Functional characterization and safety assessment of indigenous lactic acid bacteria from Moroccan artisanal dairy products with probiotic, health‐promoting, and antimicrobial activities

The temporary implantable nitinol device (iTIND) has emerged as a minimally invasive surgical technique aimed at improving symptoms while preserving erectile and ejaculatory function. Although functional outcomes and safety have been extensively studied, no previous research has specifically evaluated patient satisfaction and treatment regret. To assess functional outcomes, treatment satisfaction, and decision regret in patients undergoing iTIND implantation in a real-life multicenter setting. We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data from 140 patients treated with iTIND at 7 institutions between January 2022 and December 2023. Baseline evaluations included International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), International Prostatic Symptom Score-quality of life (IPSS-QoL), urinary peak flow (Qmax), post voiding residual (PVR), and International Index of Erectile Function score (IIEF5). Antegrade ejaculation was recorded before and after treatment. Adverse events and retreatments were monitored. At 12 months, decision regret was assessed using the validated Decision Regret Scale (DRS). Logistic regression a less absolute shrinkage and selection operator models were applied to identify predictors of high regret (DRS >25). Median age was 52 years and median prostate volume was 30 mL. All procedures were successfully completed with same-day discharge. Functional outcomes significantly improved: IPSS decreased from 20 to 10 (p < 0.001), QoL from 4 to 2 (p < 0.001), Qmax increased from 8.5 to 13 mL/s (p < 0.001), and PVR from 52.5 to 20 mL (p = 0.013). Erectile function remained stable (IIEF5: 24 vs 26, p = 0.38), and antegrade ejaculation was preserved in most patients (78% vs 81%). At 12 months, 32% of patients (45/140) experienced high regret, while 68% (95/140) reported low regret. In multivariate analysis, early complications and retreatments were strong predictors of regret, whereas lower baseline Qmax was protective. iTIND provides significant clinical improvement with preservation of sexual function in men with LUTS/BPO. However, approximately one-third of patients reported high regret at 12 months, mainly linked to complications and retreatments. These findings stress the importance of integrating patient-reported outcomes, including regret, into the evaluation of minimally invasive therapies.

Impact of 12-hour shifts in intensive care nursing: Descriptive systematic review of scientific evidence.

Herbicide residues in agricultural soils pose increasing concerns for environmental sustainability, food safety, and soil ecosystem functioning, particularly with the widespread use of sulfonylurea herbicides in intensive agriculture. This study investigated the fate of two sulfonylurea herbicides, mesosulfuron-methyl and iodosulfuron-methyl, with emphasis on the influence of organic amendments (OAs) on their degradation kinetics, leaching behavior and associated soil biochemical and microbial activity responses. The incorporation of OAs significantly enhanced the degradation rates of both herbicides compared with unamended soil, with half-life (DT50) values reduced from 10.72 to 22.47days in unamended soil to 3.58 to 16.24days in amended soils. Among the tested amendments, the fastest dissipation was observed in press mud (PM)-amended soil, followed by farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC), poultry manure (POM), dextrose (D), and cyclodextrin (CD). Increased degradation in amended soils was associated with higher dehydrogenase activity, indicating enhanced microbial activity. Several transformation products were identified during degradation, including metabolites M1, M2, M4, and M5 from mesosulfuron-methyl and I1, I2, I3, and I4 from iodosulfuron-methyl, which appeared earlier in amended soils. OAs significantly reduced herbicide leaching, with PM and FYM decreasing leachate concentrations by up to 70 to 100% compared to unamended soil. Bioassay results indicated reduced phytotoxicity, with IC50 values for Brassica juncea ranging from 0.0514 to 0.1089 and faster recovery observed in amended soils (10 to 45days) compared to unamended soil (30 to 90days). These results demonstrate that organic amendments, particularly PM and FYM, can enhance herbicide dissipation, reduce leaching losses, mitigate phytotoxic risks, and contribute to improved soil health and sustainable agricultural systems.

