title: Honey as an antiviral agent against respiratory syncytial virus

authors: Zareie, Parvaneh Palma

subjects: respiratory syncytial virus

abstract: Respiratory syncytial virus is the most frequent cause of hospitalization for viral respiratory infections in infants and young children worldwide. It also severely affects immunocompromised adults and the elderly, however, despite decades of efforts, there is no proven effective treatment for RSV infection and attempts at vaccine development have been hampered by several major obstacles. A large amount of research has established the potent antibacterial activity of honey, but its activity against viral species has been the subject of only a small number of studies. These were with viruses which cause localised infections in which honey could be used topically. Recent studies demonstrating the safety of intrapulmonary administration of honey in sheep and humans raised the possibility of using honey to treat respiratory infections. The aim of this study, therefore, was to extend the knowledge obtained from previous studies of honey’s antiviral activity to its action against RSV. A variety of tests using cell culture were developed to evaluate the susceptibility of RSV to honey. Each test monitored and scored the development of morphological changes to the cells caused by RSV infection to determine whether the honey had any inhibitory effect on these changes. These included tests for: inhibition, where honey was used to treat infected cells; protection, in which the cells were treated with honey prior to infection; neutralisation, in which the virus was directly exposed to the honey for a defined period before being used to inoculate the cells. Pre-treatment of the cells had no effect on the consequent development of cytopathic effect, while the inhibition and neutralisation experiments showed a significant inhibitory effect on the progression of infection, suggesting a direct effect on the virus rather than on the cells, however, further studies are required to confirm this. A wide range of honey types were tested for their inhibitory and neutralising capabilities against RSV and the results suggested that the antiviral activity may be characteristic of more than one type of honey. The activity observed did vary, however, with some types of honey causing greater inhibition of RSV than others. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were also used to quantitatively measure the number of viral antigens in honey-treated and untreated cells. The results confirmed that treatment with honey had caused inhibition of viral replication, there being very little virus detected in honey-treated cells compared with untreated cells infected with RSV. Experiments using quantitative PCR also demonstrated the inhibitory effect of honey on RSV at the transcription level, with significant differences in the mRNA copy numbers of two out of the three viral genes examined. Attempts at isolating the antiviral component in honey demonstrated that the sugar was not responsible for the inhibition of RSV, but that methylglyoxal may play a part in the greater potency of Manuka honeys against RSV. It is concluded from the findings in this study that honey may possibly be an effective antiviral treatment for the therapy of respiratory viral infections, and provides justification for future in vitro studies and clinical trials.

text: Honey as an antiviral agent against respiratory syncytial virus Respiratory syncytial virus is the most frequent cause of hospitalization for viral respiratory infections in infants and young children worldwide. It also severely affects immunocompromised adults and the elderly, however, despite decades of efforts, there is no proven effective treatment for RSV infection and attempts at vaccine development have been hampered by several major obstacles. A large amount of research has established the potent antibacterial activity of honey, but its activity against viral species has been the subject of only a small number of studies. These were with viruses which cause localised infections in which honey could be used topically. Recent studies demonstrating the safety of intrapulmonary administration of honey in sheep and humans raised the possibility of using honey to treat respiratory infections. The aim of this study, therefore, was to extend the knowledge obtained from previous studies of honey’s antiviral activity to its action against RSV. A variety of tests using cell culture were developed to evaluate the susceptibility of RSV to honey. Each test monitored and scored the development of morphological changes to the cells caused by RSV infection to determine whether the honey had any inhibitory effect on these changes. These included tests for: inhibition, where honey was used to treat infected cells; protection, in which the cells were treated with honey prior to infection; neutralisation, in which the virus was directly exposed to the honey for a defined period before being used to inoculate the cells. Pre-treatment of the cells had no effect on the consequent development of cytopathic effect, while the inhibition and neutralisation experiments showed a significant inhibitory effect on the progression of infection, suggesting a direct effect on the virus rather than on the cells, however, further studies are required to confirm this. A wide range of honey types were tested for their inhibitory and neutralising capabilities against RSV and the results suggested that the antiviral activity may be characteristic of more than one type of honey. The activity observed did vary, however, with some types of honey causing greater inhibition of RSV than others. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were also used to quantitatively measure the number of viral antigens in honey-treated and untreated cells. The results confirmed that treatment with honey had caused inhibition of viral replication, there being very little virus detected in honey-treated cells compared with untreated cells infected with RSV. Experiments using quantitative PCR also demonstrated the inhibitory effect of honey on RSV at the transcription level, with significant differences in the mRNA copy numbers of two out of the three viral genes examined. Attempts at isolating the antiviral component in honey demonstrated that the sugar was not responsible for the inhibition of RSV, but that methylglyoxal may play a part in the greater potency of Manuka honeys against RSV. It is concluded from the findings in this study that honey may possibly be an effective antiviral treatment for the therapy of respiratory viral infections, and provides justification for future in vitro studies and clinical trials.

