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Myocardial fibrosis is the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the cardiac interstitium leading to pathological conditions of the heart. The objective is to understand the pathophysiology of cardiac fibrosis and the quest for serum biomarkers that will assist in early diagnosis before the occurrence of major cardiac events. There are many serum biomarkers that get elevated highlighting ECM remodeling during cardiac fibrosis. Lysyl oxidase like -2 is one such ECM protein, plays a crucial role in the up-regulation of TGF - β, the transformation of cardiac fibroblast to myoblast, the migration of collagen, and cross-linking of collagen and elastin. However, assessment of lysyl oxidase like-2 (LOXL-2) in different pathologically driven cardiac fibrosis is limited. Also, none of the serum biomarkers has proved to be the most accurate diagnostic tool for assessing fibrosis independently; hence, meticulous, less invasive, and cost-effective serum biomarkers need to be scrutinized. Hence lysyl oxidase Like-2 (LOXL-2) in combination with other serum biomarkers like PICP/PINP/TIMP-1/ST-2, or Galectin-3 can be combined to assess the presence of fibrosis in the heart. This review includes the journal, articles, and research paper on cardiac fibrosis which was published in the last 10-15 years to highlight the huge gap in the treatment of cardiac fibrosis and the need for a new combination of biomarkers with better prognostic and diagnostic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Farming has been considered a physically demanding and associated with high risk occupation for musculoskeletal disorders. Agricultural workers have to adapt different postures while working in the fields, e.g. standing, bending, sitting, kneeling, raising hand, etc. They work for long duration in awkward postures, due to which they have to face a lot of postural discomforts. They go through a lot of physical hazards, and sometimes they have to face severe pain. Aim: The present study was conducted to find out the musculoskeletal disorders and postural discomfort among the agricultural workers while working in the fields. Materials and Methods: Present study was conducted on 150 agricultural workers. The sample was randomly selected in the Balramau area of Faizabad district. A self-structured interview schedule and the postural discomfort scale developed by Corlett and Bishop in (1976) were used for data collection. Result: The study revealed that maximum pain was felt in the upper back, upper arms, mid-back, lower arms, lower back, and buttocks. Female agricultural workers felt more pain as compared to male agricultural workers. Conclusion: Agricultural workers face lot of pain in different body parts. Proper training program and information about musculoskeletal disorders symptoms should be given to agricultural workers so that they can get help in identifying the symptoms. Training programmers to agricultural workers in adopting right postures to minimise the stress also need to be conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has caused havoc and many deaths around the world. Coronavirus is highly contagious and spreads like wildfire in the community. The nurses and other frontline health-care workers (HCWs) bore the brunt of this pandemic with maximum effect because they all worked with infected patients. Direct exposure has caused stress, anxiety, and physical cum mental discomfort among them. Objective: This study aimed to assess stress among nurses and family members related to COVID-19 outbreak. Methodology: In this study, mixed method of prospective approach was used. The study was conducted virtually using social media platforms by online questionnaire. It included 150 participants and information was collected on demographic data, change in relationship with family, spouse, children, self-concept, and perceived stress among themselves and their family members. Results: All the nurses were involved in the direct care of COVID-infected patients. Many participants (47%) became anxious and worried about themselves. More than half (56.7%) respondents had no change in relationship, while 40.7% experienced change in relationship with their family. Majority of the participants (88%) had long travel hours and accommodation issues. Although the nurses working for COVID patients were stressed, frightened, and anxious, most of them took pride in their work as a contribution toward the nation during this current pandemic. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that frontline HCWs were at increased risk of mental health consequences such as stress, anxiety, and frustration. Their children developed behavioral changes such as agitation and aggressiveness. Many nurses got more family support than before for their contribution during COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]