i) a body length/width ratio of 1:3.6-5.3 at the level of the ventral sucker; (ii) 21 oral spines; (iii) an oral sucker larger than the ventral sucker, with a sucker width ratio of 1:0.6-0.7; (iv) a postcaecal region of 16-19% of the body-length; (v) a compact, transversely elongate ovary, anterior to and well separated from the testes; (vi) small, branched vitelline follicles, extending from the level of the ventral sucker to the anterior margin of the ovary; and (vii) a large seminal vesicle situated posterodorsal to the ventral sucker. A key to the species of Parspina is presented.

Tolerability of NGX-4010, a capsaicin 8% dermal patch, following pretreatment with lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5% cream in patients with post-herpetic neuralgia.

BACKGROUND: Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common type of neuropathic pain that can severely affect quality of life. NGX-4010, a capsaicin 8% dermal patch, is a localized treatment that can provide patients with significant pain relief for up to 3 months following a single 60-minute application. The NGX-4010 application can be associated with application-site pain and in previous clinical trials pretreatment with a topical 4% lidocaine anesthetic was used to enhance tolerability. The aim of the current investigation was to evaluate tolerability of NGX-4010 after pretreatment with lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5% anesthetic cream. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with PHN were pretreated with lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5% cream for 60 minutes before receiving a single 60-minute application of NGX-4010. Tolerability was assessed by measuring patch application duration, the proportion of patients completing over 90% of the intended treatment duration, application site-related pain using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and analgesic medication use to relieve such pain. Safety was assessed by monitoring adverse events (AEs) and dermal irritation using dermal assessment scores. RESULTS: The mean treatment duration of NGX-4010 was 60.2 minutes and all patients completed over 90% of the intended patch application duration. Pain during application was transient. A maximum mean change in NPRS score of +3.0 was observed at 55 minutes post-patch application; pain scores gradually declined to near pre-anesthetic levels (+0.71) within 85 minutes of patch removal. Half of the patients received analgesic medication on the day of treatment; by Day 7, no patients required medication. The most common AEs were application site-related pain, erythema, edema, and pruritus. All patients experienced mild dermal irritation 5 minutes after patch removal, which subsequently decreased; at Day 7, no irritation was evident. The maximum recorded dermal assessment score was 2. CONCLUSION: NGX-4010 was well tolerated following pretreatment with lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5% cream in patients with PHN. The tolerability of the patch application appeared comparable with that seen in other studies that used 4% lidocaine cream as the pretreatment anesthetic. This study is registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov as number NCT00916942.

Two new species of Parspina Pearse, 1920 (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) from freshwater fishes (Gymnotiformes) of the Paraná River basin in Argentina.

Two new species of the cryptogonimid genus Parspina Pearse, 1920 are described from gymnotiform fishes of the Paraná River basin, P. carapo n. sp. from the banded knifefish Gymnotus carapo Linnaeus and P. virescens n. sp. from the glass knifefish Eigenmannia virescens (Valenciennes). Parspina carapo differs from P. virescens in the number of oral spines (32-39 vs 30-33) and their length (28-47 vs 16-28 µm), the distribution of tegumental spines and their anchorage, the types of sensory papillae on the body surface (three vs two types), the extent of body length posterior to the caeca (5 vs 13% of the total body length), the dimensions of the pars prostatica (52 × 34 vs 24 × 10 µm), and in the absence of a gonotyl (vs presence). Both P. carapo and P. virescens differ from P. bagre Pearse, 1920 and P. argentinensis (Szidat, 1954) in the number of oral spines (20-21 and 21-28 in the latter pair) and their length (28-32 and 35-60 µm), and in total body length. Additionally, the two new species differ from P. argentinensis in the arrangement of the vitelline follicles (one continuous band vs two groups on each side of the body) and in having a smaller pars prostatica (149 × 49 µm in the latter). Parspina carapo is the fifth intestinal helminth found in G. carapo, and P. virescens is the first found in E. virescens.

Redescription of Parspina argentinensis (Szidat, 1954) (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) from freshwater fishes (Pimelodidae) in the basins of the Paraná and La Plata Rivers, Argentina, with comments on P. bagre Pearse, 1920.

