Identification of Equid herpesvirus 2 in tissue-engineered equine tendon

Background: Incidental findings of virus-like particles were identified following electron microscopy of tissue-engineered tendon constructs (TETC) derived from equine tenocytes. We set out to determine the nature of these particles, as there are few studies which identify virus in tendons per se, and their presence could have implications for tissue-engineering using allogenic grafts. Methods: Virus particles were identified in electron microscopy of TETCs. Virion morphology was used to initially hypothesise the virus identity.  Next generation sequencing was implemented to identify the virus. A pan herpesvirus PCR was used to validate the RNASeq findings using an independent platform. Histological analysis and biochemical analysis was undertaken on the TETCs. Results: Morphological features suggested the virus to be either a retrovirus or herpesvirus. Subsequent next generation sequencing mapped reads to Equid herpesvirus 2 (EHV2). Histological examination and biochemical testing for collagen content revealed no significant differences between virally affected TETCs and non-affected TETCs. An independent set of equine superficial digital flexor tendon tissue (n=10) examined using designed primers for specific EHV2 contigs identified at sequencing were negative. These data suggest that EHV is resident in some equine tendon. Conclusions: EHV2 was demonstrated in equine tenocytes for the first time; likely from in vivo infection. The presence of EHV2 could have implications to both tissue-engineering and tendinopathy

Whole organisms or pure compounds? entourage effect versus drug specificity

As the therapeutic use of sacred plants and fungi becomes increasingly accepted by Western medicine, a tug of war has been taking place between those who advocate the traditional consumption of whole organisms and those who defend exclusively the utilization of purified compounds. The attempt to reduce organisms to single active principles is challenged by the sheer complexity of traditional medicine. Ayahuasca, for example, is a concoction of at least two plant species containing multiple psychoactive substances with complex interactions. Similarly, cannabis contains dozens of psychoactive substances whose specific combinations in different strains correspond to different types of therapeutic and cognitive effects. The “entourage effect” refers to the synergistic effects of the multiple compounds present in whole organisms, which may potentiate clinical efficacy while attenuating side effects. In opposition to this view, mainstream pharmacology is adamant about the need to use purified substances, presumably more specific and safe. In this chapter, I will review the evidence on both sides to discuss the scientific, economic, and political implications of this controversy. The evidence indicates that it is time to embrace the therapeutic complexity of psychedelics.2019-07-3

Forest edges revisited: species composition, edge-related species, taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity

Although edges are usually considered key areas for biodiversity, previous studies have focused on anthropogenic edges, usually studied edges in relation to forest interiors (disregarding the adjacent non-woody vegetation), and used simple taxonomic indices (without considering functional or phylogenetic aspects). We studied the species composition as well as taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of north- and south-facing edges and the two adjacent habitats (forest and grassland) in near-natural forest–grassland mosaics in the Kiskunság Sand Ridge (Hungary) and the Deliblato Sands (Serbia). We found that the species composition of edges was significantly different from that of forests and grasslands, and included species that were rare or absent in habitat interiors. This indicates that the contact of adjacent forest and grassland habitats results in the emergence of a new habitat that deserves scientific attention in its own right. In the Kiskunság, species richness and Shannon diversity were generally higher at edges than in forests or grasslands. In the Deliblato, edges were taxonomically not more diverse than grasslands. Thus, increased taxonomic diversity at edges should not be considered a general phenomenon. In the Kiskunság, forests and edges had higher functional diversity than grasslands, while there were no significant differences among the habitats in the Deliblato. It seems that functional diversity is strongly influenced by canopy openness and the traits of the dominant species. The phylogenetic diversity of woody habitats was higher than that of grasslands both in the Kiskunság and the Deliblato, which probably reflects the different evolutionary age of the habitats