Internalization via Antennapedia protein transduction domain of an scFv antibody toward c-Myc protein.

We constructed a single-chain variable fragment miniantibody (G11-scFv) directed toward the transactivation domain of c-Myc, which is fused with the internalization domain Int of Antennapedia at its carboxyl terminus (a cargo-carrier construct). In ELISA experiments, an EC(50) for binding saturation was achieved at concentrations of G11-scFv-Int(-) of approximately 10(-8) M. Internalization of a fluoresceinated Fl-G11-scFv-Int(+) construct was observed in intact human cultured cells with confocal microscopy. After 5 h of incubation in medium containing 1 microM Fl-G11-scFv-Int(+) or Fl-G11-scFv-Int(-), fluorescence intensity was determined in individual cells, both for cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments: concentration levels of Fl-G11-scFv-Int(+), relative to the extracellular culture medium concentration, were 4-5 times higher in the cytoplasm, 7-8 times higher in the nucleus, and 10 times higher in the nucleoli. In the same experimental conditions, the Fl-G11-scFv-Int(-) construct was 3-4 times more concentrated outside of the cells than inside. Cell membranes kept their integrity after 5 h of incubation. The antiproliferative activity of our miniantibody was studied on HCT116 cells. Incubation with 4 microM G11-scFv-Int(+) for 4 days induced very significant statistical and biological growth inhibition, whereas Int alone was completely inactive. Miniantibodies capable of penetrating cell membranes dramatically broaden the potential for innovative therapeutic agents and attack of new targets.

Sequence specific peptidomimetic molecules inhibitors of a protein-protein interaction at the helix 1 level of c-Myc.

Our work is focused in the broad area of strategies and efforts to inhibit protein-protein interactions. The possible strategies in this field are definitely much more varied than in the case of ATP-pocket inhibitors. In our previous work (10), we reported that a retro-inverso (RI) form of Helix1 (H1) of c-Myc, linked to an RI-internalization sequence arising from the third alpha-helix of Antennapedia (Int) was endowed with an antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity toward the cancer cell lines MCF-7 and HCT-116. The activity apparently was dependent upon the presence of the Myc motif. In this work, by ala-scan mapping of the H1 portion of our molecules with D-aa, we found two amino acids necessary for antiproliferative activity: D-Lys in 4 and D-Arg in 5 (numbers refer to L-forms). In the natural hetero-dimer, these two side chains project to the outside of the four alpha-helix bundle. Moreover, we were able to obtain three peptides more active than the original lead. They strongly reduced cell proliferation and survival (RI-Int-VV-H1-E2A,S6A,F8A; RI-Int-VV-H1-S6A,F8A,R11A; RI-Int-VV-H1-S6A,F8A,Q13A): after 8 days at 10 muM total cell number was approximately 1% of the number of cells initially seeded. In these more potent molecules, the ablated side chains project to the inside in the corresponding natural four alpha-helix bundle. In the present work, we also investigated the behavior of our molecules at the biochemical level. Using both a circular dichroism (CD) and a fluorescence anisotropy approach, we noted that side chains projecting at the interior of the four alpha-helix bundle are needed for inducing the partial unfolding of Myc-H2, without an opening of the leucine zipper. Side chains projecting at the outside are not required for this biochemical effect. However, antiproliferative activity had the opposite requirements: side chains projecting at the outside of the bundle were essential, and, on the contrary, ablation of one side chain at a time projecting at the inside increased rather than decreased biological activity. We conclude that our active molecules probably interfere at the level of a protein-protein interaction between Myc-Max and a third protein of the transcription complex. Finally, CD and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data, plus dynamic simulations, suggest a prevalent random coil conformation of the H1 portion of our molecules, at least in diluted solutions. The introduction of a kink (substitution with proline in positions 5 or 7) led to an important reduction of biological activity. We have also synthesized a longer peptido-mimetic molecule (RI-Int-H1-S6A,F8A-loop-H2) with the intent of obtaining a wider zone of interaction and a stronger interference at the level of the higher-order structure (enhanceosome). RI-Int-H1-S6A,F8A-loop-H2 was less active rather than more active in respect to RI-Int-VV-H1-S6A,F8A, apparently because it has a clear bent to form a beta-sheet (CD and NMR data).

Prevalence and genotyping of human isolates of Giardia duodenalis from Albania.

