title: Applying A human rights-based approach to healthcare

authors: Sterling, Rogena

subjects: Human rights; Rights-based approach; Right to health; Intersex people; Ill-treatment

abstract: Human rights are discussed in many areas but not as often is it discussed in light of medical care and services. When a government announces “rights-based approach to health care for intersex children and young people”, then question becomes what does such a statement mean? Anecdotally, medical professionals often dismiss human rights as though they are not relevant to them in the general work in the general day-to-day medical practice. However, that is not necessarily the case as noted in the case study of ill-treatment of intersex people in the medical setting. This is a statement intersex advocates often hear. To understand what the human right to health is, the Article expounds first the foundation of human rights and then goes on to explain the right to health. The Article then sets out the application of human rights in the health care setting and the obligations of the state and the health sector and industry in general with the key elements of respect, protect and fulfil. Without the right to health, intersex people will fail to develop in dignity, and thus, a violation of human rights by both the health profession and the state who holds ultimate
responsibility

text: Applying A human rights-based approach to healthcare Human rights are discussed in many areas but not as often is it discussed in light of medical care and services. When a government announces “rights-based approach to health care for intersex children and young people”, then question becomes what does such a statement mean? Anecdotally, medical professionals often dismiss human rights as though they are not relevant to them in the general work in the general day-to-day medical practice. However, that is not necessarily the case as noted in the case study of ill-treatment of intersex people in the medical setting. This is a statement intersex advocates often hear. To understand what the human right to health is, the Article expounds first the foundation of human rights and then goes on to explain the right to health. The Article then sets out the application of human rights in the health care setting and the obligations of the state and the health sector and industry in general with the key elements of respect, protect and fulfil. Without the right to health, intersex people will fail to develop in dignity, and thus, a violation of human rights by both the health profession and the state who holds ultimate
responsibility

year: 2023-08-18

title: A Model In Vitro System to Study Heat Shock Protein 60 (HSP60) Expression in Response to Mitochondrial Impairment in Human Cells

authors: Hall, Luke

subjects: HSP60

abstract: Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) are a class of ubiquitously expressed and functionally related proteins found in all living organisms from humans to bacteria. Their expression is increased in response to various cellular stressors in what is referred to as the heat shock response. The induction of one particular HSP, HSP60, has been found to be correlated with mitochondria specific cell stress. Recently HSP60 has been found to be secreted and expressed extracellularly, after first being thought to be strictly intracellular. However, the mechanisms of these mechanisms of translocation and secretion have not been clearly identified. 
The aim of this study was to develop a model in vitro system for HSP60 expression in human cells so that treatments which resulted in mitochondrial impairment could be investigated. 
This study looked at several aspects of high glucose, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and sodium azide treatment on human HeLa cells. At low levels, each treatment had a hormetic effect on HeLa cell growth; however at high concentrations growth was significantly inhibited. Additionally, high treatment concentrations resulted in increased cell lysis as determined by LDH assays. Treatment with concentrations of 100mM glucose, 200μM H₂O₂, and 50μM sodium azide were the only treatment concentrations that did not result in significantly different levels of cell lysis when compared to a control sample. Mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity was also found to be significantly decreased at high treatment concentrations as determined by MTT assays. Thus, 100mM glucose, 200μM H₂O₂, and 50μM sodium azide treatments were identified as optimal conditions for mitochondrial targeted cell stress, as each of these treatments impaired cell growth and inhibited mitochondrial activity while having no significant effect on the degree of cell lysis. 
The 100mM glucose, 200μM H₂O₂, and 50μM sodium azide treatments were then investigated for the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity they induced over treatment periods of 24 hours, 3 and 7 days. After 7 days of treatment, the 200μM H₂O₂ and 50μM sodium azide treatments resulted in an approximate three-fold increase in ROS activity, while the 100mM glucose treatment resulted in almost twice as much ROS compared to a control sample.
Finally, the effects of 100mM glucose, 200μM H₂O₂, and 50μM sodium azide treatments on HSP60 and HSP70 expression was also examined over 3 and 7 day time periods. After the 7 day treatment period, the 100mM glucose treatment had induced a 2.43 fold increase in HSP60 expression and a 2.75 fold increase in HSP70 expression, the 200μM H₂O₂ induced a 3.48 fold increase in HSP60 expression and a 3.98 fold increase in HSP70 expression, and finally the 50μM sodium azide induced a 4.74 fold increase in HSP60 expression and a 5.08 fold increase in HSP70 expression. 
It can therefore be concluded that 100mM glucose, 200μM H₂O₂, and 50μM sodium azide results in the upregulation of HSP60 and HSP70 in human HeLa cells. Therefore this model may be used to investigate further aspects of HSP60 induction, such as its translocation and secretion.

