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.

Smoking and socioeconomic status in England: the rise of the never smoker and the disadvantaged smoker

Abstract: Background Since 2000 various tobacco control measures have been implemented in the UK. Changes in the smoking status of low and high socioeconomic status (SES) groups in England during this period (2001–08) are explored. Methods Secondary analysis of the Health Survey for England general population samples was undertaken. Over 88 000 adults, age 16 or over, living in England were included. Smoking status (current, ex or never) was reported. SES was assessed through a count of seven possible indicators of disadvantage: National Statistics Socio-Economic Classification (NSSEC), neighbourhood index of multiple deprivation, lone parenting, car availability, housing tenure, income and unemployment. Results Smoking rates were four times higher among the most disadvantaged [60.7% (95% CI: 58.2–63.3)] than the most affluent [15.3% (95% CI: 14.8–15.8)]. Smoking prevalence declined between 2001 and 2008 except among the multiply disadvantaged. This trend appeared to be due to an increase in never smoking rather than an increase in quitting. Disadvantage declined among non-smokers but not smokers. Conclusions In general never smoking and affluence increased in England over this period. The disadvantaged, however, did not experience

Distinguishing between Presynaptic and Postsynaptic Mechanisms of Short-Term Depression during Action Potential Trains

Abstract: Short-term facilitation and depression have a profound influence on transmission at many glutamatergic synapses, particularly during trains of stimuli. A major component of these processes is postsynaptic receptor desensitization. Both presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms can contribute to synaptic efficacy, but it is often difficult to define their respective contributions. Blockers of desensitization such as cyclothiazide (CTZ) can be used, but many of these drugs have nonspecific effects on transmitter release, complicating attempts to define synaptic effectiveness under physiological conditions. We describe and validate a new method to minimize desensitization during trains of synaptic stimuli that is based on the low-affinity competitive glutamate receptor antagonists γ-d-glutamylglycine or kynurenic acid. A computational model of AMPA receptor kinetics shows that the mechanism can be accounted for by simple competitive antagonism of AMPA receptors, where the rapid off-rate of the antagonist permits re-equilibration between blocked and unblocked pools during the interstimulus interval. Our results at the calyx of Held show that desensitization makes little contribution to synaptic depression at frequencies below 10 Hz, but at higher frequencies it makes an important contribution, with accumulating desensitization masking short-term facilitation and causing an underestimation of quantal content. This novel method of protection from desensitization is compatible with physiological studies but cannot be used in conjunction with CTZ. Although presynaptic vesicle depletion makes the dominant contribution to short-term depression, our results show that AMPA receptor desensitization contributes to the depression at auditory synapses after hearing onset and in a frequency-dependent manner.

Financial incentives for smoking cessation in pregnancy: randomised controlled trial

Abstract: Objective To assess the efficacy of a financial incentive added to routine specialist pregnancy stop smoking services versus routine care to help pregnant smokers quit.

The Role of Prevalidation in the Development, Validation and Acceptance of Alternative Methods:

Abstract: Experience has shown that the outcome of large and expensive validation studies on alternative methods can be compromised if their managers do not insist that optimised test protocols and proof of ...