title: The feasibility of using otolith microchemistry to trace movements of rainbow trout and common smelt in lakes Rotoiti and Rotorua

authors: Riceman, Matthew Sean

subjects: otolith microchemistry

abstract: Otolith microchemistry can be used to determine the natal origins of fish.  Our feasibility study using single water samples has determined that the water chemistry around Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti, have different elemental compositions warranting further investigation.  We have shown that juvenile trout populations from spawning tributaries around lakes Rotorua and Rotoitit, Rotoua lakes district, New Zealand, could be grouped by using the ¹³⁷Ba:⁴³Ca isotopic ratio obtained from otolith laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analysis. The ⁸⁸Sr:⁴³Ca isotopic ration further distinguished between different sample locations when combined with the the ¹³⁷Ba:⁴³Ca isotopic ratio. Laser ablation analysis across common smelt otoliths provided information related to the movements between different chemical habitats across the fishes life and some distinct resident and migratory pattern are presented although further investigation into migration is required. 
Our preliminary results indicate that we will be able to distinguish natal steam for juvenile rainbow trout and probably lake of origin for common smelt.

text: The feasibility of using otolith microchemistry to trace movements of rainbow trout and common smelt in lakes Rotoiti and Rotorua Otolith microchemistry can be used to determine the natal origins of fish.  Our feasibility study using single water samples has determined that the water chemistry around Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti, have different elemental compositions warranting further investigation.  We have shown that juvenile trout populations from spawning tributaries around lakes Rotorua and Rotoitit, Rotoua lakes district, New Zealand, could be grouped by using the ¹³⁷Ba:⁴³Ca isotopic ratio obtained from otolith laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analysis. The ⁸⁸Sr:⁴³Ca isotopic ration further distinguished between different sample locations when combined with the the ¹³⁷Ba:⁴³Ca isotopic ratio. Laser ablation analysis across common smelt otoliths provided information related to the movements between different chemical habitats across the fishes life and some distinct resident and migratory pattern are presented although further investigation into migration is required. 
Our preliminary results indicate that we will be able to distinguish natal steam for juvenile rainbow trout and probably lake of origin for common smelt.

year: 2007-05

title: The effects of post-operative antibiotics in endoscopic sinus surgery

authors: Challis, Jacinda

subjects: Chronic rhinosinusitis

abstract: Previous research into post-operative antibiotic usage for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients generated contradictory results. Some studies found that post-operative antibiotics did not improve the short-term clinical outcomes (Jiang et al., 2008; Lehmann et al., 2020; Liang et al., 2011) while some did (Albu & Lucaciu, 2010). Those studies had also focused primarily on the clinical outcomes of the surgery, overlooking the potential impact of prophylactic antibiotics on the sinonasal microbiome. Using cultivation-independent methods, this study aimed to examine the impact of post-operative antibiotics on the sinonasal microbiome alongside short-term clinical outcomes of CRS patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Twelve patients undergoing ESS to treat their CRS were enrolled in this study and randomly distributed into two groups: an antibiotic treatment group and a placebo treatment group. The antibiotic treatment group received doxycycline for 28 days after surgery. Clinical information, including computed tomography scan, symptom questionnaires, and nasal endoscopy, were collected for each patient before and after ESS. Swab and tissue samples were collected and underwent DNA extraction, PCR amplification of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, and amplicon sequencing analysis to longitudinally characterise each patient’s sinonasal microbiome. There were no differences in symptom scores or endoscopic/radiological scores between treatment groups before or after the surgery, and there was no significant difference in the microbiome between the treatment groups after surgery. Our preliminary study showed that post-operative antibiotics did not improve short-term clinical outcomes for CRS patients undergoing ESS, and there was no significant difference in the microbiome between treatments, either. However, our preliminary findings reflect only short-term effects, and many of our analyses were statistically underpowered due to the modest sample size. A larger study is needed to explore specific patterns observed in our data with greater confidence.

text: The effects of post-operative antibiotics in endoscopic sinus surgery Previous research into post-operative antibiotic usage for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients generated contradictory results. Some studies found that post-operative antibiotics did not improve the short-term clinical outcomes (Jiang et al., 2008; Lehmann et al., 2020; Liang et al., 2011) while some did (Albu & Lucaciu, 2010). Those studies had also focused primarily on the clinical outcomes of the surgery, overlooking the potential impact of prophylactic antibiotics on the sinonasal microbiome. Using cultivation-independent methods, this study aimed to examine the impact of post-operative antibiotics on the sinonasal microbiome alongside short-term clinical outcomes of CRS patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Twelve patients undergoing ESS to treat their CRS were enrolled in this study and randomly distributed into two groups: an antibiotic treatment group and a placebo treatment group. The antibiotic treatment group received doxycycline for 28 days after surgery. Clinical information, including computed tomography scan, symptom questionnaires, and nasal endoscopy, were collected for each patient before and after ESS. Swab and tissue samples were collected and underwent DNA extraction, PCR amplification of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, and amplicon sequencing analysis to longitudinally characterise each patient’s sinonasal microbiome. There were no differences in symptom scores or endoscopic/radiological scores between treatment groups before or after the surgery, and there was no significant difference in the microbiome between the treatment groups after surgery. Our preliminary study showed that post-operative antibiotics did not improve short-term clinical outcomes for CRS patients undergoing ESS, and there was no significant difference in the microbiome between treatments, either. However, our preliminary findings reflect only short-term effects, and many of our analyses were statistically underpowered due to the modest sample size. A larger study is needed to explore specific patterns observed in our data with greater confidence.

year: 2021

title: Kuta (Eleocharis sphacelata, Cyperaceae), a locally important and highly valued weaving plant

authors: Wehi, Priscilla M.

subjects: Northland (N.Z.)

abstract: This article introduces and discusses kuta (Eleocharis sphacelata, Cyperaceae), a tall spikerush found on the margins of shallow lakes in New Zealand, which, although often overlooked, is considered in Northland to be a valuable weaving resource.

text: Kuta (Eleocharis sphacelata, Cyperaceae), a locally important and highly valued weaving plant This article introduces and discusses kuta (Eleocharis sphacelata, Cyperaceae), a tall spikerush found on the margins of shallow lakes in New Zealand, which, although often overlooked, is considered in Northland to be a valuable weaving resource.

year: 2006