Synthetic beta cells for fusion-mediated dynamic insulin secretion

Generating artificial pancreatic beta cells by using synthetic materials to mimic glucose-responsive insulin secretion in a robust manner holds promise for improving clinical outcomes in people with diabetes. Here, we describe the construction of artificial beta cells (AβCs) with a multicompartmental 'vesicles-in-vesicle' superstructure equipped with a glucose-metabolism system and membrane-fusion machinery. Through a sequential cascade of glucose uptake, enzymatic oxidation and proton efflux, the AβCs can effectively distinguish between high and normal glucose levels. Under hyperglycemic conditions, high glucose uptake and oxidation generate a low pH (<5.6), which then induces steric deshielding of peptides tethered to the insulin-loaded inner small liposomal vesicles. The peptides on the small vesicles then form coiled coils with the complementary peptides anchored on the inner surfaces of large vesicles, thus bringing the membranes of the inner and outer vesicles together and triggering their fusion and insulin 'exocytosis'

A Prospective Comparative Study of the Bacterial Flora of the Vagina and Cervix in Non-Pregnant Women of Childbearing Age in Calabar, Nigeria.

A qualitative comparative study of the bacterial flora of the vagina and cervix of 90 non-pregnant women of childbearing age (18-35 years) in Calabar was undertaken. The study revealed that both aerobic and microaerophilic organisms as well as the strictly anaerobic bacteria constituted the microflora of the lower genital of this group of women. Of the 90 women sampled, Lactobacilli were the most frequently isolated organism in both the cervix and vagina, occurring in 62.2% and 75.6% and the samples respectively. Proteus species were the least in incidence, occurring in only 4% of either the cervical or vaginal specimens. The following pathogenic organisms were isolated in both the vagina and cervix: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Clostridium species and Beta-haemolytic Streptococci. In general, the same types of organisms were isolated in both the cervical and vaginal samples, although the incidence in the two sources varied. Mary Slessor Journal of Medicine Vol.3(2) 2003: 1-

Bacterial Flora of the Vagina and Cervix in Non-pregnant Nigerian Women

A qualitative comparative study of the bacterial flora of the vagina and cervix of 90 non-pregnant women of reproductive age (18 35 years) Calabar was undertaken. The study revealed that both aerobic and microaerophili organism as well as the strictly anaerobic bacteria constitute the microflora of the lower genital of this group of women. Of the 90 women sample, Lactobacili were the most frequent isolated organism in both the cervix and vagina , occurring in 62.2% and 75.6% of the sample respectively. Proteus species were the least in incidence, occurring in only 4% of either the cervical or vaginal specimens. The following pathogenic organisms were isolated in both the vagina and cervix. Escherichia coil, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Clostridium species and Beta-haemolytic streptococci. In general, the same types of organism were isolated in both the cervical and vaginal sample, although the incidence in the two sources varied. Key Words: Bacterial flora, vagina, cervix, non-pregnant women, reproductive age. [Trop J Obstet Gynaecol, 2004;21:49-51