Benefits and Disbenefits of Fibrotic Modulation in Human Health and Disease

Contemporary Cutting-Edge Research

For this assessment of this module you should write a "self-titled"essay of 1500 words, which constitutes 50% of the total module mark. The subject is as follows: 

"On the basis of contemporary cutting-edge research, critically review "the benefits and/or disbenefits of fibrotic modulation in human health and disease". Mark Scheme 

The chosen focus for the essay should initially introduce the broadness of range that can be associated with the term "fibrosis and fibrotic disease". The aetiology, pathogenesis and where appropriate sequelae of appropriate illustrative disease(s) that will be discussed should be clearly introduced and defined; and a brief overview of the diagnoses and current and potential future treatments that will be discussed in the body of the essay should be initially outlined. The introduction should set the agenda for the rest of the essay and identify clear research questions relating to the problems and benefits of fibrosis and its therapy. It is important to note that this essay should therefore not simply be a generic description of fibrosis in disease - it should deal with aspects such as this briefly and only if needed, and it should generally assume that the reader is already familiar with the basic mechanistic themes associated with general responses to injury in human disease. 

A detailed analyses of your chosen disease(s) and current diagnoses and current or prospective treatments should be provided; material should be presented at the appropriate academic level (i.e. level 6 - see appropriate academic indicators if you are unsure what this means), current and accurate; each point should be well-supported with examples and arguments. There should be clear evidence of originality of thought and critical analysis. Clear attention to the benefits and or disbenefits of modulation of fibrotic biomarkers in therapy should be clearly evident in the body of the essay. Essays should ideally be supported by clinical data derived from peer reviewed clinically orientated journal articles and where appropriate should include self-penned original illustrative diagrams -and not just fuzzy scans lifted from journals/web. 

The essay should be easy-to-read; there should be a logical flow of narrative and order, with appropriate headings and/or subheadings as needed; tables and figures should be numbered with appropriate legends; graphics should be used appropriately for clarity and appropriately referenced and/or ideally redrawn if taken from an external source to ilustrate originality/critical analysis. Integration of ideas should be evident. 

Conclusion 

 This should be a concise summary with full credit awarded for conclusions which place the information presented in a wider context. Credit will be given for appropriate consideration of the future developments of this subject. A self-penned diagram must be included in the conclusion that illustrates a cutting-edge interpretation of some of the mechanisms and biomarkers Involved in current, or indeed, future therapies for fibrotic disease. The mark for this diagram will constitute a total of 10% of the total essay, half of the total mark for the conclusion). 

The conclusion should not just be a summary or a repeat of the preceding text - it should clarify, or answer research questions that were identified in the introduction to the essay and explain any shortfalls that are present in the current research. Credit can be given for speculation regarding currently untested approaches to general or specific treatments) of fibrotic pathologies. 

There should be appropriate paragraph and sentence structure (no nin-ons or incomplete sentences, or inappropriately long or short paragraphs). Credit will be given for accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation. Also, credit will be given for elegance of written expression and thought. 

References 

There should be multiple (maximum 30), current cutting-edge primary research papers used in your research as well as appropriate additional literature sources. Correct (i.e., Harvard formatted) in-text and summary citations should be utilised. Use of non peer-reviewed or inappropriate web-based references will lose credit. The references should be good enough to act as an excellent guide to a professional reader who is interested in accessing a useful background literature to this original and otherwise difficult to access subject that you, through your research, have developed.