To evaluate systematically the effect of different concentrations of atropine eye drops on accommodative amplitude and binocular visual function in children and adolescents with myopia. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD420261297760). PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched up to January 15, 2025. Eligible studies compared atropine eye drops (0.01-1%) with placebo, single-vision correction or no treatment and reported accommodative or binocular vision outcomes. The primary outcome was the change in accommodative amplitude. Secondary outcomes included accommodative lag, stereoacuity, heterophoria and fusional vergence. Mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using fixed- or random-effects models based on heterogeneity. Thirteen randomised controlled trials were included, most of which were conducted in Asian populations. Low-dose atropine (0.01%) was associated with a small but statistically significant reduction in accommodative amplitude (MD: -0.84 D, 95% CI: -1.50 to -0.18), with substantial heterogeneity and no consistent effects at individual follow-up time points. Intermediate concentrations (0.02-0.03%) showed variable and heterogeneous effects. Atropine 0.05% produced a consistent and clinically meaningful reduction in accommodative amplitude (MD: -1.96 D, 95% CI: -2.36 to -1.57) and measurable changes in binocular parameters. Higher concentrations (≥0.1%) resulted in marked cycloplegic effects. The effects of atropine on accommodation and binocular visual function are dose-dependent. Low-dose atropine demonstrates a favourable functional safety profile, while higher concentrations are associated with clinically relevant accommodative impairment.

This review presents a balanced synthesis of the efficacy-nanotoxicity window of nanomaterials-including carbon-based structures, metallic nanoparticles, and bioceramic composites-within the context of stem cell-assisted tissue engineering. It emphasizes that increases in conventional differentiation markers may not necessarily correspond to functional maturity or long-term safety. Therefore, a gradual shift from standard viability-based assays toward lineage-specific functional assessments is discussed. The nanotoxicological profile of these materials is examined across major tissue types, highlighting how similar physicochemical properties may yield beneficial or adverse outcomes depending on concentration, exposure time, and microenvironmental conditions. In bone tissue, the review considers the point at which enhanced mineralization may be accompanied by oxidative stress and mitochondrial strain. For cartilage, potential concerns related to ion and degradation product accumulation in avascular environments are addressed, including the possible induction of inflammatory signaling and hypertrophic markers such as collagen type X. In neural and cardiac applications, efforts to improve electrical conductivity are evaluated alongside potential electrophysiological alterations, including Ca2+ imbalance and rhythm disturbances at sub-cytotoxic levels. Vascular differentiation is discussed within the context of pro-angiogenic signaling and the risk of endothelial dysfunction. By comparing experimental systems ranging from 2D cultures to induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived organoids, the review underscores the model-dependent and tissue-specific nature of nanotoxic responses. Overall, it outlines considerations for integrating physicochemical characterization with functional and metabolic endpoints to support more reliable evaluation of nanobiomaterials in regenerative medicine.

Abstract The rapid growth of software complexity in autonomous driving systems poses significant challenges for ensuring functional safety in automotive development. Aviation has historically achieved higher safety levels through mature development processes, structured assurance practices, and strong regulatory involvement. This paper presents a comparative analysis of automotive and aviation software development methods along the V-model, with the aim of identifying concrete transfer potentials from aviation to automotive development. The analysis reveals that the most significant benefits arise at the system and process governance levels, particularly through early and continuous authority involvement and structured system assurance practices. Further transferable elements are identified in software requirements engineering, tool qualification, and development planning, while coding standards represent the only lifecycle stage where automotive development is more prescriptive. The results indicate that selectively adopting aviation-derived practices can strengthen confidence in the safety of autonomous driving systems. Overall, the study demonstrates that a targeted transfer of aviation development principles offers a viable path toward higher safety assurance for future automotive technologies.

