title: Phylogeny and expression analysis of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid-P (SAP) like genes reveal two distinct groups in fish

authors: Lee, P.T.

subjects: acute phase protein

abstract: The acute phase response (APR) is an early innate immune function that is initiated by inflammatory signals, leading to the release of acute phase proteins to the bloodstream to re-establish homeostasis following microbial infection. In this study we analysed the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) whole-genome database and identified five C-reactive protein (CRP)/serum amyloid P component (SAP) like molecules namely CRP/SAP-1a, CRP/SAP-1b, CRP/SAP-1c, CRP/SAP-2 and CRP/SAP-3. These CRP/SAP genes formed two distinct sub-families, a universal group (group I) present in all vertebrates and a fish/amphibian specific group (group II). Salmon CRP/SAP-1a, CRP/SAP-1b and CRP/SAP-1c and CRP/SAP-2 belong to the group I family whilst salmon CRP/SAP-3 is a member of group II. Gene expression analysis showed that the salmon CRP/SAP-1a as well as serum amyloid A-5 (SAA-5), one of the major acute phase proteins, were significantly up-regulated by recombinant cytokines (rIL-1β and rIFNγ) in primary head kidney cells whilst the other four CRP/SAPs remained refractory. Furthermore, SAA-5 was produced as the main acute phase protein (APP) in Atlantic salmon challenged with Aeromonas salmonicida (aroA(-) strain) whilst salmon CRP/SAPs remained unaltered. Overall, these data illustrate the potential different functions of expanded salmon CRP/SAPs to their mammalian homologues.

text: Phylogeny and expression analysis of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid-P (SAP) like genes reveal two distinct groups in fish The acute phase response (APR) is an early innate immune function that is initiated by inflammatory signals, leading to the release of acute phase proteins to the bloodstream to re-establish homeostasis following microbial infection. In this study we analysed the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) whole-genome database and identified five C-reactive protein (CRP)/serum amyloid P component (SAP) like molecules namely CRP/SAP-1a, CRP/SAP-1b, CRP/SAP-1c, CRP/SAP-2 and CRP/SAP-3. These CRP/SAP genes formed two distinct sub-families, a universal group (group I) present in all vertebrates and a fish/amphibian specific group (group II). Salmon CRP/SAP-1a, CRP/SAP-1b and CRP/SAP-1c and CRP/SAP-2 belong to the group I family whilst salmon CRP/SAP-3 is a member of group II. Gene expression analysis showed that the salmon CRP/SAP-1a as well as serum amyloid A-5 (SAA-5), one of the major acute phase proteins, were significantly up-regulated by recombinant cytokines (rIL-1β and rIFNγ) in primary head kidney cells whilst the other four CRP/SAPs remained refractory. Furthermore, SAA-5 was produced as the main acute phase protein (APP) in Atlantic salmon challenged with Aeromonas salmonicida (aroA(-) strain) whilst salmon CRP/SAPs remained unaltered. Overall, these data illustrate the potential different functions of expanded salmon CRP/SAPs to their mammalian homologues.

year: 2017

title: Factors that sustain curriculum leaders in the profession: Perspectives of secondary school agricultural and horticultural science teachers in New Zealand

authors: Low, Coadette Sandra

subjects: Agricultural and Horticultural Science

abstract: With the primary industries being of national significance to the New Zealand economy, it is experienced and passionate Agricultural and Horticultural Science teachers who are needed to engage, motivate, and inspire the next generation coming through. These teachers lead learning in and out of the classroom but are also actively involved in various leadership roles that have an impact on the subject. They are curriculum leaders. It is important to understand what factors motivate and sustain their professional work, and remain in the profession. 

Through the positive lens of appreciative inquiry, a mixed-method approach was used with this research. Data collection was broken down into two phases. Phase One, an online questionnaire, which allowed for insight to be gathered from a wide range of respondents and Phase Two, semi-structured interviews which allowed for a deeper understanding through individual narratives. 

The findings from this research highlighted that the main factors that sustain these curriculum leaders is the relational aspect with the students - being part of their successes, journey and inspiring them, but also the absolute relevance of the subject content. When starting out teaching the subject, a good support network, particularly a mentor, is critical for success. Continued support is crucial for ensuring that these curriculum leaders are supported throughout their journey, regardless of their career stage, and the support received will influence motivation, engagement, and job satisfaction. No career comes without challenges and constraints with the main ones being identified as the imbalanced ratio between workload and hours in the day, and curriculum perception from the senior leadership team and colleagues.

