title: Metabolic adaptations associated with irreversible glucose loss are different to those observed during under-nutrition

authors: Meier, S.

subjects: glucose

abstract: In this study the hypothesis that irreversible glucose loss results in an ‘uncoupling’ of the somatotrophic axis (increasing plasma GH levels and decreasing plasma IGF-I) was tested. During periods of negative energy balance the somatotrophic axis respond by increasing plasma GH and decreasing plasma IGF-I levels. In turn, elevated GH repartitions nutrient by increasing lipolysis and protein synthesis, and decreases protein degradation. Irreversible glucose loss was induced using sub-cutaneous injections of phloridizin. Seven non-lactating cows were treated with 8 g/day phloridizin (PHZ) and seven control animals (CTRL, 0 g/day), while being restricted to a diet of 80% maintenance. PHZ treatment increased urinary glucose excretion (P < 0.001), resulting in hypoglycemia (P < 0.001). As a response to this glucose loss, the PHZ treated animals had elevated plasma NEFA (P < 0.005) and BHBA (P < 0.001) levels. Average plasma insulin concentrations were not altered with PHZ treatment (P = 0.059). Plasma GH was not different between the two groups (P > 0.1), whereas plasma IGF-I levels decreased significantly (P < 0.001) with PHZ treatment. The decline in plasma IGF-I concentrations was mirrored by a decrease in the abundance of hepatic IGF-I mRNA (P = 0.005), in addition the abundance of hepatic mRNA for both growth hormone receptors (GHR(tot) and GHR(1A)) was also decreased (P < 0.05). Therefore, the irreversible glucose loss resulted in a partial ‘uncoupling’ of the somatotrophic axis, as no increase in plasma GH levels occurred although plasma IGF-I levels, hepatic IGF-I mRNA declined, and the abundance of liver GH receptor mRNA declined.

text: Metabolic adaptations associated with irreversible glucose loss are different to those observed during under-nutrition In this study the hypothesis that irreversible glucose loss results in an ‘uncoupling’ of the somatotrophic axis (increasing plasma GH levels and decreasing plasma IGF-I) was tested. During periods of negative energy balance the somatotrophic axis respond by increasing plasma GH and decreasing plasma IGF-I levels. In turn, elevated GH repartitions nutrient by increasing lipolysis and protein synthesis, and decreases protein degradation. Irreversible glucose loss was induced using sub-cutaneous injections of phloridizin. Seven non-lactating cows were treated with 8 g/day phloridizin (PHZ) and seven control animals (CTRL, 0 g/day), while being restricted to a diet of 80% maintenance. PHZ treatment increased urinary glucose excretion (P < 0.001), resulting in hypoglycemia (P < 0.001). As a response to this glucose loss, the PHZ treated animals had elevated plasma NEFA (P < 0.005) and BHBA (P < 0.001) levels. Average plasma insulin concentrations were not altered with PHZ treatment (P = 0.059). Plasma GH was not different between the two groups (P > 0.1), whereas plasma IGF-I levels decreased significantly (P < 0.001) with PHZ treatment. The decline in plasma IGF-I concentrations was mirrored by a decrease in the abundance of hepatic IGF-I mRNA (P = 0.005), in addition the abundance of hepatic mRNA for both growth hormone receptors (GHR(tot) and GHR(1A)) was also decreased (P < 0.05). Therefore, the irreversible glucose loss resulted in a partial ‘uncoupling’ of the somatotrophic axis, as no increase in plasma GH levels occurred although plasma IGF-I levels, hepatic IGF-I mRNA declined, and the abundance of liver GH receptor mRNA declined.

