Endometriosis and infertility: the hidden link between endometritis, hormonal imbalances and immune dysfunctions preventing implantation!

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting up to 10% of women of reproductive age and this, depending on its severity, very often leads to infertility. New research has shed light on the role of underlying endometritis due to the presence of inflammatory, non-oestrogen metabolising microbiome at the mucosal interface and this in turn leads to the activation of aggressive, non-tolerant immune cells in the endometrium. These immune cells require the presence of tolerance-inducing commensals such as Lactobacilli so as to allow the implantation of the fertilised egg.

HPLC-MS identification and expression of drug-resistance proteins from African HIV-infected patients.

The objective of this study was to elucidate the proteomic mechanisms of drug resistance in HIV-infected African patients. Cell membrane fractions from forty oral isolates isolated from African HIV-positive patients were analysed using HPLC-MS with the aim of identifying proteins associated with their pathogenicity and drug resistance. Heat shock proteins that mediate the fungicidal activity of salivary peptides were found in all tested fractions, with pH-responsive proteins associated with increased pathogenicity only being present in the three most commonly isolated species.

Validation of high-throughput, semiquantitative solid-phase SARS coronavirus-2 serology assays in serum and dried blood spot matrices.

Serological assays for the detection of anti-SARS coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies are essential to the response to the global pandemic. A ligand binding-based serological assay was validated for the semiquantitative detection of IgG, IgM, IgA and neutralizing antibodies (nAb) against SARS-CoV-2 in serum. The assay demonstrated high levels of diagnostic specificity and sensitivity (85-99% for all analytes).

Investigation of CYP2B6, 3A4 and β-esterase interactions of Withania somnifera (L.) dunal in human liver microsomes and HepG2 cells.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae) is a traditional herb, used in African indigenous systems of medicine for the treatment of various diseases (including HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis). The relevance of clinically significant interactions of Withania with ARVs and anti-TB drugs needs to be investigated.

Assessment of the Interaction Potential of (L.) Extracts on CYP2B6, 3A4, and Rifampicin Metabolism.

L. or basilicum is a common culinary herb, used as a traditional medicine for various medical conditions including HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, in Africa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of methanol, ethanol, aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts of the dried leaves and inflorescence of , on the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) CYP2B6 and 3A4, as well as esterase-mediated metabolism of rifampicin to 25--desacetyl rifampicin (25ODESRIF).