Pancreatic β-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes: Implications of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction are major pathological mechanisms implicated in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Beyond the detrimental effects of insulin resistance, inflammation and oxidative stress have emerged as critical features of T2D that define β-cell dysfunction. Predominant markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-1β are consistently associated with β-cell failure in preclinical models and in people with T2D.

Blooming of Unusual Cytochrome P450s by Tandem Duplication in the Pathogenic Fungus .

While the Zygomycete fungus primarily infects insects, it can be pathogenic to mammals as well, including humans. High variability in the treatment of this fungal infection with currently available drugs, including azole drugs is a very common phenomenon. Azoles bind to the cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s/CYP) including CYP51, a sterol 14-α-demethylase, inhibiting the synthesis of cell membrane ergosterol and thus leading to the elimination of infecting fungi.

Vancomycin and oxacillin co-resistance of commensal staphylococci.

Background: Many disease conditions including Staphylococcal infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat in South Africa due to the surge of vancomycin-oxacillin resistant strains. How widespread this phenomenon is in commensal isolates in the Nkonkobe municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa is not known, and considering the high level of immunocompromised individuals in the province, this study couldn't have come at a better time.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of vancomycin and oxacillin co-resistance in methicillin-resistant commensal staphylococci in Nkonkobe municipality, South Africa as part of our larger study on the surveillance of reservoirs of antibiotic resistance in South Africa.