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The transmission of viruses from one host to another typically occurs through horizontal or vertical pathways. The horizontal pathways include transmission amongst individuals, usually through bodily fluids or excretions, while vertical transmission transpires from mother to their offspring, either during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. While there are more than 200 human pathogenic viruses to date, only a small number of them are known to be transmitted via breast milk, including cytomegalovirus (CMV), human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), and human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), the latter two belonging to the family Retroviridae. Breast milk transmission is a common characteristic among mammalian retroviruses, but there is a lack of reports summarizing our knowledge regarding this route of transmission of mammalian retroviruses. Here, we provide an overview of the transmission of mammalian exogenous retroviruses with a focus on Orthoretrovirinae, and we highlight whether they have been described or suspected to be transmitted through breast milk, covering various species. We also elaborate on the production and composition of breast milk and discuss potential entry sites of exogenous mammalian retroviruses during oral transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being enclosed between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert, North Africa has been the scenario of multiple human migrations that have shaped the genetic structure of its present-day populations. Despite its richness, North Africa remains underrepresented in genomic studies. To overcome this, we have sequenced and analyzed 264 mitogenomes from the Algerian Chaoui-speaking Imazighen (a.k.a. Berbers) living in the Aurès region. The maternal genetic composition of the Aurès is similar to Arab populations in the region, dominated by West Eurasian lineages with a moderate presence of M1/U6 North African and L sub-Saharan lineages. When focusing on the time and geographic origin of the North African specific clades within the non-autochthonous haplogroups, different geographical neighboring regions contributed to the North African maternal gene pool during time periods that could be attributed to previously suggested admixture events in the region, since Paleolithic times to recent historical movements such as the Arabization. We have also observed the role of North Africa as a source of geneflow mainly in Southern European regions since Neolithic times. Finally, the present work constitutes an effort to increase the representation of North African populations in genetic databases, which is key to understand their history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The chatbot developed in this study can be used by human milk banks in the process of breastfeeding education and recruitment of mothers to donate human milk. Human milk is the most important way to feed and protect newborns as it has the components to ensure human health. Human Milk Banks (HMBs) form a network that offers essential services to ensure that newborns and mothers can take advantage of the benefits of human milk. Despite this, there is low adherence to exclusive breastfeeding in Brazil, and human milk stocks available in HMBs are usually below demand. This study aimed to co-develop a smart conversational agent (Lhia chatbot) for breastfeeding education and human milk donor recruitment for HMBs. The co-design methodology was carried out with health professionals from the HMB of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Maranhão (HMB-UHFUMA). Five natural language processing pipelines based on deep learning were trained to classify different user intents. During the rounds in the co-design procedure, improvements were made in the content and structure of the conversational flow, and the data produced were used in subsequent training sessions of pipelines. The best-performing pipeline achieved an accuracy of 93%, with a fallback index of 15% for 1851 interactions. In addition, the conversational flow improved, reaching 2904 responses given by the chatbot during the last co-design round. The pipeline with the best performance and the most improved conversational flow were deployed in the Lhia chatbot to be put into production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: length of lactation; marine mammals; milk composition; nursing behavior; pup growth rate EN length of lactation marine mammals milk composition nursing behavior pup growth rate 86 95 10 06/20/23 20230601 NES 230601 Implications Marine mammals produce a high fat (>25%-60%), energy rich milk that facilitates rapid growth of offspring. In contrast, fat content of pinniped milk ranges from 25% to 60% lipid compared with the 4% milk fat in cow or human milk. Conclusion The pinniped lactation triad offers a unique opportunity to investigate exceptional diversity in lactation strategies including varied lactation duration, milk composition including metabolic hormones and other bioactive compounds, provisioning patterns, and resulting pup growth. While lactose is undetectable in most pinniped milks direct analysis has revealed other carbohydrates of interest that likely have roles beyond basic nutrition source in pinniped milk discussed further in bioactive section below. Pinniped lactation adaptations, including high fat, energy dense milk, delivered rapidly to precocial offspring resulting in precipitous offspring growth, may illuminate new areas of research for exploration in both human and domestic animal lactation. [Extracted from the article]

Milk carbohydrates Lactose and oligosaccharides are the most predominant nutrients in human milk, lactose being present at about 75 g/L compared to cow's milk, which has only about 50 g/L ([35]). Structural components of human milk separated by various centrifugation methods include milk fat globules, casein micelles, milk cells, exosomes, and bacteria often referred to as microbiota. Keywords: breast development; estrogen; human milk; progesterone; secretory activation EN breast development estrogen human milk progesterone secretory activation 64 70 7 06/20/23 20230601 NES 230601 Introduction In this article, the development of the mammary gland in the human fetus is described followed by a comparison of the situation and anatomy of the mammary glands in the human with the glands in rodents and dairy animals. Recent studies of the cells in human milk have shown that the large proportion of cells in human milk are lactocytes that retain many characteristics of milk secreting cells and offer an interesting medium for the study of the molecular biology of human lactation. [Extracted from the article]

In this study, 25–25 milk samples (25 colostral and 25 mature) collected at different lactational stages were used to analyse the fatty acid composition of breast milk. A gas-chromatographic method was used to perform and analyse the transmethylation of total milk lipid extracts. The milk samples contained 20 different fatty acids. Palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), myristic acid (C14:0), oleic acid (C18:1n-9), and linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n-6) were the major components of total lipid, phospholipid (PL), and triacylglycerol (TAG) fractions. Colostrum had a lower percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), a higher percentage of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), and a lower level of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 n-3) in total lipid than mature milk. Triacylglycerol and PL fractions between colostrum and mature milk samples did not differ statistically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to summarize available data on breastfeeding in patients with a cancer diagnosis. Materials and Methods: A review of available literature in the MEDLINE database was performed and the data summarized. In addition, two patient interviews were conducted to gain insight into the patient perspective. Results: Breastmilk is the nutritional standard for human infants and understanding the implications of a cancer diagnosis on lactation is important in optimizing maternal and infant outcomes. Though limited, available data suggest that breastfeeding may be a safe and appropriate option for some patients undergoing treatment of a malignancy. Conclusions: Patient experiences with breastfeeding in the setting of a cancer diagnosis vary widely, and depend on the type of malignancy, the timing of the diagnosis, and the indicated treatment. Breastfeeding may be an appropriate option for certain patients after multidisciplinary counseling. Alternatives to breastfeeding exist for patients who are unable to or do not desire to breastfeed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on its richness in immune-related components such as human milk, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), milk proteins, and lipids, breast milk can be considered the first functional food that humans encounter in their lifetime. According to WHO recommendations breast milk has to be the only food in an infant's diet in the first six months of age which is then continued up to two years of age with the suitable complementary foods. Regarding breast milk balanced composition, it is considered as the best food of infants thus many studies have been carried out to determine the benefits of breast milk. Based on numerous studies breast milk have a tendency to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, allergies, celiac disease, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), gastrointestinal tract infections and some type of cancers. The benefits of breast milk can be explained by its special combination which includes; macronutrients, micronutrients and bioactive components such as immunoglobulins, hormones, growth factors and oligosaccharides. One of the essential bioactive compounds of breast milk is known as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). HMOs are unique, bioactive carbohydrates which are identified as the most significant components of breast milk. Since they have structural complexity and multifunctional properties, they are one of the most wondered components of breast milk. HMOs promote the development of the neonatal intestinal immune, and nervous systems. This article briefly describes the history, complex structure and different functions of HMOs and highlight the importance of maternal diet for HMO biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of Neisseria meningitidis Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMV) to induce protective responses in humans is well established and mainly attributed to Porin A (PorA). However, the contribution of additional protein antigens to protection remains to be elucidated. In this study we dissected the immunogenicity