title: Put to music by Messiaen

authors: Lodge, Martin

abstract: OLIVIER MESSIAEN ( 1908-92) was one of the most influential composers and teachers of the 20th century, not just within France but internationally. He is noted for inventing new techniques of organising musical materials such as pitch and rhythm, but is also remembered for his lifelong love of birdsong. Many of his greatest works combine visionary Christian mysticism with the songs of birds, whom Messiaen regarded as superlative and divinely created musicians.

text: Put to music by Messiaen OLIVIER MESSIAEN ( 1908-92) was one of the most influential composers and teachers of the 20th century, not just within France but internationally. He is noted for inventing new techniques of organising musical materials such as pitch and rhythm, but is also remembered for his lifelong love of birdsong. Many of his greatest works combine visionary Christian mysticism with the songs of birds, whom Messiaen regarded as superlative and divinely created musicians.

year: 2009

title: The Effect of Myostatin-antagonist4 on a Severe Muscle Burn Injury

authors: Laurenson, Rachel Marie

subjects: murine muscle burn injury model

abstract: Myostatin is a growth and differentiation factor which belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily of genes. Mutations or deletions in the myostatin gene leads to the heavy muscling phenotype seen in various cattle breeds, including Belgian Blue and Peidmontese, and also in myostatin knockout mice. More recently, a human child with the heavy muscling phenotype was also found to carry a mutation in the myostatin gene. Conversely, increased expression of myostatin has been linked to various muscle wasting conditions induced by ageing or disease. Myostatin is therefore regarded as a strong inhibitor of muscle growth. In addition, myostatin has also been shown to control satellite cell activation post-natally, and is therefore considered a potent negative regulator of muscle regeneration and repair.

The ability to block myostatin function has enormous potential in the treatment of muscle injuries and various muscle wasting conditions. The Functional Muscle Genomics group at AgResearch Ltd. have recently developed several myostatin antagonists, produced by truncating the biologically active mature myostatin sequence. The following thesis describes the first in vivo study using the myostatin antagonist, Mstn-ant4, where its effect on wound healing was evaluated using a murine muscle burn injury model. Some promising results that Mstn-ant4 could improve muscle wound healing after a severe burn injury were obtained. Specifically, Mstn-ant4-treated mice recovered from the burn-induced loss of body weight earlier than the saline-treated mice. Mighty gene expression,which is a downstream target of myostatin and is involved in muscle hypertrophy, was also significantly higher in the burnt muscles of mice treated with Mstn-ant4 compared to saline-treated mice. In addition, histochemical analysis indicated that administration of Mstn-ant4 may have been terminated too early during the in vivo trial, as reflected by the sudden decrease in centrally formed nuclei in the burnt muscles of Mstn-ant4-treated mice at day 14, with the last subcutaneous injection of Mstn-ant4 occurring at day 15.

Although no other statistically significant results were obtained by histology, immunocytochemistry or gene expression analysis to support these results, it would be difficult to conclude that significant results could not be generated when the antagonist was used under optimised conditions. That is, further studies into the administration schedule of the antagonist need to be undertaken, particularly with regard to the frequency of administration and duration of treatment. Overall, Mstn-ant4 has significant potential to improve wound healing following a severe muscle burn injury.

text: The Effect of Myostatin-antagonist4 on a Severe Muscle Burn Injury Myostatin is a growth and differentiation factor which belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily of genes. Mutations or deletions in the myostatin gene leads to the heavy muscling phenotype seen in various cattle breeds, including Belgian Blue and Peidmontese, and also in myostatin knockout mice. More recently, a human child with the heavy muscling phenotype was also found to carry a mutation in the myostatin gene. Conversely, increased expression of myostatin has been linked to various muscle wasting conditions induced by ageing or disease. Myostatin is therefore regarded as a strong inhibitor of muscle growth. In addition, myostatin has also been shown to control satellite cell activation post-natally, and is therefore considered a potent negative regulator of muscle regeneration and repair.

The ability to block myostatin function has enormous potential in the treatment of muscle injuries and various muscle wasting conditions. The Functional Muscle Genomics group at AgResearch Ltd. have recently developed several myostatin antagonists, produced by truncating the biologically active mature myostatin sequence. The following thesis describes the first in vivo study using the myostatin antagonist, Mstn-ant4, where its effect on wound healing was evaluated using a murine muscle burn injury model. Some promising results that Mstn-ant4 could improve muscle wound healing after a severe burn injury were obtained. Specifically, Mstn-ant4-treated mice recovered from the burn-induced loss of body weight earlier than the saline-treated mice. Mighty gene expression,which is a downstream target of myostatin and is involved in muscle hypertrophy, was also significantly higher in the burnt muscles of mice treated with Mstn-ant4 compared to saline-treated mice. In addition, histochemical analysis indicated that administration of Mstn-ant4 may have been terminated too early during the in vivo trial, as reflected by the sudden decrease in centrally formed nuclei in the burnt muscles of Mstn-ant4-treated mice at day 14, with the last subcutaneous injection of Mstn-ant4 occurring at day 15.

