bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Calcium mediated static and dynamic allostery in S100A12: Implications for target recognition by S100 proteins
Authors: Wang Qian , DiForte Christopher , Aleshintsev Aleksey , Elci Gianna , Bhattacharya Shibani , Bongiorno Angelo , Gupta Rupal 
Published: March 2024

AbstractStructure and functions of S100 proteins are regulated by two distinct calcium binding EF hand motifs. In this work, we used solution‐state NMR spectroscopy to investigate the cooperativity between the two calcium binding sites and map the allosteric changes at the target binding site. To parse the contribution of the individual calcium binding events, variants of S100A12 were designed to selectively bind calcium to either the EF‐I (N63A) or EF‐II (E31A) loop, respectively. Detailed analysis of the backbone chemical shifts for wildtype protein and its mutants indicates that calcium binding to the canonical EF‐II loop is the principal trigger for the conformational switch between ‘closed’ apo to the ‘open’ Ca2+‐bound conformation of the protein. Elimination of binding in S100‐specific EF‐I loop has limited impact on the calcium binding affinity of the EF‐II loop and the concomitant structural rearrangement. In contrast, deletion of binding in the EF‐II loop significantly attenuates calcium affinity in the EF‐I loop and the structure adopts a ‘closed’ apo‐like conformation. Analysis of experimental amide nitrogen (15N) relaxation rates (R1, R2, and 15N–{1H} NOE) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations demonstrate that the calcium bound state is relatively floppy with pico–nanosecond motions induced in functionally relevant domains responsible for target recognition such as the hinge domain and the C‐terminal residues. Experimental relaxation studies combined with MD simulations show that while calcium binding in the EF‐I loop alone does not induce significant motions in the polypeptide chain, EF‐I regulates fluctuations in the polypeptide in the presence of bound calcium in the EF‐II loop. These results offer novel insights into the dynamic regulation of target recognition by calcium binding and unravels the role of cooperativity between the two calcium binding events in S100A12.
Identification of Antiviral Phytocompounds as Potential Anti‐Dengue Agents against DENV NS2B/NS3 Protease: An Integrated Molecular Modelling and Dynamics Approach
Authors: Sahoo Sthitaprajna , Purohit Priyanka , Samantaray Subhashish , Meher Biswa Ranjan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDengue fever is one of the most dreaded viral diseases caused by the bite of femaleAedes aegyptiandAedes albopictusmosquitoes infected with the Dengue virus (DENV). No DENV antiviral drugs have been approved, yet they are desperately needed. The current study focuses on finding potential therapeutics from 8 medicinal plants reported to have activity against the DENV NS2B/NS3 protease in vitro. Eighty‐two phytocompounds were selected from eight different medicinal plants likeVernonia cinerea, Tridax procumbens, Cassia angustifolia, Lawsonia inermis, Dryobalanops aromatic, Punica granatum, Zingiber zerumbetandZizyphus‐jujuba. The top five phytocompounds (Epicatechin (EPI), Chrysoeriol (CHR), Apigenin (API), Quercetin‐3,4′‐Dimethylether (QUE), and Caffeic acid (CAF)) identified from toxicity evaluation and docking studies were further subjected to 100 ns long Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to study their structural stability and binding affinity through MM‐PBSA based free‐energy calculations. MD results revealed overall conformational stability with all the five phytocompounds. Furthermore, MM‐PBSA results suggest binding free energy values of −154.415 kJ/mol, −151.154 kJ/mol, −139.048 kJ/mol, −122.827 kJ/mol), and −120.622 kJ/mol for compound EPI, QUE, API, CAF, and CHR respectively by interacting with essential binding site residues. These compounds could thus be studied extensively to develop nature‐based therapeutic compounds as anti‐dengue agents for DENV2.
Translating NIA‐AA criteria into usual practice: Report from the ReDeMa Project
Authors: Sánchez‐Soblechero Antonio , Berbel Angel , Villarejo Alberto , Palmí‐Cortés Itziar , Vieira Alba , Gil‐Moreno María José , Fernández Cristina , Martín‐Montes Ãngel , Carreras María Teresa , Fernández Yolanda , Puertas Carolina , Blanco‐Palmero Victor , Llamas Sara , González‐Sánchez Marta , Lapeña Teresa , de Luis Pilar , Manzano Sagrario , Olazarán Javier 
Published: March 2024

