title: Bovine mastitis and ecology of Streptococcus uberis

authors: Pryor, Shona Marie

subjects: Bovine

abstract: Bovine mastitis caused by Streptococcus uberis is a common problem in pasture-based dairying systems. This study examines both the ecology of S. uberis and infection of the bovine mammary gland on a New Zealand dairy farm. Initially, the REP-PCR strain typing method was developed and the potential of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry evaluated as a strain typing method. While strain-specific mass spectra were obtained with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, the irreproducibility of spectra was its major downfall. With further work, this rapid method could be very useful for strain typing S. uberis on a large scale. Using optimised REP-PCR and anchored typing methods, multiple S. uberis strains were isolated and strain typed from the dairy environment, including farm races and paddocks, faeces, teat skin, the cow body and from intramammary infections. High strain diversity was observed in all sampled locations; however, some strains were found at more than one site, suggesting transmission may occur between the environment and cows. The most likely means of S. uberis distribution throughout the dairy farm was via excretion with faeces and, although not all cow faeces contained this pathogen, the gastrointestinal tract of some cows appeared to be colonised by specific strains, resulting in persistent shedding of this bacteria in the faeces.
Infection of the mammary gland is likely to occur through contamination of the teat skin with highly diverse environmental strains of S. uberis. However, only one or two strains are generally found in milk from mastitis cases, suggesting that, although infection may arise from a random or opportunistic event, a strain selection process may take place. Intramammary challenge with multiple strains of S. uberis revealed that selection of a single infective strain can occur within the mammary gland. The predominance of one strain over others may be related to production of virulence factors allowing enhanced ability to establish in the gland and evade the immune response, or due to direct competition between strains through the production of antimicrobial factors such as bacteriocins. In addition to strain-specific factors, the individual cow and quarter response may play an important role in the development of infection and selection of the infective strain.
Using results from this study, a model of S. uberis strain transmission has been proposed, which includes potential mechanisms of infection and persistence of S. uberis within the mammary gland.

text: Bovine mastitis and ecology of Streptococcus uberis Bovine mastitis caused by Streptococcus uberis is a common problem in pasture-based dairying systems. This study examines both the ecology of S. uberis and infection of the bovine mammary gland on a New Zealand dairy farm. Initially, the REP-PCR strain typing method was developed and the potential of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry evaluated as a strain typing method. While strain-specific mass spectra were obtained with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, the irreproducibility of spectra was its major downfall. With further work, this rapid method could be very useful for strain typing S. uberis on a large scale. Using optimised REP-PCR and anchored typing methods, multiple S. uberis strains were isolated and strain typed from the dairy environment, including farm races and paddocks, faeces, teat skin, the cow body and from intramammary infections. High strain diversity was observed in all sampled locations; however, some strains were found at more than one site, suggesting transmission may occur between the environment and cows. The most likely means of S. uberis distribution throughout the dairy farm was via excretion with faeces and, although not all cow faeces contained this pathogen, the gastrointestinal tract of some cows appeared to be colonised by specific strains, resulting in persistent shedding of this bacteria in the faeces.
Infection of the mammary gland is likely to occur through contamination of the teat skin with highly diverse environmental strains of S. uberis. However, only one or two strains are generally found in milk from mastitis cases, suggesting that, although infection may arise from a random or opportunistic event, a strain selection process may take place. Intramammary challenge with multiple strains of S. uberis revealed that selection of a single infective strain can occur within the mammary gland. The predominance of one strain over others may be related to production of virulence factors allowing enhanced ability to establish in the gland and evade the immune response, or due to direct competition between strains through the production of antimicrobial factors such as bacteriocins. In addition to strain-specific factors, the individual cow and quarter response may play an important role in the development of infection and selection of the infective strain.
Using results from this study, a model of S. uberis strain transmission has been proposed, which includes potential mechanisms of infection and persistence of S. uberis within the mammary gland.

year: 2008

title: The Effects of Chronic Cold Water Immersion in Elite Rugby Players

authors: Tavares, Francisco

subjects: Recovery

abstract: Purpose:
While the acute effects of cold water immersion (CWI) have been widely investigated, research analysing the effects of CWI over a chronic period in highly-trained athletes is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CWI during an intense three week pre-season phase in elite rugby athletes.

Methods:
Twenty-three elite male rugby union athletes were randomized to either CWI (10 min at 10 ºC, n = 10) or a passive recovery control (CON, n = 12) during three-weeks of high volume training. Athletes were exposed to either CWI or CON, after each training day (12 days in total). Running loads, conditioning and gym sessions were kept the same between groups. Measures of countermovement jump (CMJ), perceived muscle soreness and wellness were obtained twice a week, and saliva samples for determining cortisol and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were collected once per week.

