Demonstration of tailored energy deposition in a laser proton accelerator

International audienceIn order to implement radiotherapy based on a laser accelerator, it is necessary to precisely control the spatial distribution and energy spectrum of the proton beams to meet the requirements of the radiation dose distribution in the three-dimensional biological target. A compact laser plasma accelerator has been built at Peking University, which can reliably generate and transport MeV-energy protons with a specified energy onto the irradiation platform. In this paper, we discuss several technologies for the accurate control of a laser-accelerated proton beam with large divergence angle and broad energy spread, including the determination of the beam source position with micron accuracy, a tuning algorithm for the transport line which we refer to as “matching-image-point two-dimensional energy analysis” to realize accurate energy selection, and the control of beam distribution uniformity. In the prototype experiment with low energy protons and 0.5-Hz irradiation rate, a tailored energy deposition is demonstrated, which shows the potential feasibility of future irradiation based on laser-accelerated proton beams

Time-restricted eating with or without low-carbohydrate diet reduces visceral fat and improves metabolic syndrome: A randomized trial

Overconsumption of carbohydrate-rich food combined with adverse eating patterns contributes to the increasing incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in China. Therefore, we conducted a randomized trial to determine the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD), an 8-h time-restricted eating (TRE) schedule, and their combination on body weight and abdominal fat area (i.e., primary outcomes) and cardiometabolic outcomes in participants with MetS. Compared with baseline, all 3-month treatments significantly reduce body weight and subcutaneous fat area, but only TRE and combination treatment reduce visceral fat area (VFA), fasting blood glucose, uric acid (UA), and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, compared with changes of LCD, TRE and combination treatment further decrease body weight and VFA, while only combination treatment yields more benefits on glycemic control, UA, and dyslipidemia. In conclusion, without change of physical activity, an 8-h TRE with or without LCD can serve as an effective treatment for MetS (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04475822)

Time-restricted eating with or without low-carbohydrate diet reduces visceral fat and improves metabolic syndrome: A randomized trial

Overconsumption of carbohydrate-rich food combined with adverse eating patterns contributes to the increasing incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in China. Therefore, we conducted a randomized trial to determine the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD), an 8-h time-restricted eating (TRE) schedule, and their combination on body weight and abdominal fat area (i.e., primary outcomes) and cardiometabolic outcomes in participants with MetS. Compared with baseline, all 3-month treatments significantly reduce body weight and subcutaneous fat area, but only TRE and combination treatment reduce visceral fat area (VFA), fasting blood glucose, uric acid (UA), and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, compared with changes of LCD, TRE and combination treatment further decrease body weight and VFA, while only combination treatment yields more benefits on glycemic control, UA, and dyslipidemia. In conclusion, without change of physical activity, an 8-h TRE with or without LCD can serve as an effective treatment for MetS (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04475822).Metabolic health: pathophysiological trajectories and therap