University of Stirling

About: University of Stirling is a education organization based out in Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Polyunsaturated fatty acid. The organization has 7722 authors who have published 20549 publications receiving 732940 citations. The organization is also known as: Stirling University.

Self-managing and managing self: practical and moral dilemmas in accounts of living with chronic illness:

Abstract: Background: Patient education self-management programmes draw on sociological understanding of experiencing single chronic illnesses, but health practitioners do not always recognize the tensions and ambiguities permeating individuals' management experiences, particularly for those with multiple morbidity. The aim of this study was to illuminate how people negotiate multiple chronic illness, and everyday life.Methods: A sample of 23 people in their early 50s was recruited from a community health survey in Scotland. The participants had four or more chronic illnesses and were interviewed twice. The qualitative data that were generated highlighted the impact of illness and associated management strategies, as people attempted to continue familiar lives. Analysis was based on constant comparison and informed by a narrative approach.Results: People used multiple techniques to manage symptoms and conveyed a moral obligation to manage `well'. However, maintaining valued social roles, coherent identities and a `...

Molecular characterisation of a membrane-bound galactosyltransferase of plant cell wall matrix polysaccharide biosynthesis.

Abstract: Galactomannan biosynthesis in vitro is catalysed by membrane preparations from developing fenugreek seed endosperms. Two enzymes interact: a GDP-mannose dependent (1→4)-β-d-mannan synthase and a UDP-galactose dependent (1→6)-α-d-galactosyltransferase. The statistical distribution of galactosyl substituents along the mannan backbone, and the degree of galactose substitution of the primary product of galactomannan biosynthesis appear to be regulated by the specificity of the galactosyltransferase. We now report the detergent solubilisation of the fenugreek galactosyltransferase with retention of activity, the identification on gels of a putative 51 kDa galactosyltransferase protein, and the isolation, cloning and sequencing of the corresponding cDNA. The solubilised galactosyltransferase has an absolute requirement for added acceptor substrates. Beta-(1→4)-linked d-manno-oligosaccharides with chain lengths greater than or equal to 5 acted as acceptors, as did galactomannans of low to medium galactose-substitution. The putative galactosyltransferase cDNA encodes a 51282 Da protein, with a single transmembrane alpha helix near the N terminus. We have also confirmed the identity of the galactosyltransferase by inserting the cDNA in frame into the genome of the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris under the control of an AOX promoter and the yeast alpha secretion factor and observing the secretion of galactomannan α-galactosyltransferase activity. Particularly high activities were observed when a truncated sequence, lacking the membrane-spanning helix, was expressed.

Large-scale habitat selection by agricultural steppe birds in Spain: identifying species–habitat responses using generalized additive models

Abstract: Summary 1 Predictive models of species’ distributions are used increasingly in ecological studies investigating features as varied as biodiversity, habitat selection and interspecific competition. In a pilot study, we based a successful model for the great bustard Otis tarda on advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) satellite data, which offer attractive predictor variables because of the global coverage, high temporal frequency of overpasses and low cost. We wished to assess whether the approach could be applied at very large spatial scales, and whether the coarse resolution of the imagery (1 km 2 ) would limit application to those bird species with large home ranges or to simple recognition of broad habitat types. 2 We modelled the distributions of three agricultural steppe birds over the whole of Spain using a common set of predictor variables, including AVHRR imagery. The species, great bustard, little bustard Tetrax tetrax and calandra lark Melanocorhypha calandra , have similar habitat requirements but differently sized home ranges, and are all species of conservation concern. Good models would reveal differences in distribution between the species and have high predictive power despite the large geographical extent covered. 3 Generalized additive models (GAMs) were built with the presence–absence of the species as the response variable. Individual species’ responses to the habitat variables were identified using partial fits and compared with each other. We found that this modelling framework could successfully distinguish the habitats selected by the three species, while the response curves indicated how the habitats differed. Model fits and cross-validations assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) plots showed the models to be successful and robust. 4 We overlaid the predictive maps to identify key areas for agricultural steppe birds in Spain and compared these with the present network of protected sites in two sample regions. In Castilla Leon the provision of protected sites appears appropriate, but in Castilla La Mancha large areas of apparently suitable habitat have no protection. 5 These results confirm that large-scale models are able to increase our understanding of species’ ecology and provide data for conservation planning. AVHRR imagery, in combination with other variables, has sufficient resolution to model a range of bird species, and GAMs have the flexibility to model subtle species–habitat responses.

Global geographical and historical overview of cyanotoxin distribution and cyanobacterial poisonings

Abstract: Cyanobacteria are photoautotrophic organisms which occur in aquatic and terrestrial environments. They have the potential to produce toxins which pose a threat to human and animal health. This review covers the global distribution of the common cyanotoxins and related poisoning cases. A total of 468 selected articles on toxic cyanobacteria, dating from the earliest records until 2018, were reviewed. Most of the articles were published after 2000 (72%; 337 out of 468), which is consistent with the recent growth in interest in the analysis, toxinology and ecotoxicology of cyanotoxins. Animal and/or human poisoning cases were described in more than a third of the overall publications (38%; 177 out of 468). The reviewed publications showed that there were 1118 recorded identifications of major cyanotoxins in 869 freshwater ecosystems from 66 countries throughout the world. Microcystins were the most often recorded cyanotoxins worldwide (63%; 699 out of 1118), followed by cylindrospermopsin (10%; 107 out of 1118), anatoxins (9%; 100 out of 1118), and saxitoxins (8%; 93 out of 1118). Nodularins were the most rarely recorded cyanotoxins (2%; 19 out of 1118); however, there were also reports where cyanotoxins were not analysed or specified (9%; 100 out of 1118). The most commonly found toxic cyanobacterial genera were Microcystis spp. (669 reports), Anabaena spp. (397 reports), Aphanizomenon spp. (100 reports), Planktothrix spp. (98 reports), and Oscillatoria spp. (75 reports). Furthermore, there were 183 recorded cyanotoxin poisonings of humans and/or animals. Out of all toxic cyanobacterial blooms reviewed in this paper, the highest percentage of associated poisonings was found in North and Central America (39%; 69 cases out of 179), then Europe (20%; 35 out of 179), Australia including New Zealand (15%; 27 out of 179), and Africa (11%; 20 out of 179), while the lowest percentage was related to Asia (8%; 14 cases out of 179) and South America (8%; 14 cases out of 179). Events where only animals were known to have been affected were 63% (114 out of 182), whereas 32% (58 out of 182) of the investigated events involved only humans. A historical overview of human and animal poisoning episodes associated with cyanobacterial blooms is presented. Further, geographical data on the occurrence of cyanotoxins and related poisonings based on the available literature are shown. Some countries (mainly European) have done very intensive research on the occurrence of toxic cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins, and reported related ecotoxicological observations, while in some countries the lack of data is apparent. The true global extent of cyanotoxins and associated poisonings is likely to be greater than found in the available literature, and it can be assumed that ecotoxicological and hygienic problems caused by toxic cyanobacteria may occur in more environments.