The senior leadership team has a large influence on school culture and job satisfaction and therefore retention rate. Those leaders who embrace transformational and relational leadership attributes develop trust relationships, support their staff, and allow teachers to have agency and autonomy to lead the curriculum within the subject. Strategies to address motivation and engagement in teachers are transferable, and therefore could be implemented across all curriculum areas.

text: Factors that sustain curriculum leaders in the profession: Perspectives of secondary school agricultural and horticultural science teachers in New Zealand With the primary industries being of national significance to the New Zealand economy, it is experienced and passionate Agricultural and Horticultural Science teachers who are needed to engage, motivate, and inspire the next generation coming through. These teachers lead learning in and out of the classroom but are also actively involved in various leadership roles that have an impact on the subject. They are curriculum leaders. It is important to understand what factors motivate and sustain their professional work, and remain in the profession. 

Through the positive lens of appreciative inquiry, a mixed-method approach was used with this research. Data collection was broken down into two phases. Phase One, an online questionnaire, which allowed for insight to be gathered from a wide range of respondents and Phase Two, semi-structured interviews which allowed for a deeper understanding through individual narratives. 

The findings from this research highlighted that the main factors that sustain these curriculum leaders is the relational aspect with the students - being part of their successes, journey and inspiring them, but also the absolute relevance of the subject content. When starting out teaching the subject, a good support network, particularly a mentor, is critical for success. Continued support is crucial for ensuring that these curriculum leaders are supported throughout their journey, regardless of their career stage, and the support received will influence motivation, engagement, and job satisfaction. No career comes without challenges and constraints with the main ones being identified as the imbalanced ratio between workload and hours in the day, and curriculum perception from the senior leadership team and colleagues.

The senior leadership team has a large influence on school culture and job satisfaction and therefore retention rate. Those leaders who embrace transformational and relational leadership attributes develop trust relationships, support their staff, and allow teachers to have agency and autonomy to lead the curriculum within the subject. Strategies to address motivation and engagement in teachers are transferable, and therefore could be implemented across all curriculum areas.

year: 2023

title: Mokena Hou and his wife Rina

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: Mokena Hou had a distinguished whakapapa, but as nephew to Hou was subordinate to the latter’s son, Karauna Hou. He was born near the Te Aroha hot pools, and his future wife, Rina, who also had illustrious ancestors, including some Ngati Haua, was born in the same area. Both were affiliated to several hapu. After the Hauraki tribes fled from Ngapuhi in 1821, he would be present at the battle of Taumatawiwi in 1830 (though he did not fight) and participated in a later siege of the Ngati Haua pa at Matamata. During the 1830s and later, he mostly cultivated land and dug gum in the lower Waihou region and as well as cultivating at Te Aroha. 
 After living at Kaitawa before the Thames goldfield opened, nearby, in 1867, he moved to Te Aroha, where he would live continuously, warding off the ambitions of Ngati Haua. When the land court investigated the ownership of blocks of land in Hauraki, he sought to obtain as many interests as possible, not always successfully, and tried to get more than his fair share of both land and revenue. 
A devoted Anglican, he assisted the early missionaries to the Waihou region. Wanting peaceful relations with Pakeha, he assisted both the surveying and the settlement of the Aroha Block. When gold was discovered at Te Aroha in 1880, he assisted the prospectors, opened his land for mining and for a township, and invested in some claims, expecting and obtaining a good financial reward. He may have assisted in making the hot pools a public reserve, and certainly gave sections of land within the settlement for public and religious purposes. When he and his wife died a month apart, they were fondly remembered.

text: Mokena Hou and his wife Rina Mokena Hou had a distinguished whakapapa, but as nephew to Hou was subordinate to the latter’s son, Karauna Hou. He was born near the Te Aroha hot pools, and his future wife, Rina, who also had illustrious ancestors, including some Ngati Haua, was born in the same area. Both were affiliated to several hapu. After the Hauraki tribes fled from Ngapuhi in 1821, he would be present at the battle of Taumatawiwi in 1830 (though he did not fight) and participated in a later siege of the Ngati Haua pa at Matamata. During the 1830s and later, he mostly cultivated land and dug gum in the lower Waihou region and as well as cultivating at Te Aroha. 
 After living at Kaitawa before the Thames goldfield opened, nearby, in 1867, he moved to Te Aroha, where he would live continuously, warding off the ambitions of Ngati Haua. When the land court investigated the ownership of blocks of land in Hauraki, he sought to obtain as many interests as possible, not always successfully, and tried to get more than his fair share of both land and revenue. 
A devoted Anglican, he assisted the early missionaries to the Waihou region. Wanting peaceful relations with Pakeha, he assisted both the surveying and the settlement of the Aroha Block. When gold was discovered at Te Aroha in 1880, he assisted the prospectors, opened his land for mining and for a township, and invested in some claims, expecting and obtaining a good financial reward. He may have assisted in making the hot pools a public reserve, and certainly gave sections of land within the settlement for public and religious purposes. When he and his wife died a month apart, they were fondly remembered.

year: 2016