Microscopical and PCR-based techniques were performed in order to investigate the prevalence of infection and the genotypes of Giardia duodenalis from 125 stool samples collected from children living in the urban and the rural areas of Tirana (Albania) and hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis. 7 out of 125 samples resulted positive for Giardia at the microscopic examination (5.6%). In 50 selected samples including the 7 samples positive for Giardia by microscopy, 3 and 15 additional positive samples were detected by immunofluorescence and PCR, respectively. Seasonality appeared as an important parameter to be evaluated in order to better understand the prevalence of infection. Sequence analysis revealed both human Assemblage A and B. This result represents the first data on G. duodenalis genotypes in Albania.

Group 3 innate lymphoid cells regulate neutrophil migration and function in human decidua.

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have a central role in innate defenses against pathogens, lymphoid organogenesis, and tissue remodeling. They have been detected in human decidua, however, their role in this tissue remains unclear. Successful pregnancy requires an early inflammatory phase favoring implantation and tissue remodeling as well as a subsequent regulatory phase to prevent fetal rejection and supporting neoangiogenesis. Here, we show that, during the first trimester of pregnancy, neutrophils infiltrate decidua basalis and are more abundant in normal pregnancy than in spontaneous miscarriages. Decidual neutrophils localize in proximity of NCR+ILC3, which may influence neutrophil migration and survival given their production of CXCL8 and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Moreover, NCR+ILC3-derived GM-CSF was found to induce the expression of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor and IL1ra in neutrophils, two proteins/cytokines involved in tissue remodeling and maintenance of pregnancy. Our data suggest that the simultaneous presence of NCR+ILC3 and neutrophils in decidual tissues and their possible cross talk, may have a role in the early phases of pregnancy.

Three sibling species within Contracaecum osculatum (Nematoda, Ascaridida, Ascaridoidea) from the Atlantic Arctic-Boreal region: reproductive isolation and host preferences.

Genetic variation within and between population samples from 22 locations of the Atlantic Arctic-Boreal region, including 1657 specimens morphologically assigned to Contracaecum osculatum, was electrophoretically analysed at 17 loci. Highly significant deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found at various loci in several samples, owing to the existence of three distinct gene pools within C. osculatum (sensu lato) from the study area. These gene pools correspond to three biological species (provisionally designated A, B and C), characterized by distinct genotypes at several diagnostic loci. Reproductive isolation between C.osculatum A, B and C is confirmed by the lack of F1, recombinant, or backcross genotypes in sympatric areas, despite the occurrence of multiple infections. Mean heterozygosity per locus is on average 0.11 in species A, 0.10 in B and 0.07 in C. High levels of gene flow were found within each of the three species, the values of Nm (number of migrant individuals) ranging from 3.41 (C. osculatum C) to 5.77 (C. osculatum A). Average Nei's genetic distance is 0.46 between A and B, 0.50 between A and C and 0.77 between B and C. From these values, times of evolutionary divergence from 2 to 4 million years can be estimated. Genetic relationships among populations and species of the C. osculatum complex are illustrated by principal component analysis. The role of both geographical isolation and host preferences in the speciation of C. osculatum (sensu lato) is discussed. A morphological distinction of the three species has not yet been possible (sibling species). However, there is evidence that the name C. osculatum (sensu stricto) should be used for species C, which shows a geographical distribution and definitive host corresponding to the neotype of C. osculatum (sensu stricto). Finally, a comparison is made between the members of the C. osculatum complex from the Atlantic Arctic-Boreal region and those of the Pseudoterranova decipiens complex from the same area, as to: (i) times of evolutionary divergence, (ii) geographical distribution, and (iii) host preferences.

Two new members in the Contracaecum osculatum complex (Nematoda, Ascaridoidea) from the Antarctic.

The genetic structure of adults and larvae of Contracaecum osculatum (sensu lato) from the Antarctic is analyzed on the basis of 24 enzyme loci. Significant deviations of genotype frequencies from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found, even in samples recovered from the same host. These data indicate that two distinct, reproductively isolated species coexist in C. osculatum (sensu lato) samples from the Antarctic. They were provisionally designated C. osculatum D and E, as they do not correspond to any of the three species previously detected in this complex from the Atlantic Arctic Boreal region (C. osculatum A, B and C). An allozyme diagnostic key for the identification of the five members of the C. osculatum complex, at the larval and adult stage and in both sexes, is given. Species D and E were found to be genetically quite variable: average P99 = 84.3, A = 3.3 and He = 0.23. Both showed high values of intraspecific gene flow: Nm = 4.6 and 6.1 respectively; similar values were found for the Arctic-Boreal C. osculatum A, B and C. The most related members of the complex are the Antarctic species E and the Arctic-Boreal species A (DNei = 0.21), while the most differentiated ones are the Arctic-Boreal species B and C (DNei = 0.76). The evolutionary divergence of C. osculatum C started more than 3 million years ago, in a Pliocene refugium (Baltic Sea). As to the other C. osculatum species, their evolutionary divergence took place during Pleistocene, when this complex achieved a bipolar distribution. This process involved two distinct colonizations of the marine Antarctic region by ancestors of the northern hemisphere, about 1.5 and 1 million years ago, giving origin to C. osculatum D and E respectively.

