Acne and sun exposure: epidemiology, feelings and behaviours in Mediterranean countries

Background. Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease with a great impact on quality of life.Differences in latitude and sun exposure can totally change the characteristics of the disease. No universally accepted epidemiologic data are currently available. Objective. The aim of this study is to collect epidemiological data about acne, its severi- ty and its management during the summer months in different ethnic groups of the Mediterranean area. Methods. We analysed 355 acne patients (198 Italian, 85 Egyptian and 72 Croatian), between the ages of 12 and 40, and interviewed 80 dermatologists (40 Italian, 20 Egyptian, 20 Croatian) about their habitual therapeutic protocols. A group of expert der- matologists developed a questionnaire for acne patients to gather epidemiologic data and to assess their attitude towards therapy during summertime. Another questionnaire was created for dermatologists, to evaluate their approach to acne management and treat- ment during the summer. Results and discussion. Our results show that summer is an important period for the man- agement of acne in these three countries: a lot of differences in behaviour among patients were registered. Egyptian patients tend to continue therapy during the summer compared to Italian and Croatian patients

Using Silica Nanoparticles and Neemoil Extract as New Approaches to Control Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Tomato under Field Conditions

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of silica nanoparticles and neem oil extract at different concentrations compared with recommended chemical insecticide (imidacloprid) against T. absoluta under field conditions. Study Design: Seven treatments plus control in randomized complete block design (RCB) at four replicates. Place and Duration of Study: This experiment was carried out at El-Ryiad region, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate under field conditions during two tomato growing seasons; 2012 and 2013. Methodology: About 0.14 hectar (1400 m2) was transplanted with Star variety seedlings as one of the most common variety cultivated at Kafr El-Sheikh region. Recommended agricultural practices were adopted normally. The nano silica size was 20 nm with a purity of 99.99% at three concentrations and neem oil at three concentrations also compared with chemical insecticide with recommended dose. To calculate the percentage of T. absoluta reduction, Henderson Tilton's formula was used. Also, the number and the weight of tomato fruits at harvest from 20 plants (5 plants/replicate) were recorded and estimating the Vitamin C (mg/100 g of sample) and Total Soluble Solids percentage (TSS %) as a quality parameters. Results: Using silica nanoparticles reduced significantly the numbers of T. absoluta larvae followed by neem oil extract compared with check (without any treatments). There were not significant differences between using silica nanoparticles and imidacloprid (p>0.05) in control T. absoluta. There were not significant differences when analyzing the content of tomato fruits resulting from the different treatments compared to the check, however, must be taken into account the residual impact of the chemical pesticide. The results also showed a significant increase in the weight and size of tomato fruits as a result of the silica nanoparticles treatment. Conclusion: Silica nanoparticles was effective in control T. absoluta under field condition with high yield in tomato. Also, we need more study to showed the side effects on natural enemies during using silica nanoparticles

Using Silica Nanoparticles and Neemoil Extract as New Approaches to Control Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Tomato under Field Conditions

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of silica nanoparticles and neem oil extract at different concentrations compared with recommended chemical insecticide (imidacloprid) against T. absoluta under field conditions. Study Design: Seven treatments plus control in randomized complete block design (RCB) at four replicates. Place and Duration of Study: This experiment was carried out at El-Ryiad region, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate under field conditions during two tomato growing seasons; 2012 and 2013. Methodology: About 0.14 hectar (1400 m2) was transplanted with Star variety seedlings as one of the most common variety cultivated at Kafr El-Sheikh region. Recommended agricultural practices were adopted normally. The nano silica size was 20 nm with a purity of 99.99% at three concentrations and neem oil at three concentrations also compared with chemical insecticide with recommended dose. To calculate the percentage of T. absoluta reduction, Henderson Tilton's formula was used. Also, the number and the weight of tomato fruits at harvest from 20 plants (5 plants/replicate) were recorded and estimating the Vitamin C (mg/100 g of sample) and Total Soluble Solids percentage (TSS %) as a quality parameters. Results: Using silica nanoparticles reduced significantly the numbers of T. absoluta larvae followed by neem oil extract compared with check (without any treatments). There were not significant differences between using silica nanoparticles and imidacloprid (p>0.05) in control T. absoluta. There were not significant differences when analyzing the content of tomato fruits resulting from the different treatments compared to the check, however, must be taken into account the residual impact of the chemical pesticide. The results also showed a significant increase in the weight and size of tomato fruits as a result of the silica nanoparticles treatment. Conclusion: Silica nanoparticles was effective in control T. absoluta under field condition with high yield in tomato. Also, we need more study to showed the side effects on natural enemies during using silica nanoparticles