of antigens originating from the OMV component of the 4CMenB vaccine in mice and humans. We collected functional data on a panel of strains for which bactericidal responses to 4CMenB in infants was attributable to the OMV component and evaluated the role of 30 OMV-specific protein antigens in cross-coverage. By using tailor-made protein microarrays, the immunosignature of OMV antigens was determined. Three of these proteins, OpcA, NspA, and PorB, triggered mouse antibodies that were bactericidal against several N. meningitidis strains. Finally, by genetic deletion and/or serum depletion studies, we demonstrated the ability of OpcA and PorB to induce functional immune responses in infant sera after vaccination. In conclusion, while confirming the role of PorA in eliciting protective immunity, we identified two OMV antigens playing a key role in protection of infants vaccinated with the 4CMenB vaccine against different N. meningitidis serogroup B strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We experimentally tested the hypothesis that individuals from a single species but genetically different exposed to the same chemical stress factor are able to realize opposite life history strategies–they can invest more resources in current reproduction and release neonates well-prepared to harmful condition or they can invest in their own safety as well as future reproductions and release neonates of poor quality condition. In order to do this, we used the Daphnia-salinity model: we exposed Daphnia magna females originating from various ponds to two concentrations of sodium chloride, and then observed the key life histories parameters of their offspring exposed or not exposed to salinity stress. Our results confirmed the hypothesis. In a clone from one pond, Daphnia exposed to salinity stress produced neonates which were worse-prepared to the local conditions than those released by non-stressed females. In clones from the two other ponds, Daphnia released newborns similarly or better-prepared to cope with the salinity stress, depending on the concentration of salt and the duration of their exposure to salinity. Our results suggest that both longer (two-generational) and stronger (higher salt concentration) impacts of selective factors may be perceived by individuals as information indicating reduced chances of successful reproduction in the future and, thus, they may drive mothers to produce better-prepared descendants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are xenobiotics presented in a variety of everyday products that may disrupt the normal activity of hormones. Exposure to bisphenol A as EDC at trace and ultra-trace levels is associated with adverse health effects, and children are recognized as the most vulnerable group to EDCs exposure. In this review, a summary is presented of up-to-date sample preparation methods and instrumental techniques applied for the detection and quantification of bisphenol A and its structural analogues in various biological matrices. Biological matrices such as blood, cell-free blood products, urine, saliva, breast milk, cordial blood, amniotic and semen fluids, as well as sweat and hair, are very complex; therefore, the detection and later quantification of bisphenols at low levels present a real analytical challenge. The most popular analytical approaches include gas and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and their enhanced reliability and sensitivity finally allow the separation and detection of bisphenols in biological samples, even as ultra-traces. Liquid/liquid extraction (LLE) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) are still the most common methods for their extraction from biological matrices. However, many modern and environmentally safe microextraction techniques are currently under development. The complexity of biological matrices and low concentrations of analytes are the main issues for the limited identification, as well as understanding the adverse health effects caused by chronical and ubiquitous exposure to bisphenols and its analogues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the possibility of replacing vegetable fats with ostrich oil in infant formula (IF) production was investigated. The fatty acid profile, the positional distribution of fatty acids in the triacylglycerols, the cholesterol content, and the physicochemical properties of ostrich oil were determined and compared with breast milk fat and vegetable oils. In the next step, two infant formulas were produced using ostrich oil and vegetable oils and the physicochemical properties, rheological properties, color parameters, and sensory analysis of the resultant powders were compared. The results showed that the predominant fatty acids in ostrich oil are palmitic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid which is similar to breast milk fat and vegetable oils. The presence of appropriate cholesterol content in ostrich oil makes it more similar to breast milk fat compared to vegetable fats. Palmitic acid was located at sn‐2 position in 15% triacylglycerol from ostrich fat, which was equal to the amount reported for vegetable fats. The incorporation of ostrich oil in infant formula production showed that there is no statistically significant difference between quality attributes of powder formulated with ostrich oil or vegetable oils. Therefore, ostrich oil can be introduced as a new source of edible oil, and addition of ostrich oil is an effective way to reduce the gap between the composition of breast milk and infant formula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sakarya University Journal of Holistic Health is the property of Sakarya University Journal of Holistic Health and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals that are resistant to degradation and ubiquitous in our environments. PFAS may impact the developing epigenome, but current human evidence is limited to assessments of total DNA methylation. We assessed associations between first trimester PFAS exposures with newborn DNA methylation, including 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC). DNA methylation mediation of associations between PFAS and birth outcomes were explored in the Michigan Mother Infant Pairs cohort. Nine PFAS were measured in maternal first trimester blood. Seven were highly detected and included for analysis: PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, and MeFOSAA. Bisulfite-converted cord blood DNA (n = 141) and oxidative-bisulfite-converted cord blood (n = 70) were assayed on Illumina MethylationEPIC BeadChips to measure total DNA methylation (5-mC + 5-hmC) and 5-mC/5-hmC. Correcting for multiple comparisons, beta regressions were used to assess associations between levels of PFAS and total methylation, 5-mC, or 5-hmC. Nonlinear mediation analyses were used to assess the epigenetic meditation effect between PFAS and birth outcomes. Results: PFAS was significantly associated with total methylation (q < 0.05: PFHxS—12 sites; PFOS—19 sites; PFOA—2 sites; PFNA—3 sites; PFDA—4 sites). In 72 female infants and 69 male infants, there were sex-specific associations between five PFAS and DNA methylation. 5-mC and 5-hmC were each significantly associated with thousands of sites for PFHxS, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, and MeFOSAA (q < 0.05). Clusters of 5-mC and 5-hmC sites were significant mediators between PFNA and PFUnDA and decreased gestational age (q < 0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the mediation role of specific types of DNA methylation on the relationship between PFAS exposure and birth outcomes. These results suggest that 5-mC and 5-hmC may be more sensitive to the developmental impacts of PFAS than total DNA methylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Hexabromocyclododecanes ( HBCDs ) have been identified as organic pollutants with the properties of persistence, long -distance migration, bioaccumulation, and biological toxicity. HBCDs have been detected in all kinds of biological and abiotic samples around the world, and have adverse effects on the environment and human body. As a non-invasive biological sample, human milk is a good medium for evaluating the exposure of HBCDs in the human body, and is widely used in the study of the exposure level of HBCDs in various countries, especially in nursing infants and young children. According to the survey, the production and use of HBCDs in Beijing has continued to rise since the use and production restriction of HBCDs in 2016, and the total use of HBCDs in 2019 increased by 60. 8% compared with 2018. Therefore, in recent years in Beijing, especially before and after the use and production restriction of HBCDs, the residual characteristics and change trend of HBCDs in breast milk have attracted much attention. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the residual characteristics and trends of HBCDs in breast milk in Beijing from 2010 to 2018, evaluate the health risks for infants to intake HBCDs via breastfeeding, and provide basic data support for the scientific use, management, control, and human exposure risk assessment of HBCDs. METHODS: Breast milk samples (n = 233) were obtained from 85 volunteer donors living in Beijing from 2010 to 2018. All volunteers have been living in Beijing for more than 5 years, are healthy, and do not directly engage in HBCDs production, processing, and other related occupations. Each sample was about 30mL, which was manually collected by volunteers into a 30mL clean glass bottle with a Teflon lined screw cap, and then transferred to a laboratory refrigerator for cryopreservation at -20℃ . All volunteers were informed of the objective of this study. Pretreatment was conducted by liquid-liquid extraction and ammonia, ethanol, ether and n-hexane were added in turn. After liquid-liquid extraction, concentrated sulfuric acid sulfonation was combined with solid phase extraction (SPE) to purify the samples. Finally, 200μL methanol was added for constant volume. After centrifugation, the upper layer solution was transferred to a brown sample bottle (including lined tube) for storage. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of HBCDs was performed by Waters UPLC CLASS ultra-high performance liquid phase tandem API 4000 triple quadrupole mass spectrometry(LC-MS / MS). The isotope internal standard method was used for quantitative analysis to reduce the matrix effect. RESULTS: The detection rate of HBCDs in breast milk was 100%, indicating that HBCDs have been widespread in the human body. The concentration range of HBCDs was 0. 46-93. 5ng / g lw (lipid weight), with the average and median values of 7. 27ng / g lw and 5. 77ng / g lw, respectively. The 95th percentile of high-end exposure was 15. 6ng / g lw. There were individual differences in the milk samples. The detection rates of α, β and γ-HBCD in all breast milk samples were 100%, 35. 