An In Vitro Colonic Fermentation Study of the Effects of Human Milk Oligosaccharides on Gut Microbiota and Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production in Infants Aged 0-6 Months.

The impact of five human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs)-2'-fucosyllactose (2FL), 3'-sialyllactose (3SL), 6'-sialyllactose (6SL), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), and lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT)-on the gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolites in infants aged 0-6 months was assessed through in vitro fermentation. Analyses of the influence of different HMOs on the composition and distribution of infant gut microbiota and on SCFA levels were conducted using 16S rRNA sequencing, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and gas chromatography (GC), respectively. The findings indicated the crucial role of the initial microbiota composition in shaping fermentation outcomes. Fermentation maintained the dominant genera species in the intestine but influenced their abundance and distribution. Most of the 10 Bifidobacteria strains effectively utilized HMOs or their degradation products, particularly demonstrating proficiency in utilizing 2FL and sialylated HMOs compared to non-fucosylated neutral HMOs. Moreover, our study using B. infantis-dominant strains and B. breve-dominant strains as inocula revealed varying acetic acid levels produced by Bifidobacteria upon HMO degradation. Specifically, the B. infantis-dominant strain yielded notably higher acetic acid levels than the B. breve-dominant strain (p = 0.000), with minimal propionic and butyric acid production observed at fermentation's conclusion. These findings suggest the potential utilization of HMOs in developing microbiota-targeted foods for infants.

The Concentration of Lactoferrin in Breast Milk Correlates with Maternal Body Mass Index and Parity.

Background: Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional glycoprotein found in human milk and body fluids, which has been shown to play a vital role in regulating the immunity and supporting the intestinal health of infants. Aim: This study evaluated the association between maternal/parturient factors and LF concentration in the breast milk of Chinese mothers. Methods: 207 breast milk samples were collected from healthy mothers with in the first year of lactation. Maternal and parturient information was collected for these participants through questionnaires. The content of lactoferrin in breast milk was detected by liquid chromatography, and macronutrient concentration in breast milk was measured by human milk analyzer in only 109 samples. Results: Our findings demonstrated that the LF content was much higher within the first month of lactation than it was after that period (p < 0.05). When compared with normal and lean mothers, the LF content of obese mothers was considerably higher (p < 0.05). The parity and LF content showed a favorable correlation. The proportion of LF to total protein tended to decrease as lactation progressed. Protein, fat, dry matter, and energy content were significantly positively correlated with LF content (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Early breast milk tends to have a higher level of LF, and the change of LF concentration in breast milk is associated with the parity and body mass index of the mother.

Weakening Investigation of Reservoir Rock by Coupled Uniaxial Compression, Computed Tomography and Digital Image Correlation Methods: A Case Study.

Cyclic wetting and drying treatment is commonly used to accelerate the weakening process of reservoir rock. The weakening is reflected in strength variation and structure variation, while the latter receives less attention. Based on a series of cyclic wetting and drying tests, this study tentatively applied the uniaxial compressive test, computed tomography (CT) test and digital image correlation (DIC) test to investigate the weakening of slate in a reservoir area. Test results show that the weakening is mainly reflected in the reduction of compressive strength, followed by the decrease of ability to resist cracking and elastic deformation. The weakening seems more likely to be caused by structure variation rather than composition change. Two failure modes, e.g., splitting and splitting-tension, are concluded based on the crack paths: the splitting failure mode occurs in the highly weathered samples and the splitting-tension failure mode appears in the low-weathered samples. The transition zones of deformation are inside samples. The nephogram maps quantify the continuous deformation and correspond to the aforementioned structure variation process. This study offers comprehensive methods to the weakening investigation of slate in reservoir area and may provide qualitative reference in the stability evaluation of related slate rock slope.

[Postpartum weight retention in Beijing, Suzhou and Guangzhou women and its associated factors].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of postpartum weight retention (PPWR) in urban Chinese women, and to explore its associated factors. METHODS: Cluster sampling methods were used to select a total of 6 hospitals in Beijing, Guangzhou and Suzhou. A total of 578 women in the 0 - 1 months, 1 - 2 months, 2 - 4 months and 4 - 8 months postpartum participated in this study. Anthropometric indicators of height and weight were measured for each participant. Questionnaire was used to obtain the sociodemographic characteristics. Maternal information of pre-pregnancy weight and gestational weight gain were obtained by medical records. RESULTS: The pre-pregnancy BMI of participants was (20. 8 ± 2. 7), while postpartum BMI was (23. 4 ± 3. 2). PPWR decreased over time, however, 53. 4% of women had PPWR over 5kg at the 4 - 8 months postpartum. 32. 6% of women were overweight or obese at 4 - 8 months postpartum. Women with PPWR >0kg at 4 - 8 months postpartum had a higher gestational weight gain ((16.5 ± 5.5) kg) compared to those with PPWR≤0 kg ((13.0 ±4.7) kg). Women with higher education experience had a higher proportion of weight retention over 0 kg at 4 - 8 month postpartum. CONCLUSION: PPWR is a serious health and nutritional problem in Chinese women, where excess in gestational weight gain is associated with PPWR. To improve the health and lifestyle of perinatal women, a comprehensive health education and health intervention should be explored.

