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

Seeing sense: the visual culture of provincial Ireland 1896-1906

The objective of this research is to examine what is meant by visual culture in the context of provincial Ireland between 1896 and 1906 and the argue for a particular conception of its meaning, range and influence. This study defines visual culture in terms of the interaction between viewer and viewed, recognising the complex interplay between the images produced and circulated within a culture, the viewing apparatus(es) by which such images are made available and the cultural consciousness, competences and preferences which accompany and influence our viewing experiences. By surveying the reception of Magic Lantern and Cinematograph entertainments in rural Ireland between 1896 and 1906, it becomes possible to suggest a distinction between historically and culturally grounded ‘ways of seeing 5. In presenting evidence of a complex of receptive patterns, it is argued that the exhibition and reception of such media in conjunction with cultural repertoires and ideological influence forms the basis from which the era’s visual culture can be described and mapped

Understanding winery visitors: The relationship among wine involvement, perceived value, and winery loyalty

Wineries provide diverse tourism experience, which include wine tasting, gastronomy, education, and more. The primary focus of this study is to investigate the extent of visitors’ perceived value of a winery’s attributes and whether that determines the level of satisfaction and loyalty to the winery. The study also investigates whether visitor’s levels of perceived value differ according to their levels of wine involvement. The study uses an online survey with winery visitors intercepted at Wisconsin wineries. The analysis involves both confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. The study identifies that perceived values primarily indicate emotional and service values. While the enjoyment level of wine involvement is positively related with perceived value, expertise level of wine involvement is negatively related. Lastly, positive relationship is identified among the perceived value, satisfaction and winery loyalty. Equipped with an understanding of wineries’ visitors, winery can provide services that are better tailored to visitors

The Impact of Different Informational Messages on Wine Tourists’ Willingness to Pay: A Non-hypothetical Experiment

In the U.S. and around the world, thousands of new wineries have opened in the last decade, most in areas not previously known for wine. The majority of these are small-scale and sell most of the wine produced out of tasting rooms, thus creating great opportunities for wine tourism. This rapid growth offers an important opportunity for rural areas, but only if the many new and inexperienced winery businesses can successfully navigate the challenges of operating both wine and tourism businesses. This study aims to help emerging wine tourism businesses by using non-hypothetical experiments to determine how different types of information impacts tourists’ willingness-to-pay for wine. We use Becker, DeGroot, and Marschak (BDM) experimental auctions to show that different types of information have different impacts on wine tourists’ willingness to pay for new and lesser-known varietals of wine

A Simulated Microgravity Environment Causes a Sustained Defect in Epithelial Barrier Function.

Intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) junctions constitute a robust barrier to invasion by viruses, bacteria and exposure to ingested agents. Previous studies showed that microgravity compromises the human immune system and increases enteropathogen virulence. However, the effects of microgravity on epithelial barrier function are poorly understood. The aims of this study were to identify if simulated microgravity alters intestinal epithelial barrier function (permeability), and susceptibility to barrier-disrupting agents. IECs (HT-29.cl19a) were cultured on microcarrier beads in simulated microgravity using a rotating wall vessel (RWV) for 18 days prior to seeding on semipermeable supports to measure ion flux (transepithelial electrical resistance (TER)) and FITC-dextran (FD4) permeability over 14 days. RWV cells showed delayed apical junction localization of the tight junction proteins, occludin and ZO-1. The alcohol metabolite, acetaldehyde, significantly decreased TER and reduced junctional ZO-1 localization, while increasing FD4 permeability in RWV cells compared with static, motion and flask control cells. In conclusion, simulated microgravity induced an underlying and sustained susceptibility to epithelial barrier disruption upon removal from the microgravity environment. This has implications for gastrointestinal homeostasis of astronauts in space, as well as their capability to withstand the effects of agents that compromise intestinal epithelial barrier function following return to Earth

Using the Stated Preference Choice Method to Inform the Initial Design of a PubliclyFunded Tourism Attraction

Publicly funded capital investments for tourism attractions, if designed and developed in ways that fail to appeal to enough of a potential market, may burden host communities by requiring greater than expected tax contributions toward operating costs, drawing resources away from other public needs and reducing support for future projects. This study uses the stated preference choice method to examine potential user preferences for a publicly funded off-road vehicle park. Results will inform the design of the park in an effort to capture as much of the potential market as possible