Lindane Research Articles

Clinico-pathological and therapeutic evaluation of Black Bengal goats (Capra hircus) infested with Psoroptes cuniculi mange.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the clinico-pathological changes and therapeutic evaluation of gamma-benzene hexachloride and cetrimide along with vit A, D3, E and H in Black Bengal goat infested Psoroptes cuniculi mange. The study was conducted on 14 Black Bengal goats; 6 clinically infested with Psoroptes mange (group I) and 8 healthy goats (group II). Haemato-biochemical profile viz., haemoglobulin concentration, packed cell volume, total leukocyte count, albumin and albumin globulin ratio revealed significantly (P<0.05) decreased level; whereas, globulin, alanine aminotransaminase, aspartate aminotransaminase, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen level were significantly (P<0.05) increased in goats of group I animals as compared to healthy control (group II) on day 0. Gamma-benzene hexachloride and cetrimide along with adjunct therapy (group I) showed parasitological recovery on day 21 while complete elimination of clinical signs observed on day 28 of post-therapy in all clinical cases.

Field efficacy of insecticides against top borer,Scirpophaga excerptaliswalker infesting sugarcane

Investigations on the efficacy of four insecticides viz., chlorpyriphos, phorate, sevidol, and gamma HCH and three neem products viz., neem seed kernel extract, nimin and neem cake against early shoot borer, Chilo infuscatellus Snellen (Cerambicidae: Lepidoptera), of sugarcane were carried out. Among the four insecticides, gamma HCH was found most effective in reducing the early shoot borer. The highest cane yield (78.8 t/ha) was obtained from the plots treated with gamma HCH at 1.0 Kg a.i. /ha and gave 0.76, 2.28 and 2.66 per cent higher cane yield than sevidol 4:4G @1.0 Kg a.i. /ha, phorate10G @1.0 Kg a.i. /ha and chlorpyriphos 20 EC @1.0 Kg a.i. /ha, respectively than neem products; Nimin, NSKE and neem cake. In spite of the differences in the effect of the various insecticides at 45, 60 and 75 days after planting, there was consistency in the effect of sevidol 4:4G @1.0 Kg a.i. /ha, chlorpyriphos 20 EC @1.0 Kg a.i. /ha, phorate10G @1.0 Kg a.i. /ha and gamma HCH 6G @1.0 Kg a.i. /ha were found statistically at par with each other and significantly superior over other treatments.

Comparative study of efficacy of oral ivermectin versus some topical antiscabies drugs in the treatment of scabies.

The conventionally used topical antiscabetics have poor compliance. Ivermectin, an oral antiparasitic drug, has been shown to be an effective scabicide and could be a useful substitute. This study was designed to compare efficacy of oral ivermectin with commonly used topical antiscabies drugs. This study was conducted on four groups including 60 patients in each group by simple random sampling. Treatment given in each group was: Group 1: Ivermectin (200 μg/kg body weight) oral in a single dose, Group 2: Topical Permethrin 5% cream single application, Group 3: Topical gamma benzene hexachloride (GBHC) lotion 1% single application and Group 4: Topical Benzyl benzoate (BB) lotion 25% single application. All of the patients were followed for improvement in terms of severity of disease and severity of pruritus at the end of 1(st) wk and 6(th) wk. Efficacy of ivermectin, permethrin, GBHC and BB lotion considering improvement in severity of pruritus as parameter were 85%, 90%, 75% and 68.33% respectively at 2(nd) follow-up. Similarly considering improvement in severity of lesion as parameter, results were 80%, 88.33%, 71.66% and 65% respectively at 2(nd) follow up. Topical Permethrin (5%) was more effective as compared to topical BB lotion and topical GBHC lotion (p<0.05, significant) but statistical difference between efficacy of topical Permethrin and oral Ivermectin was non-significant (p>0.05). The results suggested that oral Ivermectin and topical Permethrin (5%) were equally efficacious. Oral Ivermectin is well tolerated, non irritant to skin, does not show central nervous system side effects because it does not cross blood brain barrier. So, the good therapeutic response with few side effects seen with oral Ivermectin can be useful in those patients for whom topical treatment is potentially irritant and less well-tolerated.