The type-specimens of Parspina argentinensis (Szidat, 1954) from Pimelodus maculatus Lacépède, and new material from Iheringichthys labrosus (Lütken), Parapimelodus valenciennis (Lütken), Pimelodella gracilis (Valenciennes), Pimelodus albicans (Valenciennes), P. argenteus Perugia and P. maculatus caught in the basins of the La Plata and Paraná Rivers, Argentina, were studied to elucidate its taxonomic status. The type-specimens of Parspina bagre Pearse, 1920 from Pimelodella metae Eigenmann in Lake Valencia, Venezuela, were also studied and new observations on its morphology recorded. The amendation of the generic diagnosis of Parspina Pearse, 1920 is proposed based on the study of both species, which revealed, among other features, the absence of a thin walled-membrane enclosing the male terminal genitalia. Parspina argentinensis is characterised by the following features: absence of a gonotyl; presence of a bipartite seminal vesicle, pars prostatica and ejaculatory duct; caeca of nearly equal length; uterus extending from the level of the ventral sucker to end of body; testes symmetrical to slightly oblique; ovary transversely elongate, compact and variable in shape; and the utilisation of a wide range of freshwater fishes as hosts. The tegumental surface of this species is covered with pectinate spines arranged quincuncially. Spines decrease in size and density from forebody to hindbody. There are two types of sensory papillae, ciliated and dome-shaped. Ciliated papillae are distributed on the surface of the oral region and on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the body, whereas dome-shaped papillae are found on the surface of the ventral rim of the oral sucker associated with a ciliated papilla. Gland-duct openings are interspersed with the spines of the oral crown. In addition, the infection indices of P. argentinensis vary widely, not only among different hosts but also between the Paraná and La Plata River basins. Higher prevalences of P. argentinensis are recorded in the La Plata River, and Pimelodus albicans, P. maculatus and Iheringichthys labrosus are the principal final hosts in this area.

The Life Cycle of Heterophyes yacyretana n. sp. (Digenea, Heterophyidae), Parasitic in the Endemic Snail Aylacostoma chloroticum (Caenogastropoda, Thiaridae) in Argentina.

Here we describe a new heterophyid species, Heterophyes yacyretana n. sp., and resolve its life cycle experimentally. We found the prosobranch snail Aylacostoma chloroticum in Candelaria, Province of Misiones, Argentina (a sector of the High Paraná River affected by the Yacyretá Dam), naturally infected with opisthorchioid cercariae. These cercariae lacked pigmented eyespots as well as body pigment and possessed 7 pairs of penetration glands arranged in 2 lateral bands, together with 18 pairs of flame cells and a V-shaped excretory vesicle. We exposed specimens of 21 fish species to emerging cercariae and obtained metacercariae from the muscles of the caudal peduncle of 3 species of siluriform fish, and adults from chicks infected with experimentally obtained metacercariae from the albino variety of the bronce corydoras, Corydoras aeneus. The new species differs from other species in the genus by the number of sclerites on the genital sac, the distribution of the vitelline follicles, and the combination of the size relationship of the suckers and the genital sac with respect to the posterior extent of intestinal ceca. Heterophyes yacyretana is the first species of the genus reported from the Americas.

Attenuation correction for lung SPECT: evidence of need and validation of an attenuation map derived from the emission data.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to investigate the importance of attenuation correction (AC) in reconstructed and reprojected images on lung SPECT studies. METHODS: Simulation studies were undertaken to evaluate the influence of AC on defect-to-normal ratios (D/N), to demonstrate the influence of errors in the correction map values and to detect lung boundaries used for AC. The use of a synthetic map (SM) for AC of the clinical data was also evaluated and the results compared with those obtained with data derived from CT (CTM). Additionally, the role of AC in reprojected SPECT data was assessed and level of noise on the 'planar-like' images was measured. RESULTS: Phantom studies showed that AC markedly affects the D/N ratio. However, variations in micro values typical of those found in clinical studies resulted in relatively small changes in results. Eroded and dilated conditions did not cause any significant effect on D/N. The level of noise in the reprojected images is reduced in comparison with real planar data. Clinical SPECT/CT data reconstructed with AC using CTM and SM showed an excellent correlation between the two methods. CONCLUSION: AC improves D/N in lung SPECT studies, thus potentially enhancing the diagnostic capability of the method. The use of a synthetic map for AC is feasible, avoiding the need for an additional procedure and the increased radiation dose involved. Planar-like images generated from reprojected SPECT data are well matched to normal planar images provided AC is performed and attenuation included in the reprojection.

