Levels of Breast Milk MicroRNAs and Other Non-Coding RNAs Are Impacted by Milk Maturity and Maternal Diet

There is emerging evidence that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) within maternal breast milk (MBM) impart unique metabolic and immunologic effects on developing infants. Most studies examining ncRNAs in MBM have focused on microRNAs. It remains unclear whether microRNA levels are related to other ncRNAs, or whether they are impacted by maternal characteristics. This longitudinal cohort study examined 503 MBM samples from 192 mothers to: 1) identify the most abundant ncRNAs in MBM; 2) examine the impact of milk maturity on ncRNAs; and 3) determine whether maternal characteristics affect ncRNAs. MBM was collected at 0, 1, and 4 months post-delivery. High throughput sequencing quantified ncRNAs within the lipid fraction. There were 3069 ncRNAs and 238 microRNAs with consistent MBM presence (≥10 reads in ≥10% samples). Levels of 17 ncRNAs and 11 microRNAs accounted for 80% of the total RNA content. Most abundant microRNAs displayed relationships ([R]>0.2, adj p< 0.05) with abundant ncRNAs. A large proportion of ncRNAs (1269/3069; 41%) and microRNAs (206/238; 86%) were affected by MBM maturity. The majority of microRNAs (111/206; 54%) increased from 0-4 months. Few ncRNAs and microRNAs were affected (adj p < 0.05) by maternal age, race, parity, body mass index, gestational diabetes, or collection time. However, nearly half of abundant microRNAs (4/11) were impacted by diet. To our knowledge this is the largest study of MBM ncRNAs, and the first to demonstrate a relationship between MBM microRNAs and maternal diet. Such knowledge could guide nutritional interventions aimed at optimizing metabolic and immunologic microRNA profiles within MBM.

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Vitamin B-12 content in breast milk of vegan, vegetarian, and nonvegetarian lactating women in the United States

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1093/ajcn/nqy104 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 108 (3) ◽

pp. 525-531 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Roman Pawlak ◽

Paul Vos ◽

Setareh Shahab-Ferdows ◽

Daniela Hampel ◽

Lindsay H Allen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Milk ◽

Maternal Diet ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

The United States ◽

Diet Group ◽

Vitamin B ◽

Supplement Use ◽

Diet Pattern ◽

Vitamin B 12 ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT Background The nutritional profile of human milk varies significantly between women, and the impact of maternal diet on these variations is not well understood. Objective We analyzed breast-milk vitamin B-12 concentration and vitamin B-12 supplement use pattern among women who adhered to different dietary patterns: vegan, vegetarian, and nonvegetarian. Design A total of 74 milk samples, 29 from vegan, 19 from vegetarian, and 26 from nonvegetarian breastfeeding mothers, were analyzed. Results The prevalences of low vitamin B-12 (<310 pmol/L) were 19.2% for vegans, 18.2% for vegetarians, and 15.4% for nonvegetarians, which was not significant by diet group (P = 1.00). The median (quartile 1, quartile 3) vitamin B-12 values were 558 pmol/L (331, 759 pmol/L) for vegans, 509 pmol/L (368, 765 pmol/L) for vegetarians, and 444 pmol/L (355, 777 pmol/L) for nonvegetarians (P = 0.890). The use of individual vitamin B-12 supplements was higher in vegans (46.2%) than in vegetarians (27.3%) and nonvegetarians (3.9%) (P = 0.001). In linear regression analysis, the use of individual vitamin B-12 supplements was a significant positive predictor of milk vitamin B-12 concentration (β ± SE: 172.9 ± 75.2; standardized β = 0.263; P = 0.024; R2 = 0.069), the use of a multivitamin had a significant negative relation with milk vitamin B-12 concentrations (β ± SE −222.0 ± 98.7; standardized β = −0.258; P = 0.028, R2 = 0.067;), whereas the use of a B-complex vitamin and prenatal vitamin were not predictive of vitamin B-12 milk concentration (P > 0.05). Conclusions Almost 20% of our study participants were classified as having low breast-milk vitamin B-12 concentrations (<310 pmol/L), independent of maternal diet pattern. Approximately 85% of participants categorized as having low vitamin B-12 were taking vitamin B-12 supplements at doses in excess of the Recommended Dietary Allowance, which suggests that more research is needed to determine breast-milk adequacy values.

