title: The Assessment of Vitamin D, Antimicrobial Peptides and Procalcitonin in Bronchiectasis

authors: Gartner, Sarah Nicole

subjects: vitamin D

abstract: My research investigated the distribution of antimicrobial peptides (cathelicidin and β-defensin 2), vitamin D and the inflammatory marker procalcitonin, between systemic and localised respiratory levels in stable bronchiectasis patients. Bronchiectasis is a localised chronic lung disease that is characterised by acute reoccurring lower tract respiratory infections. Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patient serum and sputum samples were collected as part of an ongoing clinical trial. This trial is investigating the usefulness of Tiotropium for the treatment of bronchiectasis. 

Antimicrobial peptides are a fundamental component of the innate immune system. The innate immune system is vital in providing the first line of defence against pathogens. At epithelia sites this is more so, as cells are often in direct contact with the environment. Both cathelicidin and β-defensin 2 expression has been found to be upregulated by the active vitamin D metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. This research also aimed to determine if vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in bronchiectasis, and how these levels correspond with cathelicidin and hBD-2. Lastly, whether procalcitonin, a known inflammatory marker of bacterial infections is a suitable biomarker for bronchiectasis. Other inflammatory markers have been shown to be consistently elevated in stable bronchiectasis patients. 

The use of commercial ELISA kits demonstrated the notion of systemic levels not being representative of localised levels. Both of the antimicrobial peptides, cathelicidin and β-defensin 2, show elevated sputum levels consistent with bronchiectasis being a localised condition. Contrastingly, vitamin D metabolites are found to be lower in the airways. This is predicted to be due to the majority of vitamin D metabolites being protein bound in circulation, thereby affecting their tissue distribution. Stable bronchiectasis patients do not have persistently elevated serum procalcitonin levels but procalcitonin levels are significantly higher in the sputum.  

Our findings report that suboptimal vitamin D levels, but not vitamin D deficiency, were prevalent in stable bronchiectasis patients. No correlations were found between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and antimicrobial peptide concentrations, consistent with other studies findings. However, localised levels of the active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, were correlated with localised cathelicidin (CAMP) levels but not β-defensin 2. 

Future work should focus on the hormonal form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, if an in vivo association with antimicrobial peptides is to be found. A number of factors can influence vitamin D bioavailability, including, known single nucleotide polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor and vitamin D binding protein.

text: The Assessment of Vitamin D, Antimicrobial Peptides and Procalcitonin in Bronchiectasis My research investigated the distribution of antimicrobial peptides (cathelicidin and β-defensin 2), vitamin D and the inflammatory marker procalcitonin, between systemic and localised respiratory levels in stable bronchiectasis patients. Bronchiectasis is a localised chronic lung disease that is characterised by acute reoccurring lower tract respiratory infections. Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patient serum and sputum samples were collected as part of an ongoing clinical trial. This trial is investigating the usefulness of Tiotropium for the treatment of bronchiectasis. 

Antimicrobial peptides are a fundamental component of the innate immune system. The innate immune system is vital in providing the first line of defence against pathogens. At epithelia sites this is more so, as cells are often in direct contact with the environment. Both cathelicidin and β-defensin 2 expression has been found to be upregulated by the active vitamin D metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. This research also aimed to determine if vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in bronchiectasis, and how these levels correspond with cathelicidin and hBD-2. Lastly, whether procalcitonin, a known inflammatory marker of bacterial infections is a suitable biomarker for bronchiectasis. Other inflammatory markers have been shown to be consistently elevated in stable bronchiectasis patients. 

The use of commercial ELISA kits demonstrated the notion of systemic levels not being representative of localised levels. Both of the antimicrobial peptides, cathelicidin and β-defensin 2, show elevated sputum levels consistent with bronchiectasis being a localised condition. Contrastingly, vitamin D metabolites are found to be lower in the airways. This is predicted to be due to the majority of vitamin D metabolites being protein bound in circulation, thereby affecting their tissue distribution. Stable bronchiectasis patients do not have persistently elevated serum procalcitonin levels but procalcitonin levels are significantly higher in the sputum.  

Our findings report that suboptimal vitamin D levels, but not vitamin D deficiency, were prevalent in stable bronchiectasis patients. No correlations were found between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and antimicrobial peptide concentrations, consistent with other studies findings. However, localised levels of the active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, were correlated with localised cathelicidin (CAMP) levels but not β-defensin 2. 

