Longitudinal changes in home food availability and concurrent associations with food and nutrient intake among children at 24-48 months.

OBJECTIVES: To describe changes in home food availability during early childhood, including modified, developmentally sensitive obesogenic scores, and to determine whether home food availability is associated with food and nutrient intakes of children concurrently, over time. DESIGN: Data were drawn from the STRONG Kids 2 longitudinal, birth cohort to achieve the study objectives. Home food availability was assessed with the Home Food Inventory (HFI) and included fifteen food groups (e.g. fruit and vegetables) and three obesogenic scores (one original and two modified). Food and nutrient intakes were measured using the Block FFQ and included twenty-seven food groups and eighteen nutrients (e.g. vitamins A and C, protein). HFI and FFQ were completed by trained researchers or mothers, respectively, at 24, 36 and 48 months. Repeated-measures ANOVA and Spearman's correlations were used to achieve the study objectives. SETTING: Central Illinois, USA. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 468 children at 24, 36 and 48 months of age. RESULTS: Availability of less nutritious foods and obesogenic foods and beverages increased as children aged, and availability of both nutritious and less nutritious foods were associated with child food and nutrient intake. The three obesogenic scores demonstrated similar, positive associations with the intake of energy, saturated fat, added sugars and kilocalories from sweets. CONCLUSION: These findings offer novel insight into changes in home food availability and associations with food and nutrient intake during early childhood. Additional attention is needed examining antecedents (e.g. built environments, purchasing behaviours) and consequences (e.g. child diet quality and weight) of home food availability.

Adherence to Screen Time and Physical Activity Guidelines is Associated with Executive Function in US Toddlers Participating in the STRONG Kids 2 Birth Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that healthy weight status and adherence to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for diet and physical activity would extend to greater executive function (EF) at age 24 months. STUDY DESIGN: Parents of 24-month-old children from the STRONG Kids 2 cohort study (n = 352) completed the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function for Preschoolers (BRIEF-P) and reported physical activities, diet, and screen time. Toddlers met AAP guidelines if they consumed at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, were physically active, refrained from sugar-sweetened beverages, and limited daily screen time to <60 minutes. Relationships between EF, 24-month weight status, and meeting AAP guidelines were tested independent of child sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, weight status at birth, and maternal pregnancy weight status. RESULTS: Weight-for-length z-score had no effect on EF. Toddlers meeting the screen time guideline had greater EF (ß, -0.125; 95% CI, 0.234 to -0.008), inhibitory self-control (ß, -0.142; 95% CI, -0.248 to -0.029), and emergent metacognition (ß, -0.111; 95% CI, -0.221 to 0.002), indicated by lower BRIEF-P scores. Those with more minutes of screen time had poorer overall EF (ß, 0.257; 95% CI, 0.118-0.384), inhibitory self-control (ß, 0.231; 95% CI, 0.099-0.354), cognitive flexibility (ß, 0.217; 95% CI, 0.082-0.342), and emergent metacognition (ß, 0.257; 95% CI, 0.120-0.381). Daily physical activity was associated with greater emergent metacognition (ß, -0.116; 95% CI, -0.225 to -0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Meeting AAP guidelines for physical activity and screen time was related to greater EF in a demographically homogenous sample of toddlers. Future randomized control trials and more diverse samples are needed to confirm the directionality of this relationship. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03341858.

Release of HMGB1 and Toll-like Receptors 2, 4, and 9 Signaling Are Modulated by Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and Salmonella Typhimurium in a Gnotobiotic Piglet Model of Preterm Infants.

Gnotobiotic (GN) animals with defined microbiota allow us to study host-microbiota and microbiota-microbiota interferences. Preterm germ-free (GF) piglets were mono-associated with probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (BB12) to ameliorate/prevent the consequences of infection with the Salmonella Typhimurium strain LT2 (LT2). Goblet cell density; expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2, 4, and 9; high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1); interleukin (IL)-6; and IL-12/23p40 were analyzed to evaluate the possible modulatory effect of BB12. BB12 prevented an LT2-induced decrease of goblet cell density in the colon. TLRs signaling modified by LT2 was not influenced by the previous association with BB12. The expression of HMGB1, IL-6, and IL12/23p40 in the jejunum, ileum, and colon and their levels in plasma were all decreased by BB12, but these changes were not statistically significant. In the colon, differences in HMGB1 distribution between the GF and LT2 piglet groups were observed. In conclusion, the mono-association of GF piglets with BB12 prior to LT2 infection partially ameliorated the inflammatory response to LT2 infection.

