Flinders University

About: Flinders University is a education organization based out in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 12033 authors who have published 32831 publications receiving 973172 citations. The organization is also known as: Flinders University of South Australia.

Release of dopamine from dendrites in rat substantia nigra

Abstract: THERE is increasing evidence that neurotransmitter synthesis, storage and release are not confined to axon terminals. Much of this evidence has come from studies of the dopaminergic neurones of the substantia nigra (see Fig. 1). The terminal dendritic processes of dopamine (DA) neurones in substantia nigra are varicose and contain clusters of small vesicles1,2; histochemical studies have shown that the dendrites contain DA and are able to take it up3,4. There is also evidence that the components necessary for the synthesis and storage of DA are transported somatofugally in dendrites of substantia nigra3,5. Finally, the local application of DA agonists to the substantia nigra produces an inhibition of firing of neurones in the pars compacta that is blocked by DA antagonists6,7. On the basis of these observations, it has been proposed that a local dendritic release of DA may modify the excitability of dopaminergic neurones in substantia nigra7. There has, however, been no direct demonstration of transmitter release from these or other dendrites. In this study we present evidence for the release of DA from dendrites of dopaminergic neurones in rat substantia nigra.

Gene-centric metagenomics of the fiber-adherent bovine rumen microbiome reveals forage specific glycoside hydrolases

Abstract: The complex microbiome of the rumen functions as an effective system for the conversion of plant cell wall biomass to microbial protein, short chain fatty acids, and gases. As such, it provides a unique genetic resource for plant cell wall degrading microbial enzymes that could be used in the production of biofuels. The rumen and gastrointestinal tract harbor a dense and complex microbiome. To gain a greater understanding of the ecology and metabolic potential of this microbiome, we used comparative metagenomics (phylotype analysis and SEED subsystems-based annotations) to examine randomly sampled pyrosequence data from 3 fiber-adherent microbiomes and 1 pooled liquid sample (a mixture of the liquid microbiome fractions from the same bovine rumens). Even though the 3 animals were fed the same diet, the community structure, predicted phylotype, and metabolic potentials in the rumen were markedly different with respect to nutrient utilization. A comparison of the glycoside hydrolase and cellulosome functional genes revealed that in the rumen microbiome, initial colonization of fiber appears to be by organisms possessing enzymes that attack the easily available side chains of complex plant polysaccharides and not the more recalcitrant main chains, especially cellulose. Furthermore, when compared with the termite hindgut microbiome, there are fundamental differences in the glycoside hydrolase content that appear to be diet driven for either the bovine rumen (forages and legumes) or the termite hindgut (wood).

The Role of Social Comparison in the Effect of Magazine Advertisements on Women's Mood and Body Dissatisfaction

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the role of social comparison processes in women's responses to images of thin-idealized female beauty. A sample of 126 women viewed magazine advertisements containing full-body, body part, or product images. Instructional set was also manipulated with three levels: control, appearance focus, and social comparison. Mood and body dissatisfaction were measured immediately before and after advertisement viewing, while state weight anxiety and the amount of appearance comparison engaged in were measured only after the advertisements. It was found that exposure to either body part or full body images led to increased negative mood and body dissatisfaction, while the amount of comparison processing was affected by both image type and instructional set. Importantly, regression analyses showed that the effects of image type on mood and body dissatisfaction were mediated by the amount of social comparison reported. It was concluded that the processing in which women engage ...