year: 2008

title: Men's experiences of parenting successfully with a serious mental illness (SMI)

authors: Ashe, Jonathon Paul

abstract: Many of the men in Aotearoa/New Zealand with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) are fathers, who like others maintain intimate, loving relationships and live healthy and fulfilling lives.  This research seeks to understand what enables this group of fathers to sustain their relationships and parenting responsibilities, through times of illness and stress.  The study interviewed twelve New Zealand European men aged between 34-68 who were coping well with their illnesses and parenting responsibilities.  
Findings revealed that fathering was perceived as a positive element of individual identity that contributed to overall well-being, motivating these men to overcome their adversities.  Communication was considered key in the maintenance of relationships.  Fathers shared the responsibilities of providing and child-rearing with their co-parents and routinely participated in the household chores, demonstrating the practices of a truly ‘involved father’.  Recovery was viewed along a continuum, and self- managed care was considered pivotal in the maintenance of well-being.  Support consisted predominately of small kin networks, of which partners and or parents/in-law were the principal supporters.  General Practitioners provided the primary point of mental health contact.  For those who engaged with specialist mental health services, the needs of their children and or families were not incorporated into their care.  
 In conclusion, these men and their families are focused on living good, meaningful, and engaged lives irrespective of, or perhaps because of SMI.  At the centre of their success appears to be an interrelated process of shared responsibilities, effective communication, and organised routines with a significant degree of reciprocity evident across their relationships.  In conjunction with this, individually these fathers demonstrate an absolute sense of personal responsibility for the maintenance of their overall well-being.

text: Men's experiences of parenting successfully with a serious mental illness (SMI) Many of the men in Aotearoa/New Zealand with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) are fathers, who like others maintain intimate, loving relationships and live healthy and fulfilling lives.  This research seeks to understand what enables this group of fathers to sustain their relationships and parenting responsibilities, through times of illness and stress.  The study interviewed twelve New Zealand European men aged between 34-68 who were coping well with their illnesses and parenting responsibilities.  
Findings revealed that fathering was perceived as a positive element of individual identity that contributed to overall well-being, motivating these men to overcome their adversities.  Communication was considered key in the maintenance of relationships.  Fathers shared the responsibilities of providing and child-rearing with their co-parents and routinely participated in the household chores, demonstrating the practices of a truly ‘involved father’.  Recovery was viewed along a continuum, and self- managed care was considered pivotal in the maintenance of well-being.  Support consisted predominately of small kin networks, of which partners and or parents/in-law were the principal supporters.  General Practitioners provided the primary point of mental health contact.  For those who engaged with specialist mental health services, the needs of their children and or families were not incorporated into their care.  
 In conclusion, these men and their families are focused on living good, meaningful, and engaged lives irrespective of, or perhaps because of SMI.  At the centre of their success appears to be an interrelated process of shared responsibilities, effective communication, and organised routines with a significant degree of reciprocity evident across their relationships.  In conjunction with this, individually these fathers demonstrate an absolute sense of personal responsibility for the maintenance of their overall well-being.

year: 2018

title: An accountability model for Pakeha practitioners

authors: Huygens, Ingrid Louise Maria

subjects: Maori

abstract: This paper outlines a model of accountability for Pakeha practitioners developed over many years
as a practising community psychologist involved in research and development projects in Aotearoa
in the 1980s and 1990s, during an era of contract-funded health projects, and increasing
prominence of the Treaty of Waitangi2. The model could be termed 'transformative' in that it
reverses the usual flow of power by making the Pakeha practitioner accountable to relevant Maori
authority, and maximises the potential for new outcomes and new learning for all parties. A brief
case study is outlined where the model placed a local iwi governance structure and a national
psychiatric survivor organisation in positions of authority alongside the funder of a mental health
project. Helpful conditions, positive outcomes and barriers to transformative accountability
processes are briefly discussed.

text: An accountability model for Pakeha practitioners This paper outlines a model of accountability for Pakeha practitioners developed over many years
as a practising community psychologist involved in research and development projects in Aotearoa
in the 1980s and 1990s, during an era of contract-funded health projects, and increasing
prominence of the Treaty of Waitangi2. The model could be termed 'transformative' in that it
reverses the usual flow of power by making the Pakeha practitioner accountable to relevant Maori
authority, and maximises the potential for new outcomes and new learning for all parties. A brief
case study is outlined where the model placed a local iwi governance structure and a national
psychiatric survivor organisation in positions of authority alongside the funder of a mental health
project. Helpful conditions, positive outcomes and barriers to transformative accountability
processes are briefly discussed.

year: 1999