Assessing the Taxonomic Validity of Austrodiplostomum SPP. (Digenea: Diplostomidae) Through Nuclear and Mitochondrial Data.

Adults of the genus Austrodiplostomum are parasites in cormorants of the New World, whereas metacercariae are parasites from eye globe and brain of freshwater and brackish water fishes. In this study, specimens of Austrodiplostomum mordax from South America (type-species) were analyzed together with other specimens of Austrodiplostomum spp. collected from several locations across Middle America and North America. Partial DNA sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I ( COI), the internal transcribed spacers ( ITS1, ITS2, and 5.8S gene), and the D2-D3, domains of the large subunit ( LSU) of nuclear ribosomal DNA, were generated for both developmental stages and compared with available sequences of Austrodiplostomum spp. Phylogenetic analyses inferred with each molecular marker using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference revealed the existence of 4 lineages representing 2 described species, A. mordax and Austrodiplostomum compactum (syn. Austrodiplostomum ostrowskiae) and 2 undescribed species of Austrodiplostomum recognized in previous studies. The COI haplotype network inferred with 172 sequences detected 28 haplotypes divided into 4 clusters, separating each other by 33 and 40 substitutions and with a genetic divergence ranging from 9 to 12%. The largest group included specimens identified as A. compactum plus those identified as A. ostrowskiae, supporting the synonymy of both species. As a result, we conclude that A. compactum is widely distributed across the Americas, in locations of the United States, Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Peru, and Brazil. The other 2 undescribed species of the genus Austrodiplostomum were previously recorded in the United States and now are reported in Mexico. These 2 species cannot be described because adult forms have not been found in their definitive hosts. Finally, the species A. mordax has been found only in some lakes from Argentina, and it was validated in this study through molecular analyses.

European Countries: Does common legislation guarantee better hazardous waste performance for European Union member states?

The study of efficiency in hazardous waste management has been proved to be a driving factor for sustainable development (SD). This study focuses on a performance assessment of European countries, most of them European Union (EU) member states and candidate countries that share a common legislative framework through European regulations, in order to provide a general understanding of hazardous waste performance. In this paper, we use Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to examine the efficiency of 32 countries in Europe by using novel input/output environmental parameters to study the efficiency of the different waste management operations from an environmental point of view. This analysis contrasts the efficiency in the management of total waste versus hazardous waste and studies three operations with hazardous wastes: incineration and incineration with energy recovery, disposal and recovery. Results show that there are differences in the achievement of efficiency, not only among countries, but also among the different waste management operations analysed.

Life cycle of Stephanoprora uruguayense (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) in Argentina.

The life cycle of Stephanoprora uruguayense Holcman et Olagüe, 1989, was experimentally resolved. In an artificial pond in the Zoological Garden in Buenos Aires City, Argentina, Heleobia parchappei (Hydrobiidae) was found to be releasing large-tailed cercariae with a prepharyngeal body, but lacking collar spines and corpuscles in the excretory system. Metacercariae, which encysted on the gills of naturally and experimentally infected Cnesterodon decemmaculatus (Poecilidae), developed collar spines and corpuscles in the excretory system in 7 days. Sexually mature adults were recovered from chicks and immature adults from mice fed metacercariae from C. decemmaculatus. Eggs shed in chick feces developed to miracidia within 10 days; sporocysts were found on the gills of snails. Stephanoprora uruguayense and S. denticulata from Europe are similar in adult morphology, but can be distinguished by morphological and behavioral features of larvae. Likewise, although S. denticulata and S. paradenticulata from Venezuela are similar to S. uruguayense in adult morphology, they differ considerably in larval morphology and intermediate hosts.

Echinostomatid larval stages in Lymnaea viatrix (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) from southwest Patagonia, Argentina.

