Helicobacter pylori (Microbiology CS3) Case Study

Helicobacter pylori (Microbiology CS3) - Case Study Example It is also believed to be the etiologic agent for peptic ulcers, gastritis and other gastric disorders (Mobley, Mendz and Hazell, 2001). H. pylori produces several key enzymes that enable it to survive in the host. The enzyme, urease, catalyses the breakdown of urea, which is abundantly available in the stomach, into ammonia and bicarbonate (Helicobacter Foundation, 2006). The resulting ammonia surrounds the bacteria, proving a basic (low pH) environment that protects the bacteria from stomach acid. Another enzyme, superoxide dismutase, protects the bacteria from being killed by macrophages and polymorhonuclear leukocytes by breaking down the dismutase produced by them (Mobley, Mendz and Hazell, 2001). Catalase protects the bacteria from hydrogen peroxide produced by phagocytes (Mobley, Mendz and Hazell). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, H. pylori infection afflicts almost two-thirds of the entire population of the world (CDC, 2005). Developing countries have a higher incidence of H. pylori infection than developed countries (Mobley, Mendz and Hazell, 2001). The infection is more prevalent among lower socio-economic groups and in older adults (CDC, 2005). In the US, Hispanics and African Americans are found to be the most affected (CDC, 2005). The rate of acquisition of the infection differs greatly, both within and across countries (Mobley, Mendz and Hazell, 2001). The bacteria first adhere to the mucin in the epithelial cells of the gastric mucosa (Mobley, Mendz and Hazell, 2001). By altering the rheological properties of the mucus gel, the bacteria coats the lining of the stomach wall (Celli et al. 2009). It then generates a cloud of ammonia around itself to achieve low pH for protection from stomach acid. The ammonia is produced by the hydrolysis of urea. The bacteria also produces phospholipase A that degrades cell membranes by breaking down phospholipids (Mobley,

Trying to make superior trading returns using tecnical analysis or Essay

Trying to make superior trading returns using tecnical analysis or fundamental analysis of shares is self-defeating - Essay Example In comparison to their peaks at the end of 2007, the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index and the DAX index have dropped almost 50% in value. Considering recent events many investors have reconsidered the concept of fair value of a stock and the efficiency of techniques used. In addition to this, the approach applied by many academics on Technical and Fundamental Analysis1 and of Efficient Market Hypothesis theory, rather than on how to forecast, has induced us to base the structure of this essay on a similar approach. Therefore in Section 1, 2 and 3 after providing a brief overview of FA and of TA the EMH theory, we have explored alternative views and discussed the validity of the statement in object. After illustrating the need for analysts to create efficiency in Section 4 we have explored the extent to which FA, TA or EMH may be essential to achieve market efficiency. Finally, after examining in Section 5 the Stiglitz-Grossman paradox, in Section 6, we have explored anomalies and i nvalidities of EMH and presented our conclusions. FA found its existence in the firm-foundation theory developed in the 1930s though it was later popularised by Graham. Its purpose is to find and explore all economic variables measuring different economic circumstances and influencing the future earnings of an economic asset. Clearly the philosophy behind FA is that in the end, when enough traders realize that the market is not correctly pricing the asset, the market mechanism of demand/supply, will force the price of the asset to converge to its fundamental value. Early writers on the subject of security analysis assumed that the essence of investing was to determine the "true," "intrinsic," or "fundamental" value of a security and that this value could differ from the current market price. Graham and Dodd (1934) first highlighted the concept of the intrinsic value of a security as a