Future of biomedical, agricultural, and biological systems research using domesticated animals.

Increased knowledge of reproduction and health of domesticated animals is integral to sustain and improve global competitiveness of U.S. animal agriculture, understand and resolve complex animal and human diseases, and advance fundamental research in sciences that are critical to understanding mechanisms of action and identifying future targets for interventions. Historically, federal and state budgets have dwindled and funding for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) competitive grants programs remained relatively stagnant from 1985 through 2010. This shortage in critical financial support for basic and applied research, coupled with the underappreciated knowledge of the utility of non-rodent species for biomedical research, hindered funding opportunities for research involving livestock and limited improvements in both animal agriculture and animal and human health. In 2010, the National Institutes of Health and USDA NIFA established an interagency partnership to promote the use of agriculturally important animal species in basic and translational research relevant to both biomedicine and agriculture. This interagency program supported 61 grants totaling over $107 million with 23 awards to new or early-stage investigators. This article will review the success of the 9-year Dual Purpose effort and highlight opportunities for utilizing domesticated agricultural animals in research.

Effects of a Novel High-Quality Protein Infant Formula on Energetic Efficiency and Tolerance: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Protein overfeeding in infants can have negative effects, such as diabetes and childhood obesity; key to reducing protein intake from formula is improving protein quality. The impact of a new infant formula [study formula (SF)] containing alpha-lactalbumin, lactoferrin, partially hydrolyzed whey, and whole milk on growth and tolerance compared to a commercial formula (CF) and a human milk reference arm was evaluated. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind trial included healthy, singleton, term infants, enrollment age ≤14 days. Primary outcome was mean daily weight gain. Secondary outcomes were anthropometrics, formula intake, serum amino acids, adverse events, gastrointestinal characteristics, and general disposition. RESULTS: Non-inferiority was demonstrated. There were no differences between the formula groups for z scores over time. Formula intake [-0.33 oz/kg/day, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.66 to -0.01, P = 0.05] and mean protein intake (-0.13 g/kg/day, 95% CI: -0.26 to 0.00, P = 0.05) were lower in the SF infants, with higher serum essential amino acid concentrations (including tryptophan) compared to the CF infants. Energetic efficiency was 14.0% (95% CI: 8.3%, 19.7%), 13.0% (95% CI: 6.0%, 20.0%), and 18.1% (95% CI: 9.4%, 26.8%) higher for weight, length, and head circumference, respectively, in SF infants compared to the CF infants. SF infants had significantly fewer spit-ups and softer stool consistency than CF infants. CONCLUSIONS: The SF resulted in improved parent-reported gastrointestinal tolerance and more efficient growth with less daily formula and protein intake supporting that this novel formula may potentially reduce the metabolic burden of protein overfeeding associated with infant formula.

Father support for breastfeeding mothers who plan to utilize childcare: A qualitative look at Mothers' perspectives.

Breastfeeding exerts many health benefits for the infant and the benefit is affected by exclusivity and duration, however, most mothers in the U.S. breastfeed for a shorter duration than recommended. First-time mothers who return to work outside the home, utilize childcare, and pump to continue to provide human milk, all of which have been found to reduce breastfeeding duration individually, represent a subset of breastfeeding mothers facing several known barriers to breastfeeding continuation and at risk for early breastfeeding cessation. The aim of this study is to understand and describe the perceptions of first-time mothers with prenatal intentions to breastfeed and utilize childcare, of paternal support for the breastfeeding experience. A semi-structured interview guided data collection with 24 first-time breastfeeding mothers and responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. Two main themes from mothers' experiences highlight the perceptions of first-time mothers, who had prenatal intentions to breastfeed and utilize childcare, were shaped by the actions, behaviors, and beliefs of their partners throughout the breastfeeding process, as well as illustrate both mothers and fathers lack knowledge of how to optimally involve fathers in breastfeeding. Our findings extend evidence for two existing models of father support to promote breastfeeding as relevant to mothers who return to work outside the home and utilize childcare, and additionally identify an area of support not included in either model. Early and improved education that situates breastfeeding within the co-parenting relationship and includes paternal support for pumping has the potential to improve mothers' breastfeeding experience and breastfeeding duration through mothers' return to work and infants' transition to childcare.

