Milk

SCOPE: This study investigates the exosomal microRNA (miRNA) profiles of term and preterm breast milk, including the most abundant and differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs, and their impact on neurodevelopment in infants. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mature milk is collected from the mothers of term and preterm infants. Using high-throughput sequencing and subsequent data analysis, exosomal miRNA profiles of term and preterm human breast milk (HBM) are acquired and it is found that the let-7 and miR-148 families are the most abundant miRNAs...

This preliminary study explored potential serum biomarkers for predicting the onset of milk fever (MF), a bovine parturient disease with hypocalcemia. We conducted two-dimensional gas chromatography mass spectrometry-based metabolomics in 8 and 17 pregnant Holstein cows that did and did not develop MF 3 weeks later, respectively. In principal component analysis (PCA) applied to a dataset containing 1498 metabolites, serum metabolites exhibited highly similar chemical profiles between cows with and without MF...

Titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) is an important industrial chemical, and studies suggest its major production route - the chloride process could lead to the generation of unintentional dl-POPs. However, no relevant studies assessed the occurrence of dl-POPs associated with TiO2 production in the industrial zones, which is mostly due to the ultra-trace level distribution of these compounds in environmental compartments. The present study explored the novel possibility of utilising foraging animal-origin foods as sensitive indicators for addressing this challenge and generated a globally beneficial dataset by assessing the background levels of dl-POPs in the vicinity of a TiO2 production house in Southern India...

Feed utilization efficiency is an important trait in dairy production playing a significant role in reducing feed costs and lowering methane emission. One of the metrics used to measure feed efficiency in dairy cows is residual feed intake (RFI). This metric requires routine measurement of feed intake. Since there is a positive high correlation between heat production and carbon dioxide (CO2 ) production on the one hand and heat production and efficiency on the other hand, residual carbon dioxide (RCO2 ) might be a useful metric to improve feed efficiency...

Milk protein content is an important index to evaluate the quality and nutrition of milk. Accumulating evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in bovine lactation, but little is known regarding the cross-kingdom regulatory roles of plant-derived exogenous miRNAs (xeno-miRNAs) in milk protein synthesis, particularly the underlying molecular mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to explore the regulatory mechanism of alfalfa-derived xeno-miRNAs on proliferation and milk protein synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs)...

BACKGROUND: Buffaloes have the highest potential for production due to a promising gene pool that is being enhanced and upgraded. Mastitis is a significant health impediment that greatly diminishes milk yield and quality, affecting rural farmers' livelihoods. The traditional gold standard used for diagnosing mastitis or subclinical mastitis is CMT, but it has the drawback of false positive or negative results. Subclinical mastitis, if not treated promptly, can lead to mammary tumors. To address the gap in early diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in CMT-negative milk of buffaloes, we performed a retrospective analysis and evaluated the milk miRNA expression profiles as potential biomarkers...

BACKGROUND: Atypical anticipation of social reward has been indicated to lie at the core of the social challenges faced by individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, past research has yielded inconsistent results, often overlooking crucial characteristics of stimuli. Here, we investigated ASD reward processing using social and non-social tangible stimuli, carefully matched on several key dimensions. METHODS: We examined the anticipation and consumption of social (interpersonal touch) and non-social (flavored milk) rewards in 25 high-functioning ASD and 25 neurotypical adult individuals...

In this study, we developed polydopamine (PDA)-functionalized alginate dialdehyde-gelatine (ADA-GEL) scaffolds for subchondral bone regeneration. These polymeric scaffolds were then coated with β-Lactoglobulin (β-LG) at concentrations of 1 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml. Morphological analysis indicated a homogeneous coating of the β-LG layer on the surface of network-like scaffolds. The β-LG-coated scaffolds exhibited improved swelling capacity as a function of the β-LG concentration. Compared to ADA-GEL/PDA scaffolds, the β-LG-coated scaffolds demonstrated delayed degradation and enhanced biomineralization...

Intestinal inflammation is a common digestive system disease. Milk-derived exosomes can participate in intercellular communication and transport a variety of bioactive components, and the microRNAs (miRNAs) they carry play important roles in a variety of biological processes in the body. At present, the preventive effect and mechanism of action of goat milk exosomes and their derived miRNAs on intestinal inflammation are still unclear. In this study, the protective effect of goat milk exosomes on LPS-induced intestinal inflammation was investigated using mouse intestinal inflammation model and IEC-6 cell inflammation model...

As glycosylations are difficult to analyze, their roles and effects are poorly understood. Glycosylations in human milk (HM) differ across lactation. Glycosylations can be involved in antimicrobial activities and may serve as food for beneficial microorganisms. This study aimed to identify and analyze O-linked glycans in HM by high-throughput mass spectrometry. 184 longitudinal HM samples from 66 donors from day 3 and months 1, 2, and 3 postpartum were subjected to a post-translational modification specific enrichment-based strategy using TiO2 and ZrO2 beads for O-linked glycopeptide enrichment...

