Maternal serum amino acids and hydroxylated sphingomyelins at pregnancy are associated with anxiety symptoms during pregnancy and throughout the first year after delivery.

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest an interplay between maternal metabolome and mental health. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association of maternal serum metabolome at pregnancy with anxiety scores during pregnancy and throughout the first year postpartum. METHODS: A prospective cohort of Brazilian women collected 119 serum metabolome at pregnancy (28-38 weeks) and anxiety scores measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at pregnancy (n = 118), 1 (n = 83), 6 (n = 68), and 12 (n = 57) months postpartum. Targeted metabolomics quantified metabolites belonging to amino acids (AA), biogenic amines/amino acid-related compounds, acylcarnitines, lysophosphatidylcholines, diacyl phosphatidylcholines, alkyl:acyl phosphatidylcholines, non-hydroxylated and hydroxylated sphingomyelins [SM(OH)], and hexoses classes. Linear mixed-effect models were used to evaluate the association of metabolites and STAI scores. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analyses were employed to identify clusters and metabolites, which drove their main differences. Multiple comparison-adjusted p-values (q-value) ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: AA (ß = -1.44) and SM(OH) (ß = -1.49) classes showed an association with STAI scores trajectory (q-value = 0.047). Two clusters were identified based on these classes. Women in cluster 2 had decreased AA and SM(OH) concentrations and higher STAI scores (worse symptoms) trajectory (ß = 2.28; p-value = 0.041). Isoleucine, leucine, valine, SM(OH) 22:1, 22:2, and 24:1 drove the main differences between the clusters. LIMITATIONS: The target semiquantitative metabolome analysis and small sample size limited our conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that AA and SM(OH) during pregnancy play a role in anxiety symptoms throughout the first year postpartum.

Association between persistent organic pollutants in human milk and the infant growth and development throughout the first year postpartum in a cohort from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are compounds that are recalcitrant and ubiquitous that bioaccumulate in human milk (HM) and can impact infant growth and development. We explore the association between POP concentration in HM at 2-50 days postpartum and infant growth and development trajectory throughout the first year of life. A cohort of 68 healthy adult Brazilian women and their infants were followed from 28 to 35 gestational weeks to 12 months postpartum. HM samples were collected between 2 and 50 days postpartum, and POP concentrations were analyzed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Concentrations of POPs >limit of quantification (LOQ) were defined as presence, and concentrations ≤LOQ as an absence. Growth z-scores were analyzed according to WHO growth charts and infant development scores according to Age & Stages Questionnaires at 1 (n = 66), 6 (n = 50), and 12 months (n = 45). Linear mixed effects (LME) models were used to investigate the association of POPs in HM with infant growth and development. Benjamini-Hochberg (BH) correction for multiple testing was performed to reduce the false discovery ratio. P < 0.1 was considered for models with the interaction between POPs and time/sex. After BH correction, adjusted LME models with time interaction showed (1) a positive association between the presence of ß hexachlorocyclohexane and an increase in head circumference-for-age z-score (ß = 0.003, P = 0.095); (2) negative associations between total POPs (ß = -0.000002, P = 0.10), total organochlorine pesticides (ß = -0.000002, P = 0.10), and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene concentrations in HM (ß = -0.000002, P = 0.10) and fine motor scores. No statistical difference between the sexes was observed. Postnatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides in HM shows a positive association with the trajectory of head circumference-for-age z-score and a negative association with the trajectories of fine motor skills scores. Future studies on POP variation in HM at different postpartum times and their effect on infant growth and development should be encouraged.