6% and 70. 8%, respectively. α - HBCD had the most abundant diastereomers in breast milk samples, accounting for 80. 1%, followed by γ-HBCD and β-HBCD in order. There were also a small number of breast milk samples that were dominated by γ-HBCD, accounting for 52. 2%-83. 5%. Even samples taken by the same volunteer in different months had different major diastereomers. The median EDI of HBCDs via human milk for infant was 20. 5ng / kg bw / day, and the 95th percentile value was 71. 4ng / kg bw / day, which was comparable to the previous research in Beijing, but higher than Japan, Ghana and other cities in China. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the HBCDs in breast milk from other regions at home and abroad, the level of HBCDs in breast milk in this study is close to the previous research data in Beijing, but higher than that of Shanghai, Shenzhen and other cities in China, as well as higher than the results of recent studies in Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, India, the Philippines and some African countries, which may be related to the continuous use of HBCDs in China and the large amount of use. In human breast milk, α-HBCD is the main diastereomers, while in a small number of samples, γ-HBCD is the main diastereomers. The differences in the distribution characteristics of these diastereomers may be due to the differences in the absorption, metabolism and excretion mechanisms among individuals, and the transformation of HBCDs among different isomers in vivo, and the differences in the main external exposure pathways. The level of HBCDs showed an obvious upward trend from 2010 to 2013, reached the highest value of 6. 84ng / g lw in 2013, and then decreased slightly and remained constant, which may be related to the production, use and prohibition of HBCDs globally and domestically. The time trend of α-HBCD and HBCDs is basically the same, while the content of β-HBCD and γ-HBCD in breast milk is low, and the change trend is stable with time. The concentration of HBCDs in breast milk changed slowly from 2014 to 2018 but did not show a significant downward trend after the initial ban of HBCDs in China in 2016, which may indicate that there are still a large number of HBCDs in production and use on the market, and human intake of HBCDs through air, dust, diet and other ways does not decrease. The risk assessment results indicate that the Hazard Quotient (HQ) of 99% breast milk samples is less than 1, which indicates that the intake of HBCDs through breast-feeding during lactation would not bring significant health risk to infants, but the HQ value of 1% breast milk samples is greater than 1, which suggests that breastfeeding may bring health risks to infants. More research is needed to further investigate the major sources of exposure and the effect of each potential factor [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Preterm birth is associated with altered growth patterns and an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases, with breast milk (BM) being a counteracting factor. Preterm infants also show alterations in adipokines and gut hormones influencing appetite and metabolism. Since these hormones are present in BM, it is possible that their levels may equilibrate deficiencies improving infant growth. We aimed to assess 1) the BM levels of ghrelin, resistin, leptin, insulin, peptide YY, and the gastrointestinal peptide in women with preterm and term labor; 2) the relationship between BM hormones and neonatal growth; and 3) the influence of maternal body composition and diet on these BM hormones. Methods: BM from 48 women (30 term and 18 preterm labor) was collected at days 7, 14, and 28 of lactation. Maternal body composition was evaluated by bioimpedance, and neonate anthropometric parameters were collected from medical records. The maternal dietary pattern was assessed by a 72-h dietary recall at days 7 and 28 of lactation. BM hormones were analyzed by the U-Plex Ultra-sensitive method. Data were analyzed using linear regression models. BM from women with preterm labor had lower ghrelin levels, with the other hormones being significantly higher compared to women with term delivery. Results: In premature infants, growth was positively associated with BM ghrelin, while, in term infants, it was positively associated with insulin and negatively with peptide YY. In the first week of lactation, women with preterm labor had higher body fat compared to women with term labor. In this group, ghrelin levels were positively associated with maternal body fat and with fiber and protein intake. In women with term labor, no associations between anthropometric parameters and BM hormones were found, and fiber intake was negatively associated with peptide YY. Discussion: Preterm labor is a factor influencing the levels of BM adipokines and gut hormones, with BM ghrelin being a relevant hormone for premature infant growth. Since ghrelin is lower in BM from women with preterm labor and the levels are associated with maternal fat storage and some dietary components, our data support the importance to monitor diet and body composition in women who gave birth prematurely to improve the BM hormonal status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southern elephant seal, Mirounga leonina, is one of the top predators inhabiting the Southern Ocean. Foraging at sea represents 80% of their annual cycle, during which they make extraordinary wide-ranging trips with long, deep, and continuous dives. Their feeding habits have been broadly studied using both traditional and advanced techniques, like stable isotope analysis. Here, we analyzed stable isotope ratios of C and N of host and sucking lice tissues to investigate the potential use of lice to infer the isotopic patterns of their host at a major scale while using a less invasive method. We collected samples of blood and lice, Lepidophthirus macrorhini, from 15 weaned pups in Península Valdés (Chubut, Argentina). C and N isotopic signals of lice and pups were correlated. The δ13C values of the lice were not different from those of their hosts, while the δ15N signals were statistically significantly enriched with respect to those of the pups. The isotopic composition of the lice would predictably mirror that of their hosts. However, the values of Δ13C and Δ15N (difference between lice and pup signals) differed from the literature-based reference values for hematophagous ectoparasites, indicating that lice could have changed the host recently or that the residence time in the pups has not been enough. Given that mothers and weaned pups differ isotopically due to lactation, the isotopic composition of lice could therefore be more representative of signals from females, implying a useful and a safe tool for identifying and measuring the magnitude of trophic interactions in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is the most prevalent congenital musculoskeletal disorder, yet its cause remains unknown. Adequate nutrient provision and coordinated electron exchange (redox) processes are critical for foetal growth and tissue development. This novel study sought to explore specific biochemical pathways in skeletal development for potential involvement in the aetiology of DDH. Spot urine samples were collected from infants, aged 13–61 days, with and without DDH. Ion chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to quantify thiosulphate, sulphate, nitrate, and phosphate, whilst nitrite was quantified using high-performance liquid chromato-graphy. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured as markers of lipid peroxidation. Creatinine and osmolality were determined by a 96-well plate assay and micro-osmometer to potentially normalise values for renal function, lean body mass, and hydration status. Urine samples were analysed from 99 babies: 30 with DDH and 69 age-matched non-DDH controls. Thiosulphate, TBARS, and creatinine concentrations differed between the DDH group and the controls (p = 0.025, 0.015, and 0.004 respectively). Urine osmolality was significantly lower in DDH compared to the controls (p = 0.036), indicative of the production of a more diluted urine in DDH infants. Following adjustment for osmolality, significant differences became apparent in urinary sulphate levels in DDH (p = 0.035) whereas all other parameters were similar between the groups. This is the first study to assess the potential role of these inorganic anions in DDH. The higher levels of sulphate found in infants with DDH suggests either enhanced intake from milk, increased endogenous formation, or impaired renal reabsorption. This investigation demonstrates the power of urine metabolomics and highlights the importance of normalisation for hydration status to disentangle developmental disorders. Our results strongly suggest that DDH is a systemic disease associated with altered uptake, formation, or handling of sulphate. There is potential for new opportunities in the prevention or treatment of DDH via nutritional intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression and metabolic disease are common disorders that share a bidirectional relationship and continue to increase in prevalence. Maternal diet and maternal behaviour both profoundly influence the developmental trajectory of offspring during the perinatal period. At an epidemiological level, both maternal depression and obesity during pregnancy have been shown to increase the risk of neuropsychiatric disease in the subsequent generation. Considerable progress has been made to understand the mechanisms by which maternal obesity disrupts the developing offspring gut–brain axis, priming offspring for the development of affective disorders. This review outlines such mechanisms in detail, including altered maternal care, the maternal microbiome, inflammation, breast milk composition, and maternal and placental metabolites. Subsequently, offspring may be prone to developing gut–brain interaction disorders with concomitant changes to brain energy metabolism, neurotransmission, and behaviour, alongside gut dysbiosis. The gut microbiome may act as a key modifiable, and therefore treatable, feature of the relationship between maternal obesity and the offspring brain function. Further studies examining the relationship between maternal nutrition, the maternal microbiome and metabolites, and offspring neurodevelopment are warranted to identify novel therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the early weaning-induced obesity and the potential benefits of leucine supplementation in mitigating its effects, with topics including the impact of breastfeeding duration on metabolic health, insights from rodent models, and the mechanisms underlying early weaning-driven obesity. It reports that the study provides new insights into the programming of obesity due to early weaning and suggests the potential of leucine supplementation as a solution to this issue.

