Cholinesterase activity in Japanese quail dusted with carbaryl.

Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were dusted with 5% carbaryl to determine if this topical treatment would alter plasma and brain cholinesterase activities. Within 6 hours after dusting, plasma cholinesterase activity was depressed compared with controls, the depression averaging 20% for females and 27% for males. By 24 hours the cholinesterase activity of females had returned to normal, but the cholinesterase activity of males remained depressed. Brain cholinesterase activity was not affected by the treatment, and there were no overt toxic signs.     

Recombination values and their errors.

Two four-point testcrosses comprising 87,000 tomato plants were grown and the data collected from 28 subgroups. Each subgroup consisted of 2,000 or 5,000 plants and should give a valid estimate of the three recombination values. The 28 values for each interval give more outlyers (23% are outside the 95% limits set by the standard deviation calculated by the binomial formula square root of p q/n) than would be expected by chance. If each subgroup was regarded as the control and the other groups tested against this, then 42% of the time the two subgroups would be significantly different. It is suggested that there are many cases in the literature where this comparison has been made and the significant difference wrongly ascribed to treatment. While the causes of these changes in recombination value are unknown and therefore uncontrollable, they must be anticipated in all such studies. Control and treatment must be replicated enough that chance extreme values will not be attributed to treatment.     

Treatment of Tungiasis with Dimeticone: A Proof-of-Principle Study in Rural Kenya

Tungiasis (sand flea disease) is a neglected tropical disease, prevalent in resource-poor communities in South America and sub-Saharan Africa. It is caused by an inflammatory response against penetrated female sand fleas (Tunga penetrans) embedded in the skin of the host. Although associated with debilitating acute and chronic morbidity, there is no proven effective drug treatment. By consequence patients attempt to remove embedded sand fleas with non-sterile sharp instruments, such as safety pins, a procedure that represents a health threat by itself. In this proof-of-principle study we compared the topical application of a mixture of two dimeticones of low viscosity (NYDA) to the topical application of a 0.05% solution of KMnO4 in 47 school children in an endemic area in rural Kenya. The efficacy of the treatment was assessed during a follow up period of seven days using viability signs of the embedded parasites, alterations in the natural development of lesion morphology and the degree of local inflammation as outcome measures. Seven days after treatment, in the dimeticone group 78% (95% CI 67–86%) of the parasites had lost all signs of viability as compared to 39% (95% CI 28–52%) in the KMnO4 group (p<0.001). In the dimeticone group 90% (95% CI 80–95%) of the penetrated sand fleas showed an abnormal development already after 5 days, compared to 53% (95% CI 40–66%; p<0.001) in the KMnO4 group. Seven days after treatment, signs of local skin inflammation had significantly decreased in the dimeticone group (p<0.001). This study identified the topical application of dimeticones of low viscosity (NYDA) as an effective means to kill embedded sand fleas. In view of the efficacy and safety of the topical treatment with dimeticone, the mechanical extraction of embedded sand fleas using hazardous instruments is no longer warranted.     

Protective effect of Fucoxanthin against UVB-induced skin photoaging in hairless mice

Fucoxanthin, a major carotenoid in brown algae, has various beneficial effects. In this study, we evaluated the effect of topical fucoxanthin on UVB-induced skin photoaging in hairless mice. The dorsal skins were treated topically with a 0.001% fucoxanthin solution 2 h each time before UVB irradiation (5 times a week) for 10 weeks. The formation of wrinkles in UVB-irradiated skin treated with vehicle alone significantly increased, as compared with the non-irradiated control. Treatment with fucoxanthin tended to suppress UVB-induced wrinkle formation, but there was no significant difference between wrinkle formation in the control group and the fucoxanthin treatment group. However, topical treatment with fucoxanthin significantly lessened UVB-induced epidermal hypertrophy, VEGF, and MMP-13 expression in the epidermis and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the skin. These results indicate that topical treatment with fucoxanthin prevents skin photoaging in UVB-irradiated hairless mice, possibly via antioxidant and antiangiogenic effects.     

