Two new studies, a review article, and a hypothesis & theory paper:
Title: Clinical and Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Human Donor Milk Supplementation in Term Newborns.
In: Hospital Pediatrics 2020 May 1. pii: hpeds.2019-0259. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2019-0259. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: McKittrick MM, Khaki S, Gievers L, Larson IA.
Abstract: "OBJECTIVES: To identify differences between healthy term newborns supplemented with human donor milk (HDM) and those supplemented with infant formula. We hypothesized that sociodemographic and clinical distinctions exist between newborns receiving different milk types. METHODS: This retrospective study included term newborns admitted to the postpartum unit between March 2017 and April 2019 with ≥1 supplemental feeding with HDM or formula for indications other than hypoglycemia. Maternal and newborn data were abstracted from the electronic medical record. RESULTS: Five hundred eighty-four dyads met inclusion criteria. More newborns received supplementation with formula than with HDM (57.7% vs 42.3%; P < .001). Infants undergoing phototherapy who required supplementation were more likely to receive HDM (P < .001). Newborns born to white and non-Hispanic mothers were more likely to receive HDM than those born to African American (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.6; P = .007), Hispanic (aOR 3.0; P = .001), or Asian American mothers (aOR 2.7; P = .007). Newborns born to primiparous women (aOR 1.6; P = .03), those born to women with private insurance (aOR 3.7; P < .001), and those born via cesarean delivery (aOR 2.0; P < .001) were more likely to receive HDM. HDM use was more likely in primary English- or Spanish-speaking households (aOR 8.5; P = .009). Newborns receiving their first supplemental feeding during the day (aOR 1.9; P = .001) were more likely to be supplemented with HDM. CONCLUSIONS: There are clinical and sociodemographic differences between healthy term newborns supplemented with HDM and formula. These findings reveal that there are disparities in current supplementation practices for healthy newborns."
Abstract only: https://hosppeds.aappublications.org/content/early/2020/04/29/hpeds.2019-0259.long
Title: Levels of Octachlorostyrene in Mothers' Milk and Potential Exposure Among Infants in Sendai City, Japan 2012.
In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020 Apr 28;17(9). pii: E3064. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17093064.
Authors: Soleman SR, Fujitani T, Fujii Y, Harada KH.
Abstract: "Persistent organic pollutants can accumulate inside the human body, including in mothers' milk, which may affect infant development. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine selected persistent organic pollutants in the milk of 100 mothers in Sendai city, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. We used gas-chromatography-electron capture negative chemical ionization-mass spectrometry to check for octachlorostyrene, dechlorane (Dec) plus, Dec 602, Dec 603, and Dec 604. Octachlorostyrene was detected in 86 samples at more than the method detection limit (84 pg g-lipid-1) but no dechloranes were above the method detection limit (1 ng mL-1 for dechlorane plus, Dec 602, and Dec 603; 20 ng mL-1 for Dec 604). The mean octachlorostyrene concentration was 461 pg g-lipid-1, the median was 337 pg g-lipid-1, and the standard deviation 450 pg g-lipid-1. No baseline characteristics were associated with octachlorostyrene level except for mother's occupation (stay-at-home mother, 353 ± 327 pg g-lipid-1; others, 531 ± 509 pg g-lipid-1). Octachlorostyrene was also significantly negatively correlated with lipid content (r = -0.35, p = 0.0004). However, the maximum intake of octachlorostyrene among infants in this study (3.5 ng/kg/day) was under the acceptable daily intake (30 ng/kg/day, derived from 12-month study in rats), and is therefore unlikely to pose a health risk."
Open access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/9/3064
Title: α-L-Fucosidases and their applications for the production of fucosylated human milk oligosaccharides.
In: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 2020 May 1. doi: 10.1007/s00253-020-10635-7. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Li Wan, Yingying Zhu, Wenli Zhang & Wanmeng Mu.
Abstract: "α-L-Fucosidases (EC 3.2.1.51), catalyzing the hydrolysis of fucosides and/or the transfer of fucosyl residue, have been characterized and modified into a trans-fucosylation mode or, further, engineered to function as “fucosynthase”, which can be employed for the enzymatic synthesis of bioactive glycans, including fucosylated human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). More than half of HMOs are fucosylated and have attracted ever-increasing interest because of their excellent physiological functions on breast-fed infants. To date, the characterization of novel fucosidases and molecular modification of these enzymes have been extensively studied to efficiently synthesize valuable fucosylated compounds. Herein, we discuss the advantages and challenges of different strategies for the production of HMOs and compare various donor/acceptor substrates used for the synthesis of fucosylated HMOs and their biomimetics. The implementation of trans-fucosylation patterns investigated in this paper via well-designed fucosidase mutants and proper reaction conditions may lead to development of an excellent platform, serving both fundamental studies and industrial-scale processes, for valuable carbohydrates synthesis. Key Points: • Highlights different approaches for the production of human milk oligosaccharides. • Summarizes α-L-fucosidases and their mutants in enzymatic synthesis of fucosylated human milk oligosaccharides and the biomimetics. • Concludes future perspectives on methods for improving fucosylated compounds synthesis.
Abstract only: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00253-020-10635-7
Title: Integrating the Ecosystem Services Framework to Define Dysbiosis of the Breastfed Infant Gut: The Role of B. infantis and Human Milk Oligosaccharides.
In: Frontiers in Nutrition 2020 Apr 14;7:33. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2020.00033. eCollection 2020.
Authors: Duar RM, Henrick BM, Casaburi G, Frese SA.
Abstract: "Mounting evidence supports a connection between the composition of the infant gut microbiome and long-term health. In fact, aberrant microbiome compositions during key developmental windows in early life are associated with increased disease risk; therefore, making pertinent modifications to the microbiome during infancy offers significant promise to improve human health. There is growing support for integrating the concept of ecosystem services (the provision of benefits from ecosystems to humans) in linking specific microbiome functions to human well-being. This framework is widely applied in conservation efforts of macro-ecosystems and offers a systematic approach to guide restoration actions aimed to recover critical ecological functions. The aim of this work is to apply the ecosystem services framework to integrate recent studies demonstrating stable alteration of the gut microbiome of breastfed infants when Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis EVC001, a gut symbiont capable of efficiently utilizing human milk oligosaccharides into organic acids that are beneficial for the infant and lower intestinal pH, is reintroduced. Additionally, using examples from the literature we illustrate how the absence of B. infantis results in diminished ecosystem services, which may be associated with health consequences related to immune and metabolic disorders. Finally, we propose a model by which infant gut dysbiosis can be defined as a reduction in ecosystem services supplied to the host by the gut microbiome rather than merely changes in diversity or taxonomic composition. Given the increased interest in targeted microbiome modification therapies to decrease acute and chronic disease risk, the model presented here provides a framework to assess the effectiveness of such strategies from a host-centered perspective."
Open access: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2020.00033/full