Flubendazole Plays an Important Anti-Tumor Role in Different Types of Cancers

Flubendazole, belonging to benzimidazole, is a broad-spectrum insect repellent and has been repurposed as a promising anticancer drug. In recent years, many studies have shown that flubendazole plays an anti-tumor role in different types of cancers, including breast cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer. Although the anti-tumor mechanism of flubendazole has been studied, it has not been fully understood. In this review, we summarized the recent studies regarding the anti-tumor effects of flubendazole in different types of cancers and analyzed the related mechanisms, in order to provide the theoretical reference for further studies in the future.

The Effect of Insect Repellent Exposure on Leukocyte Profile and Histopathologic Findings in Lungs

Organophosphate compounds in insect repellent have a role in contributing to mosquito mortality but have toxic effects for humans when exposed for a long time. The research is aimed to analyze the effect of insect repellent exposure in blood leukocyte profile and histopathologic findings in lungs. The study used thirty males Rattus novergicus, which were divided into three groups, such as electric liquid insect repellent (P1) with contain 0.031% dimefluthrin, anti-mosquito coils (P2) with 0.014% dimefluthrin, and electric mat mosquito repellent with 0.566% dimefluthrin for 8 hours in 20 days respectively. Leukocyte profiles were determined by using the blood smear method, and the lung’s health was identified by histopathologic findings. Based on the results study showed mosquito coils exposure increase the lymphocytes count. Meanwhile, the electric liquid-repellent increased the basophil’s numbers. The electric mat exposure had more eosinophils, neutrophils stab, neutrophils segment, and monocytes in the blood. The leukocyte profile of each group showed there were no statistically significant differences (P-value > 0.05). Based on histopathology, lung findings showed that the electric mat exposure contributed to cells degeneration 7.5% and pleural thickening 30%. The higher dimefluthrin concentrations in insect repellents could affect leukocyte profile and lungs health.

Andrographis paniculata absorbed ZnO nanofibers as a potential antimicrobial agent for biomedical applications

The present study focuses on developing antimicrobial nanofibers with superhydrophobicity and insect repellent properties for wound dressing and biomedical applications. For the first time, Andrographis paniculata leaf extract was prepared and incorporated into ZnO nanofibers (AP-ZnO). The antifungal and antibacterial activities of AP-ZnO were tested using the agar plate method. Amid the bacteria and fungus strain tested, the prepared sample exhibited a greater efficiency against Staphylococcus aureus and Trichophyton rubrum respectively. AP-ZnO showed the highest larvicidal activity (100 ± 0.2) against Aedes aegypti, proving its insect repellent characteristics. The in vivo toxicity studies of AP-ZnO (100 μg ml−1) tested on Danio rerio ensure the biocompatibility of the prepared sample with maximum toxicity of 21.1% after 72 h, which is lower than commercial Prallethrin. Moreover, AP-ZnO-chitosan coated cotton fabric showed higher durability with contact angle (θ ∼ 151°) and was suggested to be used for self-cleaning applications in the biomedical sector. The examined results confirmed that AP-ZnO possesses different medicinal characteristics suitable for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.

Effect of interventions to reduce malaria incidence among military personnel on active duty: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial of the impact of etofenprox-treated uniforms, permethrin-treated uniforms and DEET insect repellent

Background While there is strong evidence that bite protection methods such as permethrin-treated clothing and topical insect repellents are protective against insect bites, there are few studies assessing the impact on malaria infection. This study will estimate the protective efficacy of treated uniforms and DEET insect repellent on the incidence of malaria infection among military personnel in an operational setting. Permethrin-treated uniforms used with DEET lotion will be compared to etofenprox-treated uniforms with DEET lotion. The effect of DEET lotion will be estimated by comparing permethrin-treated uniforms with DEET or placebo lotion. Method A cluster randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial is planned to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions on preventing malaria infections in soldiers on active duty at Mgambo National Service Camp in Tanga, Tanzania. The arms are (1) permethrin-treated uniform with 30% DEET liposome formula; (2) permethrin-treated uniform with placebo lotion; (3) candidate insect repellent system, i.e. etofenprox-treated uniform with 30% DEET liposome formula; and (4) placebo, i.e. untreated uniforms with placebo lotion. The primary outcome is the incidence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by active case detection using surveys every 2 weeks for 12 months. Rapid diagnostic tests will be used for the diagnosis of participants with symptoms. The unit of randomisation will be combania: companies formed by recruits aged 18 to 25 years; combania do activities together and sleep in the same dormitory. Unequal randomisation will be used to optimise statistical power for the primary comparison between permethrin-treated uniforms with DEET and etofenprox-treated uniforms with DEET. Discussion This trial will provide the estimate of the effects of permethrin with DEET compared to those of the new fabric treatment etofenprox with DEET and any additional effect of using DEET. The results will inform strategies to protect military personnel and civilians who have more outdoor or occupational malaria exposure than the general public. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.govNCT02938975.