Prepregnancy Body Mass Index and Lipoprotein Fractions are Associated with Changes in Women's Serum Metabolome from Late Pregnancy to the First Months of Postpartum.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and postpartum are periods of intense changes in women's metabolism. The knowledge of the metabolites and maternal factors underlying these changes is limited. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the maternal factors that could influence serum metabolome changes from late pregnancy to the first months of postpartum. METHODS: Sixty-eight healthy women from a Brazilian prospective cohort were included. Maternal blood and general characteristics were collected during pregnancy (28-35 wk) and postpartum (27-45 d). A targeted metabolomics approach was applied to quantify 132 serum metabolites, including amino acids, biogenic amines, acylcarnitines, lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC), diacyl phosphatidylcholines (PC), alkyl:acyl phosphatidylcholines (PC-O), sphingomyelins with (SM) and without hydroxylation [SM(OH)], and hexoses. Metabolome changes from pregnancy to postpartum were measured as log2 fold change (log2FC), and simple linear regressions were employed to evaluate associations between maternal variables and metabolite log2FC. Multiple comparison-adjusted P values of < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Of 132 metabolites quantified in serum, 90 changed from pregnancy to postpartum. Most metabolites belonging to PC and PC-O classes decreased, whereas most LPC, acylcarnitines, biogenic amines, and a few amino acids increased in postpartum. Maternal prepregnancy body mass index (ppBMI) showed positive associations with leucine and proline. A clear opposite change pattern was observed for most metabolites across ppBMI categories. Few phosphatidylcholines were decreased in women with normal ppBMI, while an increase was observed in women with obesity. Similarly, women with high postpartum levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and non-HDL cholesterol showed increased sphingomyelins, whereas a decrease was observed for women with lower levels of those lipoproteins. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed several maternal serum metabolomic changes from pregnancy to postpartum, and the maternal ppBMI and plasma lipoproteins were associated with these changes. We highlight the importance of the nutritional care of women prepregnancy to improve their metabolic risk profile.

Association of pre-pregnancy maternal overweight/obesity and dietary intake during pregnancy with the concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in the human milk of women from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic chemical compounds that can bioaccumulate, adhere to lipid matrices, and affect human health. This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and dietary intake during pregnancy and POP concentrations in the human milk of women from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. One hundred and forty-seven women were followed from the third trimester of pregnancy until 119 days postpartum, and 77 human milk samples were analyzed between 2 and 119 days postpartum. POP concentrations were analyzed using gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Pregnancy dietary intake was estimated using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and pre-pregnancy body mass index at baseline was classified as normal or overweight/obesity. Multiple logistic and linear regression models were performed to investigate the association between pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity, dietary intake during pregnancy, and POP concentrations in human milk. The models were adjusted for maternal age, maternal schooling, total cholesterol serum concentrations, and time postpartum. The analyses were corrected for multiple comparisons using the Benjamini-Hochberg test. Significant associations were observed between pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (ppDDE), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)74, PCB138, PCB153, PCB170, PCB180, total PCBs, total 4PCBs, total 2 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and total POP concentrations. Higher daily lipid intake during pregnancy increased human milk hexachlorobenzene (HCB). This study showed that pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and total lipid intake during pregnancy were associated with POP concentrations in the milk of women from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. To promote adequate nutritional status since preconception and surveillance and control of POP in the environment could be essential to ensure binomial mother-infant health and biomonitoring studies and programs for these POPs should be stimulated.

Incidence of Abnormalities of the Gastric Tube Following Sleeve Gastrectomy and Its Role on Esophagitis Progression.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of gastric tube abnormalities after SG and its relationship with esophagitis progression. METHODS: Retrospective study which included 459 patients in the postoperative period of SG who underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy in both pre- and postoperative periods. The main studied variables were presence of gastric tube abnormalities (dilation, neofundus, twist, and hiatal hernia) and esophagitis progression. RESULTS: Among the 459 patients who underwent SG, 393 (85.6%) were women, and 66 (14.4%) men, with mean age of 40.4 years. Mean preoperative BMI was 39.70 kg/m2. In total, 20.3% of the sample presented progression of esophagitis after surgery. Among the whole sample, 130 (28.3%) presented with an abnormality of the remnant gastric tube. The most common alteration was gastric dilation, which occurred in 16.1% of the patients, followed by gastric twist (10.7%), neofundus (7.4%), and hiatal hernia (0.2%). Patients who presented with any abnormality of the gastric tube were significantly prone to presenting esophagitis progression (p = 0.013). When analyzing each morphological abnormality isolated, there was no statistically significant correlation. CONCLUSION: Abnormalities of the gastric tube are not uncommon after SG and seems to contribute partially to the relevant rates of GERD and esophagitis after this surgery.

Corrigendum to 'Evidences and perspectives of the use of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics as adjuvants for prevention and treatment of COVID-19: A bibliometric analysis and integrative review' [Trends in Food Science & Technology 120 (2022) 174-192].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2021.12.033.].

