Title: The Impact of Probiotic Supplementation on Gastric Motility and Nutrient Absorption in
Elderly Patients with Gastrointestinal Disorders
Version: 0 Date: 19 Dec 2024
Reviewer:  Qiaochu Liang
Reviewer's report:
Summary: This manuscript examines the effects of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
(LGG) on gastric motility and nutrient absorption in an elderly population with gastrointestinal
(GI) disorders. The study addresses an important area of research, providing potential insights
into the benefits of probiotics for this specific group of patients. However, there are significant
issues with how the data have been presented and interpreted (outlined below).
Major issues:
1. The intervention group was instructed to take the probiotic twice daily. However, the
commercial product (Culturelle) recommends one capsule per day. Please address the rationale
for deviating from the standard dosage and its potential impact on the study's outcomes.
2. The manuscript does not specify whether participants' prior or concurrent consumption of
other probiotics or prebiotics was monitored during the study period. These factors could
influence the outcomes. Please clarify whether such data were recorded and, if not, discuss the
potential implications.
3. The focus of the analysis appears to be on comparisons between the treated and non-treated
groups. However, the manuscript neglects comparisons within each group before and after the
intervention. Furthermore, significant changes are observed within the non-treated (NPS) group,
even without the intervention, which is puzzling. Authors should consider a better way to present
the data and elaborate on these unexpected changes in Sections 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4.
4. Both Table 6 and Figure 4 omit pre-treatment data, which is critical for understanding the
baseline conditions of the participants.
Minor:
1. In Section 2.3, the statement, "All patients had a total daily energy intake ranging from 1800
to 2400 calories [13]," lacks clarity regarding the relevance of the cited reference. Did the study
adopt the methodology from the referenced source to measure energy intake? Please revise
the statement to clarify this connection and ensure the relevance of the reference is explicitly
addressed.
2. In Section 2.5 “These samples were centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 10 minutes using a low-
temperature high-speed centrifuge (Mini1524, Zhuhai Hema Medical Instrument Co., Ltd.,
China) and subsequently stored at low temperatures for future analysis” and Section 2.6 “These
samples (3 ml each) were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes using a low-temperature high-
speed centrifuge”, please specify “low temperature” for both centrifuge and storage.
Title: The Impact of Probiotic Supplementation on Gastric Motility and Nutrient Absorption in
Elderly Patients with Gastrointestinal Disorders
Version: 0 Date: 19 Dec 2024
Reviewer:  Qiaochu Liang
Reviewer's report:
Summary: This manuscript examines the effects of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
(LGG) on gastric motility and nutrient absorption in an elderly population with gastrointestinal
(GI) disorders. The study addresses an important area of research, providing potential insights
into the benefits of probiotics for this specific group of patients. However, there are significant
issues with how the data have been presented and interpreted (outlined below).
Major issues:
1. The intervention group was instructed to take the probiotic twice daily. However, the
commercial product (Culturelle) recommends one capsule per day. Please address the rationale
for deviating from the standard dosage and its potential impact on the study's outcomes.
2. The manuscript does not specify whether participants' prior or concurrent consumption of
other probiotics or prebiotics was monitored during the study period. These factors could
influence the outcomes. Please clarify whether such data were recorded and, if not, discuss the
potential implications.
3. The focus of the analysis appears to be on comparisons between the treated and non-treated
groups. However, the manuscript neglects comparisons within each group before and after the
intervention. Furthermore, significant changes are observed within the non-treated (NPS) group,
even without the intervention, which is puzzling. Authors should consider a better way to present
the data and elaborate on these unexpected changes in Sections 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4.
4. Both Table 6 and Figure 4 omit pre-treatment data, which is critical for understanding the
baseline conditions of the participants.
Minor:
1. In Section 2.3, the statement, "All patients had a total daily energy intake ranging from 1800
to 2400 calories [13]," lacks clarity regarding the relevance of the cited reference. Did the study
adopt the methodology from the referenced source to measure energy intake? Please revise
the statement to clarify this connection and ensure the relevance of the reference is explicitly
addressed.
2. In Section 2.5 “These samples were centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 10 minutes using a low-
temperature high-speed centrifuge (Mini1524, Zhuhai Hema Medical Instrument Co., Ltd.,
China) and subsequently stored at low temperatures for future analysis” and Section 2.6 “These
samples (3 ml each) were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes using a low-temperature high-
speed centrifuge”, please specify “low temperature” for both centrifuge and storage.
Please review this paper.
user
Title: The Impact of Probiotic Supplementation on Gastric Motility and Nutrient Absorption in
Elderly Patients with Gastrointestinal Disorders
Version: 0 Date: 19 Dec 2024
Reviewer:  Qiaochu Liang
Reviewer's report:
Summary: This manuscript examines the effects of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
(LGG) on gastric motility and nutrient absorption in an elderly population with gastrointestinal
(GI) disorders. The study addresses an important area of research, providing potential insights
into the benefits of probiotics for this specific group of patients. However, there are significant
issues with how the data have been presented and interpreted (outlined below).
Major issues:
1. The intervention group was instructed to take the probiotic twice daily. However, the
commercial product (Culturelle) recommends one capsule per day. Please address the rationale
for deviating from the standard dosage and its potential impact on the study's outcomes.
2. The manuscript does not specify whether participants' prior or concurrent consumption of
other probiotics or prebiotics was monitored during the study period. These factors could
influence the outcomes. Please clarify whether such data were recorded and, if not, discuss the
potential implications.
3. The focus of the analysis appears to be on comparisons between the treated and non-treated
groups. However, the manuscript neglects comparisons within each group before and after the
intervention. Furthermore, significant changes are observed within the non-treated (NPS) group,
even without the intervention, which is puzzling. Authors should consider a better way to present
the data and elaborate on these unexpected changes in Sections 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4.
4. Both Table 6 and Figure 4 omit pre-treatment data, which is critical for understanding the
baseline conditions of the participants.
Minor:
1. In Section 2.3, the statement, "All patients had a total daily energy intake ranging from 1800
to 2400 calories [13]," lacks clarity regarding the relevance of the cited reference. Did the study
adopt the methodology from the referenced source to measure energy intake? Please revise
the statement to clarify this connection and ensure the relevance of the reference is explicitly
addressed.
2. In Section 2.5 “These samples were centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 10 minutes using a low-
temperature high-speed centrifuge (Mini1524, Zhuhai Hema Medical Instrument Co., Ltd.,
China) and subsequently stored at low temperatures for future analysis” and Section 2.6 “These
samples (3 ml each) were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes using a low-temperature high-
speed centrifuge”, please specify “low temperature” for both centrifuge and storage.
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