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Background: Legislation and regulation of pesticides used in public health are essential for reducing risks to human health and the environment., Objective: We assessed the global situation on legislation and regulatory control of public health pesticides., Methods: A peer-reviewed and field-tested questionnaire was distributed to 142 member states of the World Health Organization (WHO); 113 states completed the questionnaire., Results: Legislation on public health pesticides was absent in 25% of the countries. Where present, legislation often lacked comprehensiveness, for example, on basic aspects such as labeling, storage, transport, and disposal of public health pesticides. Guidelines or essential requirements for the process of pesticide registration were lacking in many countries. The capacity to enforce regulations was considered to be weak across WHO regions. Half of all countries lacked pesticide quality control laboratories, and two-thirds reported high concern over quality of products on the market. National statistics on production and trade of pesticides and poisoning incidents were lacking in many countries. Despite the shortcomings, WHO recommendations were considered to constitute a supportive or sole basis in national registration. Also, some regions showed high participation of countries in regional schemes to harmonize pesticide registration requirements., Conclusions: Critical deficiencies are evident in the legislative and regulatory framework for public health pesticides across regions, posing risks to human health and the environment. Recent experience in some countries with situational analysis, needs assessment, action planning, and regional collaboration has signaled a promising way forward.

Velvet bean [Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC] is one of the most important medicinal plants. It is used to treat many ailments, but is widely used for the treatment especially for Parkinson's disease because of the presence of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) in it. It was noticed in last 5 years that the plants in the field showed severe mosaic, downward curling of the leaves, stunting, etc. This is consistently observed over the years in India. The disease was transmitted by whiteflies and by grafting and the causal agent was found to be a bipartite begomovirus. The whole genome was amplified by rolling circle amplification (RCA) using ϕ-29 DNA polymerase and characterized. DNA-A and DNA-B shared a 124-nucleotide (nt) long highly conserved (98%) common region (CR). Comparisons with other begomovirus showed that DNA-A sequence has highest identity (76%) with an isolate of Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV; AY937195) reported from India. This data suggested that the present isolate is a new species of genus Begomovirus for which the name "Velvet bean severe mosaic virus" (VbSMV) is proposed. DNA-B has a maximum sequence identity of 49% with an isolate of Horsegram yellow mosaic virus (HgYMV; AM932426) reported from India. Infectious clones consisting of a 1.7 mer partial tandem repeat of DNA-A and a dimer of DNB-B were constructed and agro-inoculated to Macuna pruriens (L.) DC plants, which showed field observed symptoms 24 days post-infiltration (dpi). In phylogenetic analysis, DNA-A and DNA-B of the present isolate grouped with DNA-A of different begomoviruses reported from fabaceous crops. The study presents first ever molecular evidence of any disease in velvet bean and whole genome analysis of the causative virus which is a distinct bipartite species of Begomovirus.

Objective: This study was designed to demonstrate the frequency of sensitivity to European standard patch test allergens in patients with isolated itching of the external auditory canal (EAC)., Study Design: A prospective case-control study., Methods: Fifty-six female patients with the complaint of recurrent EAC itching and 30 female controls without pruritis of the ears were patch-tested with 25 allergens of the European standard series., Results: Twenty-four patients (25.5%) had one or more positive patch test reactions. In 21.4% of patients, nickel sulphate was the most frequent sensitizer, but there was no statistically significant difference in the nickel sensitization rate between patients and controls (p > .05). Sensitivity rates were much lower for the other allergens. There was no association between contact sensitivity to fragrances and to preservatives and patients with pruritis of the ears., Conclusion: Our results do not demonstrate that most patients with pruritic ears probably suffer from allergic contact dermatitis.