Copyright of Pediatrie pro Praxi is the property of SOLEN sro and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The composition of breast milk (BM) is dynamic and can be influenced by maternal variables that include the diet and nutritional status. This study examined the association between maternal adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and total antioxidant content of BM and infant urine. Methods: We collected 350 BM samples from mothers and urine samples from their infants. The dietary intakes of the mothers were recorded using a validated 65 items-food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The total antioxidant status of the samples was assessed using the ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and thiol quantification assays. Milk protein, calcium, and triglyceride (TG) were also determined using standard biochemical kits. Results: Subjects with the highest MedDiet scores were among the women in the highest tertile (T3) for consumption of dietary fiber, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and seeds, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and the lowest consumption of red meat, sweetened beverages, and sodium, compared to women in the first tertile (T1) with the lowest MedDiet scores. After adjustment for potential confounders, the individuals in the highest tertile for MedDiet score had a significantly higher level of milk DPPH, and infant urinary DPPH than the lowest tertile and had a significantly higher level of milk protein, FRAP and infant urinary FRAP compared to the T2 (P < 0.05). In addition, the mothers in the T3 for the MedDiet pattern had a significantly lower level of milk TG compared to those within the T1 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings show that a high maternal adherence to a MedDiet can affect BM composition and their infants' urine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Optimal nutrition is crucial during the critical period of the first 1,000 days from conception to 2 years after birth. Prenatal and postnatal supplementation of mothers with multimicronutrient-fortified balanced energy–protein (BEP) supplements is a potential nutritional intervention. However, evidence on the long-term effects of BEP supplementation on child growth is inconsistent. We evaluated the efficacy of daily fortified BEP supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on infant growth in rural Burkina Faso. Methods and findings: A 2 × 2 factorial individually randomized controlled trial (MISAME-III) was implemented in 6 health center catchment areas in Houndé district under the Hauts-Bassins region. From October 2019 to December 2020, 1,897 pregnant women aged 15 to 40 years with gestational age <21 completed weeks were enrolled. Women were randomly assigned to the prenatal intervention arms receiving either fortified BEP supplements and iron–folic acid (IFA) tablets (i.e., intervention) or IFA alone (i.e., control), which is the standard of care during pregnancy. The same women were concurrently randomized to receive either of the postnatal intervention, which comprised fortified BEP supplementation during the first 6 months postpartum in combination with IFA for the first 6 weeks (i.e., intervention), or the postnatal control, which comprised IFA alone for 6 weeks postpartum (i.e., control). Supplements were provided by trained village-based project workers under direct observation during daily home visits. We previously reported the effect of prenatal BEP supplementation on birth outcomes. The primary postnatal study outcome was length-for-age z-score (LAZ) at 6 months of age. Secondary outcomes were anthropometric indices of growth (weight-for length and weight-for-age z-scores, and arm and head circumferences) and nutritional status (prevalence rates of stunting, wasting, underweight, anemia, and hemoglobin concentration) at 6 months. Additionally, the longitudinal prevalence of common childhood morbidities, incidence of wasting, number of months of exclusive breastfeeding, and trajectories of anthropometric indices from birth to 12 months were evaluated. Prenatal BEP supplementation resulted in a significantly higher LAZ (0.11 standard deviation (SD), 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.01 to 0.21], p = 0.032) and lower stunting prevalence (−3.18 percentage points (pp), 95% CI [−5.86 to −0.51], p = 0.020) at 6 months of age, whereas the postnatal BEP supplementation did not have statistically significant effects on LAZ or stunting at 6 months. On the other hand, postnatal BEP supplementation did modestly improve the rate of monthly LAZ increment during the first 12 months postpartum (0.01 z-score/month, 95% CI [0.00 to 0.02], p = 0.030), whereas no differences in growth trajectories were detected between the prenatal study arms. Furthermore, except for the trend towards a lower prevalence of underweight found for the prenatal BEP intervention at 6 months (−2.74 pp, 95% CI [−5.65 to 1.17], p = 0.065), no other secondary outcome was significantly affected by the pre- or postnatal BEP supplementation. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that the benefits obtained from prenatal BEP supplementation on size at birth are sustained during infancy in terms of linear growth. Maternal BEP supplementation during lactation may lead to a slightly better linear growth towards the second half of infancy. These findings suggest that BEP supplementation during pregnancy can contribute to the efforts to reduce the high burden of child growth faltering in low- and middle-income countries. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03533712. Carl Lachat and colleagues report a a 2×2 factorial individually randomized controlled trial conducted in rural Burkina Faso which investigates the impact of fortified balanced energy-protein supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on infant growth. Author summary: Why was this study done?: Growth faltering during the first 1,000 days is a global public health problem, which is strongly associated with an increased risk of child mortality and poor developmental outcomes, as well as poor school performance and lower earning in later life. Prenatal and postnatal supplementation of mothers with multiple micronutrient-fortified balanced energy–protein (BEP) supplements is a potential nutritional intervention to prevent the high burden of growth retardation during this window of opportunity in low- and middle-income countries. However, the effect of providing pregnant and lactating women with BEP supplements on child growth is inconsistent to date. Hence, there is a critical need for high-quality experimental studies to assess the efficacy of BEP supplements on fetal and infant growth outcomes. What did the researchers do and find?: We conducted an individually randomised controlled efficacy trial in rural Burkina Faso (MISAME-III) to assess the effect of supplementing mothers with fortified BEP during pregnancy and lactation on the growth of their infants. Our trial indicates that the improvements in size at birth accrued from prenatal BEP supplementation are sustained in terms of linear growth at the age of 6 months. In addition, we provide evidence that maternal BEP supplementation for 6 months postpartum might lead to a slightly better linear growth towards the second half of infancy. What do these findings mean?: Our findings suggest that the benefits of BEP supplementation on linear growth might be fully exploited by extending the intervention to cover the first 1,000 days of life, which includes supplementation of infants and young children during the complementary feeding period. Future research in MISAME-III will assess additional maternal and child biochemical parameters to provide further insights into the clinical relevance of BEP supplementation, including the potential impacts on breast milk composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ubiquitous presence of emerging contaminants in the environment is an issue of great concern. Notably, for some of them, no established regulation exists. Benzophenones are listed as emerging contaminants, which have been identified in the environment as well as in human fluids, such as urine, placenta, and breast milk. Their accumulation and stability in the environment, combined with the revealed adverse effects on ecosystems including endocrine, reproductive, and other disorders, have triggered significant interest for research. Benzophenones should be extracted from environmental samples and determined for environmental-monitoring purposes to assess their presence and possible dangers. Numerous sample preparation methods for benzophenones in environmental matrices and industrial effluents have been proposed and their detection in more complex matrices, such as fish and sludges, has also been reported. These methods range from classical to more state-of-the-art methods, such as solid-phase extraction, dispersive SPE, LLE, SBSE, etc., and the analysis is mostly completed with liquid chromatography, using several detection modes. This review critically outlines sample preparation methods that have been proposed to date, for the extraction of benzophenones from simple and complex environmental matrices and for cleaning up sample extracts to eliminate potential interfering components that coexist therein. Moreover, it provides a brief overview of their occurrence, fate, and toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human breast milk (HBM) is the ideal source of nutrients for infants and is rich in microRNA (miRNA). In recent years, expressed breast milk feeding rather than direct breastfeeding has become increasingly prevalent for various reasons. Expressed HBM requires storage and processing, which can cause various changes in the ingredients. We investigated how the miRNAs in HBM change due to processes often used in real life. HBM samples collected from 10 participants were each divided into seven groups according to the storage temperature, thawing method, and storage period. In addition, we analyzed the miRNA changes in each group. The number of microRNAs that showed significant expression was not large compared to the thousands of miRNAs contained in breast milk. Therefore, it is difficult to suggest that the various storage and thawing processes have a great influence on the overall expression of miRNA. However, a short-term refrigeration storage method revealed little change in nutrients compared to other storage and thawing methods. Taking all factors into consideration, short-term refrigeration is recommended to minimize changes in the composition or function of breast milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on body composition and anthropometric measures of nursing mothers. Methods: In a double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 90 nursing mothers with overweight or obesity were randomized into three groups for 12 weeks: two groups of vitamin D3 supplementation (2000 IU/d (VD1), n = 32 and 4000 IU/d (VD2), n = 29) and placebo (PL) group (n = 29). The information on body composition was obtained using the body impedance analysis (BIA) method. Serum 25-Hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) D), Intact Parathyroid Hormone (iPTH), calcium, and phosphorus were measured before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed based on the intention-to-treat (ITT) method. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA (mixed ANOVA) was applied to assess whether the mean changes in the results from baseline to 12 weeks differ in the three groups. Results: There was a significant increase in the serum 25(OH) D concentration in the VD2 group compared to VD1 and PL groups (mean change (MC), 12.3 ng/ml; 95% CI, 9.4/15.0, p-value < 0.001). In addition, fat mass (MC, − 4.3 kg; 95% CI, − 7.0/− 1.1, p-value < 0.007), fat mass index (MC, − 1.6; 95% CI, − 2.6/− 0.5, p-value < 0.006) and body fat percentage (MC, − 8.1; 95% CI, − 12.0/− 4.2, p-value < 0.007) reduced in VD2 group as compared with VD1 and PL groups. Conclusion: The intake of 4000 IU/d vitamins D3 supplementation would elevate circulating 25(OH) D concentrations in nursing mothers with overweight or obesity and improve some indices of body composition. Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (http://www.irct.ir: IRCT20140413017254N6) registered on 11-04-2018. The graphical abstract of this clinical trial, is a figure that explains the final results of the manuscript in a clear and attractive way [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

D-Amino acids are regulatory molecules that affect biological processes. Therefore, being able to accurately detect and quantify these compounds is important for understanding their impact on nutrition and health. There is a paucity of information regarding d-amino acids in human milk. We developed a fast method for simultaneous analysis of amino acid enantiomers in human milk using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The method enables the separation of 41 amino acids without chemical derivatization. Our results revealed that human milk from mothers of preterm infants contains concentrations of d-amino acids that range from 0.5 to 45% that of their l-counterparts and that levels of most d-amino acids decrease as the milk production matures. Moreover, we found that Holder pasteurization of milk does not cause racemization of l-amino acids. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe percentages of d-amino acid levels in human milk; changes in d-amino acid concentration as the milk matures; and the effect of Holder pasteurization on d- and l-amino acid concentrations in human milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feces are a treasure trove in the study of animal behavior and ecology. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis allows to assess the dietary niches of elusive primate species and primate breastfeeding behavior. However, some fecal isotope data may unwillingly be biased toward the isotope ratios of undigested plant matter, requiring more consistent sample preparation protocols. We assess the impact of this potential data skew in 114 fecal samples of wild bonobos (Pan paniscus) by measuring the isotope differences (Δ13C, Δ15N) between bulk fecal samples containing larger particles (>1 mm) and filtered samples containing only small particles (<1 mm). We assess the influence of fecal carbon and nitrogen content (ΔC:N) and sample donor age (subadult, adult) on the resulting Δ13C, Δ15N values (n = 228). Additionally, we measure the isotope ratios in three systematically sieved fecal samples of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus), with particle sizes ranging from 20 μm to 8 mm (n = 30). We found differences in fecal carbon and nitrogen content, with the smaller fecal fraction containing more nitrogen on average. While the Δ13C values were small and not affected by age or ΔC:N, the Δ15N values were significantly influenced by fecal ΔC:N, possibly resulting from the differing proportions of undigested plant macroparticles. Significant relationships between carbon stable isotope ratios (δ13C) values and %C in large fecal fractions of both age groups corroborated this assessment. Δ15N values were significantly larger in adults than subadults, which should be of concern in isotope studies comparing adult females with infants to assess breastfeeding. We found a random variation of up to 3.0‰ in δ13C and 2.0‰ in nitrogen stable isotope ratios within the chimpanzee fecal samples separated by particle sizes. We show that particle size influences isotope ratios and propose a simple, cost‐effective filtration method for primate feces to exclude larger undigested food particles from the analysis, which can easily be adopted by labs worldwide. Highlights: Stable isotope data from bulk fecal samples, increasingly utilized to study primate feeding ecology, may be biased toward the isotope ratios of undigested plant matter.We assess the impact of this potential bias by comparing fecal samples of wild bonobos (total n = 228) and chimpanzees (total n = 30) with different fecal particle sizes.While the carbon stable isotope ratios values did not show strong variation between fecal fractions, variation in δ 15N values was significant and primarily influenced by fecal carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratios (presence of plant particles) and the age class of the sample donor.We propose a cost‐effective and simple filtration method for primate feces to exclude larger undigested food particles from stable isotope analysis, which can easily be adopted by labs around the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactation is critical to infant short-term and long-term health and protects mothers from breast cancer, ovarian cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The mammary gland is a dynamic organ, regulated by the coordinated actions of reproductive and metabolic hormones. These hormones promote gland development from puberty onwards and induce the formation of a branched, epithelial, milk-secreting organ by the end of pregnancy. Progesterone withdrawal following placental delivery initiates lactation, which is maintained by increased pituitary secretion of prolactin and oxytocin, and stimulated by infant suckling. After weaning, local cytokine production and decreased prolactin secretion trigger large-scale mammary cell loss, leading to gland involution. Here, we review advances in the molecular endocrinology of mammary gland development and milk synthesis. We discuss the hormonal functions of the mammary gland, including parathyroid hormone-related peptide secretion that stimulates maternal calcium mobilization for milk synthesis. We also consider the hormonal composition of human milk and its associated effects on infant health and development. Finally, we highlight endocrine and metabolic diseases that cause lactation insufficiency, for example, monogenic disorders of prolactin and prolactin receptor mutations, maternal obesity and diabetes mellitus, interventions during labour and delivery, and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as polyfluoroalkyl substances in consumer products and other oestrogenic compounds. The mammary gland is responsible for lactation and is regulated by the coordinated actions of reproductive and metabolic hormones. This Review discusses the hormonal regulation of lactation, hormonal functions of the mammary gland, the hormone composition of human milk, and endocrine and metabolic diseases that cause lactation insufficiency. Key points: Reproductive and metabolic hormones coordinate the transformation of the mammary gland from a rudimental ductal structure at the onset of puberty into a milk-secreting organ by the end of pregnancy. Lactation onset is mediated by a combination of progesterone withdrawal, circulating and mammary gland-derived prolactin, and glucocorticoids; delayed lactation onset is a major cause of early breastfeeding cessation. Established lactation requires prolactin and oxytocin for milk synthesis and let-down and involves mammary autocrine and paracrine mechanisms triggered by breast emptying; these local mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The mammary gland is an endocrine organ that secretes hormones into the maternal circulation and milk; hormones in milk influence infant development, body composition and the microbiome. Lactation insufficiency is caused by genetic and acquired endocrine disturbances; maternal factors with potential endocrine effects on lactation include primiparity, obesity, preterm birth, Caesarean section and retained placental fragments. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are environmental pollutants that might affect lactation by altering hormone secretion or mammary gland hormone responsiveness; epidemiological studies highlight potential population-wide effects on breastfeeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: Mother's milk has many necessary nutrients and cytokines, for instance transforming growth factor b1 (TGF-b1), which all are essential for teeth eruption and development. Additionally, human milk is considered as the best source of nucleotides, hence it may have effect on genetic variations of infants. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effects of breastfeeding on timing of teething in relation to bone morphological protein type 4 (BMP4) gene polymorphisms, and TGF-b1. Patients and Methods: This study is cross sectional comparative study concerning salivary biochemical analysis with prospective view concerning timing of eruption. Sample was composed of 100 breastfed infants compared to 100 infants depending on formula milk. For the biochemical analysis including, saliva was collected only form subsample infants' groups (40 from each group). While clinical examinations and follow up for teeth emergence was done for the whole sample. Results: Findings showed that there were highly significant differences between breastfeeding and early eruption time. While there were no significant differences between time of teething and both of salivary TGF-b1, and BMP4 gene by feeding pattern. However, there was an antagonistic effect between BMP4 and TGF-b1, especially with AA genotype by feeding pattern. Conclusions: The current study confirmed the actual and pure effect of human milk on early primary teeth eruption in comparison with formula-milk fed infants. However, there were no effects of other factors (salivary TGF-b1, and BMP4 gene) on the timing of teething. In addition, an antagonistic effect between BMP4 and TGF-b1 was confirmed in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an electrochemical sensor towards the determination of an antimalarial drug, amodiaquine (Adqn), was performed. The proposed sensor was fabricated by electro-polymerisation of calcein (CCN) onto pencil graphite electrode (PGE). The electrochemical behaviour of 0.40 mM Adqn at both poly(calcein)-modified pencil graphite electrode (poly(CCN)/PGE) and bare PGE was evaluated in pH 3.0 Britton–Robinson buffer solution by cyclic voltammetry (CV) method. The voltammograms indicated that poly(CCN)/PGE presents a remarkable response towards oxidation and reduction of Adqn compared with PGE. The characterisation studies at poly(CCN)/PGE were performed by recording the electrochemical impedance curves, scanning electron microscopy images and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra. To determine the analytical performance of the poly(CCN)/PGE, the parameters such as linear range, limit of detection and sensitivity were determined based on the oxidation of Adqn by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method and were calculated to be 0.50–25 µM, 0.16 µM and 20.566 µA µM−1, respectively. The recovery studies at poly(CCN)/PGE were carried out with various matrixes (tap water, artificial blood and maternal milk) by DPV-spike methods, and the high recovery values (99.2–100.6%) confirmed that poly(CCN)/PGE can be used towards sensitive and accurate determination of Adqn in different sample matrixes containing Adqn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Preeclampsia (PE) is a gestational hypertensive syndrome characterized by a complex disease with variable clinical manifestation. An aspect of increased interest is the possible effect of PE on the mammary gland (and therefore on breast milk composition) considering that a mother’s own milk is always considered the first choice for the nutrition of all neonates. Human milk (HM) is a unique food believed to contain biological factors involved in both short and long-term benefits. This article aims to review the published papers on this topic and to offer additional insights on the role of this gestational pathology on the composition of HM. Materials and methods: This review was performed by searching the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINHAL, and Cochrane Library databases. Results: A total of 15 articles were selected. Conclusions: Overall, the findings from the literature suggest that PE can alter the composition of HM milk. Nevertheless, the number of studies in this field are scarce, and the related protocols present some limitation, for example, evaluating the variability of just a few specific milk biochemical markers in association with this syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the correlation between UGT1A1 variant and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Chinese Uighur and Han populations. We conducted this study in Urumqi, China. Umbilical cord blood specimens and clinical information of term infants born in the studied center were collected. Variation status of UGT1A1 was determined by direct sequencing or capillary electrophoresis analysis. 102 Uighur and 99 Han normal term neonates, together with 19 hospitalized term newborns (10 Uighur and 9 Han) due to significant hyperbilirubinemia were enrolled into the final analysis. The incidence of neonates with high-risk transcutaneous bilirubin level (TCB) were much higher in Han newborns than in Uighur newborns(P = 0.01). Also, there was statistically significant difference in (TA) 7 promoter mutation of UGT1A1 between Han and Uighur group(χ2 = 4.675, P = 0.03). Furthermore, exon mutation (c.211 and /or c.1091) in UGT1A1 gene was significantly associated with increased TCB level (ORadj = 1.41, 95%CI: 0.25–2.51, P = 0.002) and higher risk of hyperbilirubinemia in both Han and Uighur infants after adjusted for covariates (ORadj = 2.21, 95%CI: 1.09–4.49, P = 0.03). In conclusion, UGT1A1 promoter polymorphism seem to be an important genetic modulator of plasma bilirubin level and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia risk within ethnic groups. Genetic assessment of UGT1A1 coding variants may be useful for clinical diagnosis of neonatal jaundice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the impact of maternal oral inflammation on human milk composition including neutrophil counts, activation state (based on cluster of differentiation (CD) markers expression), and fatty acid levels. Fifty mothers were recruited from St. Michael's hospital, Toronto, and followed up from 2–4 weeks until 4 months postpartum. Oral rinse and human milk samples were collected at both timepoints. Oral polymorphonuclear neutrophils (oPMNs) within the rinses were quantified using flow cytometry and the participants' oral health state was categorized into three groups (i.e., healthy, moderate, and severe) based on the oPMNs counts. Fatty acids were identified and quantified using a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Compared to mothers with a healthy oral health state, mothers with moderate to severe oral inflammation had a statistically significant decrease in the expression of CD64 biomarker, an increase in the expression of CD14 biomarker on human milk neutrophils and a decrease in the levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n-3) in their human milk at follow-up compared to baseline. This study demonstrates for the first time that maternal oral inflammation can affect human milk composition. The mechanism by which these alterations can affect infant health outcomes in the long term critically needs to be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic residues in breast milk can have an impact on the intestinal flora and health of babies. Amoxicillin, as one of the most used antibiotics, affects the abundance of some intestinal bacteria. In this study, we developed a convenient and rapid process that used a combination of colorimetric methods and artificial intelligence image preprocessing, and back propagation-artificial neural network (BP-ANN) analysis to detect amoxicillin in breast milk. The colorimetric method derived from the reaction of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was coupled to aptamers (ssDNA) with different concentrations of amoxicillin to produce different color results. The color image was captured by a portable image acquisition device, and image preprocessing was implemented in three steps: segmentation, filtering, and cropping. We decided on a range of detection from 0 µM to 3.9 µM based on the physiological concentration of amoxicillin in breast milk and the detection effect. The segmentation and filtering steps were conducted by Hough circle detection and Gaussian filtering, respectively. The segmented results were analyzed by linear regression and BP-ANN, and good linear correlations between the colorimetric image value and concentration of target amoxicillin were obtained. The R2 and MSE of the training set were 0.9551 and 0.0696, respectively, and those of the test set were 0.9276 and 0.1142, respectively. In prepared breast milk sample detection, the recoveries were 111.00%, 98.00%, and 100.20%, and RSDs were 6.42%, 4.27%, and 1.11%. The result suggests that the colorimetric process combined with artificial intelligence image preprocessing and BP-ANN provides an accurate, rapid, and convenient way to achieve the detection of amoxicillin in breast milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Many applications of the Simulation, Analysis and Modeling software use data on the fraction of an orally administered tracer dose (FD) in plasma; thus, researchers must scale-up measured analyte concentration to the total plasma pool. For studies in lactating women, estimating breast milk pool size is challenging. Objectives The objectives were to determine whether the standard vitamin A modeling approach using FD data could be modified to use vitamin A specific activity in milk (SAm) and/or plasma (SAp) for compartmental analysis of vitamin A kinetics and status in theoretical lactating women. Methods Using 12 previously studied theoretical subjects with a wide range of assigned values for vitamin A total body stores (TBS) and the coefficient (" FaS ") needed to predict TBS using a retinol isotope dilution equation, we simulated data for SAp and SAm for 49 d after oral administration of labeled vitamin A. Then we modeled datasets for SAp and SAm, as well as only SAp or SAm, incorporating a linear scaling factor to automatically convert SA to FD and including several physiologically reasonable constraints as input data. As outcomes, we compared model-predicted TBS and FaS to assigned values. Results Scaling factors effectively adjusted SA data to adequately predict vitamin A mass in plasma and breast milk pools. Data for SAp and SAm provided model predictions of TBS that were comparable to assigned values (range: 85–107%); using only SAp, ratios ranged from 92% to 108% and for SAm from 85% to 108%. Parallel results were obtained for simulated FaS. Conclusions Results show that SA data from plasma and/or milk can be used directly for modeling vitamin A during lactation in theoretical subjects, providing accurate estimates of TBS and FaS. Results suggest that, in free-living lactating women, researchers might measure only SAp or only SAm and adequately describe whole-body vitamin A metabolism and status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regarding the application of GC, Costa et al. [[10]] proposed an interesting combination of GC-MS (for reliable identification purposes) and GC flame ionization detection (FID) (for quantification purposes) to determine chemical constituents of I Calyptranthes concinna i essential oil to evaluate its antibacterial activity. Authors have proposed a previous extraction using solid-phase micro-extraction followed by determination using GC-MS and subsequent identification by comparison with the NIST database. Throughout history, analytical chemistry has been a key area for many other scientific fields. