Safe Strategy Research Articles

Natural Low-Melting Mixture Solvents for Green Recovery of Spent All-Solid-State Sodium-Ion Batteries with Superior Efficiency over Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Spent all-solid-state sodium-ion batteries (ASIBs) containing toxic and precious metal would be produced significantly and lead to resource waste and environmental pollution as the wide application of ASIBs in the near future. Therefore, it is necessary to develop green strategy for recovery of ASIBs. Here, we propose a safe, mild and green strategy to recover toxic and precious metals from cathode/solid electrolyte of ASIBs by using natural low-melting mixture solvents (LoMMSs) with high selectivity and high leaching efficiency. Natural LoMMSs are abundant, natural available, cheap, non-flammable, biodegradable and biocompatible. Results show that natural LoMMSs could leach nearly 100% Na and achieve superhigh Na/Zr selectivity of up to 58 from ASIBs at mild temperature, outperforming the recycling efficiency and selectivity of lithium-ion batteries cathode. More importantly, we find that water could be used as a green and low-cost anti-solvent to precipitate the extracted metal from the leachate with low-energy consumption at room temperature. This work provides a cost-effective, energy-saving, mild, green strategy for the recovery of cathode/solid electrolyte from spent ASIBs with high safety and high selectivity.

Treatment of Delayed Hypersensitivity After Injection of Nasal Fillers.

Soft tissue filler injection is the second most commonly performed cosmetic procedure worldwide, with augmentation rhinoplasty being the most common filling surgery in Asian countries because Asians predominantly have a low nasal bridge. With the increasing pursuit of beauty, the adverse reactions after injection not only damage the patient's appearance but also greatly affect their quality of life. Therefore, exploring effective methods to address adverse reactions after nasal filler injections is necessary. Herein, we aimed to explore safe and effective drug doses and concentrations for the treatment of two patients who developed an allergic reaction after a nasal filling by intralesional drug injection. Two patients developed severe swelling and deformity of the nose after the injection of fillers 6 months to 1 year prior to presentation. High-frequency ultrasound and local conditions revealed inflammation in the injected area. The patients were administered the combination of 0.7% triamcinolone acetonide, 0.42% 5-fluorouracil, and 0.7% lidocaine into the affected area; they were followed up for 6 months. After three times of treatment, swelling and sclerosis disappeared after 44.5 ± 2.12 days. No adverse effects of the infections were observed. This drug regimen may represent a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of complications after soft tissue filler injections.

Simulations on Evacuation Strategy and Evacuation Process of the Subway Train Under the Fire

This study focuses on the safe evacuation strategy and evacuation process in the subway train under the fires. The subway station evacuation mode should be adopted if the power system of a subway train is normal on fire. While, the tunnel evacuation mode should be adopted if the power system of the train fails because of the effects of fire. Under the tunnel evacuation mode, the direction of tunnel smoke should be opposite to that of most passengers, and passengers should be evacuated toward the fresh wind. By using the numerical simulation software Pathfinder and PyroSim, the passenger evacuation time under different conditions is calculated, and the safety of the evacuation process is evaluated. The results show that the evacuation time of the station evacuation mode is obviously shorter than that of the tunnel evacuation mode. With the same conditions, the evacuation time of the tunnel evacuation mode is 2193 s, which is about four times as much as the evacuation time of the station evacuation mode (526 s). The total evacuation time increases with the total number of passengers and the proportion of older people and children. Under an oil pool fire, which is an extreme fire condition, the fire environment inside the train may reach a level threatening the passengers’ safety before the evacuation is complete, even before the door opens; therefore, special attention should be paid to the safety issues in stage from the fire begins to the evacuation complete.

