Aspects Of Health Research Articles

Magnetic Resonance Assessment of Bone Quality in Metabolic Bone Diseases.

Metabolic bone diseases (MBDs) are a diverse group of diseases, affecting the mass or structure of bones and leading to reduced bone quality. Parameters representing different aspects of bone health can be obtained from various magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods such as proton MR spectroscopy, as well as chemical shift encoding-based water-fat imaging, that have been frequently applied to study bone marrow in particular. Furthermore, T2* mapping and high-resolution trabecular bone imaging have been implemented to study bone microstructure. In addition, quantitative susceptibility mapping and ultrashort echo time imaging are used for trabecular and cortical bone assessment. This review offers an overview of technical aspects, as well as major clinical applications and derived main findings, for MRI-based assessment of bone quality in MBDs. It focuses on osteoporosis as the most common MBD.

Navigating the changing landscape of transplant research: Trends, topics, and gender disparities

BackgroundTransplantation is a rapidly evolving field, reflecting advances in medical science and changing healthcare needs. This study aims to elucidate shifts in research focus over a decade, providing insights into emerging trends in transplant research. MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive analysis of 9,250 articles published in five high-impact transplant journals from 2012 to 2021. Article titles were processed to extract keywords using R Studio (v. 4.3.0). STATA 18 was used for t-tests and logistic regressions, with significance set at p ​< ​0.05. ResultsEmerging topics over the decade included outcomes and survival, surgical innovations, and lung transplantation. There was a downward trend in research on immunosuppression, genetics, and immunology. Over the decade, the odds of women's first authorship were higher for subjects such as public health, pediatric transplantation, infectious diseases, renal transplantation, and psychological aspects. Similarly, there were lower odds for women as first authors on surgical innovations, organ preservation, living donor transplantation, liver and lung transplantation, and multiorgan transplantation. Senior women authors had higher odds of publishing on the same topics as first author, plus immunology, kidney and heart transplantation. There were lower odds that a woman would be last author of regenerative medicine and xenotransplantation. Over the decade, there were higher odds of funding for research published on xenotransplantation, regenerative medicine, and immunology. Living donor, infectious diseases, and liver transplantation had lower odds of being funded over time. ConclusionThis cross-sectional study highlights the dynamic nature of transplant research, underscoring the importance of continuous observation of trends to anticipate future directions and needs in the field. The emergence of new focal areas, especially those related to technological advancements and social issues, reflects a broader trend in medical research responding to evolving challenges and opportunities. Notably, women's authorship was more prevalent in public health but less in surgical innovation. These insights can guide future research priorities, funding allocation, and clinical practices in transplantation.

Awareness Level of Government Administration Staff on Safety and Health Aspect in the Workplace

ABSTRACT The level of awareness for public sector employees regarding aspects of safety and health in the workplace is generally increased with the introduction and enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1994. The importance of increasing employees' level of awareness is a priority for employers to avoid accidents at work. By examining the level of staff awareness of aspects of safety and health in the workplace, employers can plan appropriate improvement measures. A study on the safety and health awareness level in the workplace was conducted among civil servant staff in one of the departments at the Public University in Kelantan. The research method uses a quantitative approach, that is, by using a survey form. The study's results found that the female staff from the Implementation staff and the longest serving showed a high level of awareness about aspects of safety and health in the workplace. Overall, the level of awareness about safety and health in the workplace of the scope of this study is very high. The results of this study are very significant for employers in their efforts to maintain a safe and healthy culture in the workplace. ABSTRAK Tahap kesedaran bagi kakitangan sektor awam mengenai aspek keselamatan dan kesihatan di tempat kerja secara umumnya semakin meningkat dengan pengenalan dan penguatkuasaan Akta Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (AKKP) 1994. Kepentingan mengenai keperluan bagi meningkatkan tahap kesedaran kepada kakitangan adalah menjadi keutamaan kepada majikan bagi mengelakkan berlaku kemalangan di tempat kerja. Dengan mengkaji tahap kesedaran kakitangan terhadap aspek keselamatan dan kesihatan di tempat kerja, majikan dapat merencana langkah-langkah penambahbaikan yang bersesuaian. Kajian mengenai tahap kesedaran keselamatan dan kesihatan di tempat kerja ini diadakan kepada staf penjawat awam di salah satu Jabatan di Universiti Awam di Kelantan. Kaedah penyelidikan adalah menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif iaitu dengan penggunaan borang kaji selidik. Keputusan dari kajian mendapati staf perempuan daripada staf Pelaksana dan paling lama berkhidmat menunjukkan tahap kesedaran tinggi mengenai aspek keselamatan dan kesihatan di tempat kerja. Secara keseluruhannya, tahap kesedaran mengenai keselamatan dan kesihatan di tempat kerja skop kajian ini adalah sangat tinggi. Hasil dapatan kajian ini adalah sangat signifikan kepada majikan dalam usaha mengekalkan budaya selamat dan sihat di tempat kerja.