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Cigarette smoking during breastfeeding is reported to contribute to significant changes in the composition of breast milk not only by reducing its protective features but also affecting infants' response to breastfeeding and breast milk. However, studies on the prevalence of cigarette smoking and associated factors during breastfeeding are limited in Papua New Guinea (PNG). This study estimates the prevalence of cigarette smoking and its association with demographic and economic factors among breastfeeding women in PNG. Methods: We used weighted survey data from the 2016–2018 PNG Demographic and Health Survey (PNGDHS). A weighted sample of 3,822 women who were breastfeeding during the survey were included in the study. The outcome variable in the present study is current cigarette smoking. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between current cigarette smoking status and socio-demographic and economic variables of breastfeeding women. The regression analysis results were reported using adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: From the weighted sample, the prevalence of cigarette smoking among breastfeeding women was 21.9%; of which 60.8% smoked daily. The mean number of cigarettes smoked in the last 24 hours preceding the survey was 6.05(SD = 5.99). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that breastfeeding women who were from the Momase (aOR: 2.337, CI: 1.786–3.058, p<0.001) and Highlands (AOR: 1.589, CI: 1.213–2.082, p = 0.001), had no religious affiliation (aOR: 3.665, CI: 1.235–10.877, p = 0.019), and households with daughters as household heads (aOR: 1.901, CI: 1.231–2.935, p = 0.004) and being in more than one union (aOR: 2.374, CI: 1.805–3.123, p<0.001) were significantly more likely to smoke cigarette compared to women from southern region, those affiliated to Anglican church, those with husband as household heads, and being in one union respectively. Conclusion: Cigarette smoking among breastfeeding women in PNG is relatively high, and region of residence, religion, relationship to household head, and the number of unions remain independent predictors. Interventions should target the individual socio-economic and cultural contexts within which breastfeeding occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: This narrative review aims to provide recent understanding of the implications of maternal diet on fatty acid composition of breast milk, with focus on the docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3 (DHA) and arachidonic acid 20:4n-6 (AA) contents, for fetal growth and development. Breast milk n6/n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ratio will also be highlighted in relations to maternal lipid intake. Methods and Study Design: PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for relevant publications in English focusing on but not limited to the use of the key words stated below. Results: Studies since the 1950s of different population groups worldwide affirmed the recognition that breastmilk fatty acid compositions are highly sensitive to maternal diet. Colostrum is richer in long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) metabolites of both linoleic and linolenic acids than mature milk. Among these LC-PUFA, both DHA and AA are incorporated preferentially and rapidly within the cerebral cortex and the retina during the last trimester of pregnancy and postnatal 18 months. Maternal supply of DHA and AA include maternal fatty acid stores, endogenous synthesis or directly from diet. Decreasing fish intake concomitant with increased intake of meat and vegetable oil leading to decreased intake of DHA and EPA, and an increase in AA intake, have resulted in an imbalanced n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in breastmilk. Conclusions: A balanced intake of PUFAs during pregnancy and lactation is recommended for fetal and childhood growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infant milk formula was used as a model food to compare the sensitivity of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and hydroperoxide methods to UPLC‐MS/MS oxylipin analysis for detecting early lipid oxidation. Two different infant milk formulas were tested during 21 days of storage at 4°C. Formulas 1 and 2 contained canola oil and canola oil + 1% docosahexaenoic acid ethyl ester, respectively. Formulas were sampled up to 21 days of storage. Formula 2 had higher peroxide values than Formula 1 across all time points. However, no significant differences over time in TBARS and peroxide values in either formula were observed. Several oxylipins increased in both formulas starting on day 7 (linoleic acid and alpha‐linolenic acid‐derived oxylipins in Formula 1 and DHA‐derived oxylipins in Formula 2). These results indicate that free oxylipins are effective in detecting early lipid oxidation and distinguishing between formulations containing different fatty acids. Practical Application: We have recently shown that primary oxidation products known as oxylipins can be measured in their free form by ultra‐high pressure liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) to detect early lipid oxidation. However, a head‐to‐head comparison of the sensitivity of this approach to conventional spectrophotometric methods has not been evaluated. Our results indicate that free oxylipin measurements are better than conventional methods in detecting early lipid oxidation in milk infant formula distinguishing between different formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social and cultural causes behind the widespread use and acceptance of robots in Japan are not yet completely understood. This study compares humans and robots in images gathered through Google searches in Japanese and in English. Numerous pictures obtained by the search in Japanese were found to have a human and a robot looking together at something else ("third item"), whereas many of the images acquired by search in English show a human and a robot facing each other. This is similar to the composition of mother and child in paintings: in ukiyo-e that was painted mainly in the Edo period of Japan, the mother and child are often depicted together viewing something other than themselves, whereas this is not the case in Western paintings of mother and child. It has also been pointed out that, in modern Western paintings, the world inside the picture is separated from the outside world, forming an independent microcosmos, whereas the inside and outside are continuous in Japanese paintings. These may indicate that, in Japanese society, robots are to a certain extent regarded as fellow human beings who can share the third item. In Western society, on the other hand, no code is embedded that can fix robots' superiority or inferiority to humans, which would easily trigger an antagonistic view toward artificial intelligence (AI)/robots as threatening entities, as shown in most of Western literature and movies. We suggest that such cultural characteristics of Japanese society can contribute to enhance coexistence with AI/robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Human milk (HM) of healthy, well-nourished, lactating mothers is a unique and ideal source of nutritive factors, like hormones, cytokines, chemokines, growth factors that ensures the proper growth and development of infants. Among the main components of HM, fat is an important energy source and a regulatory factor. The quality of milk fat depends on its fatty acid (FA) composition. Gas chromatography coupled with flame ionisation detection is one of the most common methods for analysis of the FA profile of HM. The aim of this study was to evaluate the FA composition of HM, collected from mothers with different health conditions (normal Body Mass Index (nBMI); overweight and obese) using GC-FID method. The results showed that saturated FAs were present in the highest amount in the HM samples, of which palmitic acid was the main representative. The major monounsaturated FA was oleic acid, while linoleic acid was the most abundant of the polyunsaturated FAs (PUFA). Overweight and obese women have lower levels of PUFA in their breast milk. The data were subjected to principal component and quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA). QDA classified nBMI and overweight and obese mother milk samples with 88.24% accuracy. Significant differences were found between normal and overweight and obese HM samples in case of C10:0 and C18:3 FAs. Higher maternal BMI was associated with a higher n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Diet and exercise can affect the gut microbiota (GM); however, the effects of the same amount of exercise on gut microbiota changes in people on a low-fat diet (LFD) and high-fat diet (HFD) during pregnancy are unknown. Do different nutritional conditions respond equally to exercise intervention? This study aimed to investigate the effects of regular maternal exercise during pregnancy on the GM in mice fed different diets during pregnancy. Methods. Six-week-old nulliparous female KunMing mice were fed either a HFD or LFD before and during pregnancy. Each group of mice were then randomly divided into two groups upon confirmation of pregnancy: sedentary (HFD or LFD; n=4 and 5, respectively) and exercised (HFDex or LFDex, n=5 and 6, respectively). Mice were sacrificed on day 19 of gestation and their colon contents were collected. We then performed 16S rDNA gene sequencing of the V3 and V4 regions of the GM. Results. The pregnancy success rate was 60% for LFDex and 100% for HFDex. Both Chao1 and Simpson indices were not significantly different for either LFD vs. LFDex or HFD vs. HFDex. Desulfobacterota, Desulfovibrionia Desulfovibrionales, Desulfovibrionaceae, Desulfovibrio, Coriobacteriia, Coriobacteriales, and Eggerthellaceae were markedly decreased after exercise intervention in LFDex vs. LFD, whereas Actinobacteria, Bifidobacteriales, Bifidobacteriaceae, Bifidobacterium, and