Within the human female reproductive tract (FRT), the challenge of protection against
sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is coupled with the need to enable successful …

Preterm births are a global health priority that affects 15 million babies every year worldwide.
There are no effective prognostic and therapeutic strategies relating to preterm delivery, but …

The mucosal tissues of the gastrointestinal, respiratory, reproductive, and urinary tracts, and
the surface of the eye present an enormous surface area to the exterior environment. All of …

Human embryo implantation is a three-stage process (apposition, adhesion and invasion)
involving synchronized crosstalk between a receptive endometrium and a functional …

It is generally accepted that saliva is of paramount importance for the maintenance of oral
health. This is based on the numerous studies reporting subjective and objective functional …

BACKGROUND An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy which occurs outside of the uterine
cavity, and over 98% implant in the Fallopian tube. Tubal ectopic pregnancy remains the …

Vaginal microbiome (VMB) dysbiosis is associated with increased acquisition of HIV.
Cervicovaginal inflammation and other changes to the mucosal barrier are thought to have …

Mucins are the main structural components of mucus that create a selective protective
barrier for epithelial surface and also execute wide range of other physiological functions …

Glycoproteins are major players in the mucus protective barrier in the gastrointestinal and
other mucosal surfaces. In particular the mucus glycoproteins, or mucins, are responsible for …

Adiponectin is the most abundant plasma adipokine. It mainly derives from white adipose
tissue and plays a key role in the control of energy metabolism thanks to its insulin …