Impact of maternal health and stress on steroid hormone profiles in human milk: Implications for infant development.

Steroid hormones are biologically active factors in human milk (HM) that influence the physical and mental development of infants. Critically, maternal psychosocial stress has been associated with changes in HM steroid composition. This work aimed to characterize the steroid hormone profile of HM and pasteurized donor human milk (DHM) and assess the interplay between maternal physical and psychosocial status, the HM steroid profile, and infant outcomes.

Corticosteroids, androgens, progestogens and oestrogens in the endometrial microenvironment, and their association with endometrial progression and function.

Research Question: How does the intracrine action of progestagens, oestrogens, androgens and corticosteroids affect endometrial tissue progression and function?

Design: In this prospective observational study, 76 patients (<50 years old, no uterine pathologies and at least one failed IVF cycle) undergoing endometrial biopsy collection for endometrial evaluation between 2018 and 2021 were included. The concentrations of 11 steroid metabolites (cortisone, cortisol, progesterone, oestrone, 2-methoxyestrone, oestradiol, oestriol, testosterone, androstenedione, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and 17-hydroxypregnenolone) were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in the endometrial tissue samples collected during the mid-secretory phase. Endometrial dating and reproductive outcomes (relative to the next good-quality fresh or frozen embryo transfer after the biopsy) were analysed in relation to endometrial steroid concentrations using Barnard's test; correlations between metabolite concentrations were measured by Pearson's correlation co-efficient.

A miniaturized stir bar sorptive dispersive microextraction method for the determination of bisphenols in follicular fluid using a magnetic covalent organic framework.

Background: Bisphenols, particularly bisphenol A (BPA), are the primary monomers used as additives in the manufacturing of many consumer products. The exposure to these compounds is related to endocrine-disrupting and reproductive effects, among others. For this reason, the development of analytical methods for their determination in biological matrixes is needed to monitor the population exposure to these compounds.

Microbiome-mediated fructose depletion restricts murine gut colonization by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus.

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) are a major threat to public health. MDRO infections, including those caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), frequently begin by colonization of the intestinal tract, a crucial step that is impaired by the intestinal microbiota. However, the specific members of the microbiota that suppress MDRO colonization and the mechanisms of such protection are largely unknown.

Calorie restriction improves metabolic state independently of gut microbiome composition: a randomized dietary intervention trial.

Background: The gut microbiota has been suggested to play a significant role in the development of overweight and obesity. However, the effects of calorie restriction on gut microbiota of overweight and obese adults, especially over longer durations, are largely unexplored.

Methods: Here, we longitudinally analyzed the effects of intermittent calorie restriction (ICR) operationalized as the 5:2 diet versus continuous calorie restriction (CCR) on fecal microbiota of 147 overweight or obese adults in a 50-week parallel-arm randomized controlled trial, the HELENA Trial.