Genetic evidence for three species within Pseudoterranova decipiens (Nematoda, Ascaridida, Ascaridoidea) in the North Atlantic and Norwegian and Barents Seas.

Genetic variation of 1017 specimens of codworm, Pseudoterranova decipiens, collected from fish and seals at 23 sampling locations in the North Atlantic and Norwegian and Barents Seas, was analysed on the basis of 16 enzyme loci. Three reproductively isolated species, provisionally designated P. decipiens A, B and C, were detected, showing distinct alleles at the following loci: Mdh-1, 6Pgdh, Np, Pgm, Est-2 (between species A and B); Mdh-3, 6Pgdh, Np, Sod-1, Adk, Pgm, Est-2, Mpi (between A and C); Mdh-1, Mdh-3, Sod-1, Adk, Pgm, Est-2, Mpi (between B and C). One F1 hybrid was observed between P. decipiens A and B, but this apparently does not lead to any gene exchange between the two species, which do not show any evidence of introgression. No hybrids or introgressed individuals were observed between P. decipiens C and either A or B. Genetic distances among conspecific populations were low (average Nei's D 0.001-0.005), even though they were collected thousands of kilometres apart, indicating high levels of gene flow within each of the three species. The values of Nei's index D were 0.44 between P. decipiens A and B, 0.57 between B and C, and 0.79 between A and C. Estimated evolutionary divergence times, using Nei's formula, range from 2 to 4 million years. Differences between P. decipiens A, B and C were also found with respect to genetic variability, morphology, geographical distribution and hosts. Mean heterozygosity values of 0.08, 0.05 and 0.02 were obtained for P. decipiens A, B and C, respectively. Preliminary morphological examination of adult males, previously identified by multilocus electrophoresis, revealed differences in the relative size and pattern of caudal papillae. P. decipiens B is widespread in the study area, whereas P. decipiens A was found only in the North-East Atlantic and Norwegian Sea. In this area P. decipiens A is most common in the grey seal, Halichoerus grypus, while the common seal, Phoca vitulina, is the main host for P. decipiens B. In Canadian Atlantic waters, where P. decipiens A is apparently absent, P. decipiens B infects both grey and common seals; a few specimens were also found in the hooded seal, Cystophora cristata. The only definitive host so far identified for P. decipiens C is the bearded seal, Erignathus barbatus; P. decipiens C appears to be widespread, occurring in both the North-West Atlantic and Barents Sea.

Asymptomatic cervical bruit and abnormal ocular pneumoplethysmography: a prospective study comparing two approaches to management.

Fifty-seven patients with cervical bruits and abnormal ocular pneumoplethysmography but without symptoms were followed prospectively. Mean follow-up was 32 months and all patients were followed for at least 1 year. Twenty-nine patients consented to join a randomized study comparing treatment with aspirin, close follow-up, and no intervention unless symptoms developed [( NI: ASA] n = 14) versus intervention with arteriography and prophylactic surgery [( I: A/S] n = 15). Among patients who refused randomization, 14 were treated with NI: ASA and 14 with I: A/S. Endpoints for analysis included all unfavorable outcomes related to both management plans and included stroke, death of stroke, major angiographic and perioperative complications, asymptomatic carotid occlusion, and recurrent carotid artery stenosis. In both the randomized and nonrandomized portions of the study unfavorable outcomes were more frequent in patients treated with I: A/S, and by combining the results of both studies a significant difference was observed (N: ASA - 3.6% versus I: A/S - 31%; X:2 = 4.78; p less than 0.05). Among patients treated with NI: ASA, a single minor stroke occurred without warning. In patients from all groups who underwent arteriography, advanced carotid stenosis was found in 78% (mean percent diameter stenosis = 72% +/- 2%; mean residual lumen = 1.3 +/- 0.1 mm). We conclude that, despite the probability of underlying severe carotid stenosis, most patients with cervical bruit and abnormal ocular pneumoplethysmography but without symptoms are appropriately managed without intervention unless symptoms develop.

