Three new studies and one new review article:
Title: Breastfeeding is associated with children's dietary diversity in Brazil.
In: Ciencia & Saude Coletiva 2019 Oct 28;24(11):4345-4354. doi: 10.1590/1413-812320182411.29312017. eCollection 2019.
Authors: Bortolini GA, Giugliani ERJ, Gubert MB, Santos LMP.
Abstract: "The aim of this study was to describe food consumption patterns in Brazilian children aged 6-24 months and to assess differences between breastfed children who do not consume non-human milks, breastfed children who consume non-human milks, and non-breastfed children. This study used data from the Brazilian National Demographic and Health Survey (2006). The food consumption patterns of 1,455 children were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. One indicator adopted in this study was the healthy diverse diet. The association between breastfeeding and food consumption was tested using multivariate Poisson regression. At the interview, 15.8% of the children were breastfed without consuming non-human milk, 30.7% consumed breast milk in conjunction with non-human milk, and 53% were not breastfed anymore. Over half consumed the recommended foods, 78% consumed foods rich in sugar, fat, and salt, and only 3.4% were on a healthy diverse diet. The breastfed children who did not consume non-human milks were almost five times more likely to be on a healthy diverse diet and were 19% less likely to consume foods rich in sugar, fat, and salt than the breastfed children who also consumed non-human milks and the non-breastfed children."
Open access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-81232019001104345&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en
Title: Metabolism of the predominant human milk oligosaccharide fucosyllactose by an infant gut commensal.
In: Science Reports 2019 Oct 28;9(1):15427. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-51901-7.
Authors: James K, Bottacini F, Contreras JIS, Vigoureux M, Egan M, Motherway MO, Holmes E, van Sinderen D.
Abstract: "A number of bifidobacterial species are found at a particularly high prevalence and abundance in faecal samples of healthy breastfed infants, a phenomenon that is believed to be, at least partially, due to the ability of bifidobacteria to metabolize Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs). In the current study, we isolated a novel strain of Bifidobacterium kashiwanohense, named APCKJ1, from the faeces of a four-week old breastfed infant, based on the ability of the strain to utilise the HMO component fucosyllactose. We then determined the full genome sequence of this strain, and employed the generated data to analyze fucosyllactose metabolism in B. kashiwanohense APCKJ1. Transcriptomic and growth analyses, combined with metabolite analysis, in vitro hydrolysis assays and heterologous expression, allowed us to elucidate the pathway for fucosyllactose metabolism in B. kashiwanohense APCKJ1. Homologs of the key genes for this metabolic pathway were identified in particular in infant-derived members of the Bifdobacterium genus, revealing the apparent niche-specific nature of this pathway, and allowing a broad perspective on bifidobacterial fucosyllactose and L-fucose metabolism."
Open access: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-51901-7
Title: Characterization and probiotic properties of Lactobacilli from human breast milk.
In: 3 Biotech 2019 Nov;9(11):398. doi: 10.1007/s13205-019-1926-y. Epub 2019 Oct 12.
Authors: Jamyuang C, Phoonlapdacha P, Chongviriyaphan N, Chanput W, Nitisinprasert S, Nakphaichit M.
Abstract: "Several studies have reported a complex microbial community in human breast milk. This community impacts the shape of the infant gut microbiota and consequently impacts host health. Lactobacillus is an important probiotic and has many applications in the functional food industry. This study isolated and evaluated the potential probiotic bacteria from human milk. Two Lactobacillus species, L. plantarum and L. pentosus, were isolated from the breast milk of Thai women. L. pentosus HM04-22, L. pentosus HM04-3, L. plantarum HM04-80, L. plantarum HM04-88 and L. plantarum HM01-1 showed good adhesion activity (> 55%) and resistance in gastric (pH 2) and bile (pH 8) conditions. Characterization of the probiotic properties indicated that all selected Lactobacillus isolates had anti-adhesion properties against Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium. Lactobacillus isolates protected Caco-2 cells from pathogen adhesion at 25–40%. In addition, the five selected strains presented anti-inflammatory properties by reducing interleukin (IL)-8 expression at 0.14 ± 0.16 to 0.52 ± 0.117-fold. However, the strains had no effect on the expression of tight junction genes, including zona occludens (ZO)-1, occludin and claudin-1. In conclusion, five selected Lactobacillus isolates from human milk were candidates for use as probiotics to promote health. However, more tests in animal models and clinical trials need to be performed."
Abstract only: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs13205-019-1926-y
Title (review article): Statistical Approaches in the Studies Assessing Associations between Human Milk Immune Composition and Allergic Diseases: A Scoping Review.
In: Nutrients 2019 Oct 10;11(10). pii: E2416. doi: 10.3390/nu11102416.
Authors: Blyuss O, Cheung KY, Chen J, Parr C, Petrou L, Komarova A, Kokina M, Luzan P, Pasko E, Eremeeva A, Peshko D, Eliseev V, Pedersen S, Azad MB, Jarvinen KM, Peroni DG, Verhasselt V, Boyle RJ, Warner JO, Simpson MR, Munblit D.
Abstract: "A growing number of studies are focusing on the associations between human milk (HM) immunological composition and allergic diseases. This scoping review aims to identify statistical methods applied in the field and highlight pitfalls and unmet needs. A comprehensive literature search in MEDLINE and Embase retrieved 13,607 unique records. Following title/abstract screening, 29 studies met the selection criteria and were included in this review. We found that definitions of colostrum and mature milk varied across the studies. A total of 17 out of 29 (59%) studies collected samples longitudinally, but only 12% of these used serial (longitudinal) analyses. Multivariable analysis was used in 45% of the studies, but statistical approaches to modelling varied largely across the studies. Types of variables included as potential confounding factors differed considerably between models. Discrimination analysis was absent from all studies and only a single study reported classification measures. Outcomes of this scoping review highlight lack of standardization, both in data collection and handling, which remains one of the main challenges in the field. Improved standardization could be obtained by a consensus group of researchers and clinicians that could recommend appropriate methods to be applied in future prospective studies, as well as already existing datasets."
Open access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/10/2416