Exfoliated epithelial cell transcriptome reflects both small and large intestinal cell signatures in piglets.

Assessing intestinal development and host-microbe interactions in healthy human infants requires noninvasive approaches. We have shown that the transcriptome of exfoliated epithelial cells in feces can differentiate breast-fed and formula-fed infants and term and preterm infants. However, it is not fully understood which regions of the intestine that the exfoliated cells represent. Herein, the transcriptional profiles of exfoliated cells with that of the ileal and colonic mucosa were compared. We hypothesized that exfoliated cells in the distal colon would reflect mucosal signatures of more proximal regions of the gut. Two-day-old piglets (n = 8) were fed formulas for 20 days. Luminal contents and mucosa were collected from ileum (IL), ascending colon (AC), and descending (DC) colon, and mRNA was extracted and sequenced. On average, ∼13,000 genes were mapped in mucosal tissues and ∼10,000 in luminal contents. The intersection of detected genes between three mucosa regions and DC exfoliome indicated an approximately 99% overlap. On average, 49% of the genes in IL, AC, and DC mucosa were present in the AC and DC exfoliome. Genes expressed predominantly in specific anatomic sites (stomach, pancreas, small intestine, colon) were detectable in exfoliated cells. In addition, gene markers for all intestinal epithelial cell types were expressed in the exfoliome representing a diverse array of cell types arising from both the small and large intestine. Genes were mapped to nutrient absorption and transport and immune function. Thus, the exfoliome represents a robust reservoir of information in which to assess intestinal development and responses to dietary interventions.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The transcriptome of exfoliated epithelial cells in stool contain gene signatures from both small and large intestinal mucosa affording a noninvasive approach to assess gut health and function.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Dietary Supplements Consumed During Pregnancy and Lactation and Child Neurodevelopment: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation has profound effects on the development and lifelong health of the child. Long-chain PUFAs are particularly important for myelination and the development of vision during the perinatal period. OBJECTIVES: We conducted a systematic review to examine the relationship between supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and/or lactation and neurodevelopment in children, to inform the Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. METHODS: We identified articles on omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in pregnant and lactating women that included measures of neurodevelopment in their children (0-18 y) by searching PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, and CINAHL Plus. After dual screening articles for inclusion, we qualitatively synthesized and graded the strength of evidence using pre-established criteria for assessing risk of bias, consistency, directness, precision, and generalizability. RESULTS: We included 33 articles from 15 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 1 prospective cohort study. Of the 8 RCTs that delivered omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplements during pregnancy alone (200-2200 mg/d DHA and 0-1100 mg/d EPA for approximately 20 wk), 5 studies reported ≥1 finding that supplementation improved measures of cognitive development in the infant or child by 6%-11% (P < 0.05), but all 8 studies also reported ≥1 nonsignificant (P > 0.05) result. There was inconsistent or insufficient evidence for other outcomes (language, social-emotional, physical, motor, or visual development; academic performance; risks of attention deficit disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, or depression) and for supplementation during lactation or both pregnancy and lactation. Populations with a lower socioeconomic status and adolescents were underrepresented and studies lacked racial and ethnic diversity. CONCLUSIONS: Limited evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy may result in favorable cognitive development in the child. There was insufficient evidence to evaluate the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy and/or lactation on other developmental outcomes.

Development of Food Pattern Recommendations for Infants and Toddlers 6-24 Months of Age to Support the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.