The human gut microbiome in health and disease: time for a new chapter?

The gut microbiome, composed of the colonic microbiota and their host environment, is important for many aspects of human health. A gut microbiome imbalance (gut dysbiosis) is associated with major causes of human morbidity and mortality. Despite the central part our gut microbiome plays in health and disease, mechanisms that maintain homeostasis and properties that demarcate dysbiosis remain largely undefined. Here we discuss that sorting taxa into meaningful ecological units reveals that the availability of respiratory electron acceptors, such as oxygen, in the host environment has a dominant influence on gut microbiome health. During homeostasis, host functions that limit the diffusion of oxygen into the colonic lumen shelter a microbial community dominated by primary fermenters from atmospheric oxygen. In turn, primary fermenters break down unabsorbed nutrients into fermentation products that support host nutrition. This symbiotic relationship is disrupted when host functions that limit the luminal availability of host-derived electron acceptors become weakened. The resulting changes in the host environment drive alterations in the microbiota composition, which feature an elevated abundance of facultatively anaerobic microbes. Thus, the part of the gut microbiome that becomes imbalanced during dysbiosis is the host environment, whereas changes in the microbiota composition are secondary to this underlying cause. This shift in our understanding of dysbiosis provides a novel starting point for therapeutic strategies to restore microbiome health. Such strategies can either target the microbes through metabolism-based editing or strengthen the host functions that control their environment.

Chronic Kidney Disease Detection Using Machine Learning: From Analysis to Framework Development

Considering the aspects of sustainable development goals, Good health and well-being ensure the development of a nation. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive and irreversible condition characterized by the gradual loss of kidney function over time. One of the major diseases, CKD affecting 10-15% population globally needs to be detected at early stages to reduce morbidities and mortalities. Majorly the risk factors include Diabetes, Hypertension, Age, Hereditary, and Ethnicity which need to be screened on regular intervals to ensure the timely detection of the disease. The primary hurdle for detection is asymptomatic behavior during the early stages. Machine learning (ML) based models are majorly governing various sectors and applications. The models have capabilities to serve as assistance to the medical practitioners for effective CKD detection at early stages. This paper demonstrates the development of a framework for early detection considering various parameters.

Psychometric properties evaluation of the Persian version of the self-report outcome scale for lupus disease Lupus_PRO version 1.7.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) significantly affects both the quality of life related to health and non-health aspects. This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Lupus_PRO questionnaire, version 1.7. The questionnaire serves as a specific self-report outcome scale for assessing the treatment outcomes of Lupus disease. The Lupus_PRO questionnaire, version 1.7, was translated into Persian using the standard forward-backward method. After being completed by 218 patients with Lupus, the psychometric properties of the instrument were examined. The Convergent and Discriminant Validity of the scale were assessed using Average Variance Extracted and Cross Loadings, respectively. The construct validity of the questionnaire was also evaluated through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Cronbach's alpha was calculated to assess the reliability of the questionnaire dimensions. Out of the 218 patients with lupus who participated in the current study, 13 (6%) were male, and 205 (94%) were female. The mean (SD) age of participants was 40.29 (10.94) years. The Average Variance Extracted (AVE) for HRQOL and Non-HRQOL constructs, except for the Coping and Cognition dimension, was greater than 0.50, indicating satisfactory convergent validity. The interdimensional correlation coefficient (Discriminant Validity) for each dimension with other questionnaire dimensions was less than 0.10, indicating that the questionnaire has good convergent and discriminant validity. Additionally, the results of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) indicated that the questionnaire was a suitable fit. In terms of reliability, Cronbach's alpha for the various questionnaire dimensions ranged from 0.51 to 0.91, indicating good internal consistency. The Persian version of the Lupus_PRO questionnaire, version 1.7, demonstrates acceptable validity and reliability in the Iranian population. This instrument can effectively measure various aspects of the quality of life in patients with lupus.