Hydrophobicity in Guiding Biological Interactions and Related Applications

Hydrophobicity is a universal phenomenon in nature with profound effects on the structure and function of biological macromolecules, which holds great promise for biomedical applications. Therefore, this paper reviews recent research advances in hydrophobicity in guiding biological interactions and their applications, pointing out that the folding and aggregation of biomolecules, such as proteins and lipids, in water is greatly influenced by hydrophobicity, and that the repulsive force of hydrophobic groups leads to the formation of stable spatial structures of biomolecules, maintaining their biological activity. Furthermore, modulation of hydrophobicity has been widely used to enhance the ability of the materials to disrupt cell membranes, and to improve antimicrobial properties while taking biocompatibility into account. The optimization of the hydrophobic group structure has led to significant advances in the development of antimicrobial polymers for medical implant applications. These advances have been achieved through the implementation of efficient and safe material design strategies. In addition, the equilibrium between hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity is critical in gene delivery. A moderate augmentation of hydrophobicity can help improve delivery efficiency and cellular uptake. It has been shown that adjusting the hydrophobicity of the nanoparticle surface can significantly influence the activity of immune cells, thus providing a new pathway for immune modulation. As such, the paper also investigates the potential applications of hydrophobicity in biomaterials design and proposes future directions, which includes standardized analytical approaches, and multidimensional experimental design. These approaches are intended to facilitate the advancement and utilization of functional materials based on hydrophobicity in biomedical fields.

Systemic Administration of a Site-Targeted Complement Inhibitor Attenuates Chronic Stress-Induced Social Behavior Deficits and Neuroinflammation in Mice

Chronic stress, a risk factor for many neuropsychiatric conditions, causes dysregulation in the immune system in both humans and animal models. Additionally, inflammation and synapse loss have been associated with deficits in social behavior. The complement system, a key player of innate immunity, has been linked to social behavior impairments caused by chronic stress. However, it is not known whether complement inhibition can help prevent neuroinflammation and behavioral deficits caused by chronic stress. In this study, we investigated the potential of a site-targeted complement inhibitor to ameliorate chronic stress-induced changes in social behavior and inflammatory markers in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus. Specifically, we investigated the use of C2-Crry, which comprises a natural antibody-derived single-chain antibody (ScFv) targeting domain-designated C2, linked to Crry, a C3 activation inhibitor. The C2 targeting domain recognizes danger-associated molecular patterns consisting of a subset of phospholipids that become exposed following cell stress or injury. We found that systemic administration of C2-Crry attenuated chronic stress-induced social behavioral impairments in mice. Furthermore, C2-Crry administration significantly decreased microglia/macrophage and astrocyte activation markers in the PFC and hippocampus. These findings suggest that site-targeted complement inhibition could offer a promising, safe, and effective strategy for treating chronic stress induced behavioral and immune function disorders.

Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by minimally invasive gastrectomy for resectable gastric cancer with gastric outlet obstruction.

Advanced gastric cancer with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) causes malnutrition and medication adherence issues, leading to a poor prognosis. We developed a novel multimodal, less invasive treatment approach for gastric cancer patients with symptomatic GOO: laparoscopic stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy (LSPGJ) combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), followed by minimally invasive gastrectomy with reuse of gastrojejunostomy. This study is a retrospective analysis of the safety and feasibility of our treatment strategy. In this single-institution retrospective study, we enrolled 54 patients (NAC group, n = 26; upfront gastrectomy group, n = 28) who achieved R0 resection through a minimally invasive approach between 2007 and 2020 and evaluated their short- and long-term outcomes. After LSPGJ, the Gastric Outlet Obstruction Scoring System score significantly improved (p < 0.001). The median relative dose intensity of NAC was 88.2%. Regarding short-term outcomes, there were no differences in postoperative complications, length of postsurgical hospital stay, and adjuvant chemotherapy administration. Although overall survival and relapse-free survival showed trends toward improvement in the NAC group, these differences were not statistically significant. The cumulative incidence curve for recurrence in the NAC group was significantly lower than that of the upfront gastrectomy group (p = 0.041). Recurrence and hematogenous metastasis were significantly lower in the NAC group (p = 0.031 and 0.041, respectively) than in the upfront gastrectomy group. A forest plot revealed that NAC yielded favorable outcomes, particularly for patients with a body mass index (BMI) < 18.5kg/m2, cT4, or cN1. LSPGJ combined with NAC followed by minimally invasive gastrectomy was a safe and feasible treatment strategy for patients with advanced gastric cancer with symptomatic GOO. This procedure may contribute to the early recovery of oral intake and help maintain NAC dose intensity, potentially improving prognosis, particularly for patients with low BMI and advanced-stage disease.