Efficacy of different therapeutic regimens for acute foot rot in adult sheep

The present clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different therapeutic regimens along with 10% zinc-sulfate footbath for the treatment of acute foot rot in adult sheep. A total of 104 adult sheep of both sexes (70 females and 34 males) were presented to the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry during the period April 2013 to May 2014. Foot rot in the sheep was confirmed based on clinical and physical analysis. The sheep were divided into four equal groups; Group I, II, III, and IV. The animals of the Group I, II and IV were treated with a mixture of amoxicillin and cloxacillin dosed at 15 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) through intramuscular (IM) route, oxytetracycline dosed at 20 mg/kg b.wt., IM, and enrofloxacin dosed at 5 mg/kg b.wt., IM, respectively. The animals of Group III were treated with gamma benzene hexachloride cream. Along with the above treatments, the animals of all four groups were given footbath with 10% zinc-sulfate. The mean recovery time (days) recorded was lowest in group II (3.83±0.64) followed by Group I (4.17±0.31), Group IV (4.38±0.0.79) and Group III (5.67±0.98), respectively. The mean±SE values of rectal temperature and ruminal motility recorded before and after the treatment showed significant (p

Treatment for Crusted Scabies: Limitations and Side Effects of Treatment with Ivermectin

Skin eruption with mild itching of the hands and feet developed in a man in his 90s 1 month after he was hospitalized following a traffic accident. Scabies was diagnosed in an attending nurse 3 months after the patient's hospitalization, and infection from the patient was suspected. Cornification of the patient's soles and marked hypertrophy of the nails of both feet were observed. After a large number of scabies mites were detected on microscopic examination, crusted scabies was diagnosed. The patient was given oral ivermectin, 6 mg, once per week for 3 weeks, and crotamiton topical ointment containing 30% benzyl benzoate was applied on the body from the neck down. However, because a large number of scabies mites were detected again on microscopic examination, the dose of ivermectin was increased to 12 mg and administered 3 times. One week after the sixth dose of ivermectin was administered, hemorrhagic scabs around the mouth and erosion of the tongue developed. Mucosal drug eruption was suspected, and eruptions around the mouth and on the tongue resolved within 1 week after ivermectin being discontinued. 1% gamma-benzene hexachloride ointment was applied topically on the body from the neck down once a week, crotamiton ointment containing benzyl benzoate was applied daily, and the hypertrophic parts of the nails were removed. The patient subsequently achieved a full recovery.

Burst and principal components analyses of MEA data for 16 chemicals describe at least three effects classes

Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) can be used to detect drug and chemical induced changes in neuronal network function and have been used for neurotoxicity screening. As a proof-of-concept, the current study assessed the utility of analytical “fingerprinting” using principal components analysis (PCA) and chemical class prediction using support vector machines (SVMs) to classify chemical effects based on MEA data from 16 chemicals. Spontaneous firing rate in primary cortical cultures was increased by bicuculline (BIC), lindane (LND), RDX and picrotoxin (PTX); not changed by nicotine (NIC), acetaminophen (ACE), and glyphosate (GLY); and decreased by muscimol (MUS), verapamil (VER), fipronil (FIP), fluoxetine (FLU), chlorpyrifos oxon (CPO), domoic acid (DA), deltamethrin (DELT) and dimethyl phthalate (DMP). PCA was performed on mean firing rate, bursting parameters and synchrony data for concentrations above each chemical's EC50 for mean firing rate. The first three principal components accounted for 67.5, 19.7, and 6.9% of the data variability and were used to identify separation between chemical classes visually through spatial proximity. In the PCA, there was clear separation of GABAA antagonists BIC, LND, and RDX from other chemicals. For the SVM prediction model, the experiments were classified into the three chemical classes of increasing, decreasing or no change in activity with a mean accuracy of 83.8% under a radial kernel with 10-fold cross-validation. The separation of different chemical classes through PCA and high prediction accuracy in SVM of a small dataset indicates that MEA data may be useful for separating chemicals into effects classes using these or other related approaches.