Pursuing beauty: socio-cultural and labor-economic determinants of cosmetic surgery consideration among female college students in China.

Cosmetic surgery has a profound impact on health and other aspects. As a means of enhancing physical attractiveness, it is increasingly being considered by female college students in China. However, current knowledge about the determinants of cosmetic surgery consideration among Chinese female college students still needs to be improved due to the lack of systematic perspectives and large-scale representative data sets. This study aimed to contribute to the literature in these two aspects. We framed cosmetic surgery consideration as a function of two broad sets of determinants: socio-cultural and labor-economic. We used data from a large, nationally representative sample of female college students in China (N = 6658, mean age = 20.3years). In terms of socio-cultural oriented factors, we found that family socioeconomic status, peers' cosmetic surgery practices, and media exposure were positively associated with the likelihood of considering cosmetic surgery. In terms of labor-economic oriented factors, we found that self-rated physical appearance, higher grades, and expected income after graduation were positively associated with a higher likelihood of considering cosmetic surgery. These findings suggest that the decision-making process for cosmetic surgery among Chinese female college students goes beyond personal factors and is significantly influenced by structural factors.

Differences between self-perceived and objectively measured body composition in HIV patients using InBody

Introduction: Body composition is a critical aspect of health, particularly for individuals living with HIV. This study investigates the differences between self-perceived body composition and objectively measured body composition using the InBody machine in HIV outpatients. Methods: A total of 383 HIV-infected outpatients receiving ARV treatment were invited to participate. Patients’ perceptions of their weight, muscle mass, fat mass, water, and mineral content were collected through face-to-face interviews. Subsequently, patients underwent body composition analysis using the InBody machine, and the data were classified into three groups according to each individual’s reference level. Results: Among the 383 patients, 77.5% were male, with the highest age group being 30–45 years, accounting for 56.1%. Nearly two thirds (66.3%) of the patients had been living with HIV for five years or more. The results revealed significant differences between patients’ perceptions and the objective measurements of body composition in 4 out of 5 indicators, except for fat mass. Conclusion: Self-perception of health is important as it influences decisions to seek medical services and other forms of assistance. The discrepancies between HIV patients’ perceptions of their body composition and objective measurements highlight the necessity of regular body composition assessments and improved patient education to enhance health outcomes. Keywords: Body composition, HIV, ARV, Inbody, outpatient

Sensory Profiling of Jelly Drink Made from a Combination of Bay Leaf Water Extract and Guava Juice Using a Quantitative Descriptive Analysis

Background: The profiling of a drink made from bay leaves combined guava juice has not been previously reported despite the positive health aspects of both plants. Objectives: To analyze the sensory characteristics of jelly drink bay leaf water extract with guava juice combination using the Quantitative Analysis Descriptive (QDA) sensory evaluation method. Methods: The QDA carried out of three stages, namely the panelist preparation stage, Forum Group Discussion (FGD), and quantitative descriptive test. QDA was carried out on four jelly drink product formulas, namely F0 (standard), F1 (75:25), F2 (50:50), F3 (25:75) from the ratio of bay leaf extract:guava juice. Results: Sensory attributes consist of 17 attributes, namely appearance (particle aggregation size, viscosity, homogeneity), aroma (bay leaf, guava, sweet), texture (gritty, ease of spreading), taste (guava, sweet, sour, bay leaf), mouthfeel (gritty, jelly-like consistency, viscosity), aftertaste (astringent and bitter). The results of the one-way ANOVA analysis showed significant differences between the formula and the control product (p&lt;0.05). Formula 1 and 3 not accepted by consumers because there are weaknesses, such as the inhomogeneous appearance and the strong aroma of bay leaf obtained the highest value in formula 1. In contrast, formula 3 has the highest value in astringent and bitter aftertaste, gritty texture and mouthfeel. Conclusions: The selected treatment is formula two of jelly drink with a ratio of bay leaf water extract: guava juice = 50:50. A description like this will assist food technology in developing new products.