Association between gestational weight gain according to prepregnancy body mass index and short postpartum weight retention in postpartum women.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: This study aims to assess the relationship among prepregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, and postpartum weight retention, and to clarify the predictors of the amount of weight retained by Chinese women after pregnancy. METHODS: The multistage stratified random sampling was used in the cross-sectional study. RESULTS: The subjects included 1643 women. Mean gestational weight gain was 15.9 kg and mean postpartum weight retention was 5.1 kg. 43.2% of women gained excessive gestational weight gain and 53.3% of women gained 5 kg or more postpartum weight retention. In addition, the proportions of underweight women with inadequate weight gain and overweight women with excessive weight gain were 24.2% and 52.3%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that the adjusted OR of excessive gestational weight gain was 1.74 (95% CI: 1.09-2.79) in overweight women compared with normal weight women. The postpartum weight retention and the proportion of women with postpartum weight retention of 5 kg or more were significantly higher in the excessive gestational weight gain women than in the adequate gestational weight gain women in all three body mass index groups. The adjusted OR of a weight increase of 5 kg or more was at least 1.90 for underweight, normal weight, and overweight women with a gestational weight gain above the recommended amount compared with those with a gestational weight gain within the recommended amount. CONCLUSIONS: Gestational weight gain above the recommended amount increases the risk of postpartum weight retention in all body mass index groups.

Pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of gestational weight gain (GWG) or pre-pregnancy BMI with postpartum weight retention (PPWR). DESIGN: Meta-analysis. SETTING: PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded, Current Contents Connects and Biosis Previews were used to search articles. SUBJECTS: Publications that described the influence of pre-pregnancy BMI or GWG on PPWR. RESULTS: Seventeen studies that satisfied the eligibility criteria were included in the analyses. Women with inadequate and excessive GWG had significantly lower mean PPWR of -2·14 kg (95 % CI -2·43, -1·85 kg) and higher PPWR of 3·21 kg (95 % CI 2·79, 3·62 kg), respectively, than women with adequate GWG. When postpartum time spans were stratified into 1-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-36 months and ≥15 years, the association between inadequate GWG and PPWR faded over time and became insignificant (-1·42 kg; 95 % CI -3·08, 0·24 kg) after ≥15 years. However, PPWR in women with excess GWG exhibited a U-shaped trend; that is, a decline during the early postpartum time span (year 1) and then an increase in the following period. Meta-analysis of qualitative studies showed a significant relationship between excessive GWG and higher PPWR risk (OR=2·08; 95 % CI 1·60, 2·70). Moreover, meta-analysis of pre-pregnancy BMI on PPWR indicated that mean PPWR decreased with increasing BMI group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that GWG, rather than pre-pregnancy BMI, determines the shorter- or longer-term PPWR.

Mineral compositions in breast milk of healthy Chinese lactating women in urban areas and its associated factors.

BACKGROUND: Optimal mineral intakes are important for infant growth and development. However, data on mineral compositions of breast milk in Chinese women are scarce, and most were acquired before 1990. The objectives of this study were three-fold: (1) to investigate the mineral compositions of Chinese healthy mothers' breast milk in different lactation stages; (2) to explore correlations among mineral concentrations in breast milk; and (3) to explore the associated factors affecting mineral compositions in breast milk. METHODS: The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyze mineral concentrations in breast-milk of 444 healthy lactating women from three cities in China. A questionnaire was used to survey socio-demographic characteristics and pregnancy history. Food intakes by lactating women were measured using both food frequency questionnaire and one cycle of 24-hour dietary recall. RESULTS: Mineral compositions of breast milk varied in different regions. Concentrations of most minerals were higher in the first one or two months of lactation, and then decreased with time, except for magnesium and iron. Inter-mineral correlations existed among several minerals. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio was above 2:1 in each lactation stage. Women with caesarean section had higher concentration of iodine in the transitional milk (349.9 µg/kg) compared to women with natural delivery (237.5 µg/kg, P < 0.001). Dietary mineral intakes, supplements, food intake frequencies in the recent 6 months, maternal age and maternal BMI did not show significant correlations with concentrations of milk minerals (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Milk minerals decreased with time, and changed most rapidly in the first one or two months of lactation. Caesarean section might affect the iodine level in transitional milk.

Nutritional status of breast-fed and non-exclusively breast-fed infants from birth to age 5 months in 8 Chinese cities.