Bifidobac-terium pseudolongum were significantly increased in LFDex vs. LFD. Furthermore, decreased Peptostreptococcales-Tissierellales and Peptostreptococcaceae and increased Bacteroides dorei were identified in the HFDex vs. HFD group. p_Desulfobacterota, c_Desulfovibrionia, o_Desulfovibrionales, f_Desulfovibrionaceae and g_Desulfovibrio were markedly decreased in the LFDex group vs. HFDex group. Conclusions. Our data suggested that quantitative maternal exercise during pregnancy resulted in alterations inGMcomposition, but did not significantly change the diversity of the GM. These findings may have important implications when considering an individual's overall diet when recommending exercise during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to find out the total bacterial count and percentage of polymorphoneutrophils (PMN) cells in uterine lavage samples obtained at a weekly interval from postpartum dairy cows and also to find out the correlation between total bacterial count and PMN cells recovered from the uterus of postpartum dairy cows. Twenty-one postpartum dairy cows were divided into two groups viz. group A (without postpartum complication; n=16) and group B (retained placenta/postpartum metritis; n=5) calving. Cows belonging to the group B were administered antibiotics for 5 days after parturition. Samples for endometrial cytology and total bacterial count were collected aseptically by uterine lavage method at weekly intervals from day 21 to 42 postpartum. Data were statistically analysed by using one-way ANOVA, correlation using Statistical Analysis Software, SAS® 9.2 TS Level version 2M2 for Windows (USA). Based on endometrial cytology, the incidence of sub-clinical endometritis (SCE) recorded was 18.75% in group A and 100% in cows with postpartum complications (Group B). Total bacterial count in the group A animals differed significantly (P<0.05) with the group-B animals. However, the difference between the total bacterial counts in group-A animals and diagnosed negative or positive for SCE did not differ significantly. A highly significant (P<0.05 and P<0.01) correlation was found between bacterial load and PMN cells obtained by uterine lavage technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • We used small intestinal organoids to construct in vitro nutrient absorption model. • We found that both formula and breast milk promote the establishment of innate immunity. • We found unique properties of milk powders such as lipid metabolism. • Ingredients such as oligofructose may be linked with these unique features. • Small intestinal organoids can be used for the study of emulsion absorption. Breast milk is widely acknowledged as the ideal nutritional resource for infants and can well meet the nutritional requirements for baby's growth and development. Infant formula is a substitute for breast milk, designed to closely mimic its composition and function for breast milk. Most of the previous studies used tumor colorectal cancer cell lines to study the nutritional potency of formula and its components, so realistic data closer to the baby could not be obtained. Small intestinal organoids, derived from differentiated human embryonic stem cells, can be used to simulate nutrient absorption and metabolism in vitro. In this experiment, we used small intestinal organoids to compare the nutrient absorption and metabolism of three infant formulae for 0–6 months with breast milk samples. Transcriptome and metabolome sequencing methods were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs). The pathways related to DEGs, DEMs were enriched using GO, KEGG, GSEA and other methods to investigate their biological characteristics. We have found that both formula and breast milk promote the development of the infant's immune system, nutrient absorption and intestinal development. In PMH1 we found that the addition of oligofructose to milk powder promoted lipid metabolism and absorption. In PMH2 we found that whey protein powder favours the development of the immune system in infants. In PMH3 we found that oligogalactans may act on the brain-gut axis by regulating the intestinal flora, thereby promoting axon formation and neural development. By linking these biological properties of the milk powder with its composition, we confirmed the effects of added ingredients on the growth and development of infants. Also, we demonstrated the validity of small intestine organoids as a model for absorption and digestion in vitro. Through the above analyses, the advantages and disadvantages of the roles of formula and breast milk in the growth and metabolism of infants were also compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth faltering is common in Guatemalan indigenous communities, but the possibility that it may be related to milk microbial composition has not been explored. For this cross-sectional study, unrelated mother--infant dyads (n = 64) from eight communities in the remote Western Highlands of Guatemala were recruited. Milk samples and infant length-for-age and weight-for-age Zscores were collected at two stages of lactation: early (6-46 days postpartum, n = 29) or late (109-184 days postpartum, n = 35). Within each stage of lactation, infants were subdivided into mildly underweight [weight-for-age Zscore (WAZ) < -1 SD] or normal weight (WAZ ≥ -1 SD) and mildly stunted [length-for-age Z-score (LAZ) < -1.5 SD] or non-stunted (LAZ ≥ -1.5 SD). 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was used to identify milk microbial communities, and DESeq2 was used to compare the differential abundance (DA) of human milk microbiota at the species level for WAZ and LAZ subgroups at each stage of lactation. A total of 503 ESVs annotated as 256 putative species across the 64 human milk samples were identified. Alpha diversity did not differ, but beta-diversity redundancy analysis identified four distinct clusters among the four WAZ (p = 0.004) and LAZ subgroups (p = 0.001). DA identified 15 different taxa in the WAZ and 11 in the LAZ groups in early lactation and 8 in the WAZ and 19 in the LAZ groups in late lactation. Mothers' milk had more DA taxa of oropharyngeal and environmental bacteria with opportunistic activities in the LAZ < -1.5 SD infants, whereas the LAZ ≥ -1.5 SD had DA taxa with potential probiotic and antimicrobial inhibitory activity against pathogens. In particular, milk microbial communities of infants not classified as underweight or stunted had more beneficial species including Lactococcus_lactis. These findings suggest the potential associations between the milk microbiome at the species level with infant growth prior to 6 months of age. These data provide important evidence of the associations between the human milk microbiome and the growth of breastfed infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal childhood trauma (MCT) is an important factor affecting offspring size at birth. Whether the effect of MCT persists during the subsequent development remains unclear. We present the results of a semi-longitudinal investigation examining the physical growth of infants born to mothers with high (HCT) and low (LCT) childhood trauma during the first year of life. One hundred healthy mother-infant dyads were included based on following criteria: exclusive breastfeeding, birth on term with appropriate weight for gestational age. MCT was assessed using the Early Life Stress Questionnaire. The weight, length, and head circumference of the infant were taken at birth, 5 and 12 months postpartum. Separate MANCOVA models were run for infant size at each age. We found an association between MCT and infant size at 5 and 12 months. The children of mothers with HCT had higher weight and greater head circumference than the children of mothers with LCT. These results suggest that MCT might contribute to developmental programming of offspring growth during the first year of life. From an evolutionary perspective, the larger size of HCT mother's offspring might represent an adaptation to potentially harsh environmental conditions. This effect might be mediated by epigenetic changes to DNA and altered breast milk composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human milk not only provides a perfect balance of nutrients to meet all the needs of the infant in the first months of life but also contains a variety of bacteria that play a key role in tailoring the neonatal faecal microbiome. Microbiome analysis of human milk and infant faeces from mother-breastfed infant pairs was performed by sequencing the V1–V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene using the Illumina MiSeq platform. According to the results, there is a connection in the composition of the microbiome in each mother-breastfed infant pair, supporting the hypothesis that the infant's gut is colonised with bacteria from human milk. MiSeq sequencing also revealed high biodiversity of the human milk microbiome and the infant faecal microbiome, whose composition changes during lactation and infant development, respectively. A total of 28 genetically distinct strains were selected by hierarchical cluster analysis of RAPD-PCR (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction) electrophoresis profiles of 100 strains isolated from human milk and identified by 16S RNA sequencing. Since certain cellular molecules may support their use as probiotics, the next focus was to detect (S)-layer proteins, bacteriocins and exopolysaccharides (EPSs) that have potential as therapeutic biomolecules. SDS-PAGE (Sodium Dodecyl-Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis) coupled with LC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) analysis revealed that four Levilactobacillus brevis strains expressed S-layer proteins, which were identified for the first time in strains isolated from human milk. The potential biosynthesis of plantaricin was detected in six Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains by PCR analysis and in vitro antibacterial studies. 1H NMR (Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) analysis confirmed EPS production in only one strain, Limosilactobacillus fermentum MC1. The overall microbiome analysis suggests that human milk contributes to the establishment of the intestinal microbiota of infants. In addition, it is a promising source of novel Lactobacillus strains expressing specific functional biomolecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]