AbstractINTRODUCTIONBiomarker‐informed criteria were proposed for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association (NIA‐AA) in 2011; however, the adequacy of this criteria has not been sufficiently evaluated.METHODSReDeMa (Red de Demencias de Madrid) is a regional cohort of patients attending memory and neurology clinics. Core cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers were obtained, NIA‐AA diagnostic criteria were considered, and changes in diagnosis and management were evaluated.RESULTSA total of 233 patients were analyzed (mean age 70 years, 50% women, 73% AD). The diagnostic language was modified significantly, with a majority assumption of NIA‐AA definitions (69%). Confidence in diagnosis increased from 70% to 92% (p < 0.0005) and management was changed in 71% of patient/caregivers. The influence of neurologist's age or expertise on study results was minimal.DISCUSSIONThe NIA‐AA criteria are adequate and utile for usual practice in memory and neurology clinics, improving diagnostic confidence and significantly modifying patient management.HIGHLIGHTS
Alzheimer's disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers increase diagnostic certainty regardless of the neurologist.
AD CSF biomarkers lead to changes in disease management .
Biomarker‐enriched, 2011 NIA‐AA diagnostic criteria are adequate for usual practice.
New insights into nanomedicines for oral delivery of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogs
Authors: Pinto Soraia Filipa Tavares , Santos Hélder Almeida , Sarmento Bruno Filipe Carmelino Cardoso 
Published: March 2024

AbstractType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder that arises when the body cannot respond fully to insulin, leading to impaired glucose tolerance. Currently, the treatment embraces non‐pharmacological actions (e.g., diet and exercise) co‐associated with the administration of antidiabetic drugs. Metformin is the first‐line treatment for T2DM; nevertheless, alternative therapeutic strategies involving glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) analogs have been explored for managing the disease. GLP‐1 analogs trigger insulin secretion and suppress glucagon release in a glucose‐dependent manner thereby, reducing the risk of hyperglycemia. Additionally, GLP‐1 analogs have an extended plasma half‐life compared to the endogenous peptide due to their high resistance to degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase‐4. However, GLP‐1 analogs are mainly administered via subcutaneous route, which can be inconvenient for the patients. Even considering an oral delivery approach, GLP‐1 analogs are exposed to the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the intestinal barriers (mucus and epithelium). Hereupon, there is an unmet need to develop non‐invasive oral transmucosal drug delivery strategies, such as the incorporation of GLP‐1 analogs into nanoplatforms, to overcome the GIT barriers. Nanotechnology has the potential to shield antidiabetic peptides against the acidic pH and enzymatic activity of the stomach. In addition, the nanoparticles can be coated and/or surface‐conjugated with mucodiffusive polymers and target intestinal ligands to improve their transport through the intestinal mucus and epithelium. This review focuses on the main hurdles associated with the oral administration of GLP‐1 and GLP‐1 analogs, and the nanosystems developed to improve the oral bioavailability of the antidiabetic peptides.This article is categorized under:
Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease
Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
The Practical Ethics of Urban Agriculture in Public Housing
Authors: Cohen Nevin , Stein Michael , Hancock Annie , Morales Alfonso 
Published: March 2024

