Latitudinal effect on the position of Regener-Pfotzer maximum investigated by balloon flight HEMERA 2019 in Sweden and balloon flights FIK in Czechia.

When primary space radiation particles enter into the atmosphere of the Earth, they generate showers of secondary radiation. The intensity of secondary radiation reaches its maximum, called the Regener-Pfotzer maximum; its exact position depends on the geomagnetic effective vertical cut-off rigidity, the phase of the solar cycle and also on the type of detected particles. In this paper, several balloon flight experiments are described focusing on the study of the latitudinal effect on the position of the Regener-Pfotzer maximum. Altitude profile of ionization in the atmosphere was measured using radiation detectors flown during several flights at locations with different effective vertical cut-off rigidities (flight HEMERA over Sweden and flights FIK-5 and FIK-6 over Czech Republic). The measured results are supplemented also with simulations using EXPACS 4.11 and the variation of obtained positions of Regener-Pfotzer maximum is discussed.

Prospective, Randomized, Multicenter Trial of Peroneal Electrical Transcutaneous Neuromodulation vs Solifenacin in Treatment-naïve Patients With Overactive Bladder.

PURPOSE: We investigated the safety and efficacy of peroneal electrical transcutaneous neuromodulation using the URIS neuromodulation system in a home-based setting in comparison with standard treatment using solifenacin in treatment-naïve female patients with overactive bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 patients were screened, of whom 77 were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to 12 weeks of treatment with daily peroneal electrical transcutaneous neuromodulation or solifenacin 5 mg. The primary endpoint was safety; efficacy assessments included proportion of responders, defined as subjects with ≥50% reduction in bladder diary-derived variables; Overactive Bladder-Validated 8-question Screener, and European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions questionnaire; and treatment satisfaction after 12 weeks of therapy. RESULTS: Seventy-one out of 77 randomized patients completed the study. In the peroneal electrical transcutaneous neuromodulation group 6/51 (12%) patients reported a treatment-related adverse event vs 12/25 (48%) in the solifenacin group (P < .001). No clinically significant changes were observed in any other safety endpoint. The proportions of responders in the peroneal electrical transcutaneous neuromodulation group vs the solifenacin group were 87% vs 74% with respect to Patient Perception of Intensity of Urgency Scale grade 3 urgency episodes, 87% vs 75% with respect to grade 3+4 urgency episodes, and 90% vs 94% with respect to urgency incontinence episodes. In post hoc analyses we observed significant improvement over time in multiple efficacy variables in both treatment arms. CONCLUSIONS: Peroneal electrical transcutaneous neuromodulation is a safe and effective method for overactive bladder treatment associated with a significantly lower incidence of treatment-related adverse events compared to solifenacin and a considerably better benefit-risk profile.

Peroneal electrical transcutaneous neuromodulation in the home treatment of the refractory overactive bladder.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this prospective, open-label, multicenter, noncomparative study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of peroneal electrical transcutaneous neuromodulation (peroneal eTNM®) using the URIS® neuromodulation system as a home treatment for refractory overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: The patients were treated with daily peroneal eTNM® for 30 min over a 6-week period. The primary endpoint was defined as the proportion of responders, i.e., participants with ≥ 50% reduction in the average daily sum of severe urgency episodes (defined as "I could not postpone voiding but had to rush to the toilet in order not to wet myself") and urgency incontinence episodes. In addition, bladder diary variables, symptom severity (OAB V8 questionnaire), treatment satisfaction (visual analog scale), and pain perception (visual analog scale) were evaluated at baseline (BL), at week 4 (W4), and at the end of treatment (EoT). Safety evaluations included monitoring of the incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs). Changes in time were analyzed using the nonparametric one-way ANOVA Friedman test for categorical variables and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test for the noncategorical variables. RESULTS: In total, 40 subjects were screened and 29 were included in the full analysis set. The proportion of responders was 86% at W4 and 79% at EoT. There was a significant reduction in frequency (p<0.001), number of severe urgency episodes (p< 0.001), number of urgency incontinence episodes (p=0.001), and number of nocturia episodes (p=0.002). There was a significant improvement in the OAB V8 score and treatment satisfaction (both p<0.001). Two mild treatment-related AEs were recorded. Both patients recovered without sequelae and completed the study. CONCLUSIONS: Peroneal eTNM® proved to be a highly effective and safe method for the home treatment of OAB, providing a therapeutic response in approximately 80% of patients.

MEASUREMENT OF THE REGENER-PFOTZER MAXIMUM USING DIFFERENT TYPES OF IONISING RADIATION DETECTORS AND A NEW TELEMETRY SYSTEM TF-ATMON.

Stratospheric balloons are a useful tool for the investigation of cosmic radiation at high altitudes and the tests of new detectors of cosmic radiation. Due to necessary data processing, the balloon gondola needs to carry, together with radiation detectors, additional supplementary sensors measuring humidity, temperature, location and orientation, altitude, atmospheric pressure, acceleration, etc. A newly developed universal system TF-ATMON, based on using already existing tools of the PX4 open-source project, enables apart from data recording and monitoring, also the possibility to trace the balloon gondola after the flight. The application was demonstrated on stratospheric balloon flight FIK-6. This flight was unique because three different types of radiation detectors were used at one flight. It enabled us to compare the altitude of the Regener-Pfotzer maximum measured with different types of sensors sensitive to a different type of secondary cosmic radiation generated in the atmosphere.

