title: Chronic Intermittent Sucrose Consumption Facilitates the Ability to Discriminate Opioid Receptor Blockade with Naltrexone in Rats

authors: Jewett, David C.

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: The opioid antagonist naltrexone (NTX) decreases intake of preferred diets in rats at very low doses relative to doses needed to decrease intake of “bland” laboratory chow. In the absence of an opioid agonist, NTX is not discriminable using operant techniques. In the current study, we found that rats given intermittent access to a 25% sucrose solution learned to discriminate between various naltrexone doses and saline. None of the rats given only water learned to discriminate between naltrexone and saline. When access to the sucrose solution was discontinued for 14 days, the rats lost the ability to discriminate between NTX and saline. We also studied the changes of c-Fos IR in selected brain regions in rats treated with saline versus NTX that were drinking water or 25% sucrose. An injection of NTX or saline resulted in a significant drug, diet, and interaction effect in various brain regions associated with feeding behavior, particularly the amygdala, accumbens, and hypothalamic sites. Thus, we found that ingestion of a sucrose solution results in the ability of rats to reliably discriminate naltrexone administration. In addition, sucrose and naltrexone altered c-Fos IR in an interactive fashion in brain regions known to be involved in ingestion behavior.

text: Chronic Intermittent Sucrose Consumption Facilitates the Ability to Discriminate Opioid Receptor Blockade with Naltrexone in Rats The opioid antagonist naltrexone (NTX) decreases intake of preferred diets in rats at very low doses relative to doses needed to decrease intake of “bland” laboratory chow. In the absence of an opioid agonist, NTX is not discriminable using operant techniques. In the current study, we found that rats given intermittent access to a 25% sucrose solution learned to discriminate between various naltrexone doses and saline. None of the rats given only water learned to discriminate between naltrexone and saline. When access to the sucrose solution was discontinued for 14 days, the rats lost the ability to discriminate between NTX and saline. We also studied the changes of c-Fos IR in selected brain regions in rats treated with saline versus NTX that were drinking water or 25% sucrose. An injection of NTX or saline resulted in a significant drug, diet, and interaction effect in various brain regions associated with feeding behavior, particularly the amygdala, accumbens, and hypothalamic sites. Thus, we found that ingestion of a sucrose solution results in the ability of rats to reliably discriminate naltrexone administration. In addition, sucrose and naltrexone altered c-Fos IR in an interactive fashion in brain regions known to be involved in ingestion behavior.

year: 2022-03-01

title: Ua tafea le tau'ofe: Samoan cultural rituals through death and bereavement experiences

authors: Seiuli, Byron Malaela Sotiata

subjects: Samoan funerals

abstract: Given that dialogue relating to death and grief for many Samoans remains in the realm of tapu (sacred) or sā (protected), few attempts have been made by researchers of Samoan heritage to understand whether the cultural contexts for enacting associated rituals might also provide avenues for healing. Psychological scholarship on recovery following death, particularly among men, is largely based on dominant western perspectives that continue to privilege both clinical and ethnocentric perspectives as the norm. Using the Samoan experience, I argue for a greater consideration of recovery from death as a culturally-defined process. In many instances, instead of severing ties with the deceased person as is popular in clinical approaches to grief work, this thesis makes an original contribution to the canon by demonstrating that Samoan grief resolution strongly endorses continued connections through its mourning rituals. Their end-of-life enactment helps to transition the deceased from this life to the next, while drawing the living together. Critically, the performance and maintenance of such important tasks create space for heaving emotions to be calmed, where meaning is made, and where the lives of those impacted are slowly restored. Some rituals offered therapeutic value, enabling the Samoan men involved in this study to walk hand-in-hand with their emotional distress, while transitioning them through the grieving process. Such mourning traditions are meaningful and culturally preferred. Moreover, the theoretical framework engaged by this research is predominantly informed by Samoan and Pasefika research perspectives such as the Uputāua Therapeutic Approach (UTA). UTA is firmly grounded in fa’asamoa (Samoan way) cultural traditions, while allowing space for western perspectives of therapeutic care to be incorporated into the research processes. This thesis critically advocates that psychology as a discipline could become more responsive and effective towards considering the centrality of indigenous perspectives of grief resolution when engaging with people from non-western cultures. As this thesis demonstrates, Samoan mourning rituals provided a significant pathway for my participants to validate and celebrate their cultural identity wherever they were situated.