The partial life cycle of an echinostomatid found in Lymnaea viatrix from Patagonia, Argentina, was experimentally clarified. Emerging cercariae were exposed to laboratory-reared specimens of Biomphalaria sp. Metacercariae obtained from both naturally and experimentally infected snails were force-fed to chicks. Specimens recovered from the chicks belong to Echinoparyphium sp. on the basis of morphological features. The studied species possesses 43 collar spines arranged in 4-4-27-4-4 at all stages, a cercariae with over 100 small corpuscles in the excretory system, a cercariae tail without finfolds, and a metacercariae with a thin cyst wall. The present species cannot be assigned to Echinoparyphium megacirrus despite their morphological similarity because of differences in the habitats of L. viatrix and the intermediate hosts of E. megacirrus, namely Chilina dombeiana, Diplodon chilensis, and Temnocephala chilensis. More information on some life cycle stages and on the ecology of the intermediate hosts is needed to clarify the taxonomic status of the parasite. This study represents the first detailed description of parasites other than Fasciola hepatica in L. viatrix from Argentina.

Redescription of Austrodiplostomum compactum (Trematoda: Diplostomidae) from its Type Host and Locality in Venezuela, and of Austrodiplostomum mordax from Argentina.

Austrodiplostomum compactum from Nannopterum brasilianus, and its metacercaria from Geophagus sp. and Oreochromis mossambicus captured (1979) at its type locality, Valencia Lake, Venezuela, by the author, are redescribed. The adult is characterized by its large body size, and an oral sucker smaller than the pharynx. The metacercaria has a similar body size as the adult, and the small genital primordia occupy 4.1-7.3% of body length. Experimental infections in chickens with metacercariae of Diplostomulum mordax from brains of Odonthestes bonariensis, captured (2015) at Dique Paso de las Piedras, near Bahia Blanca City, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, resulted in 10 adults 5 days postexposure. These adults correspond to Austrodiplostomum mordax as described from N. brasilianus at Lacombe Lagoon, Buenos Aires Province, and differ from A. compactum in their smaller body size, and an oral sucker larger than the pharynx. The metacercaria has a similar body size as the adult and differs mainly in that the larger genital primordia occupy 11.6-13.8% of body length. The status of earlier published Austrodiplostomum species in the American continent is discussed in view of available morphological and molecular data. A lectotype of A. mordax is here designated, and Austrodiplostomum ostrowskiae is considered as a new synonym of A. compactum.

Parasite infections (Trematoda, Digenea) of Sagitta friderici (Chaetognatha) from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean: prevalence and distribution.

The following chaetognaths were found in the Atlantic Ocean between 34 to 40 degrees S and 52 degrees 20' to 62 degrees 00' W: Sagitta friderici, S. tasmanica, S. minima, S. gazellae, and S. enflata (in order of abundance). Of these, only S. friderici was parasitised by unencysted metacercariae of the families Derogenidae (Derogenes sp.), Hemiuridae (Ectenurus sp.) and Fellodistomidae (Monascus filiformis), and encysted metacercariae of Lepocreadiidae. The percentage of infection for each sampling station varied from 0.033 to 0.001 in August and from 0.02 to 0.001 in October 1996, with the highest values occurring at stations closer to the coast. The intensity of infection (worms per host) varied from 1 to 3 for Ectenurus sp. and was 1 for Derogenes sp., Monascus filiformis and Lepocreadiidae. Unencysted metacercariae were found in mature developmental stages of chaetognaths, whereas encysted ones occurred mainly in juveniles. The size and length of the ovaries of parasitised and unparasitised chaetognaths did not differ significantly. This is the first report of encysted Lepocreadiidae metacercariae and a progenetic metacercaria of Ectenurus sp. in Chaetognatha from the SW Atlantic Ocean.

New larval trematodes in Biomphalaria species (Planorbidae) from Northeastern Argentina.

