Background: Human milk banks have a pivotal role in provide optimal food for those infants who are not fully breastfeed, by allowing human milk from donors to be collected, processed and appropriately distributed. Donor human milk (DHM) is usually preserved by Holder pasteurization, considered to be the gold standard to ensure the microbiology safety and nutritional value of milk. However, as stated by the European Milk Banking Association (EMBA) there is a need to implement the improvement of the operating procedure of human milk banks including preserving and storing techniques. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of the selected new combination of methods for preserving donor human milk in comparison with thermal treatment (Holder pasteurization). Methods: We assessed (1) the concentration of bioactive components (insulin, adiponectin, leptin, activity of pancreatic lipase, and hepatocyte growth factor) and (2) microbiological safety in raw and pasteurized, high-pressure processed and lyophilization human breast milk. Results: The combination of two techniques, high-pressure processing and freeze-drying, showed the best potential for preserving the nutritional value of human milk and were evaluated for microbiological safety. Microbiological safety assessment excluded the possibility of using freeze-drying alone for human milk sample preservation. However, it can be used as a method for long-term storage of milk samples, which have previously been preserved via other processes. Conclusion: The results show that high-pressure treatment is the best method for preservation that ensures microbiological safety and biological activity but subsequent freeze-drying allowed long-term storage without loss of properties.

As the survival rate for preterm infants increases, more emphasis is placed on improving health-related quality of life through optimal nutritional management. Human Milk Banks (HMBs) provide bioactive nutrients and probiotic microorganisms to premature newborns, especially in the first year of life. Donated milk screening and selection of potential donors ensures the quality and microbiological safety of the donated milk. Therefore we reviewed the basic characteristics of donors and the amounts and contamination of breast milk donated to the Regional Human Milk Bank (RHMB) in Warsaw. In four years, the RHMB collected 1445.59 L of milk, of which 96.60% was distributed among hospitalised infants. Additionally, breastmilk from donor candidates (139 samples from 96 women) was tested at least once in the first year of lactation. First analyses showed that 18 women’s milk samples were microbiologically pure, and 78 samples had one or more species of commensal and/or potentially pathogenic bacteria. In human milk samples from 10 women, the bacteria level was above the standard required by the RHMB; therefore, donors were re-educated, and further samples were tested. Most women followed the recommendations on hygienic expression and storage of milk before transfer to the RHMB. Our analysis will help to increase the accessibility and quality of raw donor milk and to meet the needs of more newborns.

Background: Airline pilots and cabin crew are exposed to multiple occupational stressors, including circadian disruption, irregular meal timing, cabin environment and radiation, which collectively affect sleep, metabolism and overall health. This study aimed to evaluate the health implications of shift work in aviation by combining self-reported experiences with existing scientific evidence. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 101 airline personnel was conducted to assess sleep patterns, fatigue, nutrition-related challenges and health symptoms. The survey findings were integrated with a literature review to contextualize observed health outcomes within known effects of circadian disruption and aviation-related stressors. Results: Sleep disturbances (71%) and fatigue (89%) were the most prevalent symptoms, while 60% of respondents reported weight fluctuations and 50% limited access to nutritious food during duty. Appetite alterations, reduced taste perception and frequent melatonin use indicated behavioral adaptation to circadian misalignment. Among female aircrew (63%), thyroid and reproductive concerns were reported, aligning with documented impacts of radiation exposure and endocrine disruption. The findings correspond with existing evidence linking aviation-related circadian stress to cardiometabolic, endocrine and gastrointestinal imbalance. Conclusions: Shift work and occupational exposures in aviation contribute to significant disturbances in sleep, metabolism and overall health among aircrew. Preventive strategies should integrate fatigue risk management, circadian-aligned scheduling, improved in-flight nutrition and comprehensive occupational health surveillance to safeguard crew well-being and operational safety.

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Background: Adequate folate intake before and during early pregnancy is essential for neural tube defect (NTD) prevention. In 2023, the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians updated national recommendations, emphasizing the use of L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). Evidence on women’s awareness of these guidelines is limited. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey (2025) included 188 Polish women aged 18–45 years who were currently pregnant or had been pregnant within the previous 12 months. Knowledge, attitudes, and supplementation practices were compared between women with (n = 94) and without infertility (n = 94). Group differences were assessed using χ² tests, and predictors of 5-MTHF use were examined with multivariable logistic regression. Results: General awareness of folate recommendations was high (98.9%). However, detailed knowledge varied substantially. Women with infertility more frequently recognized different folate forms (87.2% vs. 72.3%; p = 0.018), knew the role of the MTHFR gene (77.7% vs. 39.4%; p < 0.001), and initiated supplementation ≥3 months before conception (88.3% vs. 47.9%; p < 0.001). Overall, 66% reported using 5-MTHF. Independent predictors of choosing 5-MTHF included awareness of folate forms, MTHFR knowledge, and awareness of emerging considerations related to folic acid metabolism. Infertility status was not an independent predictor. Conclusions: Although folate supplementation was nearly universal in this selective sample, more advanced knowledge—particularly regarding folate forms and genetic aspects of folate metabolism—remained limited. Higher awareness among women with infertility likely reflects greater exposure to medical supervision rather than inherent differences between groups. These findings may represent early signals of how the 2023 Polish recommendations are disseminating among women who are more engaged with health information, highlighting the need for continued public and professional education to support informed use of folate supplements.