Evidences and perspectives of the use of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics as adjuvants for prevention and treatment of COVID-19: A bibliometric analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease transmitted by the virus responsible for the severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which exhibit several clinical manifestations including gastrointestinal symptoms. SCOPE AND APPROACH: This review aimed to provide insights and perspectives for the use of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics as adjuvants for prevention/treatment and/or modulation of the microbiota in COVID-19 patients. Eighty-four studies published in the Scopus database from the onset of the pandemic until December 2021 were assessed and submitted to a bibliometric analysis adapted from VOSviewer software. KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: Through bibliometric analysis, it might be suggested that the modulation of the gut/lung microbiome is promising as an adjuvant for the prevention/treatment of COVID-19 patients, due to immunomodulation properties related to probiotics and prebiotics. So far, few clinical studies involving the application of probiotics in COVID-19 patients have been completed, but reduction in the duration of the disease and the severity of symptoms as fatigue, olfactory dysfunction and breathlessness, nausea and vomiting and other gastrointestinal symptoms were some of the main findings. However, probiotics are not recommended to immunocompromised patients in corticosteroid therapy. The future perspectives point to the modulation of the intestinal microbiota by probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics represent a promising adjuvant approach for improving the health of patients with COVID-19.

Impact of Oropharyngeal Administration of Colostrum in Preterm Newborns' Oral Microbiome.

The initial colonization of the human microbiota is of paramount importance. In this context, the oropharyngeal administration of colostrum is a safe, viable, and well-tolerated practice even by the smallest preterm infants. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of oropharyngeal administration of colostrum on the establishment of preterm infants' oral microbiota. A longitudinal observational study was carried out with 20 premature neonates, divided into two groups: one receiving the protocol (Oropharyngeal Administration of Colostrum; OAC) and the other one receiving Standard Caare (SC). Saliva samples were collected from the newborns weekly during the study period (from the day of birth until the 21st day of life) for analysis of oral microbiota through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We observed that the colonization of the oral microbiota of preterm newborns preseanted a higher relative abundance of Staphylococcus on the 7th day of life, mainly in the OAC group. Additionally, an increased abundance of Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides was observed in the OAC group at the first week of life. Regarding alpha and beta diversity, time was a key factor in the oral modulation of both groups, showing how dynamic this environment is in early life.

Impact of a fermented soy beverage supplemented with acerola by-product on the gut microbiota from lean and obese subjects using an in vitro model of the human colon.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of soy-based beverages manufactured with water-soluble soy extract, containing probiotic strains (Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium longum BB-46) and/or acerola by-product (ABP) on pooled faecal microbiota obtained from lean and obese donors. Four fermented soy beverages (FSs) ("placebo" (FS-Pla), probiotic (FS-Pro), prebiotic (FS-Pre), and synbiotic (FS-Syn)) were subjected to in vitro digestion, followed by inoculation in the TIM-2 system, a dynamic in vitro model that mimics the conditions of the human colon. Short- and branched-chain fatty acids (SCFA and BCFA) and microbiota composition were determined. Upon colonic fermentation in the presence of the different FSs formulations, acetic and lactic acid production was higher than the control treatment for faecal microbiota from lean individuals (FMLI). Additionally, SCFA production by the FMLI was higher than for the faecal microbiota from obese individuals (FMOI). Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. populations increased during simulated colonic fermentation in the presence of FS-Syn in the FMLI and FMOI. FS formulations also changed the composition of the FMOI, resulting in a profile more similar to the FMLI. The changes in the composition and the increase in SCFA production observed for the FMLI and FMOI during these in vitro fermentations suggest a potential modulation effect of these microbiotas by the consumption of functional FSs. KEY POINTS: • Soy beverages increased Bifidobacterium abundance in microbiota from obese individuals. • The synbiotic beverage increased Bifidobacterium abundance in microbiota from lean individuals. • The synbiotic beverage changed the microbiota from obese individuals, approaching the lean profiles.

Women's multisite microbial modulation during pregnancy.

