We reported previously that microRNA (miRNA) are present in whey fractions of human breast milk, bovine milk, and rat milk. Moreover, we also confirmed that so many mRNA species are present in rat milk whey. These RNA were resistant to acidic conditions and to RNase, but were degraded by detergent. Thus, these RNA are likely packaged in membrane vesicles such as exosomes. However, functional extracellular circulating RNA in bodily fluids, such as blood miRNA, are present in various forms. In the current study, we used bovine raw milk and total RNA purified from exosomes (prepared by ultracentrifugation) and ultracentrifuged supernatants, and analyzed them using miRNA and mRNA microarrays to clarify which miRNA and mRNA species are present in exosomes, and which species exist in other forms. Microarray analyses revealed that most mRNA in milk whey were present in exosomes, whereas miRNA in milk whey were present in supernatant as well as exosomes. The RNA in exosomes might exert functional effects because of their stability. Therefore, we also investigated whether bovine milk-derived exosomes could affect human cells using THP-1 cells. Flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy studies revealed that bovine milk exosomes were incorporated into differentiated THP-1 cells. These results suggest that bovine milk exosomes might have effects in human cells by containing RNA.

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The human milk analyser can inform us about the amount of major nutrients in breast milk: fat, protein and lactose. However, when human milk is diluted, the lactose content measured by the human milk analyser is overestimated.

Patients with less severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are usually prescribed oral appliances and/or smaller optimal nasal continuous positive airway pressure (PnCPAP) in nCPAP therapy. We hypothesised that OSA patients with greater PnCPAP would not respond favourably to oral appliances.Oral appliances were inserted in nCPAP users after washing-out the nCPAP effect. Follow-up polysomnography was undertaken with the adjusted oral appliance in place. The predictability of PnCPAP was evaluated with receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves.The median baseline apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI) was reduced with the oral appliance from 36 to 12 events?h -1 in 35 patients. When responders were defined as patients showing a follow-up AHI of ,5 events?h -1 with .50% reduction in baseline AHI, the area under the ROC curve for PnCPAP was 0.76. The best cut-off value of PnCPAP turned out to be 10.5 cmH 2 O with a high negative predictive value (0.93) and a low negative likelihood ratio (0.18). OSA patients with a PnCPAP of .10.5 cmH 2 O are unlikely to respond to oral appliance therapy. This prediction is clinically helpful to both OSA patients and medical personnel in discussing oral appliances as a temporary substitute and/or alternative for nCPAP.

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