Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are present in many consumer goods. There is evidence that PBDEs are toxic to humans, particular young children. The purpose of this study was to assess indoor dust as an exposure source for PBDEs. Concentrations of 16 PBDEs were determined in dust samples from 33 households in New Zealand, and in breast milk samples from 33 mothers living in these households. Associations between dust and breast milk PBDE concentrations were assessed, and children's PBDE intake from breast milk and dust estimated. Influences of household and demographic factors on PBDE concentrations in dust were investigated. Indoor dust concentrations ranged from 0.1ng/g for BDE17 to 2500ng/g for BDE209. Breast milk concentrations were positively correlated (p<0.05) with mattress dust concentrations for BDE47, BDE153, BDE154, and BDE209 and with floor dust for BDE47, BDE183, BDE206, and BDE209. The correlation for BDE209 between dust and breast milk is a novel finding. PBDE concentrations in floor dust were lower from households with new carpets. The estimated children's daily intake of PBDEs from dust and breast milk was below U.S. EPA Reference Dose values. The study shows that dust is an important human exposure source for common PBDE formulations in New Zealand.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2013.06.020 | DOI Listing |
Gut Microbes
December 2025
Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
The gut microbiome plays a key role in human health, influencing various biological processes and disease outcomes. The historical roots of probiotics are traced back to Nobel Laureate Élie Metchnikoff, who linked the longevity of Bulgarian villagers to their consumption of sour milk fermented by Lactobacilli. His pioneering work led to the global recognition of probiotics as beneficial supplements, now a multibillion-dollar industry.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Commun
January 2025
Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708, WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
The effect of fermented foods on healthy human gut microbiota structure and function, particularly its seasonal preference and frequent long-term consumption, has been largely uncharacterised. Here, we assess the gut microbiota and metabolite composition of 78 healthy Indian agrarian individuals who differ in the intake of fermented milk and soybean products by seasonal sampling during hot-humid summer, autumn and dry winter. Here we show that, seasonal shifts between the Prevotella- and Bifidobacterium/Ruminococcus-driven community types, or ecological states, and associated fatty acid derivatives, with a bimodal change in Bacteroidota community structure during summer, particularly in fermented milk consumers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMucosal Immunol
January 2025
Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States. Electronic address:
Immunoglobulin A (IgA), the most abundantly produced antibody at mucosal surfaces, is thought to play key roles in immune responses to respiratory and enteric pathogens and in the regulation of commensal colonization. Low IgA levels have been associated with recurrent infections and immune dysregulation, including inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmunity. Levels of IgA in maternal breast milk and infant stool are both inversely associated with the emergence of immune responses to food antigens in infants and, in naturally resolving food sensitivity and immunotherapy protocols, the induction of IgA antibodies to dietary antigens has been associated with the acquisition of food tolerance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Dairy Sci
January 2025
Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada. Electronic address:
Provision of supplemental concentrate in an automated milking system (AMS) is commonly used to encourage voluntary attendance, however, the motivation to voluntarily milk is highly variable between cows. The objectives of this study were to determine if dairy cow personality is associated with: 1) their short-term response to changes in factors believed to motivate voluntary AMS visits such as udder pressure and provision of supplemental feed (modulated by longer milking intervals or removal of AMS concentrate, respectively); and 2) their milking activity, production, and feeding behavior after returning to pre-treatment AMS milking interval and concentrate feed settings (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Dairy Sci
January 2025
Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates. Electronic address:
The increased use of dairy fat in various applications is facilitated by its fractionation into hard and liquid fractions. Herein, the fractionation of bovine ghee and buffalo ghee was investigated, and triacylglycerol (TAG) profiles of milk fat fractions and 2 categories of infant formulas fat were quantified by using ultra-performance convergence chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPC-Q-TOF-MS) using carbon dioxide as the mobile phase. Furthermore, the thermal behavior of the different samples was evaluated, and tocopherols content was also quantified.
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