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A pilot study on the impact of maternal diet and preconception body mass index on breast milk macronutrient composition

Archives of Public Health ◽

10.1186/2049-3258-72-s1-p3 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 72 (S1) ◽

Author(s):

Goele Jans ◽

Rivka Turcksin ◽

Bart Van der Schueren ◽

Christophe Matthys ◽

Roland Devlieger

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Breast Milk ◽

Body Mass ◽

Maternal Diet ◽

Macronutrient Composition ◽

The Impact

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Total Water-Soluble Choline Concentration Does Not Differ in Milk from Vegan, Vegetarian, and Nonvegetarian Lactating Women

Journal of Nutrition ◽

10.1093/jn/nxz257 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 150 (3) ◽

pp. 512-517

Author(s):

Maryanne T Perrin ◽

Roman Pawlak ◽

Lindsay H Allen ◽

Daniela Hampel

Keyword(s):

Breast Milk ◽

Maternal Diet ◽

The United States ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Total Water ◽

Maternal Plant ◽

Lactating Women ◽

Wide Range ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT Background Choline is an essential nutrient for brain growth and other processes in the developing neonate. The impact of a maternal plant-based diet on the choline composition of breast milk is unknown. Objective We assessed the water-soluble choline content of milk from lactating women in the United States following 3 dietary patterns: vegan, vegetarian, and nonvegetarian. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 74 healthy lactating women who provided a single breast-milk sample using a standardized collection protocol. Participants completed a food-frequency screener and were classified as follows: nonvegetarians (NONVEG) consumed meat; vegetarians (VEGT) consumed milk, dairy, and/or fish; and vegans (VEGAN) consumed animal products less than monthly. Primary outcomes measured were the concentration (in milligrams per liter) and distribution (percentage) of choline from the following water-soluble forms: free choline, phosphocholine (PCho), and glycerophosphocholine (GPC). Differences between diet groups were evaluated with ANOVA. Results There was a wide range in breast-milk total water-soluble choline (4–301 mg/L), with no significant difference (P > 0.05) by maternal diet pattern. There were differences in choline forms, with VEGAN having a greater mean ± SD concentration and distribution of choline derived from GPC (62.7 ± 25.3 mg/L) than VEGT (47.7 ± 21.2 mg/L) and NONVEG (42.4 ± 14.9 mg/L) (P = 0.0052). There was a lower mean ± SD percentage of choline from PCho (P = 0.0106) in VEGAN (32.5% ± 18.3%) than in VEGT (46.1% ± 18.3%) and NONVEG (44.8% ± 15.7%). Lactation stage and maternal BMI were significantly associated with some choline forms. Conclusions There was a wide range of water-soluble choline concentrations in the milk of healthy lactating women following vegan, vegetarian, and nonvegetarian diets, with no observed difference in total water-soluble choline concentration by maternal diet. This suggests that maternal plant-based diet by itself is not a risk factor for low breast-milk choline.

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The Impact of Maternal Diet during Pregnancy and Lactation on the Fatty Acid Composition of Erythrocytes and Breast Milk of Chilean Women

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10070839 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 839 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Cynthia Barrera ◽

Rodrigo Valenzuela ◽

Rodrigo Chamorro ◽

Karla Bascuñán ◽

Jorge Sandoval ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid Composition ◽

Fatty Acid ◽

Breast Milk ◽

Acid Composition ◽

Maternal Diet ◽

Pregnancy And Lactation ◽

The Impact ◽

Chilean Women

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Maternal Diet Shapes the Breast Milk Microbiota Composition and Diversity: Impact of Mode of Delivery and Antibiotic Exposure

Journal of Nutrition ◽

10.1093/jn/nxaa310 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Erika Cortes-Macías ◽

Marta Selma-Royo ◽

Izaskun García-Mantrana ◽

Marta Calatayud ◽

Sonia González ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Milk ◽

Maternal Diet ◽

Mode Of Delivery ◽

Animal Protein ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Antibiotic Exposure ◽

