The paper by Cesak et al [...].

BACKGROUND: β-alanine, a non-essential amino acid found in the diet and produced through nucleotide catabolism, is significant for muscle performance due to its role in carnosine synthesis. This study aims to assess the impact of a 4-week β-alanine supplementation on neuromuscular fatigue in individuals engaging in High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) and its subsequent effect on sports performance, distinguishing between central fatigue from the CNS and peripheral fatigue from the muscular system.
METHODS: This study (a randomized controlled trial) comprised a total of 27 subjects, who were divided into two groups. Group A (the control group) was administered sucrose powder, while Group B (the experimental group) was given β-alanine powder. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control groups. This study lasted four weeks, during which both groups participated in high-intensity interval training (HIFT) on the first day to induce fatigue and work close to their VO2 max.
RESULTS: Statistically significant changes were in the sports performance variables, specifically vertical jump and jumping power (p = 0.027). These changes were observed only in the group that had been supplemented with β-alanine. Nevertheless, no alterations were observed in any other variables, including fatigue, metabolic intensity of exercise, or perceived intensity (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: A four-week β-alanine intake program demonstrated an improvement in the capacity of subjects, as evidenced by enhanced vertical jump and power performance. Nevertheless, it does result in discernible alterations in performance.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the long-term adjunctive use of netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.02% in lowering IOP in patients with refractory glaucoma.
METHODS: This retrospective chart review study was conducted at a tertiary care center. Patients who were prescribed add-on netarsudil therapy and on ≥ 3 topical glaucoma medications from 01/01/2018 to 08/31/2020 were reviewed. 47 patients (69 eyes) met the inclusion criteria. Baseline IOPs prior to the addition of netarsudil were compared to IOPs measured at 3-, 6-, and 12-month intervals. Any patients with inadequate follow-up or who had glaucoma surgery after netarsudil initiation were excluded.
RESULTS: Median baseline IOP (± SD) was 21 ± 5.8 mmHg (median of 2 visits prior to initiation of netarsudil). At 3-month follow-up, 64 eyes had a median IOP of 16 ± 6.7 mmHg (p < 0.01). At 6-month follow-up, 56 eyes had a median IOP of 18 ± 4.6 mmHg (p < 0.01). At 12-month follow-up, 44 eyes had a median IOP of 15 ± 6.8 mmHg (p < 0.01). At the conclusion of the study, 64% of eyes reached 1 year follow-up due to several reasons.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with refractory glaucoma showed statistically and clinically significant IOP reductions on netarsudil. IOP reduction was stable long-term with the largest decrease in IOP seen at 12 months. Although some patients will still go on to require further laser or incisional surgery, for most patients netarsudil is an effective treatment for adjunctive use in refractory glaucoma.

This study aimed to elucidate the impact of combining Beta-Alanine (BA) supplementation with short sprint interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness, anaerobic power, and bio-motor abilities in volleyball players. Twenty young male athletes were randomly divided into 2 equal groups and performed 8 weeks of short sprint interval training while supplementing 4.8 g daily BA or placebo (polydextrose). The players were evaluated for volleyball-specific bio-motor abilities (vertical jump, horizontal jump, spike jump, block jump, 10-m linear sprint, and T-test change of direction speed) and physiological parameters (cardiorespiratory fitness and anaerobic power) pre- and post-intervention. Both groups demonstrated significant (p ≤ 0.05) improvements in all measured variables over time. A time-regimen interaction was observed in jumping ability enhancement from pre- to post-training, wherein BA elicited more significant changes in both vertical and horizontal jumps compared to the placebo. Analyzing residuals in changes and the coefficient of variations (CV) in mean group changes demonstrated that BA supplementation results in uniformly inducing adaptive changes among individuals. Therefore, in light of these results, it is recommended that coaches and trainers take into consideration the utilization of BA as an ergogenic aid to enhance the vertical and horizontal jumps of volleyball players and increase the homogeneity in adaptive responses over the training period.

Recently, β-alanine (BA) supplementation was shown to improve cognitive function in older adults with decreased cognitive function. Mechanisms supporting these improvements have not been well defined. This study examined the effects of 10-weeks of BA supplementation on changes in circulating brain inflammatory markers, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and brain morphology. Twenty participants were initially randomized into BA (2.4 g·d-1) or placebo (PL) groups. At each testing session, participants provided a resting blood sample and completed the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) test and magnetic resonance imaging, which included diffusion tensor imaging to assess brain tissue integrity. Only participants that scored at or below normal for the MoCA assessment were analyzed (6 BA and 4 PL). The Mann-Whitney U test was used to examine Δ (POST-PRE) differences between the groups. No differences in Δ scores were noted in any blood marker (BDNF, CRP, TNF-α and GFAP). Changes in fractional anisotropy scores were significantly greater for BA than PL in the right hippocampus (p = 0.033) and the left amygdala (p = 0.05). No other differences were noted. The results provide a potential mechanism of how BA supplementation may improve cognitive function as reflected by improved tissue integrity within the hippocampus and amygdala.