AbstractUrban agriculture planning encompasses ethical dimensions. In this paper, two cases of housing authority-led farming and gardening projects are presented. These cases, initiated by agencies in New York City, and Denver, Colorado, show that urban agriculture has multiple multidimensional benefits, including building skills, fostering community cohesion, educating residents, encouraging healthy eating and physical activity, and generally improving the day-to-day experiences of those living in public housing developments. Both cases illustrate various lessons about applied planning ethics and suggest necessary steps for the success of these projects. In these two cases, such situations unfold and produce new interactions. However, social problems persist, but so will opportunities. Attempts to harmonize competing claims is at the root of UA practices. The purpose of this paper is to show ethics-in-interaction in the two cases. We show how the ethics of UA requires consideration of the stated goal of urban agriculture projects and the implicit goals manifested in the process. Understanding the various impacts will shed light on the feasibility and sustainability of food system initiatives. If proven environmentally and economically sustainable, as well as successful in increasing the health, economic, and social outcomes of residents, public housing investment into sustainable development and food system initiatives similar to the two cases could act as a model for public housing redevelopment across the country.
Jerry Kaufman and Food Systems Planning Leadership: The APA Policy Guide as a Microcosm of Innovative Collaboration
Authors: Pothukuchi Kameshwari , Glosser Deanna 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn 2007, the American Planning Association (APA) adopted the Policy Guide on Community and Regional Food Planning, less than a decade after the appearance of the landmark papers establishing community food systems as a legitimate topic for planners’ attention. This chapter traces the process of institutionalizing food planning within the country’s largest organization of professional planners, including related collaborations among the lead authors of the policy guide, and highlights the role of Jerry Kaufman’s visionary leadership in the process. Kaufman’s talent for bringing to planners’ attention topics of importance to communities and to professional practice that were previously ignored; his prodigious networks of current and former students, faculty colleagues, and professional planners; and his longtime leadership bridging academic and professional planning arenas all were key to the policy guide’s development and its adoption.
Urban Agriculture as a Public Good: Valuing Farming and Gardening in Philadelphia and Chicago
Authors: Vitiello Domenic 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCities in the United States have developed urban agriculture support systems with different priorities. These reflect the often-competing values ascribed and inscribed in cities’ urban farming and gardening landscapes. The institutional structures of U.S. cities’ urban agriculture support systems vary accordingly, with significant impacts and implications for equity and justice. Some treat farming and gardening as a public good, public space, valued for their community-building, environmental, public health, and other social benefits. Others have sought to extract more economic and redevelopment gains from urban agriculture. These represent divergent, often-opposing theories of what urban agriculture can yield, and what it should be.In his early work on urban agriculture, Jerry Kaufman explored its community and economic development potential, raising questions with which planners continue to grapple. This chapter reflects on the evolution of urban agriculture planning, policy, and practice in two cities he studied intensively, Chicago and Philadelphia. It asks: How have different actors and institutions valued urban agriculture? How have those values manifested in practice? What goals and impacts can U.S. cities reasonably ask of urban farming and gardening? And how might planners and cities develop urban agriculture policies and support systems that promote greater equity and justice?
New Approaches to Generate Data to Measure the Progress of Decarbonization of the Building Stock in Europe and Spain
Authors: López-Mesa Belinda , Beltrán-Velamazán Carlos , Gómez-Gil Marta , Monzón-Chavarrías Marta , Espinosa-Fernández Almudena 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe European Commission has initiated efforts to establish indicator frameworks for monitoring building renovation policies and the decarbonization progress of the building stock, to be developed by EU Member States. The chapter suggests that the use of emerging technologies can improve the quality and availability of data for this purpose, focusing on two specific technologies whose potential is explored for the case of Spain. These technologies are, on one hand, georeferencing and automated cross-referencing of existing data, and, on the other, the Digital Building Logbook (DBL). The results of the study show that georeferencing and automated cross-referencing applications include calculating solar potential and estimating energy production, consumption, and emissions using Urban Energy Models (UBEMs). The UBEM, applied to Spain, enables the collection of previously unavailable indicators, improving data availability and quality mainly in the subjects of ‘An overview of the general characteristics of the national building stock’ and ‘An overview of the energy characteristics of the national building stock’. Examining the feasibility of collecting indicators through the DBL indicates that close to 69% of all necessary indicators for monitoring building renovation policies can be obtained. However, challenges in realizing DBL's full potential involve undefined tool models, owner awareness, funding uncertainties, regulatory alignment, and technical hurdles for large-scale implementation.
Enhanced Coalescence Backdoor Attack Against DNN Based on Pixel Gradient
Authors: Yin Jianyao , Chen Honglong , Li Junjian , Gao Yudong 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDeep learning has been widely used in many applications such as face recognition, autonomous driving, etc. However, deep learning models are vulnerable to various adversarial attacks, among which backdoor attack is emerging recently. Most of the existing backdoor attacks use the same trigger or the same trigger generation approach to generate the poisoned samples in the training and testing sets, which is also commonly adopted by many backdoor defense strategies. In this paper, we develop an enhanced backdoor attack (EBA) that aims to reveal the potential flaws of existing backdoor defense methods. We use a low-intensity trigger to embed the backdoor, while a high-intensity trigger to activate it. Furthermore, we propose an enhanced coalescence backdoor attack (ECBA) where multiple low-intensity incipient triggers are designed to train the backdoor model, and then, all incipient triggers are gathered on one sample and enhanced to launch the attack. Experiment results on three popular datasets show that our proposed attacks can achieve high attack success rates while maintaining the model classification accuracy of benign samples. Meanwhile, by hiding the incipient poisoned samples and preventing them from activating the backdoor, the proposed attack exhibits significant stealth and the ability to evade mainstream defense methods during the model training phase.
Antimicrobial resistance in wildlife: detection of antimicrobial resistance genes in Apennine wolves (Canis lupus italicus Altobello, 1921) from Central Italy
Authors: Di Francesco A. , Salvatore D. , Ranucci A. , Gobbi M. , Morandi B. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe aim of this study was to molecularly investigate the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in organ samples from 11 Apennine wolves (Canis lupus italicus) collected in Central Italy. Samples from lung, liver, spleen, kidney, tongue and intestine were investigated by PCRs targeting the following genes: tet(A), tet(B), tet(C), tet(D), tet(E), tet(G), tet(K), tet(L), tet(M), tet(O), tetA(P), tet(Q), tet(S), tet(X), sul1, sul2, sul3, blaCTX−M, blaSHV, blaTEM and mcr-1. A PCR positivity was highlighted for 13 out of the 21 tested genes; no positive results were obtained for tet(C), tet(D), tet(E), tet(G), sul3, blaCTX, blaSHV and mcr-1 genes. All 11 animals sampled showed positivity for one or more resistance genes. The results confirm the potential role of the wolf as an indicator and/or vector of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria or ARGs.
Entire Mitral Valve Reconstruction Using Porcine Extracellular Matrix: Adding a Ring Annuloplasty
Authors: Jedrzejczyk Johannes H. , Krog Stine , Skov Søren N. , Poulsen Karen B. , Sharghbin Mona , Benhassen Leila L. , Nielsen Sten L. , Hasenkam J. Michael , Tjørnild Marcell J. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
This study investigated the implications of inserting a flexible annuloplasty ring after reconstructing the entire mitral valve in a porcine model using a previously investigated tube graft design made of 2-ply small intestinal submucosa extracellular matrix (CorMatrix®).