High Intake ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT Background Breast milk is a complex biofluid that provides nutrients and bioactive agents, including bacteria, for the development of the infant gut microbiota. However, the impact of maternal diet and other factors, such as mode of delivery and antibiotic exposure, on the breast milk microbiota has yet to be understood. Objectives This study aimed to examine the association between maternal diet and breast milk microbiota and to ascertain the potential role of mode of delivery and antibiotic exposure. Methods In a cross-sectional study of the MAMI cohort, breast milk microbiota profiling was assessed in 120 samples from healthy mothers by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Maternal dietary information was recorded through an FFQ, and clinical characteristics, including mode of delivery, antibiotic exposure, and exclusive breastfeeding, were collected. Results Maternal diet was grouped into 2 clusters: Cluster I (high intake of plant protein, fiber, and carbohydrates), and Cluster II (high intake of animal protein and lipids). Breast milk microbiota was shaped by maternal dietary clusters. Staphylococcus and Bifidobacterium were associated with carbohydrate intake whereas the Streptococcus genus was associated with intakes of the n–3 PUFAs [EPA and docosapentaenoic acid (22:5ω-3)]. Mode of delivery and antibiotic exposure influenced breast milk microbiota in a diet cluster–dependent manner. Differences between/among the maternal dietary clusters were found in the milk microbiota of the cesarean-section (C-section)/antibiotic group, whereas no differences were observed in vaginal births. Lower abundances of Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, and Sediminibacterium genera were observed in Cluster II/C-section/antibiotic exposure compared with the other groups. Conclusions Maternal diet shapes the composition and diversity of breast milk microbiota, with the most important contributions coming from dietary fiber and both plant and animal protein intakes. The relation between the maternal diet and the milk microbiota needs further research because it has a key impact on infant microbiota development and contributes to infant health outcomes in the short and long term. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03552939.

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Effects of pH shock on microaerobic activated sludge system with a graphene oxide/nano-magnetic powder composite

Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal ◽

10.1515/npprj-2020-0022 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 457-463

Author(s):

Huixia Lan ◽

Xiangzhi Wang ◽

Shixin Qi ◽

Da Yang ◽

Hao Zhang

Keyword(s):

Graphene Oxide ◽

Activated Sludge ◽

High Throughput Sequencing ◽

Impact Resistance ◽

Magnetic Powder ◽

Blank Group ◽

Activated Sludge System ◽

Ph Shock ◽

Dominant Bacteria ◽

The Impact

AbstractUsing the acclimated activated sludge from the pulping middle-stage effluent, the effect of pH shock on the micro-oxygen activated sludge system with a nano-magnetic powder/graphene oxide composite was studied. The results showed that the removal rates of chemical oxygen demand (CODCr) and ultraviolet adsorption at 254 nm (UV254) decreased. Also, the sludge settling performance was poor due to the impact of pH, but the impact resistance of nano-magnetic powder/graphene oxide group (MGO group) was higher and the recovery was faster. Results of high throughput sequencing indicated that the diversity of microbial community was reduced by the impact of pH, but it was significantly higher in MGO group than in the blank group. The dominant bacteria after pH shock or recovery in both of the system had a large difference. The percentage of the dominant bacteria in the MGO group was higher than that in the blank group. The MGO group had higher electron transfer system (ETS) activity which made the system having a strong pH impact resistance.

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Maternal mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China

World Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1007/s12519-021-00439-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zhuang Wei ◽

Ming-Yue Gao ◽

Mary Fewtrell ◽

Jonathan Wells ◽

Jin-Yue Yu

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Higher Education ◽

Maternal Mental Health ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Fair Division ◽

Personal Space ◽

Well Being ◽

Maternal Characteristics ◽

The Impact ◽

Beijing China

Abstract Background The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on breastfeeding women and to identify predictors of maternal mental health and coping. Methods Mothers aged ≥ 18 years with a breast-fed infant ≤ 18 months of age during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China, completed a questionnaire. Descriptive analysis of lockdown consequences was performed and predictors of these outcomes were examined using stepwise linear regression. Results Of 2233 participants, 29.9%, 20.0% and 34.7% felt down, lonely, and worried, respectively, during the lockdown; however, 85.3% felt able to cope. Poorer maternal mental health was predicted by maternal (younger age, higher education) and infant (older age, lower gestation) characteristics, and social circumstances (husband unemployed or working from home, receiving advice from family, having enough space for the baby, living close to a park or green space). Conversely, better maternal mental health was predicted by higher income, employment requiring higher qualifications, more personal space at home, shopping or walking > once/week and lack of impact of COVID-19 on job or income. Mothers with higher education, more bedrooms, fair division of household chores and attending an online mother and baby group > once/week reported better coping. Conclusion The findings highlight maternal characteristics and circumstances that predict poorer mental health and reduced coping which could be used to target interventions in any future public health emergencies requiring social restrictions.

