A new two-phase dimeticone pediculicide shows high efficacy in a comparative bioassay

Background: \ud Dimeticones kill head lice by physical means. Here we assessed in a comparative bioassay the ex vivo efficacy of "NYDA® sensitiv", a new two-phase dimeticone-based pediculicide similar to a product established on the market, but without fragrances.\ud \ud Methods:\ud We compared efficacy of the new product to a positive dimeticone control group, a sample of four other insecticidal and natural head lice products marketed in Germany, and an untreated control. In a bioassay, lice were exposed ex vivo to products and examined for activity for up to 24 hours, following a standard protocol.\ud \ud Results:\ud After 6 and 24 hours, 13.7 and 88.5% of untreated control lice did not show major vital signs. In contrast, no lice showed major vital signs 5 minutes after treatment with the new product or the control dimeticone group (NYDA®). This effect persisted at all observation points (100% efficacy). Efficacy of 0.5% permethrin (Infectopedicul®) ranged between 76 and 96% in evaluations between 5 min and 6 hours. All lice treated with a coconut-based compound (mosquito® Läuseshampoo) did not show major vital signs after 5 min, but mortality was only 58% after one hour. Pyrethrum extract (Goldgeist® forte) showed an efficacy of 22 - 52% between 5 min and 3 hours after treatment; after 6 hours, 76% of lice were judged dead. An oxyphthirine®-based compound (Liberalice DUO LP-PRO®) killed 22 - 54% of lice in the first 6 hours.\ud \ud Conclusions:\ud The two-phase dimeticone compound NYDA® sensitiv is highly efficacious. The removal of fragrances as compared to an established dimeticone product did not affect in vitro efficacy

Class IA phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase: from their biologic implication in human cancers to drug discovery.

BACKGROUND: A substantial number of epidemiologic and experimental studies support an important role for Class I phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) in the biology of human cancer. OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the authors' understanding of the role of Class IA PI3K in the biology of human cancers and present discovery efforts to identify and develop inhibitors of this class of lipid kinases. METHODS: Books, journals, databases and websites have been searched to find the latest information on the subject. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the progress made over the past few years, more studies are still needed to better understand the biology of this pathway, its interaction(s) with other signaling cascades, and the role of the individual paralogs and PI3Kalpha mutants in human cancer. From a drug discovery perspective, medicinal chemistry efforts have led to the discovery of new pan-PI3K and isoform selective inhibitors with improved specificity, potency and pharmaceutical properties. Phase I clinical studies have been initiated with some of these PI3K inhibitors and the efficacy and therapeutic index of this new generation of anticancer agents is eagerly awaited