Future work should focus on the hormonal form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, if an in vivo association with antimicrobial peptides is to be found. A number of factors can influence vitamin D bioavailability, including, known single nucleotide polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor and vitamin D binding protein.

year: 2014

title: Assessment of trophic state change and lake health in selected lakes of the Auckland region based on zooplankton assemblages: 2012-2019

authors: Duggan, Ian C.

abstract: This report provides an assessment of eight natural lakes in the Auckland region, from zooplankton samples collected between 2012 and late 2019 at a frequency of six to eight samples per year. From these samples, the lakes have been assessed to establish their trophic state, the proportion of nonnative zooplankton species, and the proportion of crustacean zooplankton relative to rotifers. 

Inferred trophic states of the lakes based on zooplankton composition has been generally ranked in a similar manner over time; of the lakes sampled over the entire period, Lake Tomarata typically had the best inferred water quality (generally as mesotrophic, though late in the study it sat near the eutrophic boundary). The median Trophic Level Index (TLI) based on zooplankton for this lake was 3.5 between 2015 and 2019. Lake Whatihua, only sampled from late-2017, was also assessed to contain species typical of mesotrophic conditions (median TLI = 3.4). For the remaining lakes, median TLI values based on zooplankton composition between 2015 and 2019 were; Rototoa 3.5 (mesotrophic), Wainamu 4.0, Pupuke 4.3 (both eutrophic) and Kuwakatai 5.2 (supertrophic; sampling ceased in August 2017). Lakes Kereta and Spectacle were not assessed during the 2015- 2019 time period. 

Lake Pupuke rapidly declined in water quality in 2019, to have hypertrophic assessments at the end of the study; this is consistent with reported high chlorophyll a concentrations at this time. Lake Tomarata was assessed to have declining water quality based on zooplankton composition, in common with traditional TLI assessments. However, this lake was assessed to have higher water quality overall, and to diverge in assessments by 1.2 TLI units; this may in part be due to elevated TN concentrations in this lake, not reflected in concentrations of TP or chlorophyll a, which may unduly affect traditional TLI assessments for this lake. The other long-term lakes, Waimanu, Pupuke and Rototoa, all has assessments within 0.5 TLI units when comparing the traditional and rotifer inferred TLI systems. 

The proportion of non-native species and the proportion of crustacean zooplankton relative to rotifers both showed promise as monitoring tools for the Auckland lakes. Two non-native species were recorded in the lakes, with various levels of dominance. Daphnia galeata was recorded in all of the monitored lakes, while Skistopiaptomus pallidus was recorded in Lake Kereta only. For the proportions of non-native species, Lake Tomarata was least affected, with samples comprising 4.9% non-native species on average. Data from 2012 and 2013 indicated that the overall relative abundances of the calanoid copepod Skistodiaptomus pallidus in Lake Kereta were far lower than they were in the year’s immediately following invasion in late 2008. No new non-native species were recognised in the monitored lakes during this survey, although an unusual occurrence of the copepod Boeckella propinqua was recorded in Lake Whatihua; this species has otherwise been found from natural lakes only in the central North Island, although has been recorded previously in Auckland dams. 

On average, larger crustaceans dominated over the smaller rotifers in all of the Auckland lakes monitored. Lake Rototoa was the least crustacean dominated (53%), followed by lakes Tomarata (58%), Kereta (68%), Spectacle (78%), Whatihua (79%), Wainamu (81%), Pupuke (88%), and Kuwakatai (95%) was the most crustacean dominated. Lake Wainamu appears to have reduced proportions of crustaceans between 2018 and 2019 relative to the 2012 to 2017 period, which may indicate this lake is undergoing a change in its trophic ecology; control of pest fish ceased in this lake in 2015, including of European perch (Perca fluviatilis), which may be reducing the importance of larger, more visible crustaceans.

text: Assessment of trophic state change and lake health in selected lakes of the Auckland region based on zooplankton assemblages: 2012-2019 This report provides an assessment of eight natural lakes in the Auckland region, from zooplankton samples collected between 2012 and late 2019 at a frequency of six to eight samples per year. From these samples, the lakes have been assessed to establish their trophic state, the proportion of nonnative zooplankton species, and the proportion of crustacean zooplankton relative to rotifers. 

