Probiotic BC30 Improves Amino Acid Absorption from Plant Protein Concentrate in Older Women

Weizmannia coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (BC30) has previously been shown to increase protein digestion in an in vitro model of the stomach and small intestine and amino acid appearance in healthy men and women after ingestion of milk protein concentrate. The impact of ingesting BC30 with other protein sources or in other demographics is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of adding BC30 to a 20-g dose of a blend of rice and pea protein on postprandial changes in blood amino acids concentrations in healthy, older women. Healthy, older females (n = 30, 58.5 ± 5.2 years, 165.4 ± 6.8 cm, 65.6 ± 8.8 kg, 23.7 ± 3.2 kg/m2) completed two separate 14-day supplementation protocols separated by a 3-week washout period. Participants were instructed to ingest a 20-g protein dose of a blend of rice and pea protein concentrates (ProDiem Plant Protein Solutions, Kerry) with (PPCBC30) or without (PPC) the addition of 1 × 109 CFU BC30 (Kerry). Body composition and demographics were assessed upon arrival to the laboratory. Upon ingestion of their final assigned supplemental dose, blood samples were taken at 0 (baseline), 30-, 60-, 90-, 120-, 180-, and 240-min post-consumption and analyzed for amino acid concentrations. Alanine (p = 0.018), tryptophan (p = 0.003), cysteine (p = 0.041), essential amino acids (p = 0.050), and total amino acids (p = 0.039) all exhibited significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater AUC with PPCBC30 when compared to PPC. In addition, tryptophan (p = 0.003), cysteine (p = 0.021), essential amino acids (p = 0.049), and total amino acids (p = 0.035) displayed significantly greater (p ≤ 0.05) concentration maximum (CMax) values in PPCBC30 when compared to PPC. Finally, time to reach CMax (TMax) was similar between conditions with 80% of all measured amino acids and amino acid combinations achieving CMax at a similar time (~ 60 min). Only phenylalanine TMax was found to be different (p = 0.01) between the two conditions with PPC displaying a greater proportion of TMax values after 30 min. Following qualitative (non-inferential) assessment, 88% of all measured outcomes achieved a higher AUC with PPCBC30 and 100% of all outcomes achieved a higher CMax with PPCBC30. In concert with previous findings in a younger mixed gender cohort with milk protein, the addition of BC30 to a daily 20-g dose of plant protein concentrate in healthy older women improved AUC and CMax values in several individual amino acids and amino acid combinations. Retrospectively registered on April 6, 2022, at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT05313178.

Dose-Response Absorption Kinetics of Oral L-Beta-Aminoisobutyric Acid (L-BAIBA) Supplementation in Healthy Men and Women

L-Beta-amino isobutyric acid (L-BAIBA) is a myokine produced in skeletal muscle during exercise and has been shown to impact carbohydrate and fat metabolism in both animals and humans. This study was designed to determine the rate and extent to which L-BAIBA appeared in human plasma after oral ingestion. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover fashion, six males and 6 females (N = 12; 24 ± 5 yrs; 173.6 ± 12.0 cm; 72.3 ± 11.3 kg; 21.0 ± 7.0 body fat %) completed a single-dose supplementation protocol of placebo (PLA), L-BAIBA at 250 mg (B250), 500 mg (B500), 1,500mg (B1500), and 1,500mg of valine (V1500). Participants fasted overnight (8-10 h) and consumed their dose with 8-12 fluid ounces of cold water. Venous blood samples were collected 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 and 300 min after ingestion and analyzed for L-BAIBA. Complete blood counts and comprehensive metabolic panels were analyzed 0 and 300 min after ingestion. Peak concentration (CMax) and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated for all variables. Baseline L-BAIBA levels were not different between conditions (p = 0.46). The observed AUC for B1500 (30,513 ± 9190 µM•300 min) was significantly higher than B500 (11,087 ± 3378 µM•300 min, p < 0.001), B250 (7081 ± 2535 µM•300 min, p < 0.001), V1500 (2837 ± 2107 µM•300 min, p < 0.001), and PLA (2836 ± 2061 µM•300 min, p < 0.001). Similarly, L-BAIBA CMax for B1500 (278.1 ± 52.1 µM) was significantly higher than all other supplement conditions: B500 (95.4 ± 33.5 µM, p < 0.001), B250 (63.3 ± 61.1 µM, p < 0.001), V1500 (10.1 ± 7.2 µM, p < 0.001), PLA (11.0 ± 7.1 µM, p = 0.001). AUC and CMax for B500 was significantly higher than B250 (p < 0.001), V1500 (p < 0.001), and PLA (p < 0.001). BAIBA AUC for B250 was significantly higher than V1500 (p < 0.001) and PLA (p < 0.001). No clinically significant changes in blood-based markers of health or adverse events were observed across the study protocol. L-BAIBA doses of 250 mg, 500 mg, and 1500 mg produced significantly greater concentrations of plasma L-BAIBA across a five-hour measurement window when compared to a 1500 mg dose of valine or a placebo. Follow-up efficacy studies on resting and exercise metabolism should be completed to assess the impact of L-BAIBA supplementation in normal weight and overweight individuals. Retrospectively registered on April 22, 2022 at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT05328271.