Background: It is critical that vector control pesticides are used for their acceptable purpose without causing adverse effects on health and the environment. This paper provides a global overview of the current status of pesticides management in the practice of vector control., Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to WHO member states and completed either by the director of the vector-borne disease control programme or by the national manager for vector control. In all, 113 countries responded to the questionnaire (80% response rate), representing 94% of the total population of the countries targeted., Results: Major gaps were evident in countries in pesticide procurement practices, training on vector control decision making, certification and quality control of pesticide application, monitoring of worker safety, public awareness programmes, and safe disposal of pesticide-related waste. Nevertheless, basic conditions of policy and coordination have been established in many countries through which the management of vector control pesticides could potentially be improved. Most countries responded that they have adopted relevant recommendations by the WHO., Conclusions: Given the deficiencies identified in this first global survey on public health pesticide management and the recent rise in pesticide use for malaria control, the effectiveness and safety of pesticide use are being compromised. This highlights the urgent need for countries to strengthen their capacity on pesticide management and evidence-based decision making within the context of an integrated vector management approach.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of a 'medium' molecular weight (MW) hyaluronan product (F60027, Structovial) with a 'high' MW (Hylan G-F20, Synvisc)., Methods: Prospective, randomised, multicentre, double-blind, active controlled, parallel-group study with a non-inferiority design. Patients with symptomatic KOA, global pain ≥ 40 mm (VAS, 0-100), Lequesne index (LFI, 0-24) score >7 and radiological Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2/3 were centrally randomised to receive F60027 or Hylan G-F20, administered via three weekly injections, with regular follow-up evaluations up to week 24 (W24). The primary outcome was LFI score change over 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes comprised pain VAS, quality of life, patient's and physician's global assessments, rescue medication consumption and OMERACT-OARSI responders rate., Results: 276 patients were analysed in the full analysis dataset (FAS), 236 in the Per Protocol dataset (PP). In the main efficacy analysis (PP), the difference of the LFI score change over 24 weeks between F60027 (-4.67 (0.27)) and Hylan G-F20 (-4.54 (0.28)) was 0.132 [95%CI: -0.598, 0.861] which met the predefined non-inferiority margin. Analyses of secondary efficacy criteria showed clinically relevant improvements of all outcomes at W24 for each treatment on both PP/FAS populations. Changes of LFI score between baseline and W24 were -5.73 in the F60027 and -5.57 in the Hylan G-F20 group (PP dataset). Few local reactions were reported: 3.6% of patients in each group., Conclusions: F60027 and Hylan G-F20 were equally effective in reducing functional impairment and relieving pain in KOA patients, and well-tolerated.

Integrated vector management (IVM) is an acknowledged strategy of choice for the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases. The paper describes and documents the progress countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region have made in endorsing and translating the strategy into action at the national level. These include increased political commitment; strengthened intersectoral coordination and partnership; strengthened capacity in entomology and vector control; and scaling up of vector control interventions through universal access. These efforts, however, are compromised by inappropriate institutional arrangements in some countries; weak national capacities to address management of pesticides; , development and spread of vector resistance to insecticides, including to pyrethroids; and the expansion of emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases. With WHO leadership and support from partners, countries continue to address these challenges head-on.

There are several thyroid gland developmental anomalies such as presence of a pyramidal lobe, absence of the lateral lobes, absence of the isthmus or incomplete isthmus, and significantly asymmetric lateral lobes. The absence or agenesis of the isthmus is a rare condition (1%). In this report, we present a case with Hashimoto thyroiditis and thyroid gland anomalies that consist of thyroglossal duct remnant and absence of the isthmus. Furthermore, an anomaly in the parathyroid gland location and morphologic anomaly as a cystic parathyroid gland were seen in our case.

Rationale: Dimethylaminoethanol pyroglutamate (DMAE p-Glu) is a compound resulting from the reaction between dimethylaminoethanol (an indirect precursor of acetylcholine) and pyroglutamic acid (a cyclic derivative of glutamic acid having procholinergic properties and promnesic effects in both animals and man)., Objectives: The present study undertook preclinical and clinical evaluations to test a potential therapeutic utility for DMAE p-Glu in cognitive impairments related to central cholinergic deficit., Materials and Methods: In preclinical study, DMAE p-Glu was studied in rats by intracerebral microdialysis in conscious freely moving animals, on performance of rats in the Morris water maze test of spatial memory, and on the deficit in passive avoidance behavior induced by scopolamine. The clinical study examined the effect of DMAE p-Glu on cognitive deficits induced by an intravenous injection of scopolamine in healthy young male subjects., Results: In rat experiments, DMAE p-Glu increased the extracellular levels of choline and acetylcholine in the medial prefrontal cortex, as assessed by intracerebral microdialysis, improved performance in a test of spatial memory, and reduced scopolamine-induced memory deficit in passive avoidance behavior. Clinical study results show that scopolamine induced a memory deficit and that DMAE p-Glu produced a significant positive effect on scores in the Buschke test, as well as a slight but significant difference on choice reaction time., Conclusion: These results indicate that DMAE p-Glu reduces the deleterious effect of scopolamine on long-term memory in healthy volunteers and suggest that DMAE p-Glu might be effective in reducing memory deficits in patients with cognitive impairment.

Pyrethrum is a natural mixture of six insecticidal esters, recognized for low mammalian toxicity and limited persistence in the environment. In this study, World Health Organization standard bioassays were used to evaluate the performance of pyrethrum against both susceptible and pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae s.s. The results showed that the intrinsic activity of pyrethrum was similar to that of permethrin but lower than that of deltamethrin against susceptible mosquitoes. However, pyrethrum was less affected by the presence of the kdr mutation than synthetic pyrethroids (with lower resistance ratios) and showed good knock-down effect, repellency, and blood-feeding inhibition against the pyrethroid-resistant strain. In laboratory condition, mosquito nets treated with 500-1,000 mg/m2 (pyrethrum) remained effective, i.e., > 80% mortality and/or > 95% KD effect, for 9 mo. Conversely, the efficacy and residual activity of pyrethrum (Pynet 5% EC) on substrates was not conclusive, especially concerning mud, which is a porous substrate (mortality < 80% after 3 mo at 2 g/m2). These findings suggested that pyrethrum may be a potential alternative candidate for the impregnation of mosquito nets and textiles in areas where resistance to pyrethroids has become problematic.

