Spectral flow cytometry provides greater insights into cellular heterogeneity by simultaneous measurement of up to 50 markers. However, analyzing such high-dimensional (HD) data is complex through traditional manual gating strategy. To address this gap, we developed CAFE as an open-source Python-based web application with a graphical user interface.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe main protease of SARS-CoV-2 is an essential enzyme required for polyprotein cleavage during viral replication and thus is an excellent target for development of direct-acting antiviral compounds. Continued research efforts have elucidated several peptidic small molecules like GC376, boceprevir, and nirmatrelvir with potent anticoronaviral activity bearing optimized amino acid side chain residues. To reduce synthetic complexity and cost, we used simple chemical surrogates that were commercially readily available to develop new inhibitors that mimic the potency of these drug compounds.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Group A streptococci (Strep A) orStreptococcus pyogenes is a major human pathogen causing an estimated 500,000 deaths worldwide each year. Disease can range from mild pharyngitis to more severe infections, such as necrotizing fasciitis, septicemia, and toxic shock syndrome. Untreated, Strep A infection can lead to the serious post streptococcal pathologies of rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObesity is a major risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) the most common serious cardiac arrhythmia, but the molecular mechanisms underlying diet-induced AF remain unclear. In this study, we subjected mice to a chronic high-fat diet and acute sympathetic activation ('two-hit' model) to study the mechanisms by which diet-induced obesity promotes AF. Surface electrocardiography revealed that diet-induced obesity and sympathetic activation synergize during intracardiac tachypacing to induce AF.
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