The role of thermally generated 3-aminopropionamide as an intermediate in acrylamide formation in the Maillard reaction has been well established. Herein, the effect of epicatechin on the conversion of 3-aminopropionamide into acrylamide under oxidative conditions was investigated at 160-220 °C. Epicatechin promoted acrylamide generation and 3-aminopropionamide degradation. The stable isotope-labeling technique combined with UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS analysis showed adduct formation between 3-aminopropionamide and the oxidized B ring of epicatechin to form a Schiff base. This initially formed Schiff base could directly degrade to acrylamide, undergo reduction or dehydration to other intermediates, and subsequently generate acrylamide. Based on accurate mass analysis, five intermediates with intact or dehydrated C rings were tentatively identified. Furthermore, reaction pathways were proposed that were supported by the changes in the levels of adducts formed during heating. To the authors\' knowledge, this study is the first to reveal pathways through which flavanols promoted the formation of acrylamide in Maillard reactions.

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the independent or combined use of nutritional ergogenic aids belonging to Group A of the ABCD classification by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in the context of cycling (caffeine, creatine, sodium bicarbonate, beta-alanine, nitrates, and glycerol). A comprehensive search was carried out using three databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. All the databases were searched for Randomized Controlled Trials or crossover design studies assessing the effects of supplementation on cycling performance in comparison with placebos in healthy adults. The methodological quality of each study was evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Thirty-six articles involving 701 participants were included in this review, examining supplementation with caffeine (n = 5), creatine (n = 2), sodium bicarbonate (n = 6), beta-alanine (n = 3), and nitrates (n = 8). Additionally, supplemental combinations of caffeine and creatine (n = 3), caffeine and sodium bicarbonate (n = 3), caffeine and nitrates (n = 1), creatine and sodium bicarbonate (n = 1), and sodium bicarbonate and beta-alanine (n = 4) were analyzed. A benefit for cyclists\' athletic performnce was found when consuming a caffeine supplement, and a potential positive effect was noted after the consumption of sodium bicarbonate, as well as after the combination of caffeine and creatine. However, no statistically significant effects were identified for the remaining supplements, whether administered individually or in combination.

β-Alanine, a valuable β-type amino acid, is experiencing increased demand due to its multifaceted applications in food flavoring, nutritional supplements, pharmaceuticals, and the chemical industry. Nevertheless, the sustainable biosynthesis of β-alanine currently faces challenges due to the scarcity of robust strains, attributed to the complexities of modulating multiple genes and the inherent physiological constraints. Here, systems metabolic engineering was implemented in Escherichia coli to overcome these limitations. First, an efficient l-aspartate-α-decarboxylase (ADC) was recruited for β-alanine biosynthesis. To conserve phosphoenolpyruvate flux, we subsequently modified the endogenous glucose assimilation system by inactivating the phosphotransferase system (PTS) and introducing an alternative non-PTS system, which increased β-alanine production to 1.70 g/L. The supply of key precursors, oxaloacetate and l-aspartate, was synergistically improved through comprehensive modulation, including strengthening main flux and blocking bypass metabolism, which significantly increased the β-alanine titer to 3.43 g/L. Next, the expression of ADC was optimized by promoter and untranslated region (UTR) engineering. Further transport engineering, which involved disrupting β-alanine importer CycA and heterologously expressing β-alanine exporter NCgI0580, improved β-alanine production to 8.48 g/L. Additionally, corn steep liquor was used to develop a cost-effective medium. The final strain produced 74.03 g/L β-alanine with a yield of 0.57 mol/mol glucose during fed-batch fermentation.

Delivery of active protein especially enzyme is one of the major therapeutic challenge. Replacing or substituted invalid/improper acting protein offer fast and effective treatment of disease. Herein, we describe the synthesis and properties of biotinylated peptidomimetics consisting of oxoacid-modified 2,3, L-diaminopropionic acid residues with guanidine groups on its side chains. Electrophoretic analysis showed that the obtained compounds interact with FITC-labeled streptavidin or a streptavidin-β-galactosidase hybrid in an efficient manner. Complexes formed by the abovementioned molecules are able to cross the cell membranes of cancer or healthy cells and show promising compatibility with live cells. Analysis of β-galactosidase activity inside the cells revealed surprisingly high levels of active enzyme in complex-treated cells compared to controls. This observation was confirmed by immunochemical studies in which the presence of β-galactosidase was detected in the membrane and vesicles of the cells.

Proper hydration and the clarity of the cornea are maintained through the crucial function of the corneal endothelium. Inflammation of the corneal endothelium, known as endotheliitis, can disrupt endothelial function, resulting in alterations to vision. Corneal endotheliitis is characterised by corneal oedema, the presence of keratic precipitates, inflammation within the anterior chamber, and occasionally, limbal injection, neovascularisation, and the concurrent or overlapping presence of uveitis. The aetiology of this condition is diverse, predominantly viral, but it may also be drug-induced, result from bacterial or fungal infections, be associated with systemic diseases and procedures, or remain idiopathic with no identifiable cause. To date, no standardised protocol for the treatment of this ocular disease exists, and in severe cases, corneal transplantation may be required. A 31-year-old male was transferred to our hospital for the management of corneal endothelial decompensation resulting from corneal endotheliitis. Hormonal therapy and antiviral medications proved ineffective, rendering the patient a candidate for corneal transplantation. As a final measure, treatment with the ROCK inhibitor netarsudil was initiated. The patient demonstrated significant improvement in symptoms, and the inflammation was successfully managed after nine months. In this study, a novel approach employing ROCK inhibitor therapy was utilised for the treatment of corneal endotheliitis, leading to marked recovery during patient follow-up. This case report represents the inaugural application of the ROCK inhibitor netarsudil in managing corneal endothelial decompensation attributed to corneal endotheliitis. These findings suggest that this method warrants consideration as a potential novel treatment option for similar conditions.