year: 2011

title: Changing perceptions about feminists and (still not) claiming a feminist identity

authors: Dyer, Suzette L.

subjects: Social Sciences

abstract: We examine student perceptions about feminists and feminism, and the willingness to claim a feminist identity and engage in collective activism, as stated at the beginning and end of a Women’s Studies course. Course participation simultaneously fostered more positive views towards feminists and feminism and entrenched the unwillingness to claim a feminist identity and engage in activism. These contradictory outcomes stemmed from the critical capacity to recognise that structural inequality is reproduced through disciplinary relationships. Thus, unwillingness was entangled with feelings of fear and vulnerability in relation to the national context whereby neoliberalism guides the governance of the self, and where gender equality has presumed to be achieved. The article highlights that developing the willingness to identify and act is intimately shaped and constrained by the socio-political context and personal relationships. We consider the implications of this insight in relation to pedagogical assumptions about developing feminist knowledge in the classroom.

text: Changing perceptions about feminists and (still not) claiming a feminist identity We examine student perceptions about feminists and feminism, and the willingness to claim a feminist identity and engage in collective activism, as stated at the beginning and end of a Women’s Studies course. Course participation simultaneously fostered more positive views towards feminists and feminism and entrenched the unwillingness to claim a feminist identity and engage in activism. These contradictory outcomes stemmed from the critical capacity to recognise that structural inequality is reproduced through disciplinary relationships. Thus, unwillingness was entangled with feelings of fear and vulnerability in relation to the national context whereby neoliberalism guides the governance of the self, and where gender equality has presumed to be achieved. The article highlights that developing the willingness to identify and act is intimately shaped and constrained by the socio-political context and personal relationships. We consider the implications of this insight in relation to pedagogical assumptions about developing feminist knowledge in the classroom.

year: 2018

title: Tarāwhai Tāngata Rau

authors: Hiini, Anaha Te Wheoro

subjects: Tarāwhai

abstract: Ngāti Tarāwhai are a unique tribal group from the Te Arawa confederation of tribes.  Located around their traditional stronghold of Lake Okataina, Tarāwhai have endured throughout history to become a proud and noble clan, maintaining their culture and distinctive tribal practises.  Part of their survival throughout time has been their ability to rely on particular traits and attributes that have been portrayed and maintained by members of Tarāwhai across the generations.  These special characteristics have not only supported the development of Tarāwhai, but have also helped the evolution of Tarāwhai’s identity.

This thesis is concerned with four aspects that have been identified as common traits throughout Ngāti Tarāwhai history.  In particular, this study will look at the roles of leaders, tohunga, warriors and carving experts and explore how these qualities have featured significantly within Tarāwhai’s history for many generations.  Furthermore, this thesis will discuss how these aspects have influenced the development of the tribe from early time through to the present day.

It is the proposition of this thesis that the above mentioned attributes have shaped the people of Tarāwhai into the tribal group that they are today.  In addition, while Māori society has changed dramatically in the last 100 years, Tarāwhai continue to display these characteristics in a modern world, and they are still central to the reaffirmation of Tarāwhai identity and the overall wellbeing of the people.  Finally this thesis believes that these attributes must be maintained and perpetuated for Tarāwhi to have a secure place in the future.

text: Tarāwhai Tāngata Rau Ngāti Tarāwhai are a unique tribal group from the Te Arawa confederation of tribes.  Located around their traditional stronghold of Lake Okataina, Tarāwhai have endured throughout history to become a proud and noble clan, maintaining their culture and distinctive tribal practises.  Part of their survival throughout time has been their ability to rely on particular traits and attributes that have been portrayed and maintained by members of Tarāwhai across the generations.  These special characteristics have not only supported the development of Tarāwhai, but have also helped the evolution of Tarāwhai’s identity.

This thesis is concerned with four aspects that have been identified as common traits throughout Ngāti Tarāwhai history.  In particular, this study will look at the roles of leaders, tohunga, warriors and carving experts and explore how these qualities have featured significantly within Tarāwhai’s history for many generations.  Furthermore, this thesis will discuss how these aspects have influenced the development of the tribe from early time through to the present day.

It is the proposition of this thesis that the above mentioned attributes have shaped the people of Tarāwhai into the tribal group that they are today.  In addition, while Māori society has changed dramatically in the last 100 years, Tarāwhai continue to display these characteristics in a modern world, and they are still central to the reaffirmation of Tarāwhai identity and the overall wellbeing of the people.  Finally this thesis believes that these attributes must be maintained and perpetuated for Tarāwhi to have a secure place in the future.

year: 2013