Hollow and heterojunction-structured Janus nanomotors for pyroelectrodynamic and nanozyme-catalyzed tumor therapy

Pyroelectrodynamic therapy (PEDT) has emerged as an attractive therapeutic modality for tumors, but is dramatically discounted by inherent defects of wide band gap, fast electron − hole recombination and low photothermal utilization. Herein, hollow-structured Janus nanoparticles (NPs) are developed to improve tumor accumulation and PEDT generation of reactive oxidative species (ROS) for antitumor treatment. Hollow barium titanate (hBT) NPs were prepared by the template and hydrothermal method for in situ deposition of CuS nanodots and then partially coated with polydopamine (PDA) caps to obtain hBT-CuS@PDA. Finite element analysis reveals that the unique thin shell of hBT benefits transportation of pyroelectrically generated charge carriers through shortening diffusion distance to the interface. The CuS deposition forms heterojunctions with hBT to accelerate electron − hole separation and leads to a larger pyroelectric current. The hollow structure facilitates light absorption and conversion, and the photothermal effect of the half-coated PDA caps generates asymmetric temperature gradient to drive NP locomotion across biological barriers. The in situ generated pyroelectric field selectively affects membrane potential and fluidity of tumor cells to enhance the specific NP internalization. The pyroelectric effect enhances the peroxidase-like activity of CuS nanodots to generate toxic ·OH and the glutathione peroxidase-like activity to inhibit glutathione consumption of ROS. The integration of photothermal, pyroelectric, nanozyme catalysis and self-protrusion effects promotes NP accumulation and penetration throughout tumors to exhibit therapeutic effect at a mild-temperature, reducing the possible high-temperature ablation of normal tissues. The hollow and heterjunction structure generates abundant intracellular ROS and efficient diffusion in tumor tissues to inhibit tumor growth and extend animal survival, offering a safe and effective PEDT strategy.

Poria cocos polysaccharide-honeycomb manganese oxide nanoparticles as a vaccine adjuvant to induce potent immune responses

As indispensable components of vaccines, adjuvants play a critical role in inducing potent immune responses. In our previous study, we isolated and purified a water-soluble polysaccharide from Poria cocos (PCP), and found that the PCP had the potential to act as an immunostimulant to induce a balanced Th1/Th2 immune response. However, the PCP showed effective immunomodulatory activity only at high concentrations. Herein, we prepared a novel and biodegradable adjuvant system (PCP-hMnOx), in which the PCP was loaded onto the honeycomb manganese oxide nanoparticles (hMnOx). The developed PCP-hMnOx adjuvant system not only acted as an immunostimulant, but also as a delivery system to enhance antigen uptake by antigen-presenting cells (APCs), stimulate the activation of APCs and facilitate the formation of germinal center in draining lymph nodes. Furthermore, the PCP-hMnOx adjuvant system facilitated the antibody production, the activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and the generation of IFN-γ, thus inducing a robust and durable immune response with a balanced Th1/Th2 response in comparison to commercial alum adjuvant. Our results demonstrated that the PCP-hMnOx adjuvant system improved the immunomodulatory activity of the PCP, and had the potential to provide a simple, safe, and efficient nanoparticles-based strategy to induce potent immune responses.

Lactic Acid Bacteria As Biological Control Agent For Controlling Aspergillus Growth and Aflatoxin Production: A Review

: Aspergillus sp., a ubiquitous filamentous fungus, poses significant challenges to the food industry as a common spoilage and mycotoxin producing organism. The conventional use of chemical preservatives to control Aspergillus contamination raises concerns about potential health risks and environmental impacts. Therefore, alternative approaches, such as the utilization of natural biopreservatives, as inexpensive, safe, and promising mycotoxin decontamination strategies are being explored. Lactic acid bacteria have gained considerable attention as potential candidates due to their antimicrobial properties and long-standing safe use in food fermentation. This review provides a thorough summary of the potential of lactic acid bacteria as biopreservatives against Aspergillus sp. The inhibitory mechanisms of lactic acid bacteria against the proliferation of Aspergillus and mycotoxin yield are explored, highlighting the role of organic acids, antimicrobial peptides, and other bioactive compounds. The versatile application of lactic acid bacteria based natural preservatives across a range of food matrices, storage conditions, etc. is also addressed. Further research is warranted to optimize lactic acid bacteria strains, explore synergistic combinations, and investigate their efficacy in real food systems. Implementing lactic acid bacteria based biopreservative strategies could significantly enhance food safety and quality by reducing Aspergillus contamination and mycotoxin risks.