text: A Model In Vitro System to Study Heat Shock Protein 60 (HSP60) Expression in Response to Mitochondrial Impairment in Human Cells Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) are a class of ubiquitously expressed and functionally related proteins found in all living organisms from humans to bacteria. Their expression is increased in response to various cellular stressors in what is referred to as the heat shock response. The induction of one particular HSP, HSP60, has been found to be correlated with mitochondria specific cell stress. Recently HSP60 has been found to be secreted and expressed extracellularly, after first being thought to be strictly intracellular. However, the mechanisms of these mechanisms of translocation and secretion have not been clearly identified. 
The aim of this study was to develop a model in vitro system for HSP60 expression in human cells so that treatments which resulted in mitochondrial impairment could be investigated. 
This study looked at several aspects of high glucose, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and sodium azide treatment on human HeLa cells. At low levels, each treatment had a hormetic effect on HeLa cell growth; however at high concentrations growth was significantly inhibited. Additionally, high treatment concentrations resulted in increased cell lysis as determined by LDH assays. Treatment with concentrations of 100mM glucose, 200μM H₂O₂, and 50μM sodium azide were the only treatment concentrations that did not result in significantly different levels of cell lysis when compared to a control sample. Mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity was also found to be significantly decreased at high treatment concentrations as determined by MTT assays. Thus, 100mM glucose, 200μM H₂O₂, and 50μM sodium azide treatments were identified as optimal conditions for mitochondrial targeted cell stress, as each of these treatments impaired cell growth and inhibited mitochondrial activity while having no significant effect on the degree of cell lysis. 
The 100mM glucose, 200μM H₂O₂, and 50μM sodium azide treatments were then investigated for the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity they induced over treatment periods of 24 hours, 3 and 7 days. After 7 days of treatment, the 200μM H₂O₂ and 50μM sodium azide treatments resulted in an approximate three-fold increase in ROS activity, while the 100mM glucose treatment resulted in almost twice as much ROS compared to a control sample.
Finally, the effects of 100mM glucose, 200μM H₂O₂, and 50μM sodium azide treatments on HSP60 and HSP70 expression was also examined over 3 and 7 day time periods. After the 7 day treatment period, the 100mM glucose treatment had induced a 2.43 fold increase in HSP60 expression and a 2.75 fold increase in HSP70 expression, the 200μM H₂O₂ induced a 3.48 fold increase in HSP60 expression and a 3.98 fold increase in HSP70 expression, and finally the 50μM sodium azide induced a 4.74 fold increase in HSP60 expression and a 5.08 fold increase in HSP70 expression. 
It can therefore be concluded that 100mM glucose, 200μM H₂O₂, and 50μM sodium azide results in the upregulation of HSP60 and HSP70 in human HeLa cells. Therefore this model may be used to investigate further aspects of HSP60 induction, such as its translocation and secretion.

year: 2013

title: What works for midwives supporting māmā through emotional distress?

authors: Roia, Tiaan Mereana Manurangi

abstract: Pregnancy and the postnatal period are particularly vulnerable times for mothers’ mental health, with an increased risk of women experiencing depression and anxiety during this time. Therefore, understanding the level and type of service midwives provide to māmā who experience emotional distress is vital to know what midwives need in order to provide the right care to their clients.
The aim of this study was to find out what tools and resources community-based midwives find most helpful to support the needs of māmā. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted, including four Māori midwives, who were able to provide insight on their experiences caring for mothers with mental health needs. Overall, the interviews reflected a strong sense of care and empathy from midwives during their time caring for mothers. Midwives appeared to rely on their interpersonal skills and intuition about emotional distress, and emphasised the importance of connecting with people and utilising support from their communities. Whilst midwives were interested and engaged with providing appropriate care to mothers, they were unbeknown to some of the clinical resources that could be available to their clients. The complexity of referrals and access to mental health services was central to the midwives’ frustration around caring for mothers, as well as a lack of education relating to kaupapa Māori, cultural competency, and mental health processes.
Recommendations based on this study are to provide midwives with education and training on topics like kaupapa Māori, on social and mental health resources and processes for referral to increase their ability to support and care for mothers who experience emotional distress. Improvements to the pathways for referrals and access to mental health services is essential. Future research should focus on understanding why midwives aren’t using a range of online apps and tools, and increase awareness of the available modes of support available.

text: What works for midwives supporting māmā through emotional distress? Pregnancy and the postnatal period are particularly vulnerable times for mothers’ mental health, with an increased risk of women experiencing depression and anxiety during this time. Therefore, understanding the level and type of service midwives provide to māmā who experience emotional distress is vital to know what midwives need in order to provide the right care to their clients.
The aim of this study was to find out what tools and resources community-based midwives find most helpful to support the needs of māmā. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted, including four Māori midwives, who were able to provide insight on their experiences caring for mothers with mental health needs. Overall, the interviews reflected a strong sense of care and empathy from midwives during their time caring for mothers. Midwives appeared to rely on their interpersonal skills and intuition about emotional distress, and emphasised the importance of connecting with people and utilising support from their communities. Whilst midwives were interested and engaged with providing appropriate care to mothers, they were unbeknown to some of the clinical resources that could be available to their clients. The complexity of referrals and access to mental health services was central to the midwives’ frustration around caring for mothers, as well as a lack of education relating to kaupapa Māori, cultural competency, and mental health processes.
Recommendations based on this study are to provide midwives with education and training on topics like kaupapa Māori, on social and mental health resources and processes for referral to increase their ability to support and care for mothers who experience emotional distress. Improvements to the pathways for referrals and access to mental health services is essential. Future research should focus on understanding why midwives aren’t using a range of online apps and tools, and increase awareness of the available modes of support available.

year: 2023