Plasmatic concentration of organochlorine lindane acts as metabolic disruptors in HepG2 liver cell line by inducing mitochondrial disorder

Lindane (LD) is a persistent environmental pollutant that has been the subject of several toxicological studies. However, concentrations used in most of the reported studies were relatively higher than those found in the blood of the contaminated area residents and effects of low concentrations remain poorly investigated. Moreover, effects on cell metabolism and mitochondrial function of exposure to LD have received little attention. This study was designed to explore the effects of low concentrations of LD on cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function, using the hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2.Cells were exposed to LD for 24, 48 and 72h and different parameters linked with mitochondrial regulation and energy metabolism were analyzed.Despite having any impact on cellular viability, exposure to LD at plasmatic concentrations led to an increase of maximal respiratory capacity, complex I activity, intracellular ATP and NO release but decreased uncoupled respiration to ATP synthesis and medium lactate levels. In addition, LD exposure resulted in the upregulation of mitochondrial biogenesis genes.We suggest that, at plasmatic concentrations, LD acts as a metabolic disruptor through impaired mitochondrial function and regulation with an impact on cellular energetic metabolism. In addition, we propose that a cellular assay based on the analysis of mitochondria function, such as described here for LD, may be applicable for larger studies on the effects of low concentrations of xenobiotics, because of the exquisite sensitivity of this organelle.

Controlling head lice in Iranian primary schools for girls

Background: In spite of large budgets for procurement and distribution of pediculicide shampoos, prevalence of pediculosis in girls' primary schools continues. Objective: To study the efficacy of the pediculicide shampoos lindane 1% and permethrin 1%, for pediculosis control among students. Methods: One thousand forty two louse-infested schoolgirls in 31 girls' primary schools were randomly treated with the shampoos (520 students with lindane 1% and 722 students with permethrin 1%). One hundred twenty five contaminated schoolgirls were treated with placebo shampoos. Efficacy of shampoos was studied afterusing twice with a one week interval. At the start, an educational pamphlet was distributed among all students discussing methods of prevention and directions for use of shampoos. Results: We found that shampoo treatment resulted in only 52.9% overall recovery. With lindane, it was 50.96% and with permethrin 54.29%. The highest level of recovery was observed among primary school girls in grade five. Recovery in the central zone of the city and in private schools was better. Furthermore, the efficacy level of the shampoos was influenced by different factors such as parasite load, type of school, school location, level of education, level of awareness, and sociocultural factors. Conclusion: Pediculicide shampoos are effective, but education and modification of sociocultural factors are also important. Keywords: Lindane shampoo, pediculicide, pediculosis, permethrin shampoo

Removal of selected pesticides by adsorption

Abstract The paper is focused on the removal of selected priority hazardous substances. Five chlorinated pesticides, i.e. hexachlorobenzene (HCHB), hexachlorobutadiene (HCHBD), lindane (LIN), pentachlorobenzene (PCHB) and heptachlor (HCH) were selected as model pollutants. Higher volatility is characteristic for these substances. Adsorption of these pollutants on granular activated carbon (GAC), zeolite (Zeo) and activated sludge (AS) was investigated. The effect of contact time on the removal efficiency of studied substances was investigated. From results of the work it follows that the highest removal efficiency of studied substances was achieved by the adsorption on activated sludge. This was followed by adsorption efficiency on zeolite. The lowest removal efficiency was measured for adsorption on granular activated carbon.