BACKGROUND: Developing food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) for infants and toddlers is a complex task that few countries have attempted. OBJECTIVES: Our objectives are to describe the process of food pattern modeling (FPM) conducted to develop FBDGs for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 for infants 6 to <12 mo and toddlers 12 to <24 mo of age, as well as the implications of the results and areas needing further work. METHODS: The US 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, with the support of federal staff, conducted FPM analyses using 5 steps: 1) identified energy intake targets; 2) established nutritional goals; 3) identified food groupings and expected amounts, using 3 options for the amount of energy from human milk in each age interval; 4) estimated expected nutrient intakes for each scenario, based on nutrient-dense representative foods; and 5) evaluated expected nutrient intakes against nutritional goals. RESULTS: For human milk-fed infants (and toddlers), example combinations of complementary foods and beverages were developed that come close to meeting almost all nutrient recommendations if iron-fortified infant cereals are included at 6 to <12 mo of age. These combinations would also be suitable for formula-fed infants. For toddlers not fed human milk, 2 patterns were developed: the Healthy US-Style Pattern and the Healthy Vegetarian Pattern (a lacto-ovo vegetarian pattern). Achieving nutrient recommendations left virtually no remaining energy for added sugars. CONCLUSIONS: It is challenging to meet all nutrient needs during these age intervals. Added sugars should be avoided for infants and toddlers <2 y of age. Further work is needed to 1) establish a reference human milk composition profile, 2) update and strengthen the DRI values for these age groups, and 3) use optimization modeling, in combination with FPM, to identify combinations of foods that meet all nutritional goals.

A Proposed Framework for Identifying Nutrients and Food Components of Public Health Relevance in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

BACKGROUND: Identification of nutrients of public health concern has been a hallmark of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA); however, a formal systematic process for identifying them has not been published. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to propose a framework for identifying "nutrients or food components" (NFCs) of public health relevance to inform the DGA. METHODS: The proposed framework consists of 1) defining terminology; 2) establishing quantitative thresholds to identify NFCs; and 3) examining national data. The proposed framework utilizes available data from 3 key data sources or "prongs": 1) dietary intakes; 2) biological endpoints; and 3) clinical health consequences such as prevalence of health conditions, directly or indirectly through validated surrogate markers. RESULTS: In identifying potential NFCs of public health concern, the 2020 DGA Committee developed a decision-tree framework with suggestions for combining the 3 prongs. The identified NFCs of public health concern for Americans ≥1 y old included fiber, calcium (≥2 y old), vitamin D, and potassium for low intakes and sodium, added sugars, and saturated fats (≥2 y old) for high intakes that were associated with adverse health consequences. Iron was identified among infants ages 6-12 mo fed human milk. For reproductive-aged and pregnant females, iron (all trimesters) and folate (first trimester) were identified for low intake, based on dietary and biomarker data (iron) or the severity of the consequence (folic acid and neural tube defects). Among pregnant women, low iodine was of potential public health concern based on biomarker data. Other NFCs that were underconsumed, overconsumed, and pose special challenges were identified across the life course. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed decision-tree framework was intended to streamline and add transparency to the work of this and future Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committees to identify NFCs that need to be encouraged or discouraged in order to help reduce risk of chronic disease and promote health and energy balance in the population.

Evolution of the gut microbiome in infancy within an ecological context.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Humans and their commensal microbiota coexist in a complex ecosystem molded by evolutionary and ecological factors. Ecological opportunity is the prospective, lineage-specific characteristic of an environment that contains both niche availability leading to persistence coupled with niche discordance that drives selection within that lineage. The newborn gut ecosystem presents vast ecological opportunity. Herein, factors affecting perinatal infant microbiome composition are discussed. RECENT FINDINGS: Establishing a healthy microbiota in early life is required for immunological programming and prevention of both short-term and long-term health outcomes. The holobiont theory infers that host genetics contributes to microbiome composition. However, in most human studies, environmental factors are predominantly responsible for microbiome composition and function. Key perinatal elements are route of delivery, diet and the environment in which that infant resides. Vaginal delivery seeds an initial microbiome, and breastfeeding refines the community by providing additional microbes, human milk oligosaccharides and immunological proteins. SUMMARY: Early life represents an opportunity to implement clinical practices that promote the optimal seeding and feeding of the gut microbial ecosystem. These include reducing nonemergent cesarean deliveries, avoiding the use of antibiotics, and promoting exclusive breastfeeding.