Inferred trophic states of the lakes based on zooplankton composition has been generally ranked in a similar manner over time; of the lakes sampled over the entire period, Lake Tomarata typically had the best inferred water quality (generally as mesotrophic, though late in the study it sat near the eutrophic boundary). The median Trophic Level Index (TLI) based on zooplankton for this lake was 3.5 between 2015 and 2019. Lake Whatihua, only sampled from late-2017, was also assessed to contain species typical of mesotrophic conditions (median TLI = 3.4). For the remaining lakes, median TLI values based on zooplankton composition between 2015 and 2019 were; Rototoa 3.5 (mesotrophic), Wainamu 4.0, Pupuke 4.3 (both eutrophic) and Kuwakatai 5.2 (supertrophic; sampling ceased in August 2017). Lakes Kereta and Spectacle were not assessed during the 2015- 2019 time period. 

Lake Pupuke rapidly declined in water quality in 2019, to have hypertrophic assessments at the end of the study; this is consistent with reported high chlorophyll a concentrations at this time. Lake Tomarata was assessed to have declining water quality based on zooplankton composition, in common with traditional TLI assessments. However, this lake was assessed to have higher water quality overall, and to diverge in assessments by 1.2 TLI units; this may in part be due to elevated TN concentrations in this lake, not reflected in concentrations of TP or chlorophyll a, which may unduly affect traditional TLI assessments for this lake. The other long-term lakes, Waimanu, Pupuke and Rototoa, all has assessments within 0.5 TLI units when comparing the traditional and rotifer inferred TLI systems. 

The proportion of non-native species and the proportion of crustacean zooplankton relative to rotifers both showed promise as monitoring tools for the Auckland lakes. Two non-native species were recorded in the lakes, with various levels of dominance. Daphnia galeata was recorded in all of the monitored lakes, while Skistopiaptomus pallidus was recorded in Lake Kereta only. For the proportions of non-native species, Lake Tomarata was least affected, with samples comprising 4.9% non-native species on average. Data from 2012 and 2013 indicated that the overall relative abundances of the calanoid copepod Skistodiaptomus pallidus in Lake Kereta were far lower than they were in the year’s immediately following invasion in late 2008. No new non-native species were recognised in the monitored lakes during this survey, although an unusual occurrence of the copepod Boeckella propinqua was recorded in Lake Whatihua; this species has otherwise been found from natural lakes only in the central North Island, although has been recorded previously in Auckland dams. 

On average, larger crustaceans dominated over the smaller rotifers in all of the Auckland lakes monitored. Lake Rototoa was the least crustacean dominated (53%), followed by lakes Tomarata (58%), Kereta (68%), Spectacle (78%), Whatihua (79%), Wainamu (81%), Pupuke (88%), and Kuwakatai (95%) was the most crustacean dominated. Lake Wainamu appears to have reduced proportions of crustaceans between 2018 and 2019 relative to the 2012 to 2017 period, which may indicate this lake is undergoing a change in its trophic ecology; control of pest fish ceased in this lake in 2015, including of European perch (Perca fluviatilis), which may be reducing the importance of larger, more visible crustaceans.

year: 2021

title: Systemic racism and oppression in psychology: Voices from psychologists, academic staff, and students

authors: Waitoki, Waikaremoana

subjects: psychology

abstract: Psychology must reassess its training approach, as the current monocultural paradigm not only causes harm, but also fails to equip psychologists with the knowledge needed to provide culturally appropriate care for Māori, Pacific, Asian, and other minoritised groups. Findings from this report contribute to the growing evidence of the urgent need to address barriers preventing Māori, Pacific, Asian, and other minoritised groups from participating effectively in professional psychology programmes. This 
report calls for action for everyone in psychology to embrace the changes needed to improve the cultural safety of the discipline and hold ourselves accountable for supporting the development of Te Tiriti-aligned psychology.

text: Systemic racism and oppression in psychology: Voices from psychologists, academic staff, and students Psychology must reassess its training approach, as the current monocultural paradigm not only causes harm, but also fails to equip psychologists with the knowledge needed to provide culturally appropriate care for Māori, Pacific, Asian, and other minoritised groups. Findings from this report contribute to the growing evidence of the urgent need to address barriers preventing Māori, Pacific, Asian, and other minoritised groups from participating effectively in professional psychology programmes. This 
report calls for action for everyone in psychology to embrace the changes needed to improve the cultural safety of the discipline and hold ourselves accountable for supporting the development of Te Tiriti-aligned psychology.

year: 2024