Making Sadza with Deaf Zimbabwean Women: A Missiological Reorientation of Practical Theological Method toward Self-Theologizing Agency among Subaltern Communities

Missiological calls for self-theologizing among faith communities present the field of practical theology with a challenge to develop methodological approaches that address the complexities of cross-cultural, practical theological research. Although a variety of approaches can be considered critical correlative practical theology, existing methods are often built on assumptions that limit their use in subaltern contexts. This study seeks to address these concerns by analyzing existing theological methodologies with sustained attention to a community of Deaf Zimbabwean women struggling to develop their own agency in relation to child rearing practices. This dilemma serves as an entry point to an examination of the limitations of existing methodologies and a constructive, interdisciplinary theological exploration. The use of theological modeling methodology employs my experience of learning to cook sadza, a staple dish of Zimbabwe, as a guide for analyzing and reorienting practical theological methodology. The study explores a variety of theological approaches from practical theology, mission oriented theologians, theology among Deaf communities, and African women’s theology in relationship to the challenges presented by subaltern communities such as Deaf Zimbabwean women. Analysis reveals that although there is much to commend in these existing methodologies, questions about who does the critical correlation, whose interests are guiding the study, and consideration for the cross-cultural and power dynamics between researchers and faith communities remain problematic for developing self-theologizing agency. Rather than frame a comprehensive methodology, this study proposes three attitudes and guideposts to reorient practical theological researchers who wish to engender self-theologizing agency in subaltern communities. The creativity of enacted theology, the humility of using checks and balances in research methods, and the grace of finding strategies to build bridges of commonality and community offer ways to reorient practical theological methodologies toward the development of self-theologizing agency among subaltern people. This study concludes with discussion of how these guideposts can not only benefit particular work with a community of Deaf Zimbabwean women, but also provide research and theological reflection in other subaltern contexts

Examining the protective effects of sesamol on oxidative stress associated blood -brain barrier dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Many studies point to vascular dysfunction as an underlying cause for the increased incidence of cognitive dysfunction and risk for development of Alzheimer\u27s disease during diabetes. Vascular dysfunction is not an uncommon occurrence in patients with diabetes and microvascular dysfunction commonly leads to clinical complications such as blindness, peripheral neuropathy, and kidney failure. Microangiopathies of the retina, kidney, and peripheral nerves have been well-characterized; however, the effects of diabetes on blood-brain barrier (BBB) function have been understudied.;Pathophysiological changes defining microvascular dysfunction include basement membrane thickening, cytoskeleton rearrangement, and increased paracellular leakage. Increased paracellular leakage of the BBB suggests a functional break down of the tight junction. To investigate changes in functional integrity, we used three different sized vascular space markers [sucrose (342 Da), inulin (5000 Da), and evans blue (68,000 Da)] to measure time-dependant paracellular permeability changes. Our findings revealed that the smallest vascular space marker (sucrose) showed subtle region-specific permeability changes that may represent an altered neuronal microenvironment. Previously published clinical data coincides with these region-specific changes observed in the hippocampus, cortex and midbrain. Patients with diabetes have a higher incidence of midbrain-related lacunar infarcts and cognitive deficiencies can be correlated to areas like the hippocampus and cortex.;Sesamol, a natural antioxidant, has been shown to improve cognitive function in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, microangiopathy studies show that oxidative stress plays a major role in microvascular dysfunction; therefore, we investigated if oxidative-stress contributed to BBB permeability. Rats were randomly divided into four treatment groups (CON- control; STZ- STZ-induced diabetes; CON+S- control+sesamol; STZ+S-STZ-induced diabetes+sesamol). Functional and structural BBB changes were measured by in situ brain perfusion with sucrose and tight junction expression was assessed by real time RT-PCR and western blot analyses. Oxidative stress markers were visualized by fluorescent confocal microscopy and assayed by spectrophotometric analyses. Results demonstrated that STZ+S rats showed increased tight junction protein expression and decreased permeability as compared to STZ treated rats. Furthermore, STZ+S treated rats show increased antioxidant enzyme activity and decreased markers of oxidative stress in the brain. In conclusion, this study showed that sesamol treatment enhanced antioxidant capacity of the diabetic brain and led to decreased perturbation of oxidative stress-induced changes in BBB structure and function.;Next, we investigated the antioxidant mechanism for sesamol and oxidative mechanisms that may contribute to enhanced BBB permeability. The chemical properties of sesamol permit passage through the BBB and suggest that Fenton-induced lipid peroxidation can be inhibited. The brain, possessing iron stores and high levels of polyunstaturated fatty acids, may be vulnerable to Fenton-induced lipid peroxidation under pro-oxidant conditions during diabetes. Spectrophotometric assays were used to assess ferrous iron levels, hydrogen peroxide production, and lipid peroxidation in the brain. Furthermore, oxidative stress influences vascular remodeling and aberrant neovascularization of blood-retinal barrier (BRB) during diabetes. Because the BRB and BBB possess a similar structure and function, we examined whether similar pathophysiological changes occurred in the brain and if sesamol treatment influenced pathological changes. Gel zymography and real time RT-PCR were used to assess these parameters. Sesamol treatment reduced lipid peroxidation and enhanced mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Sesamol-related lignans can upregulate lipolytic enzymes, thus, sesamol may have exert similar effects. Elevated PDGF transcription in the STZ group was attenuated in the STZ+S group. PDGF plays a role in tight junction rearrangement and neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy, thus demonstrating neovascularizing factors may influence BBB integrity. This study suggests that sesamol may be beneficial as an adjuvant therapy for minimizing lipid peroxidative damage during diabetes.;The present results suggest that oxidative stress is a key factor promoting BBB dysfunction during STZ-induced diabetes and that sesamol or sesamol-related compounds might be beneficial adjuvant therapies for minimizing oxidative damage to the cerebral endothelium. Understanding the oxidative mechanisms contributing to BBB permeability may elucidate novel pharmacological targets for maintaining BBB function and promoting neuron survival. To accomplish this, more studies are needed to understand the signaling pathways connecting BBB integrity and supporting cells (e.g. astrocytes, microglia, pericytes)

