title: The Effects of psychiatric status, sex, and concepts rated on semantic differential response style

authors: Priest, Peter Neville

abstract: The psychological literature contains evidence that the Semantic Differential (SD) (Osgood, Suci and Tannenbaum, 1957) is capable of differentiating psychiatric groups from normal controls on the basis of checking style. There were three specific aims of this present study. The first was to gain further confirmation of the ability of the SD to distinguish psychiatric patients from normal subjects. The second was to see whether the sex of the subject affected his checking style and thirdly, the writer wished to see whether the actual concepts used with the SD affected response tendency. However, before these three hypotheses are discussed in detail an introduction to the SD and a review of the important literature on the instrument are in order.

text: The Effects of psychiatric status, sex, and concepts rated on semantic differential response style The psychological literature contains evidence that the Semantic Differential (SD) (Osgood, Suci and Tannenbaum, 1957) is capable of differentiating psychiatric groups from normal controls on the basis of checking style. There were three specific aims of this present study. The first was to gain further confirmation of the ability of the SD to distinguish psychiatric patients from normal subjects. The second was to see whether the sex of the subject affected his checking style and thirdly, the writer wished to see whether the actual concepts used with the SD affected response tendency. However, before these three hypotheses are discussed in detail an introduction to the SD and a review of the important literature on the instrument are in order.

year: 1969

title: Pittosporum kirkii: Autecology of an endemic shrub epiphyte

authors: Myron, Kirsty Jane

subjects: Pittosporum kirkii

abstract: This research investigated the autecology of the New Zealand endemic shrub epiphyte Pittosporum kirkii (Pittosporaceae). Pittosporum kirkii most frequently displays an epiphytic lifestyle, perched amongst nest epiphytes in the canopies of emergent or canopy trees in old-growth forest. The main objective of this research was to enhance the understanding of Pittosporum kirkii, with a focus on ecological, morphological and physiological characteristics. 

Ecological characteristics were investigated in field surveys of five key Pittosporum kirkii populations that encompass its known latitudinal extent. Survey results showed that P. kirkii is late successional epiphyte commonly found in the inner crown of large canopy and emergent hosts amongst nest epiphytes, it has a short flowering season and shows clinal patterns in leaf length with increasing latitude. Pittosporum kirkii meets the definition of a facultative epiphyte as it grows in rupestral, terrestrial and epiphytic lifestyles. The most common host species for P. kirkii is Dacrydium cupressinum.

Flowering was concentrated between November and December and individuals in the populations examined were functionally dioecious with a preponderance of males; flower pollinators and seed dispersers are uncertain.

Field data and supplementary data sets (e.g. herbarium records) were combined to develop a predicted environmental distribution map. Pittosporum kirkii has an abrupt distribution with strong habitat preferences restricting it to the upper North Island, in upper lowland and lower montane old-growth forest ecosystems. High vapour pressure deficits (>0.39 kPa) and low annual rainfall (<1172 mm) restrict environmental distribution. 

Investigations into the physiological and morphological characteristics of Pittosporum kirkii were focussed on water relations because water availability is speculated to be the most limiting factor across all of the habitats that P. kirkii occupies. In a glasshouse experiment P. kirkii seedlings were subjected to three levels of desiccation stress alongside epiphytic congener P. cornifolium. In the context of international literature, the stress strategies of each species were identified from analysis of morphological adaptations and physiological responses. Pittosporum kirkii has small relative leaf area, thick coriaceous upper leaf cuticles, substantial hypodermal tissue, and under desiccation stress, exhibited rapid reductions in stomatal conductance and photosynthetic activity with stress (ceased function at mean pre-dawn water potentials of -0.8 MPa). This evidence aligns P. kirkii with a desiccation postponement strategy. In contrast P. cornifolium has thinner cuticle hypodermal tissue, larger relative leaf area and maintains photosynthetic function under greater stress (ceased function at mean pre-dawn water potentials of -1.7 MPa), and as a result, lost water potential faster than P. kirkii. Therefore P. cornifolium is concluded to align with a desiccation tolerance stress strategy. Both species recovered within 3 days after re-watering, an important response for the drought-prone epiphytic, terrestrial and rupestral environments that both species inhabit.

Under the current threat classification Pittosporum kirkii is listed as in decline and is considered to be a data poor species. The threats to this species are uncertain; although possum browsing and forest clearance have been proposed, all available evidence is anecdotal and circumstantial. The abundant presence of P. kirkii on possum-free Great Barrier Island suggests relief from possum browse but other browsers are also restricted. Regenerative failures were not evident in mainland or offshore island populations and possum herbivory was not detected in mainland populations, likely because numbers were controlled. However, there may be other factors that may be potentially causing the decline of P. kirkii which could be identified with further research into pollinators, seed dispersal and sexual expression.

Pittosporum kirkii then is a distinctive member of New Zealand’s small guild of endemic shrub epiphytes but overall has the narrowest distribution, narrowest environmental profile, greatest habitat specificity and is the least abundant.