In this study, the activity of cyromazine was evaluated following WHO standard procedures against susceptible and resistant mosquito strains of Anopheles gambiae, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Aedes aegypti. The dose for 50% and 90% inhibition of adult emergence (IE50 and IE90) ranged from 0.028 mg/liter to 0.17 mg/liter and from 0.075 mg/liter to 0.42 mg/liter, respectively. The effects of cyromazine were closer to that of chitin synthesis inhibitors rather than that of juvenile hormone analogues, with only 10-20% pupal mortality. The toxicity of cyromazine was not strongly affected by the presence of common resistance mechanism, i.e., Kdr mutation and Ace.1(R) (resistance ratio from 0.5 to 2.3). The absence of cross resistance with common insecticides (pyrethroids, carbamates, organophosphates) makes cyromazine a potential candidate for disease vector control, especially for the management of insecticide resistance.

Tablet (40 mg a.i./tablet) and granular (2% a.i.) formulations of diflubenzuron, a chitin synthesis inhibitor, insect growth regulator, were evaluated for larvicidal efficacy against the larvae of Aedes aegypti (L.) in water-storage containers under field conditions in Thailand. Each formulation was applied to 200-1 clay jars at 5 different dosages (0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/l a.i.). The jars were covered with solid celocrete sheets and placed in the shade under a roof. Another experiment was also carried out using 3 different dosages (0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/l) where half the water in each treated jar and the control was removed and refilled weekly. Each treatment was replicated four times. The treatments were challenged by adding 25 3rd instar larvae/jar weekly. Assessments were made of each treatment through emergence inhibition (%EI) by removing and counting pupal skins one week after larval addition. Using these assessment techniques, a high degree of larvicidal efficacy (96-100%EI) was achieved with 4 dosages (0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/l) of both (tablet and granular) formulations for a period of 23 weeks post-treatment. The efficacy of the lowest dosage (0.02 mg/l) of tablet and granular formulations lasted for 21 and 22 weeks post-treatment, respectively. Under the conditions of water removal and weekly refilling, a high degree of larvicidal efficacy (96-100%El) at the 3 dosages was obtained with the tablet formulation 18 to 21 weeks post-treatment, whereas the efficacy of the granular formulation persisted 15 to 23 weeks post-treatment depending on the dosage. This study clearly demonstrates a high level of residual activity with both formulations of diflubenzuron against larvae of Ae. aegypti in water-storage containers. Considering environmental factors and water-use conditions, it is likely that dosages of 0.05 to 0.1 mg a.i./l are effective dosages providing long-lasting control for 3 to 4 months in the field.

Two long-term experiments were carried out on the release profile and efficacy of temephos 1% GR (sand granules) against Aedes aegypti larvae in water-storage containers. In the first experiment, the efficacy of temephos 1% GR enclosed and tied in a muslin cloth and placed in water at the bottom of 200 L earthen water-storage jars was studied by exposing the packets for four to nine wk in one set ofjars and then transferring them sequentially to new sets ofjars four times successively. Temephos released slowly from the granules, the magnitude of release being adequate in the initial period of two to three wk after treatment. Following this period, the efficacy of the granules increased substantially where 92-100% inhibition of emergence even at the lowest dosage of 1 g/100 L (0.05 mg/L AI) was obtained for about another five mo or longer. On removal of the packets from a given set of jars, the released residues remaining in the jars and water lasted a maximum of one to six wk post-removal depending on the magnitude of prior release into the jars. This experiment provided clear evidence that temephos is released slowly over a long period of time in water-storage jars. In the second experiment, we compared the efficacy of temephos 1% GR at 1 and 10 g (0.05 and 0.5 mg/L AI) per 200-L water in jars painted and unpainted on the inside. The efficacy in the painted jars, although high, was consistently lower than that in the unpainted jars, where 99-100% control of larvae was achieved at both rates for a minimum of five mo after treatment. On the basis of this experimental evidence, it is desirable to study the efficacy of lower dosages of temephos than those currently used in Ae. aegypti control programs. The use of controlled release formulations or sachets that are retrievable during cleaning and washing will be more practical and desirable. Both of these interventions will make the program more cost effective.