Weight-loss therapy in type 2 diabetes: effects of phentermine and topiramate extended release.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment algorithms for type 2 diabetes recommend weight loss for disease management. The safety and efficacy of treatment with phentermine (PHEN)/topiramate (TPM) extended release (ER) plus lifestyle modification for weight loss and glycemic benefits were assessed in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 56-week studies of obese/overweight adults with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The OB-202/DM-230 Study was a 56-week phase 2 trial that randomized subjects to receive once-daily placebo or PHEN/TPM ER 15 mg/92 mg (15/92). The primary end point was change in HbA1c level. A post hoc analysis of a subpopulation with type 2 diabetes from a second study, CONQUER, is also presented. All subjects made lifestyle modifications, and comorbidities were managed to the standard of care. RESULTS: The study groups comprised 130 subjects with type 2 diabetes enrolled in the OB-202/DM-230 Study (mean baseline HbA1c 8.7% [72 mmol/mol]) and 388 subjects with type 2 diabetes in the CONQUER Study (mean baseline HbA1c 6.8% [51 mmol/mol]). At week 56 in the OB-202/DM-230, change in weight (from intent-to-treat sample with last observation carried forward [ITT-LOCF]) was -2.7% for placebo and -9.4% for PHEN/TPM ER 15/92 (P < 0.0001 vs. placebo). Change in HbA1c level (from ITT-LOCF) was -1.2% (-13.1 mmol/mol) for placebo and -1.6% (-17.5 mmol/mol) for PHEN/TPM ER 15/92 (P = 0.0381). In both the OB-202/DM-230 and CONQUER, greater numbers of patients randomized to receive PHEN/TPM ER treatment achieved HbA1c targets with reduced need for diabetic medications when compared with the placebo group. Common adverse events included paraesthesia, constipation, and insomnia. CONCLUSIONS: PHEN/TPM ER plus lifestyle modification can effectively promote weight loss and improve glycemic control as a treatment approach in obese/overweight patients with type 2 diabetes.

Comparison of methods for delivering a lifestyle modification program for obese patients: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Physicians frequently prescribe medications for weight loss but offer minimal lifestyle counseling despite the additional benefits of combining both interventions. OBJECTIVE: To compare 5 methods of delivering a lifestyle modification program to obese patients receiving sibutramine. DESIGN: Randomized, 6-month, open-label study. Participants were assigned to intervention groups by using a computer-generated schedule of randomly permuted blocks. Block length was 5. SETTING: 12 independent research clinics with experience running obesity trials. PATIENTS: 376 patients with obesity (body mass index > or =30 and <40 kg/m(2)). INTERVENTION: High-frequency face-to-face lifestyle modification counseling (HF-F2F) (n = 74), low-frequency face-to-face counseling (LF-F2F) (n = 76), high-frequency telephone counseling (HF-TEL) (n = 76), high-frequency e-mail counseling (HF-EMAIL) (n = 74), or no dietitian contact (self-help [SELF]) (n = 76). All participants received sibutramine, 10 mg/d; a lifestyle manual; and access to a weight-loss Web site. MEASUREMENTS: Percentage change in body weight at 6 months was the primary outcome. Secondary end points included changes in waist circumference; lipid, glucose, and insulin levels; blood pressure; weight-related symptoms; and quality of life at 6 months. RESULTS: At 6 months, the mean weight loss, relative to baseline, in the HF-F2F and HF-TEL groups was similar (8.9% [95% CI, 8.0% to 9.8%] and 7.7% [CI, 6.8% to 8.7%]) and significantly greater than that in the other groups (LF-F2F, 6.4% [CI, 5.4% to 7.3%]; HF-EMAIL, 5.9% [CI, 5.0% to 6.8%]; and SELF, 5.2% [CI, 4.3% to 6.1%]). All groups showed significant improvements in waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and measures of quality of life and weight-related symptoms. There were no serious adverse events and no differences in minor events among groups. LIMITATION: Most participants were women, and the attrition rate was 30%. CONCLUSION: High-frequency telephone contact with a dietitian was similar to HF-F2F contact for supporting lifestyle modification in obese patients trying to lose weight. The findings might be used by providers and health systems to promote healthy lifestyle changes for their patients. FUNDING: Pfizer Global Research and Development.

Effects of endurance and resistance training on total daily energy expenditure in young women: a controlled randomized trial.

There exists considerable controversy regarding the impact of different modes of exercise training on total daily energy expenditure (TEE). To examine this question, young, nonobese women were randomly assigned to a supervised 6-month program of endurance training, resistance training, or control condition. TEE was measured before and 10 d after a 6-month exercise program was completed with doubly labeled water. Body composition was determined from dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, maximum aerobic capacity from a treadmill test to exhaustion, and muscular strength from one-repetition maximum tests. Results showed that body composition did not change in endurance-trained women, but maximum aerobic capacity increased by 18%. Resistance-trained women increased muscular strength and fat-free mass (1.3 kg). TEE did not significantly change when measured subsequent to the endurance or resistance training programs. Absolute resting metabolic rate increased in resistance-trained women but not when adjusted for fat-free mass. No change in physical activity energy expenditure was found in any of the groups. These results suggest that endurance and resistance training does not chronically alter TEE in free-living young women. Thus, the energy-enhancing benefits of exercise training are primarily derived from the direct energy cost of exercise and not from a chronic elevation in daily energy expenditure in young, nonobese women.