Scottish Health Services

Abstract Feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder, comparable to dementia in people, characterised by behavioural changes such as increased vocalisation, altered social interactions, sleep-wake cycle, disorientation and house-soiling. Although the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, pathologies similar to those observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), have been identified in the brains of aged or CDS-affected cats, including brain atrophy, neuronal loss, amyloid-beta plaques, tau pathology, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Neuroinflammation and synapse loss, other important hallmarks of AD, may also play important roles in feline ageing and CDS, but these are yet to be explored. Several mechanisms of synapse loss have been described in human AD and mouse models of amyloidopathy, including synaptic accumulation of amyloid-beta, and the aberrant induction of synaptic engulfment by microglia and astrocytes. In this study, immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to examine the parietal cortex of young (n=7), aged (n=10), and CDS-affected (n=8) cats. Linear mixed effect modelling revealed that amyloid-beta accumulates within synapses in the aged and CDS-affected brain. Additionally, in the aged and CDS groups there was microgliosis, astrogliosis and increased synaptic engulfment by microglia and astrocytes in regions with Aβ plaques. Further, microglia and astrocytes show increased internalisation of amyloid-beta-containing synapses near plaques. These findings suggest that amyloid-beta exerts a pathogenic effect in the feline brain, with mechanisms mirroring those seen in human AD.

This paper describes several automation tools and software that can be considered during evidence synthesis projects and provides guidance for their integration in the conduct of scoping reviews. The guidance presented in this work is adapted from the results of a scoping review and consultations with the JBI Scoping Review Methodology group. This paper describes several reliable, validated automation tools and software that can be used to enhance the conduct of scoping reviews. Developments in the automation of systematic reviews, and more recently scoping reviews, are continuously evolving. We detail several helpful tools in order of the key steps recommended by the JBI's methodological guidance for undertaking scoping reviews including team establishment, protocol development, searching, de-duplication, screening titles and abstracts, data extraction, data charting, and report writing. While we include several reliable tools and software that can be used for the automation of scoping reviews, there are some limitations to the tools mentioned. For example, some are available in English only and their lack of integration with other tools results in limited interoperability. This paper highlighted several useful automation tools and software programs to use in undertaking each step of a scoping review. This guidance has the potential to inform collaborative efforts aiming at the development of evidence informed, integrated automation tools and software packages for enhancing the conduct of high-quality scoping reviews.

Objectives:Patients who frequently call ambulance services are a vulnerable yet heterogeneous population with unmet multiple and complex physical health, mental health and/or social care needs. In this article, we report the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced for ambulance services across the UK when managing frequent callers, and reflect on how existing systems and practices are adapting to support changing patient needs.Methods:Data reported in this article comprise reflections from the frequent caller leads in each ambulance service in the UK. All data were provided between 23 April 2020 and 1 May 2020, shortly after the peak of the outbreak in the UK. A single anonymised case study is also reported to illustrate how the pandemic is affecting people’s circumstances and contributing to frequent caller behaviour.Results:Ambulance services are observing changes to the frequent caller population, with many new frequent callers due to health anxiety caused or exacerbated by the pandemic. Management of frequent callers is also changing, with multidisciplinary and multi-agency working becoming more challenging due to decreased access to external services, whether in social care or the community and voluntary sector, and the redeployment of ambulance service staff. There is also decreased face-to-face contact with frequent callers, meaning that opportunities to deliver person-centred care are reduced. However, the introduction or increased use of tele/video conferencing with other organisations has mitigated some of these challenges, and in some cases has improved engagement among external organisations.Conclusions:Health anxieties, lack of access to other health, social and community and voluntary sector services and exacerbations of social isolation and/or loneliness have reportedly contributed to changing behaviour among frequent callers. The COVID-19 pandemic has also affected how ambulance services have been able to manage frequent callers. Ambulance services should continue to engage with external organisations to aid the delivery of person-centred care, particularly organisations with experience in multiple complex needs such as mental health, social isolation and/or loneliness. Future research should examine the consequences of the pandemic for frequent users of ambulance services, and how these impact on the wider health and care community.

Abstract Bio‐logging data obtained by tagging animals are key to addressing global conservation challenges. However, the many thousands of existing bio‐logging datasets are not easily discoverable, universally comparable, nor readily accessible through existing repositories and across platforms, slowing down ecological research and effective management. A set of universal standards is needed to ensure discoverability, interoperability and effective translation of bio‐logging data into research and management recommendations. We propose a standardisation framework adhering to existing data principles (FAIR: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable; and TRUST: Transparency, Responsibility, User focus, Sustainability and Technology) and involving the use of simple templates to create a data flow from manufacturers and researchers to compliant repositories, where automated procedures should be in place to prepare data availability into four standardised levels: (a) decoded raw data, (b) curated data, (c) interpolated data and (d) gridded data. Our framework allows for integration of simple tabular arrays (e.g. csv files) and creation of sharable and interoperable network Common Data Form (netCDF) files containing all the needed information for accuracy‐of‐use, rightful attribution (ensuring data providers keep ownership through the entire process) and data preservation security. We show the standardisation benefits for all stakeholders involved, and illustrate the application of our framework by focusing on marine animals and by providing examples of the workflow across all data levels, including filled templates and code to process data between levels, as well as templates to prepare netCDF files ready for sharing. Adoption of our framework will facilitate collection of Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) in support of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and inter‐governmental assessments (e.g. the World Ocean Assessment), and will provide a starting point for broader efforts to establish interoperable bio‐logging data formats across all fields in animal ecology.