Background: Pyrethroid resistant mosquitoes are becoming increasingly common in parts of Africa. It is important to identify alternative insecticides which, if necessary, could be used to replace or supplement the pyrethroids for use on treated nets. Certain compounds of an earlier generation of insecticides, the organophosphates may have potential as net treatments., Methods: Comparative studies of chlorpyrifos-methyl (CM), an organophosphate with low mammalian toxicity, and lambdacyhalothrin (L), a pyrethroid, were conducted in experimental huts in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa. Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes from the area are resistant to pyrethroids and organophosphates (kdr and insensitive acetylcholinesterase Ace.1R). Several treatments and application rates on intact or holed nets were evaluated, including single treatments, mixtures, and differential wall/ceiling treatments., Results and Conclusion: All of the treatments were effective in reducing blood feeding from sleepers under the nets and in killing both species of mosquito, despite the presence of the kdr and Ace.1R genes at high frequency. In most cases, the effects of the various treatments did not differ significantly. Five washes of the nets in soap solution did not reduce the impact of the insecticides on A. gambiae mortality, but did lead to an increase in blood feeding. The three combinations performed no differently from the single insecticide treatments, but the low dose mixture performed encouragingly well indicating that such combinations might be used for controlling insecticide resistant mosquitoes. Mortality of mosquitoes that carried both Ace.1R and Ace.1S genes did not differ significantly from mosquitoes that carried only Ace.1S genes on any of the treated nets, indicating that the Ace.1R allele does not confer effective resistance to chlorpyrifos-methyl under the realistic conditions of an experimental hut.

Toxic and feeding inhibition effect of cyfluthrin treated nets was assessed and compared with the activity of deltamethrin impregnated nets, before and after 2 and 4 washes against Phlebotomus papatasi. Impregnated cyfluthrin nets (50, 25, 12.5 mg active ingredient (a.i.)/m2) caused knock down and mortality rates higher than 90%, being of 100% at the highest dose, while the nets impregnated with deltamethrin (25, 12.5, 6.25 mg a.i./m2) showed low mortality rates (13.3-43.5%). Also after washing cyfluthrin at the dose of 50 mg a.i./m2 provided higher activity than deltamethrin (25 mg a.i./m2), being mortality rates within 24 hs of 66.7 and 48.9% for cyfluthrin and 38.0 and 2.1% for deltamethrin, respectively after 2 and 4 washes. Before washing, cyfluthrin (50 mg a.i./m2) significantly prevented blood feeding, with respect to both untreated (88.6%) and deltamethrin impregnated nets (56.8%). Deltamethrin (25 mg a.i./m2) showed low feeding inhibition (48.4%), although it was significantly higher than control. The washing of cyfluthrin impregnated nets (50 mg a.i./m2) produced a decrease of the feeding inhibition, being the reduction of 26.6% and 41.3%, respectively after 2 and 4 washes. Two washes of deltamethrin impregnated nets (25 mg a.i./m2) yielded a very high reduction of antifeeding inhibition (68.8%). These laboratory results if confirmed by field evaluation indicate cyfluthrin as good candidate for treatment of mosquito nets to be used against phlebotomine sandflies.

Because pyrethroid, organophosphate, and carbamate resistance is more and more developed in mosquitoes of medical importance, there is an urgent need for alternative insecticides for vector control. Dinotefuran, a new neonicotinoid insecticide commercialized by Mitsui Chemicals (Tokyo, Japan), could be a useful candidate in public health because it shows low mammalian toxicity and great insecticidal activity against a broad range of pests. In this study, the intrinsic toxicity of dinotefuran was evaluated by larval bioassay and topical application against different mosquito strains of Anopheles gambiae Giles, Culex quinquefasciatus Say, and Aedes aegypti L. having none, one, or several resistance mechanisms, respectively, to insecticides. The results showed that dinotefuran was less toxic than most of the commonly used insecticides (e.g., deltamethrin, carbosulfan, and temephos) against the susceptible mosquitoes tested (between 6- and 100-fold at the LD50 level). However, the toxicity of dinotefuran was not strongly affected by the presence of common resistance mechanism, i.e., kdr mutation and insensitive acetylcholinesterase (resistance ratio [RR] from 1.3 to 2.3). More interestingly, the carbamate-resistant strain of Cx. quinquefasciatus was significantly more affected by dinotefuran than the susceptible strain (RR = 0.70), probably because the insensitive acetylcholinesterase is less efficient to degrade nicotinic substrates than normal acetylcholinesterase. Despite the relatively low toxicity of dinotefuran against susceptible mosquitoes, the absence of cross-resistance with common insecticides (pyrethroids, carbamates, and organophosphates) makes neonicotinoids potential candidates for disease vector control, especially in area where mosquitoes are resistant to insecticides.