A “Pedi” Cures All: Toenail Trimming and the Treatment of Ulcerative Dermatitis in Mice

Ulcerative Dermatitis (UD) is the most common cause of unplanned euthanasia in mice used in research, with prevalence rates reported between 4 and 21%. UD is characterized by a deep, ulcerative lesion that appears most commonly over the dorsal neck and is attendant with an intense pruritus. The underlying cause of UD is currently unknown, and as a consequence, there are no directed therapies that resolve lesions reliably. However, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests a behavioral component to the onset, maintenance, and progression of UD lesions. Scratching behavior in response to the intense pruritus associated with UD lesions may be an effective target for interventional therapies. We hypothesized that interfering with scratching behavior by trimming the toenails of mice with UD, would resolve UD lesions. To test this hypothesis, we first evaluated the efficacy of toenail trims with a single application of Vetericyn at the time of treatment versus our previous standard of care, topical Tresaderm applied daily. We found that toenail trims were significantly more effective at resolving lesions (n = 39 toenail trims, n = 100 Tresaderm, p<0.0001) with 93.3% of animals healing by 14 days (median time to lesion resolution). Furthermore, dorsal neck lesions did not recur by 42 days after a single toenail trim (n = 54); however, flank lesions did not resolve and the outcome of the two lesion distributions following treatment were significantly different (p<0.0001). Finally, we implemented toenail trims at an institutional level and found similar efficacies (approximately 90%) for toenail trims regardless of one-time topical supplement used (triple antibiotic ointment, Tresaderm, and Vetericyn, n = 55, 58, 18, p = 0.63). This is the first report of a highly effective treatment for one of the most serious welfare issues in laboratory mice.     

A cetylated fatty acid topical cream with menthol reduces pain and improves functional performance in individuals with arthritis

This investigation was an extension of a previous study conducted in our laboratory in which we showed that 1 month of treatment with a topical cream (Celadrin) consisting of cetylated fatty acids was effective for reducing pain and improving functional performance in individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee (Kraemer et al., Journal of Rheumatology, 2004). We wanted to verify that the addition of menthol to the compound would produce a similar percentage of improvement in therapeutic effects. We used a single treatment group with a pre-post experimental design to examine % treatment changes. Individuals diagnosed with OA of the knee (N = 10; age, 66.4 +/- 11.5 years) and severe pain (e.g., OA, rheumatoid arthritis) of the elbow (N = 8; age, 59.1 +/- 18.2 years) and wrist (N = 10; age, 60.3 +/- 16.8 years) were tested for pain and functional performance before and after 1 week of treatment with a topical cream consisting of cetylated fatty acids and menthol applied twice per day. In individuals with knee OA, significant improvements in stair-climbing ability (about 12%), "up-and-go" performance (about 12%), balance and strength (about 16.5%), and range of motion (about 3.5%) were observed, as were reductions in pain. In individuals with severe pain of the elbow and wrist, significant improvements in dynamic (about 22 and 24.5%, respectively) and isometric (about 33 and 42%, respectively) local muscular endurance were observed, as was a reduction in pain. Neither group demonstrated significant changes in maximal grip strength or maximal force production. One week of treatment with a topical cream consisting of cetylated fatty acids and menthol was similarly effective for reducing pain and improving functional performance in individuals with arthritis of the knee, elbow, and wrist. The % changes were consistent with our prior work on the compound without menthol. Further work is needed to determine the impact of menthol in such a cream. Nevertheless, our data support the use of a topical cream consisting of cetylated fatty acids (with or without menthol) for enhancing the potential for exercise training in this population.     

Attitudes of general practitioners to prehospital thrombolysis.