The composition of female microbiome varies with age, physiological and socio-behavior conditions. Also, changes in microbiome composition are observed as pregnancy progresses, especially in the vaginal site. Together with the physiological adaptations of gestation, changes in microbiome composition seem to be fundamental for proper fetal development. This study aimed at simultaneously evaluating the vaginal, gut, and oral microbiome of healthy pregnant women, and comparing it with those observed in healthy non-pregnant women of reproductive age. In a cross-sectional study, vaginal, oral and gut samples were collected from 42 pregnant and 18 non-pregnant women, and the microbiome composition was evaluated by 16S rRNA sequencing, using Illumina platform. In the pregnant group, we observed a positive correlation between Eubacterium and Akkermansia in the gut samples; between Eubacterium and Ruminococcus in the vaginal samples; and between Streptococcus and Gemella in the oral samples. Notwithstanding, we observed a negative correlation between Lactobacillus and Atopobium and between Lactobacillus and Gardnerella in vaginal microbiome. Prevotella was the only genus found in all three sites studied; however, there was no signal of bacterial influence between sites during pregnancy. These results suggest that in addition to hormonal and immunological variations during healthy pregnancy, the female body also undergoes microbiome modulation in multiple sites in order to maintain an eubiotic status.

Response of the Human Milk Microbiota to A Maternal Prebiotic Intervention is Individual and Influenced by Maternal Age.

Maternal bacteria are shared with infants via breastfeeding. Prebiotics modulate the gut microbiota, promoting health benefits. We investigated whether the maternal diet supplementation with a prebiotic (fructooligosaccharides, FOS) could influence the milk microbiota. Twenty-eight lactating women received 4.5 g of fructooligosaccharides + 2 g of maltodextrin (FOS group) and twenty-five received 2 g of maltodextrin (placebo group) for 20 days. Breast-milk samples were taken before and after the intervention. The DNA from samples was used for 16S rRNA sequencing. No statistical differences between the groups were found for the bacterial genera after the intervention. However, the distances of the trajectories covered by paired samples from the beginning to the end of the supplementation were higher for the FOS group (p = 0.0007) indicating greater changes in milk microbiota compared to the control group. Linear regression models suggested that the maternal age influenced the response for FOS supplementation (p = 0.02). Interestingly, the pattern of changes to genus abundance upon supplementation was not shared between mothers. We demonstrated that manipulating the human milk microbiota through prebiotics is possible, and the maternal age can affect this response. .

Gut Microbiome of Children and Adolescents With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis in Association With Ulcerative Colitis.

Few studies reported the relation of intestinal microbiome composition and diversity in pediatric patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and ulcerative colitis (UC). In this cross-sectional study, we selected patients younger than 19 years old from the pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital to describe the intestinal microbiome of pediatric patients with PSC associated or not to UC. Patients were divided in PSC, PSC+UC, and UC diagnosis. A stool sample was collected from each patient (n=30) and from a healthy relative/neighbor (n=23). The microbiome composition was assessed using MiSeq (Illumina) platform. Differences in microbial composition were found between PSC and PSC+UC groups. The relative abundance of Veillonella and Megasphaera genera were increased depending on patients' age at diagnosis. Veillonella was also increased in patients who were in an active status of the disease. Both genera were positively correlated to total bilirubin and gamma-glutamyl transferase. As a conclusion, the disease, the age and the disease activity status seem to influence the intestinal microbiome, highlighting the difference of intestinal microbiome profile for patients depending on age at diagnosis. We also showed an increase of Veillonella in patients with PSC and PSC+UC, and a positive correlation of dysbiosis and higher gamma-glutamyl transferase and total bilirubin in PSC+UC patients. Our findings are promising in the diagnosis, prognosis, and future therapeutic perspectives for PSC patients.

The Human Milk Microbiota is Modulated by Maternal Diet.

Human milk microorganisms contribute not only to the healthy development of the immune system in infants, but also in shaping the gut microbiota. We evaluated the effect of the maternal diet during pregnancy and during the first month of lactation on the human milk microbiota in a cross-sectional study including 94 healthy lactating women. Microbiota composition was determined by 16S rDNA profiling and nutrient intake assessed through food questionnaires. Thirteen genera were present in at least 90% of all samples, with three genera present in all samples: Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Corynebacterium. Cluster analysis indicated two distinct compositions: one marked by a high abundance of Streptococcus (cluster 1), and other by a high abundance of Staphylococcus (cluster 2). A global association with milk microbiota diversity was observed for vitamin C intake during pregnancy (p = 0.029), which was higher for cluster 2 individuals (cluster 2 median = 232 mg/d; cluster 1 = 175 mg/d; p = 0.02). Positive correlations were found between Bifidobacterium in the milk and intake of polyunsaturated and linoleic fatty acids during the lactation period (p < 0.01). We show that maternal diet influences the human milk microbiota, especially during pregnancy, which may contribute in shaping the gut microbiota.

