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The commensal/pathogenic Escherichia coli affects humans and animals, being present in diverse environmental niches, possibly surviving due to its adaptation to transient plant hosts like crops, increasing the risk of foodborne diseases. E. coli interaction with the plant host remains unknown, particularly the impacts on photosynthesis. We hypothesize that E. coli influences the tomato transient host’s photosynthetic capacity. To validate this hypothesis, we exposed 57-day-old tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) to different inoculation conditions, namely, non-inoculated plants (negative control, C−); plants directly injected with E. coli SL6.1 (10⁷ CFU/mL) (positive control, C+); plants irrigated one time with E. coli SL6.1 (10⁷ CFU/mL); and plants chronically irrigated with E. coli SL6.1 (10⁴ CFU/mL). No significant changes were observed in chlorophyll fluorescence, pigments’ contents, morphological aspects, and fruiting in all conditions. However, irrigated plants (chronically and one-time contaminated) had decreased stomatal conductance (gs, 31.07 and 34.42 mol m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively, vs. 53.43 and 48.08 mol m⁻² s⁻¹ in C− and C+, respectively), transpiration rate (E, 0.32 and 0.35 mol m⁻² s⁻¹ in chronically and one-time contaminated conditions vs. 0.57 and 0.48 mol m⁻² s⁻¹ in C− and C+, respectively), and a trend of increased intrinsic carboxylation (Ci, 384 and 361 ppm in chronically and one-time irrigated plants vs. 321 and 313 ppm in C− and C+, respectively). The one-time inoculated plants presented more severe effects than the remaining conditions, with lower net photosynthetic rate (P_N, 0.93 vs. 3.94–5.96 μmol (CO₂) m⁻² s⁻¹ in the other conditions), intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE, 33.1 vs. 74.51–184.40 μmol (CO₂)/ mmol (H₂O) in the chronically irrigated and the control plants), and intrinsic carboxylation efficiency (iCE, 0.003 vs. 0.012–0.022 μmol (CO₂)/ppm in the remaining conditions). Our data support that some observed effects are similar to those associated with phytopathogenic bacteria. Lastly, we propose that the decrease in some parameters of gas exchange requires direct contact with the leaf/stomata, and is mainly observed for high concentrations of E. coli. Full article

Exhaustive exercise is known to induce muscle damage characterized by inflammation and oxidative stress. Although “regular” and “weekend warrior” exercise regimens have been shown to confer comparable health benefits in human studies, such as reduced risks of all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer mortality, their differential impacts on muscle damage post-exhaustive exercise remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the effects of long-term, moderate-intensity (LTMI) and short-term, high-intensity (STHI) training modalities, matched for total exercise volume, on gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and exhaustive exercise-induced muscle damage in mice, as well as to evaluate the correlation between these factors. LTMI is considered a regular exercise regimen, while STHI shares some similarities with the “weekend warrior” pattern, such as promoting exercise intensity and condensing training sessions into a short period. Our findings indicate that LTMI training significantly enhanced the abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria, including Akkermansia, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, Odoribacter, Alistipes, and Lactobacillus, thereby increasing SCFA levels and attenuating muscle damage following exhaustive swimming. In contrast, STHI training increased the abundance of opportunistic pathogens such as Staphylococcus and Bilophila, without altering SCFA levels, and was associated with exacerbated muscle damage. Moreover, we observed a significant negative correlation between the abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria and SCFA levels with the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the muscle of mice post-exhaustive exercise. Conversely, the abundance of Staphylococcus and Bilophila showed a notable positive correlation with these cytokines. Additionally, the effects of LTMI and STHI on exhaustive exercise-induced muscle damage were transmissible to untrained mice via fecal microbiota transplantation, suggesting that gut microbiota changes induced by these training modalities may contribute to their contrasting impacts on muscle damage. These results underscore the significance of selecting an appropriate training modality prior to engaging in exhaustive exercise, with implications for athletic training and injury prevention. Full article

