Genome-wide association and Mendelian randomisation analysis provide insights into the pathogenesis of heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A small proportion of HF cases are attributable to monogenic cardiomyopathies and existing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have yielded only limited insights, leaving the observed heritability of HF largely unexplained. We report results from a GWAS meta-analysis of HF comprising 47,309 cases and 930,014 controls. Twelve independent variants at 11 genomic loci are associated with HF, all of which demonstrate one or more associations with coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation, or reduced left ventricular function, suggesting shared genetic aetiology. Functional analysis of non-CAD-associated loci implicate genes involved in cardiac development (MYOZ1, SYNPO2L), protein homoeostasis (BAG3), and cellular senescence (CDKN1A). Mendelian randomisation analysis supports causal roles for several HF risk factors, and demonstrates CAD-independent effects for atrial fibrillation, body mass index, and hypertension. These findings extend our knowledge of the pathways underlying HF and may inform new therapeutic strategies

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Source rock characterization and oil generating potential of the Jurassic Madbi Formation, onshore East Shabowah oilfields, Republic of Yemen

The hydrocarbon source rock potential of shales from the Jurassic Madbi Formation was evaluated using organic geochemistry (Rock-Eval pyrolysis, TOC and bitumen extraction) and organic petrology. Very good source rock potential is suggested by high values of total organic carbon content (TOC, >2.0 wt%) and high extractable organic matter content and hydrocarbon yields (>11,000 and 6000 ppm, respectively). The Madbi Formation samples have high hydrogen index (HI) and low oxygen index (OI) values. Most of the samples in the study area are thermally mature and contain oil prone Type I and Type II kerogen. Vitrinite reflectance (Ro) values for the Madbi shale samples were measured from 0.74% to 0.89%. T(max) values range from 430 to 438 degrees C, which are in reasonably good agreement with vitrinite reflectance data, reveal that the Madbi shales are at the early to peak mature stage. On the basis of biomarker maturity parameters, these shales are thermally mature. Shales of the Madbi Formation contain abundant hydrogen rich kerogen (liptinite up to 55%) and therefore good oil generating potential is anticipated. This is supported by high hydrogen indices (HI) of up to 400 mg HC/g TOC and early to peak mature oil window range. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Organic geochemistry, burial history and hydrocarbon generation modelling of the upper jurassic madbi formation, masila basin, Yemen

Cuttings samples of shales from the Upper Jurassic Madbi Formation from boreholes in the centre-west of the Masila Basin were analysed using organic geochemistry (Rock-Eval pyrolysis, extract analysis) and organic petrology. The shales generally contain more than 2.0 wt % TOC and have very good to excellent hydrocarbon potential. Kerogen is predominantly algal Type II with minor Type I. Thermal maturity of the organic matter is R(r) 0.69-0.91%. Thermal and burial history models indicate that the Madbi Formation source rock entered the early-mature to mature stage in the Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary. Hydrocarbon generation began in the Late Cretaceous, reaching maximum rates during the Early Tertiary. Cretaceous subsidence had only a minor influence on source rock maturation and OM transformation