Effectiveness and tolerability of a squalane and dimethicone-based treatment for head lice

Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are worldwide obligate human ectoparasites, with high implications in pediatrics. In Europe, first-line topical neurotoxic insecticidal therapeutic strategies are being replaced by topical physically acting agents as the first-choice treatment. Safety of the active ingredients and high efficacy in a one-time single-dose treatment with a brief treatment application time are key issues for consumer use and effective compliance. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro efficacy of a newly developed squalane and dimethicone-based pediculicidal formula, against motile head lice and eggs after 2 and 5 min immersion in the product, as well as its skin tolerance and acceptability under dermatological and pediatric expert control in children with atopic skin. The results indicate that at both time points, 100% mortality rate of head lice crawling stages and latest age eggs was achieved. The formula was well tolerated and suitable for children with atopic skin from 12 months of age. Showing high in vitro efficacy and good skin acceptability, this solution is presented as a new safe alternative therapy for treatment of head lice infestations.This work was funded by Ferrer International S.A., the company that developed the human head louse treatment discussed in this paper. This solution is marketed as “OTC ANTIPIOJOS FORMULA TOTAL” by Ferrer International S.A. in Spain

Free Form of the Foldy-Wouthuysen Transformation in External Electromagnetic Fields

We derive the exact Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation for Dirac fermions in a time independent external electromagnetic field in the basis of the Ritus eigenfunctions, namely the eigenfunctions of the operator $(\gamma \cdot \Pi)^2$, with $\Pi^\mu = p^\mu - e A^\mu$. In this basis, the transformation acquires a free form involving the dynamical quantum numbers induced by the field.Comment: 8 pages. Accepted in J. Phys. A: Math. and Theo. (Fast Track Communication

In vitro susceptibility test of Cladosporium cladosporioides isolates from Argentinian tomato crops against commercial fungicides

Tomato cultivation is an important agricultural activity in northeast of Argentina, and disease control is indispensable for its production. The purpose of the current study was to identify two fungi isolated from tomato plants cultivated in greenhouses, with symptoms of leaf mould disease and a strain of the genus Cladosporium from a culture collection, and evaluate their in vitro susceptibility to four commercial fungicides. Macro and microscopic examination, molecular characterisation and sequence analysis were applied for identification. Broth dilution and spread plate methods were used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicide concentration (MFC). The active ingredients of the products were azoxystrobin+difenoconazole, trifloxystrobin+tebuconazole, chlorothalonil and metalaxyl-M+mancozeb. The results were processed using the Kruskal-Wallis method. The isolates were identified as Cladosporium cladosporioidesa-c; consequently, lesions found on tomato plants did not corrspond to Cladosporium fulvum. There was a significant statistical difference between the obtained values. Qualitatively, the three strains had a similar behaviour for chlorothalonil (MIC values: 0.25 - 0.5 μg/ml, MFC values: 4 μg/ml). In all cases, tests with metalaxyl-M+mancozeb yielded higher values than those achieved for chlorothalonil (MIC values: 8 μg/ml, MFC values: 8- 32 μg/ml). trobilurin-formulated fungicides were less effective against C. cladosporioidesa-b (MIC values: 16-256 μg/ml, MFC values: >64 μg/ml). C. cladosporioidesc was the most sensitive isolate. The information about the presence of a non-frequent fungus and its fungicide susceptibility, would be useful for establishing control strategies and enhance production

Una nueva estrategia para la enseñanza de cursos avanzados de física experimental: modelo rotativo

A novel strategy for teaching advanced experimental Physics is presented. The strategy is based on a “rotating” model that take advantage of the different facilities, the equipment, as well as the human resources available for teaching the courses. The model strengthens the collaboration between teachers and researches, and also allows a bigger number of students attending in each group of the courses. Because of its structure, the model is transferable to other experimental disciplines and even, to other educational level. It has been implemented since two years ago in the School of Sciences of the National Autonomous University of Mexico for the 4th year courses of “Laboratory of Contemporary Physics I” and “Laboratory of Contemporary Physics II” of the Physics undergraduate program. The model is presented, as well as the results obtained since its implementation.Se presenta una estrategia colaborativa para la enseñanza de cursos avanzados de física experimental a través de la implementación de un modelo de carácter “rotativo” que fortalece la enseñanza de este tipo de cursos. El modelo se basa en el aprovechamiento de la infraestructura existente en los diferentes centros e institutos de investigación involucrados con la licenciatura de Física. Entre otras ventajas, el modelo permite el incremento del número de estudiantes que pueden atender a estos cursos, además de incentivar y consolidar la colaboración entre académicos e investigadores docentes participantes. Por su estructura, resulta transferible a otras disciplinas de carácter experimental e incluso, a otros niveles educativos. Se presentan los avances y resultados obtenidos durante dos años de implementación de esta estrategia de enseñanza en las asignaturas de “Laboratorio de Física Contemporánea I” y “Laboratorio de Física Contemporánea II” del octavo y noveno semestre, respectivamente, del plan de estudios de la Licenciatura en Física de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Formação das bibliotecas: uma abordagem desde a perspectiva do colecionismo

The present article aims to contribute with studies of collectionism and collectors, enphazising speacially the relations with books. The study is the result of two interviews, which were specially designed to better understand the particularities of the book collectors and their relationship with time and space. The results can support the idea that the relation with books, as collectable objects, are different from any other object.O presente trabalho pretende contribuir para os estudos que aprofundem o universo do colecionismo e dos colecionadores, dando especial ênfase às relações com os livros. Assim, foram realizadas duas entrevistas com a finalidade de descobrir as peculiaridades do colecionismo, focando a atenção nas relações do indivíduo com o tempo e o espaço . Os resultados foram bastante esclarecedores no sentido de poder afirmar que as relações com os livros, do ponto de vista do colecionismo, possuem características diferentes das de qualquer outro objeto

Concussion associated with head trauma in athletes

Recently, there has been increased attention to concussions that occur during sports activities, both at school level or amateur and professional level. Concussion is defined as a sudden and transient alteration of consciousness induced by traumatic biomechanical forces transmitted directly or indirectly to the brain. Such injuries most commonly occur in contact sports such as boxing, football, soccer, wrestling, hockey, among others. Concussion should be suspected in any athlete who suffers a head injury, whether or not it is associated to loss of consciousness. These athletes should not return to their sports activities immediately, and a few days of mental and physical leave are recommended in order to ensure full recovery. Repeat head injuries should be avoided, since there is evidence that in some athletes they can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The present review focuses on the different definitions of concussion, management and long-term consequences. It also contains the Spanish version of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 2 (SCAT2)