Recurrent Temporary Paralysis Reported After Human Rabies Post‐Exposure Prophylaxis

Adverse events can occur after rabies post‐exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and linkage to causality is often difficult to determine. We report a case of recurrent temporary paralysis that began immediately after the initiation of rabies PEP in a man exposed to a bat. The recurrent temporary paralysis first occurred in the patient after his initial dose and then again after day 3 of his rabies PEP. The PEP was terminated prior to a serologic response. The patient continued to experience numerous discrete episodes of temporary paralysis for over two years.     

Latex proteins from the plant Calotropis procera are partially digested upon in vitro enzymatic action and are not immunologically detected in fecal material

Soluble proteins from the latex of Calotropis procera (LP) were investigated in vitro and in vivo for digestibility as the latex has previously been shown to produce considerable toxic effects on animals. The latex is also an important biologically active compound that displays antiinflammatory and antidiarrhea properties. The proteins were digested by the action of trypsin, pepsin or chemotrypsin as revealed by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE analysis. Furthermore, the full LP digestion was easily achieved by protease treatment. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against LP failed to detect cross-reactive molecules in fecal material of experimental rats following 35 consecutive days of LP consumption in water. Similar patterns of electrophoresis were observed for the negligible amounts of protein observed in the fecal extracts of control and test animals. No death or toxic effects were observed among animals. Taken together these results suggest that harmful and toxic effects on animals of the latex from C. procera are present in its rubber and low molecular weight fractions rather than its protein content.     

Sensitivity of fungi isolated from onychomycosis to Eugenia cariophyllata essential oil and eugenol

The antifungal activity of Eugenia cariophyllata essential oil and eugenol, its major constituent, on fungal strains isolated from onychomycosis was evaluated. The natural products presented prominent antifungal action with MIC of 1% and 4%, respectively.     

Kinetics and mechanism of acetic acid pulping of detannined Pinus pinaster bark

Summary The observed kinetics of Pinus pinaster bark with acetic acid after alkali treatment, with or without intervening acid prehydrolysis, are satisfactorily explained by a model involving both solubilization and condensation reactions.This study was subsidised by the Xunta de Galicia. J. González is grateful to DGICYT for a research grant     

Pine growth response to management of the subterranean clover understory

Management of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) understory grown with loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) resulted in differences in both clover yield and pine diameter. Loblolly and slash pines were planted into a subterranean clover pasture in 1984. Suppression of warm season herbaceous vegetation by applying herbicides or disking the site in late summer resulted in significantly greater subterranean clover production than on the control site where no additional understory management was applied. Pine species had no effects on clover yield. The N content of the pine foliage on the blocks managed with herbicide application or disking generally was significantly greater than the control from the 5th through 7th growing seasons (1988–1990). The dbh of the pine trees in the disked and herbicide treatments was greater than the control after the 7th growing season (1990).     

In vitro testing for the resistance of conifers to the fungus Phaeolus schweinitzii (Fr.) Pat. on callus cultures

Defence reactions to the fungus Phaeolus schweinitzii were studied in spruce, pine, larch and Douglas-fir callus cultures. It was found that the defence reaction of the callus culture could indicate the degree of the resistance of the tree species to the wood-destroying fungus.     

Lignin distribution across tracheid cell walls of poorly lignified wood from deformed copper deficient Pinus radiata (D. Don)

Summary Lignin topochemistry of tracheid walls from a deformed, copper deficient Pinus radiata (D. Don) tree was examined by linescan and point analyses using a Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive Spectrometry. Both opposite and compression wood had abnormal lignin distributions compared to those observed in normal wood from a straight tree. Lignin contents in the compound middle lamella were lower than lignin contents in the secondary wall in both opposite and compression wood tracheids.One of us (G. D.) held a Commonwealth Forestry Postgraduate Research Award during this study. The research was supported in part by a grant from the Reserve Bank of Australia Rural Credits Development Fund, the Pine Fund, and members of the forest industry