The in vitro effect of albendazole, ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, and their combinations against infective third-stage larvae of nocturnally subperiodic Brugia malayi (Narathiwat strain): scanning electron microscopy.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to observe the effects of ivermectin (IVM), diethylcarbamazine (DEC), and albendazole (ALB) alone, and the drugs in combination (ALB+IVM and ALB+DEC) against infective third stage larvae (L3) of nocturnally subperiodic (NSP) Brugia malayi (Narathiwat strain) in vitro. IVM, at a concentration of 10(-4) M, killed L3 within 1-2 h. The SEM data showed damage to the L3 surface and loss of regular cuticular annulations. The cuticles were grooved in the middle region of the body. In comparison with normal L3 before treatment with IVM, the cuticular surface showed transversed striations with periodic annulations. The result demonstrated that IVM showed a larvicidal activity against L3 of NSP B. malayi cultivated in vitro. Compared with those larvae in the control group, the treated larvae had no morphological changes in the cuticular surface at the head, body, and tail regions after cultivation with all drugs alone, and in their combinations at a concentration of 10(-5) M for 7 d. In this system, and at that concentration, only the larvae cultured with ALB alone remained highly motile. Although no morphological changes had been observed by SEM, those drugs used alone (IVM and DEC) and in combinations (ALB+IVM and ALB+DEC), reduced larval motility throughout the experiments at a concentration of 10(-5) M. The minimum lethal concentration (MIC) of IVM against NSP B. malayi was 10(-4) M.     

Chemical composition and larvicidal activity of edible plant‐derived essential oils against the pyrethroid‐susceptible and ‐resistant strains of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

The chemical compositions and larvicidal potential against mosquito vectors of selected essential oils obtained from five edible plants were investigated in this study. Using a GC/MS, 24, 17, 20, 21, and 12 compounds were determined from essential oils of Citrus hystrix, Citrus reticulata, Zingiber zerumbet, Kaempferia galanga, and Syzygium aromaticum, respectively. The principal constituents found in peel oil of C. hystrix were β‐pinene (22.54%) and d‐limonene (22.03%), followed by terpinene‐4‐ol (17.37%). Compounds in C. reticulata peel oil consisted mostly of d‐limonene (62.39%) and γ‐terpinene (14.06%). The oils obtained from Z. zerumbet rhizome had α‐humulene (31.93%) and zerumbone (31.67%) as major components. The most abundant compounds in K. galanga rhizome oil were 2‐propeonic acid (35.54%), pentadecane (26.08%), and ethyl‐p‐methoxycinnamate (25.96%). The main component of S. aromaticum bud oil was eugenol (77.37%), with minor amounts of trans‐caryophyllene (13.66%). Assessment of larvicidal efficacy demonstrated that all essential oils were toxic against both pyrethroid‐susceptible and resistant Ae. aegypti laboratory strains at LC₅₀, LC₉₅, and LC₉₉ levels. In conclusion, we have documented the promising larvicidal potential of essential oils from edible herbs, which could be considered as a potentially alternative source for developing novel larvicides to be used in controlling vectors of mosquito‐borne disease.     

Potential of crude seed extract of celery, Apium graveolens L., against the mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae).

Crude seed extract of celery, Apium graveolens, was investigated for anti-mosquito potential, including larvicidal, adulticidal, and repellent activities against Aedes aegypti, the vector of dengue haemorrhagic fever. The ethanol-extracted A. graveolens possessed larvicidal activity against fourth instar larvae of Ae. aegypti with LD50 and LD95 values of 81.0 and 176.8 mg/L, respectively. The abnormal movement observed in treated larvae indicated that the toxic effect of A. graveolens extract was probably on the nervous system. In testing for adulticidal activity, this plant extract exhibited a slightly adulticidal potency with LD50 and LD95 values of 6.6 and 66.4 mg/cm2, respectively. It showed repellency against Ae. aegypti adult females with ED50 and ED95 values of 2.03 and 28.12 mg/cm2, respectively. It also provided biting protection time of 3 h when applied at a concentration of 25 g%. Topical application of the ethanol-extracted A. graveolens did not induce dermal irritation. No adverse effects on the skin or other parts of the body of human volunteers were observed during 3 mo of the study period or in the following 3 mo, after which time observations ceased. A. graveolens, therefore, can be considered as a probable source of some biologically active compounds used in the development of mosquito control agents, particularly repellent products.     

用DNA多态性分析福建,江西和浙江3省畲族的亲缘关系

为分析福建,江西和浙江３省畲族之间的关系,用聚合酶链反应（ＰＣＲ）对上述３省的３代均为畲族的无关个体的载脂蛋白Ｂ基因和Ｄ１７Ｓ３０位点的数目可变的串联重复（ＶＮＴＲ）序列进行研究。结果为：６个共有的ａｐｏＢ ＶＮＴＲ和５个共有的Ｄ１７Ｓ３０ ＶＮＴＲ等位基因在３省畲族中的分布相同,为进一步在基因水下上研究它们的亲缘关系奠定了基础。本文报道的检测ＤＮＡ多态性的方法在研究民族起源,变迁和民族识别以及各