Microbiome Composition in Pediatric Populations from Birth to Adolescence: Impact of Diet and Prebiotic and Probiotic Interventions.

Diet is a key regulator of microbiome structure and function across the lifespan. Microbial colonization in the first year of life has been actively researched; however, studies during childhood are sparse. Herein, the impact of dietary intake and pre- and probiotic interventions on microbiome composition of healthy infants and children from birth to adolescence is discussed. The microbiome of breastfed infants has lower microbial diversity and richness, higher Proteobacteria, and lower Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes than those formula-fed. As children consume more complex diets, associations between dietary patterns and the microbiota emerge. Like adults, the microbiota of children consuming a Western-style diet is associated with greater Bacteroidaceae and Ruminococcaceae and lower Prevotellaceae. Dietary fibers and pre- or/and probiotics have been tested to modulate the gut microbiota in early life. Human milk oligosaccharides and prebiotics added to infant formula are bifidogenic and decrease pathogens. In children, prebiotics, such as inulin, increase Bifidobacterium abundance and dietary fibers reduce fecal pH and increase alpha diversity and calcium absorption. Probiotics have been administered to the mother during pregnancy and breastfeeding or directly to the infant/child. Findings on maternal probiotic administration on bacterial taxa are inconsistent. When given directly to the infant/child, some changes in individual taxa are observed, but rarely is overall alpha or beta diversity affected. Cesarean-delivered infants appear to benefit to a greater degree than those born vaginally. Infancy and childhood represent an opportunity to beneficially manipulate the microbiome through dietary or prebiotic interventions, which has the potential to affect both short- and long-term health outcomes.

SARS-CoV-2 and human milk: What is the evidence?

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as one of the most compelling and concerning public health challenges of our time. To address the myriad issues generated by this pandemic, an interdisciplinary breadth of research, clinical and public health communities has rapidly engaged to collectively find answers and solutions. One area of active inquiry is understanding the mode(s) of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Although respiratory droplets are a known mechanism of transmission, other mechanisms are likely. Of particular importance to global health is the possibility of vertical transmission from infected mothers to infants through breastfeeding or consumption of human milk. However, there is limited published literature related to vertical transmission of any human coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2) via human milk and/or breastfeeding. Results of the literature search reported here (finalized on 17 April 2020) revealed a single study providing some evidence of vertical transmission of human coronavirus 229E; a single study evaluating presence of SARS-CoV in human milk (it was negative); and no published data on MERS-CoV and human milk. We identified 13 studies reporting human milk tested for SARS-CoV-2; one study (a non-peer-reviewed preprint) detected the virus in one milk sample, and another study detected SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG in milk. Importantly, none of the studies on coronaviruses and human milk report validation of their collection and analytical methods for use in human milk. These reports are evaluated here, and their implications related to the possibility of vertical transmission of coronaviruses (in particular, SARS-CoV-2) during breastfeeding are discussed.

Feeding Mode, but Not Prebiotics, Affects Colonic Microbiota Composition and Volatile Fatty Acid Concentrations in Sow-Reared, Formula-Fed, and Combination-Fed Piglets.

BACKGROUND: Many infants consume both human milk and infant formula (combination-fed); however, little is known about how combination-feeding affects the gut microbiota or prebiotic fermentation compared to formula feeding. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the impact of feeding mode and prebiotics on bacterial colonization and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations. METHODS: Newborn piglets (Large White and Landrace) were randomly assigned to 5 groups (n = 6/group): formula-fed (FF), formula-fed with prebiotics (FP), sow-reared (SR), combination-fed (CF), and combination-fed with prebiotics (CP). SR piglets remained with the sows 24 h/d. FF and FP were fed formula or formula with galactooligosaccharide and inulin (4 g/L in a 4:1 ratio). CF and CP were sow-reared for 5 d and then rotated between the sow and formula-feeding every 12 h. Ascending colon contents were collected at day 21. The microbiota was analyzed by pyrosequencing and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). VFAs were determined by gas chromatography. RESULTS: Distance-based redundancy analysis of DGGE and pyrosequencing data separated microbiota of FF from CF and SR. CF differed from SR by DGGE, but only a trend (P = 0.09) by pyrosequencing. Bacterial composition of CF was more similar to SR than FF. No bacterial genera in CF significantly differed from SR; however, 9 genera differed between CF and FF, including Lactobacillus, Clostridium XIVa, and Fusobacterium. VFA concentrations were similar between CF and SR, while isovalerate and isobutyrate were 2-fold greater (P < 0.05) in CF than FF. Neither microbiota nor VFA profile was affected by prebiotic supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Microbial colonization patterns and VFA profiles of CF piglets were more similar to SR piglets than FF piglets. Prebiotics did not affect piglet bacterial composition and/or VFA concentrations relative to the main feeding modes (FF and CF). Thus, partial exposure to breast milk can be beneficial for microbiota development of FF neonates.

