Diphyllobothriosis--experimental study

For the first time the agent of diphyllobothriosis Lake Baikal is the cestoda D. dendriticum establishted by T.P. Chizhova and P.G. Gofman-Kadoshnikov (1962). D. dendriticum reaches maturity in human intestine, but it is considered, that the relationships between the parasite and human are facultative property (Klebonovski 1985). The results of the investigation of the diet of sea-gull nestlings (control-uninfected and experimental-infected birds with cestoda groups) and stress influence (starvation) on the mass loss in experimentally and naturally infected ones with different duration conditions adaptation of experiments are discussed in this article.     

The cardiac insufficiency talinolol study (CITAS) study design

Beta-blockers without partial agonist activity are now considered to be strategic therapy for patients with chronic heart failure, but many issues remain to be clarified. The objective of the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled cardiac insufficiency talinolol study (CITAS) is to assess efficacy and safety of talinolol - a selective beta-1 adrenoreceptor blocker - in patients with ischemic and non-ischemic heart failure. The primary end-point refers to the influence of talinolol on exercise capacity, evaluated by 6-min walking-test. Secondary end-points consist of left ventricular function, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, hospitalizations, quality of life, combined clinical end-points and adverse events. There were enrolled 294 patients with stable heart failure in NYHA class II-IV, LVEF <40%, receiving diuretics, ACE-inhibitors and optionally nitrates and digoxin. Talinolol was titrated up to 100 mg/day (one arm) or to 150 mg/d (the other arm), starting with 12.5 mg daily. Enrollment began in November 1997 and the last visit will be in December 2000.     

The DIAB-HYCAR study

Summary Microalbuminuria and proteinuria are strong independent predictors for increased cardiovascular mortality in non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) patients. In such patients, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition improves the evolution of diabetic nephropathy; however, no data are currently available on the effects of such intervention on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of the Diab-Hycar study is to test the hypothesis that ACE inhibition with a low daily dose of 1.25 mg ramipril, which has no significant effect on blood pressure, may reduce cardiovascular morbidity and/or mortality in normotensive or hypertensive NIDDM patients with persistent albuminuria. Selected and followed by general practitioners, 4000 patients will receive their usual oral antidiabetic treatment and if necessary antihypertensive treatment (ACE inhibitors excluded). In addition in a randomized, double-blind trial they will be given either a placebo or 1.25 mg ramipril daily. The follow-up is currently scheduled to last 3 years. The efficacy of ACE-inhibition will be assessed by the following major end-points: cardiovascular death, sudden death, myocardial infarction, stroke, renal replacement therapy. The Diab-Hycar study started on 3 February 1995. By 1 September 1995, 11 000 urine samples were tested. The prevalence of persistent albuminuria was 23 %, 964 patients were initially included in the study, with 619 eligible patients included soon after. Different strategies have been developed to record cardiovascular events correctly and to minimize the number of patients lost to follow-up. [Diabetologia (1996) 39: 1662–1667]