Evaluation of Micronuclei Induction Capacity and Mutagenicity of Organochlorine and Organophosphate Pesticides

The genotoxic and mutagenic effects of two commonly used organochlorine pesticides, lindane (LND) and endosulfan (ENS), and two commonly used organophosphate pesticides, chlorpyrifos (CPF) and monocrotophos (MCP) were assessed using in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus test and in vitro Ames Salmonella/ microsome mutagenicity test. The results showed that these pesticides alone or in combination, induced significantly high frequency of micronuclei (MN) formation that increased with concentration of pesticides. All these four pesticides produced significant increase in the frequencies of micronucleated-polychromatic erythrocytes (MN-PCE) and decrease infrequencies of PCE in dose-dependent manner. The results indicate the suppression of proliferative activity of the bone marrow and increase in the extent of cell death. ENS and MCP showed mutagenic potential in Salmonella/ microsome assay. ENS induced mutagenic and nontoxic response only in TA98 tester strain of S.typhimurium at the dose of 500 μg/plate and in the absence of metabolic activation. MCP showed weak mutagenic and nontoxic effect only in TA100 tester strain at the dose of 5000 μg/plate in both assays, with or without metabolic activation when compared with negative control. MCP was toxic in TA98 tester strain at the dose of 5000 μg/plate in absence of metabolic activation while reduction in toxicity was seen on addition of S9 mixture. The study clearly showed the genotoxic potential of all these four pesticides and mutagenic response of endosulfan and monocrotophos.

Assessment of exposure to organochlorine pesticides and levels of DNA damage in mother–infant pairs of an agrarian community

Exposure to organochlorine pesticides was studied in a group of mother-infant pairs living in a rural area where agriculture is the main economic activity. Fumigation in this zone is performed with airplanes, thus affecting the inhabited areas around them, including schools. Heparinized venous blood of mothers and umbilical cords was used to evaluate the olive tail moment in the comet assay, and micronuclei, chromatin buds, and nucleoplasmic bridges in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Cord blood samples were taken at the moment of birth only from natural and normal parturitions. Determinations of hexachlorobenzene, aldrin, heptachlor epoxide, oxichlordane, t and c-chlordane, cis-nonachlor, mirex, alpha and beta-endosulfan, alpha, beta and gamma hexachlorocyclohexane, and p'p'-DDT, p'p'-DDE were conducted to establish the differential distribution of the toxicants between compartments, i.e., mother and umbilical cord. Significantly higher pesticide levels were found in umbilical cord plasma than in mothers' plasma for almost all compounds tested, except DDE and oxychlordane. Significantly higher olive tail moments were found in umbilical cords than in mothers, whereas micronuclei frequencies were higher in mothers than in umbilical cords. However, neither the levels of micronuclei nor the olive tail moment were correlated with pesticide levels. Given that no other exposure to toxic compounds has been identified in this region, the lack of correlation between genotoxicity biomarkers and pesticide levels may be due to the variability of the exposure and to endogenous processes related to lipid mobility during pregnancy, the metabolism of the compounds, and individual susceptibilities.

Two Cases of the Norwegian Scabies-Infested Patients with Chronic Disease in Elderly Care Unit

Dong Il Jeong, MD, Min Seong Kim, MD, Joon Ho Jeon, MD, Tae Hyung Kwon, MD, Myung Ki Hyun, MD, Yong Kyu Lee, MD Department of Internal Medicine, Good Gang-An Hospital, Busan, 2Hyun‵s Skin & Laser Clinic, Busan, Korea The scabies mite is an ectoparasite, which is able to infest humans. The incidence of scabies decreased during the past 20 years in Korea. However, the incidence is likely to increase again, and may be delayed or missed diagnosis recently. Its clinical presentation is typical, although in a host with compromised immune system, like the mentally retarded and elderly patients, the clinical presentation may be altered. Because a delay in diagnosis may induce rapid spread of the scabies mite, immediate diagnosis and treatment are necessary. We report two cases of scabies in elderly patients from different nursing homes. These patients were transferred to our center for treatment of pneumonia and chronic renal disease. They revealed pruritus and skin rashes after the treatment of further underlying diseases. We consulted to a dermatologist because of worsening symptoms, despite an application of medication with antihistamine and topical steroid, scabies was diagnosed. The symptom improved with topical 1% gamma-benzene hexachloride, an effective scabies drug. We suggest that geriatrists should suspect scabies who presents with pruritus that is persistent or resistant to conventional treatment, especially patients transferred from nursing homes.

Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Bovine Milk from Organic Farms in Chiapas, Mexico

Thirty six samples of bovine milk were collected from Chiapas State, Mexico between January 2011 and December 2011 with the intention of identifying and quantifying organochlorine pesticide residues in organic farms. The analyses were done using gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (Ni(63)). In general the values found in raw milk were lower than the permissible limit proposed by FAO/WHO/Codex Alimentarius 2006. Average concentrations for alpha + beta HCH were 3.62 ng/g, gamma HCH 0.34 ng/g, heptachlor + epoxide 0.67 ng/g, DDT and isomers 1.53 ng/g, aldrin + dieldrin 0.77 ng/g, and endrin 0.66 ng/g (only present in samples from farm 2). The organic milk from Chiapas has shown low concentrations of pesticide residues in recent years and satisfies international and national regulations for commercialization.

Pathway analysis of genome-wide association study for bone mineral density

The aim of this study was to identify the candidate causal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and candidate causal mechanisms that contribute to bone mineral density (BMD) and to generate a SNP to gene to pathway hypothesis using an analytical pathway-based approach. We used hip BMD GWAS data of the genotypes of 301,019 SNPs in 5,715 Europeans. ICSNPathway (identify candidate causal SNPs and pathways) analysis was applied to the BMD GWAS dataset. The first stage involved the pre-selection of candidate causal SNPs by linkage disequilibrium analysis and the functional SNP annotation of the most significant SNPs found. The second stage involved the annotation of biological mechanisms for the pre-selected candidate causal SNPs using improved-gene set enrichment analysis. ICSNPathway analysis identified seven candidate SNPs, eight candidate pathways, and seven hypothetical biological mechanisms. Eight pathways are as follows; gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane degradation (nominal p-value < 0.001, false discovery rate (FDR) <0.001), regulation of the smoothened signaling pathway (nominal p-value < 0.001, FDR = 0.016), TACI and BCMA stimulation of B cell immune response (nominal p-value < 0.001, FDR = 0.021), endonuclease activity (nominal p-value = 0.001, FDR = 0,026), regulation of defense response to virus (nominal p-value = 0.001, FDR = 0.028), serine_type_endopeptidase_inhibitor_activity (nominal p-value = 0.001, FDR = 0.044), endoribonuclease activity (nominal p-value = 0.002, FDR = 0.045), and myeloid leukocyte differentiation (nominal p-value = 0.001, FDR = 0.050). The most significant causal pathway was gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane degradation. CYP3A5, PON2, PON3, CMBL, PON1, ALPL, CYP3A43, CYP3A7, ACP6, ACPP, and ALPI (p < 0.05) are involved in the pathway of gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane degradation. Further examination of the gene contents revealed that DBR1, DICER1, EXO1, FEN1, POP1, POP4, RPP30, and RPP38 were involved in 2 of the 8 pathways (p < 0.05). By applying ICSNPathway analysis to BMD GWAS data, we identified seven candidate SNPs and eight pathways involving gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane degradation, which may contribute to low BMD.

