A morphometric approach supporting genetic results in the taxonomy of the New Zealand limpets of the Cellana strigilis complex (Mollusca : Patellogastropoda : Nacellidae)

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Céline M. O. Reisser ◽  
Bruce A. Marshall ◽  
Jonathan P. A. Gardner
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Red Sea ◽  
Morphometric Analysis ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Group A ◽  
Eastern Species ◽  
Genetic Results

The New Zealand Cellana strigilis complex has been traditionally divided into six subspecies. Recent molecular investigations, however, revealed that the complex comprises two clades. In this paper, an additional morphometric analysis on 160 shells from the two clades confirms the need for taxonomic reconsideration of the C. strigilis complex. Here, two species are recognised in the Cellana strigilis group, a western species, C. strigilis (Hombron & Jacquinot, 1841), from South, Stewart, Snares, Auckland and Campbell islands, with Patella redimiculum Reeve, 1854 and C. strigilis flemingi Powell, 1955 as synonyms; and an eastern species, C. oliveri Powell, 1955, from Chatham, Bounty Islands and Antipodes Islands, with C. strigilis bollonsi Powell, 1955 and C. chathamensis of authors (not Pilsbry, 1891) as synonyms. Acmaea chathamensis Pilsbry, 1891 is based on mislocalised foreign shells, probably C. rota (Gmelin, 1791) from the Red Sea. A neotype is designated for P. strigilis Hombron & Jacquinot, 1841, lectotypes are designated for P. redimiculum Reeve, 1854 and A. chathamensis Pilsbry, 1891, and a type locality is selected for P. redimiculum.

The utility of rapid Group A streptococcus molecular testing compared with throat culture for the diagnosis of Group A streptococcal pharyngitis in a high-incidence rheumatic fever population.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Taylor ◽  
Susan Morpeth ◽  
Rachel Webb ◽  
Susan Taylor
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Rheumatic Fever ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Molecular Test ◽  
Throat Culture ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Group A ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Culture Negative

Background: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes significant morbidity and mortality in New Zealand and is responsible for invasive disease and immune sequelae including acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF). Early treatment of GAS pharyngitis reduces the risk of ARF. In settings with a high-burden of GAS disease, a rapid GAS pharyngitis diagnostic test with a strong negative predictive value is needed to enable prompt and accurate treatment. Methods: This prospective study compares the Xpert® Xpress Strep A molecular test (Cepheid) to throat culture and a second molecular method, the BioGX Group A Streptococcus -OSR for BD MAX TM for the diagnosis of GAS pharyngitis. Throat swabs were collected from the emergency department and wards of Middlemore Hospital, New Zealand. The BioGX Group A Streptococcus - OSR for BD MAX TM , contributes to the composite gold-standard: throat culture or both molecular methods positive. Basic demographic, clinical and laboratory data was collected. Results: 205/214 swabs were suitable for analysis. 28/205 (13.7%) were GAS culture positive, 45/205 (22%) Xpert® Xpress Strep A positive and 38/205 (18.5%) BioGX positive. Compared to culture, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the Xpert® Xpress Strep A molecular test were 100%, 90.4%, 62.2% and 100%, respectively. Compared to the composite gold-standard, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV and were 100%, 95.8%, 84.4% and 100% respectively. 17 samples were Xpert® Xpress positive but culture-negative; 6 of these 17 swabs represent true positives with evidence of recent GAS infection. Ten samples were culture negative but both Xpert® Xpress and BioGX positive. Conclusion: The Xpert® Xpress Strep A molecular test is highly sensitive with a strong negative predictive value and rapid turnaround time. It can be safely introduced as a first line test for throat swabs in a high-incidence ARF population.

scholarly journals A Comparative Study of Bioartificial Bone Tissue Poly-L-lactic Acid/Polycaprolactone and PLLA Scaffolds Applied in Bone Regeneration

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weizong Weng ◽  
Shaojun Song ◽  
Liehu Cao ◽  
Xiao Chen ◽  
Yuanqi Cai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Bone Regeneration ◽  
Bone Tissue ◽  
Bone Defect ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Group A ◽  
Repair Bone Defect ◽  
Group B ◽  
New Zealand Rabbits

