scholarly journals Challenges Associated with Interpreting Mechanisms of AF

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 273-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline H Roney ◽  
Andrew L Wit ◽  
Nicholas S Peters

Determining optimal treatment strategies for complex arrhythmogenesis in AF is confounded by the lack of consensus regarding the mechanisms causing AF. Studies report different mechanisms for AF, ranging from hierarchical drivers to anarchical multiple activation wavelets. Differences in the assessment of AF mechanisms are likely due to AF being recorded across diverse models using different investigational tools, spatial scales and clinical populations. The authors review different AF mechanisms, including anatomical and functional re-entry, hierarchical drivers and anarchical multiple wavelets. They then describe different cardiac mapping techniques and analysis tools, including activation mapping, phase mapping and fibrosis identification. They explain and review different data challenges, including differences between recording devices in spatial and temporal resolutions, spatial coverage and recording surface, and report clinical outcomes using different data modalities. They suggest future research directions for investigating the mechanisms underlying human AF.

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 274-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. X. Wang ◽  
A. Stroink ◽  
J. M. Casto ◽  
K. Kattner

Hyperthermia frequently occurs in stroke patients. Hyperthermia negatively correlates with clinical outcome and adversely effects treatment regiments otherwise successful under normothermic conditions. Preclinical studies also demonstrate that hyperthermia converts salvageable penumbra to ischaemic infarct. The present article reviews the knowledge accumulated from both clinical and preclinical studies about hyperthermia and ischaemic brain injury, examines current treatment strategies and discusses future research directions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 367-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nanxi Zha ◽  
Michael N. Patlas ◽  
Nick Neuheimer ◽  
Richard Duszak

Purpose Physician burnout is on the rise compared to the average population, and radiology burnout rates are ranked high compared to other specialties. We aim to assess radiologist and radiology trainee burnout in Canada. Methods A survey using the abbreviated 7-item Maslach Burnout Inventory that characterizes burnout symptoms into personal accomplishment, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization was sent to all eligible members of the Canadian Association of Radiologists in January 2018. The anonymous survey was hosted on SurveyMonkey for 1 month. A reminder e-mail was sent halfway through the survey period. Results Overall, 262 of 1401 invited radiology trainees and radiologists completed the survey (response rate 18.7%). With regards to personal accomplishment, we observed that (1) burnout in this domain improved with increased years worked and (2) milder symptoms were observed in community radiologists compared with their academic counterparts. In comparison with other studies of radiologist burnout, we found mild burnout symptoms in personal accomplishment, but severe symptoms in the burnout domains of both emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Conclusions Canadian radiologists and radiology trainees reported above average burnout symptoms with regard to both emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Future research directions include exploring etiologies of burnout and implementation of treatment strategies based on these identified problem areas.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Ong ◽  
Vincent Mei ◽  
Lin Cao ◽  
Kiana Lee ◽  
Eun Ji Chung

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting more than 70,000 people worldwide. Caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene, cystic fibrosis can result in difficulty breathing, widespread bacterial infections, edema, malnutrition, pancreatitis, and death. Current drug-based treatments struggle to reach the site of action due to the thick mucus, and only manage symptoms such as blocked airways, lung infections, and limited ability to digest food. Nanotechnology opens up possibilities for improved treatment strategies by focusing on drug penetration through the mucus lining, eliminating resulting bacterial infections, and targeting the underlying genetic cause of the disease. In this review, we present recent nanoparticle developments for cystic fibrosis, challenges in nanomedicine therapeutics, and future research directions in gene editing and nonviral vectors for gene delivery.


2011 ◽  
Vol 366 (1576) ◽  
pp. 2331-2335 ◽  
Author(s):  
David G. Jenkins ◽  
Robert E. Ricklefs

Both biogeography and ecology seek to understand the processes that determine patterns in nature, but do so at different spatial and temporal scales. The two disciplines were not always so different, and are recently converging again at regional spatial scales and broad temporal scales. In order to avoid confusion and to hasten progress at the converging margins of each discipline, the following papers were presented at a symposium in the International Biogeography Society's 2011 meeting, and are now published in this issue of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B . In a novel approach, groups of authors were paired to represent biogeographic and ecological perspectives on each of four topics: niche, comparative ecology and macroecology, community assembly, and diversity. Collectively, this compilation identifies points of agreement and disagreement between the two views on these central topics, and points to future research directions that may build on agreements and reconcile differences. We conclude this compilation with an overview on the integration of biogeography and ecology.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Ossola ◽  
Mary L. Cadenasso ◽  
Emily K. Meineke

Cities and towns are complex ecosystems with features that can vary dramatically in space and time. Our knowledge of the spatial structure of urban land and ecological systems is expanding. These systems have been investigated across spatial scales, urban to rural gradients, networks of urban macrosystems, and global megalopolises. However, the temporal dimensions of urban ecosystems – such as those related to ecological cycles and historical legacies – are far less understood and investigated. Here, we outline the main dimensions of time that can shape how events in urban ecosystems unfold, which we categorize as: (i) time flows and duration, (ii) synchrony, lags, and delays, (iii) trends and transitions, (iv) cycles and hysteresis, (v) legacies and priming, (vi) temporal hotspots and hot moments, and (vii) stochastic vs. deterministic processes affecting our ability to forecast the future of cities and the species that live in them. First, we demonstrate the roles of these understudied dimensions by discussing exemplary studies. We then propose key future research directions for investigating how processes over time may regulate the structure and functioning of urban land and biodiversity, as well as its effects on and implications for urban ecology. Our analysis and conceptual framework highlights that several temporal dimensions of urban ecosystems – like those related to temporal hotspots/moments and stochastic vs. deterministic processes – are understudied. This offers important research opportunities to further urban ecology and a comprehensive research agenda valuing the “Urban Chronos” – the change of urban ecosystems through time.


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