Colonization of the infant gut is believed to be critically important for a healthy growth as it influences gut maturation, metabolic, immune and brain development in early life. Understanding factors that influence this process is important, since an altered colonization has been associated with a higher risk of diseases later in life. Fecal samples were collected from 108 healthy neonates in the first half year of life. The composition and functionality of the microbiota was characterized by measuring 33 different bacterial taxa by qPCR/RT qPCR, and 8 bacterial metabolites. Information regarding gender, place and mode of birth, presence of siblings or pets; feeding pattern and antibiotic use was collected by using questionnaires. Regression analysis techniques were used to study associations between microbiota parameters and confounding factors over time. Bacterial DNA was detected in most meconium samples, suggesting bacterial exposure occurs in utero. After birth, colonization by species of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Bacteroides was influenced by mode of delivery, type of feeding and presence of siblings, with differences found at species level and over time. Interestingly, infant-type bifidobacterial species such as B. breve or B. longum subsp infantis were confirmed as early colonizers apparently independent of the factors studied here, while B. animalis subsp. lactis presence was found to be dependent solely on the type of feeding, indicating that it might not be a common infant gut inhabitant. One interesting and rather unexpected confounding factor was gender. This study contributes to our understanding of the composition of the microbiota in early life and the succession process and the evolution of the microbial community as a function of time and events occurring during the first 6 months of life. Our results provide new insights that could be taken into consideration when selecting nutritional supplementation strategies to support the developing infant gut microbiome.

IntroductionAlzheimer's disease (AD) patients are at risk of nutritional insufficiencies because of physiological and psychological factors. Recently, we showed the results of the meta-analyses indicating lower plasma levels of vitamins A, B12, C, E, and folate in AD patients compared with cognitively intact elderly controls (controls). Now, additional and more extensive literature searches were performed selecting studies which compare blood and brain/cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, micronutrients, and fatty acids in AD patients versus controls.MethodsThe literature published after 1980 in Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, and Embase electronic databases was systematically analyzed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to detect studies meeting the selection criteria. Search terms used are as follows: AD patients, Controls, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, micronutrients, and fatty acids. Random-effects meta-analyses using a linear mixed model with correction for age differences between AD patients and controls were performed when four or more publications were retrieved for a specific nutrient.ResultsRandom-effects meta-analyses of 116 selected publications showed significant lower CSF/brain levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), choline-containing lipids, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and vitamin E. In addition, AD patients showed lower circulatory levels of DHA, eicosapentaenoic acid, choline as phosphatidylcholine, and selenium.ConclusionThe current data show that patients with AD have lower CSF/brain availability of DHA, choline, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Directionally, brain nutrient status appears to parallel the lower circulatory nutrient status; however, more studies are required measuring simultaneously circulatory and central nutrient status to obtain better insight in this observation. The brain is dependent on nutrient supply from the circulation, which in combination with nutrient involvement in AD-pathophysiological mechanisms suggests that patients with AD may have specific nutritional requirements. This hypothesis could be tested using a multicomponent nutritional intervention.

Aim This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to characterize the nutritional status of geriatric rehabilitation patients and its association with functional parameters. Findings Malnutrition is prevalent in a relevant percentage of geriatric rehabilitation patients, whereas body mass index (BMI) is in the normal to overweight range. Furthermore, data suggest that protein and energy intake is reduced and vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in this population. Decreased physical function is associated with malnutrition according to Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and MNA short form, whereas BMI did not show any clear association. Message Nutritional status is reduced in a relevant percentage of geriatric rehabilitation patients and associated with decreased physical function which emphasizes the need for screening and targeted interventions.

Background Altered gut microbiota is implicated in cow’s milk allergy (CMA) and differs markedly from healthy, breastfed infants. Infants who suffer from severe CMA often rely on cow’s milk protein avoidance and, when breastfeeding is not possible, on specialised infant formulas such as amino-acid based formulas (AAF). Herein, we report the effects of an AAF including specific synbiotics on oral and gastrointestinal microbiota of infants with non-IgE mediated CMA with reference to healthy, breastfed infants. Methods In this prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled study, infants with suspected non-IgE mediated CMA received test or control formula. Test formula was AAF with synbiotics (prebiotic fructo-oligosaccharides and probiotic Bifidobacterium breve M-16V). Control formula was AAF without synbiotics. Healthy, breastfed infants were used as a separate reference group (HBR). Bacterial compositions of faecal and salivary samples were analysed by 16S rRNA-gene sequencing. Faecal analysis was complemented with the analysis of pH, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and lactic acids. Results The trial included 35 test subjects, 36 controls, and 51 HBR. The 16S rRNA-gene sequencing revealed moderate effects of test formula on oral microbiota. In contrast, the gut microbiota was substantially affected across time comparing test with control. In both groups bacterial diversity increased over time but was characterised by a more gradual increment in test compared to control. Compositionally this reflected an enhancement of Bifidobacterium spp. and Veillonella sp. in the test group. In contrast, the control-fed infants showed increased abundance of adult-like species, mainly within the Lachnospiraceae family, as well as within the Ruminococcus and Alistipes genus. The effects on Bifidobacterium spp. and Lachnospiraceae spp. were previously confirmed through enumeration by fluorescent in situ hybridization and were shown for test to approximate the proportions observed in the HBR. Additionally, microbial activity was affected as evidenced by an increase of l -lactate, a decrease of valerate, and reduced concentrations of branched-chain SCFAs in test versus control. Conclusions The AAF including specific synbiotics effectively modulates the gut microbiota and its metabolic activity in non-IgE mediated CMA infants bringing it close to a healthy breastfed profile. Trial registration Registered on 1 May 2013 with Netherlands Trial Register Number NTR3979.