title: The ‘grand scheme of things’: biological invasions, their detection, impacts and management

authors: MacNeil, Calum

abstract: Editorial of Management of Biological Invasions: International Journal of Applied Research on Biological Invasions, Volume 5, Issues 3.

text: The ‘grand scheme of things’: biological invasions, their detection, impacts and management Editorial of Management of Biological Invasions: International Journal of Applied Research on Biological Invasions, Volume 5, Issues 3.

year: 2014-09

title: Nematode beta diversity on the continental slope of New Zealand: spatial patterns and environmental drivers

authors: Leduc, Daniel

subjects: Challenger Plateau

abstract: The management of marine biodiversity relies on sound knowledge of beta (or turnover) and gamma (or regional) diversity patterns, but such knowledge is largely lacking for continental slope environments. Here, we used free-living nematodes to investigate spatial and environmental patterns of beta and gamma diversity on 2 major seabed features of the New Zealand continental slope, Chatham Rise and Challenger Plateau. Species gamma diversity on Chatham Rise was about twice that observed on Challenger Plateau, which likely reflected the greater number of sites sampled and greater range of environmental conditions encompassed by our sampling on the former. Mean Bray-Curtis dissimilarity in community structure/composition (i.e. beta diversity) between Chatham Rise and Challenger Plateau, though high (>80%), was only marginally greater than within-region dissimilarity, and the beta diversity patterns we observed were mainly driven by factors acting at smaller (i.e. among-site) spatial scales. Sediment physicochemical characteristics (i.e. microhabitat heterogeneity) were the main environmental driver of nematode species and genus beta diversity, and explained about a fifth of the variability. Spatial structure explained a similar proportion of species beta diversity, which, because our sampling strategy was designed to maximise the range of environments sampled across the study areas, may suggest an influence of environment at scales beyond that of the individual cores. A similarity profile test (SIMPROF) identified 9 sample groups based on species data, suggesting a relatively high level of heterogeneity on the open slope of New Zealand.

text: Nematode beta diversity on the continental slope of New Zealand: spatial patterns and environmental drivers The management of marine biodiversity relies on sound knowledge of beta (or turnover) and gamma (or regional) diversity patterns, but such knowledge is largely lacking for continental slope environments. Here, we used free-living nematodes to investigate spatial and environmental patterns of beta and gamma diversity on 2 major seabed features of the New Zealand continental slope, Chatham Rise and Challenger Plateau. Species gamma diversity on Chatham Rise was about twice that observed on Challenger Plateau, which likely reflected the greater number of sites sampled and greater range of environmental conditions encompassed by our sampling on the former. Mean Bray-Curtis dissimilarity in community structure/composition (i.e. beta diversity) between Chatham Rise and Challenger Plateau, though high (>80%), was only marginally greater than within-region dissimilarity, and the beta diversity patterns we observed were mainly driven by factors acting at smaller (i.e. among-site) spatial scales. Sediment physicochemical characteristics (i.e. microhabitat heterogeneity) were the main environmental driver of nematode species and genus beta diversity, and explained about a fifth of the variability. Spatial structure explained a similar proportion of species beta diversity, which, because our sampling strategy was designed to maximise the range of environments sampled across the study areas, may suggest an influence of environment at scales beyond that of the individual cores. A similarity profile test (SIMPROF) identified 9 sample groups based on species data, suggesting a relatively high level of heterogeneity on the open slope of New Zealand.

year: 2012

title: Exploring inequity in access to medications for Type 2 Diabetes in primary care in the Waikato region: Final report

authors: Lawrenson, Ross

abstract: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing health issue in New Zealand (NZ) that disproportionately affects twice as many Māori as non-Māori and an increasing number of younger people. T2D is associated with a range of microvascular and macrovascular complications, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the latter being the greatest cause of morbidity and mortality in this patient group. However, complications are reduced in patients that have improved glycaemic control. To achieve optimal outcomes and reduce the chance of diabetes-related complications, patients should aim to have their glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) measurement less than 53 mmol/mol if possible.

Diabetes is primarily managed in primary care, and a number of recent publications suggest that there is considerable inequity in the management of diabetes in New Zealand, particularly for Māori. In an earlier piece of work we have shown that Maori are significantly less likely than non-Maori to be prescribed metformin, but that once prescribed it they are equally likely to have the medication dispensed. This suggests that there may be issues that can be addressed within primary care that are influencing the use of diabetes medications.
Thus, the aim of this small piece of work was to characterise diabetes medication use in a Waikato primary care population, and to report on medication adherence and association with HbA1c levels.

text: Exploring inequity in access to medications for Type 2 Diabetes in primary care in the Waikato region: Final report Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing health issue in New Zealand (NZ) that disproportionately affects twice as many Māori as non-Māori and an increasing number of younger people. T2D is associated with a range of microvascular and macrovascular complications, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the latter being the greatest cause of morbidity and mortality in this patient group. However, complications are reduced in patients that have improved glycaemic control. To achieve optimal outcomes and reduce the chance of diabetes-related complications, patients should aim to have their glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) measurement less than 53 mmol/mol if possible.

Diabetes is primarily managed in primary care, and a number of recent publications suggest that there is considerable inequity in the management of diabetes in New Zealand, particularly for Māori. In an earlier piece of work we have shown that Maori are significantly less likely than non-Maori to be prescribed metformin, but that once prescribed it they are equally likely to have the medication dispensed. This suggests that there may be issues that can be addressed within primary care that are influencing the use of diabetes medications.
Thus, the aim of this small piece of work was to characterise diabetes medication use in a Waikato primary care population, and to report on medication adherence and association with HbA1c levels.

year: 2021-08-17