The return of stereotaxic surgery

Stereotaxic surgery, which declined with the advent of dopaminergic treatment of Parkinson's disease, has found new life and new uses with unknown limits.

Visual loss in pseudotumor cerebri. Follow-up of 57 patients from five to 41 years and a profile of 14 patients with permanent severe visual loss

The prognosis for vision in most patients with pseudotumor cerebri is excellent; however, visual loss, which is the only serious complication, may occur either early or late in the course of the disease. A group of 57 patients was followed up five to 41 years with visual fields, visual acuity, and fundus photographs. Blinding visual loss or severe visual impairment in one or both eyes occurred in 14 patients, and in seven patients, this occurred months to years after the initial symptoms. Systemic hypertension was a significant risk factor for visual loss in patients with pseudotumor cerebri, and blindness occurred in eight of 13 patients who were hypertensive. Despite suggestions that blind spot measurement is useful for following up patients with this condition, we believe that sequential quantitative perimetry gives more complete information and is essential to rational decision making in the treatment of pseudotumor cerebri.

Cavitary developmental defects of the optic disc. Visual loss associated with optic pits and colobomas

Congenital cavitary anomalies of the optic disc (optic pit and coloboma) are uncommon and frequently go unrecognized. Patients with these defects have a high incidence of visual loss and the abnormal appearance of the discs may be mistaken for atrophy due to acquired neurological disease. Occasionally, associated midline neurological developmental malformations will be found associated with pits, colobomas, or other dysplastic optic discs, as in one of our cases. A group of patients with optic pits and colobomas referred for neurological evaluation of visual loss are presented to remind the neurologist of the appearance of these congenital crater-like defects and of the causes of loss of vision.

Neuro-ophthalmological complications of enlargement of the third ventricle

A wide variety of visual sensory and ocular motor problems may occur as a direct result of enlargement of the third ventricle. Four patients are described with optic nerve dysfunction, partial third nerve palsy, proptosis, and Sylvian aqueduct syndrome all resulting from an enlarged third ventricle. The pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed.

Optic tract syndrome. A review of 21 patients

Twenty-one patients with lesions compromising the optic tract were reviewed. The involvement of the optic tract may be diagnosed in the presence of highly incongruous hemianopia, an afferent pupillary defect, and characteristic atrophy of the optic discs. Behr's pupil, hemianopic pupillary reaction (Wernicke's sign), and associated major neurologic deficits were encountered rarely.

The syndrome of facial nevi, anomalous cerebral venous return, and hydrocephalus

A 25-year-old man with facial and nuchal pigmentation and contrast radiographic changes identical to those in the syndrome described by Shapiro and Shulman is reported. Without surgical intervention in infancy, the patient attained normal maturation and development.