Human Breast Milk: Exploring the Linking Ring Among Emerging Components

Maternal breast milk (BM) is a complex and unique fluid that evolution adapted to satisfy neonatal needs; in addition to classical nutrients, it contains several bioactive components. BM characteristically shows inter-individual variability, modifying its composition during different phases of lactation. BM composition, determining important consequences on neonatal gut colonization, influences both short and long-term development. Maternal milk can also shape neonatal microbiota, through its glycobiome rich in Lactobacilli spp. and Bifidobacteria spp. Therefore, neonatal nourishment during the first months of life seems the most important determinant of individual's outcomes. Our manuscript aims to provide new evidence in the characterization of BM metabolome and microbiome, and its comparison to formula milk, allowing the evaluation of each nutrient's influence on neonatal metabolism. This result very interesting since potentially offers an innovative approach to investigate the complex relationship between BM components and infant's health, also providing the chance to intervene in a sartorial way on diet composition, according to the nutritional requests. Future research, integrating metabolomics, microbiomics and stem cells knowledge, could make significant steps forward in understanding BM extraordinary properties and functions

Empowering the competitiveness of asnaf rural zakat entrepreneurs policy: national development aspirations 2030

Entrepreneurship is an area that can change the landscape of people's lives in a country. This activity not only can make a huge contribution to individuals but can also impact the development of a country. To achieve this, the government has formulated various policies making entrepreneurship a national priority. Therefore, the study aims to outline the agenda of national development in 2030 in strengthening the competitiveness of entrepreneurship especially for rural entrepreneurs. This qualitative study was conducted using data collection and data analysis methods. The method of data collection is done through library research. The data obtained were analysed based on inductive and deductive methods to obtain the results. The analysis has outlined the competitiveness of rural entrepreneurs to be included in the government agenda such as National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, Rural Development Policy, Rural Development Harapan Blueprint 2018-2023, Small and Medium Enterprise Master Plan 2012-2020. However, the key challenge in making this agenda successful is to change the mindset of the rural community to be ready to accept and make any changes to create an entrepreneurial community by 2030

Follicular fluid content and oocyte quality: from single biochemical markers to metabolomics

The assessment of oocyte quality in human in vitro fertilization (IVF) is getting increasing attention from embryologists. Oocyte selection and the identification of the best oocytes, in fact, would help to limit embryo overproduction and to improve the results of oocyte cryostorage programs. Follicular fluid (FF) is easily available during oocyte pick-up and theorically represents an optimal source on non-invasive biochemical predictors of oocyte quality. Unfortunately, however, the studies aiming to find a good molecular predictor of oocyte quality in FF were not able to identify substances that could be used as reliable markers of oocyte competence to fertilization, embryo development and pregnancy. In the last years, a well definite trend toward passing from the research of single molecular markers to more complex techniques that study all metabolites of FF has been observed. The metabolomic approach is a powerful tool to study biochemical predictors of oocyte quality in FF, but its application in this area is still at the beginning. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge about the biochemical predictors of oocyte quality in FF, describing both the results coming from studies on single biochemical markers and those deriving from the most recent studies of metabolomic

Therapeutic strategies for ovulation induction in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by hirsutism, obesity, hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance. The syndrome is often accompanied by infertility because of anovulation. Many approaches have been proposed to solve this problem, with the most commonly used therapies being ovarian drilling and pharmacological ovulation induction. Ovarian drilling is a procedure in which a laser fiber or electro-surgical needle punctures the ovary four to ten times. Side-effects are rare and often related to surgery itself. Pharmacological strategies include administration of metformin and insulin-sensitizing agents, clomiphene citrate (CC), gonadotropins and aromatase inhibitors. Metformin appears valuable in increasing ovulation rate, menstrual cyclicity and pregnancy rate. CC is an oral estrogen antagonist that raises circulating concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and induces follicular growth in most women with PCOS and anovulation. Failure to respond is associated with high body mass index and high androgen levels. Aromatase inhibitors mimic the central reduction of negative feedback through which CC works. Ovulation induction with recombinant FSH has proved successful, but treatment requires skill and experience to avoid multiple pregnancies and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. The hypothetical deleterious effects of the high luteinizing hormone concentrations observed in PCOS patients seem to be related to the concomitant hyperinsulinemia (and/or insulin resistance). A thorough understanding of the syndrome and a careful assessment of each patient are the mainstays for choosing an appropriate treatment regimen

Fetal abdominal cavernous hemangioma diagnosed by duplex Doppler velocimetry.

A fetal abdominal wall mass was detected by ultrasound and analyzed by duplex Doppler showing a low resistance to blood flow through its vessels. The antenatal diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma was confirmed after birth

changes in VEGF levels and risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in woman enrolled in an IVF program

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate plasma and follicular fluid levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation to establish the possible role of this growth factor as a predictive marker of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: University hospital infertility unit. PATIENT(S): Fifteen women at risk of OHSS and 15 controls. INTERVENTION(S): An IM injection of hCG was administered; plasma and follicular fluid samples were collected 34-38 hours after administration of hCG. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): VEGF levels in plasma and in follicular fluid. RESULT(S): VEGF levels increased after hCG administration in the patients at risk of developing OHSS and in those who developed OHSS. Further, on the day of the oocyte retrieval the increase in the VEGF levels in the plasma of the patients who developed OHSS was statistically significant compared with the increase in the levels in the women who did not. On the same day, the levels of VEGF in follicular fluid were 10 times greater than those in plasma. CONCLUSION(S): Plasma levels of VEGF peak after hCG administration and are related to the risk of developing OHSS