The group A streptococcus bacterium (Streptococcus pyogenes, or GAS) is a form of β-hemolytic Streptococcus bacteria responsible for most cases of streptococcal illness. Other types (B, C, D, and G) may also cause infection. Several virulence factors contribute to the pathogenesis of GAS, such as M protein, hemolysins, and extracellular enzymes.

Infections are largely categorized by the location of infection:

(Note that some of these diseases can be caused by other infectious agents as well.)

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a complication of respiratory infections caused by GAS. The M-protein generates antibodies that cross-react with autoantigens on interstitial connective tissue, in particular of the endocardium and synovium, that can lead to significant clinical illness.

Although common in developing countries, ARF is rare in the United States, possibly secondary to improved antibiotic treatment, with small isolated outbreaks reported only occasionally. It is most common among children between 5 and 15 years old and occurs 1–3 weeks after an untreated GAS pharyngitis^{[citation needed]}.

Streptococcus is a genus of spherical Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes and the lactic acid bacteria group. Cellular division occurs along a single axis in these bacteria, and thus they grow in chains or pairs, hence the name — from Greek στρεπτος streptos, meaning easily bent or twisted, like a chain (twisted chain). Contrast this with staphylococci, which divide along multiple axes and generate grape-like clusters of cells. Most streptococci are oxidase- and catalase-negative, and many are facultative anaerobes.

In 1984, many organisms formerly considered Streptococcus were separated out into the genera Enterococcus and Lactococcus.

In addition to streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), certain Streptococcus species are responsible for many cases of meningitis, bacterial pneumonia, endocarditis, erysipelas and necrotizing fasciitis (the 'flesh-eating' bacterial infections). However, many streptococcal species are nonpathogenic, and form part of the commensal human microbiome of the mouth, skin, intestine, and upper respiratory tract. Furthermore, streptococci are a necessary ingredient in producing Emmentaler ("Swiss") cheese.

Nadine Vanessa Dorries (née Bargery, born 21 May 1957) is a British Conservative Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mid Bedfordshire since 2005. She has been involved in parliamentary attempts to change laws to reduce pregnancy time for abortions.

Born in Liverpool, England, Dorries initially worked as a nurse eventually becoming a medical representative to Ethicla Ltd. During her earlier career she spent a year in Zambia as the head of a community school. Having returned home a year later, she founded Company Kids Ltd, which provided child day-care services for working parents. The company was sold in 1998.

She stood as the Conservative Party candidate for the constituency of Hazel Grove in Greater Manchester in the 2001 general election, but did not unseat the Liberal Democrat MP Andrew Stunell.

Dorries was finally elected to the House of Commons at the 2005 general election for the safe seat of Mid-Bedfordshire, with a majority of 11,355. Since taking her seat, Dorries has introduced several unsuccessful Private Member's Bills in the House of Commons including attempts to reduce the time limit for abortion in Great Britain, to change the rules regarding the counselling of the women involved and the advocacy of sexual abstinence for girls in sex education. She is also an opponent of the current Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, and has attempted to have him removed from the post, and has criticised and clashed with her party leader, the Prime Minister David Cameron.

Blaffer Gallery is the art museum of the University of Houston. It was founded in 1973 and has won several awards, including the Coming Up Taller Award as part of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

The Sarah Campbell Blaffer Gallery was founded in 1973, named in honor of the late Sarah Campbell Blaffer, who during her lifetime made available to the University a collection of major artworks dating from the 15th century to modern day. This collection was purchased in 1979 by the Blaffer Foundation, an independent organization which is unrelated to the museum and the University. The income from the investment of the sale proceeds provides a portion of Blaffer Gallery's program budget. The Blaffer Gallery has presented over 250 exhibitions. The current exhibition policy, adopted by the Advisory Board and University Regents in 1986, focuses upon art of the past 100 years and its artistic, cultural and intellectual antecedents. In 1999, the museum expanded.

The museum created and hosts education and outreach programs. In 1988, UHReach was founded and in 1998 Young Artists Apprenticeship Program (YAAP) was founded.

Alison Jane Seabeck (née Ward) (born 20 January 1954) is an English Labour Party politician and shadow Minister in the Ministry of Defence. She was previously the shadow Housing Minister. She was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Plymouth Devonport from 2005 until 2010 when she won the new seat of Plymouth Moor View.

Seabeck went to Harold Hill Grammar School (became Upper Bedfords Park School in 1973 then closed down) on Appleby Drive in Harold Hill in London. She studied at the North East London Polytechnic (now the University of East London) in Stratford. Seabeck joined the MSF (now Amicus), becoming the secretary of the South Thames Community Branch. She is a member of the feminist Fawcett Society and the Labour Women's Network.

Seabeck was picked for the Plymouth Devonport seat from an all-women shortlist, and was elected at the 2005 general election with a majority of 8,103, replacing David Jamieson. She served as a Government Whip attached to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform from 2007 to 2008.^{[citation needed]}