The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has a very high prevalence (>90% in adults), establishes a lifelong latency after primary infection, and exerts an oncogenic potential. This dsDNA virus encodes for various molecules, including microRNAs (miRs), which can be detected in the latent and lytic phases with different expression levels and affect, among others, immune evasion and malignant transformation. In this study, the different EBV miRs are quantified in EBV-positive lymphomas, and the impact on the host cell transcriptome of the most abundant EBV miRs will be analyzed using comparative RNA sequencing analyses. The EBV miRs ebv-miR-BART1, -BART4, -BART17, and -BHRF1-1 were most highly expressed, and their selective overexpression in EBV-negative human cells resulted in a large number of statistically significantly down- and up-regulated host cell genes. Functional analyses showed that these dysregulated target genes are involved in important cellular processes, including growth factor pathways such as WNT, EGF, FGF, and PDGF, as well as cellular processes such as apoptosis regulation and inflammation. Individual differences were observed between these four analyzed EBV miRs. In particular, ebv-miR-BHRF1-1 appears to be more important for malignant transformation and immune evasion than the other EBV miRs. Full article

A series of 13 new 3-substituted 5-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazoles was synthesized from different aminonitriles. All compounds were screened in the disc diffusion test at a 100 μg/mL concentration to determine the bacterial growth inhibition zone presence and diameter, and then the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for the most active compounds by serial dilution. The compounds showed antibacterial activity against ESKAPE bacteria, predominantly suppressing the growth of 5 species out of the panel. Some compounds had similar or lower MICs against ESKAPE pathogens compared to ciprofloxacin, nitrofurantoin, and furazidin. In particular, 3-azetidin-3-yl-5-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole (2h) inhibited S. aureus at a concentration lower than all comparators. Compound 2e (5-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-3-[4-(pyrrolidin-3-yloxy)phenyl]-1,2,4-oxadiazole) was active against Gram-positive ESKAPE pathogens as well as M. tuberculosis. Differences in the molecular periphery led to high selectivity for the compounds. The induced-fit docking (IFD) modeling technique was applied to in silico research. Molecular docking results indicated the targeting of compounds against various nitrofuran-associated biological targets. Full article

Rice straw is an agricultural waste, the disposal of which through open burning is an emerging challenge for ecology. Green manufacturing using straw returning provides a more avant-garde technique that is not only an effective management measure to improve soil fertility in agricultural ecosystems but also nurtures environmental stewardship by reducing waste and the carbon footprint. However, fresh straw that is returned to the field cannot be quickly decomposed, and screening microorganisms with the capacity to degrade straw and understanding their mechanism of action is an efficient approach to solve such problems. This study aimed to reveal the potential mechanism of influence exerted by exogenous degradative bacteria (ZJW-6) on the degradation of straw, growth of plants, and soil bacterial community during the process of returning rice straw to the soil. The inoculation with ZJW-6 enhanced the driving force of cellulose degradation. The acceleration of the rate of decomposition of straw releases nutrients that are easily absorbed by rice (Oryza sativa L.), providing favorable conditions for its growth and promoting its growth and development; prolongs the photosynthetic functioning period of leaves; and lays the material foundation for high yields of rice. ZJW-6 not only directly participates in cellulose degradation as degrading bacteria but also induces positive interactions between bacteria and fungi and enriches the microbial taxa that were related to straw degradation, enhancing the rate of rice straw degradation. Taken together, ZJW-6 has important biological potential and should be further studied, which will provide new insights and strategies for the appropriate treatment of rice straw. In the future, this degrading bacteria may provide a better opportunity to manage straw in an ecofriendly manner. Full article

The habitual consumption of snacks has the potential to enrich or harm the diet. They can contribute to excessive caloric intake and hyperglycemia. Thus, there is an increasing interest in snacks with health-promoting properties. This study aimed to demonstrate the beneficial effect of two fruit-based bars on glucose levels through in vitro, in vivo, and in silico assays. Mango (Mangifera indica L.) and pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) bars (MB and PB) were prepared, and chemical composition, postprandial glycemic response, glycemic index (GI), and glycemic load (GL) were evaluated. The inhibitory effect of fruit bar extracts on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity and their respective molecular docking was assessed. MB and PB showed the lowest postprandial glycemic response vs. the control bar (p < 0.005), a lower GI (CB: 64.20, PB: 53.20, MB: 40.40), and a GL of 10.9 (CB), 7.9 (PB), and 6.1 (MB), (p < 0.05). MB and PB showed the highest inhibition % of α-amylase (61.44 and 59.37%, respectively) and α-glucosidase (64.97 and 64.57%). Naringenin (−1692.5985 and −2757.674 kcal/mol) and ferulic acid (−1692.8904 and −2760.3513 kcal/mol) exhibited more favorable interaction energies against α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity. The presence of polyphenols from the fruit influenced enzymatic inhibition. Likewise, the dietary fiber in the bars evaluated allowed us to observe a positive effect that favors glycemic control, making them a healthy alternative for snacking. Full article