To present the key findings of this research alongside existing information, one chapter is presented in the format of the New Zealand Journal of Botany Biological Flora Series.

text: Pittosporum kirkii: Autecology of an endemic shrub epiphyte This research investigated the autecology of the New Zealand endemic shrub epiphyte Pittosporum kirkii (Pittosporaceae). Pittosporum kirkii most frequently displays an epiphytic lifestyle, perched amongst nest epiphytes in the canopies of emergent or canopy trees in old-growth forest. The main objective of this research was to enhance the understanding of Pittosporum kirkii, with a focus on ecological, morphological and physiological characteristics. 

Ecological characteristics were investigated in field surveys of five key Pittosporum kirkii populations that encompass its known latitudinal extent. Survey results showed that P. kirkii is late successional epiphyte commonly found in the inner crown of large canopy and emergent hosts amongst nest epiphytes, it has a short flowering season and shows clinal patterns in leaf length with increasing latitude. Pittosporum kirkii meets the definition of a facultative epiphyte as it grows in rupestral, terrestrial and epiphytic lifestyles. The most common host species for P. kirkii is Dacrydium cupressinum.

Flowering was concentrated between November and December and individuals in the populations examined were functionally dioecious with a preponderance of males; flower pollinators and seed dispersers are uncertain.

Field data and supplementary data sets (e.g. herbarium records) were combined to develop a predicted environmental distribution map. Pittosporum kirkii has an abrupt distribution with strong habitat preferences restricting it to the upper North Island, in upper lowland and lower montane old-growth forest ecosystems. High vapour pressure deficits (>0.39 kPa) and low annual rainfall (<1172 mm) restrict environmental distribution. 

Investigations into the physiological and morphological characteristics of Pittosporum kirkii were focussed on water relations because water availability is speculated to be the most limiting factor across all of the habitats that P. kirkii occupies. In a glasshouse experiment P. kirkii seedlings were subjected to three levels of desiccation stress alongside epiphytic congener P. cornifolium. In the context of international literature, the stress strategies of each species were identified from analysis of morphological adaptations and physiological responses. Pittosporum kirkii has small relative leaf area, thick coriaceous upper leaf cuticles, substantial hypodermal tissue, and under desiccation stress, exhibited rapid reductions in stomatal conductance and photosynthetic activity with stress (ceased function at mean pre-dawn water potentials of -0.8 MPa). This evidence aligns P. kirkii with a desiccation postponement strategy. In contrast P. cornifolium has thinner cuticle hypodermal tissue, larger relative leaf area and maintains photosynthetic function under greater stress (ceased function at mean pre-dawn water potentials of -1.7 MPa), and as a result, lost water potential faster than P. kirkii. Therefore P. cornifolium is concluded to align with a desiccation tolerance stress strategy. Both species recovered within 3 days after re-watering, an important response for the drought-prone epiphytic, terrestrial and rupestral environments that both species inhabit.

Under the current threat classification Pittosporum kirkii is listed as in decline and is considered to be a data poor species. The threats to this species are uncertain; although possum browsing and forest clearance have been proposed, all available evidence is anecdotal and circumstantial. The abundant presence of P. kirkii on possum-free Great Barrier Island suggests relief from possum browse but other browsers are also restricted. Regenerative failures were not evident in mainland or offshore island populations and possum herbivory was not detected in mainland populations, likely because numbers were controlled. However, there may be other factors that may be potentially causing the decline of P. kirkii which could be identified with further research into pollinators, seed dispersal and sexual expression.

Pittosporum kirkii then is a distinctive member of New Zealand’s small guild of endemic shrub epiphytes but overall has the narrowest distribution, narrowest environmental profile, greatest habitat specificity and is the least abundant.

To present the key findings of this research alongside existing information, one chapter is presented in the format of the New Zealand Journal of Botany Biological Flora Series.

year: 2012

title: In vitro cell culture to study microglial inflammation

authors: Newland, Julia

subjects: CNs

abstract: Inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS) characterised by release of cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) is an event that is often detrimental to neuronal cells and is thought to contribute to the neuronal loss observed during neurodegeneration.
One objective of this study was to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory properties of kawakawa leaf extracts using in vitro model cell systems. Kawakawa leaf extracts anti-inflammatory properties have anecdotally been documented in traditional Maori medicinal practices (Rangoa). However, before this aspect could be carried out, experiments were undertaken to investigate the effects the kawakawa leaf extracts had on the growth rates of two mammalian cell lines (HeLa and THP-1 cells).
Interestingly, the growth assays showed that the extracts to have both a stimulatory and inhibitory effect on cell growth. Toxicity of cells can be categorised as either necrotic or apoptotic cell death. In this study, HeLa cells and THP-1 cells were incubated under standard growth conditions with various concentrations (10 to 100ug/ml) of Kawakawa leave extracts prepared at room temperature or 60OC.
Growth data as seen in figures 2 and 3 typically have a long lag phase before they start to reach exponential growth between days 4 and 5. The extract having the largest stimulatory effect on HeLa cells as shown by figure 6 was 25 ug/ml at 60OC and the largest inhibitory effect seen on HeLa cells was seen at 50 ug/ml RT shown by figure 6. The extract which has the largest stimulatory effect on THP-1 cells is 25 ug/ml 60OC as shown by figure 11 whereas the extract producing the largest inhibitory effect is 25 ug/ml RT.