OBJECTIVE--To investigate reasons for general practitioners not giving thrombolytic treatment to eligible patients with acute myocardial infarction. DESIGN--Postal questionnaires were sent to 424 general practitioners. SUBJECTS--97 general practitioners who had taken part in the Grampian region early anistreplase trial, 185 whose practices in Scotland were at least 24 km from a district general hospital, and 142 who had attended postgraduate conferences at which thrombolysis had been discussed; 87, 158, and 125 respectively responded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Answers to questions about readiness to use thrombolytic treatment. RESULTS--Response rate was 87% (370/424). Almost all respondents (350) were convinced of benefits of thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction, and 277 were convinced that there were additional benefits from its administration in the community at first opportunity. Most doctors working 16 km or more from hospital thought that giving treatment at home would appreciably save time (200/274). Most doctors agreed that they could make time to give thrombolytic treatment (278), and would be willing to record an electrocardiogram (284), and would be able to interpret it (280). Sixty four respondents (17%) reported using thrombolytic treatment in previous year. Among non-users, 150 (49%) were unwilling to use thrombolytic treatment without further training. While many non-users (210 (69%)) were willing to use thrombolytic treatment without encouragement from Department of Health, 184 (60%) were unwilling to use it unless encouraged to do so by their local cardiologist. CONCLUSIONS--The need to become better informed about thrombolysis and lack of encouragement from local cardiologists were important factors preventing wider use of thrombolytic treatment in the community by general practitioners.     

Topical ocular anesthetics in ocular irritancy testing: a review.

The routine use of topical anesthetics to alleviate discomfort associated with in vivo ocular irritancy testing has been advocated. This review provides information about the adverse effects of topical ocular anesthetics and answers the questions: are topical anesthetics practical and effective in ocular irritancy protocols, is long-term use contraindicated, will topical anesthetics alter the response of a test substance, and are there significant side-effects which might cause pain and suffering in test animals? There was no evidence to support the use of a specific topical anesthetic. Further, information about using systemic analgesics or combinations with local anesthetics that would effectively alleviate discomfort associated with ocular irritancy testing without affecting test results was not found. Comprehensive studies are needed to identify the most effective combination of drugs that would ameliorate discomfort associated with ocular irritation testing.     

Efficacy of a membrane composed of polyvinyl alcohol as a vehicle for releasing of wound healing proteins belonging to latex of Calotropis procera

The soluble proteins extracted from the latex of Calotropis procera (LP) have been shown to powerfully ameliorate different inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, cancer and sepsis. In this study, we developed a polyvinyl alcohol-based membrane as an LP delivery system and determined the efficacy of LP in tissue remodeling and healing upon topical treatment in mice. Aqueous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, 1%, w/v) solution was mixed with LP (0.2% or 1%) while stirring to obtain a biomembrane, which was then applied to wounds. PVA and LP-containing PVA membranes were structurally characterized and standardized by infrared absorption spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. Wound healing parameters included time of healing progress and tissue remodeling (fibroplasia and collagen). LP-containing PVA membrane (0.2% and 1%), but not PVA membrane, significantly accelerated wound healing through faster neo-tissue formation. This process was accompanied by intensified fibroplasia and collagen deposition as revealed by microscopic analyses. It is therefore concluded that topical application of LP on wounds stimulates the healing process and that the use of PVA membranes to carry LP is a reliable approach for topical delivery of pharmacologically active proteins.     

Effect of prostaglandin F2alpha on gonadal carbohydrate metabolism of silkworm,Bombyx mori L

Effect of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) on carbohydrate accumulation in gonads of the multivoltine silkworm (hybrid: Xinhang x Keming) has been studied by means of topical application to larvae of the silkworm. Increased weights of larvae and reproduction organs, as well as carbohydrate metabolism in gonads of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. was found after treatment with prostaglandin F2alpha. The increase in weight (larvae 21.9%, testis 28.9%, and ovary 33.3%) was associated with increases in the biomolecules (20-30%) and LDH and aldolase activity (18-25%). The results suggest that the accumulation of carbohydrates denotes a higher extent of utility of the energy sources in function of the testes and ovaries, and the routine application of prostaglandin F2alpha would be helpful in improving the reproductivity and egg quality of the silkworm.     

