Shining light on nanotechnology to help repair and regeneration

Phototherapy can be used in two completely different but complementary therapeutic applications. While low level laser (or light) therapy (LLLT) uses red or near-infrared light alone to reduce inflammation, pain and stimulate tissue repair and regeneration, photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses the combination of light plus non-toxic dyes (called photosensitizers) to produce reactive oxygen species that can kill infectious microorganisms and cancer cells or destroy unwanted tissue (neo-vascularization in the choroid, atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries). The recent development of nanotechnology applied to medicine (nanomedicine) has opened a new front of advancement in the field of phototherapy and has provided hope for the development of nanoscale drug delivery platforms for effective killing of pathological cells and to promote repair and regeneration. Despite the well-known beneficial effects of phototherapy and nanomaterials in producing the killing of unwanted cells and promoting repair and regeneration, there are few reports that combine all three elements i.e. phototherapy, nanotechnology and, tissue repair and regeneration. However, these areas in all possible binary combinations have been addressed by many workers. The present review aims at highlighting the combined multi-model applications of phototherapy, nanotechnology and, reparative and regeneration medicine and outlines current strategies, future applications and limitations of nanoscale-assisted phototherapy for the management of cancers, microbial infections and other diseases, and to promote tissue repair and regeneration.     

Development of secondary sexual characters in the seabob shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Heller 1862) (Crustacea,Decapoda, Penaeidae): a scanning electron microscope study

The development of secondary sexual characters, the petasma, and thelycum growth were studied in Xiphopenaeus kroyeri. In adult females, the thelycum is a single plate and its anterolateral portion is characterized by a reduced hood. The aperture resembles a transverse ridge. In immature stages, the ridge has a space between the plates, which becomes narrower as it reaches the end of development. The female gonopore is ‘comma’ shaped. In adult males, the endopods of the petasma are linked at the dorsomedial margin by a large quantity of cincinnuli. In juveniles, cincinnuli gradually increase in number until they join both endopods. At the end of development the petasma is T-shaped. The male gonopore is C-shaped. The relative growth of the petasma total length versus juvenile body length showed a highly positive allometry, whereas in adults the growth was isometric. For the relationship carapace length versus thelycum width, the juvenile phase of females is characterized by an isometry and the adult phase by a negative allometry.     

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Accessory Protein 4a Is a Type I Interferon Antagonist

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes severe acute respiratory infection with as yet unclear epidemiology. We previously showed that MERS-CoV counteracts parts of the innate immune response in human bronchiolar cells. Here we analyzed accessory proteins 3, 4a, 4b, and 5 for their abilities to inhibit the type I interferon response. Accessory protein 4a was found to block interferon induction at the level of melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) activation presumably by direct interaction with double-stranded RNA.     

Influence of Toxoplasma gondii Acute Infection on Cholinesterase Activities of Wistar Rats

Several studies have shown the mechanisms and importance of immune responses against Toxoplasma gondii infection and the notable role of cholinesterases in inflammatory reactions. However, the association between those factors has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in blood and lymphocytes and the activity of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in serum of rats experimentally infected with T. gondii during the acute phase of infection. For that, an in vivo study was performed with evaluations of AChE and BChE activities on days 5 and 10 post-infection (PI). The activity of AChE in blood was increased on day 5 PI, while in lymphocytes its activity was enhanced on days 5 and 10 PI (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between groups regarding to the activity of BChE in serum. A positive (P<0.01) correlation was observed between AChE activity and number of lymphocytes. The role of AChE as an inflammatory marker is well known in different pathologies; thus, our results lead to the hypothesis that AChE has an important role in modulation of early immune responses against T. gondii infection.     

High gene flow in two thrips‐pollinated South‐East Asian pioneer trees: genetic diversity and population structure of Macaranga hypoleuca and M. beccariana (Euphorbiaceae)

As a result of intensive exploitation, disturbed forests now dominate large areas of lowland tropical rainforest in South‐East Asia. The genus Macaranga comprises some of the most important pioneer tree species of the region, among them M. beccariana and M. hypoleuca, two closely related obligate ant‐plants pollinated by thrips. We used nuclear and plastid DNA markers to address questions of genetic diversity and population structure. Twelve plastid haplotypes were detected among 281 samples, three of which were shared between the two study species. Hybrids between the two species appear to be rare. Overall, genetic diversity in both species was moderate to high, with low levels of population differentiation, consistent with other tropical pioneer trees. Genetic structure was generally more pronounced in plastid than in nuclear data, indicating that gene flow via pollen may be more efficient than via seeds. Thrips apparently also serve as efficient pollinators over long distances, perhaps through a combination of passive dispersal by wind and active search for inflorescences in the target area. Our results indicate that M. beccariana and M. hypoleuca populations from recently disturbed habitats do not yet suffer from reduced genetic diversity or increased inbreeding. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 173 , 606–621.     

Manipulating national identity: the strategic use of rhetoric by supporters and opponents of the ‘Cronulla riots’ in Australia

This research explores the role of opinion-based groups in understanding responses to racist violence such as the 2005 Cronulla riots in Australia. Traditionally, explanations of collective action in social psychology and sociology focus on conflict between broad social categories. We propose that the responses to the riots can be understood not only as inter-group conflict between Muslims and non-Muslims, or an in-group argument amongst non-Muslims, but as a bona fide inter-group conflict between supporters and opponents of the riots. We argue that these groups use rhetoric in attempts to claim dominant status within society by aligning their identities with positively valued social categories such as ethnicities and national identities. The analysis of rhetoric from the groups supporting and opposing the riots demonstrates consistent, albeit contested, attempts to align support for the riot with the Australian national category in conflict with countervailing attempts to align opposition to the riot with the same national category.