Outpatient Management of Cancer-Associated Pulmonary Embolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Outpatient management of pulmonary embolism (PE) remains controversial in patients with cancer due to their higher risks of mortality, recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding complications. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of outpatient management of cancer-associated PE. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central, and Scopus databases from inception to May 30, 2024, for studies on outpatient management of cancer-associated PE. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies with ≥10 patients. The primary outcome was 30-day-all-cause mortality; secondary outcomes included VTE-related mortality, major bleeding and recurrent VTE at 30 days. Meta-analysis was performed using random effects models, and heterogeneity was assessed with the I2 statistic. Nineteen studies (13 full-article, 6 abstract-only) with a total of 1589 patients managed as outpatients were identified. Criteria for outpatient management of cancer-associated PE were reported in 14 studies. The pooled 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 1.74% (95% CI: 0.99-3.03; I2=0%, 691 patients, 6 full-article). The 30-day major bleeding pooled rate was 2.71% (95% CI: 1.51-4.83; I2=0%; 406 patients, 6 full-article), and the 30-day recurrent VTE pooled rate was 1.26% (95% CI: 0.53-3.00; I2=0%; 396 patients, 5 full-article). Selected patients with cancer-associated PE managed as outpatients appear to have low short-term rates of mortality, major bleeding and recurrent VTE suggesting this may be a safe strategy. Further research with larger, prospective studies is needed to confirm these findings and refine risk stratification protocols.

Microvascular Plug Embolization of Anterior Spinal Artery Bearing Segmental Arteries Prior Aortic Stenting: Technique and Safety.

This study aims to present our experience with superselective embolization of the anterior spinal artery-bearing segmental artery (ASAbSA) using a microvascular plug (MVP) during the minimally invasive segmental artery coil embolization (MISACE) procedure prior endovascular repair of the thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. We retrospectively evaluated all MISACE procedures performed between May 2018 and July 2023, where MVP was deployed into an angiographically confirmed ASAbSA. Data were analyzed regarding interventional details, technical aspects, and safety protocols. The standard procedure for MVP embolization involves detaching the plug after 10min, provided no neurological symptoms occur. A total of 22 patients underwent MVP deployment into the proximal segmental artery supplying the ASAbSA. There were no instances of non-target embolization or segmental artery dissection. Furthermore, none of the patients experienced temporary or permanent spinal cord ischemia. MVP deployment into the ASAbSA is a safe strategy for protecting the spinal cord during preemptive embolization of segmental arteries prior to endovascular aortic repair.

Opinions on the Future of Clinical Pig Kidney Xenotransplantation.

Based on promising results obtained in primate models, pioneers in the US have now started to explore the new frontier of genetically-edited pig-to-human transplantation. The recent transition of xenotransplantation into clinical medicine has included transplants in brain-dead subjects and the compassionate use of xenotransplants in living recipients without options for allotransplantation. While the barrier of hyperacute rejection seems to be successfully overcome by gene editing of donor pigs, the occurrence of accelerated rejection could pose significant limitations to the success of the procedure. Ultimately, the establishment of efficient and safe strategies to overcome immunologic barriers will, among other critical factors, such as potential xenozoonotic disease transmission or physiological differences, determine whether and for which indications xenotransplantation will be viable. Considering preliminary outcomes of compassionate use xenotransplantions, which may raise questions about how faithfully data from non-human primate models translate into human outcomes, further research in decedents may be necessary before proceeding with additional clinical transplants. Looking ahead, designing systematic trials in xenotransplantation, including the definition of acceptable eligibility criteria for such high-risk transplants, will be an immense challenge, especially in kidney transplantation, where dialysis provides an effective alternative to transplantation in most cases.

Harnessing Regulatory T Cells for Immune Modulation in Transplantation Tolerance

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are pivotal in maintaining immune tolerance and preventing allograft rejection in transplantation. This review explores the mechanisms by which Tregs mediate immune modulation and their potential therapeutic applications in promoting transplantation tolerance. Tregs are characterized by the expression of CD4, CD25, and the transcription factor FOXP3, and they play a critical role in suppressing effector T cell responses and promoting an anti-inflammatory environment. Various strategies for harnessing Tregs for transplantation include the expansion of Tregs ex vivo, the induction of Tregs in vivo through various approaches, and the transfer of Tregs into transplant recipients. Furthermore, we discuss the impact of the transplant environment on Treg function, the role of dendritic cells and cytokines in Treg activation, and the significance of gut-derived Tregs in fostering tolerance. Additionally, we address the challenges of using Tregs in clinical settings, including potential risks such as opportunistic infections and malignancies. Ultimately, harnessing Tregs represents a promising avenue for achieving transplantation tolerance and improving long-term graft survival, and ongoing research is crucial for developing effective and safe strategies for clinical application. Keywords: Regulatory T cells, Transplantation tolerance, Immune modulation, Allograft rejection, Treg therapy

Efficacy of exclusive human milk diet in preterm infants weighing ≤1500 g: a single-center COHORT study

Efficacy of exclusive human milk diet in preterm infants weighing ≤1500 g: a single-center COHORT study

A Bioinspired Nanovaccine for Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy.