Bioremediation of Lindane by Wood-Decaying Fungi

The object of this paper is to study the ability of four white-rot fungi (Trametes versicolor, Hypoxylon fragiforme, Chondrostereum purpureum, and Pleurotus ostreatus) and one brown-rot fungus (Gloeophyllum tra- beum) to degrade the organochlorine insecticide lindane in liquid cultures. The evaluation of lindane biodegradation was performed using two analytical procedures. In order to extract and properly quantify the remaining lindane from fungal liquid cultures, two different extraction procedures were used: extraction from fi ltrates and extraction from homogenized fungal cultures. White-rot fungi were able to degrade lindane. The amount of degraded lindane increased with its exposure period in the liquid cultures of all white-rot fungi used, except C. purpureum. After 21 days of exposure, over 90 % of lindane was degraded by T. versicolor, H. fragiforme, and P. ostreatus. Degradation of lindane by the brown rot G. trabeum did not occur. The extraction procedures, when liquid cultures of T. versicolor, H. fragiforme, and P. ostreatus were used, had no noticeable effect on the determined degradation after 21 days of exposure. On the other hand, the amount of remaining lindane in liquid cultures of C. purpureum and G. trabeum de- pended strongly on the extraction procedure. Our study indicates that mycoremediation studies of lindane should also consider adsorption onto mycelial biomass as a possible reason for the removal of the insecticide from the liquid me- dium, especially where shorter exposure periods are studied or fungi with poorer degradation potentials are used. SAŽETAKU radu se prikazuje istraživanje sposobnosti cetiriju gljiva bijele truleži (Trametes versicolor, Hy- poxylon fragiforme, Chondrostereum purpureum i Pleurotus ostreatus) te jedne gljive smeđe truleži (Gloeophyl- lum trabeum) za razgradnju organoklorova insekticida lindana u tekucim kulturama. Procjena biorazgradnje lindana izvedena je uz pomocu dvaju analitickih postupaka. Kako bi se izdvojio i pravilno kvantifi cirao preostali lindan u tekucim kulturama gljiva, primijenjena su dva razlicita ekstrakcijska postupka: ekstrakcija iz fi ltrata i ekstrakcija iz homogenizirane kulture gljiva. Dokazano je da su gljive bijele truleži razgradile lindan. Kolicina razgrađenog lindana povecava se s trajanjem izlaganja u tekucim kulturama svih gljiva bijele truleži, osim gljive C. purpureum. Nakon 21 dan izloženosti gljivama T. versicolor, H. fragiforme i P. ostreatus vise od 90 % lindana bilo je razgrađeno. Razgradnje lindana od gljive smeđe truleži G. trabeum nije bilo. Postupak ekstrakcije imao je zamjetan ucinak na razgradnju nakon 21 dan izlaganja tekucoj kulturi gljiva T. versicolor, H. fragiforme i P. os- treatus. Nasuprot tome, kolicina preostalog lindana u tekucim kulturama gljiva C. purpureum i G. trabeum znatno ovisi o postupku ekstrakcije. Ovaj rad pokazuje da bi se u istraživanju mikorazgradnje lindana trebala razmotriti i adsorpcija na micelije biomase kao moguci razlog za uklanjanje insekticida iz tekuceg medija, posebno kada se proucavaju kraca razdoblja izloženosti ili kada se koriste gljive s manjim potencijalom razgradnje. Kljucne rijeci: biorazgradnja, lindan, bijela trulež, adsorpcija, plinska kromatografi ja

Organochlorine pesticides removal from wastewater by pine bark adsorption after activated sludge treatment

Pesticides have been responsible for strong environmental impacts, mainly due to their persistence in the environment. Removal technologies are usually combined, because degradation of organic matter is needed prior to a tertiary treatment to guarantee pesticides elimination to levels below legal limits (normally 0.1 µg L−1). Pine bark was studied as an alternative to activated carbon, for organochlorine pesticides removal. A combination of technologies based on biodegradation with activated sludge followed by pine bark adsorption treatment was used for lindane (LIN) and heptachlor (HEP) removal from contaminated waters. Pesticides were quantified throughout the process by GC‐ECD preceded by solid‐phase microextraction (SPME). An experimental set‐up was maintained for 4 months, by feeding a standard solution with pesticides concentration of 1 µg L−1 each and known organic matter (Chemical Oxygen Demand, COD, ∼563 mg O2 L−1) on a daily basis. COD suffered a reduction of about 81% in the biological step and no increase was detected in the subsequent adsorption treatment. Overall removal efficiency was 76.6% and above 77.7% for LIN and HEP, respectively.

Catalytic Behavior of Cobalt(I) Salen During the Electrochemical Reduction of Lindane and Hexachlorobenzene

The electrochemical reduction of halogenated organic compounds (RX) is typically performed in organic media. In the present work, we show the catalytic effect of Cobalt(I) Salen during the reduction of lindane and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). CoSalen displays several electrochemical signals; for the purposes of the present study, the most important one is that of the Co(II)/Co(I) couple at –1.55 V vs. Fc+/Fc. Cyclic voltammetry exhibits a catalytic effect, as indicated by the displacement of ca. 0.26 V and 0.16 V for dehalogenation signals in lindane and HCB, respectively. Noticeable, although less pronounced effects were detected as current gains of 65 mA and 7 mA for lindane and HCB, respectively. This catalytic mediator can be used for the target reductions either dissolved in a solution or deposited on the cathodic surface.

