Assessment of the allelopathic potential of Juniperus ashei on germination and growth of Bouteloua curtipendula.

Potential allelopathic compounds of Juniperus ashei Buchh. (Ashe juniper) and their effect on a native grass were determined in laboratory and field studies. Solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry were used to determine if monoterpenes found in the essential oils of J. ashei are released in leaf and litter leachate, as well as volatilized from leaf tissue. Camphor, bornyl acetate, and limonene were found in leaf and fresh litter leachates; however, degraded litter did not contain any of these compounds. Camphor was the most common potentially allelopathic compound found in J. ashei leaf and litter leachate and in volatiles from leaf tissue. The effects of leaf and litter tissue on the germination of Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. (side-oats grama) was tested by using the "sandwich agar method". The highest germination of B. curtipendula (29.6%) occurred in the control, which was significantly higher than fresh litter (13.2%) and degraded litter (16.2%). The lowest germination (6.2%) occurred with J. ashei leaves. In the field experiment, aboveground dry mass of B. curtipendula was evaluated in relation to position within the canopy and intercanopy of J. ashei adult trees when light and water were held constant across locations. Aboveground dry mass of B. curtipendula was significantly greater in the intercanopies of J. ashei (163.7 g m(2)) compared to the dry mass in the understory (44.8 g m(2)) and dripline (44.5 g m(2)), suggesting some negative influence by J. ashei. Chemical analyses indicate that monoterpenes are released through leaching and volatilization from J. ashei, and germination and field studies suggest that these compounds inhibit B. curtipendula.

Necrotizing fasciitis of the parapharyngeal space with carotid artery occlusion and acute hemiplegia.

Necrotizing fasciitis is characterized by necrosis with extension over fascial planes and mixed aerobic-anaerobic etiologies. Necrotizing fasciitis is uncommon in children and seldom involves the head and neck area. An infant who developed necrotizing fasciitis involving the parapharyngeal space is described. Chronic dental pathology was probably the initial focus of infection. The patient had a left hemiparesis due to a right middle cerebral artery infarct. Carotid angiography demonstrated complete occlusion of the right internal carotid artery, probably secondary to inflammatory arteritis or direct compression along its course through the parapharyngeal space. Mixed aerobic-anaerobic etiologies predominate in infections of the potential spaces of the head and neck as was demonstrated in this patient. The patient recovered, but had neurologic sequelae. Prompt and aggressive therapy is necessary in patients with necrotizing fasciitis syndromes in order to avoid such severe complications.

The industry perspective on the inclusion of women in clinical trials.

The author emphasizes that while women are currently included in clinical trials, more effort must be made to include them in ways that will provide more appropriate and specific information (for example, by including them in earlier phases of trials when possible) and to perform proper analyses that take into account factors of gender and age. Although it is generally agreed that there needs to be more emphasis on determining how to study drugs that may be important for use in women, there is no consensus on what the appropriate proportion of women in trials should be or how early young women should and can be included in trials. The strategies to answer the need for more data about women must be supported by a clear scientific rationale rather than fashioned to meet arbitrary quotas. The author outlines the complex drug development process, describes some of the factors that may affect the data acquired as drugs are studied, provides an overview of reproductive and teratology testing, describes the Food and Drug Administration's proposed guidelines for the inclusion of women in clinical trials, discusses issues of the cost of drug development, states the problems of recruitment and retention of women in trials, and reflects upon the complex issues of liability and ethics that arise when women of childbearing potential are included in clinical trials. She concludes with a summary of the key issues affecting women's participation in trials, a list of suggested strategies for the inclusion of women in trials, and an indication of areas where further discussion and resolution are needed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)