Human Milk Microbiota and Oligosaccharides: A Glimpse into Benefits, Diversity and Correlations

Human milk represents a cornerstone for growth and development of infants, with extensive array of benefits. In addition to exceptionally nutritive and bioactive components, human milk encompasses a complex community of signature bacteria that helps establish infant gut microbiota, contributes to maturation of infant immune system, and competitively interferes with pathogens. Among bioactive constituents of milk, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are particularly significant. These are non-digestible carbohydrates forming the third largest solid component in human milk. Valuable effects of HMOs include shaping intestinal microbiota, imparting antimicrobial effects, developing intestinal barrier, and modulating immune response. Moreover, recent investigations suggest correlations between HMOs and milk microbiota, with complex links possibly existing with environmental factors, genetics, geographical location, and other factors. In this review, and from a physiological and health implications perspective, milk benefits for newborns and mothers are highlighted. From a microbiological perspective, a focused insight into milk microbiota, including origins, diversity, benefits, and effect of maternal diet is presented. From a metabolic perspective, biochemical, physiological, and genetic significance of HMOs, and their probable relations to milk microbiota, are addressed. Ongoing research into mechanistic processes through which the rich biological assets of milk promote development, shaping of microbiota, and immunity is tackled.

A Triplication of 6q24 and Meconium Pseudocyst: A Case Report

With the rise in genetic screening both pre- and postnatally, new variances in genes are being recognized. Some are of unknown significance, while other known genetic expressions have obvious phenotypical expressions. Transient neonatal diabetes mellitus is a result of the duplication of chromosome 6q24, but little is known about the phenotypic expression of a triplication of chromosome 6q24. This case study presents an infant with a postnatally diagnosed triplication of chromosome 6q24, meconium pseudocyst, and multiple congenital anomalies with unknown genetic significance.

Introduction

This introductory chapter introduces the key facts in the publication history of Ulysses, including the key events behind the serialization of the text in the Little Review between 1918 and 1920. It discusses the ways in which errors entered Joyce’s text and looks, briefly, at the editorial rationale and controversy of Hans Walter Gabler’s Critical and Synoptic Edition of Ulysses (1984). This introductory chapter also provides a summary of the study’s four-chapter structure and states the key argument of the book: that the serialization of Ulysses is of critical, contextual, and genetic significance for the interpretation of the work as a whole.

Micrometric Inclusions in Platinum-Group Minerals from Gornaya Shoria, Southern Siberia, Russia: Problems and Genetic Significance

Micrometric inclusions in platinum-group minerals (PGMs) from alluvial placers carry considerable information about types of primary rocks and ores, as well as conditions of their formation and alteration. In the present contribution, we attempt to show, with concrete examples, the significance of the data on the composition and morphology of micrometric inclusions to genetic interpretations. The PGM grains from alluvial placers of the Gornaya Shoria region (Siberia, Russia) were used as the subject of our investigation. In order to determine the chemical composition of such ultrafine inclusions, high-resolution analytical methods are needed. We compare the results acquired by wavelength-dispersive spectrometry (WDS; electron microprobe) and energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. The results obtained have good convergence. The EDS method is multi-elemental and more effective for mineral diagnostics in comparison with WDS, which is its certain advantage. The possible conditions for the formation of inclusions and layers of gold, sulfoarsenides and arsenides in Pt3Fe grains, which have an original sub-graphic and layered texture pattern, are discussed. They are the result of solid solution and eutectic decompositions and are associated with the magmatic stages of grain transformation, including the result of the interaction of Pt3Fe with a sulfide melt enriched with Te and As.

A review of the Pb-Zn-Cu-Ag-Bi-W polymetallic ore from the Rudnik orefield, Central Serbia

The Rudnik orefield is one of the well-known skarn-replacement and high-temperature hydrothermal Pb-Zn-Cu-Ag-Bi-W polymetallic sulfide deposits, and is a part of the Sumadija Metallogenic District, Serbia. It comprises ore bodies grouped into several major ore zones. The pseudostratified and platelike ore bodies have relatively high content of valuable metals. The average content varies in wide ranges: Pb (0.94-5.66 wt%), Zn (0.49-4.49 wt%), Cu (0.08-2.18 wt%), Ag (50-297 ppm), Bi (~100-150 ppm), and Cd (~100-150 ppm). Generally, a complex mineral association has been determined. Iron sulfides, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena and sulfosalts are abundant minerals in the ore. Carrier minerals of Bi and Ag are Bi-sulfosalts, such as galenobismutite, cosalite, Ag-bearing aschamalmite, vikingite, schirmerite and gustavite. Copper, Ag and Pb-Sb sulfosalts have been found only locally. Complex Ni-minerals (sulfides, arsenides and sulfoarsenid?s) with Fe, Co and Ag were formed under to the influence of present serpentine rocks and their yield of Ni, Co and Cr in the hydrothermal ore-bearing solutions. Significant scheelite mineralizations have been found in the Nova Jama, Gusavi Potok and Azna ore zones. The presence of Bi-sulfosalts and argentopentlandite suggests formation temperatures higher than 350, and lower than 445?C, respectively. Therefore, the mineralization was formed in the temperature range 350 to 400?C. The continuity of pyrite, pyrrhotite and siderite colloform bands in relic aggregates shows frequent changes of fS2 and fO2 in hydrothermal solutions. Isotopic composition of sulfur also confirms that the source of the ore-bearing fluids was magmatic. In addition, the enrichment of Bi and Ag indicates a magmatic origin. The appearance of Biminerals represents a significant genetic indicator for detection of increased Ag concentrations within the ore mineralizations. Typical gangue minerals are quartz, silicates, carbonates, oxides and different oxy-hydroxides. Special attention is given to the paragenetic relationships and the genetic significance of mineral associations as indicators of ore-forming conditions.