Results:
Although no significant differences were observed between CWI and CON for any measure, CWI resulted in lower fatigue markers throughout the study, as demonstrated by the moderate effects on muscle soreness (d = 0.58 to 0.91) and IL-6 (d = -0.83), and the small effects (d = 0.23 to 0.38) on CMJ in comparison to CON.

Conclusions:
The results from this study demonstrate that CWI may provide some beneficial effect by reducing fatigue and soreness during an intense three week training phase in elite rugby athletes.

text: The Effects of Chronic Cold Water Immersion in Elite Rugby Players Purpose:
While the acute effects of cold water immersion (CWI) have been widely investigated, research analysing the effects of CWI over a chronic period in highly-trained athletes is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CWI during an intense three week pre-season phase in elite rugby athletes.

Methods:
Twenty-three elite male rugby union athletes were randomized to either CWI (10 min at 10 ºC, n = 10) or a passive recovery control (CON, n = 12) during three-weeks of high volume training. Athletes were exposed to either CWI or CON, after each training day (12 days in total). Running loads, conditioning and gym sessions were kept the same between groups. Measures of countermovement jump (CMJ), perceived muscle soreness and wellness were obtained twice a week, and saliva samples for determining cortisol and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were collected once per week.

Results:
Although no significant differences were observed between CWI and CON for any measure, CWI resulted in lower fatigue markers throughout the study, as demonstrated by the moderate effects on muscle soreness (d = 0.58 to 0.91) and IL-6 (d = -0.83), and the small effects (d = 0.23 to 0.38) on CMJ in comparison to CON.

Conclusions:
The results from this study demonstrate that CWI may provide some beneficial effect by reducing fatigue and soreness during an intense three week training phase in elite rugby athletes.

year: 2018

title: Cultural justice, ethics and teaching

authors: Nairn, Ray

subjects: Maori

abstract: Te Tiriti o Waitangi provides both a basis for cultural justice in this society and an explication of the term; each of the articles identifying a significant aspect of cultural justice. First, there is the guarantee to the Maori signatories that the Crown would protect their independence - tino rangatiratanga, (also read as authority, autonomy or self-determination) [Article II]. In Article III Maori are promised that they will also have the “Rights and Privileges of British subjects”. Finally, in Article I, Maori cede to the Crown the right to govern, to make laws to protect all peoples from the evil consequences of lawlessness. The 1835 Declaration of Independence located legislative authority in the Wakaminenga (the gathered rangatira meeting in Congress); and in 1840, in the context of the Crown promises, Maori authorised the Crown to exercise that authority. For Maori Te Tiriti specifies cultural justice for interactions between Maori and settlers in the new society. Maori are guaranteed the right to self-determination (and the economic and social resources to make that practical) in their relations with New Zealand society. They are also entitled to the same opportunities as other citizens. The latter rights, embodied in local legislation and international covenants to which we are signatory, are not alternatives to the prior right of Maori people to their (cultural) autonomy. The exercise of legislative and organisational authority must be exercised in a manner consistent with the promises which clearly requires consultation and negotiation with Maori.

text: Cultural justice, ethics and teaching Te Tiriti o Waitangi provides both a basis for cultural justice in this society and an explication of the term; each of the articles identifying a significant aspect of cultural justice. First, there is the guarantee to the Maori signatories that the Crown would protect their independence - tino rangatiratanga, (also read as authority, autonomy or self-determination) [Article II]. In Article III Maori are promised that they will also have the “Rights and Privileges of British subjects”. Finally, in Article I, Maori cede to the Crown the right to govern, to make laws to protect all peoples from the evil consequences of lawlessness. The 1835 Declaration of Independence located legislative authority in the Wakaminenga (the gathered rangatira meeting in Congress); and in 1840, in the context of the Crown promises, Maori authorised the Crown to exercise that authority. For Maori Te Tiriti specifies cultural justice for interactions between Maori and settlers in the new society. Maori are guaranteed the right to self-determination (and the economic and social resources to make that practical) in their relations with New Zealand society. They are also entitled to the same opportunities as other citizens. The latter rights, embodied in local legislation and international covenants to which we are signatory, are not alternatives to the prior right of Maori people to their (cultural) autonomy. The exercise of legislative and organisational authority must be exercised in a manner consistent with the promises which clearly requires consultation and negotiation with Maori.

year: 1993