Metabolomic and Metataxonomic Fingerprinting of Human Milk Suggests Compositional Stability over a Natural Term of Breastfeeding to 24 Months

Sparse data exist regarding the normal range of composition of maternal milk beyond the first postnatal weeks. This single timepoint, observational study in collaboration with the ‘Parenting Science Gang’ citizen science group evaluated the metabolite and bacterial composition of human milk from 62 participants (infants aged 3–48 months), nearly 3 years longer than previous studies. We utilised rapid evaporative ionisation mass spectrometry (REIMS) for metabolic fingerprinting and 16S rRNA gene metataxonomics for microbiome composition analysis. Milk expression volumes were significantly lower beyond 24 months of lactation, but there were no corresponding changes in bacterial load, composition, or whole-scale metabolomic fingerprint. Some individual metabolite features (~14%) showed altered abundances in nursling age groups above 24 months. Neither milk expression method nor nursling sex affected metabolite and metataxonomic fingerprints. Self-reported lifestyle factors, including diet and physical traits, had minimal impact on metabolite and metataxonomic fingerprints. Our findings suggest remarkable consistency in human milk composition over natural-term lactation. The results add to previous studies suggesting that milk donation can continue up to 24 months postnatally. Future longitudinal studies will confirm the inter-individual and temporal nature of compositional variations and the use of donor milk as a personalised therapeutic.     

Fingerprinting of Plumbagin in lic>Drosera burmannii Vahl using High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography

HPTLC fingerprinting profile of the alcohol and aqueous extracts of Drosera burmannii is described. Seven components have been detected in the alcohol extract. Further, plumbagin, an useful antifertility agent, was also detected by comparison with the reference standard. The aqueous extract revealed two spots with no spot corresponding to plumbagin.     

Comparison of kava (Piper methysticum Forst.) varieties by UV absorbance of acetonic extracts and high-performance thin-layer chromatography

The development of quality standards to regulate the trade of kava (Piper methysticum) in the Pacific necessitates new analytical techniques for routine control of high-quality raw material. In the present study, varieties and parts of the plant were compared for their kavalactone and flavokavin (FK) profiles. Three hundred and eight samples corresponding to 25 noble, 25 two-days and five wichmannii varieties were collected from 203 different plants. Commercial samples were also analysed to test the technique. Overall, 353 samples were prepared (221 roots, 114 stumps, nine basal stems and nine stem peelings). Their acetonic extracts were measured for UV absorbance and analysed by HP-TLC. Two ratios were computed after scanning the plates at 245 nm (K/KL = kavain/total kavalactones) and 366 nm (FK/KL = flavokavins/kavalactones). The results indicate that noble varieties suitable for daily consumption of kava are characterised by high K/KL and low FK/KL. At 400 nm, the mean UV absorbance of acetonic extracts from noble, two-days and wichmannii varieties are 0.69, 0.94 and 1.04, respectively. The significant (+0.757**) correlation between the total FK content and the extracts absorbance at 400 nm indicates that a simple colorimeter can be used to detect poor-quality raw material.     

四逆散冻干粉化学成分变化的研究

目的采用RP-HPLC法分析四逆散冻干粉的化学成分变化,为其工艺控制和配伍规律提供可靠依据。方法采用高效液相色谱法,色谱条件:Kromasil C18柱(250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm),体积流量1.0 mL/min,柱温28℃,流动相A为乙腈;B为磷酸水(pH=3),在检测波长为210 nm和240 nm条件下,构建四逆散冻干粉、缺味四逆散及单味药冻干粉的HPLC色谱图,分析其化学成分的变化。结果四逆散冻干粉240 nm波长下高效液相色谱图21个成分峰中,确认了有2个组分来自柴胡,有3个组分来自白芍,有10个组分来自枳实,有5个组分来自甘草,1个组分为新物质。210 nm波长下高效液相色谱图24个成分峰中,确认了有1个组分来自柴胡,有4个组分来自白芍,有14个组分来自枳实,有5个组分来自甘草。结论本方法稳定可控,可用于四逆散冻干粉指纹图谱测定,可全面地反映其化学成分变化。     

