Anthelmintic activity of pyrazinothiadiazine dioxide derivatives

In a search for new anthelmintic compounds, some pyrazinothiadiazine dioxide derivatives were synthesized. Their anthelmintic activity was tested against larva and preadult stages of Trichinella spiralis. The mode of action and acute toxicity of these compounds were investigated. Structure-activity relationships are discussed.

Viability of Echinococcus granulosus cysts in mice following cultivation in vitro

The viability of hydatid cysts developed in vitro for 90 days was assessed by implantation into mice. Cysts removed from mice at 270 days post-infection (p.i.) increased their size 13.5-fold and contained several brood capsules containing protoscoleces. Thus, cysts remain viable after prolonged in vitro culture. The implantation in mice of 15 cysts developed in vitro yielded an average of 10 cysts per mouse, which is indicative of a high survival rate in these experimental infections. The ultrastructural study of cysts recovered from mice 270 days p.i. showed that the germinal membrane was more compact than before implantation and several layers of tegumental cells had developed. Observations of cysts removed from mice indicated that the plasma membrane surrounding microtriches had prolongations opening into the laminated layer.

[Changes in total and differential leukocyte counts during heart surgery with extracorporeal circulation]

The changes in leukocyte overall and differential counts during anesthesia and surgery were evaluated in 24 patients scheduled for cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. All the end of cardiopulmonary bypass a marked and sustained leukocytosis was found (10.2 and 11.1 x 10(9).l-1), which was significantly different from baseline values (6.7 x 10(9).l-1), the values previous to cardiopulmonary bypass (6.2 and 6.4 x 10(9).l-1, and the values 30 minutes after it (5.3 x 10(9).l-1). In the differential count there were significant increases in neutrophils, associated with band and immature forms, corresponding with significant reductions in lymphocytes. There was no significant association of leukocyte variability during and after cardiopulmonary bypass and the perfusion time, the type of oxygenator or the need for intraoperative transfusion. All the reported changes tended to become normal during the first postoperative days.

[Platelet changes during heart surgery with extracorporeal circulation]

The changes in the number of platelets during anesthesia and operation were evaluated in 24 patients (8 females and 16 males) scheduled for cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. There was a significant (p less than 0.05) thrombopenia at the beginning of perfusion, which persisted 60 minutes after the end of cardiopulmonary bypass. There were no significant differences when these changes were evaluated depending on the type of oxygenator, the need for transfusion or the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass. There was a reduction in the platelet count at the beginning of the bypass (207 to 124 x 10(9).1(-1), when blood contacts with the synthetic surfaces of the circuits and the oxygenator, al though-the most marked reduction was found at the end of bypass (95.9 x 10(9).1-1), coinciding with protamine administration. The function and number of platelets tended to become normal in the first hours of the postoperative period.

[Treatment of left ventricular failure following extracorporeal circulation using ventricular assistance with centrifugal pump]

We report the use of left ventricular assistance with a centrifugal pump in a patient with refractory left ventricular failure after aortic valve replacement. Assistance was maintained during the first 24 hours until the hemodynamic status allowed its withdrawal. The used flows ranged from 1.5 to 5 l/min, and there were no complications except hemorrhage (95 ml in 3 hours) that could be stopped without reoperation.

[Socioeconomic factors: do they influence the demand for care and the degree of satisfaction in primary care?]

A survey of 248 individuals was carried out. They included both males and females aged between 16 and 80 years, and they were selected as a representative sample of the population on care in the health center "Huerta de la Reina" for an error margin of 5% and p less than 0.05. The possible influence of cultural and socioeconomic factors on the opinion of the population about the received attention and the degree of use of health care services was evaluated. 76.2% of our patients are not working, 68.5% are females and 57% are older than 46 years. These two groups show the highest rate of consultation for administrative purposes. The educational level, profession, sex, age and the district of origin do not influence the evaluation of the received care. The patients from the quarter with the lowest socioeconomic status consider that the physician pays less attention to them and have a poorer understanding of the latter's explanations (p less than 0.05). Both factors exert an influence on the evaluation of the new model of care. It was concluded that the socioeconomic characteristics of a population are very important for the development of an integrated type of attention by primary care teams.

In vitro effects of levamisole and ivermectin against Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces

The in vitro effects of levamisole and ivermectin against Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces were studied by means of light and electron microscopy. Both drugs had a protoscolicidal activity that increased proportionally with increasing concentrations of the drugs. Ivermectin showed the more rapid effects and caused contraction and paralysis of protoscoleces. A paralyzing effect was also observed with levamisole, followed by irreversible tissue vacuolation leading to death.