A low-FODMAP diet for irritable bowel syndrome: Some answers to the doubts from a long-term follow-up

A low-FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet (LFD) is a possible therapy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study investigates the short-and long-term efficacy and nutritional adequacy of an LFD and the patients’ long-term acceptability. Patients’ adherence and ability to perceive the “trigger” foods were also evaluated. Seventy-three IBS patients were given an LFD (T0) and after 2 months (T1), 68 started the reintroduction phase. At the end of this period (T2), 59 were advised to go on an Adapted Low-FODMAP Diet (AdLFD) and 41 were evaluated again after a 6–24 month follow-up (T3). At each time, questionnaires and Biolectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) were performed. The LFD was effective in controlling digestive symptoms both in the short-and long-term, and in improving quality of life, anxiety and depression, even if some problems regarding acceptability were reported and adherence decreased in the long term. The LFD improved the food-related quality of life without affecting nutritional adequacy. When data collected at T0 were compared with those collected at T2, the perception of trigger foods was quite different. Even if some problems of acceptability and adherence are reported, an LFD is nutritionally adequate and effective in improving IBS symptoms also in the long term

Low fermentable oligo-di-and mono-saccharides and polyols (Fodmaps) or gluten free diet: What is best for irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a very common functional gastrointestinal disease. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial and not yet clearly defined, and hence, its therapy mainly relies on symptomatic treatments. Changes in lifestyle and dietary behavior are usually the first step, but unfortunately, there is little high-quality scientific evidence regarding a dietary approach. This is due to the difficulty in setting up randomized double-blind controlled trials which objectively evaluate efficacy without the risk of a placebo effect. However, a Low Fermentable Oligo-, Di-and Mono-saccharides And Polyols (FODMAP) Diet (LFD) and Gluten Free Diet (GFD) are among the most frequently suggested diets. This paper aims to evaluate their possible role in IBS management. A GFD is less restrictive and easier to implement in everyday life and can be suggested for patients who clearly recognize gluten as a trigger of their symptoms. An LFD, being more restrictive and less easy to learn and to follow, needs the close supervision of a skilled nutritionist and should be reserved for patients who recognize that the trigger of their symptoms is not, or not only, gluten. Even if the evidence is of very low-quality for both diets, the LFD is the most effective among the dietary interventions suggested for treating IBS, and it is included in the most updated guidelines

Radiation tolerant SpaceWire router for satellite on-board networking

The European Space Agency (ESA) recently propsed the SpaceWire standard for reliable satellite on-board networking at high speeds. This paper presents the design of configurable SpaceWire router and interface hardware macrocells, the first in state-of-the-art compliant with the latest standard extensions, Protocol Identification and Remote Memory Access Protocol. The SpaceWire router with 8 links achieves 100 Mbits/s data-rate with 1.35 W power consumption and 300 Krad radiation tolerance. These performances meet the requirements of planned ESA space missions

Router IP macrocell for radiation tolerant SpaceWire Networking

New scientific missions require the capability to handle large amount of data for earth observation, atmospheric sounding, planetary exploration. The European Space Agency recently proposed a serial data link standard, the SpaceWire (ECSS-E-50-12A), to facilitate the set up of onboard high-speed and reliable networks, to reduce system integration costs, to promote compatibility between equipment and to encourage the re-use of digital interfaces across different missions. To this aim this paper presents the VLSI design of configurable SpaceWire router and interface IP cores, the first in state-of-the-art compliant with the newest standard extensions Protocol IDentifier and Remote Memory Access Protocol. The IP cells have been integrated and tested on radiation-tolerant antifuse FPGA device by Actel, in the framework of an ESA space project. The achieved performances of 8 SpaceWire links routing, 100 Mbits/s data-rate, 1.2 W power consumption, 300 Krad radiation tolerance meet the requirements of planned ESA space missions. The proposed SpaceWire IPs simplify the on board connectivity, provide network redundancy and guarantee to handle very high bandwidth data flows