BackgroundInfection with the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a worldwide pandemic with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, overwhelming healthcare systems globally. Preliminary reports suggest a high incidence of infection and mortality with SARS-CoV-2 in patients receiving kidney replacement therapy (KRT). The aims of this study are to report characteristics, rates and outcomes of all patients affected by infection with SARS-CoV-2 undergoing KRT in Scotland.MethodsStudy design was an observational cohort study. Data were linked between the Scottish Renal Registry, Health Protection Scotland and the Scottish Intensive Care Society Audit Group national data sets using a unique patient identifier (Community Health Index (CHI)) for each individual by the Public Health and Intelligence unit of Public Health, Scotland. Descriptive statistics and survival analyses were performed.ResultsDuring the period 1st March 2020 to 31st May 2020, 110 patients receiving KRT tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 amounting to 2% of the prevalent KRT population. Of those affected, 86 were receiving haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis and 24 had a renal transplant. Patients who tested positive were older and more likely to reside in more deprived postcodes. Mortality was high at 26.7% in the dialysis patients and 29.2% in the transplant patients.ConclusionThe rate of detected SARS-CoV-2 in people receiving KRT in Scotland was relatively low but with a high mortality for those demonstrating infection. Although impossible to confirm, it appears that the measures taken within dialysis units coupled with the national shielding policy, have been effective in protecting this population from infection.

Objective: This study aims to assess the immunomodulatory potential of an Ayurvedic formulation, Nirocil syrup, in Wistar rats.
 Methods: The experiments were conducted on Wistar rats with prior approval from the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. Nirocil syrup was administered for 6 weeks to experimental animals. Parameters such as hemagglutination titer, histopathology of immunological organs, complete blood count, differential leukocyte count, and immunological paw edema were recorded and compared with controlled (untreated) and becozinc treated groups.
 Results: Nirocil treated group significantly enhanced the antibody titer in comparison to the control group. The results are supported by the increase in blood lymphocyte count and antigenic stimulation in immunological organs (spleen). Nirocil syrup enhanced antibody formation and suppressed the immunological edema in experimental animals.
 Conclusions: The study concludes that the Ayurvedic formulation Nirocil syrup has immunopotentiating activity.

The following publication contains book reviews of these titles: Herodotou, C., Sharples, M. and Scanlon, E. (eds) (2018) Citizen Inquiry: Synthesising Science and Enquiry Learning. London: Routledge, 237 pages ISBN 9781138208698 Baxter, J., Callaghan, G., and McAvoy, J. (eds) (2018) Creativity and Critique in Online Learning: Exploring and Examining Innovations in Online Pedagogy. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 287 pages ISBN 978-3-030-08668-8 Krause, S.D. (2019) More than a Moment, Contextualizing the past, present, and future of MOOCS, Utah: Utah State University Press. 168 pages. ISBN: 9781607327868 (paperback) 9781607327875 (ebook) Rowell, C. (ed) (2019) Social Media in Higher Education: Case Studies, Reflections and Analysis, Cambridge, UK: OpenBook Publishers 304 pages ISBN 9781783746682. Available as an open access book at: https://doi.org/10.11647/OBP.0162 Morris, S. M. & Stommel, J. (2019), An Urgency of Teachers: The Work of Critical Digital Pedagogy. Hybrid Pedagogy, Open Access: https://criticaldigitalpedagogy.pressbooks.com/ ISBN 9780692152690.

Abstract IntroductionInfection with the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a worldwide pandemic with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, overwhelming healthcare systems globally. Preliminary reports suggest a high incidence of infection and mortality with SARS-CoV-2 in patients receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT). The aims of this study are to report characteristics, rates and outcomes of all patients affected by infection with SARS-CoV-2 undergoing RRT in Scotland.MethodsStudy design was an observational cohort study. Data were linked between the Scottish Renal Registry, Health Protection Scotland and the Scottish Intensive Care Society Audit Group national data sets using a unique patient identifier (Community Health Index (CHI)) for each individual by the Public Health and Intelligence unit of Public Health, Scotland. Descriptive statistics and survival analyses were performed.ResultsDuring the period 1stMarch 2020 to 31stMay 2020, 110 patients receiving RRT tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 amounting to 2% of the prevalent RRT population. Of those affected, 87 were receiving haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis and 24 had a renal transplant. Patients who tested positive were older and more likely to reside in more deprived postcodes. Mortality was high at 26.7% in the dialysis patients and 29.2% in the transplant patients.ConclusionThe rate of detected SARS-CoV-2 in people receiving RRT in Scotland was relatively low but with a high mortality for those demonstrating infection. Although impossible to confirm, it appears that the measures taken within dialysis units coupled with the national shielding policy, have been effective in protecting this population from infection.

The principal argument of the article is that the architecture of the palaces of James V is more eclectic than previously assumed. The advanced French Renaissance character of parts of the Falkland Palace, dating from about 1537-41, is complemented by medieval elements in Falkland, Linlithgow and Stirling, and that this last also has stronger affinities with the buildings of the Habsburg dominions or Portugal than France. It also argues that the Linlithgow plan had a strong influence on the castle of Écouen and on Serlio's Ancy-le-Franc.

Smith’s rewriting of the ancient myth of Iphis and Ianthe in a contemporary context cannot be reduced to a mere modernization of Ovid’s tale. This paper aims at showing that the retelling of this gender-bending story through the voices of two sisters allows the author to provide a narrative for women in general and for Scottish women in particular, thereby creating a new feminine myth. This is achieved thanks to a (re) telling of often forgotten historical events in which Scottish female figures took an active part and a harsh criticism of the neocolonialist corporate discourse which sees everything as a commodity and which is perceived as violently sexist and masculine. Ali Smith’s creation of a new narrative is thus both political and poetic: her constant exploration of the multiplicity of meanings and connotations of words and names, and her subtle reversal of conventions, help the author produce a new form of discourse that reasserts women’s place within Scottish national history and culture.