Bioartificial bone tissue engineering is an increasingly popular technique to repair bone defect caused by injury or disease. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of PLLA/PCL (poly-L-lactic acid/polycaprolactone) by a comparison study of PLLA/PCL and PLLA scaffolds applied in bone regeneration. Thirty healthy mature New Zealand rabbits on which 15 mm distal ulna defect model had been established were selected and then were divided into three groups randomly: group A (repaired with PLLA scaffold), group B (repaired with PLLA/PCL scaffold), and group C (no scaffold) to evaluate the bone-remodeling ability of the implants. Micro-CT examination revealed the prime bone regeneration ability of group B in three groups. Bone mineral density of surgical site in group B was higher than group A but lower than group C. Meanwhile, the bone regeneration in both groups A and B proceeded with signs of inflammation for the initial fast degradation of scaffolds. As a whole, PLLA/PCL scaffoldsin vivoinitially degrade fast and were better suited to repair bone defect than PLLA in New Zealand rabbits. Furthermore, for the low mineral density of new bone and rapid degradation of the scaffolds, more researches were necessary to optimize the composite for bone regeneration.

scholarly journals A new species of Anomaloglossus (Anura: Aromobatidae) of the stepheni group with the redescription of A. baeobatrachus (Boistel and de Massary, 1999), and an amended definition of A. leopardus Ouboter and Jairam, 2012

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4576 (3) ◽  
pp. 439 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANTOINE FOUQUET ◽  
JEAN-PIERRE VACHER ◽  
ELODIE A. COURTOIS ◽  
CHLOÉ DESCHAMPS ◽  
PAUL OUBOTER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Advertisement Call ◽  
Nominal Species ◽  
Guiana Shield ◽  
Group A ◽  
Breeding Mode ◽  
Definition Of

Anomaloglossus is a species-rich genus of frogs endemic to the Guiana Shield that still harbors several unnamed species. Within the A. stepheni species group (which includes four valid nominal species), A. baeobatrachus has an uncertain taxonomic status, notably because the holotype was an unvouchered specimen depicted in a popular journal. Another member of this group, A. leopardus, was only superficially described, lacking information on the sex of specimens in the type series and on advertisement call. Therefore, these two taxa need clarifications in order to allow the description of the extant undescribed species. In this paper, we redescribe A. baeobatrachus based on newly collected material from the species type locality and provide information about its reproductive ecology. We also provide an amended definition of A. leopardus using newly collected material from its type locality. These two species form a clade along with a third species from the Eastern Guiana Shield, which is also described herein. The reproductive biology of A. baeobatrachus and A. stepheni is very similar. Both species have endotrophic and nidicolous tadpoles, despite being distantly related, suggesting independent evolution of this breeding mode. The new species and A. leopardus, on the other hand, have exotrophic tadpoles. 

Dose-intensive cyclophosphamide with etoposide and vincristine for pediatric solid tumors: a phase I/II pilot study by the Australia and New Zealand Childhood Cancer Study Group.

1994 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 522-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
L White ◽  
G McCowage ◽  
G Kannourakis ◽  
V Nayanar ◽  
L Colnan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Solid Tumors ◽  
Hematologic Toxicity ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Cancer Study ◽  
Cancer Study Group ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B

PURPOSE This pilot study of the Australia and New Zealand Childhood Cancer Study Group investigated the effectiveness and toxicity of a regimen incorporating vincristine (VCR), etoposide, and divided-dose, escalating cyclophosphamide (CPA) (VETOPEC) in 23 patients aged 1 to 20 years with solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS Seventeen patients (group A) had recurrent or refractory tumors after prior multiagent therapy, and six patients (group B) with adverse prognostic indicators were treated at initial presentation. Treatment cycles were 21 to 28 days and consisted of vincristine (0.05 mg/kg) on days 1 and 14, with etoposide (2.5 mg/kg/d) plus escalating CPA on days 1, 2, and 3. The CPA dosage was escalated from 30 mg/kg/d in cycle no. 1 by 5 mg/kg/d in each cycle to a maximum of 55 mg/kg/d in cycle no. 6. RESULTS Of 20 patients assessable for tumor response, 19 (95%) responded after two to six cycles of VETOPEC: seven complete responses (CRs); eight very good partial responses (VGPRs); and four partial responses (PRs). In group A, 13 of 14 (93%) assessable patients responded (five CRs, four VGPRs, four PRs), and in group B, five stage IV and one stage III patient achieved two CRs and four VGPRs. The principal toxicity was myelosuppression. Grade IV neutropenia occurred after 98% of cycles, and the incidence of grade IV thrombocytopenia increased from 37% after cycle no. 1 to 91% after cycle no. 6 (P = .002). A total of 115 cycles delivered were followed by 62 febrile admissions (54%), and showed a significant rise with increasing cycles (P = .001). One patient died of septicemia. CONCLUSION This combination and scheduling produced a high response rate in patients with recurrent, refractory, or advanced solid tumors of childhood. Further studies of this regimen and of strategies to reduce hematologic toxicity are warranted.