Saccular renal artery aneurysm as a cause of hypertension.

The case of a patient with renovascular hypertension related to an arterial kink is reported. The arterial kink was caused by a renal artery aneurysm and was not apparent with angiography. This is the first reported case in which renin-mediated hypertension was clearly related to a correctable mechanical problem from a saccular renal artery aneurysm. Indications for surgical repair of renal artery aneurysms and angiographic findings indicative of a functionally significant renal artery stenosis are reviewed.

Localization of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Experience with red blood cells labeled in vitro with technetium Tc 99m.

Seventy-six patients clinically suspected of having lower gastrointestinal bleeding were studied by scintigraphy utilizing red blood cells labeled in vitro with technetium Tc 99m. Sixteen patients required emergency surgery; bleeding was accurately localized in 15 (94%). One patient (6%) had a normal scan. A 20-month mean follow-up of the 16 patients showed no recurrent bleeding. Of 60 patients not requiring emergency surgery, bleeding was localized in 11, but the bleeding ceased. Forty-nine of the 60 patients had normal scans and had no further hemorrhaging during hospitalization. A 21-month mean follow-up of 38 of the 49 patients showed no further bleeding episodes or surgical procedures in 29 patients; however, eight patients required surgical procedures, including seven for gastrointestinal malignancies. Scanning of red blood cells labeled in vitro with 99mTc is accurate and efficacious in localization of bleeding sites that require emergency surgery for lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Balloon angioplasty by vascular surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of arterial disease of the lower extremity is performed by radiologists, cardiologists, and some vascular surgeons. This retrospective review was performed to measure complications and success rates in patients with extensive occlusive disease treated by vascular surgeons. METHODS: Balloon angioplasties were performed on 336 vascular segments as a part of 239 lower extremity revascularization procedures in 200 patients between April 1990, and May 1996. Immediate technical success was determined by completion angiography, measurement of pressure gradients, or ankle brachial indices (ABI) within 30 days. Late technical success was determined by duplex imaging or ABI. Late clinical success was defined as relief of presenting symptoms. RESULTS: Indications for intervention included claudication (51%), limb threat (45%), and failing grafts (4%). Sixty-one percent of the endovascular procedures were performed open, and 39% were percutaneously performed. Stents were utilized at 17% of the angioplasty sites. Procedures involved angioplasty of multiple arterial sites in 117 cases (55%), angioplasty combined with open surgical bypass (endarterectomy or thrombectomy) in 65 cases (19%), and a combination of surgery with a second angioplasty in 43 (13%). Complications occurred in 9 cases (3%). There were 2 deaths within 30 days (0.5%). Immediate technical success was 93% (140 of 151) for all aortoiliac segments, 88% (75 of 85) for femoral segments, 92% (54 of 59) for popliteal, and 84% (21 of 25) for tibials. The late technical success was 81% (118 of 145) for aortoiliac segments, 67% (55 of 82) for femoral, 73% (41 of 56) for the popliteals, and 75% (18 of 24) for the tibial segments. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that balloon angioplasty can be performed effectively by vascular surgeons with a low complication rate in a population of patients where limb salvage was a significant indication for the procedure, and treatment often required the correction of multilevel disease.

Vascular trauma secondary to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures: 1974 through 1982. A comparative review.

One-hundred nineteen patients with 125 iatrogenic vascular injuries requiring surgical intervention were treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center from 1974 through 1982. This experience was compared with that from 1966 through 1973 [1]. A decrease in the proportion of cases resulting from cardiac catheterization was partially offset by an increase in injuries from invasive monitoring and injuries from percutaneous transluminal dilation procedures. A threefold increase in cases resulting from urologic surgery was related to the evolution of an aggressive approach toward retroperitoneal metastatic tumor. Over half of the arterial injuries are now iliofemoral in location because of the routine use of the femoral approach for angiographic and cardiac catheterization procedures. The need for complex reconstruction in addition to thrombectomy increased fourfold. Delayed surgical intervention was a factor in 9 of the 12 patients with permanent disability. There was no death attributable to vascular reconstruction.

Dilemmas in dealing with the blue toe syndrome: aortic versus peripheral source.

