Short-term dietary interventions in persons with cardiovascular risk factors

Death rates from cardiovascular disease (CVD) have decreased dramatically in Norway, and the decline has been attributed equally to changes in risk factors as to better treatments. Despite these changes CVD is still the leading cause of deaths in Norway as globally and there is a great potential for further improvements in cardiovascular risk factors by lifestyle changes as more healthy diets. We report data from three randomized clinical trials. The examined interventions were plant sterol enriched margarines and fat- or carbohydrate-restricted diets to reduce weight. Margarines providing 2 g/day of sterols from rapeseed or tall oil resulted in similar reductions in LDL cholesterol and Apo B. The margarine with sterols from rapeseed oil seemed to improve some markers of endothelial function (E-selectin) and hemostasis (PAI-1). In overweight and obese men and women energy restricted diets low in carbohydrate or low in fat giving a mean weight loss of < 5 %, similarly improved inflammatory biomarkers and adipokines. Serum concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, PAI-1, and leptin were reduced in both dietary groups, resistin was only reduced in the low-fat group. Energy restricted diets low in carbohydrate or fat did not differ in effects on body weight, fat mass or body circumferences in overweight and obese smokers trying to quit, but the low carbohydrate diet group reported higher withdrawal symptoms. The diets seemed to ameliorate early weight gain without decreasing quit rates. Quitters had a decrease in resting metabolic rate of 3.9 % after 4 weeks, no increase in weight and improvement in triglycerides and diastolic blood pressure after 12 weeks. In summary this work together indicates that short term dietary interventions could improve traditional risk factors as well as markers of inflammation in individuals at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Effects were on the whole not dependent on whether the interventions were low fat or low carbohydrate diets

A novel intragastric balloon for treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. A two-center pilot trial

Background and aims: Obesity with type-2 diabetes is a global challenge. Lifestyle interventions have limited effect for most patients. Bariatric surgery is highly effective, but resource-demanding, invasive and associated with serious complications. Recently, a new intragastric balloon was introduced, not requiring endoscopy for placement or removal (Elipse™, Allurion Inc., Natick, MA). The balloon is swallowed in a capsule and filled with water once in the stomach. The balloon self-deflates after 4 months and is naturally excreted. The present trial investigated balloon feasibility, safety and efficacy in patients with obesity and type-2 diabetes. Patients and methods: We treated 19 patients, with type-2 diabetes and body mass index (BMI) of 30.0-39.9 kg/m2 at two Norwegian centers with the Elipse balloon. Patient follow-up during balloon treatment mimicked real-world clinical practice, including dietary plan and outpatient visits. The primary efficacy endpoints were total body weight loss (TBWL) and HbA1c at weeks 16 and 52. Results: All patients underwent balloon insertion uneventfully as out-patients. Mean TBWL and HbA1c reduction after 16 and 52 weeks of balloon insertion was 3.9% (95%CI 2.1-5.7) and 0.8% (95%CI 1.9-3.5); and 7 (95%CI 4-10), and 1 (95%CI -6 to 9) mmol/mol, respectively. Adverse events occurred in two patients (10.5%): one developed gastric outlet obstruction, managed by endoscopic balloon removal; the other excessive vomiting and dehydration, managed conservatively. Conclusions: This first Scandinavian real-world clinical trial with a new minimally invasive intragastric balloon system demonstrated good feasibility, but did not confirm expected efficacy for weight loss and diabetes control

A new Time-of-flight detector for the R 3 B setup

© 2022, The Author(s).We present the design, prototype developments and test results of the new time-of-flight detector (ToFD) which is part of the R3B experimental setup at GSI and FAIR, Darmstadt, Germany. The ToFD detector is able to detect heavy-ion residues of all charges at relativistic energies with a relative energy precision σΔE/ ΔE of up to 1% and a time precision of up to 14 ps (sigma). Together with an elaborate particle-tracking system, the full identification of relativistic ions from hydrogen up to uranium in mass and nuclear charge is possible.11Nsciescopu