An experiment was conducted to identify the factors that cause reduced production of cows fed a diet with high corn distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS). We hypothesized that the factors could be high S content in DDGS which may directly (S toxicity) or indirectly [dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD)] cause reduced production. We also hypothesized that high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in DDGS could be another major factor. In a randomized complete block design, 60 lactating cows (15 primiparous and 45 multiparious; average ± SD at the beginning of the trial: milk yield, 44...

Our objective was to determine the impact of simultaneous removal of lactose plus low molecular weight solutes and milk serum proteins from skim milk by microfiltration (MF) on the chemical, physical and sensory properties of 3.4, 7.5, and 10.5% milk protein-based beverages before and after a direct steam injection thermal process. Skim milk was microfiltered at 50°C using 0.1 micron ceramic membranes with a diafiltration ratio of water to milk of about 2.5. Milk lactose, serum proteins, and soluble minerals were removed simultaneously to produce protein beverages containing from 3...

The objectives of this prospective cohort study were to characterize associations among genomic merit for fertility with ovarian and endocrine function and the estrous behavior of dairy cows during an entire, non-hormonally manipulated estrous cycle. Lactating Holstein cows entering their first (n = 82) or second (n = 37) lactation had ear-notch tissue samples collected for genotyping using a commercial genomic test. Based on genomic predicted transmitting ability values for daughter pregnancy rate (gDPR) cows were classified into a high (Hi-Fert; gDPR > 0...

The cheese microbiota plays a critical role in influencing its sensory and physicochemical properties. In this study, traditional Apulian Caciocavallo cheese coming from 4 different dairies in the same area and produced following standardized procedures have been examined, as well as the different bulk milks and natural whey starter cultures used. Moreover, considering the cheese wheels as the blocks of Caciocavallo cheeses as whole, these were characterized at different layers (i.e., core, under-rind, and rind) of the block using a multi-omics approach...

Virtual fencing technology provides an opportunity to rethink the management of intensive grazing systems in general, yet most studies have used products developed and applied to more extensive livestock systems. This research aimed to assess the application of a virtual fencing technology developed for the intensive pastoral dairy industry. The Halter system uses 2 primary cues, sound and vibration, and one aversive secondary cue, a low energy electrical pulse, to confine cows to a pasture allocation and remotely herd cows...

The objective was to compare differences in reproductive performance for dairy cows grouped based on the combination of data for predictors available during the prepartum period and before the end of the VWP, automated estrus alerts (AEA) during the VWP, and the combination of both factors. In a cohort study, data for AEA and potential predictors of the percentage of cows that receive insemination at detected estrus (AIE) and pregnancies per AI (P/AI) for first service, and the percentage of cows pregnant by 150 DIM (P150) were collected from -21 to 49 DIM for lactating Holstein cows (n = 886)...

Maternal (F0 ) exposure to late-gestation heat stress reduces their daughter's (F1 ) mammary gland fat pad mass (FP), parenchyma (PAR) mass, and epithelial cell proliferation when evaluated at birth and weaning, and go on to produce less milk in their first lactation. Herein, we investigated the effect of maternal late-gestation heat stress on whole-body growth and mammary development of their granddaughters (F2 ). Multiparous F0 cows had access to heat abatement (n = 41, shade, and active cooling via fans and water soakers) or not (n = 41, shade only) for the last 56 d of gestation during a subtropical summer...

The possibility of inclusion of agro-industrial by-products in the diet of small ruminants represents both an economical and an environmental strategy for reducing waste management by industries and the cost of feeding as well as the impact of livestock farming. Large amounts of wastes from the cocoa industry are annually produced with a considerable part represented by cocoa bean shells, considered a suitable ingredient to be included in the diet of ruminants within the limits established by European legislation...

The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of a reduced liner-open phase applied through flow-responsive pulsation (FRP), as a method to provide supplemental stimulation, on teat tissue conditions and milking characteristics in dairy cows. In 2 switch-back trials, 156 Holstein cows milked 3 times daily were assigned to the FRP or conventional (CON) group in alternating sequences. Trial I lasted for 35 d and was split into 5 alternating 1-week periods of FRP and CON. The duration of Trial II was 84 d, consisting of 4 alternating 3-week periods of FRP and CON...

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of lipid from rapeseed cake and oats on ruminal CH4 emission and lactational performance of dairy cows. Twelve lactating Nordic Red cows, of which 4 primiparous, and averaging (±SD) 48 ± 22.9 DIM, 37.8 ± 7.14 kg/d milk yield were enrolled in a switch-back design experiment with 3 periods of 4 wk each. The cows were assigned into 6 pairs based on parity and days-in-milk, milk yield, and body weight at the beginning of the experiment...