Effect of lindane on CYP‐mediated steroid hormone metabolism in male mice following in utero exposure

A wide number of pesticides, including highly persistent organochlorinated compounds, such as lindane (LIN), may induce reproductive and developmental alterations by directly binding to the estrogen/androgen receptors or altering steroid hormone metabolism. In the present work, we have investigated whether LIN in utero exposure of CD1 mice affects the reproductive system in male offspring by causing an impairment of the CYP-dependent steroid hormone metabolism. Dam exposure to 25 mg kg(-1) b.w. LIN occurred during critical developmental periods, from gestational days 9 to 16. Effects on hepatic CYP-mediated testosterone (TST) hydroxylase, aromatase activities and testicular parameters were tested at postnatal days (PND 50, 65-69, 100) that are critical for sexual maturation in CD1 mice. In the adult F1 mice significant changes of male reproductive endpoints (testis weight, spermatid number) as well as dramatic effects on CYP-mediated TST metabolism were observed on PND 65-69, in the absence of any of systemic toxicity. The levels of TST 6beta- and 2alpha-hydroxylation and dehydrogenation showed the highest level of reduction, suggesting CYP 3A and 2C families as the major target of LIN induced effects. All changes were almost recovered on PND 100. No effects on aromatase activity were evidenced. Overall, these findings provide useful information for a better characterization of the LIN mode of action. They suggest that LIN-induced toxicity in males is linked to an impairment of steroid hormone homeostasis, due to CYP-mediated TST catabolism modulation and differs from LIN receptor-mediated mechanism previously reported in females.

Effects of Carbaryl and γ-BHC on the Histology of Midgut and Digestive Enzyme Profiles in the Third Instar Larvae of Fruit-sucking Moth, Othreis materna (Linn.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The effects of LC50 dose of carbaryl and gamma benzene hexachloride (γ-BHC) on midgut histopathology and midgut enzyme activities in the third instar larvae of fruit-sucking moth, Othreis materna (L.) were studied. The sub-lethal doses of carbaryl and \gamma-BHC caused initially hypersecretory activity in the midgut epithelial cells leading to deposition of numerous secretory vesicles in the extraperitrophic space, clumping of chromatin matter, and regression and vacuolization of the columnar cells, but later on they were recovered within 24 h. Activities of the midgut digestive enzymes (amylase, invertase, lipase, and protease) were significantly affected. Carbaryl enhanced (P < 0.05) the amylase, invertase, lipase, and protease activities initially up to 4 h and 6 h of treatment, but after 24 h of treatment, amylase and invertase activities resumed while an inhibitory effect was observed on lipase and protease activities. \gamma-BHC did not affect the amylase and protease activities up to 4 h but later on it significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced their activities up to 6 h and 12 h, respectively. Thereafter it fell without showing any sign of recovery. \gamma-BHC enhanced (P < 0.05) invertase and lipase activities but they fell after 4 h treatment.

Scabies in a 2-month-old Infant Successfully Treated with Lindane

Diagnosis of scabies in young children can be challenging since the morphology and distribution of skin lesions may differ from adults. Therefore, clinicians should keep scabies in mind in their differential diagnosis in a child who presents with severe pruritic, polymorphic skin lesions. Regarding the treatment of scabies, the reported clinical experience with gamma benzene hexachloride (lindane) in young children is quite limited because of its neurotoxicity. However, a recent review suggests that lindane is an excellent alternative drug with minimal risk. We report the case of a 2-month-old male infant with pruritic, erythematous macules, papules, nodules, vesicles, and pustules from the top of the head to the tip of the toes. Initially, he was thought to have impetigo and antibiotics were prescribed. After obtaining a careful history and with the use of skin scraping, he was diagnosed with scabies. He was successfully treated with lindane with no adverse reactions.