Novaluron, a new chitin synthesis inhibitor type of insect growth regulator, was evaluated in the laboratory and field against larvae of the mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.). In the laboratory, the technical material showed a high level of activity against 2nd and 4th instar larvae. The inhibition of emergence (IE) was 100% at concentrations of 0.25 to 1.0 microg/L. Second instars were slightly more susceptible than fourth instars. At the high concentration (1 ppb), most of the mortality occurred in the larvae, but at sublethal concentrations (for larvae) mortality also occurred in pupae and adults (incomplete eclosion). An EC10 (emulsifiable concentrate containing 10% active ingredient) formulation of novaluron was evaluated against Ae. aegypti in water-storage containers in the field in Thailand. Two tests at high (0.05 to 1 mg/L) and low (1 to 20 microg/L) concentrations were carried out in clay jars (200 L) and plastic pails (75 L). At high concentrations in clayjars, we obtained 86-96% inhibition of emergence (IE) for about 190 d, but the mortality declined at low concentrations after 190 d. At much lower concentrations, in jars and plastic pails in the second experiment, the IE was 80-100% for 2 mo. The highest concentrations of this series (10 microg/L in jars and 20 microg/L in pails) were active for 75 and 68 d respectively, losing efficacy by 82 d post-treatment. In the experiment using low concentrations, all treatments in jars and plastic pails failed to provide adequate control 90 d after treatment. These studies show that novaluron, even as EC10, has exceptional long-term activity against Ae. aegypti in water-storage containers, with higher concentrations yielding greater long-term control than low concentrations.

Limited laboratory and field studies have indicated that the insect growth regulator (IGR) novaluron exhibits good activity against larvae of pest species in the orders Coleoptera, Hemiptera (suborder Heteroptera), and Lepidoptera by both ingestion and contact. We completed laboratory and field studies to evaluate activity and efficacy of novaluron against Culex mosquitoes. In laboratory studies, novaluron was highly active against Cx. quinquefasciatus, as indicated by low levels of inhibition of emergency (IE), at the 50% level, IE50 (0.159 ppb for 2nd-stage larvae and 0.118 ppb for 4th-stage larvae) and IE90, at the 90% level, (0.604 ppb for 2nd-stage larvae and 0.595 ppb for 4th-stage larvae). In outdoor microcosm and mesocosm studies against natural populations, novaluron yielded excellent control of immature Culex mosquitoes for up to 14 days at 1.25, 2.5, and 5 ppb in microcosms, and for up to 7 days at the dosages of 1, 5, and 10 mg/m2 in mesocosms. Based on qualitative observations, novaluron seemed to have a favorable margin of safety for nontarget aquatic invertebrates cohabiting with mosquito larvae. Further large-scale field studies are warranted to evaluate initial efficacy and longevity of novaluron against various mosquito species, as well as its safety for nontarget biota.

In an area of India where the main rural malaria vector, Anopheles culicifacies Giles, has developed triple resistance to DDT, HCH, and malathion sprayed indoors in antimalaria program, bifenthrin (10% wettable powder) was evaluated in a randomized house-scale trial between July 1999 and March 2000. Entomological impact of four serial doses of bifenthrin (25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/m2) sprayed in rooms in five villages was compared with malathion (2 g/m2) and unsprayed control. An. culicifacies was 100% susceptible to bifenthrin (0.1%), but only 57% to malathion (5%) test papers. Contact bioassays were carried out on sprayed surfaces for 24 wk, and 24 h mortality in An. culicifacies was recorded. Bifenthrin 100- and 200-mg doses caused > or = 80% mortality until 24 wk. The 50-mg dose caused > or = 80% mortality on tin, wood, and mud surfaces for 24 wk, and on brick walls for 16 wk. Bifenthrin 25-mg dose produced > or = 80% mortality for 24 wk on tin, 20 wk on mud walls, 16 wk on brick walls, and 8 wk on wood surfaces. Persistence of > or = 80% mortality did not differ for 25- and 50-mg doses on any surface except on wood (P < 0.05). Malathion sprayed in three rounds of 6 wk apart caused > or = 80% mortality for 16 wk on the brick and mud walls, and for 20 wk on the tin and wood surfaces. Bifenthrin 25- and 50-mg doses produced a similar impact on the densities of An. culicifacies and other mosquitoes but a superior one to malathion or control. Bifenthrin 25-mg dose caused least excitorepellency. Overall, efficacy of bifenthrin was superior to malathion. Considering the duration of the persistence of significant insecticidal action of bifenthrin on the most common surfaces (mud and brick walls), least excito-repellency and a relative impact on the mosquito densities, the 25-mg dose was the most superior among all the four doses evaluated.

