The role of myocardial fibrosis in determining the success rate of ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and with an aging population its prevalence will increase. In addition to appropriate anticoagulation to reduce the thromboembolic risk, there has been an increasing need for a personalised approach in identifying which patients are likely to benefit more from atrial fibrillation ablation procedures. This review will discuss the role of myocardial fibrosis in patients with atrial fibrillation, its mechanistic role, association with biomarkers and how this could potentially be of use in the development of a risk score identifying the success of maintaining sinus rhythm following an electrophysiological ablation

Human Impact on Marine Life and Ecosystems: An Assessment of Conservation Strategies

Human activities have had a significant impact on marine life and ecosystems, necessitating the implementation of conservation strategies to mitigate further damage. This abstract examines various conservation strategies and their effectiveness in addressing the human impact on marine environments. Industrialization, overfishing, pollution, and climate change have all had serious consequences for marine life. Coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and marine biodiversity have been degraded to unprecedented levels. To protect marine ecosystems, conservation strategies such as marine protected areas (MPAs), sustainable fishing practises, and pollution control measures have been implemented. MPAs have emerged as powerful tools for safeguarding critical habitats and species. They increase biodiversity, improve fish stocks, and mitigate the effects of human activity. Their success, however, is dependent on proper design, enforcement, and long-term monitoring. Sustainable fishing practices, such as ecosystem-based management and the implementation of fishing quotas, aim to ensure the long-term viability of fish populations while lowering bycatch and habitat destruction. These strategies have shown promise in restoring fish stocks and maintaining ecosystem health. Pollution control measures, such as wastewater treatment and stricter regulations on industrial and shipping activities, have been critical in reducing marine pollution. However, more comprehensive approaches are required to address emerging threats such as microplastics and chemical contaminants. The study's primary goal is to identify the factors that influence the organic product market in India. A sample size of 201 is used for empirical research. Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is the sample location. Age, gender, marital status, educational level, occupation, and monthly income are the independent variables. Biological Data, Environmental Data and Socio-economic Data are the dependent variables. It is possible to conclude that there is a lack of a well-established market for organic products in India, despite the fact that organic products have a high export potential. Finally, conservation strategies are critical for mitigating human impacts on marine life and ecosystems. MPAs, sustainable fishing practises, and pollution control measures can all help restore and protect marine biodiversity. However, ongoing research, adaptive management, and international cooperation are required to develop and refine these strategies to address emerging challenges in marine conservation

Socio-Economic and Occupational Status of The Fisherman Community in Thoothukudi District

This research study aims to examine the socioeconomic and occupational status of the fisherman community in the Thoothukudi district, located in the southern part of Tamil Nadu, India. The fishing community plays a vital role in the region's economy, contributing to the livelihoods of numerous households and supporting the local fishery industry. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather comprehensive data on various aspects of the fisherman community's socioeconomic conditions and occupational dynamics. A representative sample of fishermen and their families residing in different coastal villages within the Thoothukudi district will be selected for data collection. The quantitative phase involves administering structured surveys to collect data on demographic characteristics, education levels, household income, asset ownership, and access to social welfare programs. Additionally, information related to occupational factors such as fishing techniques, equipment, fishing practices, and income generated from fishing activities will be collected. The qualitative phase comprises in-depth interviews with a subset of participants to explore their perceptions, challenges, and aspirations related to their occupation and socio-economic circumstances. The qualitative data will provide a nuanced understanding of the fisherman community's lived experiences, social networks, and community support systems. The collected data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods and qualitative thematic analysis techniques. The findings of this research are expected to shed light on the current socioeconomic and occupational status of the fisherman community in the Thoothukudi district. The study will also identify key challenges and opportunities faced by the community, including issues related to poverty, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The results of this study can inform policymakers, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations working towards the welfare and development of the fisherman community. By understanding the socio-economic and occupational dynamics, stakeholders can design targeted interventions and policies to enhance the livelihoods, well-being, and sustainable development of the fisherman community in the Thoothukudi district and similar coastal regions

Osteoprotegerin and Myocardial Fibrosis in Patients with Aortic Stenosis

Left ventricular myocardial fibrosis in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) confers worse prognosis. Plasma osteoprotegerin (OPG), a cytokine from the TNF receptor family, correlates with the degree of valve calcification in AS, reflecting the activity of the tissue RANKL/RANK/OPG (receptor activator of nuclear factor κΒ ligand/RANK/osteoprotegerin) axis, and is associated with poorer outcomes in AS. Its association with myocardial fibrosis is unknown. We hypothesised that OPG levels would reflect the extent of myocardial fibrosis in AS. We included 110 consecutive patients with AS who had undergone late-gadolinium contrast enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR). Patients were characterised according to pattern of fibrosis (no fibrosis, midwall fibrosis, or chronic myocardial infarction fibrosis). Serum OPG was measured with ELISA and compared between groups defined by valve stenosis severity. Some 36 patients had no fibrosis, 38 had midwall fibrosis, and 36 had chronic infarction. Patients with midwall fibrosis did not have higher levels of OPG compared to those without fibrosis (6.78 vs. 5.25 pmol/L, p = 0.12). There was no difference between those with midwall or chronic myocardial infarction fibrosis (6.78 vs. 6.97 pmol/L, p = 0.27). However, OPG levels in patients with chronic myocardial infarction fibrosis were significantly higher than those without fibrosis (p = 0.005)

Inducible expression of Pisum sativum xyloglucan fucosyltransferase in the pea root cap meristem, and effects of antisense mRNA expression on root cap cell wall structural integrity

Mitosis and cell wall synthesis in the legume root cap meristem can be induced and synchronized by the nondestructive removal of border cells from the cap periphery. Newly synthesized cells can be examined microscopically as they differentiate progressively during cap development, and ultimately detach as a new population of border cells. This system was used to demonstrate that Pisum sativum L. fucosyl transferase (PsFut1) mRNA expression is strongly expressed in root meristematic tissues, and is induced >2-fold during a 5-h period when mitosis in the root cap meristem is increased. Expression of PsFut1 antisense mRNA in pea hairy roots under the control of the CaMV35S promoter, which exhibits meristem localized expression in pea root caps, resulted in a 50–60% reduction in meristem localized endogenous PsFut1 mRNA expression measured using whole mount in situ hybridization. Changes in gross levels of cell wall fucosylated xyloglucan were not detected, but altered surface localization patterns were detected using whole mount immunolocalization with CCRC-M1, an antibody that recognizes fucosylated xyloglucan. Emerging hairy roots expressing antisense PsFut1 mRNA appeared normal macroscopically but scanning electron microscopy of tissues with altered CCRC-M1 localization patterns revealed wrinkled, collapsed cell surfaces. As individual border cells separated from the cap periphery, cell death occurred in correlation with extrusion of cellular contents through breaks in the wall