Breast milk stem cells: four questions looking for an answer

The finding of stem/progenitor cells in the maternal milk and the discovery of their multilineage potential, associated with some evidence regarding the ability of maternal cells to cross the gastrointestinal barrier and integrate into the organs of the breastfed neonate, has opened an intriguing debate, regarding the strict relationship between mother and son in the postnatal period. In particular, thanks to the discovery of the presence in high quantities of mammary stem cells, a new vision of maternal milk is emerging, in which breastfeeding appears as an unique occasion for reinforcing the physiological development of the newborn, putting all the formulas at a different level of relevance for the neonate. In this contribution the authors try to give an answer to the following 4 questions: 1. is there heterogeneity and a hierarchy among breast milk stem cells? 2. can stem cells present in breast milk enter into the newborn organism? 3. can breast milk stem cells integrate in the neonatal organs and differentiate toward different tissues, including neurons and neuroglia? 4. could metabolomics be useful for the study of stem cells in the human milk

What you have to know about Human Milk Oligosaccharides

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), the third most important solid components of BM (the first and the second being lactose and lipids respectively), are a highly variable family of unconjugated glycans related to many pathophysiological short- and long-term effects on infants and, as recently demonstrated, even on the mother. Among their functions are promotion and modulation of gut microbiota, effects on intestinal mucosa and its development, protection against intestinal or extra-intestinal infections, modulation of several immune responses and even extra-intestinal effects, such as brain development, as described in literature. Regarding HMOs composition, it appears that maternal genetic factors play the major role in conferring its high and peculiar inter- and intra-individual variability to BM. HMOs greatly depend on four maternal phenotypes, defined depending on the expression of two specific genes and maternal blood group. The α-1-2-fucosyltransferase (FUT2) gene, expressed in more than 70% of Caucasian women, is codified by the Se gene and allows classification of secretor (Se+) and non-secretor (Se-) mothers. In addition, the α-1-3-4-fucosyltransferase (FUT3) gene indicates positivity or negativity for the Lewis Group (Le+ or Le-). Even other environmental and maternal factors, represented by age, diet, health status, medication and drugs appear to play a role in HMOs composi­tion

Laser system generating 250-mJ bunches of 5-GHz repetition rate, 12-ps pulses.

We report on a high-energy solid-state laser based on a master-oscillator power-amplifier system seeded by a 5-GHz repetition-rate mode-locked oscillator, aimed at the excitation of the dynamic Casimir effect by optically modulating a microwave resonator. Solid-state amplifiers provide up to 250 mJ at 1064 nm in a 500-ns (macro-)pulse envelope containing 12-ps (micro-)pulses, with a macro/micropulse format and energy resembling that of near-infrared free-electron lasers. Efficient second-harmonic conversion allowed synchronous pumping of an optical parametric oscillator, obtaining up to 40 mJ in the range 750-850 nm

Multipotent stem cells of mother's milk

In recent years the presence of stem cells (hBSCs: human breastmilkderived stem cells) and epithelial progenitors has been demonstrated in mother’s milk (MM). Stem cells present in samples of fresh MM exhibit a high degree of vitality and this makes possible the performance of cell cultures and to evaluate the differentiation capacity of the hBSCs. The most important datum that expresses the enormous potential of the use of MM stem cells is the presence of a cell population capable of differentiating into the three mesoderm, endoderm and ectoderm lines. The small number of studies and MM samples analyzed and the different sampling methods applied suggest standardization in the collection, analysis and culture of MM in future studies, in consideration of the well-known extreme variability of MM composition, also from the standpoint of cells. The analysis of literature data confirms the uniqueness of MM and its enormous potential

Diode-pumped Nd: BaY 2 F 8 picosecond laser mode-locked with carbon nanotube saturable absorbers

