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.

Inhibitory effects of muscarinic receptor autoantibodies on parasympathetic neurotransmission in Sjögren's syndrome

Abstract: Objective Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by dry eyes and mouth (sicca syndrome) and lymphocytic infiltration of the lacrimal and salivary glands. Abnormalities of parasympathetic neurotransmission may contribute to the glandular dysfunction. In this study, we used a functional assay to investigate autoantibody-mediated effects on parasympathetic neurotransmission and smooth muscle contraction. Methods Serum and purified IgG were obtained from patients with primary and secondary SS and from control subjects. Contraction of isolated bladder strips in response to stimulation of M3-muscarinic receptors by a muscarinic receptor agonist, carbachol, or by endogenous acetylcholine released from postganglionic parasympathetic nerves was measured before and after the addition of patient serum or IgG. Results Sera from 5 of 9 patients with primary SS and from 6 of 6 patients with secondary SS inhibited carbachol-evoked bladder contraction by ∼50%. Sera from these patients also inhibited the action of neuronally released acetylcholine at M3-muscarinic receptors. Sera from 7 of 8 healthy individuals, from patients with rheumatoid arthritis without sicca symptoms, and from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus had no effect. The anti–muscarinic receptor activity was localized in the IgG fraction, since purified IgG from patients with SS also inhibited agonist- and nerve-evoked contractions. In this preliminary study, the autoantibodies seemed to be associated with the presence of bladder symptoms and other autonomic features. Conclusion Autoantibodies that act as antagonists at M3-muscarinic receptors on smooth muscle occur in a subset of patients with primary and secondary SS. Their presence in secondary SS was unexpected and provides new evidence for a common pathogenetic link between primary and secondary SS. These autoantibodies appear to contribute to sicca symptoms and may explain associated features of autonomic dysfunction in some patients.

Late Quaternary tectonic movements and sea-level changes at Timor and Atauro Island

Abstract: Flights of raised coral terraces on the north coast of East Timor and at Atauro Island, north of Timor, are described stratigraphically and dated by Th 230 -U 234 determinations. The exposures at southern Atauro enable detailed reconstruction of the history of transgressions and regressions, especially for the period 140,000 to 105,000 yr B.P. Sea-level changes identified in Barbados and New Guinea are closely confirmed. The Atauro uplift rate is 0.47 m/1,000 yr, as estimated from the highest position of shallow-water coral faunas in the reef, which is dated as 120,000 old. The extrapolated rate is used to estimate ages of higher reefs; these ages correlate quite well with periods of major glacio-eustatic rise indicated by the O 18 record of Pacific cores back to 700,000 yr B.P. Reefs from three sites along the north coast of Timor have been dated within the 84,000, 105,000, and 120,000 yr B.P. high sea-level periods and indicate uplift at 0.5 m/1,000 yr. A 120,000-yr-old reef from a fourth north Timor site, near Dili, indicates much slower uplift, about 0.03 m/1,000 yr.

The quest for ordinariness: transition experienced by midlife women living with chronic illness.

Abstract: Aims. This paper reports the findings of research that aimed to elucidate the meaning of midlife women's experiences of living with chronic illness. Background. A lack of awareness by health professionals of the context in which women must live with chronic illness often results in women feeling overwhelmed, alienated and without voice within the delivery of health care. This inquiry privileged women's voices. Design. The construct of ‘transition’ in chronic illness experience evolved from this collaborative and participatory research with midlife women living with adult onset chronic illness. Over a 1-year timeframe, 81 women were asked to tell their stories of living with a chronic illness. These correspondence data were thematically analysed to provide storied accounts. Guided by feminist principles, women were empowered through research processes and have actively participated in the development of the transition construct. Findings. The research revealed that when women are first confronted with a chronic illness they appear to move through a complex trajectory that involves an ‘extraordinary’ phase of turmoil and distress; however, they may then make the transition toward an ‘ordinary’ phase that involves incorporating chronic illness into their lives. Transitions in chronic illness experience involve movement from extraordinariness to ordinariness and sometimes back again and were found to be processes that are nonlinear, sometimes cyclical and potentially recurring throughout a woman's life. Four major constructs emerged from women's narratives: How quickly life changes; extraordinariness: confronting life with illness; The illness experience as transforming and ordinariness: reconstructing life with illness. Conclusion. Nurses are in a position where they may make a difference to women who live with chronic illness. Understanding illness transitions offers a framework that will enable nurses to move beyond the bio-medically orientated concepts of nursing practice, towards a holistic approach to the provision of nursing care.

Biofortified indica rice attains iron and zinc nutrition dietary targets in the field.

Abstract: More than two billion people are micronutrient deficient. Polished grains of popular rice varieties have concentration of approximately 2 μg g(-1) iron (Fe) and 16 μg g(-1) zinc (Zn). The HarvestPlus breeding programs for biofortified rice target 13 μg g(-1) Fe and 28 μg g(-1) Zn to reach approximately 30% of the estimated average requirement (EAR). Reports on engineering Fe content in rice have shown an increase up to 18 μg g(-1) in glasshouse settings; in contrast, under field conditions, 4 μg g(-1) was the highest reported concentration. Here, we report on selected transgenic events, field evaluated in two countries, showing 15 μg g(-1) Fe and 45.7 μg g(-1) Zn in polished grain. Rigorous selection was applied to 1,689 IR64 transgenic events for insert cleanliness and, trait and agronomic performances. Event NASFer-274 containing rice nicotianamine synthase (OsNAS2) and soybean ferritin (SferH-1) genes showed a single locus insertion without a yield penalty or altered grain quality. Endosperm Fe and Zn enrichment was visualized by X-ray fluorescence imaging. The Caco-2 cell assay indicated that Fe is bioavailable. No harmful heavy metals were detected in the grain. The trait remained stable in different genotype backgrounds.