Apoptotic and necrotic cell death mechanisms were examined by using in vitro biochemistry techniques. Assessments were largely made based on biochemical changes of HeLa cells and THP-1 cells post treatment of Kawakawa leave extracts.
Measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH assays) in the growth media of cells that were shown to be growth inhibited during exposure to Kawakawa extracts indicated that the growth inhibition resulting from exposure to the extracts was not due to necrotic cell death processes. (ie that cells maintained their membrane integrity) When compared to the control, a lower amount of cytosolic LDH was seen in THP-1 cell lines. However, HeLa cell lines produced a high level of cytosolic LDH which may be due to mycoplasma contamination. On average, Kawakawa concentrations at 12.5ug/ml and 25ug/ml yielded less lysed cells percentage across both cell lines.
The demonstrated cell growth inhibition was unlikely to be due to necrosis and because of this it was decided to see if cell death was caused by mitochondrial processes that would further support apoptotic cell death. The biochemical assay MTT indirectly measures mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity in the presence of kawakawa leave extracts.
The MTT data illustrated mitochondrial impairment where HeLa cells exposed to Kawakawa 60OC concentrations 6.25 ug/ml and 12.5 ug/ml had the lowest average mitochondrial activity. THP-1 cells exposed to Kawakawa 60OC concentrations 12.5 ug/ml and 50 ug/ml had the lowest average mitochondrial activity.
The main results of this study include, the treatment of HeLa and THP-1 cells with kawakawa extracts demonstrated that cytotoxicity was not due to necrosis. The most interesting finding of this study is when kawakawa extracts inhibit cell growth there is no increase in LDH. This is suggestive that the cellular membrane remains intact when exposed to the extract.

text: In vitro cell culture to study microglial inflammation Inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS) characterised by release of cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) is an event that is often detrimental to neuronal cells and is thought to contribute to the neuronal loss observed during neurodegeneration.
One objective of this study was to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory properties of kawakawa leaf extracts using in vitro model cell systems. Kawakawa leaf extracts anti-inflammatory properties have anecdotally been documented in traditional Maori medicinal practices (Rangoa). However, before this aspect could be carried out, experiments were undertaken to investigate the effects the kawakawa leaf extracts had on the growth rates of two mammalian cell lines (HeLa and THP-1 cells).
Interestingly, the growth assays showed that the extracts to have both a stimulatory and inhibitory effect on cell growth. Toxicity of cells can be categorised as either necrotic or apoptotic cell death. In this study, HeLa cells and THP-1 cells were incubated under standard growth conditions with various concentrations (10 to 100ug/ml) of Kawakawa leave extracts prepared at room temperature or 60OC.
Growth data as seen in figures 2 and 3 typically have a long lag phase before they start to reach exponential growth between days 4 and 5. The extract having the largest stimulatory effect on HeLa cells as shown by figure 6 was 25 ug/ml at 60OC and the largest inhibitory effect seen on HeLa cells was seen at 50 ug/ml RT shown by figure 6. The extract which has the largest stimulatory effect on THP-1 cells is 25 ug/ml 60OC as shown by figure 11 whereas the extract producing the largest inhibitory effect is 25 ug/ml RT.

Apoptotic and necrotic cell death mechanisms were examined by using in vitro biochemistry techniques. Assessments were largely made based on biochemical changes of HeLa cells and THP-1 cells post treatment of Kawakawa leave extracts.
Measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH assays) in the growth media of cells that were shown to be growth inhibited during exposure to Kawakawa extracts indicated that the growth inhibition resulting from exposure to the extracts was not due to necrotic cell death processes. (ie that cells maintained their membrane integrity) When compared to the control, a lower amount of cytosolic LDH was seen in THP-1 cell lines. However, HeLa cell lines produced a high level of cytosolic LDH which may be due to mycoplasma contamination. On average, Kawakawa concentrations at 12.5ug/ml and 25ug/ml yielded less lysed cells percentage across both cell lines.
The demonstrated cell growth inhibition was unlikely to be due to necrosis and because of this it was decided to see if cell death was caused by mitochondrial processes that would further support apoptotic cell death. The biochemical assay MTT indirectly measures mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity in the presence of kawakawa leave extracts.
The MTT data illustrated mitochondrial impairment where HeLa cells exposed to Kawakawa 60OC concentrations 6.25 ug/ml and 12.5 ug/ml had the lowest average mitochondrial activity. THP-1 cells exposed to Kawakawa 60OC concentrations 12.5 ug/ml and 50 ug/ml had the lowest average mitochondrial activity.
The main results of this study include, the treatment of HeLa and THP-1 cells with kawakawa extracts demonstrated that cytotoxicity was not due to necrosis. The most interesting finding of this study is when kawakawa extracts inhibit cell growth there is no increase in LDH. This is suggestive that the cellular membrane remains intact when exposed to the extract.

year: 2016