Poly I:C (pIC) can act on endosomal and cytosolic pathogen recognition receptors to enhance T cell immunity. However, the poor cytosolic delivery of pIC and lack of facile methods for codelivery with antigens limit its efficacy. Inspired by the structure of a virus, we developed a liponanogel (LNG) consisting of a nanogel core and lipid shell to address these challenges. An LNG-based vaccine increases the endosomal membrane permeability in a nanogel core-dependent manner, thus enhancing cytosolic sensing of pIC. LNG induces 44.9-fold stronger CD8+ T cell responses than soluble pIC or Hiltonol adjuvanted vaccines and even induces stronger CD8+ T cell responses than state-of-the-art lipid nanoparticle adjuvanted vaccines. Remarkably, the LNG vaccine regresses 100% TC1 tumors and even regresses 60% aggressive B16F10 tumors upon combination with αPD-L1. Our study provides a safe and effective strategy for enhancing T cell immunity and may inspire new approaches for cancer immunotherapy.

Insights into lithium plating characteristics enable plating-free heating strategy for bidirectional pulse utilizing a refined physics-based model

Bidirectional pulse heating, known for its fast heating rate and good consistency, is a promising preheating solution for addressing the dilemma of poor performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) at low temperatures. But applying this method to batteries, particularly at high state-of-charges (SOCs), can increase the risk of lithium plating, which in turn raises the potential for thermal runaway. Here, we introduce a refined physics-based model to explore, for the first time, the lithium plating behavior during the bidirectional pulse heating process. Further, we propose a stepped rate pulse strategy based on the lithium precipitation temperature boundary, designed to rapidly warm batteries without inducing lithium plating. Our findings reveal that both capacity loss and the onset temperature for lithium plating increase with higher SOCs and pulse rates. Moreover, due to the uneven temperature distribution, the lithium plating current at the cell periphery is larger compared to that inside the cell, and the outmost cell experiences a more severe capacity loss than the internal cell in a module. The plating-free heating rate varies at different SOC levels and exhibits a 1.5 times improvement as the SOC decreases from 0.5 to 0.2. This study contributes to an enhanced comprehension of lithium plating characteristics and offers invaluable insights into the design of efficient and safe pulse heating strategies.

Treatment-related characteristics of communities in districts characterized by persistent trachoma: an exploratory descriptive study

Abstract Background Despite the implementation of surgery, antibiotics mass administration, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement, commonly known as the SAFE strategy for several years, the persistence and recrudescence of trachoma is a prevailing challenge in Ethiopia. This study explores the treatment-related characteristics of communities within districts characterized by persistent trachoma in southern Ethiopia. Methods Nyangatom and Uba Debretsehay districts are predominantly inhabited by pastoralist and farming communities, respectively. A community-based, exploratory descriptive qualitative study was conducted from June to October 2023. A total of 11 key informant interviews and six focus group discussions were conducted. The interviews and discussions were digitally recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed using Atlas ti. 23. Results Districts characterized by persistent trachoma are characterized by segments of populations that have never been treated or suboptimally treated. This is due to the competing priorities faced by providers, the nature of campaigns and the limited ability of logistics to reach the ‘must reach’ population. Other barriers include limited social support and terrain hindering full geographical and population coverage. Treatment slippage is of particular concern because of treatment fatigue, misinformation and the unavailability of treatments for routine care. Conclusions Communities in districts characterized by persistent and recrudescent trachoma face various socioecological barriers that impact the outcome of SAFE strategy implementation. A mix of both random and systematic omissions of people who need treatment most, such as children and women, was evident.

