The mucosal barrier plays an integral function in human health as it is the primary defense against pathogens, and provides a critical transition between the external environment and the human internal body. In the context of HIV infection, the most relevant mucosal surfaces include those of the gastrointestinal (GI) and genital tract compartments. Several components help maintain the effective...

The current study involves developing a three-dimensional transient finite element (FE) model to evaluate the thermal performance of an attic radiant barrier system (ARBS) as an energy efficient technology. The heat transfer modes of convection, radiation, and conduction were considered in the FE model. The results from the FE analysis were then validated based on hourly experimental data colle...

Necrotizing enterocolitis remains one of the most vexing problems in the neonatal intensive care unit. Risk factors for NEC include prematurity, formula feeding, and inappropriate microbial colonization of the GI tract. The pathogenesis of NEC is believed to involve weakening of the intestinal barrier by perinatal insults, translocation of luminal bacteria across the weakened barrier, an exuber...

Patients with atopic dermatitis have genetically determined risk factors that affect the barrier function of the skin and immune responses that interact with environmental factors. Clinically, this results in an intensely pruriginous and inflamed skin that allows the penetration of irritants and allergens and predisposes patients to colonization and infection by microorganisms. Among the variou...

background: although the pap smear is known as one of the effective methods to detect the cervical cancer, a large group of women are reluctant to do the test because of various reasons. therefore, we carried out this study to determine the level of knowledge about cervical cancer and pap smear and the factors influencing the pap test screening among women. methods: in this cross-sectional stud...