The health aspects of skiing

The health aspects of skiing

Outcome Measures And Analysis Of Memory Movers- An Exercise Programme For The Brain, Body And Mind

Abstract Background Memory Movers is a six-week early intervention specialist programme designed for implementation in community settings to meet key healthcare needs for individuals experiencing memory difficulties/dementia and their family carers. This programme provides individuals with the knowledge, skills and education to care for their overall health and well-being. It supports mental health and well-being by utilising cognitive stimulation exercises in conjunction with physical health exercises and providing information and basic exercises in mental health. Methods The Specialist Mental Health Service for Older People collaborated with an Acute Hospital, local Council, and Sports and Wellbeing Partnership in designing a suitable, accessible programme to promote Mental Health and well-being in the community. The programme incorporates the following aspects of health: Memory, Movement, and Mental Health. Results Pre- and post-assessments were undertaken with results highlighting the following: The Life Satisfaction Scale improved by 6%; the Mood Rating Scale improved by 19% and the overall rating of experiencing feelings of anxiety was reduced by 14% within the final week. There was also a 101% increase in the average engagement in physical activity. A range of positive comments received from attendees were recorded on feedback questionnaires. Conclusion Findings highlighted that remaining active supports both physical and mental health. According to the HSE (2020), physical exercise can cause chemical changes in the brain, which can help improve mood. Cognitive stimulation is beneficial to brain health and cognition (Schulz 2015). These contribute to the overall well-being of individuals, promoting cognitive functioning and movement, as well as overall mental health and well-being. This programme also provides opportunities for social connection and integration with services.

Teachers’ Stress and Wellbeing in North Macedonia: A Scoping Review

This scoping review aimed to analyze peer-reviewed studies on teachers’ work stress and wellbeing status in North Macedonia, addressing the stress prevalence among teachers and identifying gaps for future research. A database search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and EBSCO, and Google.com in English, Macedonian and Albanian Languages from 2010 to December 2023. The search yielded 631 articles, of which 11 were screened for eligibility, and six met the inclusion criteria. Four studies focused on work stress, two on burnout; however, none addressed teachers’ wellbeing, leaving this aspect unknown. The stress level among teachers was moderate to high, attributed to various work stressors and demographic factors. The findings highlight the need for more research on wellbeing and other aspects of mental health among teachers. Additionally, to support teacher wellbeing, the review suggests the substantial need for health promotion programs at both individual and institutional levels

A Bibliometric Review of the Utilization of TILDA Data in the Literature

Abstract Background The TILDA dataset refers to the data collected as part of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. It is a nationally representative longitudinal study of aging in Ireland, focusing on people aged 50 and older and it includes information on demographics, health status, cognitive function, psychological well-being, social support, lifestyle factors, and use of health services. Methods Bibliometric methods are used in several research domains to assess the impact of the field, specific researchers, papers, journals, and to identify knowledge inputs, research gaps and future opportunities. The study examines 609 scientific documents from 2011 to 2023 published on Web of Science (WoS) utilizing “TILDA” as keywords, aiming to identify prevalent themes and their evolution over time. Through thematic maps, clusters were generated to visualize thematic shifts. The Sankey plot illustrates temporal trends, revealing significant themes and their development. Results We defined three different time slices to clearly distinguish the themes present in scientific production. Initially (2011-2015), there's a focus on treating frailty, orthostatic hypotension, and physical interventions. Emerging themes include the analysis of cognitive functions and return migrants. In the second time slice (2016-2019), mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, and loneliness gain prominence. Essential aspects of aging such as mobility, self-care, and cognitive decline are also explored. Alcohol consumption and retirement experiences become significant topics. In the latest time slice (2020-2023), quality of life and biomarker studies emerge as prominent themes, along with continued exploration of frailty and fundamental health aspects like cancer and diabetes epidemiology. Conclusion The analysis shows the shifting research priorities evident in scientific output utilizing the TILDA dataset. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the dataset's implications and inform future research directions, emphasizing its significance in advancing scientific knowledge.

The role of family doctors in developing primary care systems in Asia: a systematic review of qualitative research conducted in middle-income countries 2010-2020.