Although no other statistically significant results were obtained by histology, immunocytochemistry or gene expression analysis to support these results, it would be difficult to conclude that significant results could not be generated when the antagonist was used under optimised conditions. That is, further studies into the administration schedule of the antagonist need to be undertaken, particularly with regard to the frequency of administration and duration of treatment. Overall, Mstn-ant4 has significant potential to improve wound healing following a severe muscle burn injury.

year: 2009

title: An Evaluation of an Impaired Driver Treatment Programme Facilitated by Tūhoe Hauora

authors: Waru, Nicole Arihia

subjects: Tuhoe Hauora

abstract: Driving while impaired is a substantial issue in Aotearoa.  It has the potential to result in loss of life and cause significant health and economic strain on society.  Recidivist impaired drivers are major contributors to this problem.  Countermeasures of impaired driving have previously included liquor licencing, drinking age restrictions, health promotion campaigns and health rehabilitation therapies.  The Ministry of Health offer an Impaired Driving therapy throughout Aotearoa as countermeasure to this issue.  The programme is administered through the funder-contract system. Participation is compulsory for those mandated by court order.  
This study evaluates an Impaired Driver programme facilitated by Tūhoe Hauora; a kaupapa Māori mental health and addiction provider based in Taneatua, Eastern Bay of Plenty.  The course is delivered once weekly over a period of ten weeks to a group of twelve or less recidivist impaired drivers or first time offenders who were convicted of driving with excessive levels of breath alcohol.    
The evaluation draws from a community psychology paradigm in exploration of the lived experiences of programme participants, in the context of course 2 of the 2014 Tūhoe Hauora Impaired Driving course.  
The experiences of five individuals were explored using in-depth face to face interviews and presented using a case-by-case approach.  Participant observation, document review, evaluation visits and participant surveys were used as supplement methods of inquiry.  The findings illustrated that Tūhoe Hauora met contract requirements by addressing impaired driving recidivism to date of interview.  The evaluation also found the course actualising the mission of Tūhoe Hauora which was to address the holistic well-being of programme participants.  The research did present areas in the programme that could be improved particularly pertaining to the referral process and a need for agency collaboration.  Recommendations were formulated in attempt to address the programme gaps and discussion is offered in addressing the multi-layered oppression that was experienced throughout the evaluation process by both Tūhoe Hauora and the evaluation participants.

text: An Evaluation of an Impaired Driver Treatment Programme Facilitated by Tūhoe Hauora Driving while impaired is a substantial issue in Aotearoa.  It has the potential to result in loss of life and cause significant health and economic strain on society.  Recidivist impaired drivers are major contributors to this problem.  Countermeasures of impaired driving have previously included liquor licencing, drinking age restrictions, health promotion campaigns and health rehabilitation therapies.  The Ministry of Health offer an Impaired Driving therapy throughout Aotearoa as countermeasure to this issue.  The programme is administered through the funder-contract system. Participation is compulsory for those mandated by court order.  
This study evaluates an Impaired Driver programme facilitated by Tūhoe Hauora; a kaupapa Māori mental health and addiction provider based in Taneatua, Eastern Bay of Plenty.  The course is delivered once weekly over a period of ten weeks to a group of twelve or less recidivist impaired drivers or first time offenders who were convicted of driving with excessive levels of breath alcohol.    
The evaluation draws from a community psychology paradigm in exploration of the lived experiences of programme participants, in the context of course 2 of the 2014 Tūhoe Hauora Impaired Driving course.  
The experiences of five individuals were explored using in-depth face to face interviews and presented using a case-by-case approach.  Participant observation, document review, evaluation visits and participant surveys were used as supplement methods of inquiry.  The findings illustrated that Tūhoe Hauora met contract requirements by addressing impaired driving recidivism to date of interview.  The evaluation also found the course actualising the mission of Tūhoe Hauora which was to address the holistic well-being of programme participants.  The research did present areas in the programme that could be improved particularly pertaining to the referral process and a need for agency collaboration.  Recommendations were formulated in attempt to address the programme gaps and discussion is offered in addressing the multi-layered oppression that was experienced throughout the evaluation process by both Tūhoe Hauora and the evaluation participants.

year: 2016