Six patients with unilateral blue toe syndrome presented a diagnostic dilemma with regard to the source of embolization: central aortic versus peripheral. Two patients had moderately severe aortoiliac atherosclerosis associated with focal stenoses in the superficial femoral arteries, and four patients had mild aortoiliac disease associated with localized plaques confined to either the superficial femoral or popliteal arteries. In all patients, it was elected to explore the peripheral lesions first. At operation, ulcerated plaques or focal stenoses were found, and all lesions had adherent white thrombi on their surfaces. All patients were treated either by localized thromboendarterectomy or short reversed saphenous vein grafting. There was no morbidity or mortality. Recurrent embolization did not occur during a follow-up of 8 to 24 months. Distal atherosclerotic lesions should be sought to explain distal embolization before more complex aortoiliac disease is incriminated. In the presence of concomitant aortoiliac disease, it is mandatory to directly explore the peripheral lesion, open the artery, and carefully examine the lesion in situ. Thrombus adherent to the surface of an ulcerated plaque is evidence of an embolizing source. This approach is associated with minimal morbidity and may be curative. If these findings are not present, it would be appropriate to proceed with staged correction of aortoiliac disease.

Genetic and ecological data on the Anisakis simplex complex, with evidence for a new species (Nematoda, Ascaridoidea, Anisakidae).

Isozyme analysis at 24 loci was carried out on anisakid nematodes of the Anisakis simplex complex, recovered from various intermediate/paratenic (squid, fish) and definitive (marine mammals) hosts from various parts of the world. A number of samples were found to belong to A. simplex sensu stricto and Anisakis pegreffii, widely extending the geographic ranges and the number of hosts of these 2 species. In addition, a new distinct gene pool was detected, showing different alleles with respect to A. simplex s. str and A. pegreffii at 5 diagnostic loci (99% level). Samples with this gene pool were assigned to a new species, provisionally labeled A. simplex C. Reproductive isolation between A. simplex C and the other 2 Anisakis species was directly assessed by the lack of hybrid and recombinant genotypes in mixed samples from sympatric areas, i.e., Pacific Canada for A. simplex C+A. simplex s. str., South Africa and New Zealand for A. simplex C+A. pegreffii, even when such samples were recovered from the same individual host. Similar levels of genetic divergence were observed among the three species (DNei from 0.36 to 0.45). At the intraspecific level, Canadian Pacific and Austral populations of A. simplex C were found to be genetically rather differentiated from one another (average DNei = 0.08), contrasting with the remarkable genetic homogeneity detected within both A. simplex s. str. and A. pegreffii (average DNei about 0.01). Accordingly, a lower amount of gene flow was estimated within A. simplex C (Nm = 1.6) than within the other 2 species (Nm = 5.4 and 17.7, respectively). Anisakis simplex C showed the highest average values of genetic variability with respect to both A. simplex s. str. and A. pegreffii, e.g., expected mean heterozygosity. Hr = 0.23, 0.16, and 0.11, respectively, in the 3 species. Data on geographic distribution and hosts of the 3 members so far detected in the A. simplex complex are given. Their ecological niche is markedly differentiated, with a low proportion of hosts shared. Intermediate and definitive hosts of A. simplex s. str. and A. pegreffii appear to belong to distinct food webs, benthodemersal, and pelagic, respectively; this would lead to different transmission pathways for the parasites.

[Cucculanus bioccai n. sp. (nematoda: cucullanidae), parasite of Mugil cephalus L]. / Cucullanus bioccai n. sp. (Nematoda: Cucullanidae), parassita di Mugil cephalus L.

Cucullanus bioccai n. sp. described from the intestine of Mugil cephalus caught in Lake Sabaudia (Latina, Italy) is compared with C. dodsworthi and C. mugili parasites of mullets. It differs from C. dodsworthi mainly for the position of the 1st pair of precloacal papillae, the position of vulva, the shape of gubernaculum, the measurements of eggs; from C. mugili for the number of papillae, the position of the 1st pair of precloacal papillae, the conformation of cloaca and the position of vulva.

[Atrispinum mormyri (Lorenz, 1878) n. comb. (Microcotylidae: Atriasterinae) parasites of Lithognathus mormyrus (L.)]. / Atrispinum mormyri (Lorenz, 1878) n. comb. (Microcotylidae: Atriasterinae) parassita di Lithognathus mormyrus (L.).