Safety evaluation of 3'-siallylactose sodium salt supplementation on growth and clinical parameters in neonatal piglets.

Sialyllactose (SL) is an abundant oligosaccharide in human milk with health benefits that include intestinal maturation, gut microbiota modulation, and cognitive development. Recent technological advances support large scale production of different forms of sialyllactose, which will enable their use as a food ingredient. The objective of the study was to investigate the dose-dependent effects of novel enzymatically-synthesized 3'-sialyllactose (3'SL) sodium salt supplemented to swine milk replacer on growth, hematological parameters and tissue histology in a pre-clinical neonatal pig model. Forty-five two-day-old male and female pigs were provided one of four experimental diets for 21 days. Diets were formulated to contain 0 (CON), 140 (LOW), 200 (MOD) or 500 (HIGH) mg/L of 3'SL sodium salt. Samples were collected on days 8 and 22 of the study for hematological and histological analyses. The addition of 3'SL sodium salt to formula at all doses was well-tolerated by neonatal piglets and supported growth and development comparable to those observed in the CON group. In addition, serum chemistries as well as hematology and organ microscopic structure were unaffected by 3'SL (p > 0.05). These data provide supportive evidence for the safety of supplementation of this enzymatically-synthesized 3'SL sodium salt to human infant formula.

High Mobility Group Box 1 and TLR4 Signaling Pathway in Gnotobiotic Piglets Colonized/Infected with L. amylovorus, L. mucosae, E. coli Nissle 1917 and S. Typhimurium.

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a DNA-binding nuclear protein that can be actively secreted by immune cells after different immune stimuli or passively released from cells undergoing necrosis. HMGB1 amplifies inflammation, and its hypersecretion contributes to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and death. We tested possible immunomodulatory effect of commensal Lactobacillus amylovorus (LA), Lactobacillus mucosae (LM) or probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) in infection of gnotobiotic piglets with Salmonella Typhimurium (ST). Transcription of HMGB1 and Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2, 4, and 9 and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), TLR4-related molecules (MD-2, CD14, and LBP), and adaptor proteins (MyD88 and TRIF) in the ileum and colon were measured by RT-qPCR. Expression of TLR4 and its related molecules were highly upregulated in the ST-infected intestine, which was suppressed by EcN, but not LA nor LM. In contrast, HMGB1 expression was unaffected by ST infection or commensal/probiotic administration. HMGB1 protein levels in the intestine measured by ELISA were increased in ST-infected piglets, but they were decreased by previous colonization with E. coli Nissle 1917 only. We conclude that the stability of HMGB1 mRNA expression in all piglet groups could show its importance for DNA transcription and physiological cell functions. The presence of HMGB1 protein in the intestinal lumen probably indicates cellular damage.

Dietary Human Milk Oligosaccharides but Not Prebiotic Oligosaccharides Increase Circulating Natural Killer Cell and Mesenteric Lymph Node Memory T Cell Populations in Noninfected and Rotavirus-Infected Neonatal Piglets.