Effectiveness and residual activity tests of granular formulations of 2 insect growth regulators (IGRs), s-methoprene and pyriproxyfen, against laboratory-reared larvae of 5 colonized mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Aedes taeniorhynchus, Anopheles quadrimaculatus, and Culex nigripalpus, were conducted in the laboratory and outdoors in plastic tubs. Culex quinquefasciatus was exposed to these two IGRs in the laboratory only. Each IGR formulation was applied at 0.02 and 0.05 ppm active ingredient (Al) against 5 of the 6 mosquito species both in the laboratory and the outdoor evaluations, whereas Cx. quinquefasciatus was exposed to 0.2 and 0.4 ppm AI of s-methoprene, and 0.1 and 0.2 ppm AI of pyriproxyfen in the laboratory. s-Methoprene at 0.02 and 0.05 ppm AI resulted in variable levels (<39-100%) of inhibition of adult emergence in the 5 species monitored for 6 weeks after treatment under both test conditions. Aedes taeniorhynchus was the most susceptible to s-methoprene in terms of initial and residual activity. Culex quinquefasciatus and Ae. albopictus were the most tolerant to s-methopene, with maximum emergence inhibitions amounting to 84% in Cx. quinquefasciatus at 0.4 ppm and 44.3% in Ae. albopictus at 0.05 ppm during the 1st week in the laboratory. Pyriproxyfen at comparable treatment rates to s-methoprene caused very high levels (>80-100% in most cases) of initial and residual emergence inhibitions of the tested species in the laboratory as well as outdoors. In several species, pyriproxyfen induced complete inhibition of adult emergence for several weeks after treatment, even at the lower rate of 0.02 ppm. The World Health Organization has recently recommended the use of pyriproxyfen for the control of some mosquito species at specified rates in certain habitats.

Most insecticides used against pests and vectors of human disease (e.g. fleas, flies and mosquitoes) are spin-offs from agrochemical research and development. The arsenal of safe and cost-effective public health insecticides is being depleted by restrictions for various reasons (e.g. insecticide resistance, unacceptable side effects and non re-registration) and the number of new products launched is dwindling. Mobilizing public resources and establishment of partnerships to support research and development of public health insecticides is crucial in the post-DDT and post-pyrethroid era.

A cucumber mosaic virus isolate was found to be associated with mottle crinkle and severe mosaic disease of Egyptian henbane (Hyoscyamus muticus L.). The virus has been characterized as an Indian isolate of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) based on non-persistent transmission by aphid, presence of 28-nm isometric particles, capsid protein of 26 K and single-stranded tripartite RNA genome with a subgenomic RNA (RNA 4). There was no evidence of satellite RNA genome. The isolate showed a strong serological relationship with S and A strains of CMV (CMV-S and CMV-A) in double diffusion test. A band of the 26 K capsid protein was also detected by Western blot analysis using antibodies specific to CMV-S.

In a study carried out in the Ghassreghand Division (Baluchistan, Iran) from March through November 1995, efficacy of cyfluthrin-impregnated bednets was compared to that of untreated nets, in relation to malaria control. Ten villages with a total population of 4,572 and 3 villages with a total population of 1,935 were used as treatment and control, respectively. The collection, impregnation (target dosage of 40 mg active ingredient [AI]/m2), and redistribution of the nets (9% nylon, 52% light cotton, 30% medium cotton, and 9% heavy cotton), carried out in mid-April, were done by local health workers, supervised by the senior research staff. Anopheles culicifacies was considered to be the main vector of malaria in the named area. This species is mainly zoophilic, endophilic, and exophagic. The initial uptake of the insecticide was lower than the target dosage, with high variation (nylon, 12.5 +/- 5.4 mg AI/m2; light cotton, 33.3 +/- 26.1 mg AI/m2; medium cotton, 25.9 +/- 20 mg AI/m2; heavy cotton, 17.6 +/- 12.5 mg AI/m2). The use of impregnated mosquito nets (used primarily outside) had no significant effect on the incidence of malaria. No difference was detected in the parasite density of patients with positive slides. No significant effect was observed in the parous rate, human blood index, and sporozoite rate of anopheline vectors. Only the indoor resting densities of An. culicifacies and other malaria vectors were drastically reduced after the introduction of the cyfluthrin-impregnated nets into the treatment villages. The residual activity of cyfluthrin was lower than expected. The mortality of anophelines brought in contact with the treated nets for 3 min in bioassays dropped to less than 55% in 3 months. The loss of chemical activity was greatest for the light cotton nets, followed by the medium cotton nets. Cyfluthrin-treated nets were mildly irritating to host-seeking female anophelines in the laboratory. The protective rate of impregnation (all fabric kinds included) in preventing female mosquitoes from biting through the impregnated nets was initially 5-6 times that of the nonimpregnated nets. The study did not detect any significant difference between the use of untreated versus impregnated bednets in the Ghassreghand area. In planning future medium-scale trials, comparison of new compounds and formulations to the more widely used pyrethroids such as permethrin and deltamethrin is highly recommended.

Reaching a diagnosis or formulating a differential diagnosis in dermatopathology involves combining information from clinical and pathological sources. Traditionally, this process is presented as a chronologic progression from the patient's complaint, through the evaluation of findings, terminating in the microscopic examination of the biopsy specimen. However, dermatopathologists often find the sequence reversed. They must first form an impression of the diagnosis from the slide and then supplement it with clinical information. The purpose of this article is to present the spectrum of granulomatous dermatoses from a pathologic perspective. The dermatoses are categorized into five groups on the basis of histologic patterns.