The Asia Pacific Region's middle-income countries (MICs) face unique challenges in the ongoing development of primary care (PC) systems. This development is complicated by systemic factors, including rapid policy changes and the introduction of private healthcare services, as well as the mounting challenges associated with ageing populations and increasing rates of chronic diseases. Despite the widespread acknowledgement of the importance of family doctors in the development of PC services, relatively little is known about how these roles have developed in Asian MICs. To address this gap, this systematic review presents a synthesis of recent research focused on the role of family doctors within the PC systems of MICs in the Asia Pacific Region. We searched six electronic databases (CINAHL Complete, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, and Index Medicus for the South-East Asia Region and Western Pacific) for peer-reviewed qualitative literature published between January 2010 and December 2020. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. Eighteen articles were included in the analysis. Findings from these articles were extracted and synthesised using qualitative thematic synthesis. We used the Rainbow Framework to analyse the interconnections within health systems at the macro, meso and micro levels. Our analysis of the included articles showed that family doctors play a crucial role in bridging the gap between hospitals and communities. They are essential in adopting holistic approaches to health and wellbeing and are in a unique position to try and address social, psychological, and biological aspects of health. Our findings also highlight the influence of policy changes at the macro level on the role and responsibilities of family doctors at the meso (organisational) and micro (interpersonal) levels. Limited research has explored the role of family doctors in the ongoing development of primary care systems in MICs in the Asia Pacific Region. The findings of this review have significant implications for policymakers and healthcare administrators involved in ongoing improvements to and strengthening of PC systems. Areas of particular concern relate to policy linked with training and workforce development, insurance systems and public awareness of what primary care services are.

Comparing EQ-5D-5L, PROPr, SF-6D and TTO utilities in patients with chronic skin diseases.

We aim to compare the measurement properties of three indirect (EQ-5D-5L, PROPr, SF-6D) and one direct (time trade-off, TTO) utility assessment methods in patients with chronic skin diseases. 120 patients with physician-diagnosed chronic skin diseases (psoriasis 39%, atopic dermatitis 27%, acne 19%) completed a cross-sectional survey. Respondents completed the EQ-5D-5L, PROMIS-29+2 and SF-36v1 questionnaires and a 10-year TTO task for own current health. Utilities were computed using the US value sets. Ceiling, convergent and known-group validity were compared across the utilities derived with these four methods. Known-groups were defined based on general, physical and mental health. The agreement between utilities was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Mean utilities for the EQ-5D-5L, PROPr, SF-6D and TTO were 0.79, 0.47, 0.76 and 0.89. In corresponding order, the ceiling was 28%, 0%, 2% and 65%. The SF-6D showed excellent agreement with the EQ-5D-5L (ICC = 0.770). PROPr demonstrated poor agreement with the EQ-5D-5L (ICC = 0.381) and fair with SF-6D utilities (ICC = 0.445). TTO utilities showed poor agreement with indirectly assessed utilities (ICC = 0.058-0.242). The EQ-5D-5L better discriminated between known groups of general and physical health, while the SF-6D and PROPr outperformed the EQ-5D-5L for mental health problems. There is a great variability in utilities across the four methods in patients with chronic skin conditions. The EQ-5D-5L, despite its higher ceiling, appears to be the most efficient in discriminating between patient groups for physical health aspects. Our findings inform the choice of instrument for quality-adjusted life year calculations in cost-utility analyses.

Safety and sustainability by design: An explorative survey on concepts’ knowledge and application

The Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) concept integrates safety and sustainability of chemicals and materials, throughout their entire life cycle and minimizes their environmental footprint. The European Commission (EC) in 2022 developed a framework to practically apply SSbD. This study investigated the knowledge on SSbD and the operationalization of such framework among the partners of the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) program. Forty-one responses from 32 PARC Institutions were collected through a 21 item-online survey. Seventy-three % of the respondents had knowledge of SSbD, although only 49 % reported to have been directly engaged into SSbD projects. The EC-SSbD framework was applied by the 26 % of participants and in 47 % of cases it included a (re)design phase. With respect to the safety and sustainability, the assessment of the hazard, the human health and safety aspects in the production and processing, and the human health and environmental aspects in the final application of the chemical/material was addressed by the 74 %, 52 % and 65 % of the respondents. Lower percentages of positive responses regarded the environmental, social and economic sustainability assessment: 35 %, 20 % and 13 %, respectively. Overall, while the framework provided the necessary building blocks and opportunities for SSbD, concerted and iterative Research, Industry, and Academia efforts are necessary to develop/improve assessment methods, models and tools to make SSbD as an approach to chemical risk assessment and management to protect human health and the environment, and ensure to operate within the planetary boundaries.