739. Self-Reported Prevalence of Insect Bites During International Travel

Background Vector borne diseases are responsible for almost one fifth of global infectious disease burden. International travelers are at risk for potentially life-threatening conditions when visiting areas with endemic vector borne disease, but this risk can be mitigated when proper insect precautions are taken. This study sought to evaluate the prevalence of insect precaution use and subsequent insect bites among Utah travelers who have attended pre-travel consultations. Methods A cross-sectional study at the University of Utah and Salt Lake County travel clinics was analyzed. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used to explore factors associated with insect repellant use, and reporting bug bites despite insect repellant use. Results A total of 463 individuals completed the survey and were included in our analytic sample. The majority of respondents (80%) reported using insect repellent, and close to half (45%) reported bug bites. Insect repellent use was positively associated with visiting rural/countryside (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.50 – 5.15), and traveling to South East Asia (OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.40 – 7.26), or Americas regions (OR 3.34, 95% CI 1.45 – 7.92). Being of male gender (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.21 – 0.64) or traveling to high altitude locations (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.18 – 0.74) was negatively associated with using insect repellent. Longer trip duration (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00 – 1.02) was positively associated with reporting insect bites, while male gender (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.33 – 0.80), older age (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95 – 0.98), and having an advanced degree (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.22 – 0.99) were negatively associated. Estimated Risk Factors of Insect Bites and Insect Repellent Use Characteristics of international travelers were self-reported in a cross-sectional study. Use of insect repellent and reporting bug bites despite repellant use was examined through multivariate logistic regression and used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Due to multicollinearity and data skewness, the following variables were omitted from the insect repellent model: Accommodation: Hotel/other enclosed structure, Location: European, Location: and Western Pacific. Reference categories are Gender: Female, Education: High school diploma/GED or less, Group size: 1 (Traveled alone), Location type: Urban, and Malaria region: No. All other categories are not mutually exclusive and evaluated as separate binary variables. Conclusion We show that gender, age, trip duration, and education level were associated with self-reported bug bites during travel abroad. Given the number of vector-borne diseases affecting health of travelers, our findings will contribute towards strategies to advise travelers for disease prevention. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Ethnoveterinary Uses of Certain Yemeni Plants: A Review of the Scientific Evidence

Livestock is an important and integral component of agriculture production in Yemen and contributes 28% of the total agricultural production income. Research in the field of Yemeni ethnoveterinary medicine is limited to a few studies. Therefore, our work aims to substantiate scientifically the ethnoveterinary use of some documented plant species based on a literature review of their bioactivities and toxicological properties. Searching the scientific literature has revealed various pharmacological activities that may support the claimed healing activities of 11 out of 14 plant species for some of their ethnoveterinary utilization. This comprises the use of Aloe spp. latex for constipation, worms, boils, and wounds; Boswellia sacra underbark for wounds and its oleo-gum resin for mastitis; Soqotraen Boswellia species as an insect repellent; Cissus rotundifolia for stomach pain; Cyphostemma digitatum as an appetite stimulant; Psiadia punctulate for bone fracture; Pulicaria undulata as an insect repellent; combinations of Aristolochia bracteolate with Sorghum bicolor grains for bloating; Rumex nervosus and salt for eye pimples; and Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds with Hordeum vulgare grains for constipation. Some plants were found to demonstrate various toxic effects in in vivo and in vitro experimental studies. The local administration of Calotropis procera latex was also reported to induce an intense inflammatory response. It can be concluded that our work has provided valuable scientific information on the biological and toxic activities of some Yemeni ethnoveterinary remedies that could be utilized for the benefit of farmers to ration the use of these remedies and avoiding their toxicity.