Microbiome and its relation to gestational diabetes.

PURPOSE: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the major endocrine pathology in pregnancy, has been associated with the development of an intense inflammatory process and increased insulin resistance. The maternal microbiota is involved in several metabolic functions; however, its role in GDM physiopathology remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the composition of the microbiota at different sites and evaluate its relationship with the occurrence of GDM. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited women in the third trimester of gestation with and without GDM. Oral, vaginal, and stool samples were evaluated using next-generation sequencing. We included 68 participants: 26 with and 42 without GDM. RESULTS: The analysis of the oral microbiome did not show significant differences in phyla and genus among the studied groups. In contrast, GDM patients presented a specific vaginal and intestinal microbiome composition, which was less diverse than those found in the control group, showing genera related to dysbiosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that changes in the composition of the vaginal and intestinal microbiome might be involved in the development of GDM. The follow-up of these patients in order to evaluate vaginal and intestinal samples after delivery may contribute to understanding the development of metabolic disease in women with previous GDM.

Milk fat protects Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb-12 from in vitro gastrointestinal stress in potentially synbiotic table spreads.

The viability and the in vitro gastrointestinal survival of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb-12 (Bifidobacterium Bb-12) in table spreads with different proportions of milk fat (MF) and palm olein (PO) (MF : PO 40 : 60 and MF : PO 20 : 80) were investigated for up to 28 days of storage at 5 °C. Moreover, qPCR alone and combined with propidium monoazide (PMA) were compared with the traditional plate count method for determining the in vitro gastrointestinal survival of Bifidobacterium Bb-12 in table spreads after 35 days of storage. Formulations showed probiotic viabilities ranging from 8 to 9 log CFU g-1 across the whole storage period, and the milk fat and palm olein in different concentrations did not affect this viability. Bifidobacterium Bb-12 showed good survival after six hours under in vitro simulated gastrointestinal conditions during the studied storage period, with average reductions of 1.70 (MF : PO 40 : 60) and 2.16 log CFU g-1 (MF : PO 20 : 80). The results of the qPCR with PMA treatment and the plate count method were similar and the qPCR without PMA treatment was shown to overestimate the Bifidobacterium Bb-12 populations. However, the MF : PO 40 : 60 spread showed a Bb-12 population between 0.76 and 1.43 log CFU g-1 higher than that of MF : PO 20 : 80. Thus, the results showed that table spreads, especially food matrices with a higher proportion of milk fat, are suitable for the incorporation of Bifidobacterium Bb-12.

Impact of the maternal diet and the intervention with fructooligosaccharide on thehuman milk microbiota / Impacto da dieta materna e da intervenção com fruto-oligossacarídeo sobre a microbiota do leite humano

Human milk is recognized as the main component for growth, metabolism, and immune development in infants. Furthermore, during lactation, human milk is an important source of microorganisms for the intestinal colonization of newborns. Mother-related factors have been associated with the human milk microbiota composition. Nevertheless, apparently, there has not been any study in which the maternal diet was evaluated as a modulator of the human milk microbiota. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the maternal diet on the human milk microbiota composition of healthy women, and subsequently, to evaluate the effect of fructooligosaccharides supplementation on the human milk microbiota. This study consisted of two parts; the first was a cross-sectional study, including 94 lactating women recruited at the University Hospital of the University of São Paulo (HU/USP), to investigate the association between the maternal nutrient intake during pregnancy and lactation over the first month and the human milk microbiota. The second part consisted of a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 53 lactating, classified as FOS group (n = 28), which received 4.5 g of fructooligosaccharides + 2 g of maltodextrin or placebo group (n = 25), which received 2 g of maltodextrin, over a period of 20 days. The DNA was isolated and used as template for amplification and sequencing by the Illumina MiSeq® System. Overall, the maternal diet during lactation ("short-term" food intake) influenced specific bacterial groups, including positive correlations between polyunsaturated fatty acids/linoleic fatty acids and Bifidobacterium. However, only the maternal diet during pregnancy ("long-term" food intake) was statistically significant (p = 0.02) for the clustering analyzes (community structure analyzes), in which higher levels of vitamin C intake during pregnancy was related to cluster 2, driven by the Staphylococcus genus. After the intervention period on the maternal diet, no differences were found for relative abundance of genera between the placebo and the FOS groups. However, the distances of the trajectories covered by the samples from the beginning to the end of the supplementation was higher for the FOS group (p = 0.0007). According to our results, the maternal age affects the response for FOS supplementation (p = 0.02), though no patterns in the differences of relative abundances were found between the groups. Our results suggest that the maternal diet may influence the human milk microbiota, and the diet during pregnancy is a stronger factor over the bacterial community structure. Minor changes were found by the maternal short-term food intake or the maternal intervention with the prebiotic, and the changes seem to be individual-dependent and influenced by the maternal age, particularly in the intervention study