This study examines the inactivation kinetics and stress responses of Gram-positive and Gram-negative waterborne bacteria using ultraviolet (UV)-B and UV-C LEDs at varying fluences. Our findings show that UV-light-emitting diodes (LED) treatment effectively inactivates both bacterial types, achieving over 4-log reductions at 255 nm and 285 nm wavelengths. Notably, inactivation rates at 285 nm, especially at higher fluences, are comparable to or exceed those at 255 nm. Additionally, UV-B treatment at 285 nm requires shorter exposure times for the same UV dose due to its deeper penetration into water and higher radiant flux. Stress responses varied between species: 255 nm exposure caused more direct DNA damage, triggering the SOS response with recA upregulation, particularly in Gram-positive L. innocua; while 285 nm exposure primarily induced oxidative stress, leading to soxS upregulation, especially in Gram-negative bacteria. These results suggest that UV-B complements UV-C effects by causing reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in addition to DNA damage, challenging DNA repair. Given the higher cost of UV-C LEDs, our results support the optimization of water treatment systems using UV-B LEDs, which is a promising approach for improving bacterial inactivation while reducing exposure time and energy use. Full article

In this study, we explored the efficacy of random forest algorithms in downscaling CHIRPS (Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data) precipitation data to predict Argane stand traits. Nonparametric regression integrated original CHIRPS data with environmental variables, demonstrating enhanced accuracy aligned with ground rain gauge observations after residual correction. Furthermore, we explored the performance of range machine learning algorithms, encompassing XGBoost, GBDT, RF, DT, SVR, LR and ANN, in predicting the Leaf Area Index (LAI) and crop yield of Argane trees using condition index-based drought indices such as PCI, VCI, TCI and ETCI derived from multi-sensor satellites. The results demonstrated the superiority of XGBoost in estimating these parameters, with drought indices used as input. XGBoost-based crop yield achieved a higher R² value of 0.94 and a lower RMSE of 6.25 kg/ha. Similarly, the XGBoost-based LAI model showed the highest level of accuracy, with an R² of 0.62 and an RMSE of 0.67. The XGBoost model demonstrated superior performance in predicting the crop yield and LAI estimation of Argania sinosa, followed by GBDT, RF and ANN. Additionally, the study employed the Combined Drought Index (CDI) to monitor agricultural and meteorological drought over two decades, by combining four key parameters, PCI, VCI, TCI and ETCI, validating its accuracy through comparison with other drought indices. CDI exhibited positive correlations with VHI, SPI and crop yield, with a particularly strong and statistically significant correlation observed with VHI (r = 0.83). Therefore, CDI was recommended as an effective method and index for assessing and monitoring drought across Argane forest stands area. The findings demonstrated the potential of advanced machine learning models for improving precipitation data resolution and enhancing agricultural drought monitoring, contributing to better land and hydrological management. Full article

Brand reputation directly influences customer trust and decision-making. A good reputation can lead to greater customer loyalty, commitment, and advocacy. This study aims to understand the effects of brand reputation on customer trust and loyalty and to determine how brands can protect their reputation. This study, which was conducted on the iPhone 11 sample by obtaining statistical data from customer reviews, can be adapted and used by researchers and companies that want to measure brand reputation. In this study, customer reviews for the iPhone 11 phone on the Trendyol e-commerce site, the largest e-commerce platform in Turkey, are analyzed using sentiment analysis and machine learning methods. While 85 percent of customers are satisfied with the iPhone 11, 13 percent are dissatisfied with it. The neutral comment rate of 2 percent indicates that some customers do not express a clear positive or negative opinion about the product. In the comments of customers who bought the iPhone 11, there are those who express satisfaction with the quality, technical features, performance, and price/performance ratio of the product, as well as those who express significant complaints about delivery, quality, price, and customer service. Neutral comments generally focus on the product itself, price, quality, shipping, and packaging, and make informative evaluations. A sustainable reputation is based on the extent to which an organization embraces ethical principles, social responsibility, and sustainable practices throughout its operations and business relationships. Brands can improve, protect, and increase their brand reputation by considering and analyzing the thoughts and feelings of their customers. For this, they should develop policies and strategies to reinforce their strong features and improve their faulty and deficient features. Full article