The Issues of Psychological Health Tests in Chinese High Schools

At present, adolescents are facing many challenges in mental health, and there are many problems with psychological test questions, so this paper aims to strengthen mental health education and interventions. There are many problems in the current psychological test questions, including insufficient professionalism, insufficient consideration of cultural differences, insufficient privacy protection, insufficient validity and reliability, excessive reliance on self-report, oversimplification of the interpretation of results, lack of timely updating and revision, suggestiveness of the questions, insufficient verification of reliability and validity, and failure to fully cover important aspects of mental health. These issues may affect the accuracy and reliability of test results and need to be continuously improved and resolved through scientific research and professional practice. When addressing mental health issues, schools should work with professionals to ensure that psychological tests are scientific and culturally appropriate, while updating test questions regularly. In addition, it combines quantitative and qualitative assessments, provides professional training, uses information technology to improve testing convenience, and establishes a feedback mechanism to optimize test questions. Resources and support are also needed after the exam to ensure that tests are designed without bias to help students address mental health challenges. Through these measures, the effectiveness of psychological testing can be improved, and the mental health and well-being of students can be promoted.

Health Insurance Literacy and Its Impact on Patient Satisfaction with the Quality of Medical Care

Introduction. Health insurance literacy is an important aspect of population health that contributes to the functioning of the healthcare system. The significance of health insurance literacy is underscored by data showing substantial financial resources dedicated to medical care through the compulsory health insurance system (CHI). However, surveys reveal that patients' health insurance literacy is generally lower than their overall medical literacy, leading to several issues.Purpose. The study aims to examine the main aspects of health insurance literacy and its importance for ensuring patient satisfaction with the quality of medical care.Materials and methods. The authors analyzed scientific literature on population literacy in insurance, health insurance, medical care, etc. 80 participants in Moscow and 80 participants in Surgut were asked to fill out a questionnaire on self-assessment of their level of health insurance literacy. A series of semi-struc-tured interviews were also conducted among doctors of the polyclinics visited by study participants.Results. Health insurance literacy is the knowledge and practical use of information about mitigating health risks and covering treatment costs through relevant financial institutions. Health insurance literacy is a structured system of competencies that requires a systematic approach. Improving the health insurance literacy of patients is an important task of any healthcare organization, as it can significantly increase the level of patient satisfaction with the quality of medical care and, consequently, the health of the general population.

The Impact of Public Health on Health Assessment

Policy formulation, health promotion, and disease prevention are all important aspects of public health that shape population health. This study investigates the numerous ways in which public health influences health evaluation, namely data gathering, epidemiology, and health surveillance. The historical achievements of public health professionals are explored alongside constraints such as limited resources and technological barriers. Furthermore, innovations such as telemedicine, mobile health technologies, and data analytics are being investigated as potential directions for improving public health assessment. The study concludes by emphasising the importance of ongoing investment in public health technology, collaborations, and policy innovations to address future health concerns and increase community well-being. Keywords: Public health, health assessment, epidemiology, disease surveillance, health promotion, disease prevention.

Enhancing Food Sustainability through Probiotics Isolated from Fermented Cauliflower

In the face of increasing challenges to sustainable food production, biotechnology offers solutions to support the environmental and health aspects of the food industry. This study explores the probiotic potential of L. plantarum and L. brevis isolated from fermented cauliflower. The probiotic properties of the strains and their biochemical characteristics were comprehensively assessed. They have been shown to be resistant to conditions in the human gastrointestinal tract and are able to adhere to colonic epithelial cells. Beneficial properties, such as antimicrobial activity and the production of phenolic acid and exopolysaccharides, were confirmed. The safety of these isolates was established, highlighting their suitability as pro- and prebiotics, and as fermentation starters. In particular, C5 and C2 strains have shown promising industrial potential, with C5 excelling in overall performance and C2 exhibiting strong antagonism to pathogenic strains and superior adhesion to intestinal cells. The resilience of strain C5 under various stress conditions and the exceptional exopolysaccharide production by strain C2 further underscore their unique capabilities and potential applications. These distinct properties make them particularly suitable for applications in functional foods and health-oriented products. These results emphasize the importance of fermented foods in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and consumer health, contributing to a more sustainable food industry.