Topical treatment with mastic (resin from Pistacia lentiscus) elicits anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic responses by modulating keratinocyte activation in a mouse model of allergic dermatitis

BackgroundAs the number of patients with skin allergies, including atopic dermatitis, has increased rapidly, therapeutic options such as anti-IL-31 antibody and Janus kinase inhibitor have been developed recently. However, many concerns remain regarding the adverse effects and cost of these drugs; therefore, development of supplements that could support the effect of therapeutic agents is always required.PurposeThe aim of this study was to develop preventive and supportive options for skin allergies by focusing on a natural product called “Mastic”. Methods: Initially, the anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic responses of 3% and 30% Mastic topical treatment were investigated in a mouse model of allergic contact dermatitis, generated by topical application of toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI), a hapten that induces type 2 helper T cells. After itch behaviour and ear-swelling response were monitored, serum, auricular lymph nodes, and skin tissues were collected to analyse immunocyte differentiation, cytokine determination, and histological changes.ResultsOur findings indicated that topical treatment with mastic significantly ameliorated ear swelling, itch behaviour, immunocyte infiltration, and cytokine production. Histological evaluation confirmed the occurrence of anti-inflammatory responses. The anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic effects of topical treatment with mastic (3% and 5%) were further confirmed in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis which was generated by topical application of TDI in NC/Nga mice. Thickness of the back skin, AD score, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and itch behaviour were measured weekly, and immunocyte differentiation, cytokine determination, and histological changes were also analysed. Mastic treatment significantly attenuated the skin thickness, AD score, TEWL, and itch behaviour. Corroborated reduction was observed in the numbers of T cells and IgE-B cells, as well as in pro-inflammatory cytokine production. The reproducibility of the effects of mastic was confirmed with 1% mastic ointment in a setting similar to the AD mouse model. In vitro evaluation of keratinocytes indicated that mastic pre-exposure induced a significant dose-dependent decrease in cytokine production.ConclusionOur findings thus demonstrate that topical treatment with mastic significantly ameliorate inflammatory and pruritic responses in a mouse model of allergic dermatitis.     

Topical ampicillin in the appendicectomy wound: Report of double-blind trial

One hundred and thirty unselected patients undergoing appendicectomy were treated with topical ampicillin powder or topical placebo powder (lactose) before closing the wound. The postoperative wound infection rates were 3% in the ampicillin-treated group and 24% in the control group, a significant difference. This difference was not influenced by the degree of inflammation in the appendix. No side-effects of treatment were observed.     

Prevention of blindness by screening for diabetic retinopathy: a quantitative assessment.

Diabetic retinopathy is an important cause of blindness in the Western World. A review of the randomised trials of laser photocoagulation of the retina as a method of preventing blindness from this disorder showed that this treatment is very effective, reducing the risk of blindness by 61% in a treated eye. As only one eye is needed for sight the reduction in blindness in a population will be greater than 61% because the effect of treatment in one eye is not always identical with the effect in the other eye. For analysis this reduction was taken as 73%, representing the average of the minimum and maximum estimates (61% and 85%). The effectiveness of this treatment suggests that there is the potential for a national screening programme to bring about a major reduction in blindness from this cause. A quantitative assessment of the effect of screening indicated that a programme in which patients with diabetes mellitus are systematically referred to ophthalmic opticians for a retinal examination could detect 88% of all diabetics with serious retinopathy and that 87% of these cases would be treatable. Screening and early treatment of retinopathy would prevent deterioration of visual acuity and could reduce the risk of blindness due to diabetic retinopathy by an estimated 56% (0.73 X 0.88 X 0.87). The findings suggest that an effectively managed community based screening programme encompassing detection, referral, treatment, and follow up would prevent about 260 new cases of blindness in diabetics under the age of 70 each year in England and Wales. This would represent over 10% of all cases of blindness in adults in this age group.     

UK Dermatology Clinical Trials Network's STOP GAP trial (a multicentre trial of prednisolone versus ciclosporin for pyoderma gangrenosum): protocol for a randomised controlled trial