Survival rates, expectation of life, and expectation of infective life of Anopheles culicifacies and Anopheles pulcherrimus were estimated in sprayed and unsprayed villages in the highly malarious Ghassreghand District, Iran, during the 2 peak malaria transmission seasons in 1991. The daily survival rate of An. culicifacies was estimated as 0.84 and 0.78 during May and 0.89 and nil during September-October in the unsprayed and sprayed villages, respectively. For An. pulcherrimus the daily survival rate was estimated as 0.80 and 0.78 in May and 0.83 and 0.78 in September-October in the unsprayed and sprayed villages, respectively. The impact of indoor residual spraying during the first peak of transmission on An. culicifacies and An. pulcherrimus (expressed as the product of the degree of reduction of the expectation of infective life and the degree of reduction of expectation of life) was calculated as 3.5 and 1.5 times, respectively, that in the absence of control. The impact of indoor residual spraying on An. culicifacies during the second peak of transmission was almost complete, whereas that for An. pulcherrimus was 3.4 times than that in the absence of control.

In recent years we and others have shown the cancer chemopreventive effects of green tea in several animal tumor models. In this study we assessed the cancer chemopreventive effects of water extract of green tea (WEGT) and the polyphenolic fraction (GTP) isolated from WEGT against N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN)- and benzo[a]pyrene (BP)-induced forestomach and lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice. The protective effects, both in forestomach and lungs, were evident by a decrease in number of tumors and the percentage of mice with tumors when WEGT and GTP were fed to animals during initiation, post-initiation and entire period of tumorigenesis protocols. Oral feeding of 0.2% GTP in drinking water to mice afforded 68-82 and 39-66% protection against DEN- and BP-induced forestomach tumorigenesis respectively. In case of pulmonary tumor multiplicity caused by DEN and BP, the protective effects of GTP were between 38-43 and 25-46% respectively. Similarly, oral feeding of 2.5% WEGT to mice also afforded 80-85 and 61-71% protection against DEN- and BP-induced forestomach tumorigenesis respectively. In case of lung tumorigenesis, the protective effects of WEGT were 43-62 and 25-51% respectively. Histological studies of forestomach tumors showed significantly lower squamous cell carcinoma counts in GTP- and WEGT-fed groups of mice compared to carcinogen alone treated control group of mice. When pulmonary tumors were examined histologically, no adenocarcinomas were observed in GTP- and WEGT-fed groups of mice compared to 20% mice with adenocarcinomas in carcinogen alone treated control group. Oral feeding of GTP and WEGT in drinking water also showed significant enhancement in the activities of glutathione S-transferase and NADP(H): quinone reductase in liver, small bowel, stomach and lung. The results of this study suggest that green tea possesses chemopreventive effects against carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis in internal body organs, and that the mechanism of such effects may involve the enhancement of phase II and anti-oxidant enzyme systems.

A 2-site immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) was performed on the head and thorax of Anopheles culicifacies s.l. and An. pulcherrimus females, the 2 most common anopheline species in the District of Ghassreghand (Baluchistan, Iran), collected during the 2 peak malaria transmission seasons (May and September-October 1991). Positive IRMA results revealed the 2 species as potential vectors of malaria in this highly endemic district. This finding serves as the first report on natural infection of An. pulcherrimus in Iran and is the second on natural infection of An. culicifacies since the previous report of 1959.

Since 1958, when the malaria eradication program officially started in Iran, great strides has been made in controlling the disease in most of the country. However, because of certain technical, operational and administrative problems, malaria is still highly prevalent in southeastern Iran, affecting 6% of the population. The situation of malaria in Iran from 1975 through 1990 is discussed in detail, with particular emphasis given to the epidemiological characteristics and vector transmission factors in each region of the country.

Studies were conducted on the ecology of Anopheles pulcherrimus over a period of 20 months in the village of Zeineddini, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, southeastern Iran. The species was active throughout the year with 2 peaks of activity, April-May and August-September. Light traps captured the highest number of An. pulcherrimus females (65%) as compared to cattle bait collections (19.3%), pyrethrum space spray catches (14.2%), pit shelter (1%) and human bait collections (0.6%). However, 95% of the females captured in light traps were unfed or freshly fed females as opposed to about only 44% of those collected in pyrethrum space spray catches and pit shelter collections. The species was mainly exophilic as shown by the gravid/fed ratio of 0.4 obtained in outlet window traps.