Based on outdoor air pollution and meteorological daily time series observational and in-situ monitoring data, this study investigated the impacts of environmental factors under different urban climates on COVID-19 transmission in four hotspot European metropolises (Berlin, London, Madrid, and Paris) from March 2020 to March 2022. Through applied statistical methods and cross-correlation tests involving multiple datasets pertaining to the main air pollutants (inhalable particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and ozone (O₃)) and climate parameters (air temperature at 2 m height, relative humidity, wind speed intensity and direction, planetary boundary layer height, and surface solar irradiance), a direct positive impact of aerosol loading (PM2.5, PM10, and aerosol optical depth (AOD)) on COVID-19 spreading and severity was revealed. Despite some urban differences existing between the selected cities, particularly for the spring–summer periods, we have observed negative correlations between daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths and daily average ground-level ozone concentration, air temperature at 2 m height, planetary boundary layer height, and surface solar irradiance. Air relative humidity and urban population density have a direct impact on COVID-19 diffusion in large metropolitan areas, and the findings of this study highlight the crucial role of air pollution, in synergy with climate variability, in viral pathogens dispersion in COVID-19 transmission in large urban areas. This information can be used by decision-makers to develop targeted interventions during epidemic periods to reduce the potential risks associated with air pollution exposure and to promote the sustainable development of urban economies. Full article

With the high proportion of distributed energy resource (DER) access in the distributed network, the tie-line power should be controlled and smoothed to minimize power flow fluctuations due to the uncertainty of DER. In this paper, a stochastic model predictive control (SMPC) method is proposed for tie-line power smoothing using a novel data-driven linear power flow (LPF) model that enhances efficiency by updating parameters online instead of retraining. The scenario method is then employed to simplify the objective function and chance constraints. The stability of the proposed model is demonstrated theoretically, and the performance analysis indicates positive results. In the one-day case study, the mean relative error is only 1.1%, with upper and lower quartiles of 1.4% and 0.2%, respectively, which demonstrates the superiority of the proposed method. Full article

The emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is considered one of the main factors responsible for one of the greatest challenges faced by the world today: climate change. On the other hand, with the increase in energy demand due to the increase in population and industrialization, the emission of CO₂ has increased rapidly in the past few decades. However, the world’s leaders, including the United Nations, are now taking serious action on how to minimize the emission of CO₂ into the atmosphere. Towards this end, accurate modeling and monitoring of historical CO₂ can help in the development of rational policies. This study aims to analyze the carbon emitted by the Group Twenty (G20) countries for the period 1971–2021. The datasets include CO₂ emissions, nonrenewable energy (NREN), renewable energy (REN), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and Urbanization (URB). Various regression-based models, including multiple linear regression models, quantile regression models, and panel data models with different variants, were used to quantify the influence of independent variables on the response variable. In this study, CO₂ is a response variable, and the other variables are covariates. The ultimate objective was to choose the best model among the competing models. It is noted that the USA, Canada, and Australia produced the highest amount of CO₂ consistently for the entire duration; however, in the last decade (2011–2021) it has decreased to 12.63–17.95 metric tons per capita as compared to the duration of 1971–1980 (14.33–22.16 metric tons per capita). In contrast, CO₂ emissions have increased in Saudi Arabia and China recently. For modeling purposes, the duration of the data has been divided into two independent, equal parts: 1971–1995 and 1996–2021. The panel fixed effect model (PFEM) and panel mixed effect model (PMEM) outperformed the other competing models using model selection and model prediction criteria. Different models provide different insights into the relationship between CO₂ emissions and independent variables. In the later duration, all models show that REN has negative impacts on CO₂ emissions, except the quantile regression model with tau = 0.25. In contrast, NREN has strong positive impacts on CO₂ emissions. URB has significantly negative impacts on CO₂ emissions globally. The findings of this study hold the potential to provide valuable information to policymakers on carbon emissions and monitoring globally. In addition, results can help in addressing some of the sustainable development goals of the United Nation Development Programme. Full article