An ulstrastructural study of Acetabularia acetabulum

Calcification within the cell and the cell wall Acetabularia acetabulum, a large single cell alga, is examined through an ultrastructural investigation, electron diffraction, and an elemental analysis. These methods suggest that amorphous calcium carbonate is located adjacent to and within the cell wall. The location of the crystals within and directly outside the cell wall suggests the calcium is obtained from the surrounding environment. Fibrillar structures are seen through SEM in areas where calcification is occurring. This fibrillar material appears to serve as the organic matrix where calcification initiates. Intracellularly electron dense materials is seen in the chloroplasts. This material is either CaCl2 or CaCl2 . 2H2O but lacks a strong line through electron diffraction to confirm the compound. The origin and the role the crystals play within the chloroplasts are not clear at this time

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Under People v. Pozo: Advising Non-Citizen Criminal Defendants of Possible Immigration Consequences in Criminal Plea Agreements

Tens of thousands of non-citizen criminal defendants are removed from the United States each year. The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution and United States Supreme Court jurisprudence guarantee that these non-citizen criminal defendants will have effective assistance of criminal defense counsel, whether they elect to proceed to trial or decide to plead guilty. Although prevailing professional norms require that criminal defense counsel advise non-citizen defendants of possible immigration consequences of plea agreements, many courts do not impose a duty to advise on defense counsel. In fact, many courts deem immigration consequences to be collateral consequences rather than direct consequences of plea bargains and, therefore, hold that the failure to advise non-citizen criminal defendants of possible deportation consequences does not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel. Colorado stands as an important exception to the majority rule. In People v. Pozo, the Colorado Supreme Court recognized that criminal defense counsel may be required to investigate relevant immigration law and advise non-citizen clients of potential deportation consequences of guilty pleas to avoid facing ineffective assistance of counsel claims. This Note argues that, like Colorado, every jurisdiction should recognize that an attorney\u27s failure to advise a non-citizen criminal defendant of the potential immigration and deportation consequences of a guilty plea may constitute ineffective assistance of counsel. Colorado\u27s rule is more consistent with United States Supreme Court precedent and prevailing professional norms than the collateral consequences doctrine adopted in other jurisdictions. Colorado\u27s rule also takes a more realistic approach to the concerns and interests of non-citizen criminal defendants

Learning While Teaching: Disability and Religion in the Classroom

This article serves as an introduction to themes explored in the special issue of the Journal of Disability and Religion on disability and religion in the classroom. Dr. Kirk VanGilder (Gallaudet University) and Dr. Meghan Henning (University of Dayton) share their reflections from two academic workshops focusing on pedagogical strategies for teaching at the intersection of disability studies, religion, and theology. Rather than limiting the concept of classrooms only to higher education environments, the authors explore the variety of sites where teaching and learning about disability and religion occur. Challenges, resources, and future directions are mapped out for transdisciplinary teaching that draws from a variety of fields of study to enrich our understanding of human experience with disability and religion

Cervical Myelopathy Secondary to Atlas Hypoplasia - Reports of 3 Adult Cases -

There have been paucity of reports on atlas hypoplasia, and as a result this condition is not clearly defined, nor well understood. The authors reported three cases of atlas hypoplasia that were found in adults who presented with myelopathic symptoms. On radiographic examination, it was found that the anterior-posterior diameter of the atlas was remarkably narrower in all three cases in comparison with normal persons. The MRI in all three cases also revealed intramedullary high signal lesions at the levels where severe spinal cord compression was present. This led to our diagnosis of atlas hypoplasia causing myelopathy