Larval trematodes infecting Biomphalaria tenagophila and B. occidentalis were surveyed in a suburban and semipermanent pond of Corrientes province, Northeastern Argentina. A total of 1,409 snails were examined between spring 2011 to winter 2013, and 8 different larval trematodes were studied morphologically. Three of these species-Echinocercaria sp. IV, Ribeiroia sp. and Echinocercaria sp. XIV-have been previously found in Corrientes province. Six other trematodes belonging to Strigeidae (Furcocercaria sp. III), Clinostomidae (Cercaria Clinostomidae sp.), Spirorchiidae (Cercaria Spirorchiidae sp.) and Echinostomatidae (Echinocercaria sp. 1, Echinocercaria sp. 2, Echinocercaria sp. 3) are new species parasitizing Biomphalaria snails. Cercaria Spirorchiidae sp. is the third larval trematode related to Spirorchiidae recorded in South America and the first one for Argentina. Cercaria Clinostomidae sp. is the first one related to Clinostomidae in northeastern Argentina. The prevalence of larval trematodes infecting B. tenagophila and B. occidentalis in the environment studied was low (<5%) with the echinostome group better represented in terms of prevalence and species richness. Drought periods could affect the dynamics of parasitic transmission due to the absence of trematodes in the autumn and winter of the first seasonal cycle. However, in humid periods parasite transmission can occur throughout the year due to the presence of larvae in all seasons of the second seasonal cycle, although the less-warm seasons showed higher prevalence than the summer period probably related to the subtropical climate of Corrientes province.

Ragaglitazar improves glycemic control and lipid profile in type 2 diabetic subjects: a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled dose-ranging study with an open pioglitazone arm.

OBJECTIVE: Ragaglitazar is a novel insulin sensitizer with dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma and PPAR-alpha stimulating activities that improve plasma glucose and lipid profiles. The aim of the present dose-ranging study was to assess the efficacy and safety of ragaglitazar in patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study included 177 hypertriglyceridemic type 2 diabetic subjects who participated in a 12-week, double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled dose-ranging study (open pioglitazone arm). Subjects received ragaglitazar (0.1, 1, 4, or 10 mg), placebo, or pioglitazone (45 mg). Efficacy parameters included fasting plasma levels of triglycerides and glucose (FPG) along with other lipid levels, A1C, and insulin. RESULTS: Ragaglitazar in doses of 1, 4, and 10 mg resulted in a significant decrease from baseline as compared with placebo in FPG (-48, -74, -77 mg/dl) and triglycerides (-40, -62, -51%), free fatty acids (-36, -54, -62%), apolipoprotein B (-13, -29, -25%), LDL cholesterol (-14 and -19% for 4- and 10-mg groups), and total cholesterol (-16 and -15% for 4 and 10 mg) and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol (20 and 31% for 1- and 4-mg groups, respectively). Changes in triglycerides and FPG for pioglitazone treatment were similar to 1 mg ragaglitazar. Mean A1C values of the 1-, 4-, and 10-mg ragaglitazar and pioglitazone groups were significantly reduced compared with placebo (-0.5, -1.3, -1.1, and -0.3%, respectively). Common adverse events were edema, weight increase, leukopenia, and anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Ragaglitazar provided glycemic control that was comparable with that of pioglitazone and, compared with placebo, provided significant improvement in the lipid profile.

Morphological and ITS2 Molecular Characterization of Ribeiroia Cercariae (Digenea: Psilostomidae) from Biomphalaria spp. (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) in Northern Argentina.

Species of Ribeiroia use planorbid snails as intermediate host. Since there is little information about these digenean parasites in South America, we aimed to assess whether Ribeiroia cercariae from 3 north Argentina locations belonged to the same species and differed from Ribeiroia cercariae described elsewhere. Specimens were obtained from Biomphalaria tenagophila and Biomphalaria orbignyi (Salta Province), and Biomphalaria occidentalis (Corrientes Province). Morphological traits of cercariae were analyzed, as well as their sequence of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). The ITS2 region consisted of 426 nucleotides identical in all samples, suggesting that all specimens belong to the same species in spite of their morphological differences and first intermediate host species. Comparison of the ITS2 region with GenBank database records showed that specimens from Argentina were different from Ribeiroia ondatrae (0.9% divergence), Ribeiroia marini (0.7% divergence), and Cercaria lileta (0.2% divergence). In summary, morphological, ecological, and ITS2 molecular data suggest that specimens from Argentina belong to a different species.