Background and Objectives: The key factor that enables osteoblastic activity and the formation of new bone, as well as gingiva, during orthodontic tooth extrusion (OE) is the periodontal ligament. The reaction of periodontal tissues associated with changes in the gingiva is a part of orthodontic tooth displacement. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of OE on the width of the zone of the keratinized and attached gingiva, the position of the mucogingival junction, and the height of the interdental papillae in the region where the OE was performed as well as in the adjacent region. Materials and Methods: This research included 28 adult patients (both orthodontically treated and untreated). The treated group included 15 patients, in whom orthodontic extrusion of the upper or lower frontal teeth was indicated and performed. The untreated group included 13 patients, with no previous or undergoing orthodontic treatment. Patients with periodontal disease and periodontal pockets in the frontal region and patients allergic to iodine were excluded from the study. Gingivomorphometric measurements were performed on two occasions in three groups of teeth (24 extruded and 30 agonist teeth in the treated patients; 66 teeth in the untreated patients). Statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed using the software package SPSS version 26.0. Results: Orthodontic extrusion induced changes in the position of the mucogingival line and an increase in the width of the keratinized gingiva. There were no statistically significant effects on the depth of the gingival sulcus, the attached gingiva width, or the height of the interdental papillae. Conclusions: Orthodontic tooth extrusion has an effect on the periodontium in the observed region. Vertical orthodontic force, directed towards the coronal plane, affects the surrounding soft oral tissues. Full article

Hormone changes across women’s menstrual cycles may lead to changes in their perceptions of chemical signals and their hormonal responses to these cues. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of menstrual cycle phase in the response to extracts of male axillary secretions (EMAS) in women. We tested healthy reproductive age and premenopausal women (n = 29). An EMAS/control solution was applied once every two hours during either the follicular or luteal phase, at which point saliva samples for luteinizing hormone (LH) and cortisol monitoring were collected. LH and cortisol concentrations were analyzed using the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) technique. Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) scores were used to assess the participants’ moods. For the first time, we showed that EMAS may produce opposite effects on LH secretion depending on the menstrual cycle phase of the recipient. We observed a significant increase in the number of LH peaks (p = 0.0447) and their amplitudes (p = 0.0469) when EMAS was applied during the follicular phase, while the same application in the luteal phase lowered the amplitudes of LH peaks (p = 0.0382). For the first time, we showed that EMAS application increased salivary cortisol levels in reproductive age women relative to premenopausal women (p = 0.0032). PANAS scores revealed changes in positive and negative affect after EMAS application. Our data indicate the significance of the menstrual cycle phase for EMAS’ effects on LH secretion and mood, but not on cortisol secretion in women. Full article

This present work develops a nonlinear SIRS fractional-order model with a system of four equations in the Caputo sense. This study examines the impact of positive and negative attitudes towards vaccination, as well as the role of government actions, social behavior and public reaction on the spread of infectious diseases. The local stability of the equilibrium points is analyzed. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to calculate and discuss the sensitivity index of various parameters. It has been established that the illness would spread across this system when the basic reproduction number is larger than 1, the system becomes infection-free when the reproduction number lies below its threshold value of 1. Numerical figures depict the effects of positive and negative attitudes towards vaccination to make the system disease-free sooner. A comprehensive study regarding various values of the order of fractional derivatives together with integer-order derivatives has been discussed in the numerical section to obtain some useful insights into the intricate dynamics of the proposed system. The Pontryagin principle is used in the formulation and subsequent discussion of an optimum control issue. The study also reveals the significant role of government actions in controlling the epidemic. A numerical analysis has been conducted to compare the system’s behavior under optimal control and without optimal control, aiming to discern their differences. The policies implemented by the government are regarded as the most adequate control strategy, and it is determined that the execution of control mechanisms considerably diminishes the ailment burden. Full article