O leite humano é, reconhecidamente, o principal componente para o crescimento e o desenvolvimento metabólico e imunológico de lactentes. Adicionalmente, durante a lactação, o leite humano consiste em uma importante fonte de micro-organismos para a formação da microbiota intestinal de neonatos. Fatores relacionados à mãe têm sido associados à composição da microbiota do leite humano. Entretanto, poucos estudos avaliaram a dieta materna como componente modulador da microbiota do leite humano. Os objetivos deste estudo foram investigar o impacto da dieta materna sobre a composição da microbiota do leite humano de mães saudáveis e, posteriormente, avaliar a influência da intervenção com fruto-oligossacarídeo na microbiota do leite humano, durante 20 dias de lactação. O estudo foi dividido em duas partes; a primeira parte consistiu de um estudo transversal, com 94 lactantes atendidas no Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo (HU/USP), a fim de investigar a associação entre o consumo materno de nutrientes durante a gestação e durante o primeiro mês de lactação e a microbiota do leite humano. A segunda parte consistiu em um ensaio clínico, aleatorizado, placebo-controlado, com 53 lactantes, classificadas em grupo FOS, que recebeu 4.5 g de fruto-oligossacarídeo + 2 g de maltodextrina (n = 28) ou grupo placebo, que recebeu 2 g de maltodextrina (n = 25), suplementados por 20 dias. O DNA das amostras de leite foi isolado e utilizado como molde para amplificação e sequenciamento em Illumina MiSeq® System. Em geral, a dieta materna durante a lactação (consumo a curto prazo) apresentou influência pontual sobre diversos grupos de micro-organismos, incluindo correlações positivas entre ácidos graxos poli-insaturados/linoleico e o gênero Bifidobacterium. No entanto, somente a dieta materna durante a gestação (consumo a longo prazo) foi estatisticamente significante (p = 0.02) para as análises de agrupamento das amostras (análises de estrutura de comunidade), sendo o maior teor de vitamina C consumido durante a gestação relacionado ao agrupamento 2, direcionado por maiores populações do gênero Staphylococcus. Após o período de intervenção na dieta materna, não foram encontradas diferenças entre a abundância relativa de gêneros entre os grupos placebo e FOS. No entanto, as distâncias do percurso das amostras do início até o final da suplementação foram maiores para o grupo FOS (p = 0.0007). De acordo com os resultados, a idade materna influencia essa resposta à suplementação por FOS (p = 0.02), embora, não tenham sido encontrados padrões nítidos nas diferenças de abundância relativa entre os grupos. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a dieta materna consiste em um fator de modulação da microbiota do leite humano, sendo a dieta durante a gestação um fator mais intenso sobre a estrutura da comunidade bacteriana do leite humano. No entanto, o consumo a curto prazo ou a intervenção alimentar com prebiótico sobre a dieta materna apresentou influência pontual sobre a dinâmica da microbiota do leite, ainda que mudanças observadas sejam indivíduo-dependentes e influenciadas pela idade materna, como no caso do estudo de intervenção

In vitro gastrointestinal resistance of Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis Bb-12 in soy and/or milk-based synbiotic apple ice creams.

The viability and resistance to simulated gastrointestinal (GI) conditions of Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis Bb-12 in synbiotic ice creams, in which milk was replaced by soy extract and/or whey protein isolate (WPI) with inulin, were investigated. The ice creams were showed to be satisfactory vehicles for La-5 and Bb-12 (populations around 7.5logCFU/g), even after the whole storage period (84days/-18°C). In all formulations, the propidium monoazide qPCR (PMA-qPCR) analysis demonstrated that probiotics could resist the in vitro GI assay, with significant survival levels, achieving survival rates exceeding 50%. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy images evidenced cells with morphological differences, suggesting physiological changes in response to the induced stress during the in vitro assay. Although all formulations provided resistance to the probiotic strains under GI stress, the variation found in probiotic survival suggests that GI tolerance is indeed affected by the choice of the food matrix.