This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of infants aged 0 to 5 months by different feeding approaches. A cross-sectional study on infant nutrition was performed in eight cities in China. A total of 622 infants from birth to 2 months of age and 456 infants from 3 months to 5 months of age were included in this study. Mix-fed infants received breast milk and complementary foods from birth to 2 months of age. Approximately 38.2% of mix-fed infants received excessive vitamin A, and 15.6% of infants exceeded the tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) of zinc. For artificially fed infants who received only complementary foods, approximately 20% and 12.5% infants received inadequate dietary vitamin A and zinc intakes, respectively. The vitamin A and zinc intakes of half of the infants exceeded the ULs. Results showed that the usual intake distribution of the infants from 3 months to 5 months of age were similar to that of the infants from birth to 2 months of age. The common vitamin A and zinc intakes were also severely imbalanced. In addition, higher disease prevalence and lower Z scores of length-forage, weight-for-age, and weight-for-length were found in artificially fed infants and mix-fed infants compared with those in breast-fed infants. In conclusion, the usual nutrient intakes were adequate for the majority of Chinese infants, except for an important number of infants at risk for imbalance of vitamin A and zinc intakes.

Breast milk macronutrient composition and the associated factors in urban Chinese mothers.

BACKGROUND: Infancy is a critical period of growth and physiological development, in which breast milk is the best source of nutrients. Compared to western countries, research on breast milk of Chinese population are limited. Thus, it is necessary to measure breast milk energy and macronutrient concentrations of healthy urban Chinese mothers at different lactation stages, to expand the database of milk composition of Chinese population, and to examine whether dietary or other maternal factors can affect the levels of macronutrients in breast milk. METHODS: Breast milk of full expression of one side breast from 436 urban Chinese lactating mothers at 5-11 days, 12-30 days, 31-60 days, 61-120 days, and 121-240 days postpartum was obtained at 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Total energy, lactose, protein, and fat contents were measured. 24-hour dietary recall was surveyed, and maternal nutrient intakes were analyzed. RESULTS: Milk composition changed over the course of lactation and large individual variations were documented. The concentrations were 61.3 kcal/dl for total energy, 7.1 g/dl for lactose, 0.9 g/dl for protein, and 3.4 g/dl for fat in mature milk. Stage of lactation was a strong factor affecting milk composition. Minimal evidence was found for associations between maternal current dietary intake and milk macronutrient concentration, consistently with prior research. Maternal body mass index (BMI) was positively associated with milk fat content, to a greater extent than did dietary intake. All other maternal characteristics were not significant for milk composition. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that milk composition is generally weakly associated with maternal factors except for stage of lactation, and is likely to be more susceptible to long-term maternal nutritional status than short-term dietary fluctuation.

[Prevalence of self-reported allergy, food hypersensitivity and food intolerance and their influencing factors in 0-36 months old infants in 8 cities in China].

OBJECTIVE: To measure the prevalence, the possible causes and the influencing factors of allergy, food hypersensitivity and food intolerance in 0-36 month old infants in 8 cities in China. METHOD: Totally 2632 infants from the outpatient departments of prevention and health care of two representative hospitals in 8 Chinese cities were randomly selected by applying multistage cluster sampling method from October 2011 to March 2012, and a one-on-one survey to infants' parents was conducted to investigate infants' sensitization status. RESULT: Self-reported infant allergy rate was 17.97% (473/2632) ; self-reported food hypersensitivity and food intolerance rates were 6.53% (172/2632) and 4.26% (112/2632) , respectively. The proportion of self-reported food hypersensitivity of 0-12 months old infants was 4.47% (74/1656) and their top five allergens in a descending order were eggs (28.38%) , shrimp (25.68%) , fish (21.62%) , milk (18.92%) and wheat (4.05%) . The proportion of self-reported 13-36 months old infant's food hypersensitivity was 10.05% (98/976) . The top five allergens were shrimp (33.93%) , fish (26.79%) , eggs (23.21%) , milk (12.50%) and soy (3.57%) in 13-24 months group, while fish (38.24%) , shrimp (35.29%) , eggs (20.59%) , milk (20.59%) and peanuts (2.94%) in 25-36 months group. Both 7-12 and 13-24 month old were the highest incidence (both of them were 11.98%, 58/484) of age for developing food hypersensitivity and 7-12-month old was also the highest incidence (8.47%, 41/484) of age for food intolerance. The self-reported food intolerance rate was 3.68% (61/1656) and 5.23% (51/976) in the two age groups, respectively. Age, parental history of allergy and father's educational level (OR was 2.452, 1.482 and 2.598, respectively, P < 0.01) were the risk factors of food hypersensitivity; within two weeks of sickness (OR = 1.267, P < 0.05) was the risk factor of food intolerance. CONCLUSION: Infancy was the most vulnerable period of life of getting allergy, therefore, it is necessary for all infants to prevent allergy through a variety of effective strategies.