Data on the efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan in hemodialysis patients with heart failure and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (≥ 50%, HFpEF) or mildly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (41%-49%, HFmrEF) were analyzed, as well as cardiac functional parameters and safety after withdrawal of sacubitril/valsartan. Ninety-eight maintenance hemodialysis patients with heart failure with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction were included in the present study. Patients were divided into sacubitril/valsartan and control groups according to whether they had been, or were being, treated with sacubitril/valsartan. Patients were further divided into continuation and discontinuation groups based on whether sacubitril/valsartan was discontinued at the end of follow-up. Laboratory examination results, echocardiographic parameters, and the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events were recorded and analyzed. There were 50 patients in the control group and 48 in the sacubitril/valsartan group. The median follow-up time was 14.5 months. Compared with the control group, the serum B-type natriuretic peptide levels and echocardiographic parameters in the sacubitril/valsartan group significantly decreased from baseline at 6-month follow-up (p < 0.05). In the sacubitril/valsartan group, there were 28 patients in the continuation group and 20 in the discontinuation group. The reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter in the sacubitril/valsartan group reversed in the discontinuation group (by 10%) after drug withdrawal, whereas it was stable in the continuation group (change 0.66%, p = 0.030). Patients with lower left ventricular end-diastolic diameters at the end follow-up (≤ 50 mm) exhibited a lower incidence of major adverse cardiac events compared to those with higher diameters (>50 mm; p = 0.012). Sacubitril/valsartan improved cardiac function in patients on hemodialysis with heart failure and preserved or mildly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Long-term continuous use of sacubitril/valsartan may reduce left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and positively impact prognosis.

ABSTRACT With the growing global population and change in consumers' lifestyles, there is a pressing need for sustainable, safe, and nutritious sources of protein. Alternative proteins, like plant‐based meat supplemented with pea protein, offer a promising source; however, knowledge of their application, allergenicity, and safety is limited, and the reported results are often relatively low. This review provides a comprehensive and critical evaluation of the role of pea protein in improving meat analogues, with a particular focus on its functional applications, allergenicity, and safety considerations. Key physicochemical properties, including solubility, gelation, emulsification, and water‐ and oil‐holding capacities, are examined in relation to their contributions to structure formation, texture development, and overall product quality. The review further explores how formulation strategies and processing technologies, such as protein blending, enzymatic modification, extrusion parameters, and thermal treatments, influence the textural, structural, and sensory characteristics of pea protein–based meat alternatives. Additionally, the allergenic potential of pea protein and emerging safety assessment approaches are discussed to provide a balanced perspective on its suitability for widespread use. Collectively, this review highlights recent advances, identifies existing challenges, and outlines future directions for optimizing pea protein functionality in the development of safe, high‐quality meat analogues. The review further studied the pea protein allergenicity, identifying major allergenic components, reported clinical cases, and potential cross‐reactivity with other legumes. It assesses the effects of processing on allergenic epitopes and highlights regulatory considerations and challenges related to allergen detection and labelling. Regulatory considerations and challenges related to allergen detection and labelling are highlighted. We addressed key research gaps, including the need for standardized allergen detection in complex food matrices and improved understanding of how formulation and processing influence immunogenicity. Addressing these gaps will support the development of safer and more functional pea protein–based meat alternatives.

This paper presents a theoretical study of the stability of continuous welded rail track and the indicators of its functional safety under the action of thermal forces. The research focuses on the influence of longitudinal thermal compressive forces on the lateral stability of the rail–sleeper grid, taking into account the parameters that characterize the condition of sleepers, the ballast bed, and the quality of ballast compaction. These parameters are introduced into the theoretical framework in the form of generalized coefficients, which makes it possible to consider the actual operational condition of the track elements without relying on field measurements. A generalized analytical approach is proposed to describe the interaction between thermal forces, track structural parameters, and lateral resistance provided by the ballast bed. Based on the developed theoretical relationships, the variation of the lateral stability margin of continuous welded rail track under different thermal loading scenarios is evaluated. Particular attention is paid to the role of ballast condition and compaction quality in reducing or increasing the resistance to lateral track displacement.The study establishes functional relationships between thermal force levels, structural and operational parameters of the track, and functional safety indicators that define the limiting conditions of safe track operation. The obtained results provide a theoretical basis for improving methods of stability assessment of continuous welded rail track and can be used to support engineering decision-making under variable thermal conditions and different levels of track maintenance quality.

Normothermic regional perfusion in kidney transplants with donors after controlled circulatory death: Functional benefits and safety in older recipients.

