Search

An introduction is presented for a study on human milk oligosaccharides.

An emerging body of literature has highlighted the significance of breastmilk oligosaccharides and dietary fibers in complementary weaning foods for the development of the infant's microbiome that has both short- and long-term health implications. This review highlights the newborns' consumption of fiber and oligosaccharides as directly linked to the mother's diet, and that current dietary recommendations for pregnant mothers in the United States and globally fall short in both addressing the importance of dietary fiber intake for enhancing mother's health and establishing the developing infant microbiome. Although limited in data, there is suggestion for maternal dietary interventions to include healthy fibers as an effective means of promoting infant health via modification of breast milk composition. This paper argues that there is an urgent need for a two-fold national policy that addresses the significance of fiber in breastfeeding mothers' diets and modifies the dietary recommendations accordingly, and provides a paid parental leave, which would enable mothers to not only breastfeed for at least six months, but to also effectively follow the dietary recommendations needed to support breast milk quality that is linked to their infants' health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) composition varies among lactating mothers and changes during the course of lactation period. Interindividual variation is largely driven by fucosyltransferase (FUT2 and FUT3) polymorphisms resulting in 4 distinct milk groups. Little is known regarding whether maternal physiological status contributes to HMO variability. We characterized the trajectories of 20 major HMOs and explored whether maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (ppBMI), mode of delivery, or parity may affect milk HMO composition. Using longitudinal breastmilk samples from healthy mothers (n = 290) across 7 European countries, we characterized HMO composion and employed mixed linear models to explore associations of maternal characteristics with individual HMOs. We observed HMO-specific temporal trajectories and milk group dependencies. We observed relatively small but significant differences in HMO concentrations based on maternal ppBMI, mode of delivery and parity. Our findings suggest that HMO composition to be regulated time-dependently by an enzyme as well as substrate availability and that ppBMI, mode of delivery, and parity may influence maternal physiology to affect glycosylation marginally within the initital period of lactation. Our observational study is the largest European standardized and longitudinal (up to 4 months) milk collection study assessing HMO concentrations and basic maternal characteristics. Time of lactation and milk groups had the biggest impact on HMO variation. Future studies need to elucidate these observations and assess the physiological significance for the breastfed infant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the nutrition requirements of lactating mothers focusing on the production of milk and the use of milk enhancing substances.

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) are the third most abundant solid component of human milk. It is likely that they are responsible for at least some of the benefits experienced by breast-fed infants. Until recently HMO were absent from infant formula, but 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) and lacto-N-neoteraose (LNnT) have recently become available as ingredients. The development of formula containing these HMO and the quality control of such formula require suitable methods for the accurate determination of the HMO. We developed two different approaches for analysis of 2′-FL and LNnT in formula; high performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HILIC-FLD). In lab trials using blank formula spiked with the two oligosaccharides, both approaches worked well with recoveries of 94–111% (HPAEC-PAD) and 94–104% (HILIC-FLD) and RSD (iR) of 2.1–7.9% (HPAEC-PAD) and 2.0–7.4% (HILIC-FLD). However, when applied to products produced in a pilot plant, the HPAEC-PAD approach sometimes delivered results below those expected from the addition rate of the ingredients. We hypothesize that the oligosaccharides interact with the formula matrix during the production process and, during sample preparation for HPAEC-PAD those interactions have not been broken. The conditions required for labeling the HMO for detection by the FLD apparently disrupt those interactions, and result in improved recoveries. It is likely that both analytical approaches are appropriate if a suitable extraction process is used to recover the HMO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the therapeutic use of bacteria on human beings and analyzes various studies on the subject. Topics related to bacteriotherapy including the use of processed human faeces, prebiotics, and human milk are discussed. Details are given about the role of human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) in an infant's gut and the transfer of maternal microbiota to the infant.

A response from the authors of the article "In poor families, mothers' milk is richer for daughters than sons: a test of Trivers–Willard hypothesis in agropastoral settlements in Northern Kenya" in a 2012 issue of the journal is presented.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "In poor families, mothers' milk is richer for daughters than sons: a test of Trivers-Willard hypothesis in agropastoral settlements in Northern Kenya" by Masako Fujita and colleagues in a 2012 issue of the journal.