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare inflammatory skin disorder characterised by painful and rapidly progressing skin ulceration. PG can be extremely difficult to treat and patients often require systemic immunosuppression. Recurrent lesions of PG are common, but the relative rarity of this condition means that there is a lack of published evidence regarding its treatment. A systematic review published in 2005 found no randomised controlled trials (RCTs) relating to the treatment of PG. Since this time, one small RCT has been published comparing infliximab to placebo, but none of the commonly used systemic treatments for PG have been formally assessed. The UK Dermatology Clinical Trials Network's STOP GAP Trial has been designed to address this lack of trial evidence. METHODS: The objective is to assess whether oral ciclosporin is more effective than oral prednisolone for the treatment of PG. The trial design is a two-arm, observer-blind, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial comparing ciclosporin (4?mg/kg/day) to prednisolone (0.75?mg/kg/day). A total of 140 participants are to be recruited over a period of 4?years, from up to 50 hospitals in the UK and Eire. Primary outcome of velocity of healing at 6?weeks is assessed blinded to treatment allocation (using digital images of the ulcers). Secondary outcomes include: (i) time to healing; (ii) global assessment of improvement; (iii) PG inflammation assessment scale score; (iv) self-reported pain; (v) health-related quality of life; (vi) time to recurrence; (vii) treatment failures; (viii) adverse reactions to study medications; and (ix) cost effectiveness/utility. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of PG (excluding granulomatous PG); measurable ulceration (that is, not pustular PG); and patients aged over 18?years old who are able to give informed consent are included in the trial. Randomisation is by computer generated code using permuted blocks of randomly varying size, stratified by lesion size, and presence or absence of underlying systemic disease (for example, rheumatoid arthritis).Patients who require topical therapy are asked to enter a parallel observational study (case series). If topical therapy fails and systemic therapy is required, participants are then considered for inclusion in the randomised trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current controlled trials: ISRCTN35898459. Eudract No.2008-008291-14.     

Ecdysone agonist halofenozide affects corpora allata and reproductive physiology of the Formosan subterranean termite,Coptotermes formosanus

Following a short swarming flight, winged adults of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus lose their wings and form tandem pairs. These dealates or primary reproductives then form incipient colonies. Topical application of 5 microg of the non-steroidal ecdysone agonist RH-0345 (halofenozide) in 0.1 microl DMSO to the primary reproductives during the 2000 season resulted in significant reduction in the number of eggs laid. There was however complete recovery of the treated females. Apparently the non-treated partner removed the treatment chemical while grooming indicating oral activity. In 2001 both topical application as well as feeding methods were tried. Significant effects were observed only in the topical treatment group, perhaps because of inconsistency in feeding. In this group, total progeny, the number of ovarioles in ovaries and the size of the female's corpora allata (CA) were all significantly reduced. Ultrastructure of the CA of treated females showed extensive vacuolation near the surface of the gland. The experiment was repeated in 2002 using both topical application and an improved oral feeding method. Whereas there was apparent recovery in the topically treated group after 90 days, the oral treatment was more persistent in its effect perhaps due to a higher amount of halofenozide consumed during feeding.     

Efficacy of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of osteoarthritis: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Objective To assess the efficacy of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of osteoarthritis.Data sources Medline, Embase, Scientific Citation Index, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and abstracts from conferences.Review methods Inclusion criterion was randomised controlled trials comparing topical NSAIDs with placebo or oral NSAIDs in osteoarthritis. Effect size was calculated for pain, function, and stiffness. Rate ratio was calculated for dichotomous data such as clinical response rate and adverse event rate. Number needed to treat to obtain the clinical response was estimated. Quality of trial was assessed, and sensitivity analyses were undertaken.Results Topical NSAIDs were superior to placebo in relieving pain due to osteoarthritis only in the first two weeks of treatment. Effect sizes for weeks 1 and 2 were 0.41 (95% confidence interval, 0.16 to 0.66) and 0.40 (0.15 to 0.65), respectively. No benefit was observed over placebo in weeks 3 and 4. A similar pattern was observed for function, stiffness, and clinical response rate ratio and number needed to treat. Topical NSAIDs were inferior to oral NSAIDs in the first week of treatment and associated with more local side effects such as rash, itch, or burning (rate ratio 5.29, 1.14 to 24.51).Conclusion Randomised controlled trials of short duration only (less than four weeks) have assessed the efficacy of topical NSAIDs in osteoarthritis. After two weeks there was no evidence of efficacy superior to placebo. No trial data support the long term use of topical NSAIDs in osteoarthritis.     