Picosecond pulse generation near 1-m wavelength has been achieved with a Nd: BaY 2 F 8 (Nd:BaYF) laser mode-locked using a single-walled carbon nanotube saturable absorber (SWCNT-SA). The laser was operated at its main 1049-nm transition, generating 8.5-ps pulses with Ϸ70-mW output power for Ϸ570-mW absorbed pump power. This is the first demonstration of cw mode-locking in the picosecond regime with Nd-doped crystals and SWCNT-SAs. The requirements on the SWCNT-SA for successful mode-locking in relatively narrowband neodymium lasers are reviewed and their implications are discussed

Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991–2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p < .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p < .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come

Imprenditoria digitale e strategie di comunicazione: il caso studio Gymshark

L’obiettivo di questa tesi è quello di analizzare le nuove strategie del marketing degli influencer nella gestione delle imprese digitali, esaminando i processi e la struttura organizzativa di un caso studio aziendale: Gymshark, un’impresa innovativa online specializzata nella nicchia di mercato dell’abbigliamento per palestra. L’analisi indaga l’attuale evoluzione di determinati fattori competitivi, i quali nell’arco di un breve periodo, hanno portato il brand di Gymshark dall'anonimato sino a rivaleggiare con grandi colossi, quali Nike o Adidas. Nell’elaborato sono stati analizzati in primis, gli aspetti dell’imprenditoria digitale attuale assieme agli aspetti teorici delle strategie di comunicazione online, con particolare riguardo agli influencer. Il lavoro prosegue, poi, con l’osservazione dell’identità aziendale di Gymshark, partendo dalla struttura del mercato di riferimento, ovvero l’industria del fitness, sino al coordinamento organizzativo dell’impresa, evidenziando i vari processi decisionali e produttivi, i costi di transazione e il ruolo dell’incertezza. Inoltre, attraverso le modalità di produzione e distribuzione che consentono di quantificare il vantaggio competitivo, esamineremo attentamente le competenze distintive dell’azienda e le sue strategie di outsourcing, evidenziandone le criticità presenti. Segue un’analisi del profilo comunicativo di Gymshark, attraverso una descrizione della cultura d’impresa e delle caratteristiche di web marketing che hanno permesso il raggiungimento di una solida comunità virtuale sui social media, con proficui ritorni di investimento. In conclusione, l’insieme degli studi considerati pone l’attenzione sulla necessità e sui benefici intrinsechi dell’investimento e dello sviluppo di aspetti della comunicazione esterna al fine di perseguire in futuro migliori prospettive per le piccole medio imprese

Multi-GHz tunable-repetition-rate mode-locked Nd:GdVO4 laser

We report on a simple design for a multi-GHz tunablerepetition- rate diode-pumped picosecond laser. Using a plano-Brewster Nd:GdVO4 crystal in a V-folded cavity employing only readily available commercial components, we achieved passive mode-locking with 4.4-ps pulses tunable in the range 2.5-2.7 GHz. This laser is meant to be employed in the MIR experiment that aims at the detection of the Schwinger radiation (dynamical Casimir effect)

Omics in human colostrum and mature milk: Looking to old data with new eyes

Human Milk (HM) is the best source for newborn nutrition until at least six months; it exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-infective functions, promotes immune system formation and supports organ development. Breastfeeding could also protect from obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, human colostrum (HC) presents a peculiar role in newborn support as a protective effect against allergic and chronic diseases, in addition to long-term metabolic benefits. In this review, we discuss the recent literature regarding â\u80\u9comicsâ\u80\u9d technologies and growth factors (GF) in HC and the effects of pasteurization on its composition. Our aim was to provide new evidence in terms of transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics, also in relation to maternal metabolic diseases and/or fetal anomalies and to underline the functions of GF. Since HC results are so precious, particularly for the vulnerable pre-terms category, we also discuss the importance of HM pasteurization to ensure donated HC even to neonates whose mothers are unable to provide. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review analyzing in detail the molecular pattern, microbiota, bioactive factors, and dynamic profile of HC, finding clinical correlations of such mediators with their possible in vivo effects and with the consequent impact on neonatal outcomes