Microalgae are increasingly recognized as sustainable and multifunctional bioresources for food and nutraceutical applications due to their high biomass productivity, limited land requirements, and rich content of proteins, lipids, pigments, and bioactive compounds. Although several species, including Arthrospira and Chlorella, have a long history of human consumption, large-scale incorporation of microalgae into mainstream food systems remains constrained by strain heterogeneity, sensory limitations, bioavailability challenges, safety concerns, and techno-functional inconsistencies. This critical review examines recent progress in applying omics technologies-genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics-to systematically address these barriers. Omics-based approaches enable mechanistic understanding of metabolic regulation, bioactive compound biosynthesis, stress adaptation, allergenicity, and nutrient digestibility, thereby supporting rational strain selection, targeted processing strategies, and molecular-level safety assessment. Evidence linking multi-omics data to food formulation challenges demonstrates how sensory optimization, functional performance, and nutritional efficacy can be predicted and improved. The review further integrates current knowledge on the health-promoting effects of microalgal biomolecules, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory activities, alongside life cycle assessment outcomes that contextualize environmental sustainability and circular bioeconomy potential. By synthesizing technological, biological, and environmental perspectives, this review highlights multi-omics as a critical enabling toolkit for translating microalgae from laboratory-scale innovation into safe, functional, and commercially viable food ingredients aligned with global sustainability goals.

Investigating tryptophan-producing probiotic lactic acid bacteria from Lithuanian fermented foods: functional characterization, safety evaluation, and genomic analysis

Aim: Eteplirsen, golodirsen and casimersen are phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) that have received, based on biomarker data, accelerated approval from the US FDA for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients with pathogenic variants amenable to 51, 53 and 45 exon skipping, respectively. The objectives of this study were to describe patient demographic and baseline functional characteristics, safety and treatment continuation in patients with DMD who were treated with a commercially available PMO in the US from the ongoing phase IV, multicenter, prospective, observational EVOLVE study. Patients & methods: Patients who received or initiated treatment with a PMO at the time of study enrollment as prescribed by treating physicians as part of routine care were included. Approximately 300 patients will be enrolled across the three PMOs. Results: As of this 2023 interim data report, 161 patients were enrolled: 126 were treated with eteplirsen (enrollment complete), mean (standard deviation [SD]) age 14.0 (5.51) years; 23 received golodirsen, mean (SD) age 13.3 (4.25) years; and 12 were treated with casimersen, mean (SD) age 16.1 (7.21) years. Mean (SD) total duration of treatment was 6.2 (1.92) years for eteplirsen, 2.4 (0.83) years for golodirsen and 1.7 (0.62) years for casimersen. All PMOs demonstrated favorable safety profiles, with no treatment-emergent serious adverse events related to treatment. Most patients taking eteplirsen (95.2%, n=120) continued treatment. Among the 85 patients who were ambulatory at treatment initiation, 37 patients lost ambulation, 34 (91.9%) of whom remained on eteplirsen. Conclusion: Consistent with the safety findings from previous clinical trials, eteplirsen, golodirsen and casimersen showed favorable safety profiles in patients with DMD in routine clinical practice. EVOLVE will continue to describe long-term clinical outcomes. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT06606340.

Beyond pharmacotherapy in IBD: feasibility and patient-reported benefits of a six-week multimodal rehabilitation pilot.

Comparing percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy and micro-endoscopic discectomy in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort and RCT.

To describe a standardized surgical approach for 3D transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (3D T-LRP) performed in a single high-volume surgical center and to assess its impact on early urinary continence, erectile function, oncological outcomes, and overall safety. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 360 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer (cT1-T2, N0, and M0) who underwent 3D T-LRP at Romolo Hospital (Italy) between January 2018 and December 2022. Procedures were performed by two experienced surgical teams with standardized operative protocols. All patients followed a structured pelvic floor rehabilitation protocol initiated immediately after catheter removal. Perioperative variables, functional outcomes (continence and erectile function), oncological parameters, and complications were prospectively recorde.d in an institutional database and retrospectively analyzed. The median operative time was 180 minutes (interquartile range [IQR]: 150-210), with pelvic lymph node dissection performed in 44.2% of cases. Positive surgical margins were observed in 15% of patients. Continence (defined as 0-1 pad/day) was achieved in 75.8% at 1 week, 83.4% at 3 months, and 92.5% at 6-12 months post-catheter removal. The median pad weight decreased from 350 g at T0 to 50 g at T1. In the nerve-sparing subgroup, the median IIEF-5 score at 6-12 months was 18 (IQR: 16-20), with 83% achieving a score ≥16. The postoperative complication rate was 10.3%, with no Clavien-Dindo grade ≥IIIb events. 3D T-LRP performed with a standardized technique by experienced teams and followed by immediate pelvic floor rehabilitation yielded encouraging results in terms of early continence, erectile function, oncological safety, and low morbidity. These outcomes support 3D-LRP as a technically effective and economically sustainable minimally invasive alternative to robotic surgery.