特比萘芬短程口服加外用特比萘芬治疗中重度皮肤癣菌病的临床对照研究

目的为治疗中、重度皮肤癣菌病选择合适的方法。方法采用开放、随机对照的平行研究。将临床和真菌镜检确诊的中重度体、股癣和手、足癣患者随机分入A、B、C、D四组,A组口服特比萘芬片联合外用特比萘芬乳膏,疗程7d;B组常规口服特比萘芬片,疗程14d;C组常规外用特比萘芬乳膏,疗程14d;D组外用联苯苄唑乳膏,疗程4周。对各组的临床疗效、安全性、患者对治疗的满意度等进行分析。结果①真菌学疗效:停药后4周时A组手、足癣患者的真菌清除率最高为96.65%,与D组比较(65.00%)差异有显著性。②临床疗效:停药后2周和4周时A组手足癣患者的治愈率分别为93.33%和90.00%,与D组(68%、64%)比较差异有显著性。③患者满意度:在本研究的四组中,A组患者对疗效的满意度最高,与C组、D组比较差异有显著性;患者的综合满意度(包括对治疗费用、安全性等方面)A组最高,与C组、D组比较差异有显著性。D组患者对费用的接受程度最高,A组优于B组,有极显著的统计学差异。治疗结束后患者对安全性的接受程度四组间没有显著差异。结论特比萘芬口服加外用1周的“1 1”短程联合疗法治疗中、重度皮肤癣菌病的疗效高、疗程短、依从性好,患者满意度高。     

Comparative antiandrogenic potency of spironolactone and cimetidine: assessment by the chicken cockscomb topical bioassay

Spironolactone and cimetidine are effective antiandrogens in vivo, although they differ by five orders of magnitude in affinity for androgen receptors in vitro. To explore this discrepancy, we directly compared the antiandrogenic potency of these two compounds in vivo using the chicken cockscomb topical bioassay. In this assay, the growth of the androgen sensitive cockscomb of immature chicks after stimulation by various doses of androgen (dihydrotestosterone 5, 20, or 100 micrograms/day sc) is inhibited by antiandrogens in cream vehicle applied topically to the cockscomb itself. At low levels of androgen stimulation (5 micrograms/day), 0.5% topical cimetidine produced maximal suppression of cockscomb growth, while at high levels of androgen stimulation 100 micrograms/day), topical cimetidine in concentrations as high as 4% did not suppress cockscomb growth. In contrast, topical spironolactone in concentrations as low as 0.06% produced maximal inhibition of cockscomb growth at all androgen doses. Using an intermediate androgen dose (20 micrograms/day), the minimally effective antiandrogenic concentration of topical cimetidine was between 0.5 and 1.0%, while that for topical spironolactone was less than 0.001%. We conclude that the chicken cockscomb topical bioassay is a useful method for assessing relative potency of antiandrogens. With this method, spironolactone appears to be at least 500 times as strong an antiandrogen in vivo as cimetidine.     

Effects of Temperature, Humidity and Inoculation Method on Susceptibility of Schistocerca gregaria to Metarhizium flavoviride

The effects of temperature on conidial germination and susceptibility of adults of the desert locust , Schistocerca gregaria, to four isolates of Metarhizium flavoviride were determined . In addition , the effects of inoculation method (topical or spray) , spore carrier (oil or water) and ambient relative humidity (RH) on susceptibility of the locust to the most thermotolerant isolate (Mf324) were investigated . There were differences among the isolates in the effects of temperature on germination of conidia after a 24 - h incubation period . Over 90% of conidia of all isolates germinated after 24 h at 30 o C . In contrast , at 40 o C , none of the isolates germinated for up to 72 h . However , there were differences in germination between the isolates at 35 o C . Locust mortality and disease progression were significantly affected by temperature . At both 25 and 30 o C , all isolates induced 98 - 100% mortality within 8 days; however , there were differences between isolates at 35 o C . None of the isolates caused significant mortality at 40 o C . Humidity and inoculation method had no influence on levels of mortaility in fungus treated locusts . In contrast , carrier type significantly affected cumulative mortality . Topical oil treatment resulted in higher overall mycosis than the three other treatments . Control mortality on the other hand was strongly affected by inoculation method and to a lesser extent by humidity and carrier . In these conditions , application of oil by spray was generally toxic at all humidities whereas topical application of water was most toxic at near saturation . The results of these laboratory studies demonstrate the importance of strain selection , formulation and application method in the development of a microbial control agent against the desert locust . Low RH should not impede use of this fungus under dry conditions .