A revision of the family Galaxiidae (Pisces) in Tasmania

1976 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
AP Andrews
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Morphometric Variation ◽  
The Family ◽  
First Time

Nine species of the genus Galaxias and one species of the genus Paragalaxias are found to be represented in Tasmania. The taxonomy, meristic and morphometric variation of each species is examined and data on the distribution, life history and ecology are presented together with references and synonymy. At the commencement of the present study previous works credited a total of 16 species in four genera to Tasmania distributed as follows: Galaxias, 12 species, Paragalaxias, 1 species, Saxilaga, 2 species and Brachygalaxias, 2 subspecies. In the present study G. scopus Scott is shown to be a synonym of G. truttaceus Valenciennes, G. affinis Regan and G. coxii Macleay are shown to be synonyms of G. brevipinnis Gunther which is recorded for the first time from the Australian mainland. The two species currently referred to the genus Saxilaga, S. cleaveri Scott and S. anguilliformis Scott, together with G. upcheri Scott are found to represent one species of Galaxias. The type locality of G. auratus Johnston is shown to be Lake Sorell and the type locality of G. upcheri is more accurately defined than in previous works. The two subspecies of Brachygalaxias, B. pusillus tasmaniensis Scott and B. pusillus flindersiensis Scott, are treated as one species of Galaxias. The Tasmanian galaxiid fauna is compared and contrasted with the galaxiid faunas of mainland Australia and New Zealand and the distribution patterns and zoogeographic considerations are discussed.

scholarly journals Survey of the bp/tee genes from clinical group A streptococcus isolates in New Zealand – implications for vaccine development

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 1670-1678 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Steemson ◽  
Nicole J. Moreland ◽  
Deborah Williamson ◽  
Julie Morgan ◽  
Philip E. Carter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Individual

Group A streptococcus (GAS) is responsible for a wide range of diseases ranging from superficial infections, such as pharyngitis and impetigo, to life-threatening diseases, such as toxic shock syndrome and acute rheumatic fever (ARF). GAS pili are hair-like extensions protruding from the cell surface and consist of highly immunogenic structural proteins: the backbone pilin (BP) and one or two accessory pilins (AP1 and AP2). The protease-resistant BP builds the pilus shaft and has been recognized as the T-antigen, which forms the basis of a major serological typing scheme that is often used as a supplement to M typing. A previous sequence analysis of the bp gene (tee gene) in 39 GAS isolates revealed 15 different bp/tee types. In this study, we sequenced the bp/tee gene from 100 GAS isolates obtained from patients with pharyngitis, ARF or invasive disease in New Zealand. We found 20 new bp/tee alleles and four new bp/tee types/subtypes. No association between bp/tee type and clinical outcome was observed. We confirmed earlier reports that the emm type and tee type are associated strongly, but we also found exceptions, where multiple tee types could be found in certain M/emm type strains, such as M/emm89. We also reported, for the first time, the existence of a chimeric bp/tee allele, which was assigned into a new subclade (bp/tee3.1). A strong sequence conservation of the bp/tee gene was observed within the individual bp/tee types/subtypes (>97 % sequence identity), as well as between historical and contemporary New Zealand and international GAS strains. This temporal and geographical sequence stability provided further evidence for the potential use of the BP/T-antigen as a vaccine target.

Whataroa Virus, a Group a Arbovirus Isolated in South Westland, New Zealand *

1967 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Maguire ◽  
J. Casals ◽  
J. A. R. Miles
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Group A

A revision of the genus Pultenaea (Fabaceae). 3. The eastern species with recurved leaves

2004 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 273 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. J. de Kok ◽  
J. G. West
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Separate Group ◽  
New Name ◽  
Group A ◽  
First Time ◽  
Species Being ◽  
Eastern Species

All 37 eastern species of the genus Pultenaea Sm. with recurved leaves have been revised and two names are reduced to synonymy for the first time. Four new species are described: Pultenaea tarik de Kok, P.�borea de Kok, P.�bracteamajor de Kok and P.�bracteaminor de Kok. One taxon is given a new name: P.�rariflora de Kok (�=�Pultenaea paleacea var. pauciflora C.T.White). Two taxa are recognised in this study at the species level for the first time: P.�elusa (J.D. Briggs & Crisp) de Kok and P.�robusta (H.B.Will.) de Kok. For one species: P.�elachista (F.Muell.) Crisp, a neotype is proposed. Seven species are lectotypified (P.�benthamii F.Muell., P.�densifolia F.Muell., P. gunnii Benth., P.�largiflorens F.Muell. ex Benth., P.�myrtoides A.Cunn. ex Benth., P.�patellifolia H.B.Will. and P.�retusa Sm.). Two species (P.�elusa and P.�maidenii Reader) are considered extinct in this study. A key to the group is provided and a brief discussion is given as to the legitimacy of these species being treated as a separate group. A list of all accepted names and synonyms of the eastern species of Pultenaea is given.

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