DEMO reactor aims to demonstrate the feasibility of electrical energy production from nuclear fusion source in a tokamak configuration. Within the DEMO pre-conceptual design assessment, the water-cooled lithium lead (WCLL) and helium-cooled pebble bed (HCPB) concepts were selected as Breeding Blanket (BB) candidates. Along the research pathway toward blanket selection, safety analyses of these two options were performed using selected postulated initiating events (PIEs) as reference scenarios. For the WCLL BB, the out-vessel loss of liquid metal was identified as a major safety concern. This paper presents a numerical analysis of this postulated accidental scenario, carried out adopting MELCOR code. Large rupture (double-ended 200%) and leak (5%), occurring at two different positions (middle and bottom) of lithium-lead (LiPb) Cold Leg (CL) in both the inboard (IB) and outboard (OB) loop, were simulated implementing a detailed MELCOR nodalisation. The exothermic reactions of LiPb with air and steam present in the DEMO building were evaluated, adopting an in-house conservative numerical model, since only pure lithium-air/steam chemical reactions are available in the default MELCOR version. The LiPb mass flow rate discharged into the building was evaluated along with the LiPb volume transients in the hot and cold leg and segments of both the IB and OB loops. The time-dependent mass evolution of the reactants and products involved in the LiPb-air/steam chemical reactions was also calculated. Moreover, the increase in temperature and pressure within the considered building volume due to the energy released is shown. These numerical analyses do not implement safety or mitigation functions and the results presented should be considered highly conservative.

The design of specific texture-modified foods (TMF) for dysphagia offers a feasible strategy for ensuring safe food intake, adequate nutrient acquisition, and enjoyable sensory experiences for the elderly population. Proteins and starches, two fundamental components of TMF, interact to create unique textural and mechanical properties within the food system, ultimately influencing the quality of foods. Investigating the interaction mechanisms between these macronutrients can provide valuable insights and theoretical foundation for the development of novel dysphagia foods. This paper reviews the interactions between proteins and starches, and their effects on rheological behavior, structural properties, swallowing characteristics, and digestibility of TMF. Special attention is given to the influencing factors and underlying mechanisms. The review also explores development methods and evaluation systems for TMF, with particular emphasis on filling current knowledge gaps and future perspectives. The protein-starch interaction influences rheological viscoelasticity, structural compactness, swallowing texture parameters, and digestive barrier effects of TMF by modulating network structures and intermolecular forces within composite systems. Processing methods and compositional ratios are critical for optimizing these properties. Achieving a balanced design of swallowing safety and nutritional functionality requires the integration of multi-scale characterization techniques. Moreover, individual nutritional and digestive needs of patients require special attention when designing TMF. Current evaluation system for TMF present certain limitations. Further investigation, including the application of artificial intelligence (AI), is essential to the elucidation of correlations among protein-starch interaction mechanisms, structure and functional properties of composite systems, and textural and swallowing characteristics of TMF.

Children’s scooters, as products integrating mobility, safety, and developmental functions, require systematic and reliable design decision-making approaches. However, existing processes often suffer from unsystematic user demand extraction, strong subjectivity in weight determination, and insufficient quantitative support for evaluating alternative schemes. To address these issues, this study proposes an integrated AHP–CRITIC–VIKOR framework for engineering-oriented design optimization. User requirements are identified through field investigation, questionnaires, and affinity diagram analysis, and a multi-level evaluation indicator system is constructed. AHP is applied to determine subjective weights, while CRITIC incorporates objective data characteristics, enabling balanced weighting. VIKOR is then used to evaluate design schemes and obtain compromise solutions under multi-criteria conflicts. The results show that safety-related factors, including material safety, braking performance, and load-bearing capacity, dominate the decision process. The optimal scheme demonstrates the closest proximity to the ideal solution. Sensitivity analysis confirms the robustness of the model, and comparison with TOPSIS shows consistent results and improved compromise decision capability. The proposed framework enhances decision reliability and provides an effective quantitative tool for multi-criteria product design optimization.