Analysis of Positive Discipline Implementation Strategy through Technology Utilization in Providing Feedback to Parents of Students

This research aims to analyze strategies for implementing positive discipline through the use of technology in providing feedback to students' parents. Positive discipline emphasizes the development of constructive behavior through a dialogue and empathy approach, not repressive punishment. However, one of the challenges in implementing this discipline is the lack of effective communication between schools and parents, which is often caused by limited time and access. In the digital era, technology offers innovative solutions to overcome this problem by facilitating the provision of fast and real-time feedback through school applications, digital platforms and instant messaging. This research uses a qualitative approach with a case study method in schools that implement positive discipline. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation from teachers and parents. The research results show that technology can increase the effectiveness of communication between schools and parents, allowing parents to monitor student behavior developments more efficiently. Technology also provides easier access for parents to get involved in supporting children's positive behavior at home, which in turn strengthens positive discipline at school. However, this research also identified several challenges, including gaps in technology access among parents, data security and privacy issues, and the potential for reducing the quality of personal interactions between teachers and parents. Therefore, it is important to develop inclusive and safe communication strategies to ensure optimal parental involvement. This research contributes to the development of a technology-based positive discipline approach, which it is hoped will be implemented more widely in schools, particularly in the context of increasing parental involvement and the efficiency of feedback provided.

Intermittent hypoxia training improves cerebral blood flow without cognitive impairment.

Brief exposure to intermittent hypoxia has been shown to potentially induce protective effects in the body. Animal studies suggest that intermittent hypoxia could increase cerebral blood flow and confer resistance to subsequent hypoxic-ischemic injury, yet clinical investigations are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a moderate short-term intermittent hypoxia protocol on cerebral blood flow and cognitive performance. Subjects who met the inclusion criteria were recruited to this study and randomized into the intermittent hypoxia group or the control group, which receives intermittent hypoxia training and sham-intermittent hypoxia training, respectively. Cerebral hemodynamics, cognitive performance, cerebral perfusion pressure, and oxygen saturation were assessed before and after the intervention. A total of 100 healthy participants were included in this study. Compared to the control group, the intermittent hypoxia group exhibited higher peak systolic blood flow velocity (108.64 ± 22.53 vs. 100.21 ± 19.06, p = 0.049) and cerebrovascular conduction index (0.74 ± 0.17 vs. 0.66 ± 0.21, p = 0.027), and lower cerebrovascular resistance index (1.41 ± 0.29 vs. 1.54 ± 0.36, p = 0.044) following intermittent hypoxia training. Additionally, within-group comparisons revealed that intermittent hypoxia training led to increased cerebral blood flow velocity, elevated cerebrovascular conductance index, and decreased cerebrovascular resistance index (p < 0.05). Other indicators including cognitive function, cerebral perfusion pressure, and oxygen saturation did not exhibit significant differences between groups. These findings revealed that intermittent hypoxia may represent a safe and effective strategy for improving cerebral blood flow.

Investigating the Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Cholesterol-lowering Properties of Yogurt Fortified with Postbiotic of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in the Wistar Rat Model

Postbiotics have gained attention in the food industry due to their functional properties and ease of use compared to their live parent cells. Postbiotics are the metabolic byproducts of probiotic microorganisms, offering advantages such as antimicrobial and anti-diabetic effects. The study aimed to explore the potential antibacterial, antioxidant, and cholesterol-lowering effects of postbiotics from Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LbP) through in vitro and in vivo studies. Freeze-dried postbiotics from L. acidophilus BLAC 258 and L. plantarum were used in yogurt to inhibit foodborne pathogens over a 21-day storage period at 4 °C. The cholesterol-lowering effects of the postbiotic yogurt were assessed in Wistar rats fed with Normal Basal Diet (NBD) and High Cholesterol Diet (HCD). All experiments were performed in triplicate, and the collected data were analyzed with a one-way ANOVA using SPSS v.20 (2021) software. The Tukey Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) test was used for means differences at the 95% confidence interval. The results showed that postbiotic-fortified yogurt exhibited significant antioxidant and antibacterial effects. The antioxidant capacity of the yogurt increasingly peaked at 48.81% on day 14. Also, Listeria monocytogenes counts in the postbiotic yogurt decreased by approximately 2 Log10 on day 3. High-cholesterol-fed rats receiving postbiotic yogurt experienced significant reductions in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL levels. Overall results indicate that postbiotics functional yogurt might be a safe and effective strategy for managing cholesterol levels and inhibiting foodborne pathogens.