Background: Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) have antimicrobial and immunomodulatory actions. It has previously been reported that these oligosaccharides contribute to the reduced duration of rotavirus-induced diarrhea in pigs.Objective: We measured the effects of HMOs and prebiotic oligosaccharides on immune cell populations from noninfected and rotavirus-infected pigs. We hypothesized that dietary HMOs would modulate systemic and gastrointestinal immunity.Methods: Colostrum-deprived newborn pigs were fed formula, formula with 4 g HMOs/L (2'-fucosyllactose, lacto-N-neotetraose, 6'-sialyllactose, 3'-sialyllactose, and free sialic acid), or formula with 3.6 g short-chain galactooligosaccharides/L and 0.4 g long-chain fructooligosaccharides/L. On day 10, half of the pigs were infected with the porcine rotavirus strain OSU. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), mesenteric lymph node (MLN), and ileal Peyer's patch immune cell populations were assessed with the use of flow cytometry 5 d postinfection. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-producing cells were assessed with the use of Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSpot assay.Results: Infection changed immune cell populations with more systemic natural killer (NK) cells, memory effector T cells, and major histocompatibility complex II+ cells in infected than noninfected pigs (P < 0.06). Regardless of infection status, HMO-fed pigs had nearly twice as many PBMC NK cells, 36% more MLN effector memory T cells, and 5 times more PBMC basophils than formula-fed pigs (P < 0.04). These populations were intermediate in pigs fed prebiotics. PBMCs from HMO-fed noninfected pigs had twice as many IFN-γ-producing cells as did those from formula-fed noninfected pigs (P = 0.017). The PBMCs and MLNs of formula-fed noninfected pigs had 3 times more plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) than those of HMO-fed noninfected and formula-fed infected pigs (P < 0.04). In the MLNs, the formula-fed noninfected pigs had more macrophages, pDCs, and mature DCs (P < 0.04) but fewer immature DCs than HMO-fed noninfected pigs (P = 0.022).Conclusions: Dietary HMOs were more effective than prebiotics in altering systemic and gastrointestinal immune cells in pigs. These altered immune cell populations may mediate the effects of dietary HMOs on rotavirus infection susceptibility.

Effects of osteopontin-enriched formula on lymphocyte subsets in the first 6 months of life: a randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundHuman milk is rich in osteopontin (OPN), which has immunomodulatory functions.MethodsIn a randomized controlled trial, standard formula (SF) and the same formula with 65 mg of OPN/L (F65) or 130 mg of OPN/L (F130), representing ~50 and 100% of the OPN concentration in human milk, were compared. We examined frequencies and composition of peripheral blood immune cells by four-color immunoflow cytometry of formula-fed infants at ages 1, 4, and 6 months, and compared them with a breastfed (BF) reference group.ResultsThe F130 group had increased T-cell proportions compared with the SF (P=0.036, average effect size 0.51) and F65 groups (P=0.008, average effect size 0.65). Compared with the BF group, the monocyte proportions were increased in the F65 (P=0.001, average effect size 0.59) and F130 (P=0.006, average effect size 0.50) groups, but were comparable among the formula groups.ConclusionOPN in an infant formula at a concentration close to that of human milk increased the proportion of circulating T cells compared with both SF and formula with added OPN at ~50% of the concentration in human milk. This suggests that OPN may favorably influence immune ontogeny in infancy and that the effects appear to be dose-dependent.

Observed differences in child picky eating behavior between home and childcare locations.

Picky eating (PE) is a common mealtime difficulty that is reported by up to 50% of caregivers. Most of the research to date on PE has focused on parents, even though millions of children also eat meals in home- or center-based childcare settings. Currently, little is known about PE behaviors manifested by the child across the home and childcare settings, or how these behaviors differ between home-based childcare (HBCC) and center-based childcare (CBCC) locations. The objectives of this study were to compare PE behaviors between the child's home and HBCC or CBCC environments, and compare PE behaviors between HBCC and CBCC environments. Children, ages 3-5 years, were recruited from CBCC (n = 26) or HBCC (n = 24) locations. Caregivers and children were videotaped consuming two different lunchtime meals in their home and childcare. Picky eating behaviors were coded from the videos using a codebook created for the study. Observational results showed that children in CBCC displayed more PE behaviors when at home than at childcare, while HBCC children displayed PE behaviors more similarly between the two locations. Thus, interventions to reduce PE behaviors should be personalized for location-specific intervention programs focused on raising healthy eaters across multiple locations.