A flowable concentrate formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis (H-14) [Bactimos FC (1000 ITU/mg)] was evaluated for the control of mosquito larvae in simulated ponds and natural breeding sites in Kazeroun (Fars Province), southern Iran. A comparison was made with Abate emulsifiable concentrate. Bactimos FC caused 93-96% anopheline and 97% culicine larval mortality 24 h posttreatment in simulated ponds and natural breeding sites, when used at the rate of 0.2 cc/m2. Abate (0.015 cc/m2) resulted in significantly higher anopheline (98.1%) and culicine (100%) mortality at 24 h posttreatment. There was a relatively sharp decline in larval mortality 48 h posttreatment when Bactimos FC was applied. Five-day applications were suggested to prevent pupal production.

Polytene chromosome preparations of the ovarian nurse cells of Anopheles culicifacies females collected in 6 different parts of Baluchistan, Iran, during September-October 1987 and May-June 1988 revealed the existence of species A in this country. The chromosome arms are homosequential with those of species A of India. This report confirms the distribution of species A in Iran.

Most patients with mycosis fungoides are between 40 and 60 years of age. The disease has three clinical stages: (1) the premycotic, or patch, stage, consisting of macular, scaling, faint pink to red pruritic patches, usually on unexposed surfaces; (2) the mycotic, or plaque, stage, consisting of reddish, purple-brown plaques, often annular in shape and symmetric in distribution, and (3) the tumor stage, consisting of red-brown to violaceous, dome-shaped, firm tumors with a predilection for the face and body folds. The Sézary syndrome is a leukemic variant. Treatment depends on the extent of disease and includes topical or systemic chemotherapy, radiotherapy and psoralen plus long-wave ultraviolet light therapy.

We describe eight cases of cutaneous angiolipoleiomyoma, a rare tumor previously reported only once under the term cutaneous angiomyolipoma. Clinically, the tumors were acquired, solitary, asymptomatic nodules that were always acral in location. Patients' ages ranged from 33 to 77 years (median 52.6 years); the male/female ratio was 7:1. Signs of tuberous sclerosis or renal angiomyolipoma were absent in all cases. Histologically, the tumors were subcutaneous, well circumscribed, and composed of smooth muscle, vascular spaces, connective tissue, and mature fat. In some tumors the fat was the predominant component, and in others smooth muscle predominated. Elastic tissue stains revealed that some blood vessels had developed an elastic lamina whereas other blood vessels lacked it. Additional histologic features occasionally observed included vascular thrombi, glomus bodies, and focal mucin deposition.

The natural history of common acquired nevi begins with junctional nevi, which first evolve into compound nevi and then intradermal nevi. The clinical appearance and histopathology of these lesions permit precise identification. Spitz nevi, blue nevi, congenital nevi and dysplastic nevi represent subcategories that also have easily identifiable features. An understanding of the nature of benign nevi makes it easier to identify potentially life-threatening melanomas.

The distribution of the Iranian Culicinae is updated and reported by province. Larval habitat characteristics of each species, based on the information gathered throughout its range in Iran and at different times during the breeding season, are also presented.

The efficacy of the parasitic nematode Romanomermis culcivorax in controlling anopheline larvae, including malaria vectors, was studied in Fars and Baluchistan provinces. Twenty sites were treated once with the preparastic stage of R. culicivorax in 1984 with 3,000, 5,000 or 10,000 preparasites per m2 surface area, depending on larval density. The average parasitism of anopheline larvae ranged from 56 to 69% based on 24 hr posttreatment dissections. No correlation was found between the level of parasitism and the density of mosquito larvae present in a site. About 61% parasitism was obtained when different rates of preparasites were released in 14 larval breeding sites in 1985. No apparent difference was observed in the rate of parasitism in 10 sites receiving one treatment compared with four sites receiving two treatments, with a seven day interval between each treatment. Romanomermis culcivorax was established in the release sites but caused only minor reductions in anopheline larval populations. The nematode would be of limited use in antimalaria campaigns in southern Iran.

The malaria eradication campaign in Iran, which started in 1958, has not been able to achieve its final goals. The technical, administrative, socio-economic and financial obstacles involved in this unfinished task are mentioned and the present status of malaria in the country is discussed. It is urged that eradication policy, presently used, be substituted by malaria control program, as defined by The World Health Organization. This would serve as a prerequisite for eventual eradication of malaria, from the country, in the future. Within such agreement, the improvement of basic health services and search for better technical means of controlling the transmission of the infection are emphasized as vital to achieve this goal. Intensive training of experienced staff, in Iran, for stimulation and promotion of relevant research and training activities in malaria control is highly recommended.

An investigation was carried out over a year in the village of Chelow, Hormozgan Province, southern Iran, to study the efficacy of CDC light traps for sampling malaria vectors. The CDC light traps were useful in determining the seasonal and habitat distribution of Anopheles stephensi and An. fluviatilis, the primary and secondary vectors of malaria, in Chelow, as well as other mosquitoes in that area. Light traps compared favorably with other adult mosquito collection techniques for detecting the presence of vectors during periods of low density. In Iran, time and labor-saving features and flexibility for use in different situations make CDC light traps a useful sampling tool in the entomological assessment of malaria control programs.