title: Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in New Zealand horses

authors: Patty, Olivia Anne

subjects: Streptococcus zooepidemicus

abstract: Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) is an opportunistic commensal bacterium of the horse mucosa causing disease in susceptible populations.  This research sets out to enhance the understanding of S. zooepidemicus infections within the New Zealand horse population through strain-associated genomic and phenotypic characteristics.  Retrospectively, S. zooepidemicus is the second most frequently isolated bacterium in New Zealand horses, being mainly associated with respiratory and urogenital tract infections.  However, it also has the ability to colonise and or infect a diverse range of other anatomical regions of New Zealand horses.  S. zooepidemicus isolates were shown to be genetically diverse via strain typing using either the single polymorphic gene, szp or standard multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Both typing schemes were shown to lack the discriminatory power needed to completely separate the isolates which was resolved by employing core genome MLST.  Importantly, none of these typing methods could link a particular strain to disease status or anatomical region.  However, when disease occurred the number of colonising strains tended to reduce to just the infective strain, indicating bacterial competition and strain fitness advantages.  Factors available to S. zooepidemicus to colonise and persist in the horse include biofilm formation and cellular invasion with the majority of strains tested in vitro, able to form biofilms and all tested strains capable of invasion.  
Bioinformatic analysis showed that the pangenome of S. zooepidemicus is open, which demonstrates the ability of species to accessorise its genome enabling the species to diversify and exploit different hosts and environment.  An average of 45 new genes are discovered with the addition of each new genome.  Unfortunately, no single feature of the accessory genome analysed was able to differentiate the New Zealand horse S. zooepidemicus strains as commensals or pathogens or differentiate strains from respiratory disease or uterine infection.  As a result, this study defines S. zooepidemicus as an opportunistic pathogen that can reside in the healthy equine population and infect susceptible hosts and are not anatomically, geographically or host bound.

text: Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in New Zealand horses Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) is an opportunistic commensal bacterium of the horse mucosa causing disease in susceptible populations.  This research sets out to enhance the understanding of S. zooepidemicus infections within the New Zealand horse population through strain-associated genomic and phenotypic characteristics.  Retrospectively, S. zooepidemicus is the second most frequently isolated bacterium in New Zealand horses, being mainly associated with respiratory and urogenital tract infections.  However, it also has the ability to colonise and or infect a diverse range of other anatomical regions of New Zealand horses.  S. zooepidemicus isolates were shown to be genetically diverse via strain typing using either the single polymorphic gene, szp or standard multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Both typing schemes were shown to lack the discriminatory power needed to completely separate the isolates which was resolved by employing core genome MLST.  Importantly, none of these typing methods could link a particular strain to disease status or anatomical region.  However, when disease occurred the number of colonising strains tended to reduce to just the infective strain, indicating bacterial competition and strain fitness advantages.  Factors available to S. zooepidemicus to colonise and persist in the horse include biofilm formation and cellular invasion with the majority of strains tested in vitro, able to form biofilms and all tested strains capable of invasion.  
Bioinformatic analysis showed that the pangenome of S. zooepidemicus is open, which demonstrates the ability of species to accessorise its genome enabling the species to diversify and exploit different hosts and environment.  An average of 45 new genes are discovered with the addition of each new genome.  Unfortunately, no single feature of the accessory genome analysed was able to differentiate the New Zealand horse S. zooepidemicus strains as commensals or pathogens or differentiate strains from respiratory disease or uterine infection.  As a result, this study defines S. zooepidemicus as an opportunistic pathogen that can reside in the healthy equine population and infect susceptible hosts and are not anatomically, geographically or host bound.

year: 2020

title: Liber Amicorum John Steele: A musicological tribute by Drake, Warren (Ed.)[Book Review]

authors: Lodge, Martin

abstract: This article reviews the book, Liber Amicorum John Steele: A musicological tribute by Drake, Warren (Ed.)

text: Liber Amicorum John Steele: A musicological tribute by Drake, Warren (Ed.)[Book Review] This article reviews the book, Liber Amicorum John Steele: A musicological tribute by Drake, Warren (Ed.)

year: 1998

title: The TOHU framework: Sensing and interpreting tohu to heal from trauma

authors: McLachlan, A

subjects: Environment

abstract: This hypotheses article presents understandings and practices of tohu (signs) in the personal, eco-environmental, and spiritual wellbeing of Māori. Tohu can be observed in the natural, social, physical, or spiritual environment, and within a Māori worldview provide important ways of understanding and responding to phenomena. Wānanga (shared dialogue and debate) were held with seven Māori clinical psychologists from He Paiaka Tōtara (Māori Psychologist Network) and two mātauranga Māori specialists to explore their experiences, knowledge, and perspectives about tohu, with their insights collected through online information sharing. Our wānanga goals were to inform the creation of a therapeutic framework to address patu ngākau, psychological and spiritual trauma experienced by Māori. The results identified that tohu are located within the person and their environment, and the importance of exploring how tohu are interpreted. We propose a TOHU acronym as a framework for understanding and addressing the multifaceted impacts of patu ngākau.

text: The TOHU framework: Sensing and interpreting tohu to heal from trauma This hypotheses article presents understandings and practices of tohu (signs) in the personal, eco-environmental, and spiritual wellbeing of Māori. Tohu can be observed in the natural, social, physical, or spiritual environment, and within a Māori worldview provide important ways of understanding and responding to phenomena. Wānanga (shared dialogue and debate) were held with seven Māori clinical psychologists from He Paiaka Tōtara (Māori Psychologist Network) and two mātauranga Māori specialists to explore their experiences, knowledge, and perspectives about tohu, with their insights collected through online information sharing. Our wānanga goals were to inform the creation of a therapeutic framework to address patu ngākau, psychological and spiritual trauma experienced by Māori. The results identified that tohu are located within the person and their environment, and the importance of exploring how tohu are interpreted. We propose a TOHU acronym as a framework for understanding and addressing the multifaceted impacts of patu ngākau.

year: 2024