Introducción: La leche donada a un banco de leche puede ser leche materna de niños a término como de niños pretérmino. La composición de la leche será diferente en ambas circunstancias. Objetivos: Comparar la composición entre leche donada de niño a término y pretérmino en diferentes momentos de la vida del niño. Material y métodos: Se revisan los lotes de leche donada procesados en el Banco de Leche Humana en 19 meses (06/2010-12/2011). Se clasifican en: leche durante el primer mes de vida del lactante, segundo y tercero, así como leche prematuro (LP) (<37 semanas) o a término (LT). Se analiza el contenido proteico, lipídico, lactosa y aporte calórico de todos los lotes mediante analizador HMA de Miris. Análisis estadístico mediante SPSS 15.0. Resultados: La composición proteica durante el primer mes en la leche del niño a término es mayor que en la leche pretérmino con resultados estadísticamente significativos (p = 0,004). No se encontró significación estadística para el resto de los parámetros analizados al comparar la composición de leche pretérmino con leche a término en diferentes momentos de la vida del lactante. Conclusiones: Estas diferencias no son concordantes con lo publicado en la bibliografía. El menor contenido proteico de leche pretérmino comparada con leche a término puede atribuirse al amplio grupo de edad gestacional, que engloba la leche donada tipificada como prematura. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducción: La evidencia científica acumulada en años recientes avala la superioridad nutricional de la leche materna para la alimentación del recién nacido y lactantes. Objetivos: Conocer la formación sobre la lactancia materna del personal que trabaja en las distintas unidades de neonatología del Principado de Asturias. Conocer la educación sobre la lactancia materna realizada por los profesionales a las madres con hijos ingresados en dichas unidades. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, a través de un cuestionario basado en el proyecto HERA en la población (66 encuestados) de enfermeras, auxiliares de enfermería y médicos que trabajan en las unidades de neonatología de los hospitales del Principado de Asturias. Resultados: Como resultados encontramos que el 72% de los encuestados tiene formación adicional sobre la lactancia materna, siendo más del 98% los que explican los beneficios, la manera de extracción y conservación de la leche a la madre. Cuando se les pregunta si existe medidas para la formación adicional de los padres en este tema, un 40% responden que sí destacando la dada por el personal sanitario, seguido de bibliografía. Cabe destacar que en esta pregunta sólo uno de los hospitales informa de grupos de apoyo a los padres. Conclusión: En las últimas décadas, el conocimiento de los profesionales de la salud sobre la lactancia materna ha hecho que la elección de las madres por ésta aumente exponencialmente. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate dioxin and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) levels in human milk and their correlation with indicator PCBs concentrations and associated factors.Subjects were 36 pregnant mothers without clinical complications between 20 and 35 years. The participants answered a detailed questionnaire, including age, height, weight, parity, health, dietary habit and socioeconomic data. Breast milk was collected approximately two weeks after the delivery from December 1, 2000 to November 30, 2001. The samples were stored at -20°C refrigerator, centrifugated and separated, depolarized, and concentrated before the analyses. The extract was identified and quantified by high-resolution gas chromatograph with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Dioxins including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), dioxin-like PCBs including non-ortho (IUPAC 77, 81, 126, 169) and mono-ortho (105, 114, 118, 123, 156, 157, 167, 189) congeners, and indicator PCBs (28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180) were measured to determine the levels in human milk and the correlated factors.Total WHO-TEQ level of dioxin and dioxin-like PCB congeners from human milk was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in those aged ¡U29 year (14.5 pg-TEQ/g lipid, SD = 2.39) than in those aged 20-28 years (10.5 pg-TEQ/g lipid, SD = 1.85). The total TEQs level in our study was between the mean range from 10 to 35 pg-TEQ/g lipid in industrialized countries in the report from World Health Organization (WHO). For indicator PCBs, PCB 138, PCB153 and PCB 180 (three major indicator PCBs) consisted more than 97% of total concentrations. High correlation (r = 0.893, p < 0.01) was found between total TEQs and the total concentration of three major indicator PCBs in the smaller age group (20-28 year). For the older age group, the total concentration of three major indicator PCBs concentration was positively correlated with the total TEQ value (r = 0.542, p = 0.02). Total PCDD/F-TEQs was best predicted by three major indicator PCBs concentration (r = 0.678, p < 0.01) and total PCB-TEQs was best predicted by PCB 153 concentration (r = 0.891, p < 0.01). We found significantly higher dioxin-TEQs levels in human milk from the mothers eating sea fish more than once a week compared to those eating less ones (p = 0.041). Total TEQs level (dioxin/PCBs-TEQs) was found significant differences between the mothers education level (education level >high school) and yearly income (> $ 29000 dollars).Total WHO-TEQ level in the present study was found no higher than those in the WHO report. Total TEQs level can be best predicted by the total concentration of three major indicator PCBs in human milk exposure. We also found that total TEQs levels were positively associated with the consumption of sea fish, maternal education level, and yearly income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate dioxin and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) levels in human milk and their correlation with indicator PCBs concentrations and associated factors.Subjects were 36 pregnant mothers without clinical complications between 20 and 35 years. The participants answered a detailed questionnaire, including age, height, weight, parity, health, dietary habit and socioeconomic data. Breast milk was collected approximately two weeks after the delivery from December 1, 2000 to November 30, 2001. The samples were stored at -20°C refrigerator, centrifugated and separated, depolarized, and concentrated before the analyses. The extract was identified and quantified by high-resolution gas chromatograph with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Dioxins including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), dioxin-like PCBs including non-ortho (IUPAC 77, 81, 126, 169) and mono-ortho (105, 114, 118, 123, 156, 157, 167, 189) congeners, and indicator PCBs (28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180) were measured to determine the levels in human milk and the correlated factors.Total WHO-TEQ level of dioxin and dioxin-like PCB congeners from human milk was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in those aged > 29 year (10.5 pg-TEQ/g lipid, SD = 1.85) than in those aged 20-28 years (14.5 pg-TEQ/g lipid, SD = 2.39). The total TEQs level in our study was between the mean range from 10 to 35 pg-TEQ/g lipid in industrialized countries in the report from World Health Organization (WHO). For indicator PCBs, PCB 138, PCB153 and PCB 180 (three major indicator PCBs) consisted more than 97% of total concentrations. High correlation (r = 0.893, p < 0.01) was found between total TEQs and the total concentration of three major indicator PCBs in the smaller age group (20-28 year). For the older age group, the total concentration of three major indicator PCBs concentration was positively correlated with the total TEQ value (r = 0.542, p = 0.02). Total PCDD/F-TEQs was best predicted by three major indicator PCBs concentration (r = 0.678, p < 0.01) and total PCB-TEQs was best predicted by PCB 153 concentration (r = 0.891, p < 0.01). We found significantly higher dioxin-TEQs levels in human milk from the mothers eating sea fish more than once a week compared to those eating less ones (p = 0.041). Total TEQs level (dioxin/PCBs-TEQs) was found significant differences between the mothers education level (education level > high school) and yearly income (> $ 29000 dollars).Total WHO-TEQ level in the present study was found no higher than those in the WHO report. Total TEQs level can be best predicted by the total concentration of three major indicator PCBs in human milk exposure. We also found that total TEQs levels were positively associated with the consumption of sea fish, maternal education level, and yearly income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Uptake and function studies of maternal milk-derived microRNAs," by Alexandra C. Title, Remy Denzler, and Markus Stoffel in the 2015 issue.