دراسة تآكل النحاس بالقياسات الطيفية

Spectrophotometric measurements were used to study corrosion of copper in aqueous solutions containing the four following depolarizers: K2Cr2O-j, K2S2O8, Fe(NH4)(SC>4)2 and CCI3COOH. A silica cell was used for the corrosion studies as well as spectrophotometric measurements. It was found that the reaction of copper with these compounds is first order and diffusionally-controlled except in the case of CCI3COOH which proved to be kinetically controlled. The spectrophotometric method was utilized to study the effect of some amino acids and some amines on the corrosion rate of copper in the solutions of depolarizers. It was found that both amino acids and amines act as inhibitors. The inhibition coefficient of amines increased with the number of amino groups in the compound. Potentiodynamic polarization technique was used to clarify the role of depolarizers in the kinetics of the corrosion process. It appears that the main role of these compounds is to depolarize the cathodic first order overall reaction. The spectrophotometric method proved to be precise, effective and fast to study corrosion processes, in particular those with coloured metal cations.استخدمت القياسات الطيفية في دراسة تأكل النحاس في المحاليل المائية المحتوية على أربع من منقصات الاستقطاب هي ثاني كرومات البوتاسيوم ، وفوق كبريتات البوتاسيوم ، وكبريتات الحديديك والأمنيوم ، وثلاثي كلورو حمض الخليك . وقد استخدمت خلية من السيليكا لدراسة التأكل وفي نفس الوقت كخلية طيفية ، وقد تبين أن تفاعل النحاس مع هذه المركبات من الرتبة الأولى ذو تحكم انتشاري فيما عكدا ثلاثي كلورو حمض الخليك فله تحكم كيناتيكي . وقد استخدمت طريقة القياسات الطيفية لدراسة تأثير بعض الأحماض الأمينية وبعض الأمينات على معدلات تأكل النحاس في محاليل منقصات الاستقطاب . ‏وقد أتضح من هذه الدراسة أن كلا من الأحماض الأمينية والأمينات تسلك كمثبطات وتم حساب معامل التثبيط لها جميعا ، ووجد أنه يعتمد على عدد مجموعات الأمين في المركب . فكلما ازداد عدد هذه المجموعات كلما كان المركب عاملا مثبطا أقوى . ‏وتم استخدام منحنيات الاستقطاب من النوع حركي الجهد لتوضيح دور منقصات الاستقطاب في كيناتيكا التأكل ، وأتضح أن الدور الرئيسي الذي تلعبه هذه المركبات هو إنقاص استقطاب الكاثود بتفاعل شامل من الرتبة الأولى . ‏وفي الخلاصة يمكن القول أن القياسات الطيفية تزودنا بطريقة دقيقة وفعالة وسريعة لدراسة عمليات التأكل وبالذات في الفلزات التي لها كانيونات ملونة

Acne and sun exposure : epidemiology, feelings and behaviours in Mediterranean countries

Background. Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease with a great impact on quality of life. Differences in latitude and sun exposure can totally change the characteristics of the disease. No universally accepted epidemiologic data are currently available. Objective. The aim of this study is to collect epidemiological data about acne, its severity and its management during the summer months in different ethnic groups of the Mediterranean area. Methods. We analysed 355 acne patients (198 Italian, 85 Egyptian and 72 Croatian), between the ages of 12 and 40, and interviewed 80 dermatologists (40 Italian, 20 Egyptian, 20 Croatian) about their habitual therapeutic protocols. A group of expert dermatologists developed a questionnaire for acne patients to gather epidemiologic data and to assess their attitude towards therapy during summertime. Another questionnaire was created for dermatologists, to evaluate their approach to acne management and treatment during the summer. Results and discussion. Our results show that summer is an important period for the management of acne in these three countries: a lot of differences in behaviour among patients were registered. Egyptian patients tend to continue therapy during the summer compared to Italian and Croatian patients