Mechanisms of Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction by Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli.

Pathobiont expansion, such as that of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC), is an emerging factor associated with inflammatory bowel disease. The intestinal epithelial barrier is the first line of defense against these pathogens. Inflammation plays a critical role in altering the epithelial barrier and is a major factor involved in promoting the expansion and pathogenesis of AIEC. AIEC in turn can exacerbate intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction by targeting multiple elements of the barrier. One critical element of the epithelial barrier is the tight junction. Increasing evidence suggests that AIEC may selectively target protein components of tight junctions, leading to increased barrier permeability. This may represent one mechanism by which AIEC could contribute to the development of inflammatory bowel disease. This review article discusses potential mechanisms by which AIEC can disrupt epithelial tight junction function and intestinal barrier function

The Global Adolescent Girl Agenda: An Analysis of the Emergence and the Political Outcomes of Two Global Health Networks

This article applies the framework developed by the Global Health Advocacy and Policy Project (GHAPP) to analyze the emergence and effectiveness of global health networks to two networks. One of them is Girls Not Brides, a global network of stakeholders working to end child, early, and forced marriage. The other is the network that is working to improve menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in schools and that includes the MHM in Ten network. By providing a theoretically informed account of these two networks, the article contributes to the literature by providing accounts of additional networks that can help us deepen our understanding of the factors that shape transnational network emergence and political outcomes. The two networks in this study complement the case studies completed by the GHAPP because they focus on a complex and politically and culturally sensitive set of issues. Furthermore, this article bridges the gap between the scholarly literature and the literature produced by NGOs and international organizations by providing a theoretically informed account of the effort to end child marriage and improve (MHM) in schools

Deposition of suspensions in laminar flow in the entrance region ofa channel and in a diffuser

In this investigation, the deposition of suspensions in laminar flow in the entrance region of a channel and a diffuser was considered. The particulate phase was considered to he under the action of the electric field force clue to electrostatic charges. In addition, a lift force acting on each particle at the wall arising from the fluid shear near the wall and an adhesive force between each particle and the wall due to the difference of the material properties for both particle and walls were considered as surface forces. The suspension flow was assumed to be incompressible, laminar, dilute, and with negligible gravity effect. The complete solution of the problem involved solving the Navier-Stokes equations for two-phase flow. Since the resulting governing equations are non-linear partial differential equations, finite difference and numerical techniques were used to obtain solutions. All the numerical work was carried out on an IBM 360 computer. The complete flow characteristics of the particulate phase and the rate of deposition of the solid particles were studied under different flow conditions. Deposition due to surface adhesion only, electrostatic charge only and both surface adhesion and electrostatic charge including the lift-force action at the wall was considered. Moreover, the case when the channel is connected to a diffuser which is considered as an approximate model for the splitter region of a fluidic device was discussed. From this study, it was found that an appreciable amount of particle deposition can result because of the electrostatic charge on the solid particles. Also it was found that surface adhesion has a smaller effect on the rate of deposition than that due to electrostatic charge. The lift-force action at the wall has a negligible effect on the rate of deposition. In addition, it was concluded that the diffusive Peciet number has a considerable effect on the particle velocities, concentration and rate of deposition. The axial distribution of rate of deposition has a maximum only at low diffusive Peclet number. Moreover, it was observed that the angle of divergence has a great effect on the rate of deposition in a diffuser flow. The pressure gradient and the rate of deposition increase with increasing diffuser angle. However, at larger diffuser angles, separation takes place and the rate of deposition increases rapidly in the presence of electric charge. In the absence of electric charge, the rate of deposition decreases rapidly with increasing diffuser angle

Surveillance and Foucault: Examining the Validity of Foucault\u27s Notions Concerning Surveillance through a Study of the United States and the United Kingdom

Once the new surveillance systems become institutionalized and taken for granted in a democratic society, they can be used for harmful ends. With a more repressive government and a more intolerant public-perhaps upset over severe economic downturns, large waves of immigration, social dislocations, or foreign policy setbacks-these same devices easily could be used against those with the \u27wrong\u27 political beliefs, against racial, ethnic, or religious minorities, and against those with life-styles that offend the majority

A Note on the Perturbation of arithmetic expressions

In this paper we present the theoretical foundation of forward error analysis of numerical algorithms under;• Approximations in "built-in" functions.• Rounding errors in arithmetic floating-point operations.• Perturbations of data.The error analysis is based on linearization method. The fundamental tools of the forward error analysis are system of linear absolute and relative a prior and a posteriori error equations and associated condition numbers constituting optimal of possible cumulative round – off errors. The condition numbers enable simple general, quantitative bounds definitions of numerical stability. The theoretical results have been applied a Gaussian elimination, and have proved to be very effective means of both a priori and a posteriori error analysis

The efficacy of laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation (LUNA) in the treatment of unexplained chronic pelvic pain: a randomized controlled trial

The aim of this work is to explore the efficacy , safety, and patients' satisfaction of laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation (LUNA) in relief of pain in women with chronic pelvic pain in whom diagnostic laparoscopy reveals either no pathology or mild endometriosis (AFS score ≤5). The study was a prospective, single-blind, randomized trial with 12 months follow-up. It was conducted at the endoscopy unit of the Gynecology Department of El Minia University Hospital, Egypt. One hundred ninety Egyptian women consented to participate in the study. These eligible patients were randomized using computer-generated tables and were divided into two equal groups, including the control group (diagnostic laparoscopy with no pelvic denervation) and the study group (diagnostic laparoscopy plus LUNA). Diagnostic laparoscopy with or without laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation was done. There were no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the efficacy and the overall success rate (between group I and group II, it was 77.64%, 76.47%, and 74.11% versus 79.06%, 75.58%, and 73.25% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively) and the cumulative patients' satisfaction rate (it was 74.11%, 74.11%, and 71.76% versus 75.58%, 75.58%, and 72.09% at 3, 6, and 12 months between group I and group II, respectively; P ≤ 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups as regards the effectiveness of LUNA in the treatment of primary (spasmodic) and secondary (congestive) dysmenorrhea (P ≤ 0.05), while there was a statistically significant difference between both groups in the treatment of dyspareunia (P ≥ 0.05). LUNA can be a last alternative option in well-selected patients for control of chronic pelvic pain without endometriosis; however, its effectiveness may not extend to other indications. Also, preliminary experience in the treatment of primary deep dyspareunia presents a promising perspective on the management of deep dyspareunia, especially if it will involve a team of social, psychological, and gynecological specialists