text: Ua tafea le tau'ofe: Samoan cultural rituals through death and bereavement experiences Given that dialogue relating to death and grief for many Samoans remains in the realm of tapu (sacred) or sā (protected), few attempts have been made by researchers of Samoan heritage to understand whether the cultural contexts for enacting associated rituals might also provide avenues for healing. Psychological scholarship on recovery following death, particularly among men, is largely based on dominant western perspectives that continue to privilege both clinical and ethnocentric perspectives as the norm. Using the Samoan experience, I argue for a greater consideration of recovery from death as a culturally-defined process. In many instances, instead of severing ties with the deceased person as is popular in clinical approaches to grief work, this thesis makes an original contribution to the canon by demonstrating that Samoan grief resolution strongly endorses continued connections through its mourning rituals. Their end-of-life enactment helps to transition the deceased from this life to the next, while drawing the living together. Critically, the performance and maintenance of such important tasks create space for heaving emotions to be calmed, where meaning is made, and where the lives of those impacted are slowly restored. Some rituals offered therapeutic value, enabling the Samoan men involved in this study to walk hand-in-hand with their emotional distress, while transitioning them through the grieving process. Such mourning traditions are meaningful and culturally preferred. Moreover, the theoretical framework engaged by this research is predominantly informed by Samoan and Pasefika research perspectives such as the Uputāua Therapeutic Approach (UTA). UTA is firmly grounded in fa’asamoa (Samoan way) cultural traditions, while allowing space for western perspectives of therapeutic care to be incorporated into the research processes. This thesis critically advocates that psychology as a discipline could become more responsive and effective towards considering the centrality of indigenous perspectives of grief resolution when engaging with people from non-western cultures. As this thesis demonstrates, Samoan mourning rituals provided a significant pathway for my participants to validate and celebrate their cultural identity wherever they were situated.

year: 2015

title: Waata Kukutai: Rangatira o Ngaati Tiipa 1822-1867

authors: Ewe, Denise Te Tuhi

subjects: Biography

abstract: This thesis examines the life of Ngaati Tiipa rangatira Waata Kukutai (1822-1867), and critiques historical perspectives that have narrowly identified him as merely a Kuupapa loyalist. This study argues that Kukutai’s choices and leadership were driven first and foremost by those things he viewed as crucial to Ngaati Tiipa autonomy and wellbeing. Kukutai was an articulate and well-educated leader of Ngaati Tiipa. Waata was governed by principles of rangatiratanga (chieftainship), mana motuhake (independence) and loyalty to Ngaati Tiipa and to the whenua. He was deeply religious and courageous and was an entrepreneur who sought to protect his people by securing economic independence. This thesis shows how he negotiated colonial structures by forming strategic alliances, and in the process led his people through one of the most turbulent periods in New Zealand history.  

Waata was an enigma shaped by loss, vision and hope for a new future in extraordinary times in New Zealand’s history. Waata was a polarising personality who held fast to his life principles. He withstood immense pressure from other Waikato chiefs during the Waikato invasion. During the Waikato War Waata was most active, carrying letters, food and supplies to colonial soldiers and earned himself and his tribe of Ngaati Tiipa the label of kuupapa. While Waata was not the only ‘friendly chief’ during colonial times he has been the most pillorised in Waikato. Seemingly ignored by many historians is at the same time Waata ensued that Ngaati Tiipa land was never invaded by the colonial troops. Waata’s actions protected his people and his land and maintained his mana motuhake, his sovereignty over his district.

text: Waata Kukutai: Rangatira o Ngaati Tiipa 1822-1867 This thesis examines the life of Ngaati Tiipa rangatira Waata Kukutai (1822-1867), and critiques historical perspectives that have narrowly identified him as merely a Kuupapa loyalist. This study argues that Kukutai’s choices and leadership were driven first and foremost by those things he viewed as crucial to Ngaati Tiipa autonomy and wellbeing. Kukutai was an articulate and well-educated leader of Ngaati Tiipa. Waata was governed by principles of rangatiratanga (chieftainship), mana motuhake (independence) and loyalty to Ngaati Tiipa and to the whenua. He was deeply religious and courageous and was an entrepreneur who sought to protect his people by securing economic independence. This thesis shows how he negotiated colonial structures by forming strategic alliances, and in the process led his people through one of the most turbulent periods in New Zealand history.  

Waata was an enigma shaped by loss, vision and hope for a new future in extraordinary times in New Zealand’s history. Waata was a polarising personality who held fast to his life principles. He withstood immense pressure from other Waikato chiefs during the Waikato invasion. During the Waikato War Waata was most active, carrying letters, food and supplies to colonial soldiers and earned himself and his tribe of Ngaati Tiipa the label of kuupapa. While Waata was not the only ‘friendly chief’ during colonial times he has been the most pillorised in Waikato. Seemingly ignored by many historians is at the same time Waata ensued that Ngaati Tiipa land was never invaded by the colonial troops. Waata’s actions protected his people and his land and maintained his mana motuhake, his sovereignty over his district.

year: 2020