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The Triad Mother-Breast Milk-Infant as Predictor of Future Health: A Narrative Review

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13020486 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 486 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Elvira Verduci ◽

Maria Lorella Giannì ◽

Giulia Vizzari ◽

Sara Vizzuso ◽

Jacopo Cerasani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Outcome ◽

Breast Milk ◽

Human Milk ◽

Maternal Diet ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Narrative Review ◽

Future Health ◽

Interconnected System ◽

Offspring Health ◽

Diet And Lifestyle

The benefits of human milk for both mother and infant are widely acknowledged. Human milk could represent a link between maternal and offspring health. The triad mother-breast milk-infant is an interconnected system in which maternal diet and lifestyle might have effects on infant’s health outcome. This link could be in part explained by epigenetics, even if the underlining mechanisms have not been fully clarified yet. The aim of this paper is to update the association between maternal diet and human milk, pointing out how maternal diet and lifestyle could be associated with breast-milk composition, hence with offspring’s health outcome.

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16S rRNA gene and 18S rRNA gene diversity in microbial mat communities in meltwater ponds on the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica

Polar Biology ◽

10.1007/s00300-021-02843-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Eleanor E. Jackson ◽

Ian Hawes ◽

Anne D. Jungblut

Keyword(s):

16S Rrna ◽

18S Rrna ◽

High Throughput Sequencing ◽

Microbial Mats ◽

Gene Diversity ◽

Salinity Gradient ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Ice Shelf ◽

The Impact

AbstractThe undulating ice of the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Southern Victoria Land, supports one of the largest networks of ice-based, multiyear meltwater pond habitats in Antarctica, where microbial mats are abundant and contribute most of the biomass and biodiversity. We used 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing to compare variance of the community structure in microbial mats within and between ponds with different salinities and pH. Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria were the most abundant phyla, and composition at OTU level was highly specific for the meltwater ponds with strong community sorting along the salinity gradient. Our study provides the first detailed evaluation of eukaryote communities for the McMurdo Ice Shelf using the 18S rRNA gene. They were dominated by Ochrophyta, Chlorophyta and Ciliophora, consistent with previous microscopic analyses, but many OTUs belonging to less well-described heterotrophic protists from Antarctic ice shelves were also identified including Amoebozoa, Rhizaria and Labyrinthulea. Comparison of 16S and 18S rRNA gene communities showed that the Eukaryotes had lower richness and greater similarity between ponds in comparison with Bacteria and Archaea communities on the McMurdo Ice shelf. While there was a weak correlation between community dissimilarity and geographic distance, the congruity of microbial assemblages within ponds, especially for Bacteria and Archaea, implies strong habitat filtering in ice shelf meltwater pond ecosystems, especially due to salinity. These findings help to understand processes that are important in sustaining biodiversity and the impact of climate change on ice-based aquatic habitats in Antarctica.

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Assessing Genotypic and Environmental Effects on Endophyte Communities of Fraxinus (Ash) Using Culture Dependent and Independent DNA Sequencing

Journal of Fungi ◽

10.3390/jof7070565 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (7) ◽

pp. 565

Author(s):

Anindita Lahiri ◽

Brian R. Murphy ◽

Trevor R. Hodkinson

Keyword(s):

Community Composition ◽

Environmental Effects ◽

High Throughput Sequencing ◽

Fungal Community Composition ◽

Species Identity ◽

Ash Dieback ◽

Hymenoscyphus Fraxineus ◽

Culture Independent ◽

The Impact ◽

Culture Dependent

Fraxinus excelsior populations are in decline due to the ash dieback disease Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. It is important to understand genotypic and environmental effects on its fungal microbiome to develop disease management strategies. To do this, we used culture dependent and culture independent approaches to characterize endophyte material from contrasting ash provenances, environments, and tissues (leaves, roots, seeds). Endophytes were isolated and identified using nrITS, LSU, or tef DNA loci in the culture dependent assessments, which were mostly Ascomycota and assigned to 37 families. Few taxa were shared between roots and leaves. The culture independent approach used high throughput sequencing (HTS) of nrITS amplicons directly from plant DNA and detected 35 families. Large differences were found in OTU diversity and community composition estimated by the contrasting approaches and these data need to be combined for estimations of the core endophyte communities. Species richness and Shannon index values were highest for the leaf material and the French population. Few species were shared between seed and leaf tissue. PCoA and NMDS of the HTS data showed that seed and leaf microbiome communities were highly distinct and that there was a strong influence of Fraxinus species identity on their fungal community composition. The results will facilitate a better understanding of ash fungal ecology and are a step toward identifying microbial biocontrol systems to minimize the impact of the disease.

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