A prebiotic mixture improved Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis gastrointestinal in vitro resistance in petit-suisse.

The survival of two probiotic strains -Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis Bb-12 - incorporated into probiotic (PC) and into synbiotic (SC, with inulin + fructooligosaccharides, respectively, at 7.5 and at 2.5 g per 100 g) petit-suisse cheese was investigated in the beginning (day 1) and at the end (28 days) of storage at 4 °C when the food products were subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal simulated assays. Species-specific quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) combined with propidium monoazide (PMA-qPCR) was employed to quantify the strains. Initial La-5 and Bb-12 populations were always above 7 log CFU g(-1). The presence of the prebiotic ingredients in SC improved the Bb-12 and La-5 resistance after the 6 h assay, with higher populations in all the in vitro stages and throughout the storage period (p < 0.05), leading to equal or superior survival rates (SR) in SC of both probiotic strains, in the beginning as well as at the end of storage. The mean La-5 SR were 58% (PC) and 67% (SC), whereas the mean Bb-12 SR were 60% (PC) and 79% (SC). Our findings suggest that the addition of a prebiotic mixture in petit-suisse cheese was advantageous, since it improved both the Bb-12 and La-5 viability and tolerance under in vitro gastrointestinal simulated conditions, both in the fresh product and in the product refrigerated for 28 days.

Advantageous direct quantification of viable closely related probiotics in petit-suisse cheeses under in vitro gastrointestinal conditions by Propidium Monoazide--qPCR.

Species-specific Quantitative Real Time PCR (qPCR) alone and combined with the use of propidium monoazide (PMA) were used along with the plate count method to evaluate the survival of the probiotic strains Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb-12, and the bacteriocinogenic and potentially probiotic strain Lactobacillus sakei subsp. sakei 2a in synbiotic (F1) and probiotic (F2) petit-suisse cheeses exposed throughout shelf-life to in vitro simulated gastrointestinal tract conditions. The three strains studied showed a reduction in their viability after the 6 h assay. Bb-12 displayed the highest survival capacity, above 72.6 and 74.6% of the initial populations, respectively, by plate count and PMA-qPCR, maintaining population levels in the range or above 6 log CFU/g. The prebiotic mix of inulin and FOS did not offer any additional protection for the strains against the simulated gastrointestinal environment. The microorganisms' populations were comparable among the three methods at the initial time of the assay, confirming the presence of mainly viable and culturable cells. However, with the intensification of the stress induced throughout the various stages of the in vitro test, the differences among the methods increased. The qPCR was not a reliable enumeration method for the quantification of intact bacterial populations, mixed with large numbers of injured and dead bacteria, as confirmed by the scanning electron microscopy results. Furthermore, bacteria plate counts were much lower (P<0.05) than with the PMA-qPCR method, suggesting the accumulation of stressed or dead microorganisms unable to form colonies. The use of PMA overcame the qPCR inability to differentiate between dead and alive cells. The combination of PMA and species-specific qPCR in this study allowed a quick and unequivocal way of enumeration of viable closely related species incorporated into probiotic and synbiotic petit-suisse cheeses and under stress conditions.

Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) in stable preterm newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the behavior of the plotted vectors on the RXc (R - resistance - and Xc - reactance corrected for body height/length) graph through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIVA) and phase angle (PA) values in stable premature infants, considering the hypothesis that preterm infants present vector behavior on BIVA suggestive of less total body water and soft tissues, compared to reference data for term infants. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, including preterm neonates of both genders, in-patients admitted to an intermediate care unit at a tertiary care hospital. Data on delivery, diet and bioelectrical impedance (800 mA, 50 kHz) were collected. The graphs and vector analysis were performed with the BIVA software. RESULTS: A total of 108 preterm infants were studied, separated according to age (< 7 days and ≥ 7 days). Most of the premature babies were without the normal range (above the 95% tolerance intervals) existing in literature for term newborn infants and there was a tendency to dispersion of the points in the upper right quadrant, RXc plan. The PA was 4.92° (±2.18) for newborns < 7 days and 4.34° (±2.37) for newborns ≥ 7 days. CONCLUSION: Premature infants behave similarly in terms of BIVA and most of them have less absolute body water, presenting less fat free mass and fat mass in absolute values, compared to term newborn infants.