The preterm gut microbiome is a complex dynamic community influenced by genetic and environmental factors and is implicated in the pathogenesis of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and sepsis. We aimed to explore the longitudinal development of the gut microbiome in preterm twins to determine how shared environmental and genetic factors may influence temporal changes and compared this to the expressed breast milk (EBM) microbiome. Stool samples (n = 173) from 27 infants (12 twin pairs and 1 triplet set) and EBM (n = 18) from 4 mothers were collected longitudinally. All samples underwent PCR-DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) analysis and a selected subset underwent 454 pyrosequencing. Stool and EBM shared a core microbiome dominated by Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcaceae, and Staphylococcaceae. The gut microbiome showed greater similarity between siblings compared to unrelated individuals. Pyrosequencing revealed a reduction in diversity and increasing dominance of Escherichia sp. preceding NEC that was not observed in the healthy twin. Antibiotic treatment had a substantial effect on the gut microbiome, reducing Escherichia sp. and increasing other Enterobacteriaceae. This study demonstrates related preterm twins share similar gut microbiome development, even within the complex environment of neonatal intensive care. This is likely a result of shared genetic and immunomodulatory factors as well as exposure to the same maternal microbiome during birth, skin contact and exposure to EBM. Environmental factors including antibiotic exposure and feeding are additional significant determinants of community structure, regardless of host genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducción: En los Bancos de leche Humana (BLH) la leche predominante es de donantes con hijos a término. Excepcionalmente puede disponerse de leche de donantes con hijos prematuros, de gran valor, siendo más adecuada para los receptores, en su mayoría prematuros. Objetivos: Determinar la composición de macronutrientes en leche donada, distinguiendo entre leche a término y pretérmino y estudiar sus cambios evolutivos. Material y métodos: Se revisan los lotes de LD procesados en el BLH en 19 meses(06/2010-12/2011). Se clasifican en: leche durante el primer mes de vida del lactante, segundo y tercero, así como leche prematuro (LP) (< 37 semanas) o a término (LT). Se analiza el contenido proteico, lipídico, lactosa y aporte calórico de todos los lotes mediante analizador HMA de Miris. . Análisis estadístico mediante SPSS 15.0. Resultados: Se analizan 295 lotes. En leche pretérmino encontramos los siguientes valores medios: proteínas 1,14 g/100 mi, grasas 4,24 g/100 mi, lactosa 7,67 g/100 mi y calorías 73,83 kcal/100 mi. En leche a término: proteínas 1,18 g/100 mi, grasas 4,45 g/100 mi, lactosa 7,5 g/100 mi y calorías 74,57 kcal/100 mi. Encontramos una disminución evolutiva del contenido proteico y calórico en leche a término (p < 0,001 y p = 0,004 respectivamente). En leche de prematuro únicamente encontramos una disminución evolutiva del contenido proteico (p < 0,001). No encontramos cambios significativos en el contenido lipídico ni en lactosa. Conclusiones: Se evidencian cambios evolutivos en la composición proteica y energética tanto en leche pretérmino como leche a término similar a la recogida en la bibliografía. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]