Identifying sex similarities and differences in structure and function of the sinoatrial node in the mouse heart.

Background: The sinoatrial node (SN) generates the heart rate (HR). Its spontaneous activity is regulated by a complex interplay between the modulation by the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and intrinsic factors including ion channels in SN cells. However, the systemic and intrinsic regulatory mechanisms are still poorly understood.

Computational modelling of mouse atrio ventricular node action potential and automaticity.

The atrioventricular node (AVN) is a crucial component of the cardiac conduction system. Despite its pivotal role in regulating the transmission of electrical signals between atria and ventricles, a comprehensive understanding of the cellular electrophysiological mechanisms governing AVN function has remained elusive. This paper presents a detailed computational model of mouse AVN cell action potential (AP).

The pH-Insensitive Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of the Frog Skin Derived Peptide Esc(1-21): Promising Features for Novel Anti-Infective Drugs.

The number of antibiotic-resistant microbial infections is dramatically increasing, while the discovery of new antibiotics is significantly declining. Furthermore, the activity of antibiotics is negatively influenced by the ability of bacteria to form sessile communities, called biofilms, and by the microenvironment of the infection, characterized by an acidic pH, especially in the lungs of patients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). Antimicrobial peptides represent interesting alternatives to conventional antibiotics, and with expanding properties.

Computational Design of Pore-Forming Peptides with Potent Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities.

Peptides that form transmembrane barrel-stave pores are potential alternative therapeutics for bacterial infections and cancer. However, their optimization for clinical translation is hampered by a lack of sequence-function understanding. Recently, we have designed the first synthetic barrel-stave pore-forming antimicrobial peptide with an identified function of all residues.

Deciphering Microbial Composition in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Implications for Therapeutic Response to Biologic Agents.

Growing evidence suggests that alterations in the gut microbiome impact the development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Although IBD often requires the use of immunosuppressant drugs and biologic therapies to facilitate clinical remission and mucosal healing, some patients do not benefit from these drugs, and the reasons for this remain poorly understood. Despite advancements, there is still a need to develop biomarkers to help predict prognosis and guide treatment decisions.