Methods
An acute model with eight 80-kg pigs, each acting as its own control, was used. The entire mitral valve was reconstructed with a 2-ply small intestinal submucosa extracellular matrix tube graft (CorMatrix®). Subsequently, a Simulus® flexible ring was inserted. The characterization was based on mitral annular geometry and valvular dynamics with sonomicrometry and echocardiography.

Results
After adding the ring annuloplasty, the in-plane annular dynamics were more constant throughout the cardiac cycle compared to the reconstruction alone. However, the commissure–commissure distance was statistically significantly decreased [35.0 ± 3.4 mm vs. 27.4 ± 1.9 mm, P < 0.001, diff =  − 7.6 mm, 95% CI, − 9.8 to (−5.4) mm] after ring insertion, changing the physiological annular D-shape into a circular shape which created folds at the coaptation zone resulting in a central regurgitant jet on color Doppler.

Conclusion
We successfully reconstructed the entire mitral valve using 2-ply small intestinal submucosal extracellular matrix (CorMatrix®) combined with a flexible annuloplasty. The annuloplasty reduced the unphysiological systolic widening previously found with this reconstructive technique. However, the Simulus flex ring changed the physiological annular D-shape into a circular shape and hindered a correct unfolding of the leaflets. Thus, we do not recommend a flexible ring in conjunction with this reconstructive technique; further investigations are needed to discover a more suitable remodelling annuloplasty.
Aerodynamic modeling of a delta-wing UAV for model-based navigation
Authors: Longobardi Pasquale , Skaloud Jan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis study aims to identify an optimal, as well as practical, parametric structure for a delta-wing UAV aerodynamic model for the purpose of model-based navigation. We present a comprehensive procedure for characterizing the aerodynamics of this platform, utilizing a hybrid approach that combines open-air wind-tunnel experiments with the processing of real flight data using filter error method. The experimental design employs Latin Hypercube Sampling to maximize the observability of aerodynamic coefficients while adhering to time constraints. Candidate aerodynamic models are selected through step-wise regression. Numerical values for model coefficients are determined experimentally and subsequently calibrated through a two-phase procedure using real flight data. We then compare these models by assessing their effectiveness in improving navigation in the absence of GNSS signal in four different test flights, with respect to conventional inertial coasting using the autopilot IMU. The experimental evidence demonstrates that the model-based navigation, utilizing the proposed aerodynamic model structures, significantly reduces positioning errors compared to traditional navigation methods during GNSS outages.
Feasibility of tension-free repair of inguinal hernia in senile patients under ultrasound-guided local nerve block
Authors: Wang Yongkun , Zhang Yang , Wu Zhen , Sun Hailin , Zhang Wei , Cai Ailan , Cui Zhaoqing , Sun Shanping 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe clinical characteristics of open hernia repair under local nerve block guided by ultrasound and epidural anesthesia under daytime surgery mode were compared and analyzed, and the safety, rationality and effectiveness of tension-free repair of inguinal hernia in elderly patients under local nerve block guided by ultrasound were discussed. The clinical data of 200 patients who underwent inguinal hernia day surgery in Liaocheng People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from January 2022 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 150 patients who underwent local anesthesia block surgery and 50 patients who underwent epidural surgery. The visual analog score of the ultrasound local anesthesia group was lower than that of the epidural surgery group at 4 h after operation. The time of getting out of bed and postoperative exhaust were shorter than those of epidural operation group. The recovery rate of unrestricted activity 2 weeks after surgery was higher than that in epidural surgery group (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative acute urinary retention between the two groups was lower in local ultrasound anesthesia group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The median follow-up time was 4(1–6) months, and the follow-up rate was 100%. Postoperative complications were seroma, wound infection, chronic pain and recurrence, and there was no statistical significance between the two groups (P > 0.05). No serious complications occurred in both groups. Compared with open epidural surgery, ultrasound-guided local nerve block tension-free day surgery in the elderly has the advantages of less pain, faster recovery, and is safe and feasible.