新疆头癣紫色毛癣菌分离株的PCR-RFLP基因分型

目的 探讨新疆地区紫色毛癣菌的基因特点,为新疆儿童头癣致病菌的分子流行病学研究提供依据。 方法 用5种限制性内切酶HaeIII,Bgl I,MspI,DdeI 及MboI,采用PCR限制性片段长度多态性（RFLP）法对分离于新疆儿童头癣的30株紫色毛癣菌的rDNA非转录间隔（NTS）区进行基因分型,并与北京的9株、台湾的2株紫色毛癣菌做比较。结果 内切酶DdeI将全部41株菌分为12个基因型。新疆的30株菌分为10个基因型,其中17株菌分为D、F、G、H、I、J、K 7个基因型,与北京和台湾菌株间有明显基因差异,其余13株菌分3个基因型,与北京和台湾菌株有基因同源性。结论 新疆地区儿童头癣分离的紫色毛癣菌既有独特基因型,又与北京、台湾菌株有基因同源性,体现了新疆紫色毛癣菌的基因多态性。     

Molecular typing of Australian Scedosporium isolates showing genetic variability and numerous S. aurantiacum

One hundred clinical isolates from a prospective nationwide study of scedosporiosis in Australia (2003-2005) and 46 additional isolates were genotyped by internal transcribed spacer-restriction fragment length polymorphism (ITS-RFLP) analysis, ITS sequencing, and M13 PCR fingerprinting. ITS-RFLP and PCR fingerprinting identified 3 distinct genetic groups. The first group corresponded to Scedosporium prolificans (n = 83), and the other 2 comprised isolates previously identified as S. apiospermum: one of these corresponded to S. apiospermum (n = 33) and the other to the newly described species S. aurantiacum (n = 30). Intraspecies variation was highest for S. apiospermum (58%), followed by S. prolificans (45%) and S. aurantiacum (28%) as determined by PCR fingerprinting. ITS sequence variation of 2.2% was observed among S. apiospermum isolates. No correlation was found between genotype of strains and their geographic origin, body site from which they were cultured, or colonization versus invasive disease. Twelve S. prolificans isolates from 2 suspected case clusters were examined by amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis. No specific clusters were confirmed.     

Evaluation and optimization of radioprotective activity of Coronopus didymus Linn. in γ-irradiated mice

Purpose:?To evaluate and optimize the radioprotective ability of the most potent fraction of an aqueous extract of Coronopus didymus in whole body γ-irradiated Swiss albino mice and to evaluate the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation of the livers of the surviving mice. To correlate the free radical scavenging studies with in vivo radioprotection ability.

Materials and methods:?Swiss albino mice were treated with either vehicle or the different doses of extract/fraction suspension by an i.p. route, 30 min before exposure to 10 Gy γ-irradiation and the animals were monitored twice daily for any signs of radiation toxicity and mortality. Radiation dose response (7 – 11 Gy), optimization of route, time of drug administration and evaluation of dose response factor (DRF) at the best dose of the fraction was studied. Endogenous antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation of the livers of the mice surviving on the 31st day was evaluated by using spectrophotometric methods.

Results:?The most active free radical scavenging fraction (CDF1) as assessed by competition kinetic studies using pulse radiolysis showed maximum in vivo radioprotection of 70% at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight (bw) compared to corresponding 10 Gy irradiated control. Optimum radioprotection was observed upon i.p. administration, 30 min prior to 10 Gy irradiation and DRF at a dose of 400 mg/kg bw for 30 day survival was found to be 1.07. The levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in the CDF1 treated surviving mice were found to reverse back to their normal levels.

Conclusions:?The optimum dose, time and route of drug administration for maximum radioprotection by CDF1 were determined. The reversal of the levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation indicates reduced oxidative stress in CDF1 treated surviving mice.