Which casein micelle removal method is suitable for studies of human milk extracellular vesicles? A systematic comparison of four different treatments for casein depletion before extracellular vesicle isolation from human milk.

This study aimed to systematically compare four casein micelle removal methods on the particle and protein characteristics of the isolated human milk EVs. The defatted milk was treated with 1% sodium citrate, 20 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 1% acetic acid, or 1% chymosin/calcium chloride for 30 min at 4 °C to remove casein micelles. EV isolation was performed using qEV size exclusion chromatography.

Predictors of Direct Breastfeeding in Preterm Infants.

Rates of mother's own milk (MOM) provision in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) vary widely, despite acceptance as the gold standard for nutrition in preterm infants. Direct breastfeeding (DBF) supports long-term provision of MOM, but factors that support DBF in preterm infants are unknown. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that predict DBF at oral feeding initiation and at NICU discharge.

Obesity and Prenatal Intention as Predictors of Meeting Breastfeeding Recommendations in an Urban Birth Cohort.

Few U.S. women meet the public health recommendations to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months and continue breastfeeding for at least 1-2 years.