Atrispinum mormyri (Lorenz, 1878) n. comb. is proposed for Microcotyle mormyri collected on the gills of Lithognathus mormyrus (L.), from the Adriatic and Tyrrhenean Seas on the base of the structure of the genital atrium and the presence of a single vagina with dorsal aperture. The species is included in the keys given by Maillard e Noisy (1978-79) for the species grouped into the genus Atrispinum.

[Acanthocephalan Paracanthocephaloides soleae (Porta, 1905) n. comb. (Arhythmacanthidae: Paracanthocephaloidinae) parasites of Solea impar Benn]. / Paracanthocephaloides soleae (Porta, 1905) n. comb. (Arhythmacanthidae: Paracanthocephaloidinae) acantocefalo parassita di Solea impar Benn.

The authors redescribe an acanthocephalan found in the intestine of Solea impar Benn. formerly considered as belonging to the species Acanthocephaloides soleae (Porta, 1905) Petrotschenko, 1956. The systematic position of the species soleae is discussed. For the absence of the trunk spines and for the morphology of the proboscis it is assigned to the genus Paracanthocephaloides Golvan, 1969 as Paracanthocephaloides soleae (Porta, 1905) n. comb.

[Tyrrhenia blennii g.n. sp. n. (Hemiurata : Halipegidae Poche, 1925) parasite of Blennius gattorugine and Blennius sanguinolentus]. / Tyrrhenia blennii g.n. sp. n. (Hemiurata: Halipegidae Poche, 1925) parassita di Blennius gattorugine e Blennius sanguinolentus

Trematodes recovered from Blennius gattorugine and Blennius sanguinolentus from the Gulf of Gaeta, Italy, are described and figured as Tyrrhenia blennii g.n. sp.n. The new genus differs from other members of the Arnolinae Skrjabin and Guschanskaja, 1958 (Halipegidae Poche, 1925) chiefly in having acetabulum equatorial, receptaculum seminis uterinum present and eggs without filaments. The diagnosis of the new genus Tyrrhenia and a key to genera of Arnolinae are given.

[New parasite identified in Blennius sanguinolentus Pallas, 1811: Schikhobalotrema longivesiculatum sp. n (Haplosplanchnidae Poche, 1925)]. / Nuovo reperto parassitologico in Blennius sanguinolentus Pallas, 1811: Schikhobalotrema longivesiculatum sp.n. (Haplosplanchnidae Poche, 1925)

Schikhobalotrema longivesiculatum sp.n from Blennius sanguinolentus Pallas, 1811 at Gulf of Gaeta (Italy) is described, figured and compared with other species of the genus Schikhobalotrema Skrjabin et Guschanskaja, 1955. Schikhobalotrema longivesiculatum differs from Schikhobalotrema obtusa (Linton, 1916) Skrjabin et Guschanskaja, 1955, especially for sucker ratio, lobed ovary, seminal vesicle coiled and in larger size of eggs; from Schikhobalotrema pomacentri (Manter, 1937) Skrjabin et Guschanskaja, 1955 for lobed ovary, elongated seminal receptacle, smaller vitelline follicles and coiled seminal vesicle; from Schikhobalotrema sparisomae (Manter, 1937) Skrjabin et Guschanskaja, 1955 for elongated seminal receptacle, coiled seminal vesicle and extent of escretory vesicle.

[A new species of Plagioporus (Caudotestis) tyrrhenicus sp.n. and its 2 new parasitologic findings in Blennius pavo Risso, 1810]. / Su di una nuova specie Plagioporus (Caudotestis) tyrrhenicus sp.n. e su due nuovi reperti parassitologici in Blennius pavo Risso, 1810.

In a survey of the helminth parasites of Blennius pavo Risso, 1810 three different species of digenea were collected. Plagioporus (Caudotestis) tyrrhenicus sp.n. is described, figured and compared with other species of the subgenus Plagioporus (Caudotestis) Issaitchikov, 1928. Plagioporus (Caudotestis) tyrrhenicus differs from P. (Caudotestis) azurionis Yamaguti, 1951 in the position of cirrus sac, in sucker ratio and size of the eggs; from P. (Caudotestis) sinitzini Mueller, 1934 for extent of excretory bladder and size of the eggs; from P. (Caudotestis) synagris Yamaguti, 1952 for size of the pharynx and oesophagus, extent of the vitellaria and size of the eggs. Lepocreadium album (Stossich, 1890) Stossich, 1904 is redescribed, figured and recorded for the first time in Blennius pavo. Deretrema sp. is figured and recorded for the first time in the same host.